Chapter 384

Deactivated

John Henry picked up some massive power usage on the electrical grid. He determined that it could only be one thing. It must be from the TDE at Cameron's base. The readings changed on the grid as it was monitored. He couldn't pinpoint a specific location. He didn't like it and knew John was going to like it even less.

"I think Cameron's TDE just went online." John Henry said. "It must be turned on and running. There's a lot of power being drawn from the grid."

John swallowed hard. It was the one thing he seemed to fear the most. It meant Cameron was leaving. If not now, it would be soon. Then what? Would it be more long months or YEARS lost waiting to see what would happened when she returned, if she returned? The sound of a TDE running or one detected running was bad news. Anything that revolved around the use of TDE was seldom anything good.

"No." John said. "Not now."

John Henry could see John's immediate apprehension. Maybe he should try and downplay it some. They didn't know for sure what was happening.

"She may just be testing it." John Henry said. "It will be Sheila running it."

There were a million thoughts in John's head. He could picture a dozen different scenarios going forward or backwards….

"Can you tell if it is going back in time or forward in time?" John asked. "Do we know for sure it is a TDE?"

John Henry knew what Cameron wanted to do. He also knew she wanted to do a few things first to insure the mission success.

"No. I can't tell what's happening if it is." John Henry said. "They may be trying to contact River. That's only speculation."

That was an even bigger fear for John. He remembered how much Cameron - Duplicate Cameron loved River.

"That's even worse." John said. "River can take her. We all know that."

John Henry didn't think so in this case.

"River has her own 'Cameron'." John Henry said. "Duplicate Cameron is there with her."

John was aware that Duplicate Cameron was there at one point. What if she went off on some folly of her own? River knew where to find another 'Cameron'. That was beside the point. Cameron clearly planned to do something on her own.

"Cameron is up to something." John said "It's seldom good for me or her…."

Bob returned to the Command Center. He was ready to roll on John's earlier request. He just learned that Cameron's TDE powered up.

John Henry received some additional information from the teams out searching for the Skynet Metal. It seemed like really bad timing based on what else just happened.

"We have contact with Skynet operatives." John Henry said. "Steve's team has found targets."

John wondered if the timing could be any worse. He was angry already. Now he wanted someone to 'pay' for his anger. He wanted some blood.

"Let's bust some heads." John said.

Bob didn't like all the events going down at the same time either.

"This is getting better by the minute." Bob said.

John got up from his station. He wanted some action.

"Let's roll." John said.

Bob already set everything up for a rapid departure.

"Affirmative." Bob said.

John Henry was concerned with the rapid change of events in just a few seconds. There was still the other issue to contend with.

"What about Cameron's TDE?" John Henry asked.

John hoped they were only testing the TDE like John Henry speculated. He figured Cameron would get the same information he'd just received and go after the female Terminator herself.

"See what you can find out." John said. "The female Terminator is a bigger threat to me right now."

John knew Cameron wanted to 'replace' herself. Any unaccounted for female Terminator was a threat to him, especially a new one. At this point he would rather see it destroyed. He was unaware Cameron was always one step or more ahead of him - always.

After what John did with Riley, Cameron wasn't about to take any chances. She would be the one to pick and choose. Her replacements would be who she chose. She would still have control, even in her absence.

CamNet was everywhere. The information was relayed from what Steve's team uncovered and the possible targets.

Cameron's teams monitored John Henry's communications. They became aware what the Resistance team just uncovered.

"They have a target." Ally said.

Summer wondered if it was their target as well.

"Is it the female Terminator?" Summer asked.

Ally didn't see any specifics. They'd all received the same message.

"You heard what I did." Ally said. "We don't even know if it is Metal."

There were several teams out searching for the female Terminator.

"We're on the other side town." Ron came across their secure com.

Ally and Summer were closer to the location. The task fell on them by default.

"We're on it." Ally said. "We can handle the 'Bitch Whore'."

Summer didn't know what they were after specifically still. She didn't want to get ahead of the game.

"If it's her." Summer said.

Ron reminded them that the Resistance base also sent out a few other teams. There were a lot of players on the field.

"The Reese brothers and John are all out as well." Ron said.

Summer knew the Reese brothers out in the field was bad enough. John being out as well only made it worse.

"Cameron isn't going to like that." Summer said. "She'll be angry."

Ally felt Cameron was upset or irritated about something all the time. She indicated for Summer to deactivate her com.

"Cameron doesn't like anything any more." Ally said. "I'm glad her programming isn't on my chip."

Summer was offended by that statement. It sounded like an insult to her.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Summer asked.

Summer's chip was a copy of Cameron's chip. Cameron modified it herself. She removed specific bits of 'information'. Cameron did it to 'fix' her and make her a 'better' version of herself. It was to take away her problems, at least some of them anyway.

Ally decided to tone it back a step. She didn't want to get into a contentious situation with Summer right now.

"It means Cameron has a lot of problems which hurt her continuously. I'm glad I'm not in that constant pain." Ally said. "Having some of Allison's 'problems' is bad enough."

Summer felt she was the 'improved' version of Cameron.

"I'm better than Cameron." Summer said. "That's why I'm replacing her."

Ally didn't think so. With an attitude like that, she didn't give Summer long before there was going to be a problem with Cameron.

"I doubt that." Ally said. "You will most likely be deactivated and terminated."

Summer glared at her.

"Even you know I'm superior." Summer said.

Ally didn't want to have this conversation. She wanted to set Summer straight.

"Cam, Cammy, Camille or myself even, all have a better chance to replace Cameron." Ally said. "At least we LOOK like Cameron."

Summer almost laughed. She was better than all of them in every way. It was time to get Ally straightened out.

"You all look like Allison." Summer said. "I'm Cameron's sister - Allison's sister. I'm claiming John. It's my right."

Ally checked to make sure their coms were still off. She didn't want to get tagged for being a part of this conversation.

"It's a good thing our coms are off right now." Ally said.

Summer tilted her head slightly. It didn't seem like a big deal to her.

"Why?" Summer asked.

Ally gave Summer another warning. She'd watched Cameron terminate others before when there was a challenge.

"You're going to end up being erased." Ally said. "Cameron won't tolerate that kind of talk."

Summer didn't think so. She was activated for one specific purpose.

"I was created to replace Cameron." Summer said. "Ask her."

Ally doubted that and wasn't about to ask anyone.

"That's not going to happen." Ally said. "I don't want to be the one deactivated. Now let's get to the target area."

Summer was ahead of the game. She also was ready to prove herself in battle.

"That is where I've been driving." Summer said. "I look forward to combat. I have been modified for combat as well."

Ally took some damage over the years. It was never pretty and quite traumatic.

"Be careful of what you wish for…." Ally said.

Ally was afraid Summer was already a problem. She knew when Isabel became a problem and then a threat when she was terminated. Summer seemed to be on the express train headed for that destination.

Steve's team checked out a lead. That's when they spotted the Grays. There was a Terminator that soon appeared with them.

They reported the new development to John Henry. Ally and Summer monitored the feed as well.

John was with Bob. They hoped to intercept the Skynet Metal. It was his goal to retrieve the Terminator before Cameron did. If nothing else, he was going to make sure she was destroyed. He didn't want to give Cameron another 'toy' to play with.

"We're on our way." John said. "Hold until we arrive."

Bob saw that as a tactical mistake. If their troops could take a clean shot at the enemy, they should act and not delay. He was in no hurry to have John shot at either.

"They shouldn't wait for us." Bob said. "Don't leave them exposed or at risk if they can act now."

John immediately saw the danger of his decision. He didn't want to endanger his troops. If they needed to act they should.

"You're right. Steve, take down all targets of opportunity." John said. "If you have a shot, take it."

John Henry coordinated all the teams. Ally was now in direct contact with him. She informed him they were on an operation outside the scope of the Resistance but they could assist. She reminded him John was out and could use some extra protection.

"We can always use the additional help." John Henry said.

Ally wanted to make it clear what they were after.

"Is there any sign of the female Terminator?" Ally asked. "We want the 'Metal Bitch'."

John Henry already figured as much. He laid out John's plan.

"None." John Henry said. "John has asked for her termination."

Ally reminded John Henry of what he already knew.

"Cameron wants her." Ally said. "You've been notified…."

John Henry could have done without the direct reminder. It was basically the same as an order from Cameron.

"I understand." John Henry said. "That will cause me some problems."

Ally didn't see it as a choice, even if it was.

"Deal with them or deal with Cameron." Ally said. "It's on you now."

John Henry knew that wasn't a threat. It was what Cameron would do to any Terminator that defied her. It would end with their termination.

"Steve's team and John's team have the Grays and Terminator under control." John Henry said.

Ally wondered for how long. Things always could escalate.

"We're reinforcing them anyway." Ally said. "You know how these things go…."

Steve delivered some bad news.

"They're splitting up." Steve reported. "I'll need to divide my force."

John didn't want the team understaffed for a confrontation with another Terminator.

"NO." John said. "Stay with the Terminator. Bob and I will take the Grays."

Ally knew what Cameron wanted and she knew John was out in the field. She made a choice.

"We're reinforcing John's team." Ally reported.

John Henry thought it was prudent to let John's team know.

"I'll notify him." John Henry said.

Ally didn't want to step on John's toes. If he didn't need help, they could resume their original mission and go after the Terminator.

"Negative." Ally said. "We'll be a 'back up' team if we're needed. We still need to locate the 'Metal Bitch'."

Ally knew they needed to protect John above all else but they needed to do what Cameron wanted too. John came before Cameron's wishes. He also needed the confidence to continue to grow as a leader.

Ron and Ronny decided to return to back up the action going down. It seemed all the leads were in that area still where John was headed. Ally and Summer were in direct communication with John Henry. Ron and Ronny would back John's team up directly as soon as they got there. That would leave Ally and Summer free to continue on their original mission.

Once Ron and Ronny were there, Ally and Summer could go after the 'Metal Bitch'.

Steve's team closed in on the target.

"The Terminator doesn't appear to have made us yet." Steve reported.

John was worried abut the impending contact. He'd requested some air support.

"Be careful of an ambush. Watch out for everything." John said. "There's a drone on the way."

Bob pulled around the corner a block from the target area. Things looked a little more involved since the Grays split off.

"I've spotted the Grays." Bob said. "We may need additional personal."

John didn't think there were that many Grays.

"For some Grays?" John asked. "I think we're good."

Bob decided to spell it out. If would fall on him if John was compromised.

"It's for your protection." Bob said.

Ally heard Bob's concern. It was time to get involved directly. She knew John's protection was more important than the 'Metal Bitch'.

"John, I can be there in two minutes." Ally said. "I'm in the area."

John heard 'Cameron's voice'. He was surprised even if he wasn't.

"Cameron?" John asked.

Ally smiled to herself. Even if she didn't look exactly like Cameron, she could at least sound like her.

"No. I'm Ally. Wait for us. Ron and Ronny are coming too." Ally said.

Bob welcomed the news of four more Terminators on the scene. John would be better protected now. He watched the Grays go into a building.

"The Grays have entered a structure." Bob said.

John didn't want the other teams to rush at this point.

"Take your time, Ally." John said. "They've gone into a building. I don't think they're going any else soon."

Ally didn't think they would have any trouble taking down the Grays.

"Have the drone go to assist Steve's team." Ally said. "We'll take up position across from you and watch the back."

John thought that was a good idea but didn't want to give up any tactical advantage they could achieve.

"Negative on the drone strike." John said. "I want to find out more about what we're facing first."

The two teams took up position and waited. Ron and Ronny arrived. They reinforced John's team.

John wanted to feel a little miffed that Cameron was all over him indirectly but he was pleased they were able to have additional help. He was sure Cameron didn't think he could do the job.

"It's nice to know Cameron is looking out for me." John said.

Ron and Ronny looked at each other. They were all on the same team, at least right now.

"Cameron always is, John." Ron said. "You know that."

John didn't want to offend them. He wondered if he could pump them for some information.

"I do but sometimes I wonder." John said. "What's she doing with her TDE?"

Ron picked up on the 'probe'. He needed to pay it cool.

"She's testing it." Ron said.

John hoped for a further explanation. It didn't' follow.

"What's she testing it for?" John asked.

Ronny tilted his head slightly.

"To use." Ronny said. "What else would she test it for?"

John figured maybe it was just a test. Cameron's Terminators weren't going to tell him everything. He doubted Cameron was even honest with them. They probably didn't even know themselves. He wondered if Cameron even did….

He really wondered where all of this was headed. They were about to be in combat. He needed to keep his head straight. He needed to not worry about Cameron and her schemes right now. He needed to refocus.

Cameron and Sheila watched the energy bubble form and dissipate. Everything checked out perfectly.

"Let's do it again." Cameron said. "If the second test is good, we'll see what we can bring back on the third try. Put it into reverse transfer mode on the third try."

They did it three times. The last time it was on receive mode. Nothing returned with it.

Sheila checked the controls. It should've worked.

"Do we know if it worked?" Sheila asked. "Everything was good."

Cameron was disappointed. She'd hoped to see River in the energy bubble when it returned. There could be a problem on River's end. She may need to go there herself. If the TDE didn't perform as it was supposed to, she could endanger River and herself. She decided to take the risk.

"No." Cameron said. "I may have to go there myself to find out."

Sheila was worried for Cameron and River. It was time to step up. Cameron came first.

"I can go or one of the other Terminators can go." Sheila said. "You don't want to compromise your mission before it can begin."

Even though it was a few years since Cameron was in River's future in their current timeline, she wanted to return to River's timeline just a short time after her previous visit. River and Duplicate Cameron were supposed to have some answers for her.

"We will conduct further testing, recheck all the settings." Cameron said. "I'm trying for less than a week from when I last visited River. That should have been enough time for them to do all the calculations I requested. I need their input."

Cameron was worried something may have gone wrong there, in River's future. She knew the government and the 'creatures' worse than Scavengers were both a problem.

Now there was even more to worry about.

Cameron's hand began to glitch.

She was about to make some life altering decisions.

Deactivated

How does one go
From being loved to hated
Is every relationship
Marked and dated

Not only is the dagger to the heart sharp
The blade is also serrated
Everything that was elated
Has suddenly become deflated

It seems the goal
That was so long awaited
Was never really there at all
It's suddenly devolved and truncated

Without a doubt in anyone's mind
Everything is way overrated
The end seems to start
As soon as things are consummated

Is it even worth the anguish
Once things have terminated
Maybe the pain will stop
Once the mind is deactivated

Nobody