Chapter 419

Field Trip

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

In Some Future: Duplicate Cameron

In Some Future: Cameron Prime

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Cameron and Savannah sought out the girls.

They were elated to hear that Cameron returned to the past and came back to this future, while making a stop in another future first.

Cameron and Savannah both told them about River previously. Everything still seemed impossible to them, especially that they were Duplicates. It wasn't that much of a stretch. All they needed to do is look at Savannah and Young Allison and see themselves anyway, even if it's when they're younger. That seemed pretty impossible too until they actually touched their younger self.

The girls were all caught up on how everyone was doing. That included the other set of Duplicate girls as well.

Cameron wanted to get to the current issue. She brought up the idea of the girls getting pregnant. That was if they wanted to.

"Do you want to try it, any of you?" Cameron asked. "I have what's needed from John."

Allison tried to be funny with Cameron but she was worried about the future they were in.

"No wonder you look so happy. I don't know, Cameron." Allison said. "No one has kids here any more. I don't think it can happen."

The idea to become a mother intrigued Jesse somewhat. There were a lot of doubts and fears in her mind. She questioned her value and worth as a mother and a human. Her past often troubled her.

"It would be a lot of work. I don't think I'd make a good mother." Jesse said. "A lot of things have happened. Very few of which I'm proud of. I've done a lot of terrible things…."

Savannah didn't like to hear Jesse question herself. She dealt with Jesse in her own timeline about the same issues. She really reached out to that Jesse after sharing with Young Jesse. This Jesse was no different.

"You are who you are now, Jesse." Savannah said. "I know you better than you think. Who you are now and still will be isn't the same girl from your future. You're better now, all of you are. You will all only get better still."

Cameron assigned Cam to watch over Savannah. That took her away from Jesse most of the time. She would be freed up by the time the girls were as far along in their pregnancies as Savannah was now.

"Cam would be there to help all three of you twenty four hours a day. She can take care of and change the infants at night for all of you." Cameron said. "Cammy can too, when she isn't being 'Commander Connor'."

Vanna tried in the past. She was willing to try again. She didn't think it would work but she didn't see there was anything to lose.

"I'll try it again." Vanna said. "I'm not getting any younger. I don't think it will work. What do we have to lose for trying?"

Savannah wanted to offer them hope. Mrs. Weaver found the best doctors that were around and set up a medical program. New doctors and nurses were trained from them with hands on experience right from the start. It was part of the overall effort to help the people. She knew the girls would be looked after as well as she was.

"Mother has the best doctors working in the infirmary." Savannah said. "They've made sure, along with all the 'Camerons', that I'm in the best health and so is my baby."

Vanna came over and touched Savannah's belly. A lot of thoughts crossed her mind. The main one was that Savannah was 'protected' in this future. She never wanted what was done to her to happen to Savannah or any female again.

"I'm you and you're me but so much is different." Vanna said. "Sometimes none of this seems real."

Every morning when Savannah woke up it seemed 'real' fast. She could feel and see the changes to her body. They were 'real' alright.

"When your clothes stop fitting like they used to, it seems pretty real." Savannah said. "The three of you are in the best health that you have been in for years, at least until you ended up here."

Cameron felt a glitch impulse with that reminder. The girls were in this future because of her. She was going to leave in a few months and so was Duplicate Cameron. They would be gone to elsewhere and the girls would still be here.

Allison wondered if there was hope for her based on what Cameron said previously.

"OK, Cameron, I'll try it. You said the other Duplicate Allison got pregnant and still is." Allison said.

Cameron was just in River's future right before she returned to the past and then back to this future. She'd spoken with River's brother about it. It looked very promising.

"Yes, she is." Cameron said. "I just saw her a few minutes ago. I saw all of 'you', your other Duplicate selves. It was complex but everything worked perfectly."

"That just sounds weird." Allison said. "You're a real 'time tripper'. You returned to the past, went to a further future, then to the past and then back to here all in a short while."

Jesse thought the reason why they were having this discussion was worth mentioning.

"Don't forget the part about her giving up a 'piece of chassis' too." Jesse joked.

That brought a round of giggles from all the girls.

Cameron believed she could 'help' everyone.

"I did what I thought was best." Cameron said.

Cameron knew they didn't always like the way she did things. She still felt the shame for getting the other set of Duplicates all 'killed' even though she'd since rescued them. Knowing she rescued them before they actually died didn't seem to help much. She knew she needed to stay with this conversation before she started to glitch.

Jesse still questioned her ability to be a 'good mother'. There was a good support group here with the other girls and the Metal girls. Maybe it was worth a go.

"I'll try as well." Jesse said. "I don't think it will turn out well. My body has seen a lot of 'abuse'."

Cameron scanned all of the girls when she returned.

"Cam and Cammy will assist each of you. Ginger and Sandy will be available too." Cameron said. "Allison and Jesse are ready now."

Allison looked at the other girls and then at Savannah.

"I guess it never hurts to try." Allison said.

Jesse looked at Cameron and knew this was what she wanted for them.

"Sure, love, let's give it a go." Jesse said.

Vanna looked a little sad. It wasn't her time yet.

Savannah noticed the sadness that Vanna displayed.

"I'm here for you, Vanna." Savannah said. "I am you."

Savannah walked over to Vanna and hugged her.

"I hope so." Vanna said. "I really do."

Vanna like Cameron felt a woman that was barren was 'worthless', especially in a Skynet decimated future. This was such a future.

All the conflicting thoughts soon caused her to relive the memories of something that was done to her. It was so terrible that she'd never even told Allison. She thought about doing it now but still couldn't. What was done to her and how she was treated still sickened her.

Vanna shoved it back down in her memory. The other girls were excited, even if somewhat apprehensive. She wanted them to have a positive experience. They didn't need to hear about what was done long ago and best left forgotten at this point. The only trouble was, was that none of it was ever forgotten. How could she forget the things were done to her? She'd lived through them once and apparently would again and again. They seemed to frequent her dreams.

Cameron returned to headquarters. She really didn't want to discuss it with Mrs. Weaver but she wanted control of the narrative. Mrs. Weaver seemed to be waiting for her.

"I just heard about your 'field trip'." Mrs. Weaver said.

Cameron detected some accusatory inflection in Mrs. Weaver's tone. She wanted to stick to the facts.

"I wasn't expecting to leave. I just happened to be on watch when it happened." Cameron said. "It's been so long that I honestly didn't think it was going to work."

Mrs. Weaver was worried about one person in particular.

"Savannah…." Mrs. Weaver started.

Cameron didn't want to seem like she was about to pull a 'fast one'. She wasn't. There was another underlying issue that needed to be addressed.

"Unless there was some emergency, I wouldn't let Savannah try the time transfer. I plan for her to have her child here. She still plans to give it to Vanna. You will still have your 'daughter' and your 'grandchild' here with you." Cameron said. "I plan to honor what I said. The girls have to make their own choice about 'you'. I know you understand this. It wouldn't be real but meaningless if it wasn't their choice."

Mrs. Weaver didn't want to cause a problem. She was still who she was at the end of the day. She was a ruthless Terminator. She'd experienced some 'evolution' in her programming. It didn't hurt to talk a good game and she might even live it.

"Thank you. I do understand. To be a true relationship it must be done freely and both of the people must want it." Mrs. Weaver said. "I have much to offer as both myself and whoever they 'desire'. THAT feature is part of who and what I am…."

Cameron knew there was no 'magic bullet'. It all depended on the people involved. John's previous transgressions weighed on her. She was the one who seemed to 'foot the bill' for his actions.

"Relationships can take days, weeks, months or even years to develop. Sometimes they never do." Cameron said. "Mine took a long time."

Mrs. Weaver wasn't sure which John it was that Cameron referred to.

"Which one did?" Mrs. Weaver asked.

Cameron felt a tinge of anger. Duplicate Cameron warned her of this line of thought from Mrs. Weaver.

"Not this again. 'Cameron' told me about this." Cameron said. "I have no files showing I was in a romantic or sexual relation with Future John. I don't want to have this conversation."

Mrs. Weaver felt she possessed more information than either Cameron did. She wasn't the one that was uninformed or living in denial.

"Whatever…." Mrs. Weaver said. "Which John are you going to choose?"

The very question still bothered her.

"I'm going back to MY John." Cameron said. "The one I love and who is my husband."

Mrs. Weaver could see that Cameron was still confused. She didn't want to press the issue as to which husband John was.

"When will you leave?" Mrs. Weaver asked.

Cameron could see that Mrs. Weaver was clearly worried she would take Savannah back before she delivered the baby for Vanna and her. She didn't plan to double cross Mrs. Weaver or alter the plan as to how things were to work going forward.

"We won't leave until after Savannah, gives birth." Cameron said. "Not before. I'm not here to deceive you. How is 'Cameron' doing?"

Mrs. Weaver was pleased at how things progressed so far. All of the pressure and 'headaches' were gone for now. There was little friction or animosity at this point.

"Cammy and her are busy all the time running everything. Cammy will become 'Commander Connor' when Duplicate Cameron leaves with you." Mrs. Weaver said. "With them, as well as Vanna and the girls helping out, everything is running smoothly for now."

Cameron knew it was the hard work of Duplicate Cameron and Cammy that made it all work. The girls played a big part in public relations that the Terminators weren't always able to deal with as successfully. She thought Mrs. Weaver achieved what she'd wanted.

"The people have voted you as their leader." Cameron said. "That's what you wanted. That was something you earned. You didn't take it. They gave it to you. They asked you and voted for you. That should mean something to you."

It did mean something to Mrs. Weaver. She could see it was all very much the same way Cameron described a personal relationship and how that needed to be treated to make it work.

"Yes, I feel appreciated for once." Mrs. Weaver said. "I'm doing my best to help everyone and be fair. I'm relying heavily on Duplicate Cameron and the girls to keep me from making 'mistakes'."

Cameron knew the future there all depended on what Mrs. Weaver's actions would be.

"As long as you listen to them and work with them, you will do fine." Cameron said. "You need to listen to the people too. Things can't be left to fester."

Mrs. Weaver liked the 'power'. It was power she could take. The power was sweeter when it was 'given' to her. She thought humans were somewhat chaotic anyway. She wanted to help guide their existence for a better goal.

"I want their help." Mrs. Weaver said. "I want to try and do what is just."

Cameron was sure at this point Mrs. Weaver meant that. Exactly what would happen going forward was another story.

Cameron was still troubled by Ginger's sacrifice. She sought Bob out. This is something she should have followed up on earlier. Sandy and Ginger both told her everything was 'fine'.

It wasn't 'fine' enough for her. She knew what 'fine' really meant.

"Bob, are any of the facilities that turned out Terminators able to function again?" Cameron asked. "I know most of that was damaged or destroyed. I need to know what's available."

Bob was under strict orders from the General. He understood Cameron wanted something off the books.

"Yes, but the General has ordered we not use them for that purpose." Bob said. "I think some of the equipment could be 'tested' to see what their capabilities are."

Cameron nodded. She knew Bob would come through.

"I understand. The people are not looking forward to more machines they don't operate." Cameron said. "After what has happened it is understandable. I never ask for much but this is something I'm asking for. It's not for me but it is very personal. It is needed to right a wrong. Let me tell you what I need…."

Cameron didn't know how her future would react with the return of the 'Little Metal Bitch that followed Connor around everywhere'. She hadn't been on the most popular terms with the anti-Metal faction when she was 'sent away'. She wasn't sure too much had changed but maybe with Future Allison's return, things would be smoothed over some.

"How do you think they will accept you, Cameron?" Cameron asked Duplicate Cameron.

Duplicate Cameron didn't see any difference in their thought process.

"My answer is the same as yours." Duplicate Cameron said.

Cameron ran through the scenario hundreds of times herself. It always played out the same way. There was another issue dealing with John that concerned her.

"Future Allison will accept you and love you. Future John loves you, even if he won't admit it and Future Savannah will soon love you." Cameron said. "Are you going to be with 'My John' when we go back? I know you are me and I would want to. He's your husband too, our husband."

Duplicate Cameron was with John in the past as 'Cameron'. Now she was told she was 'Duplicate Cameron'. Nothing was actually different for her. She wanted to be with John. She was afraid she would crumble before him or the others. If she was going to start a new life, the old one needed to be left behind her.

"I do want that, Cameron. He's MY Husband too. I know that would hurt you as it would me. I better not even see him or any of them for that matter. I may not want to leave if I do." Duplicate Cameron said. "I'm not strong enough. You know how flawed I am - we are."

Cameron thought of all of her adventures. Maybe creating the Duplicates was the biggest folly of them all. Perhaps it all came down to a new way to 'hurt' herself.

"I do understand." Cameron said. "I couldn't leave them either. In all the foolish attempts I've made, I'm always still back to where I started."

Cameron was aware that where she was now was the result of that foolishness.

Duplicate Cameron could foresee the same threat that Mrs. Weaver was bound to pose.

"Mrs. Weaver is going to try to come." Duplicate Cameron said. "I know you know that."

Cameron did see it for the threat it was. That threat would end up in Future John's lap at some point. That put him in further danger.

"I do. She's obtained what she wanted in this future and the other one, the other future. She wants the same thing in her future as well, our future. That's not going to happen with Future John there." Cameron said. "We must protect Future John."

Duplicate Cameron believed the threat wasn't only in the future.

"She may seek it in the past as well with my – your John." Duplicate Cameron said. "You can't allow that."

Cameron was troubled buy all the implications. John would need to be protected. She didn't want to hurt Vanna and Savannah by fighting their 'mother'.

"Yes, I'm very aware of that as well." Cameron said. "I don't want to have to fight Mrs. Weaver for Savannah and Vanna's sake."

Duplicate Cameron knew there was one way to keep Mrs. Weaver in the past. It wasn't a good choice either.

"If you leave Savannah…." Duplicate Cameron said.

That wasn't something Cameron would allow under any circumstance.

"That's NOT going to happen. Savannah will be at John's side as she will be with you in our future as Future Savannah." Cameron said. "I'm taking her home. No power in the Verse can stop me."

Duplicate Cameron was Cameron.

"You mean stop US." Duplicate Cameron said.

There were two loud thunderous sounds.

The two Camerons high fived each other up high and then down low.

"Here's what's going to happen over the next few months…." Cameron said.

Cameron carefully laid out all she wanted done, when and how.

I'm Looking At You

'Never trust anyone'
You said it to my face
It was your easy out
To hide your own disgrace

'Not in front of me'
You said that to me
Then it was YOU
That did it to me

Everything you said to me
Was what you already did
It was you who was doing
The things to me you forbid

You have no honor
You're just another liar
It was OUR future
You sacrificed on a pyre

It is you I'm looking at
I know what you do
I want you to know
I'm looking at you

Nobody