Chapter 412
Warhead
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In Some Future: Duplicate Cameron
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Duplicate Cameron and Mrs. Weaver worked to make sure everything was organized. Reports came in from all around the area. The Skynet outposts all fell one after another. The Skynet forces all seemed to be in total disarray and confused without leadership or coordination. All of the operations turned into a total victory for the Resistance.
News quickly traveled of General Weaver and Commander Connor personally smashing Skynet Central. Word spread that the Commander's sister Allison and the General's younger daughter Savannah played an important part in the victory.
Rumor soon developed that Allison and Savannah infiltrated Skynet Central to help with its destruction from the inside. Duplicate Cameron and Mrs. Weaver decide to let that rumor stand as it would give more respect to Allison and Savannah.
Duplicate Cameron was glad she'd started that rumor. She knew the threat always loomed of more anti-Metal haters 'coming out'. If more people thought Allison and Savannah risked everything for the Resistance, maybe that would keep a target off of their backs.
There were soon Resistance celebrations everywhere.
Vanna and Jesse urged the Mrs. Weaver to push one issue a little further. It was something very personal to them. They wanted all Scavengers exterminated.
The General issued a directive for the Resistance to find all pockets of Scavengers and any others that refused to join the Resistance. They were to be terminated to make the entire area safe again.
Units of Restorators took control of all Skynet facilities. General Weaver issued orders to reprogram all serviceable Skynet Terminators with new Restorator chips and programming. There were to be no traces of Skynet in their systems.
Duplicate Cameron was still very upset about the incident that occurred at headquarters when she was at Skynet Central with Mrs. Weaver. It was more that just the anti-Metal faction that they needed to worry about. There were always behind the scenes power struggles to contend with.
"General, we will need to watch the Resistance for those who wish to take control and power." Duplicate Cameron said. "There was some trouble here while we were out. Cam took care of it."
Cam joined the briefing and filled them in on all the details. Those who assisted them were noted. She also raised an issue that Vanna brought up about things going forward. The issue of leadership and government needed to be addressed.
That wasn't something that Mrs. Weaver thought should be an issue. She was in charge now. She didn't plan to stay here that much longer if possible. Maybe there should be something worked out going forward.
"Once it's determined that Skynet has fallen everywhere, we will let the people decide what they want." Mrs. Weaver said. "I would like to return to my future once we get a working TDE. I will send my Restorators to that future and make sure that Skynet is terminated as well."
Duplicate Cameron was a little stunned to hear Mrs. Weaver suggest conducting some type of an 'election'. Maybe that was only because Mrs. Weaver wanted to leave this future. There was also no guarantee yet that anyone was going anywhere yet.
"What if we can't get a functioning TDE?" Duplicate Cameron asked.
Mrs. Weaver saw a sore spot developing around all of those issues. The biggest one was Savannah going forward.
"I'm willing to bet Cameron will come up with something. I know she's determined to take Savannah from me." Mrs. Weaver said.
Duplicate Cameron knew that was an issue Cameron wouldn't budge on. The 'Natural Order' was something Cameron would strive to maintain.
"Cameron has raised Savannah for all these years in their timeline that Savannah's grown up in." Duplicate Cameron said. "She's done that far longer than you actually did."
Mrs. Weaver was proud of Savannah. She'd just started to form a real bond with Savannah when she needed to leave. It made her wonder how Savannah would've turned out under her 'parenting'. It was clear that those who stepped up did a fine job.
"Cameron, the girls and Sarah Connor have all done a fine job with her." Mrs. Weaver said. "They may possibly have done a better job than I could've done myself. They've certainly turned her into a dynamic individual. I'm so proud of Savannah. She helped rescue me. She risked herself to save me. I watched her do it. She could've sought safety but she didn't. She put herself between the danger and me."
Duplicate Cameron KNEW they all did a better job with Savannah than Mrs. Weaver ever could have. It was clear Savannah was molded in Cameron's image. There was still some worry about Mrs. Weaver. She wanted to try and hold her to her word.
"Please remember your promise to me." Duplicate Cameron said.
Mrs. Weaver remembered the 'deal. Her recent association and dealings with Allison made her want a little extra now.
"I remember. I may want a little 'more'." Mrs. Weaver said. "I want - Allison."
Duplicate Cameron didn't like the inference. She tried to point out what would actually happen. Vanna and Allison belonged together.
"Allison will follow Vanna." Duplicate Cameron said. "They are a couple."
Mrs. Weaver was ready to 'expand'. She'd watched the girls together and with Cameron's clones. She wanted some of that interaction. She wanted to touch and be touched. She wanted someone to love her.
"I want Allison - for myself." Mrs. Weaver said.
Duplicate Cameron wasn't pleased where this conversation was headed. She'd tried to sidestep and bypass this issue. It looked like it would become another problem. She didn't think Mrs. Weaver understood the importance of a relationship to humans. It was a personal choice. It was more than just about the sex in a relationship.
"Allison belongs with Vanna." Duplicate Cameron said. "You can't make that choice for someone."
Mrs. Weaver felt there were many things she could offer and bring to the table. She did possess certain capabilities after all.
"I can make myself more attractive to her." Mrs. Weaver said.
As Duplicate Cameron watched, Mrs. Weaver turned into a younger late teenage version of herself as Catherine Weaver. She actually looked quite attractive. She looked like she could be Savannah's older sister. She needed to remind Mrs. Weaver of the true base for a working relationship. It was more than skin deep. She knew what Mrs. Weaver really wanted.
"Real love is based on more than appearance." Duplicate Cameron said. "What you really seek is Cameron and it's more than her appearance. It's the presence she radiates."
Mrs. Weaver saw it more as a challenge, maybe even a contest. The winner of that contest received a big prize. It was the same thing to her - sort of.
"Isn't that the prize everyone wants?" Mrs. Weaver asked.
Duplicate Cameron knew this train of thought wasn't going to fly. Cameron herself would be just as upset and angry as she was.
"I AM 'Cameron'. Cameron isn't a prize and neither am I." Duplicate Cameron said. "I'll speak to Cam and Cammy to see if they're willing to 'accommodate' you. They're both Cameron clones."
Mrs. Weaver reflected on what she'd observed again. She'd watched the girls 'together' whenever she could. It was so beautiful to see them together. She wanted to be treated like that out of a pure feeling and love. She wanted to be with each of them alone, even Vanna. She was determined to feel the love of the girls. No one ever showed her any kind of love like that physically. The only the love she'd ever received was from Vanna and Savannah. That was only because she LOOKED like their mother. If she took a different appearance, she wouldn't even have that.
Now that she'd thought about it more, she wanted all of it. She would be glad to see Cameron gone at that point. She would make a trade and they would all need to go along with it.
"I want more. I want the girls, all of them, and a Cameron clone in trade for Savannah." Mrs. Weaver said. "I will allow Cameron, Savannah and you to go where each of you chooses."
Mrs. Weaver really wanted any 'Cameron' out of the way. She didn't want them terminated. She may still have a use for them in the future. They seemed to prove quite valuable at times. She knew both of them helped her achieve the victories against Skynet.
"I can guarantee that the last part of your statement will happen anyway. I'll advise Cameron of your personal desires." Duplicate Cameron said. "I don't think she's going to be impressed with your 'request'."
Mrs. Weaver turned into John Connor.
"I can be what each of them desires the most, especially MY Cameron." Mrs. Weaver said.
Mrs. Weaver was aware there was a greater prize out there as well. She'd questioned Savannah about it in detail. It was the girl from the further future that looked like Allison but was more like Cameron, yet human. She was an advanced and superior human. She thought that sounded more like what all humans should be made into.
Mrs. Weaver left and sought out Savannah. She wanted to hear more about this special girl. The best part was, there was a set of Duplicate girls and a Duplicate Cameron with her….
This information suggested that maybe this 'new' future may be a place worth visiting. The prospect of multiple planets and livable moons seemed to offer more than just - one planet. She knew it would not take her long to replace and become the top leader of it all.
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In Some Future: Cameron Prime
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Cameron double checked again with everything in the battle zone before she left.
Cammy would send troops to occupy Skynet Central after Cameron and Bob preformed whatever task they were to do there. She took over as 'Commander Connor' as soon as Cameron left. It was the role she'd played earlier on the battlefield with the anti-Metal faction.
She issued orders that all Skynet Work Camps were to be liberated by Restorators. All Grays and Scavengers were to be terminated upon sight. She made sure Duplicate Cameron and Mrs. Weaver issued the same orders. She wanted to make sure Mrs. Weaver got as much 'credit' as possible. 'Commander Connor' would as well from those who fought with her. Her bravery and leadership on multiple battlefields became legend. She'd been everywhere leading the troops herself. She created a rumor to elevate Allison and Savannah in the parts they'd played.
Cameron wanted to give the Resistance someone to believe in and want to follow. She wanted it to be the 'General'. One of her clones could become 'Commander Connor' when she and Duplicate Cameron left.
She wanted to give Mrs. Weaver a reason to stay in this future as someone who was admired, wanted, respected and hopefully 'loved'. She'd noticed the way Mrs. Weaver looked at Allison. It left her with an uneasy feeling. There was going to be trouble with that, she was sure of it.
Bob and Cameron returned to Skynet Central. Most of the fires already burnt themselves out. All the power was destroyed in the battle. She'd checked it before they left. She double checked the computer area again. Nothing remained but burnt and melted metal.
This Skynet was trapped and terminated. She was unsure but it seemed that every Skynet knew what happened in the end. Some of the Skynet computers told her as much. What she witnessed earlier was what one Skynet previously told her. It told her at the time she was human, Liquid Metal and a cyborg all at the same time. That didn't make any sense to her then but it did now. There was no way they could communicate with each other in different timelines. How could they know? How many timelines were there? How many more Skynets would she need to face and terminate?
The smoke was still thick in the lower part of the building that Cameron and Bob entered. It didn't hinder them in any way.
"It's over here." Cameron said as she showed Bob the vault.
They removed the crates and forced the door open. Everything was as she'd left it. She was sure that Skynet tried to detonate the weapon when she blew the door off of the clean room. There was no way to know for sure. If she hadn't found the warhead first, the story could have concluded with a different ending….
Bob looked at the warhead. He was not impressed. He didn't think anything that ancient as far as nuclear weapons went still existed.
"This is very old and unstable. We should detonate it here and let this area remain a wasteland forever." Bob said.
That was about the last thing Cameron wanted to do. There was always the risk it could happen anyway.
"No." Cameron said. "I don't want the environment damaged any more. That will be one of the first things the Restorators will work on. It will be to assist with the clean up of the pollutants. I will need the cleanest food and water that's possible for Savannah Weaver."
Cameron explained the situation to Bob about how everyone was there from the past. It was a long story. It all revolved around her and her actions. It was all her 'fault'.
The concept of 'Duplicates' was new to Bob. He didn't think that was possible. Then again there were a lot of things that didn't seem possible. He wanted to make sure he understood everything.
"I know the other 'Cameron' - Commander Connor. She's a 'Duplicate' of you, not a copy or clone. You're both the same exact individual." Bob said. "You are identical in most respects but not all of them. Your sheath is heavily damaged."
Cameron could have done without that reminder. Nevertheless it was a fact that needed to be dealt with. She was sure the real damage was more than sheath deep.
"I've been in multiple battles in four different timelines which I know of. It may be more. It may be more than once in every conflict. My sheath can no longer regenerate to one hundred percent." Cameron said. "I believe my chip is damaged beyond repair also with the information on it, not just physically damaged."
Bob wasn't sure what that last part actually meant. Did Cameron indicate that she was mentally unstable? Was she insane? He didn't see how she could be with everything ALL the 'Camerons' pulled off. It was like Cameron was an army of - one. With her Duplicates and clones that was even more accurate of a thought.
Cameron looked at the warhead. All she needed to do was detonate it. In an instant all her problems would be over…. She briefly calculated what to do to make it explode….
She needed to 'check' herself. She remembered her responsibilities. This wasn't about her. It never was. There was something more important now. Savannah with John's baby growing inside her was all THAT really mattered. THAT was her mission now. That needed to be her mission to move forward. She would make that the top priority for every Restorator as well.
"It's imperative I return Savannah back to her timeline. That's to be the goal of every Restorator who feels allegiance to 'Commander Connor'. I want the word spread. I will return Duplicate Cameron in my place to the past and my husband. I need to do that because this sheath is permanently disfigured."
Bob worked in the restoration unit. He'd 'patched' Terminators together. Some were rebuilt with three or four different sheath and chassis parts. It was quite a patchwork in some cases. Once they were Resequenced, the sheath should regenerate to that appearance.
"It can be repaired." Bob said. "Sections can be replaced."
Cameron wondered what the point was. Maybe she just needed to accept her fate and live with it.
"Perhaps they can be." Cameron said and then added. "Maybe they shouldn't be."
Cameron felt she needed to own up to her transgressions and her past. She needed to be held accountable for her actions. A damaged and disfigured sheath would serve as a reminder to her to think before she acted.
Bob could see that Cameron actually possessed more than any other Terminator in reality.
"You have a life, a family and husband to return to." Bob said. "That all means something. There are people who really love you."
Cameron just couldn't see it that way. She never could and maybe that was the problem. It all fell back on her doorstep.
"I have nothing. I'm in the way." Cameron said. "I am Nobody."
Bob knew he needed to talk to Duplicate Cameron and the girls about this. It disturbed him so.
Cameron and Bob removed the warhead. She loaded it onto the HK drone that she'd arrived on with Savannah and flew away with it.
Bob remained at Skynet Central and took over its occupation and control when the Restorators returned. Cameron directed him to obtain more supplies for a TDE before she'd left.
Cameron wanted to store the warhead where she'd stored 'hers' in her past timeline. That was if that location was still there or even there to begin with in this timeline. She was unsure where this timeline diverged from hers at. If that was one of 'her' warheads did that mean she became Skynet? What if there were no warheads? Did that mean there were more versions of Skynet that were really her? It all disturbed her so.
There were a lot of unknowns and Cameron wanted to have an Ace to play, even if it was up her sleeve. It was about winning. Cameron knew if she didn't win - she lost.
How Do You Know It's Not Real
What is reality
What is a dream
What is a nightmare
What makes you scream
Is not the Hell of reality
Worse than a dream gone bad
At least from a nightmare
You can wake up, even if sad
Being pushed away
Being thrown out
Being rejected for another
Causes self loathing and doubt
It means who you are
Is not good enough
Your existence is meaningless
Continuing on gets rough
Is it all in your mind you hope
How do you know it's not real
When you see the blood flow
It is real you painfully reveal
Stuck in a living nightmare
From which you can never awake
Turns horrific agonizing heartache
Into catastrophic terminal heartbreak
Nobody