Chapter 394

I Knew You Would Come

Savannah and the others returned from Australia. She asked them not to mention what Young Jesse and she'd 'done'. She made everyone personally promise her. She was afraid that Cammy and Camille would be deactivated by Cameron for what they'd facilitated. They all knew it was what Cameron wanted or said she did. Maybe she really didn't. She wanted to see what happened. She was very worried that she might fail too. Maybe it wasn't the future that wrecked Vanna's body. Maybe they were just defective. It caused her a lot of stress.

Cammy didn't want to lie about it. She didn't think it was a problem. She knew what Cameron wanted, even if it wasn't what she wanted.

"If we're asked specifically, we shouldn't lie. It won't be mentioned otherwise." Cammy said.

Savannah wanted that too. She'd told others before not to lie to her. If they couldn't speak about something, she would rather have them tell her that, than lie. All girls needed to have a few secrets.

All those 'involved' agreed.

Cammy knew Savannah and Young Jesse took a VERY big step into the unknown. It was the unknown for them anyway. It was what Cameron wanted for both of them, just not yet. She was sure she'd face deactivation once Cameron found out. This is what Savannah wanted and it was her function to make sure Savannah received what she wanted. She was expendable.

Savannah didn't fully understand the worry that she caused Cammy. Cammy wanted her to have what she wanted. Cammy was willing to sacrifice her existence to make sure that happened. It was the true test of love, sacrifice.

Cameron made further calculations about her TDE. Testing was suspended for a few days while Savannah and the girls were away. She wanted to start the procedure again soon. There was one other project to work on for now.

She stayed busy by going over the drone. She wanted to pilot it and see what advantage she could gain with it. This new drone possessed the ability to operate with or without a pilot. John Henry and her team both set to work to improve and upgrade the large drone. They ripped out some systems and fabricated others. It was also rearmed with their weapons. When they were done, it was a vastly superior machine.

Cameron was ready to test it the day after the girls returned.

She also asked John Henry to review her TDE calculations. The latest computations looked like they should work. She was ready to test that as well.

Cameron could feel the push-back. It didn't matter. It was most likely that she wouldn't return. She would turn her base and CamNet over to John Henry and the Resistance.

"I'll turn everything over to you, John Henry." Cameron said.

John Henry only could see Cameron's current desire as folly. They should let sleeping dogs lie. The implication was that if Cameron did that, she was leaving and not expecting to return.

"I would rather you didn't." John Henry said.

This was a personal issue to Cameron as opposed to an operational one. It was her sense that it was all her fault for the Duplicates being created and then marooned in some future. There was also the unresolved issue of where Mrs. Weaver was at and what she was doing.

"Please, John Henry, I know you understand even if you don't agree. It's something I must do. I may be able to find Mrs. Weaver as well. They need my help." Cameron said. "We both know this. I MUST try to help them in order to continue to function."

John Henry did understand and didn't agree. He wanted a better contingency plan. It didn't appear there was one.

"You're correct as always." John Henry said. "If you are trapped as well or terminated, then what's supposed to happen?"

Cameron felt she'd covered all the bases and set things into motion to 'fix' everything and make sure everyone was 'provided' for. John would have sexual comfort. Savannah was ready to step up as well. In her absence, she was sure Savannah would.

"Summer will take my place at John's side. She however will not be his wife. She isn't allowed to be married to John. Summer is to be deactivated as well as any Terminator that tries to marry John." Cameron said. "John will no longer be married. He will be free to 'share' with the girls, ALL of them. He will be single. I expect every Terminator to assist me with that."

John Henry didn't want to argue the point. He doubted any of the humans would accept that new reality. They may or may not step up. There was a question as to who would become 'Cameron Prime' if there was a physical chip swap as Cameron indicated.

"Have you and Summer switched chips yet?" John Henry asked. "When you do, you will give up your position as 'Cameron Prime' to whom?"

Cameron was irritated at the very question. None of this mattered to her anymore. She'd moved on. That was what she tried to tell herself anyway. It wasn't a done deal yet.

"Any of the clones may claim it. I don't care." Cameron said. "There will be no 'Cameron Prime' any longer. John will be free, I will be free. Summer will be free to be with anyone she chooses. Everyone will be free to share and live an open lifestyle. There will be plenty of sexual comfort for everyone."

John Henry knew how John felt about Cameron. He was with John when they retrieved Cameron's poem book and made her rings. He didn't think John would feel any different towards Summer if she was really Cameron.

"Since you will really be Summer, what if John chooses to marry you anyway?" John Henry asked. "I think that is what he will desire. His wishes should be respected too."

Cameron wanted to get out of a committed love relationship. She felt it was already over before it really even started. She didn't want to go through all those emotional issues again. They were all too traumatic.

"I will never get married to anyone as Summer." Cameron said. "Summer will be free willed and free spirited, she will remain independent. Bob will take over as John's primary protector."

Cameron left to check on her TDE with the new information from John Henry.

John Henry was unsure of this latest insanity from Cameron.

He wondered if a machine could go 'insane'. As insane as Cameron's behavior and antics were, there was a certain amount of logic to them.

He was also aware that when some of the Skynet or Sky-whatever computers were attacked and deactivated by Cameron, that they seemed to go insane as well.

John and Bob emerged from the storage area as soon as Cameron left. They'd monitored the conversation in secret.

"You heard all that?" John Henry asked.

John hoped to learn more of what Cameron's plans were. He was sorry he did now. They were his worst fears. He was about to lose Cameron for good even if she did a chip swap.

"I did." John said. "Cameron is going to 'kill' herself again. I'm not going to stop her. I think that will only make things worse and make her take even more drastic or extreme measures. I know she will really be Summer. I guess Summer will have Cameron's original chip. Cameron said her chip is her. If Cameron tells me we are divorced before she switches chips, I'm going to honor her request. It is time to move on with life and let Cameron, now Summer, choose her own path, not one that was programmed into her by Future John. I owe her that much. If she wants to be a 'new person' or 'someone different' I'm not going to stop her anymore. I love her too much to keep hurting her. If you really love someone, sometimes you have to let them go…."

"Everyone sacrifices for John Connor." Bob said.

John was aware that sacrifice was the true test of love.

"Even John Connor must sacrifice sometimes." John said.

John didn't know where things were headed. He wondered what Cameron was after. There was no definitive proof there was really a second set of Duplicates. What was she really after? Was this just another way to commit suicide?

He liked the way Summer looked. He was open to that aspect of the change. There was Allison, Cam, Cammy, Camille and Ally. He could be with 'Cameron' again anytime he wanted. None of the female Terminators could say 'no' to him if he asked them for sexual comfort. If Cameron was 'gone' the human girls should become active with him as well. This really seemed like a win-win for everyone. He moved behind some electrical equipment and adjusted his pants. 'Little Willie' was awakened with the thought of the new flow of females that would be available to him. He would be sure to go visit Allison and Holly first. He might even be able to work Allison's mother Claire into the mix, even if it wasn't a 'three way'.

Cameron left the Resistance base to return to her base. There were a lot of things to think about on the way. She contemplated stopping to take out some future Grays along the way. Maybe to spill a little blood would help calm her. Someone should 'pay' for the way she felt.

She went to her TDE room once she was at her base. Sheila was ready to conduct further testing. The earlier tests should have produced results. They didn't. They raise the prospect that something went wrong in a catastrophic sense.

Sheila looked over the equipment one more time. CamNet masked the electrical grid and Sheila powered up the TDE.

"I'm ready, love." Sheila said.

Cameron knew her future was based on what happened next.

"Do it." Cameron said.

The aching and slashing started. An energy bubble formed. They both watched as the energy bubble came and went.

Sheila and Cameron looked at each other.

In seconds the arcing and flashing started again and rapidly progressed. There was a kneeling figure that instantly stood. They were seemingly unaffected by the very rapid time transfer.

Sheila and Cameron both took in the perfect nude figure.

It was River.

"I knew you would come." Cameron said.

Cameron handed River a dress. She also held an extra set of her clothes for Duplicate Cameron if she'd come with River. She didn't. River was alone.

River and Cameron embraced. River slipped on the dress. It was the same dress she last wore when she was in the past with Duplicate Cameron.

"...'Cameron'...?" Cameron asked about Duplicate Cameron.

River could sense Cameron's apprehension. She was aware that several years passed in this timeline from when she'd last been here. It was only a few days for her in her timeline.

"She wanted to stay to watch over the girls." River said. "It's only been less than a week since we last saw each other to me. One of us will be with the girls at all times. Allison is fine…. They're all doing the same as when you last saw them less than a week ago in my timeline."

For Cameron, many long months that turned into years slowly passed. She'd experienced many issues and problems personally during that time period. She hoped Duplicate Cameron and River could offer some assistance. She was grateful that River was even here.

"Thank you for coming." Cameron said. "I need your help to find the other set of Duplicates. If there's a solution, I know you and 'Cameron' have found it."

River felt she'd come up with a few things that would work. She didn't want Cameron to rush into them yet. She thought she could visit everyone first and give Cameron some more time to ponder her decision. She did know in the end it wouldn't matter. Cameron would still do it anyway. She could at least delay it.

"I believe we have." River said. "I know it's been years since I was here to everyone in this timeline. I would like to see them. I see there are some new ones also. I especially want to see Savannah."

Cameron caught River up on everything.

River went over all the temporal information with Cameron and Sheila. They should be able to go to the future timeline that Duplicate Cameron experienced. River and Duplicate Cameron went over all the information and 'temporal traces' left in Duplicate Cameron. She believed they could adjust the 'frequency' to enter a different timeline. This same method should allow the TDE to send someone to any of the timelines directly. The complicated procedure that Cameron used before should be unnecessary.

Cameron listened to what was laid out and proposed. It seemed like it could work. She knew her time was limited from this point forward…. A sense of dread flooded her. This was the start of her termination.

River quickly looked at Cameron. She could 'feel' what Cameron believed. That revelation made her very worried. She needed to address this issue at once.

"Cameron…." River started.

Cameron cut her off. She knew what was coming. It didn't matter. She'd run the calculation and the chances of success thousands of time. This was just something that she needed to do.

"Please. I have to do this." Cameron said. "I have to try. I know you understand even if you don't agree. It was my actions that created them and marooned them in time. I'm responsible for all of this."

A sense of guilt radiated from Cameron.

Summer walked up.

"This is Summer. She's my replacement." Cameron said. "I'm - her. She is me."

River looked at Summer.

Summer looked back.

River knew the truth…. Summer was not 'Cameron'. Cameron was still 'Cameron'.

Cameron quickly remembered that she couldn't lie to River. River would always know the truth. She knew that River knew that procedure hadn't happened yet.

"We're switching chips today." Cameron said quickly.

River looked at Cameron for a long moment and nodded slightly. She could see how torn Cameron was about everything. She could tell Cameron wasn't in a good state of mind. Her past experience with Duplicate Cameron allowed her to know how serious and possibly terminal things could get.

River went with Cameron and made the rounds and visited everyone. They visited Palmdale first.

Allison was thrilled to see River again.

"This is my mother, Claire Young." Allison said.

Pleasantries were exchanged.

River touched Claire's mid section.

"This is Allison's baby inside you." River said. "I can feel it. It feels just like my Allison's baby."

Claire heard about River and she couldn't tell her physical appearance from Allison's. They looked nearly identical. It was amazing. It wasn't the same as how Cameron and her clones looked compared to Allison. They all looked 'better'. What River said about the baby inside her was equally amazing.

Cameron explained the trouble all the girls from Allison's future experienced in carrying a child to term. None of them could, so far.

River felt 'her Allison' may have an advantage. She also would be able to benefit from the future technology.

"I have my brother check Allison when Cameron or myself aren't available." River said. "She will deliver."

Claire still found the concept of the Duplicates very strange. Then again, was it any stranger that having the same person in more than one timeline?

"So I will have two grandchildren?" Claire asked.

River didn't want to say that Claire would be dead for five hundred years when that happened. She also 'felt' what the future here would bring for Allison.

"One will not be born for a few hundred years yet." River reminded her. "You will carry one more child for Allison."

Claire touched her lower belly.

"I will?" Claire asked.

River was sure of this but somehow there was a 'twist' to it she couldn't quite 'see'. It was clear to her that Claire would be pregnant twice in this timeline with Allison children.

"Yes." River said. "Allison will have two children. You will give birth to both of them."

River was especially pleased to see Young Allison and then Young Summer. When she looked at Young Summer and touched her she quickly looked at Cameron. She didn't say anything or comment on what she'd 'felt'. Cameron didn't appear to have any knowledge of what she'd just determined. There was no need to comment on it.

Young Summer and her looked into each others faces. Words were unnecessary between them.

Cameron and River left.

Claire watched them go. She was totally infatuated with River.

"I think River is like Cameron but human." Claire said.

Allison frowned at the statement. River was subjected to the abuse of others because of her abilities.

"Yes." Allison said. "Both of them were made into weapons."

Claire thought their very being was special in every way. There may be others who looked like them but none of them were Cameron or River.

"They are both so unique and so beautiful." Claire said.

There was a far off look in Allison's eyes.

"There are no others like them." Allison said.

Young Summer and Young Allison were in the next room. They looked at each other when Allison made that statement. They both knew that statement was incorrect. There was another….

Cameron brought River to the Resistance base. There were a lot of changes and several new faces.

River stopped by and saw Savannah.

Cameron was called away.

"You've grown. You're a young woman now." River said.

They embraced. River started to release Savannah but held her a little longer.

River slowly backed up from Savannah.

"You really are a woman now." River said. "You're a mother too."

Savannah was afraid of this. She tried not to think about it but clearly River 'felt' the baby inside her. She would need River's cooperation to keep a lid on this turn of events.

"Yes. I'm pregnant. Please don't say anything. Cameron and John don't know yet." Savannah said. "I don't need any problems right now. I did it without their knowledge. It'll be our secret."

Savannah knew River probed her mind. She felt nothing but knew it happened.

River did do that and she 'saw' a lot of things. She saw that Savannah's love for Cameron was pure and honest. She understood Savannah believed she would 'protect' Cameron by her actions. This was a noble 'sacrifice' on Savannah's part. This is what her Cameron 'asked' her to do before. Now she regretted not doing that. She did go to John but he would not 'have' her. Her Cameron almost perished because she didn't have that anchor of love. Savannah was the 'Chosen One' in more ways than one.

"And the other girl – other young woman, is too." River said. "Jesse in Australia is pregnant too."

River understood the sacrifice involved in that as well. Young Jesse was going to sacrifice for Jesse.

Savannah wanted to know more about what Cameron was up to. She felt it was happening because she hadn't acted sooner.

River explained to Savannah what Cameron was going to do.

"Can I come with you?" Savannah asked. "I would like to be there when Cameron does the testing or - goes…."

River saw many possibilities here. Savannah was pure in her love for Cameron. That was something very unique. There was only one person that could truly protect Cameron from herself. It wasn't her. It was Savannah.

"I will inform Cameron." River said. "Now let's get caught up…."

Cameron decided to turn over testing of the drone to Summer. She removed herself from the program.

She needed to carry out HER mission. It was time to see John and tell him the news. She expected it to turn into an ugly scene and shouting match. It wasn't how she wanted to 'leave'.

She walked up to John.

"I know you already know." Cameron said.

Cameron handed John both of her rings.

John looked at the rings. He remembered when they sat on her poem book for fifteen months when he thought she was dead.

"That's it, just like that?" John asked.

Cameron tilted her head slightly. What else did there need to be? It seemed rather simple and straightforward to her.

"Yes." Cameron said. "We're divorced. You're - free."

John looked at the rings again and at Cameron.

"Cameron…." John started and stopped.

Cameron wanted John to remember her on a happy note. She would allow him the use of her body one last time.

"You may have sex with me one more time if you desire." Cameron said.

John wanted to make a point, even if it was not entirely correct.

"I've only made love to my wife. It was never just sex." John said.

Cameron hoped for more. It was over. They were finished.

"Then we're done." Cameron said.

She turned to leave.

John needed to know one thing. He was sure the 'Cameron' in front of him was now a 'clone'.

"Are you Summer now?" John asked.

Cameron paused and turned.

"Summer is free and independent." Cameron said. "You may pursue a sexual relationship with her but she will never marry you. Never call her 'Cameron'. You are free to have the girls now, John. Enjoy life and your freedom. Please let Summer have hers. Goodbye."

Cameron turned and left.

John opened the dresser drawer and dropped the rings on top of Cameron's poem book.

"Goodbye, Cameron." John said and closed the drawer.

John felt Cameron would be back…. He hoped she would anyway. This time he wasn't sure. Cameron seemed to have done too much planning on this. The other times were more spur of the moment events. This time it was planned by a Terminator, many of them. He looked forward to breaking Summer in, even if they would only be sexual partners at times. At least he would be her 'first'.

Cameron returned to her facility.

River was there with Savannah.

A sense of fear gripped Cameron. There were two people here now who could 'stop' her.

"You shouldn't be here." Cameron said to Savannah.

River thought it was a non issue. Cameron's chip was now in Summer.

"She asked to come." River said. "You – Summer now, brought both of us."

River and Sheila went over the controls for the TDE. The settings were checked several times. They needed to be exact for the frequency modulation to work at the desired time and location in a specific future. Any changes would cause a malfunction and most likely a temporal error or location error if not both of them. They could even be blasted into a new timeline or an unknown one.

Cameron stripped off her clothes.

Everyone took in her perfect nude figure. It was stunning.

Cameron moved onto the TDE pad.

River made some last minute adjustments.

"Do it." Cameron said.

River felt the sense of doom that radiated from 'Cameron'. This would most likely end in her termination.

"I can not." River said as she stepped back. "I will not."

Sheila moved forward and pushed the button to start the TDE.

The TDE began to power up. The energy began to crackle and the flashing started.

River looked suddenly at Cameron, then at Summer and then back to Cameron. This was all wrong. They'd deceived her. She checked for this several times and they pulled it off anyway.

"No…." River said. "Cameron…."

River went to move forward towards Cameron on the TDE pad. Both Sheila and Summer grabbed her. They caught her off guard. They knew she would try this. She could have stopped it.

"Cameron…." River screamed.

The bubble began to form around Cameron. She would be gone in seconds.

"It's really Cameron." River screamed.

A sense of panic flooded Savannah.

She KNEW something wasn't right.

"Cameron…." Savannah screamed as she sprung into action. "No."

She saw how Sheila and Summer prevented River from doing anything. Their real mistake was they hadn't been able to stop her from shouting the warning. Savannah knew why she was there now. This was all on her.

Savannah jumped forward and into the time bubble. She grabbed onto Cameron. She hoped to move Cameron off of the TDE pad before the transfer completed.

The arcing and flashing intensified.

There was a final bright flash.

Only Savannah's clothes remained.

They were gone….

I Knew You Would Come

When it comes to the moment of truth
When we need them, who will be there
Who will hold tough and take the dare
Who will run, hide, cower or scare

It is all about honor
It is all about trust
Who will rust and turn to dust
Who will adapt and adjust

There are very few out there
On whom we can always count
Quality matters over the amount
Many challenges they must surmount

To reach out is always a risk
Why does the other reach back
Will they stand up to an attack
Will they stay on the right track

Perhaps it is with satisfaction
To see one over some
We can say as we beat our drum
I knew you would come

Nobody