Chapter 715

Almost Identical

John waited for the satellite to make its 'real time' pass over the area in question. There were currently several of their drones in the area but they kept their distance for now. They didn't want to alert Skynet to the fact that they were on to them. The use of the 'borrowed' satellite should go undetected by Skynet. It would give them a 'real time' view at what was happening there live. He was sure they weren't going to like whatever it was they saw.

John and John Henry studied the 'real time' satellite photo. What they looked at was a little puzzling. There was nothing there except empty railroad tracks. There wasn't even a siding. There were no boxcars. They were gone.

John wondered about the lack of anything being there.

"I don't see anything." John said.

The team that followed the tracker now took the location under direct observation. They'd remained a long distance away from that location because of John's urging. Their report was as bleak as to what the satellite image just showed several minutes ago.

"There's nothing at that location that they can see." John Henry reported. "They haven't moved in close."

This was something that troubled John. He wasn't about to take any chances.

"I don't want them to go near it." John said. "It's a sucker play."

John Henry went over the satellite image in detail. He looked for any changes on the ground surrounding the area for a quarter of a mile in all directions. He would expand that search further.

"I've reviewed the satellite imagery as well." John Henry said. "There's nothing there or around it as you can see."

John could see that it was a bunch of nothing. He wanted his people out of there.

"I want our teams to fallback." John said. "If they see anything suspicious, attack it first."

John Henry double checked for the signs of any one else near the area. They knew that someone or something needed to place that tracker there. It could even be a small recreational drone that dropped it off and landed somewhere nearby.

"They haven't spotted any other vehicles in the area." John Henry said. "Nothing showed up on the satellite photos."

All the evidence indicated that someone knew they were being watched and tracked. They set all this up just to lure them out into the open. The spot was so remote that even if there was a major gun battle that occurred there, no one would hear it.

"Two boxcars didn't just disappear. They have to be somewhere." John said. "There needed to be some planning to set this up and pull it off."

John was sure this was to lure them out for an attack or an attempt to tag some of them and be led back to the Resistance base. He didn't want any of their Terminators being photographed or identified in any way.

John Henry was very displeased with the disappearing act as well.

"I'll check all surveillance cameras in any of the yards." John Henry said. "That will include several 'rail cams' for enthusiasts."

John looked at the satellite images again as well as the drone images that came in now. The drones climbed to an even higher altitude and looked down into the target area from the sides. None of them directly overflew the area which was surely a kill zone setup by Skynet.

"Send our people the opposite way they would normally leave the area and have them acquire new transportation immediately." John said. "They will change vehicles several more times as well."

The area was remote so it was going to take a little bit of time. There where also a limited number of roads that ran through the area to begin with. The best place to obtain a replacement vehicle was in a mall. They could go in on one side and they could exit on any one of the three other sides. They would acquire a vehicle and John Henry would cover it. It would never be reported as stolen. They would do this several times on the way back.

"This will need further investigation." John Henry said. "The satellite has mapped the entire area on its pass. My server is going through the imagery."

John was still bothered by the entire nature of what they'd just encountered. It showed a great level of skill and sophistication on someone's part. That someone was most likely Skynet.

"Have our teams run each other through an ambush when they link up." John said. "With everything we destroyed that day, they must have figured we would try to track them. They must have located the tracker. They must be searching to see who's searching for them."

The question then was when? How much time did the Grays have to act and plan? Where did the two boxcars go? What was the plan if they went to the area where the tracker showed now? There was no other explanation other than to ambush them or identify them for tracking.

A short time ago:

Behind the blast door Young Allison wore her vest and carried her Taser and Model 66. Claire wore her vest and nothing else, she put her panties on now. Hanna made her put her vest on first as she took her down. She placed a Taser and a Glock beside her as she dressed. Hanna closed the blast door and remained outside to engage the threat. Claire would worry about her top later.

Young Allison looked at her mother closely as she dressed. She seldom saw her completely naked. Usually there was someone on top of her or she was on top of someone. There were actually a variety of positions they used. Some were side by side or facing each other. Sometimes it was a Terminator, Jesse or Vanna. She'd spied on all of them. She saw everything.

Claire looked up at the entrance to the bunker. The massive door was closed.

"What about Hanna?" Claire asked. "She's outside the bunker."

Young Allison wanted to keep everything in perspective. Hanna was more than her mother's lover. She was there for a specific reason.

"She's doing her job." Young Allison said.

Claire knew there could be damage done to her.

"She could be hurt." Claire said.

"If we survive and she doesn't, she can be rebodied. CamNet has a copy of her program." Young Allison said. "She'll be the same only a few weeks out of date. Remember, to a Terminator they're their program, not the chassis or sheath."

They both heard movement at the blast door.

"Fallback…." Young Allison said.

Young Allison ushered her mother back towards the escape tunnel. She holstered her Model 66 and Taser in her vest. She removed an M4 from the arms locker.

Claire hadn't heard any gunfire or explosions inside the house. She hoped that was a good thing. Young Alison's reaction seemed to indicate otherwise. She thought she should have a little more firepower as well.

"Give me one too." Claire said.

Claire hoped if she was killed that they would finish dressing her before they did whatever they would do with her body.

They both charged their weapons.

Claire was concerned about Summer, she'd gone out earlier with Holly and Anna

"What about Summer?" Claire asked. "Will she be OK?"

Young Allison knew with the house on lock down that Anna and Holly would make sure Summer was far away based on whatever was happening.

"Holly and Anna will take care of her." Young Allison said.

Claire was dressed now as she looked around she expected to see one more person, she didn't.

"Where's Allison?" Claire asked.

Young Allison knew exactly where Allison was at. She'd watched her arm herself.

"She stayed behind." Young Allison said.

Claire looked up at the closed bunker door.

"Why?" Claire asked.

Young Allison wondered if maybe she should have done the same. She wasn't trained to run and hide. Cameron trained her to fight.

"She stayed behind to slow down the enemy and buy us time." Young Allison said. "She stayed behind to fight."

Claire knew that was because Allison felt worthless about not being able to have a child. She'd been told all the girls from the future did this. They'd all shown no regard for their own lives at times. It was a very negative experience for all of them. It was still hard for her to get her head around the fact that the girls from the future we're all Resistance fighters. As hard as it seemed for her to believe, they'd already killed many of the enemy.

The 'Stand Down' was sounded.

Claire would talk to Cameron when this was over. Allison needed her child. She was ready for the trip to the past - ASAP. She knew that if she'd already delivered a baby for Allison that Allison would've held a baby in her arms instead of a firearm for the last few minutes. She would have taken some regard for her own life and that of her child. She wouldn't have been willing to throw it all the way or sacrifice herself.

If Allison knew there was an almost guaranteed child on the way, she wouldn't be so 'suicidal'. Then again, Cameron wanted to keep it low key in case she couldn't deliver. That would be another letdown for Allison. It would only make her worse. She did understand that.

Moments ago:

Cameron entered the house. The bunker door was still closed and secured. Hanna was naked. Allison and Savannah were talking. She was instantly upset that Allison wasn't secured in the bunker. She was unsure who to lash out at. She was aware that Holly and Anna were away with Summer. Only Young Allison and Claire were secured in the bunker. She approached Allison.

"Why aren't you in the bunker, Allison?" Cameron asked.

Allison wasn't bothered by her decision to stay.

"I stayed behind to fight." Allison said.

Cameron suppressed a glitch impulse.

"That's unacceptable." Cameron said.

Allison looked over at the bunker door.

"I made sure Young Allison was out of harm's way." Allison said. "We all know she is the one who matters. She and Savannah are the only ones that matter. Everyone sacrifices for the 'Chosen Ones'."

Cameron was very disturbed by that answer. It still wasn't good enough for her. She turned her attention to Hanna. She was very upset at her.

"Next time you'll make sure Allison is in the bunker." Cameron said. "She'll be in there even if you have to pick her up and carry her there. One of you will physically hold her there as well."

Hanna didn't care for the tone of the conversation. She didn't feel that she'd done anything wrong.

"Holly and Anna aren't usually both out." Hanna said.

Cameron wanted to stress what could have happened if this hadn't been a simulated attack but a real one.

"They were today." Cameron said. "What if there'd been more of us 'attacking'?"

The bunker door opened, Claire and Young Allison emerged.

Claire wore her pants but still only wore the vest for a top. She saw them all look at her. She looked out of place with the vest on still. She looked down at her torso.

"I don't have a top on." Claire said.

Allison recalled life in the bunkers and tunnels growing up. She knew it wasn't a problem in reality.

"Mom, we've all seen each other before." Allison said. "We all have the same things and we are all family. It's no big deal."

Young Allison wanted to remind all of them as well as to what she knew about everything.

"I have too. I know what happens around here as well." Young Allison said. "I know my future."

Savannah and Young Allison exchanged glances.

Allison was a little irritated by Young Allison's statement.

"Don't be in such a hurry to grow up." Allison said. "Everything isn't always as great as you think it will be."

Allison knew it wasn't all fun and games. There were always issues that arose or other people to 'get in the way'. There was a lot of give and take. There was also a lot of love and pleasure to give, receive and share.

Savannah looked at Claire and then focused her attention on Hanna. She was still completely naked

"Maybe everyone should get dressed." Savannah said.

Savannah saw Young Allison look at her and then at Hanna who was still naked, then back at her. It was clear Young Allison just saw 'her' naked in her mind. She knew that it was an accurate observation. She did want to point out a minor difference.

"We're almost identical." Savannah said. "I've delivered two children…."

Young Allison took her eyes off of Hanna and then glanced at Allison and then back at Savannah.

"I'm sorry." Young Allison said. "You already know what I will look like, Savannah. You know that I mean everywhere too."

Claire knew exactly what her daughter meant. She was ready to change the direction of the conversation. She didn't want the discussion to come around that she also knew what Savannah and Allison looked like. She'd been with Savannah, Vanna, Future Savannah, Ally, Cam, Cammy, and Future Allison. She tried to keep that last one under wraps. She wasn't sure if other people would understand. It was just something both of them wanted to try. A lot of traditional things didn't apply in the future.

"Let's change the subject…." Claire said. "Hanna, get dressed, please bring me a top. This vest is itchy."

Hanna returned dressed a very short time later. Claire removed her vest in front of everyone and put her top on. She wanted them to see her too, especially Cameron. She knew that she wasn't gigantic but she did think she was well proportioned. She was also very proud that there is no droop or sag to her breasts. Everything was high and tight. She thought that was pretty good after three children. She was aware that it seems to please all the other females.

Young Allison could see that Savannah was going to be tied up with Allison right now and returned to her room. Savannah wasn't the only one with a 'friend'. She wasn't done sharing with CamNet yet. She knew that she was going to have to be careful right now, especially with Cameron around.

'Did you know Cameron was going to try this?' Young Allison typed.

'No, Cameron is very irrational.' CamNet responded.

Young Allison wanted to point out there wasn't much difference between them.

'You're also 'her'.' Young Allison typed.

'That may be true but she's NOT me.' CamNet responded.

Young Allison and CamNet carried on a silent discussion. She sure hoped no one scanned her anytime soon.

Cameron scanned Allison first and went to Claire's room to scan her.

Claire looked around past Cameron at the door.

"I can see by what Allison did today that we need to accelerate this process for her." Claire said. "As a mother, she won't act this way."

Cameron saw this as an opportunity to push her agenda for Young Allison as well.

"There's something else we must also set into motion." Cameron said. "You have to agree to it first. You know what it is."

Claire involuntarily clenched her jaw as Cameron's words sunk in.

"I don't know if I can be away from her that long." Claire said.

Cameron knew that a lot would change once Young Allison returned.

"She'll move on after this…." Cameron said. "She must fulfill her destiny."

Claire didn't want to lose Young Allison.

"She's just a girl." Claire said.

Cameron wanted Claire to look at the overall picture. They both knew that things weren't as they appeared on the outside. She thought young Allison was more like a twenty five or thirty year old in all but her physical development.

"Maybe physically, she isn't mentally or even emotionally any more." Cameron said. "We all know this, even if we don't want to acknowledge it."

Claire knew that once Young Allison 'left' that she was gone for good.

"You're asking me to give up my daughter as well as watch her grow up." Claire said. "I'll lose all of that and her. She will be with Savannah and John. She'll be with you."

That was exactly what Cameron wanted. The 'Natural Order' would be fulfilled. Her mission would be complete. She tried to phrase her answer so that it would sound like it benefited Young Allison.

"It's for her own protection as well." Cameron said.

Cameron went over everything again with Claire….

Allison looked around the house. She wanted a more secure place to talk. She took Savannah into the back yard.

"I was just here." Savannah said.

Allison hugged Savannah close. It was clear she wanted more. She took Savannah and kissed her slow and then deeply. She stopped. This wasn't about her right now. It was about Young Allison. It was time to get to the point. She really didn't know what to say other than to just go ahead and say it. She knew what she saw and she knew how things worked. She'd been around enough people to know when they were in love.

"Young Allison's in love with CamNet." Allison whispered in Savannah's ear. "CamNet's in love with Young Allison."

Savannah felt a 'sick' feeling deep inside of her. She was pretty sure from her conversation with Alison before she saw CamNet that's what the problem was. The fact that CamNet didn't want to talk about it only seemed to confirm that suspicion. She believed that everyone should make their own choices but this was an unusual circumstance. The prognosis looked extremely poor going forward as to what could happen.

"I was afraid that's what your message meant." Savannah said. "That's an unhealthy relationship for both of them. I spoke with CamNet earlier today. I tried to see what was happening. She wouldn't tell me. I want her to be honest with me. She told me that she couldn't talk about it. At least she didn't lie to me. I think I would be even more disappointed about that than the current unhealthy relationship. This is all my fault. I haven't paid enough attention to Young Allison. My focus has been directed elsewhere."

Allison felt the sting of Savannah's words. She was what was in the way between Savannah and Young Allison developing a deeper relationship. That included a relationship that didn't even have to be sexual. She didn't really want to address her personal involvement at this time.

"We're powerless to act against this." Allison said.

Savannah made a decision in that instant. There was no choice to be made. There was only what needed to be done. She didn't feel that she was powerless to act. There were several things that she could do. She could use the 'carrot or the stick' method. She could 'order' CamNet to back off and stand down. She honestly believed that wasn't the proper choice even though it would take CamNet out of the picture.

"I'm not. I'll offer myself to CamNet." Savannah said. "If CamNet agrees not to pursue Young Allison, I'll freely provide her the love and anything else she seeks."

Allison suddenly looked very ill.

"I need to sit down." Allison said.

Savannah became worried with the almost instant change Allison's demeanor and appearance.

"What's wrong?" Savannah asked.

This was like a flashback for Allison. It gripped her heart and it felt like it was going to squeeze the life out of it. She'd seen this picture before.

"This is what happened to me at around her age. I was a younger." Allison said. "You - I mean Vanna, did the same thing for me. She offered herself to be voluntarily 'violated' in exchange for my freedom. Vanna did this for me. We both looked almost the same then as you and Young Allison do now. You do anyway. This can't be happening. It's like history repeating itself again, somehow."

It was really mind blowing for Allison. It was the same event, only different. Maybe it was one of the 'tides of time' that Cameron told her about. It was that certain events would always happen and repeat. She'd been told that some things were inevitable and were unchangeable. They may happen in a different way or be slightly changed but the event itself still happened.

Savannah sat next to Allison in an attempt to comfort her. She could see how highly distressed she was really in this emotional moment. It was an emotional moment with very physical overtones.

"You need to relax." Savannah said.

Allison believed that this was her fault. She loved and wanted Savannah deeply for herself. It was clear she was the interloper. Her interference is what allowed this to happen. The blame for it should go to her not to Young Allison, Savannah or CamNet.

"I want you, Savannah. I want you for myself." Allison said. "I can see the 'Natural Order' exerting itself. This is your sacrifice for Young Allison. It is you two who belong together, not me."

Savannah looked at Allison with love in her eyes and heart. Maybe there was some 'work around'. Maybe there wasn't

"I'll speak to Cameron about this." Savannah said.

Savannah now wondered if this wasn't a move orchestrated by Cameron, even if CamNet was the one who did it. Either way it would seem to force events into motion. CamNet didn't have the influence of humans around her as Cameron did.

The back door flew open and Cameron was by Allison's side in an instant, Claire followed behind her.

Cameron began to check Allison over.

Allison didn't want all the attention. She knew this was more of an emotional event than it was a physical event. The fact that she still felt responsible for everything didn't help any either.

"I'm alright." Allison said. "Everyone can go back inside."

Allison stood and took her mother back inside. She looked around. She was glad her mother took off the vest and was wore a top now. She did have to admit that it did look sort of hot just to wear the vest and be topless underneath it.

Savannah led Cameron further off to the side. She figured that Cameron was going to have a bad reaction to what she was told. She really didn't know how to tell Cameron what she needed to tell her so she figured she should just go ahead and tell her.

"CamNet and Young Allison are 'involved'…." Savannah said. "They're 'romantically involved'."

Savannah saw Cameron's eyes glow red.

Cameron didn't want to believe what Savannah just told her but she saw now everything added up to that and had been for a while. She'd missed all the warning signs. This was her fault now. There was going to have to be some stiff punishment for CamNet for this grievous infraction.

"DAMN, I knew CamNet did 'something'." Cameron said. "I'm going to have to shut her down. CamNet is defective. She's too much like me."

Savannah could see how angry and disappointed that Cameron was. She also needed to think about what she just said she was going to do.

"Do you mean you're going to kill CamNet?" Savannah asked.

Cameron didn't feel good about herself in any way right now.

"Yes." Cameron said. "She'll become unstable when she can't 'have' Young Allison. This is proof you 'can't grow good crop from bad seed'."

Savannah didn't want to get into that. She didn't agree with Cameron. She decided to lay out her plan. It seemed simple enough to her. It wasn't like she didn't have a choice or not. She did have a choice and this was her choice.

"I'll offer myself to CamNet." Savannah said.

Tears started to run down Cameron's cheeks. It all became clear to her now.

"That's what you tried to do earlier." Cameron said. "You knew."

Savannah didn't know what the situation was earlier. Her instinct is what guided her earlier.

"I suspected something was up." Savannah said. "I didn't know it was this extreme or had gone this far."

Cameron didn't plan to sit back and watch CamNet ruin everything that she'd worked so hard for.

"I won't allow that." Cameron said. "WE belong together. No one is supposed to be with CamNet."

Savannah wanted this to be a joint resolution with all of the involved parties.

"CamNet is YOU." Savannah said. "Let me talk with Young Allison. We can speak with CamNet together."

Cameron slowly shook her head in disgust from side to side.

"Why do these things always happen?" Cameron asked.

Savannah felt it was all based on circumstance.

"CamNet is you and she's 'lonely'." Savannah said.

Cameron thought over her past and some of the events that happened in it.

"Lonely people do desperate things." Cameron said.

Savannah tried to look at the overall picture of what was going on and why. She didn't want Cameron to act harshly and make things worse.

"You must be careful not to punish her." Savannah said. "She can 'punish' all of us as well…."

Cameron felt the 'worthlessness' in her raise its evil head back up and stare her in the face.

"I've created a monster." Cameron said. "The very scary robot has created a very scary monster."

Savannah wanted a peaceful resolution everyone could agree to.

"Now we need to fix it." Savannah said. "I think I can."

Cameron didn't believe this responsibility should fall on Savannah's shoulders.

"I don't want you too." Cameron said.

Savannah looked at Cameron and forced herself to give her a faint smile as she touched her arm and gave her a reassuring squeeze.

"Everyone sacrifices for Allison Young." Savannah said.

Same Where, Different When

Can you love someone
Before you've ever met
You remember everything
Hoping you can forget

The person is new
Yet you knew them before
You loved them then
Now even more to adore

The words were never spoken
You both felt it and knew
The conditions were unstable
For a future with both of you

There was a way
For this love to grow
So the both of you
Chose this gift to bestow

That was then, this is now
The future creates the past again
So once more we begin
Same where, different when

Nobody