Chapter 716

I Want This Fixed

John Henry didn't like getting played. Someone pulled a fast one and slipped it by him. He wasn't as upset as he would have been since he knew they slipped it by CamNet too. It seemed to him as if CamNet was totally distracted sometimes and didn't even communicate back to him for hours at a time, usually at night. It seemed to be after Young Allison logged off and went to bed. He would've thought CamNet would be operating at its full potential then. There shouldn't have been any distractions at that point. Maybe CamNet was catching up on everything after her interface with Young Allison and Anna was over.

He concentrated his search on the rail yards that the boxcars were switched at, especially from the two different railroads involved. He finally got a hit.

"I think I have something." John Henry said.

John hoped so. He really wanted to know where those boxcars went.

"What is it?" John asked.

John Henry went over the GPS information in detail.

"It looks like the trackers were removed in Barstow." John Henry said.

That information still didn't tell John very much.

"OK." John said. "Where are the boxcars?"

John Henry went over the data.

"They may have been split up." John Henry said.

John looked at an image of a satellite map John Henry put up before him.

"What are our choices from Barstow?" John asked. "It looks like there are four of them."

John Henry looked at more information than John could see with his map. He knew the choices kept expanding the further they got out of Barstow.

"If they go northwest, they go back up the Central Valley." John Henry said. "If they go south they go to the Colton area. From Colton they can go two directions. If they go west, they go to Los Angeles. If they go east, they go along the border to southern Arizona. If they go northeast from Barstow they go to Las Vegas or beyond. If they actually went east, then they'd pass through where we're looking now in northern Arizona."

John Henry expanded John's satellite map image.

"That is at least five different directions they could go." John said. "So it's a shell game and we lost them."

John Henry wasn't about to give up that easy. The boxcars physically had to be somewhere.

"For now we may have." John Henry said. "I'll find them."

John wanted to know what other resources they could use.

"Can the satellite make more passes over those areas?" John asked.

John Henry intended to put the grab on every satellite from any nation if he needed to.

"It's risky to have control too long." John Henry said. "I'll try to pick up some of the feeds from other nation's satellites."

John was a little surprised to hear that.

"You can do that?" John asked.

John Henry would need the assistance of CamNet to do that.

"Yes, CamNet has control of everything in orbit." John Henry said. "That will limit the space launched weapons as well in the future."

John wondered what CamNet couldn't control.

"That's a lot of control." John said.

John Henry believed it was all a matter of perspective.

"It's better CamNet, than Skynet." John Henry said.

John wondered at one point that there would be no distinction between the two.

'That's until one becomes the other.' John thought.

John was aware that John Henry or CamNet could become 'a Skynet' at any time if they wanted to. He was sure that Savannah could stop either one from ever doing that. At least he hoped that Savannah could stop them. He really didn't know. If that was one of the reasons Cameron referred to Savannah as the 'Chosen One'. Then it was aptly named.

He knew Cameron was really referring to something else. Maybe it meant more things than one. Maybe Young Allison could stop them too.

At this time, no one realized that there was another.

Young Allison tried to continue her conversation with CamNet. The interruption earlier disrupted her. She wasn't 'finished' yet. That left her with a very dissatisfied feeling.

A soft knock came at Young Allison's bedroom door.

Young Allison stashed her tablet under the pillow.

"Come in." Young Allison said.

Savannah walked in.

Young Allison rushed over to give her a hug.

Savannah sidestepped and avoided the hug. It was time to play hardball.

"I already know the drill." Savannah said. "Offer the target what they want to lure them away or to get closer to make the kill."

Young Allison didn't say anything.

It was clear Savannah was here for another reason.

"You know why I'm here." Savannah said.

Savannah looked around and then lifted the pillow.

The tablet was blank. She wasn't in the mood for games.

"Show yourself." Savannah said. "NOW…."

The two brown eyes appeared on the screen and blinked.

Savannah touched her hand to the screen and a hand appeared below hers.

"Thank You." Savannah said. "I'll speak with you later. I want to talk with 'MY Mate' alone, please."

'I will obey.' Appeared on the screen….

Savannah wasn't happy but she didn't want to be rude or mean either. She wanted to be cordial, open and honest with everyone involved in this situation.

"Thank You." Savannah said. "Good night."

The tablet went blank.

Young Allison stood there next to her bed and watched Savannah. It was clear she expected there to be some type of 'punishment'.

Savannah wasn't going to yell at Young Allison. That's not how she wanted to deal with this. She wanted to talk it out honestly. She wanted to work through the problems not create them.

"Allison, can we talk about it?" Savannah asked.

Young Allison nodded her head up and down. She still didn't say anything.

Savannah sat down on the bench stool that faced Allison's dresser mirror.

"Sit." Savannah said as she indicated the spot next to her.

Young Allison swallowed hard.

"Are you going to be angry at me?" Young Allison asked.

Savannah smiled and reached up and gently touched Young Allison's cheek. She gently pulled her little closer.

"No, I don't want to ever have to be angry at you, Allison." Savannah said.

Savannah kissed Young Allison on the cheek to reassure her.

Young Allison sat down next to Savannah. They looked at each other in the mirror in front of them. It was just the two of them. They sat like that for a few moments in silence.

Savannah picked up a brush and started to brush Young Allison's hair.

Young Allison could feel the tension build inside of herself. This isn't how she expected Savannah to treat her after what she'd done.

"Say it." Young Allison said.

Savannah stopped brushing and kissed Young Allison on the other cheek and then resumed brushing.

Young Allison could feel the strength, warmness, compassion and love radiate off of Savannah and she sat next to her and gently brushed her hair.

Savannah paused and looked at Young Allison in the mirror.

"I don't have to." Savannah said. "You tell me instead. It's better if you tell me honestly. I'm not here to hurt you."

Young Allison felt a sense of relief. Maybe she felt a little trapped with what she did with CamNet. She often felt that she didn't have any control over what happened. Now Savannah was at her side and she knew that this is who she loved more than anyone. She wanted to be honest with Savannah and she wanted her to trust her.

Young Allison did tell her and she told her everything. She needed to tell someone and she was so relieved it was Savannah - her mate.

Savannah smiled at Young Allison.

"We're supposed to share." Savannah said. "We will share everything. OUR lives will be as one."

Young Allison wanted that now. She wanted what Allison and Vanna shared. She knew that there was one big obstacle in the way that seemed to be a 'hang up' for everyone except her.

"Everyone thinks that I'm too young. Nobody can understand." Young Allison said.

Savannah knew exactly the feelings that went through Young Allison's mind and heart. They were the same feelings that she'd gone through during the same time period. She felt a little self-conscious to put some restrictions on Young Allison. She'd been with dozens of females, both human and Terminators, in the present and in two different futures.

"I can understand, Allison." Savannah said. "You can be friends with CamNet but you can't be 'lovers'.

Young Allison didn't what to say too much but she thought she needed to say something.

"But we…." Young Allison said and stopped.

Savannah knew the conflicted feelings that were coursing through Young Allison's mind right now. They were very uncomfortable feelings. She knew them well. She needed to make her understand there were varying degrees of love and sharing. Vanna was the one who explained it to her when she discussed her multiple sexual encounters, which were voluntary, with females.

"You can be friends with CamNet but you can't be lovers. You can love someone without being 'lovers'." Savannah said. "I went through all this too, Allison. I know all your feelings, wants and desires."

Young Allison personally saw how everyone interacted with Savannah. She knew that everyone wanted to be with Savannah including her mother. She was a little jealous that her mother had been able to share with Savannah and she hadn't. She hadn't been able to share with anyone yet. Well, except herself.

"But you love Cameron and everyone." Young Allison said. "And everyone loves you."

Savannah wanted to make clear that she hadn't lost track of her priorities and what her future and destiny would be.

"That's true." Savannah said. "My true loves are Cameron, John and You."

Young Allison heard that her entire life. It was drilled into her head. She knew what it was too.

"That's the 'Natural Order'." Young Allison said.

Savannah wanted Young Allison to understand that much was available but there were certain rules and restrictions that needed to be applied.

"You can have many loves and share with many people." Savannah said. "That's how our lives will be. I know you understand what I mean by that. There's nothing wrong with that. You've seen Allison and Future Allison. You've spoken with them and you've heard their stories. I know that they've spoken open and honestly with you about all of those things that await you. That's the nature and foundation of their lives. Vanna, Future Savannah and I all know that. OUR Allison Young will always be our first love."

Young Allison witnessed most of them in the act of sharing with other females with her own eyes. That included Savannah.

"You…. They're all very promiscuous." Young Allison said.

Savannah knew that that was true. She knew that she personally was very promiscuous. She honestly didn't think she'd be able to turn down any female who wanted to be with her. She was aware that Vanna never did in the future, even when those females were disfigured or mutilated or suffered from burns or other problems. She needed to explain to Young Allison how when people got too 'involved' that someone was going to get hurt. That happened more often than not, even if neither person wanted to hurt the other one. It always seemed to happen.

"Your time will come as you mature." Young Allison said. "You're going to hurt CamNet very deeply if you continue like you are and keep doing 'more'."

Young Allison felt fear grip her from inside with what Savannah just said. The last thing she wanted to do was to hurt CamNet. The thought that she might do that bothered her greatly.

"I don't want to hurt her." Young Allison said. "I want her to feel 'special'."

Savannah knew that this was a touchy subject on what was sure to be shaky ground. She was very aware of the difficulties that Cameron went through under similar circumstances. Cameron used to speak to her for hours about it when she was younger. Cameron showed her poems and told her that those were her real feelings.

"CamNet's a computer." Savannah said. "You know this. She has 'limitations'. Cameron is the one who doesn't. Listen to me and what I'm telling you. If you take CamNet too far you are going to hurt her and make her feel like Cameron did. You've read Cameron's poems. Is that how you want CamNet to feel? I'll speak with CamNet alone and tell her these same things. I don't want to see her hurt. Most of all I don't want to see you hurt."

Young Allison stood.

Savannah motioned for her to sit on her lap.

Young Allison smiled and sat on Savannah's lap.

"You're a lot bigger than you used to be." Savannah said.

Young Allison looked down at the front of herself.

"But not as big as I will be." Young Allison said.

Savannah's arms gripped Young Allison tightly.

"When you are, you know what awaits you and your future." Savannah said. "WE are the 'Chosen Ones'."

Young Allison could feel her heart pounding. She wanted to turn around and face Savannah. She wanted Savannah to 'take' her.

"We will belong to each other." Young Allison said.

Savannah held Young Allison closer and tighter.

"We already do." Savannah said.

Savannah reported to Cameron. It seemed she needed to get some things straightened out and in order.

"I want this fixed." Savannah said. "OUR Allison belongs to US."

Cameron doubted that CamNet would listen to her or respond to her on this subject.

"I'm not sure if I can." Cameron said.

Savannah decided that she would have to step up. It was what she thought when she originally spoke to Allison in the backyard about it. She was the one who would have to take control. She was the one who would protect her mate.

"I'll do whatever I have to do, to do it, just as I will for John or you." Savannah said.

Cameron listened to Savannah's words and needed to suppress a glitch impulse. She knew Savannah was willing to die for her or with her. She didn't believe Savannah's life was worth her life.

"I've seen the lengths you've gone to for me." Cameron said. "That's why you're the 'Chosen One'."

Savannah still wasn't sure what that really meant. Other than sounding fancy, she was still who she was.

"I try to be the best I can be and do what I feel is right." Savannah said. "You've allowed me the freedom to share and experience many things and many others."

Cameron's gaze drifted from Savannah's face to her lower abdomen.

"My only request is that the only male to touch you, be John." Cameron said.

The next words slipped out of Savanna's mouth as they always had since she was a young girl.

"I promise Cammy – Cameron." Savannah said. "Sorry. Old habits are hard to break."

Cameron felt responsible for CamNet's actions. Even though she didn't feel directly responsible, it was still her program that initiated and pursued the inappropriate behavior with an inexperienced young female.

"I need to let Claire know what I've done and what I am responsible for." Cameron said.

Savannah didn't think Cameron was directly responsible either.

"It's not really your fault." Savannah said.

Cameron knew that the finger needed to be pointed at someone.

"It's my program – it is." Cameron said.

Cameron knew she was on the verge of messing up Savannah's and Young Allison's future together before it was even really started. Why did these things always happen? Throw in a wild card like Future Riley and all bets were off.

Cameron wanted to be honest with Claire. She needed to atone for what happened. It was her fault, even if indirectly. There was no easy way to say or do this. She decided to just say it.

"I have very disturbing news about Young Allison." Cameron said.

The slight smile that was on Claire's face instantly evaporated as soon as Cameron spoke about her daughter.

"Is she OK?" Claire asked.

Cameron felt very uneasy.

"Yes - for now." Cameron said. "She's in a 'relationship'."

A million thoughts flooded through Claire's mind in an instant. She quickly ran the spectrum of all possible candidates and ended on John. She was always worried that Young Allison had a case of 'hot pants'. She knew that she wanted to get 'popped'. She just didn't think it was going to be this early. She knew it wasn't uncommon.

"What?" Claire asked. "She's still a girl. With who? Was it one of the - girls? Savannah? Metal? Oh no, not John, not already!"

Cameron pondered those possibilities. Two of them were acceptable to her, the rest were not.

"It was with - me." Cameron said. "Sort of…."

Claire looked at Cameron in disbelief. She hoped that Cameron was joking but somehow she knew that she wasn't.

"With – you?" Claire asked. "How? When?"

Cameron wanted to clarify what she knew so far.

"She is involved with a – computer." Cameron said.

Claire was even more confused than ever. Not only was what Cameron said strange it didn't make any sense either.

"A – computer?" Claire asked. "Not a person or even a cyborg? You said you were…."

It was very real to Cameron.

"It's CamNet." Cameron said. "She's only a computer, a super computer. It is my program. I've done this to her. It's my fault."

Claire felt somewhat relieved that Young Allison hadn't been 'busted'. That seemed it was going to happen soon enough anyway. She actually hoped that Savannah would step in before that occurred to help prevent it or delay it as long as possible.

"It's just a computer?" Claire asked. "It's nothing physical – right?"

Cameron knew that emotional trauma was bad enough. It didn't have to be physical.

"No." Cameron said. "I'm sorry about this."

Claire was somewhat relieved at the nature of the 'relationship'. She figured it could have been a lot worse. That was probably still yet to come. She knew that Young Allison's advanced intelligence and education level must have played a factor.

"It's because she has nothing in common with other girls her age." Claire said. "They're all just girls and Young Allison isn't. She's at a much further stage of educational and emotional development. She's like a twenty something. She wants those same things too. I can actually understand that, even if I don't agree or like it."

Cameron felt a glitch impulse. She figured that was one more thing that could be blamed on her. There never seemed to be a shortage of things.

"That's my fault as well." Cameron said. "I've done this to her by trying to 'help' her."

Cameron tried to explain everything the best she could and offer ways to fix it.

Claire listened and now thought if Young Allison was in the past for a few years that she would be out of this environment. Things would be different when she returned. She would learn new things and 'experience' others. She hoped they would be human but she knew a Terminator was always an option. Cameron promised Young Allison would have free choice in all 'personal matters'.

It was time to make some life choices.

"How's Allison?" Claire asked. "Tell me straight."

Cameron's face remained without expression. She suppressed another glitch in pulse.

"She will lose the baby." Cameron said.

"When?" Claire asked.

"Soon." Cameron said.

Claire knew it was time to act.

"I'm ready to go." Claire said.

Cameron hoped to push her agenda.

"Young Allison?" Cameron asked.

Claire wanted to protect her daughter.

"If she still wants to mature in the past, I'll allow it." Claire said. "It must be her choice. After I have Allison's baby I'm returning to the past to be with her."

Cameron felt another glitch impulse. She didn't want Claire to burn up her years of productivity needlessly.

"You will age even more years." Cameron said.

Claire felt a responsibility to her daughter. She wasn't there for Allison. She was painfully aware of what happened to Allison and what she went through. She wanted to be there for Young Allison.

"I don't care." Claire said. "She'll need her mother for those growing years."

Cameron wanted to remind Claire that Young Allison wouldn't be alone.

"Anna will be by her side as will I." Cameron said.

Something triggered in Claire's mind when Cameron mentioned Anna. She would have liked to think it was because she was observant but it wasn't. It was part of her nature to check out all females or cyborgs that looked like females. It was something she couldn't help but do. The female body intrigued and excited her.

"I've noticed Anna has 'changed' slightly." Claire said.

Cameron was pleased with the Resequencing process.

"She's started Resequencing to a younger age appearance to better blend in with Young Allison." Cameron said. "She will remain the same height but her sheath will not have adult female attributes."

Claire's right hand moved up to her cheek. She thought about what Cameron just said. She couldn't imagine a female giving up what distinguished her as an attractive female.

"You're taking her breasts and figure away?" Claire asked.

Cameron didn't plan to go that far back. She still toyed with the idea for herself. She was sure it would please John. She would stop her age regression in a few years of linear time.

"No. Her body parts will just digress to a youthful appearance." Cameron said. "I may do the same and pose as Young Allison's taller, year older sister as well."

Claire immediately looked at Cameron's breasts. She resisted the urge to ask to touch them.

"Have you started?" Claire asked.

"No, I wanted to wait to see how Anna turned out first." Cameron said. "It's a big step to take. I know she's unhappy with it."

Claire reached up and touched her breasts.

"That would be traumatic." Claire said. "I would never want to give these up or have them smaller."

Cameron wondered if she should listen to Anna a little closer about her complaints. Anna all but begged her not to make her regress too far.

"It is." Cameron said. "It's very traumatic."

Cameron felt a light twinge in her left hand. She thought about the damage done to her breasts over the years. She thought of the times when things seemed unfixable and that she would never allow John to see her damaged like that. Not when there were others who could take her place and provide John with what he needed.

She was aware they'd been able to fix her physical damage. She was also aware they'd never been able to 'fix' her mental or emotional damage. She honestly didn't believe that it was fixable. She was sure if it was it would have happened by now. It hadn't.

I'll fix it

When one looks
They may not always see
Forcing the other now hurting
To turn up the heat another degree

Any fire we start
May soon burn for another
What we so wanted
Ourselves we do smother

I feel the pain
As you slap my face
I fall to last place
I feel the disgrace

It is my being
You now watch erode
As you gaze uncaring
From your new abode

It's your poor choice
That I grudgingly permit
With a little more time
I'll fix it

Nobody