Chapter 643
Surrounded
Cameron was aware she'd been 'painted' with a laser targeting system. She thought it was done to see if she would bolt. She was sure that running would make her a target. If they ware able to get her zeroed, she was zeroed either way. To run would only make it worse.
She drove away at a normal speed and nothing further happened. She left the area. She dumped the truck and acquired new transportation. She knew this area would require further investigation. If she'd been 'painted', she was going to find out why and by whom. She intended to return the favor, Terminator style.
It would seem to indicate that the area was under watch and all vehicle traffic was scanned. That seemed like a good indication someone was up to no good.
Cameron was highly agitated that John was out in the field. There was no reason for him to be there. Sometimes she wondered if he suffered from a learning disability. With the recent turn of events. This wasn't a good time for him to be out.
She wanted to go to where John was at right now to help protect him. She knew that would cause a bigger problem and make John look ineffective if she did that. She directed all available Terminators to reinforce him, both directly and indirectly. She was aware John wanted to do more but he needed to be protected doing it. This operation wasn't the right place.
Once she'd acquired new transportation, Cameron headed to an abandoned factory. It was down the street and across the road from where she'd been targeted. She could now take the building she suspected she was targeted from under direct observation. She moved there swiftly and hopefully unobserved.
The operation may be bigger than she'd thought. This appeared to be Skynet related. It might be an elaborate trap to lure her out. If it was a trap, it was already set in motion. She was there and alone.
John planned to do only some recon on the other location that an HK drone may have come from or even only visited before. He'd brought Jim with him along with Al and Dan. It seemed like a sufficient force for a recon.
They split into two teams to set up some surveillance equipment. That was now done. Things seemed to go smooth.
John checked over the equipment. They moved back into their SUV.
"John Henry, we have everything in place." John said.
John Henry received a good signal from all of the equipment.
"I'm watching all the feeds." John Henry said. "Everything is clear."
John visually looked around the area.
"Nothing seems out of place." John said.
John Henry thought they needed more time to see what developed.
"Not so far." John Henry said. "That can change real fast."
John figured he would have heard from Cameron by now. Maybe she was busy.
"How's Cameron's operation going?" John asked.
John Henry didn't want to get into details or his earlier conversation with Cameron.
"She has it under control for now." John Henry said.
John Henry filled John in on some of the details but not all of them.
Jim looked in the rear view mirror.
"John, we have a tail." Jim interrupted.
John Henry gave them a 'heads up'. He knew where all the players were at on the field.
"That's Bob driving the large van." John Henry said.
John knew Bob went with Cameron when they left the base. He was disappointed. It angered him some.
"Bob and Cameron are here?" John asked. "What a vote of confidence."
John couldn't understand why Cameron didn't think he could do the job out in the field. She was always holding him back. It was very irritating to him. He thought it was very selfish and controlling of her.
John Henry tried to tread lightly.
"Bob has heavy weapons." John Henry said. "He has several Stingers and a minigun. If things go hot, you'll be in good shape."
The rear doors on the van opened and two people got out of the back. He thought it was Cameron at first.
"Cameron…." John started. "Hello, Ally, Sheila."
Sheila almost flashed him a breast to redirect his attention. She restrained herself.
"Hey, love." Sheila said.
Ally decided to push it some.
"We have everything she has…." Ally said. "Especially me."
Sheila looked upset.
"I told you I was going to say that." Sheila said.
Ally thought she was on factual ground.
"Our chassis are identical along with our sheaths." Ally said.
Sheila was still indignant.
"You cut me off." Sheila said.
Ally tried to be suggestive.
"The early bird catches the 'worm'." Ally said. "I'd say in more ways than one."
Sheila made a suggestive gesture.
"There's nothing wrong with a 'strange' piece of chassis." Sheila said.
Ally and Sheila giggled.
John was a little surprised at all the banter. He didn't want to upset Cameron. He thought she was still inside the van.
"Everyone needs to mellow out." John said. "I don't need that kind of talk now."
Sheila glanced quickly at Ally and then at John.
"Sorry, love." Sheila said. "We were just making conversation."
John was a little surprised to see everyone all at once.
"John Henry said you'd join up with Cameron." John said. "I didn't know she would bring everyone with her."
Ally and Sheila looked at each other. John didn't know Cameron was elsewhere and alone. They tried to redirect his attention again.
"I was tired of driving that piece of junk sedan." Sheila said. "I thought we would ride in style."
Jim looked back at them and then looked away. He knew Cameron wasn't there with Bob or them. He didn't address the issue. Like everyone else, he knew it was going to be problem at some point.
John looked around.
"It will be dark soon." John said. "We can wait a little longer and see what happens."
Sheila knew he would look for Cameron next.
"Sure, love." Sheila said.
When John looked back at Sheila, one of her breasts popped out of her top and the nipple ring was on display. He couldn't help but stare at it.
Sheila was glad she refocused his attention. She played it up.
"You can do more than look, love." Sheila said.
Ally wanted some more redirection. She reached out to fondle the exposed breast.
"I know I'm going to." Ally said. "Your nipple rings are turn on for everyone."
Sheila playfully slapped Ally's hand right before she grasped the nipple ring.
"Keep your hands to yourself." Sheila said. "You already did that earlier. I liked it better with your face between my legs."
Ally liked it too.
"So was your face on between my legs." Ally said.
Sheila enjoyed giving almost as much as receiving.
"It was better when we both did the same thing at the same time." Sheila said.
Ally remembered their earlier conversation.
"I needed for you to park so you could work on me too." Ally said.
John looked away but said nothing further.
Sheila winked at Ally. They'd given John a few things to contemplate and visualize. Everything they said was true, even if it didn't happen earlier.
They tried to cover for Cameron. They could only do so much.
Savannah and Cammy were on their way back from the specialist. They drove in silence. Savannah was 'pregnant' again. This time it was with Vanna's baby.
Cammy didn't like the stress that the pregnancies placed on Savannah's body. It both physically and mentally taxed her. She was sure that something wasn't right. Savannah seemed a little off. She hadn't witnessed any complications with the procedure.
"Is something wrong?" Cammy asked.
Savannah answered too quickly.
"No." Savannah said.
Cammy waited for some more additional information. There was none.
They continued in silence.
Cammy felt very uneasy. She wanted some conversation.
"Does it bother you?" Cammy asked.
Savannah answered too quickly again.
"No." Savannah said.
Cammy felt very frustrated. She was worried about Savannah.
"Something's bothering you." Cammy said. "Remember, we don't lie to each other…."
Savannah was hung up on an issue that was both mental as well as physical. It seemed to be out of her hands.
"I'm worried if this will work or not." Savannah said. "It really is part of ME but it's not."
Cammy tilted her head slightly.
"It is." Cammy said. "Vanna is YOU. You are Vanna."
Savannah couldn't help but feel Vanna's failures were her failures. It was her body that was defective in reality. Everything that happened to Vanna really happened to her.
"What if I can't deliver? What if I fail too?" Savannah asked. "It will kill Vanna."
Cammy didn't see this as an issue. There was a contingency plan.
"We've discussed the alternative to that." Cammy said. "Only Cameron, you and I would know the truth…."
Cameron planned to ask Savannah to have a child for Vanna if the method they used failed. It was more a matter of perception over reality.
Savannah was still troubled by it all.
"THAT would be MY baby again." Savannah said. "Right now it really is Vanna's baby."
Cammy wanted to redirect the conversation. She also wanted to keep Savannah out of harms way.
"We can go see Allison now." Cammy said. "She's waiting for you."
Savannah didn't like the dodge.
"You know that's not going to happen, yet." Savannah said. "I think I'll be needed elsewhere first."
Cammy hoped to avoid this issue. It was going to happen anyway.
"No. Cameron doesn't want you out in the field." Cammy said. "Especially when you're pregnant."
Savannah felt otherwise. She at least wanted to know what was happening first.
"Check with CamNet and see how Cameron's doing." Savannah said. "I want it straight too."
Cammy didn't care for the last part of Savannah's statement.
"I already have." Cammy said.
Savannah was a little ticked off at Cammy.
"You weren't going to tell me?" Savannah asked.
Cammy didn't think she did anything wrong.
"You didn't ask. You seemed troubled." Cammy said. "I didn't want to upset you further."
Savannah didn't see what the big deal was. Then it hit her.
"Why would I be upset…?" Savannah started. "Cameron's in trouble!"
Cammy didn't want to jump the gun.
"No. Not yet." Cammy said. "Nothing's happened so far.
Savannah wanted to avoid the 'dance'.
"I want to know what CamNet knows." Savannah said sternly. "I want to know NOW."
Cammy filled Savannah in on all that transpired and that John was out in the field. Cameron redirected all the resources to protect him. That left Cameron all alone.
Savannah didn't like all the cloak and dagger routine on a potential battlefield.
"How does John not know all this?" Savannah asked. "I'm going to call him."
Cammy reached over to stop Savannah.
"Think about this first." Cammy said. "John will redirect everyone back to Cameron and he'll be vulnerable himself. What if something happens to him then?"
Savannah could see the logic in that. She still felt it was wrong. She wanted some preemptive action ready.
"We're going to back Cameron up." Savannah said. "I want her two drones on standby."
Cammy didn't think any of the changes were going to go over well.
"Is that an 'order'?" Cammy asked.
Savannah didn't like to issue orders. She wanted things done because they were the right thing.
"No." Savannah said. "It's what we're going to do."
Cammy knew Savannah could end the danger to Cameron in an instant.
"You can 'order' Cameron away from where she is…." Cammy said. "That would end the danger to her. She could rejoin the others. They would be one big team then."
Savannah didn't want control.
"No." Savannah said. "I don't want to 'order' anyone."
Cammy thought this was a teachable moment for Savannah.
"You have that power." Cammy said.
Savannah wanted others to think things through. With great power comes great responsibility. She thought it was a teachable moment for everyone else.
"That's why I'll only ever use that power if I HAVE to." Savannah said. "I'll never abuse it or treat it lightly."
Cammy knew that is why Cameron gave that power and ability to Savannah. She would always do the right thing when it needed to be done.
"You'll always do what's best." Cammy said.
Savannah doubted that greatly. She thought she'd made more than a few questionable choices and decisions. Life was complicated. Feelings and emotions often got in the way of reason. Everyone made mistakes. That applied to humans and machines. Nobody was perfect.
None of that mattered right now. Cameron wasn't in a good spot and she was all alone.
"How soon until we get there?" Savannah asked.
Cammy looked over at Savannah.
"What makes you so sure we're going there?" Cammy asked.
Savannah knew Cammy would know what she wanted. She kept track of her surroundings.
"I looked at the maps before we left." Savannah said. "I've been reading the signs along the way. I know the direction. I know we're not headed for home or Palmdale."
Cammy liked how Savannah was always on the ball.
"There's no fooling you." Cammy said.
Savannah could think of a few past events. She looked at Cammy.
"Sometimes." Savannah said. "But it will NEVER happen twice. Will it?"
Cammy looked away. She'd made Savannah 'hate' her once. That was Cameron's fault. She didn't want to rehash it.
"No." Cammy said. "We'll be there in half an hour."
That was a little quicker than she'd calculated.
"I made it at forty minutes." Savannah said.
Cammy looked over and smiled.
"I'm speeding." Cammy said.
Savannah hoped they weren't speeding to their doom.
It could all fall apart fast. It didn't matter. Cameron needed them.
Cameron was secure in the building she'd entered earlier and she'd checked her surroundings several times. Nothing seemed out of place. She tried to determine what 'painted' her as she drove by in the truck. There was no sign of an HK Track or HK Tread. There was still no sign of any HK drones.
Wait….
Maybe there was some HK equipment inside the building. It could be an assembly line or hand fabrication facility. They'd come across both of those sites before, several times.
Cameron knew hand fabrication meant there would be Terminators. There was usually one to oversee the operation.
Something caught Cameron's eye. There were two white vans approaching. One passed on by. It headed into the factory. The other van didn't. It stopped down the street before her location and four men exited. The van then moved past her location to the other side of it and three more men exited.
The other van returned from the factory. It discharged half a dozen men right in front of her location.
Cameron realized they were about to surround her.
This must have been a trap and now she was caught in it. It appeared they expected to spring the trap elsewhere. Now it was right near their facility. That closeness allowed them to obtain a lot more manpower quickly. There was most likely more as well.
Young Allison was aware of what developed as she watched all the information CamNet provided her with.
Her first instinct was the same as Savannah's.
"We need to alert John." Young Allison said.
Anna responded exactly as Cammy did. It was the 'Cameron' in them that wanted John protected.
"No, John will send away all his protection and help." Anna said. "Cameron can take care of herself."
Young Allison didn't like how it was about to unfold.
"Savannah's headed there." Young Allison said. "They're heading into a trap."
Anna saw it all as another tactical situation.
"CamNet has made them aware of the situation, as she has us." Anna said.
Young Allison watched Savannah act. She didn't think it would help with the current situation.
"I see Savannah has put two of Cameron's drones on standby." Young Allison said. "She'll avoid using them in the daylight. They need more help now."
Anna wanted to see what Young Allison was willing to do.
"What would you do differently?" Anna asked.
Young Allison didn't even need to think about it. It went back to her first instinct.
"I would notify John." Young Allison said. "He may be out in the field but he needs to know the condition of his troops, all of them."
Anna wanted Young Allison to think. She wanted to test her.
"You've been involved enough in the dealings of the Resistance already." Anna said. "Do you want to become a 'pest'?"
Young Allison didn't think that was the case at all.
"I want everyone to be safe." Young Allison said.
Anna still pushed Cameron's agenda.
"With John out in the field, what needs to happen?" Anna asked.
Young Allison knew 'the line'.
"Everyone sacrifices for John Connor." Young Allison said.
Anna smiled.
"Always remember that." Anna said.
Young Allison felt a deeper calling.
"I'll try." Young Allison said. "Cameron and Savannah matter to me equally."
Anna wanted Young Allison to see a broader picture.
"They do to you, yes." Anna said. "What about to the Resistance against Skynet?"
Young Allison knew the stories. They were all in Cameron's future.
"John will lead the fight against Skynet, everyone will follow him. Many people will die for him." Young Allison said.
"Because?" Anna asked.
Young Allison said what was pounded into her head.
"Everyone sacrifices for John Connor." Young Allison said.
Savannah was still on her mind.
Surrounded
Look all around you
What is it you really see
You are just one fish
Of many in a giant sea
Maybe when you look
You see nothing at all
That means when you slip
The greater will be the fall
Even with others all around
Some still remain invisible
That tends to make one
Warped and quite divisible
To be with all
Is to be with none
One plus one is two
One times one is one
Who gets well rounded
Who flounders and is grounded
Maybe to be alone
Is when you are surrounded
Nobody