Chapter 471

Temporal Task

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Future Timeline - Undetermined Error:

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Cammy and Savannah broke camp and headed out into the unknown. They decided to see what the new Skynet target actually was, if it was one. They would seek Cameron out later. Savannah urged Cammy to strike a blow at whatever Skynet activity or facility they uncovered.

They hoped this was Cameron's timeline even though they didn't know for sure. Skynet was the enemy in any timeline.

Cammy led Savannah for several hours. They were clothed and Savannah's feet were protected, they were both armed, even if with primitive weapons. They could still kill with them.

Savannah hoped they could arrive at the location unchallenged. She didn't like that they were under armed. Right now they didn't have much of a choice.

Cammy constantly scanned Savannah. She was concerned for her health. The lack of clean water was a problem. The lack of any water was an even bigger problem.

"Savannah, you need water or some type of liquid." Cammy said. "You're dehydrating. You will overheat and get sick. I need to find you water."

Cammy knew when she did it may not be drinkable for Savannah. She didn't want Savannah damage by toxins. She worried about what the future did to most of the females there.

Savannah didn't want Cammy to stress out on the issue. There was nothing they could do right now.

"I know, Cammy." Savannah said. "There isn't any. I hardly have any pressure build up now. I think I've drained myself dry."

Savannah knew her body would start to shut down functions to survive. All she could do was go on. Where they were there was nothing.

Cammy knew Savannah was a trooper. She never complained or thought only of herself.

"I need to get you liquid or at least moisture of some kind." Cammy said. "I know you haven't complained or said a word, Savannah."

Savannah knew she could push herself for several days without water but it would take its toll. She planned to continue on.

"I can function for a few days. It should be at least an extra day from consuming my own secretions." Savannah said. "How much longer until we get to where we need to go?"

Cammy wanted to make contact with anyone at this point. They were bound to have water. She would kill them and take their resources for Savannah.

"We'll be there soon." Cammy said. "We'll be in the area anyway. I expect to make contact with a Skynet patrol soon."

Cammy looked at Savannah, she was in her prime. The lack of water was going to tax her body no matter what very soon. Savannah wasn't going to ask for her help no matter how tired or dehydrated she was. She'd offered to carry Savannah several times. She would try again.

"Savannah, if I carry you it will help conserve your body fluids longer." Cammy said.

Savannah didn't want to be a problem. Cammy needed to remain alert. Cammy would need to engage any threat first. She needed to pick up the pace. She felt bad she was slowing Cammy down.

"I don't want to distract you and get us in a fight with Metal." Savannah said. "I can push harder. I can keep up."

Cammy loved Savannah even more. She knew others would have buckled long ago. Cammy vowed Savannah would not get sick or die out here no matter what she needed to do to prevent it. Savannah was truly the 'Chosen One' and she carried the standard well.

Savannah noticed something. It was something she hadn't seen since they'd been back in the future.

"Cammy, there are some birds arriving over there." Savannah said as she pointed. "There may be something there."

Cammy saw them too. They might be feasting on something that died. That was most likely the case.

"I'll look into it." Cammy said.

Savannah was pretty sure she wasn't going to make it. There was something else more important here at stake. She wanted to make her position clear.

"Cammy, if you can destroy anything that belongs to Skynet, you must do it. Don't worry about me." Savannah said. "Stopping Skynet is more important than one person. Protecting the future comes before me or protecting the past at this point."

Cammy wouldn't let Savannah die. They were near the birds now. She was pretty sure what they were after. That spelled additional danger for Savannah.

"NO. Savannah, I won't let anything happen to you." Cammy said. "Wait here in the shade while I check out the birds. Hold onto your spear and have your rock knife ready. I'll be back."

Cammy's warning alarmed Savannah. Maybe this was the wrong thing to look into. She hoped Cammy wasn't about to risk herself for her.

It was time for a closer look. Cammy took her bow and a few arrows, along with a spear. She held a baseball sized rock in her hand as well.

Savannah watched Cammy take off. Her speed was incredible. Cammy ran rapidly. Cammy used whatever she could for cover as she moved. She was tired, she was thirsty and she wasn't going to say a word to Cammy. Cammy scanned her continuously. She knew the condition she was in. If Cammy asked to carry her again she was going to say 'yes' but only just for an hour or two…. No, she'd better not. She didn't want to endanger Cammy. She would push on. She would force herself to 'hack it'. She wasn't going to ask for help.

Cammy closed in on the location the birds were in. She wasn't sure what she was going to find. The birds were pecking at something. She looked for the biggest bird. She took her bow and aimed an arrow. The shot was true. The largest bird fell. There was an arrow through its neck. The other birds fluttered for a few seconds but didn't fly away. They were hungry. They went on as if nothing happened. She took aim and shot a second time, another bird fell. The birds reacted the same way they did the first time she shot an arrow.

As Cammy moved closer the birds panicked. They picked up her predator pheromones. There was some loud squawking and screeching and they flew off. Now she was able to get a good look at what the birds feasted on. Their meal was what appeared to be a dead Scavenger. The dead Scavenger was in an advanced state of decomposition. His clothes were rotted through and little more than rags at this point. Cammy removed the arrows from the two birds and cleaned them off. She decided not to take the birds. They looked sick. This site was contaminated.

Savannah grasped her spear as she heard a noise. It was Cammy returning. That was a relief. It looked like she'd found several items.

Cammy held a canteen. It contained a small amount of water in it. She'd checked the water. It was drinkable but not the best. She also retrieved a firearm. It was a revolver.

Savannah eyes widened some at the sight of the canteen.

"I found some water." Cammy said. "It's not very much, maybe one or two mouthfuls. The revolver only has two rounds left. They both look water damaged and corroded. I don't know if they will even fire at this point."

Savannah took the canteen. She looked at the water in it. She desperately want to drink it. Instead she put the cap back on. She thought she may be in worse condition later.

"I'll save this for later, Cammy, when I really need it." Savannah said. "You can hang onto the weapon for now. You're a better shot than me right now or anytime."

Cammy frowned. She didn't do enough for Savannah. She really wanted to carry her.

"Sure, Savannah, that's fine." Cammy said. "Can I carry you for awhile?"

Savannah stood. She wanted that very much. She decided to decline.

"I'm good for now, Cammy. I can hack it." Savannah said. "Let's go."

Cammy knew Savannah would go until she dropped. She couldn't allow that. She handed Savannah her spear and wordlessly picked Savannah up in her arms and moved out. She decided she was going to carry Savannah anyway. She knew Savannah was NEVER going to ask.

Savannah gave Cammy a kiss on the cheek….

They headed out toward the new objective.

Cammy's bow and arrows were on her back. Savannah held their spears. The revolver was tucked into Cammy grass skirt.

It didn't seem like a good match for Skynet.

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Resistance Base - Current Timeline:

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Since there was temporal activity detected, Gail thought maybe they should get a few more teams of Metal out. John Henry said he'd take care of it.

Jesse and Gail started out on a different mission before they found the Gray. They wanted to get back to it.

"We have a date to keep." Jesse said.

Gail looked at the dead Gray.

"What about this guy?" Gail asked.

"Throw him in the trash dumpster where he belongs." Jesse said.

Gail did. They collected their weapons and set out again. The night was far from over.

The next location they were after ran drugs and some girls. They moved up on it. A teenage male and female hurried away from the location. They'd just made a purchase.

Gail wondered why they did it. Why did people want to buy and use the poison?

"What's the motivation?" Gail asked. "The very substances they seek can kill them."

Jesse knew what 'no hope' was like.

"It's and escape from reality." Jesse said. "Many start out for a thrill or to make their problems go away."

Gail only could see that as illogical.

"The reality stays the same." Gail said.

They closed up on the building.

"The drugs allow them to 'forget' about it for a time." Jesse said.

There were two 'enforcers' on each side of the doorway.

Gail took the lead and headed straight for the opening.

One of the 'enforcers' held up his hand to stop them.

"This is a private club." The 'enforcer' said.

Gail continued forward. She punched both men in the chest at the same time as she passed. Both of their hearts and lungs were collapsed by the blow. They both slammed into the wall on either side of the doorway and then fell to the ground. They were terminated.

They entered the building. There was another 'enforcer' inside. Gail gave him the same treatment.

There was a security door. There were cameras that covered it. That meant someone would see them coming.

Gail continued forward. The door was knocked in and flew from its hinges.

They both carried an M9 and a Taser. Their guns were out now. This was mostly a drug operation. The girls that were there were all there to 'pay' for the drugs they wanted to buy. Without any cash, there was only one thing to 'sell'. It was themselves.

Two men came out of the back and one from a room to the side. Jesse shot the man on the side. He held a pistol. Gail engaged the two men further away. They both carried an 'assault weapon'. They both went down with a shot to the head.

They passed two rooms. There was a female in each one. Jesse shot the man in the second room. She'd already killed the man in the first room. There was no visible weapon but he was there. She was sure it wasn't for dancing lessons.

Another man looked out from the room the two armed men came out of. Gail fired again and scored. The man fell with a shot to the face.

Gail pulled the door open and stepped over the man she'd just killed. Jesse moved alongside of her. She shot two more men. Gail grabbed a third unarmed man. She searched him and left him with Jesse. She went back out and checked all the rooms in the building again. Everything was secure.

Jesse questioned the man. He was a 'runner'. He would take the drug orders to the front once they were placed in the outer area. It turned out this was just a satellite operation. She pulled her knife out and stabbed him in the throat. He fell holding his throat gurgling blood.

They tossed a few Thermite grenades. One was placed on the drug stash. They left with a new address. They collected the two girls as they exited. Another Thermite grenade was tossed inside. Gail paused and pulled the bodies of the two men she'd killed earlier inside as well.

Jesse sent the girls on their way with a stack of cash. They could divide it up.

"It looks like we have a bigger target." Jesse said.

They headed back to their SUV. The building they'd just left was a roaring inferno behind them.

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Cameron's Future Timeline:

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Cameron slipped out of the base and away from everything and everyone. She knew it was a mistake but it was what needed to be done. She was on a timetable now to her termination. She forged ahead.

Of the seven Resistance drones that fell during the last battle, two were able to be repaired. Two more were still being refurbished. Cameron went to the location they were moved to. The first two that were repaired were both there and ready to fly. The armament was removed from one. She was involved with the repair of them and installed some of her programming in both of them. They both now shared parts of HER program. In reality they were both an extension of her.

Cameron powered both of them up and entered the coordinates she wanted. She climbed on top of the unarmed one and it lifted off. The second armed drone followed her, it mimicking every maneuver. She'd done the same thing in the timeline Mrs. Weaver was in when she was with Savannah. This would save her a day or more of travel. The second drone was a spare in case she needed it. If not, it was armed and ready for combat.

Cameron communicated securely with Bob and Rob to move the 'package' closer to where she was headed. They were to stay low and fast as she would do. They were to avoid all confrontations with everyone and all contact if possible. She'd sent squads of Metal in all directions to search locations and areas for Skynet. She might have some Resistance Metal close enough to help her at some point. It would all come down to what she found and when, if anything. It looked as if she would be on her own.

At some point to avoid detection she was going to need to land the drones and go in on foot. They would be on standby and await her call. Everything was still an unknown. Even if she found Skynet there was still no guaranteed it was the parent one. She would hold the 'package' until she was sure.

Future Allison woke up. Right away she 'felt' something was wrong. She frantically searched around.

"Where's Cameron?" Future Allison asked.

Nobody knew.

Future Allison was so close to having Cameron take her away form there and start a new life. She was sure Cameron was going to do it. She knew if Cameron went with her, it would save Cameron's life. SHE could save Cameron's life. She was willing to give up EVERYTHING to save Cameron's life.

Her worry and anxiety grew. She already knew what she was going to find or actually not find. She didn't want to admit it yet.

"'Cameron', where's Cameron?" Future Allison asked Duplicate Cameron.

Duplicate Cameron watched Cameron slip away from the camp earlier. Things were different now. It was time to help Future Allison understand.

"I'm 'Cameron' now, Allison." Duplicate Cameron said.

That wasn't what Future Allison wanted to hear. It meant a death sentence for Cameron.

"No! Where is she?" Future Allison asked. "I need her."

Duplicate Cameron could see this was going to be a problem. She still needed to explain the new reality.

"Cameron updated with me before she left, Allison. I have every file. I have everything that she possessed." Duplicate Cameron said. "I'm to carry out her plan and a clone will be sent here for John and Savannah."

Future Allison was angry. How could she do nothing while Cameron went off to certain termination?

"You let her go?" Future Allison asked. "You let her go off to die?"

Duplicate Cameron didn't see this as her doing. She'd asked to go in Cameron's place when the file transfer occurred. Cameron told her it was 'personal'.

"It was her choice, Allison. It was something she needed to do alone." Duplicate Cameron said. "She must terminate her 'Father'."

Future Allison didn't want to hear this. She started to cry. How could Cameron do this to her and to herself?

Future Savannah heard the crying and hurried to see what was wrong. It bothered her to see her beloved this devastated. Duplicate Cameron and her tried to calm her. It didn't work.

Future John watched from his doorway, the tears streamed down his cheeks. He came over and joined them. It was the four of them, their family, the 'Natural Order'. They very thing Cameron sacrificed to create. They all cried together.

Duplicate Cameron didn't have all of Cameron's files unlocked. Cameron blocked what she was about to do and the information on the warheads she controlled. That information would 'unlock' once the reports of Skynet's termination came in.

Cameron didn't want anyone to come after her again. She covered every track of hers she could. The 'Day Of Loss' would not be repeated again. No one would needlessly die because of her.

Some of the Resistance Metal that participated in the 'Cameron Maneuver' would fly decoy missions around the area with the captured Skynet HK drones from the facility Cameron conquered. This would throw off anyone pinpointing only her doing it, flying on a drone. She didn't want anyone she loved to die again because of her. She looked in disgust as her hand started to glitch.

Nobody's life was worth hers….

Task

To make things work smoothly
There needs to be give and take
Sometimes things reach a point
Where they just crumble and break

Few seldom grow together
The direction is usually apart
It doesn't take that long
Before each wants a fresh start

They go through the motions
It is little more than toleration
They hope it might work
There's a lot of hesitation

The rude comments flow freely
The arguments are more frequent
They widen the divided daily
There's no bottom to the descent

There always comes an event
When someone will honestly ask
Is the time and effort worth
The hassle and trouble of the task

Nobody