Chapter 660

Dirty Look

Cammy was at the upper terminal for the aerial cable car line. She'd taken two groups of Grays under observation. There was at least one Terminator with them and what appeared to be one hostage. The Terminator was a 'Metal Bitch'. She appeared to be the one in charge of the female hostage.

That wasn't the only issue that Cammy thought she needed to deal with. She spotted another couple who appeared to observe the two groups of Grays. Who were these people? It was possible that they might have to deal with two different groups of Grays or perhaps the anti-Metal faction as well. The anti-Metal faction was as big of a threat to the Resistance as was Skynet.

The new couple moved off. Maybe they weren't watching them. They may have been 'checking out' the girl and the 'Metal Bitch'. She wondered why they took video of them with their phone. This wasn't a good development. They made no attempt to follow the Grays as they departed. It may be nothing or it may be that they knew where the Grays were headed.

Cammy noted they begin to check her out in detail. One of them started to take video of her now. They attempted to make it look like they weren't actually doing it but she'd spotted them. This was very disturbing to her. She didn't know if it was an innocent move or not. It couldn't be allowed to go unanswered. She couldn't take any chances about being identified.

She was about to walk over and crush the phone. She started over in their direction when she saw that a direct confrontation might provoke a further incident. If they thought she was a Terminator, she didn't want to prove it to them. Instead she contacted CamNet. She gave CamNet her exact position and the position of the man with the phone. In thirty seconds, the man taking the video dropped his phone to the floor. The battery in his phone was now overloaded and produced a massive amount of heat. The phone burst into flames as it lay on the ground.

The burning phone caused a mini panic around the area. One of the shopkeepers came out with a little fire extinguisher and put out the small fire. The only damage appeared to be that done to the phone itself. It was a total wreck.

Cammy smiled. She took the opportunity to disappear in the confusion. She headed out after the departing Grays. She took one look back before she headed up but off of the main trail. There was no further sign of the voyeur couple.

She took to the obscurity of the trees to reverse her coat to the white side. Steve still carried her light gray sweatpants in the backpack.

Cammy and Steve were in contact with each other and with John Henry. Everyone was updated. Steve was ahead of where they thought the group of Grays was headed. She was behind them.

She didn't know what all that they'd stumbled onto or who the other group was that seemed interested in the Skynet forces. She was pretty sure that this was going to get a lot bigger before it got smaller. She knew it was going to get smaller, one way or another.

Young Allison was a little worried about how she would act when she got back to the house. She wanted to see Savannah but she knew where Savannah had just been. She didn't know if she would be mad at Savannah for being with 'her' even though it wasn't her but the older version of her. She was also aware that Savannah had been with all the Metal girls and her mother. Savannah told her before that nobody owned anybody else and everybody should be free to pick their sexual partners and do whatever they wanted to do with them. Even though everybody thought that she was too young to participate in such activity, she didn't feel that way herself. When she became active she was determined to be with all the same females that Savannah had been with. She wanted the same experiences that Savannah experienced and shared with. Maybe that was one of the reasons why she couldn't be mad at Savannah or feel jealous for very long based upon what Savannah did. She planned to do everything the same herself.

She always paid attention where they were at whenever they drove or went anywhere. She was familiar with the map of the surrounding area and where there would be places to try to avoid or evade a problem. They were almost home and on the final stretch. The protection Detail that was with them, passed by them to make sure that everything was clear back at the house for their arrival. Her heart and mind both told her she wanted to see Savannah and share whatever she could with her. It was Savannah that she loved and that was for as long as she could remember.

Young Allison ran to Savannah when she got back and gave her a hug. She wanted to 'remind' Savannah she was there.

Allison was sure Young Allison glared at her and gave her a 'dirty look'. She knew at an even younger age than Young Allison's age now what was 'happening' around her…. She knew she would need to have a talk with Young Allison and remind her that SHE was HER. She didn't feel guilty at all about sharing with Savannah and with Vanna.

Claire and Young Allison handed out the treats they brought back for all of them.

When Hanna set Summer down, she also ran to Savannah.

Claire noted the only other person that her daughters seemed so enthralled with was Cameron. She still held Summer's malt since she didn't want it right now.

Savannah previously received the alert prior to the arrival of the group from the malt shop. She waited for their arrival because they were almost back to the house. She wanted to see Young Allison before she left. Cameron was on her way into a danger zone. She knew her duty and function. She knew she needed to leave. She didn't want her early departure to cause a problem for Young Allison.

"I'm going to have to go now." Savannah said.

The look of happiness and joy on Young Allison's face quickly evaporated. It was replaced with heaviness in her heart. Somehow she felt cheated.

"But we just got back." Young Allison said. "I have some things to show you."

Savannah didn't want this to be a problem.

"I'm sorry but there's something that's developed." Savannah said. "I'm going to need to go. Cameron will need me…."

As soon as Savannah said that, Claire gripped Hanna. She knew what that meant. It meant danger and maybe death. How could they do this to such a beautiful teenager? She looked at Young Allison and knew she would be next. The thought alone started to make her physically ill.

Claire didn't know the full extent of the danger and near termination Savannah faced in the mine. That would've caused her even more worry.

Young Allison wasn't pleased with this development. She looked at all the Terminators that were there.

"All of you should be going instead of Savannah." Young Allison said. "You were all constructed for combat, Savannah wasn't."

The Terminators all look back and forth at each other. This wasn't their decision or choice. Cameron assigned them other duties that she felt were more important than combat.

Savannah knew the rules and how things were set up and why they were set up that way by Cameron. She didn't see a problem with it.

"Everyone has their purpose and function." Savannah said. "I really appreciate your concern and caring but some things just have to be the way that they are."

Savannah lovingly touched Young Allison and whispered in her ear. She promised her she would be back. She gave Young Allison a long close hug.

Young Allison held that close hug as long as she could.

"I need to go." Savannah said.

Savannah hugged both Vanna and Allison together. Allison gave her a quick kiss.

Anna knew it was her duty to take control of Young Allison. She led her down into the bunker to monitor the developing operation.

"I'll go with you." Holly, Cam and Hanna said all at the same time.

Savannah looked at each of the Metal girls. She knew that they were serious in what they offered. She also needed to think about what they were supposed to do.

"You all have something more important to protect." Savannah said.

Savannah gave Summer a hug. She picked her up and handed her to Hanna.

"Never forget your responsibilities and what Cameron wants." Savannah said. "Protecting the future is very important to her. That's your purpose and function. Protecting Cameron is mine."

Bob handed Summer one last origami figure. She smiled and wanted him to hug her. He did.

Bob departed with Savannah.

The girls in the Young residence were all deeply troubled.

"We can't let this continue." Allison said.

Vanna felt guilty as she watched Savannah leave.

"I should be going in her place." Vanna said.

Anna reappeared from the bunker. She wanted to keep some control and put everything in perspective. She knew it was easy to get sidetracked.

"You both have other duties." Anna said.

Allison was already on edge. She snapped at Anna because she was disgusted with her own body.

"They don't WORK." Allison nearly shouted.

Anna knew more than any of them did and what was going to happen. She glanced quickly at Claire and then faced Vanna and Allison.

"They will." Anna said. "Believe in Cameron. She'll never fail."

Anna knew that those closest to Cameron would make sure that she never failed, no matter what it took.

John followed the rapidly developing situation. He knew Cameron was on her way to the mountain. That meant things were going to heat up fast. He knew that if there was some version of Skynet there that Cameron would personally terminate it.

"This operation isn't going to stay as recon or surveillance much longer." John said.

John Henry was aware the Grays were in two groups and that there was a possible third group that was unassociated with the first two. CamNet already delivered them a blow by causing their phone to overheat and melt down.

"Indeed." John Henry said.

John looked over the various locations that Cammy and Steve identified and wondered about the status of the vans that had been tagged.

"Have you traced any of the vans?" John asked. "Do we know where any of the other vehicles are going or where they've been?"

John Henry kept track where all the vans were currently at.

"Two of them are at the aerial tramway, one is still at the location Cammy tagged them. The other has gone to the old packing house, where all the others Cammy tagged last night remain." John Henry said. "You can see the video feeds around the old packing house from the surveillance cameras."

John previously looked at the security camera footage and didn't spot anything out of the ordinary.

"It looks like nothing's happening." John said. "We know it does when it's night."

They noted some activity.

"There's a group moving out now." John Henry said.

John sat up in his chair. Maybe something was about to happen. The Grays could be sending reinforcements to the aerial tramway. It was possible that Cammy and Steve may have been identified.

"Let's see what they're up to." John said.

John Henry already set some precautions into place.

"I have a team of Terminators standing by with the Blackhawk." John Henry said. "They can be on site in less than forty minutes from the moment we scramble them."

John thought about how they'd set up a forward base of operations in the gravel quarry by the mine in the recent operation. He thought maybe they could do something like that for this scenario.

"That's not good enough." John said. "I think we should move them closer and have them ready to go."

John Henry was pleased with John's suggestion. Cameron was one step ahead of him though.

"Cameron sent two drones to this location early this morning." John Henry said as he pointed at a satellite image. "She did that after she was done working on the manned drone and went over Cammy's initial report."

John studied the location and the distance from a suspected target area.

"It's secluded and it looks like they can be to the mountain top in less than five minutes." John said.

John Henry thought it could be a little quicker but five minutes was close enough.

"That's correct." John Henry said.

John liked the idea of the drones being close to the target location. However it was daylight and he didn't want them to be seen or spotted by anyone. If it was night he wouldn't be as concerned. He wanted the helicopter moved in closer along with a Metal Strike Team

"Have the MST ready to move to the 'temporary base'." John said. "I'll discuss this with Cameron first."

John thought it was good to move some of their resources closer to their potential need. Two drones were a start but he wanted more Terminators there to back up Cammy's team and Cameron once she arrived. He would have been even more concerned if he knew that Savannah was on her way there and about ready to enter the danger zone.

Cameron headed to the low desert. There was a lot happening there. She'd been going over the reports. CamNet brought her up to speed on everything.

She thought about how she'd punished Cammy and left her in the dark about Savannah and what she was up to. Cammy was a source of irritation to her on several levels. She felt she'd made her point.

Cameron's phone rang, it was Savannah.

Savannah got right to the immediate business.

"I'm on my way to the Palm Springs area. Where can I meet you?" Savannah asked. "I'm with Bob."

Cameron already knew Savannah was coming. CamNet informed her earlier. Young Allison's concern and plea was also noted. Of special interest was Young Allison's suggestion to commit the Metal girls there at the Young residence to the operation.

That wasn't the message that Cameron wanted to hear from Savannah, even if it was.

"That's unnecessary." Cameron said. "You need to rest up and protect Vanna's baby."

Savannah knew that they would go through the usual 'dance' about an operation. She was ready for it.

"I'm rested and I have my body armor." Savannah said. "Bob will shield me. He just said so."

Cameron was pleased that Savannah was with Bob. She knew that Bob would protect Savannah very well if the need arose. She smiled. She knew Savannah was coming no matter what. She told Savannah where to meet her. She would have time to check out the packing house herself first before Bob and Savannah arrived.

She knew that Savannah tried to contact Cammy several different times. She now felt a little guilty about that. She wanted to rectify that situation and get everybody back on the same page.

"Call Cammy when you get a chance." Cameron said. "There were some communication problems earlier."

Savannah wondered what was wrong previously and her inability to contact Cammy.

"Was it a jamming field of some kind?" Savannah asked.

Cameron realized that this was going to turn into a problem for her at some point. She would deal with that later on and just keep things simple for now.

"It was something like that." Cameron said. "Cammy's out in the field, she's tracking six Grays, a 'Metal Bitch' and a detainee of some type."

Savannah didn't want to bother Cammy in the middle of an operation.

"I don't know if I should disturb her." Savannah said.

Cameron's sense of guilt bothered her. She wanted them to contact each other before things got too serious later on, which they were sure to do.

"Now will be a better time than later on." Cameron said. "Things may heat up."

Savannah knew they were going to heat up for sure with a hostile 'Metal Bitch' being spotted.

"OK." Savannah said. "Thanks for looking out for Cammy. I saw that you moved some drones closer to support her if necessary. I appreciate that."

Cameron knew that Cammy was important to Savannah. She did look out for her in case there was a problem that got out of hand.

"We all look out for each other." Cameron said. "As long as everyone remembers their function and place, everything is beautiful."

Savannah reflected on her earlier conversation with Young Allison.

"I needed to remind a few people of that myself, earlier." Savannah said. "The future will be painful."

Cameron felt a sense of joy Savannah was coming as much as she felt a sense of dread. She liked having Savannah near her whenever there was trouble.

"I know I can always count on you." Cameron said. "I'll see you when you get here."

Cameron ended the conversation. She wondered if Cammy would 'tell on her' to Savannah. Savannah would know why CamNet did it, if she did. She was pretty sure that the finger would end up being pointed at her at some point.

She knew those who forgot the future were destined to be left out of it. She only hoped John would embrace the future so he wasn't left behind. She'd really hoped that he would've pretended that she was 'Savannah' the last time they were together. She really didn't see what the big deal was, especially since he'd done it before and even admitted to it. He needed to fulfill his duty and prepare himself for the future.

Cammy knew the situation was probably going to go critical before they were done up at the mountain top. She was still miffed she couldn't get a hold of Savannah. She wondered if Savannah experienced the same trouble getting a hold of her. It caused a slight glitch in her left hand as she thought maybe Savannah wasn't trying to contact her. Maybe she'd already been 'replaced'. Savannah went to be Allison after all and who did Allison look like? Allison looked like her. No, that wasn't it. She looked like Allison. The difference there was that Allison was real and no matter what, she was still a machine. She didn't want to enter combat like this. She was bound to make mistakes if she did.

Cammy's phone vibrated. She looked at her phone. It was Savannah. She felt a rush of something inside of her when she saw that it was Savannah. She wasn't sure what it was but it was certainly a relief of some type.

She moved further off of the trail as she answered it and got the small talk out of the way.

Savannah got down to business. She wanted to offer some explanation as to why they'd been out of contact for so long.

"Cameron said I'd better call you now before the operation got too involved." Savannah said. "She told me not to disturb you earlier. I didn't want to compromise your operation. I'm sorry I needed to wait so long."

Cammy didn't think now was the time to get into it and what actually happened.

"I was tied up." Cammy said.

Cammy didn't tell Savannah she'd been 'punished' earlier.

Savannah wanted to reassure Cammy that assistance was on the way.

"I'm coming with Cameron and Bob." Savannah said.

Cammy was as pleased as she was displeased to hear that. She figured as much would happen anyway. She did want to remind Savannah of her other duties.

"You should stay out of this." Cammy said. "You have more than Cameron to think about…."

Savannah figured that Cammy already knew where she'd been but she didn't want any surprises if she didn't.

"I'm aware of that." Savannah said. "I'm returning from Palmdale…."

Savannah knew Cammy would know what that meant….

"I'm sure everything worked out fine." Cammy said.

Savannah didn't want the 'Cameron' In Cammy to assert itself unnecessarily.

"Don't act on your own unless you're forced to." Savannah said. "Help is on the way. I'm coming. We're coming."

Cammy was aware that Savannah would risk herself as much for her if she would for Cameron.

"I know." Cammy said. "Please be extra careful yourself."

Cammy knew that Savannah cared for her and loved her even if Cameron didn't 'like' it. She smiled and put her phone away. Maybe today wouldn't be such a bad day after all. She decided to use more caution as she followed the Skynet group up the mountain. She didn't want to be damaged in case she was with Savannah later on. She knew that Savannah wouldn't care but she would. She only wanted the best for Savannah. Besides she wanted to look at least as good as Allison did.

Dirty Look

Silence can say a lot
For it can mask a thought
Joy and happiness are things
That can never be bought

Not everyone is content
With the status quo
One will find out soon enough
Who don't think so

Change is always hard
It can meet a lot of resistance
Maybe victory will go
To one with a lot of persistence

Some can't see the warning signs
Of events as they transpire
They think all is rosy and dandy
As things are about to expire

Some play things by the book
Others become love's crook
They seem somewhat surprised
When all that's left is a dirty look

Nobody