Chapter 691

Not As Happy

Cameron wasn't pleased that Savannah was alone. She regretted leaving Gail and Savannah earlier. She didn't think they would need to separate a few minutes later.

She was inside the back of the truck now.

Earlier when it stopped, she'd opened the door to see what was inside. There were crates. She hopped up to look inside of them when the truck started to move again.

The crates contained Coltan. She was going to take it.

The question was, where did it come from and where was it going?

"Cameron, I'm on an intercept course." Savannah said. "I should reach you in five minutes."

Cameron was pleased that Savannah would arrive soon. She wasn't pleased that Savannah was alone. What was in the back of the truck was important to her. Savannah was more important to her than what was in the truck. She took an extra precaution to make sure that she didn't lose track of the Coltan even if they lost track of the truck at some point.

"I have the tracker in place." Cameron said. "There are crates of Coltan here. I've tagged one of the crates as well as the truck."

Savannah looked around her as she drove to make sure that she didn't have a tail. So far nothing was spotted. She looked forward to picking Cameron up soon.

"That's a good find." Savannah said. "I'll pick you up."

Cameron felt that she needed to say something to Savannah. It wasn't so much about Savannah being alone right now which bothered her, it seemed to be more about what happened earlier when she was unable to help Savannah in her endeavor at the pier.

"I don't like you being alone." Cameron said. "I was worried about you earlier today. I couldn't help you…."

Savannah did not want this to become a problem for Cameron when it didn't need to be.

"Cameron, relax." Savannah said. "I'll be there soon and then I won't be alone."

Cameron wanted to get out of the truck and get back to Savannah.

John looked at John Henry when the transmission abruptly stopped that he was listening to between Cameron and Savannah.

"What happened to the feed?" John asked.

John Henry knew exactly what happened to it. He just couldn't say to John specifically what it was or why. He would need to play a little loose with the truth around the issue. That shouldn't be too hard to do since he'd learned from Cameron how to bend the truth when necessary.

"I'm not sure." John Henry said.

Savannah called him earlier and asked that no one know what happened at the pier that involved her. She didn't want anyone to make a big deal about it. It was something that needed to be done and she did it.

John Henry cut the feed when Cameron started to talk about it so John wouldn't ask. He wasn't sure why Cameron even brought it up.

"They evidently aren't talking now, at least until Savannah gets closer to pick Cameron up." John Henry said. "It's nothing to worry about."

John looked at John Henry for a moment and then contacted Bob. He hoped for some better news from him.

"Bob, do you have anything on Cam?" John asked.

"Negative…." Bob said.

John was very displeased with the current state of the operation. There was another problem on his mind as well. He knew he shouldn't let it bother him but for some reason it bothered him greatly.

"Beautiful…." John said.

John excused himself for a minute and exited the Command Center. He called Vanna. This wasn't a subject he was comfortable dealing with. He knew Riley was a team member and important to everyone, especially Derek.

After the pleasantries, he got down to business.

"How's Riley?" John asked

"I think she's better." Vanna said.

John wasn't sure what to ask. He didn't know a whole lot about pregnancies other than what he'd watched his mother go through with his sister Jan. He did remember when the next door neighbor was taken to the hospital by his mother. He's been involved in his own episode with Cameron during that time. Now that was an episode in itself. He would have preferred not to think about that right now at this time. What he did remember the most about that entire incident was that he actually saw Cameron genuinely happy when she was in the halfway house. He was the one that went to her and told her that she was a machine from the future. The happiness instantly evaporated from her face. He'd witnessed moments since then when Cameron did look happy but not as happy as she did when he first saw her inside the halfway house. He needed to refocus. Right now the issue was Riley.

"Is there any bleeding or leaking fluids?" John asked.

"No." Vanna said.

John was still troubled by the entire incident. He really wasn't sure why.

"It worries me." John said.

There were times in the future when Vanna was around sick and dying people a lot. This didn't seem like that big of an issue based on that. She thought that Jesse summed it up pretty well by saying that it was a combination of a lot of little things more than a major thing as best as she could tell.

"I've been around others when it's a lot worse. This doesn't appear to be one of those cases." Vanna said. "You did the right thing."

John wanted to take some type of preventative action if they could. He certainly didn't want to wait around for anything to develop into a major issue or something that would require hospitalization. If that was what was necessary, then he would make sure that Riley was taken to the hospital. It sadly reminded him that he'd needed to do that before when Riley - Future Riley attempted suicide in the bathroom of their last house.

"I don't want to wait for my mom to get back, if you think anything should be done – do it." John said.

Vanna was ready to take some preemptive action on her own. She wanted to OK it with John first to make sure. They'd never needed to use the infirmary before for anything serious, especially in this manner or for a situation like this.

"I'd like to move her to the infirmary." Vanna said. "Cameron has a complete ER set up there."

John was well aware of why Cameron established such an elaborate medical facility. What seemed rather ironic was that she did everything she could to prevent any of the humans from being around combat except Savannah.

"She wants to be able to treat any wounded." John said. "She has a complete medical library database of every known procedure ever done."

Vanna wondered if it was something specific that Cameron established for her to use or if any of the Terminators we're good to go. She thought that any Terminator with a neck port would be able to use the system as well as any other one. That was unless one of them actually had experience doing a procedure. She was well aware that there was no substitute for experience in any situation. She knew that knowing and doing were two different things in reality. She wouldn't put it past Cameron to have one of the Terminators or her actually work in a hospital or medical facility to gain that experience. It could happen in the past or the future with the use of the TDE, no one would know except the participants.

"Can any of the Terminators plug into it?" Vanna asked. "Is there someone with experience?"

John seemed to think John Henry indicated that he was qualified to do any of the medical procedures.

"I believe so." John said. "Get her there and I'll send John Henry. I think she would feel comfortable with him there. Ask her to make sure."

Vanna thought now was a bad time to pull John Henry off of his primary position. He was normally at the forefront of all the operations that were conducted. There was one being conducted now.

"You're in the middle of a tactical operation." Vanna said. "That will disrupt it by taking John Henry away."

John Henry already discussed with John how the operation would go on seamlessly as if he were still there even if he wasn't physically there. His server was able to do everything that he could.

"His server, JH, can run autonomously." John said. "It's just a different interface. I've used it before."

John knew it was no different than CamNet. CamNet was a server only. As far as he knew Cameron seldom plugged into it. He also believed CamNet was now far more advanced than John Henry, his server or Cameron herself. He was afraid that Cameron created something that she couldn't control. It made him understand better why the 'Chosen Ones' would be able to countermand any order. That would include CamNet as well.

Vanna didn't think it would be a problem for John Henry to examine Riley. She'd get everything started into motion and inform John Henry when she was ready.

"I'll let you know when she's there." Vanna said. "Thanks, John."

John still felt something tug inside of him that he couldn't really identify.

"We're all a team." John said.

Vanna agreed with that and wanted him to remind him what else was available.

"Yes we are." Vanna said. "Remember that's for everything too."

John understood the last part of Vanna's statement. He returned back to the Command Center.

"Did I miss anything?" John asked.

"No." John Henry said.

Since John Henry and John previously talked about it, he thought it was time to put the plan into action.

"They're taking Riley to the infirmary soon." John said. "I think she'd feel most comfortable with you to check her out."

John Henry looked forward to the opportunity. All females fascinated him, especially human females.

"I have access to every medical procedure." John Henry said.

John didn't want John Henry to be too overconfident as he went into the procedure. He was aware that things could get messy. Real life was different from a simulation or theory.

"Just be aware that actually doing it is different from simulations. Real people cry and hurt and bleed." John said. "It's not pretty."

John remembered Future Derek almost dying on the kitchen table. He saw plenty of others hurt too in the alternate future. The images still sickened him. He didn't think he could ever be a medical professional and deal with that all the time. He was with Allison on some of those times in her future and she jumped in and helped. She said it was all part of growing up in the Wastelands. Allison was used to suffering and death. He wasn't. He really didn't know if that was a good attribute or not. Maybe if he thought about the suffering of others before they suffered, he'd be less likely to put them in a position to suffer. He now realized that was exactly what Cameron did with him. Somehow it all made sense now.

John Henry felt he was more than up to the task. He actually looked forward to getting started.

"I will not fail." John Henry said.

John thought John Henry was good to go. He remembered earlier that John Henry mentioned CamNet would be 'there' with him. He understood that to mean that 'Cameron' would be there with him as well, even if she wasn't physically there.

"No, I don't think you would." John said. "I think there will be a lot of teamwork."

Cam spotted something earlier on her recon to the east side of the structure to view the railroad siding. She went back to check it out. She entered into the flood control channel branch. There was a large opening located on the side of the channel. There was an underground pipe that drained everything from the old newspaper factory into the flood control channel. She entered into that and hoped to get a closer look. It would take her underground closer to the old newspaper plant anyway. It was time to see where and what she could find. She figured if it was rigged as an escape route that she would probably find the connection or the opening where that was at. She thought it was worth a try.

The underground pipe narrowed into several branches. Soon she could go no further. She was however at the end of the loading dock. She listened to what happened above her.

She could hear a forklift operating. She wondered what it actually did as it moved around. There were people laughing and cussing. She didn't think there were any Terminators around. It sounded like the Grays were having too good of a time. She knew it was a big facility and the Terminators could actually be elsewhere.

Cam brought her face up to the metal grate and was going to lift it. A boot appeared right above her face as it stepped on the grate. There was a man standing there smoking. She carefully backed down away from the surface but not before a cigarette butt landed on her cheek. That act of carelessness angered her. She was glad there was minimal sheath damage as it hit and bounced off of her cheek. When they entered this facility, she would personally terminate anyone who possessed cigarettes.

The boot disappeared and Cam went back up to look.

Because of her close proximity to the surface, she was able to communicate with John Henry and filled him in on all the details she'd found out so far. Most of it wasn't helpful.

When she was done with the transmission, she touched the small burn spot on her cheek from the cigarette. Her eyes glowed red momentarily. Someone was going to have to pay for the minor damage done to her face. She didn't even think about she could be shot up before this operation was over. The act of carelessness was a personal matter to her at this point.

John was very pleased that they'd reestablished communications with Cam.

"OK, we received Cam's report." John said. "She's right up there at the loading dock."

John Henry didn't think that they'd gleaned too much information from her adventure.

"She'll need to return." John Henry said. "It's too early for her to do anything from that position at this time"

John noticed John Henry straighten his clothing and made sure that his hair was in order. He figured he was about ready to leave.

"Do you want Jim to plug in when you go to assist Riley?" John asked.

John Henry actually already notified Jim. He should arrive momentarily.

"He may do so. The experience will be good for him." John Henry said. "He's done this before."

Jim arrived.

John Henry filled Jim in and departed. He arrived at Derek's room and knocked.

Jesse answered the door.

John Henry scanned her breasts through her tight fitting halter top. He could tell that her nipple rings were in place.

"I'm here to examine Riley." John Henry said.

Jesse had the distinct feeling that she'd just been 'examined'. That was fine with her. She'd be more than willing to take her top off or all of her clothes for that matter if he really wanted to examine her.

"We were just about ready to head over to the infirmary. Vanna and Kyle already left." Jesse said. "They went to get everything ready."

John Henry thought now was a good time to point out the previous procedure that Jesse indicated he could perform on her. He thought she was actually a little young for the procedure but there was no reason not to get an early start. Preventative care was very important for humans.

"Jesse, I can also perform the breast examination you've indicated you wanted as well." John Henry said.

Jesse looked at John Henry for a moment and then a giant smile blossomed on her face.

"That wasn't what I was indicating but it couldn't hurt." Jesse said. "It gives me an excuse to go topless."

John Henry tilted his head slightly to the side.

"It seems you don't usually need one." John Henry said.

Jesse liked having an audience, even if it was voyeurism.

"Really?" Jesse asked. "You see everything that goes on around here don't you?"

John Henry didn't want her to be alarmed. He didn't realize that she wouldn't be.

"Yes." John Henry said. "I'm not allowed to discuss personal matters, affairs or hookups."

Jesse would like to have a little insight to anything else that happened that she missed or wasn't a part of. John Henry would be able to give her a heads up if there was something she wanted to be a part of.

"Maybe I could persuade you." Jesse said.

John Henry looked stone faced.

"It's unlikely." John Henry said.

Jesse knew how to play the game and play it well. She expected to catch John Henry off guard and surprise him.

"Is it?" Jesse asked as she slipped her hand towards John Henry's crotch. "I hear you received a 'package'. Maybe we can test it out."

John Henry was ready for the advance. He was ready with a comeback. He didn't see any need to mention the manual stimulation he'd practiced previously.

"What makes you think I haven't?" John Henry asked.

Jesse's eyes widened some at his remark. She could see he wanted to play the game.

"I bet it was Sheila." Jesse said. "It's time for the real thing."

Derek emerged from Riley's room a few seconds ago and caught the tail end of the conversation. He was a little surprised at the nature of it.

"What's going on here?" Derek asked.

Jesse didn't want to get specific.

"Nothing…." Jesse said. "I was just joking with our Terminator friend."

John Henry looked nervous.

"I bet." Derek said.

Riley emerged from the bedroom, she looked a little shaky.

"OK, I'm ready." Riley said. "I feel a little dizzy."

John Henry stepped forward to pick her up.

"I can carry you." John Henry said.

Derek looked at John Henry and Jesse.

"I'll carry her." Derek said.

Derek picked up Riley and headed out.

Jesse looked around. She still wanted to mess around with John Henry some.

"You can carry me." Jesse said.

John Henry looked a little concerned.

"Are you ill?" John Henry asked.

"Nope…." Jesse said.

John Henry scooped Jesse up in a swift motion.

"Gail's a little gentler." Jesse said.

John Henry wanted to offer her unique proposition.

"I can switch chips with her." John Henry said. "Any of the males can."

Jesse was intrigued by the idea but she didn't want to push things too far, especially under the circumstances. She was very pleased with her interaction with John Henry.

"You better put me down before you get deactivated." Jesse said. "We need to help Riley now. You're a funny bloke. Do you know that?"

John Henry smiled. He was glad that he'd pleased and amused Jesse.

"Cameron has insisted we all work on our social skills." John Henry said. "I'm trying."

John Henry was serious about switching the chips. He would like to explore a female sheath as his own for a short time. He would mention it to Gail at an appropriate time. In fact he could take Jesse up on her 'offer' as both a male and female. He would then be able to determine what the superior sheath was. This would require further study.

Savannah closed up on the truck that Cameron was in the back of.

"Cameron, I'm right behind you." Savannah said.

"I hear you." Cameron said. "Is it clear?"

"Yes." Savannah said. "Go now."

Savannah pulled off to the driver's side of the truck more to give Cameron cover and not be observed from within the truck through the side view mirrors.

The 'roll up' door only opened about two feet and Cameron rolled out. She closed the door behind her.

She hopped in on the passenger's side. The entire move was blocked from the driver's view by the closeness of Savannah's SUV to the back of the truck.

Savannah previously flipped her sun visor down to block her face from view of the driver's side view mirror. She didn't want any accidental recognition or a description later on. It was just a precaution. She figured all the Grays would be dead soon.

Savannah knew that Cameron initially appropriated another vehicle to follow this truck. She wondered what happened to it. She hoped it wasn't sitting in the middle of the street.

"Where's the vehicle at you followed this truck in?" Savannah asked.

Cameron wasn't too concerned about it.

"It was a delivery van, one of the brown ones." Cameron said. "I left it on the roadside."

Savannah thought it was best if they didn't return to that area.

"Let's not go back that way." Savannah said.

Sheila and Ally were headed back towards the old newspaper plant.

"We can play tag with you." Sheila said. "Our truck parked back where it came from. Ed is still there. He has the area under observation as well as the surveillance equipment that was installed."

Cameron gave Sheila some specific instructions.

"I have this truck and load double tagged. We can fallback and track him that way." Cameron said.

Savannah was concerned about Gail. She was bothered by the fact that she needed to 'send her away'.

"Gail, how are you doing?" Savannah asked.

"I tagged the big rig. Al and Steve picked me up." Gail said. "Thanks for checking."

Savannah wanted Gail to know that when she split the team it was no reflection on her. It was a matter of necessity.

"If our two teams get closer together, we'll pick you up again." Savannah said.

Gail was very pleased to hear that.

"I'd like that." Gail said. "Thank you."

Cameron looked at Savannah but didn't ask her. She knew Gail was 'sweet' on Savannah, big time. She'd 'checked' on Savannah and heard what she'd done with Gail and the getting 'dressed' routine. She later did that with John. It seemed to please him.

Cameron smiled at Savannah.

"I want you to be happy." Cameron said.

Savannah looked to see if Cameron's hand started to glitch, it didn't.

"I've been very happy." Savannah said. "But not as happy as I will be…."

Savannah looked deeply into Cameron's eyes.

"Me too…." Cameron said as she gave Savannah a wink.

They both knew the future offered many things.

I Can't Be Happy

Instead of being insulted
With words that demean
I would be much happier
If I were treated as a Queen

In the smorgasbord of life
I remain an unknown cuisine
I don't like it myself at all
When to me people say things mean

With you at my side
The world is ours to glean
You will forever be safe
I'll insulate against the unseen

My appearance can be pleasant
I can radiate a sheen
For YOU I want to look Tight
So I continuously preen

There is so much more
That can't be seen
I can't be happy
If I am treated like a machine

Nobody