Chapter 772

We Both Will

Sheila gave John Henry the information on a possible location for the remaining truck. It was from her last interrogation. John told her there were three teams of Metal converging on the area now. It was a location they hadn't previously looked. The information was a good solid lead.

John really wanted that last truck. He was still upset about getting played and about Cameron and Savannah almost getting terminated. He really hoped they were able to get all the Grays in this operation and terminate them.

The one thing that nagged at him was the lack of Terminators involved. He was sure there was more out there and they'd missed it. They were bound to find it at some point. He just hoped they found the Skynet Terminators before they found them.

Sheila and Cammy drove away from the burning building. They'd gone four blocks when Sheila spotted a trash truck. It was in the left turn lane.

"Pull up behind that rubbish hauler." Sheila said.

Cammy quickly changed lanes and did so.

Sheila hopped out. She moved to the back of the truck and placed several items on the rear end of it. She hurried back to the SUV.

"Let's continue our journey to close up on Bob." Sheila said

Cammy pulled out of the turn lane and continued along the path that they'd been on previously.

Sheila finished her report to John and John Henry.

Cammy looked over at Sheila and touched her cheek. She'd been a little worried about her in the situation that she found her in when she returned after she made sure that Bob got away clean.

"I was worried about you." Cammy said. "That could have been a close one."

Sheila never felt that she wasn't in control. The fact that it was just two Gray's made the job even simpler. She was just glad they hadn't run into any hostile Terminators.

"It could have been." Sheila said. "It wasn't."

Cammy wasn't able to access all of the information but she was aware when Sheila and her were in the past that they'd seemed to run into a few encounters like that.

"You ran into a few scrapes like that when we were in the past." Cammy said. "I think that we both did."

Sheila could catch a glimpse of those events but that was all. Whatever the full encounters were, it appeared it was something they wouldn't be allowed to view in total until after Young Allison was back from her temporal mission.

"I think most of those are blocked." Sheila said.

Cammy didn't care for the blocked information either. She thought they should be able to have total access to all of their files.

"They are on me too." Cammy said. "I only remember they happened but not what they were about or who they involved."

They were both aware that Cameron asked CamNet to block parts of their programming until everyone returned from the past. The only trouble was, none of the others left yet and didn't appear they'd do so for a while yet. As to when any of that would actually happen, seemed to be determined by when Cameron would OK it. The older that Young Allison became, the less likely the time travel event seemed necessary. Anyone that was around her understood she was ready to assume any of her future 'functions' now.

Sheila didn't want to dwell on the past or what just happened. What was done was done. Life moved forward not backwards. She was sure that she'd already racked up a multitude of infractions that wouldn't sit well with Cameron or CamNet by extension. There would probably be some 'punishment' to follow.

"Let's just catch up to Bob before CamNet gets on our backs." Sheila said. "I'm already on thin enough ice."

Sheila knew she was pushing it and saying things she shouldn't have. She really didn't want to cause a problem for anyone, especially herself.

Cammy watched her six and made sure she hadn't picked up a tail. She didn't spot one on Bob either.

She was soon behind Bob but stayed a mile in back of him in the big rig. She could see him clearly in the straight sections of the road.

"I have Bob spotted." Cammy said.

John thought Cammy should tuck in a little tighter with Bob.

"Move up and stay with him." John said.

Cammy believed that any threat would come from behind them rather than in front of them or by extension in front of Bob. There was nothing to back that theory up other than just a feeling.

"I don't want to get too close." Cammy said. "If I see anyone move up to intercept Bob, Sheila and I can engage them."

John decided to go with her recommendation.

"A little distance is good for that." John said. "You can still get to him quickly if he needs you."

John Henry was sure their biggest threat currently would be if Skynet launched any HK drones in a desperate attempt to reacquire either of the trucks that they'd commandeered.

"I've detected nothing in the air that shouldn't be there." John Henry said. "There aren't any HK drones or other aircraft that are around you."

Sheila hoped to throw off any Skynet forces as much as possible.

"I left the two trackers and the GPS device that we took off the latest big rig in the back of a rubbish truck." Sheila said. "It traveled at a right angle to us when we left it. They should be at the county dump by now."

John liked the idea to throw off any Skynet forces that tried to track them as much as possible.

"That was good thinking." John said. "If anyone is tracking them, they'll be way off target."

Cammy was still worried about what Skynet could throw at them. She wanted to make sure they'd be able to counter any airborne threat directed against them.

"We'll have the HK drones ready to fly at sunset." Cammy said. "How were the other HK drones we fixed up and sent for evaluation?"

John Henry already initiated that process. So far all the HK drones that were captured checked out clean. There were no additional tracking devices on them.

"I have a team going over each one at a separate secure location." John Henry said. "This group will be sent to separate locations as well."

John was aware of the multitude of different equipment types at the old newspaper plant. He was actually surprised that the two truckloads of HK equipment that they'd found were all HK drones. He thought that some of them would've been HK Tracks.

"We still don't have any idea as to what is in the third truck." John said.

Sheila was able to come up with the location of the third truck but was unsure exactly what was inside of it.

"The eunuch I got the information from was unsure if it was HK Tracks or HK drones." Sheila said.

John Henry glanced over at John when Sheila revealed the source of her information.

"That was very descriptive." John Henry said.

Sheila was pleased that she seemed to have touched a nerve in the Command Center. She thought perhaps a more detailed description was in order.

"That was just the start." Sheila said. "Next, I removed…."

John didn't want to go there. Since this was a Resistance matter and not an 'off the books' operation, he didn't want a detailed description as part of the official record. He didn't want to appear that he condoned that type of behavior. That would probably be another negative factor with the anti-Metal faction.

"We don't need to know any more." John said quickly. "Leave the interrogation details out of your report as well. There will be no permanent record of them, ever."

Cammy doubted that Savannah wanted to read about all the things that Sheila did during an interrogation.

"I'll make sure she does." Cammy said as she whispered to Sheila. "Some people might not like to read about your 'regression'."

Sheila knew Cammy referred to Savannah. She was a little confused with the mixed message that she'd received from Savannah earlier. She thought of Savannah's earlier unofficial 'approval' was because she'd almost been terminated several times and was angry. She wanted to justify her actions with Cammy.

"Savannah said, 'do what it takes'." Sheila whispered. "I did. I got the information. That's how we found this truck and now have a solid lead on the last truck. I got that information. Trying to choke and beat it out of them didn't get it. I got it."

Cammy looked at Sheila but said nothing. They both knew Sheila went beyond that with some pleasure thrown in as well.

Sheila looked a little guilty.

Cammy was able to watch Sheila when they were in the past and Sheila definitely possessed a 'mean streak'. She could be very vengeful and cruel. That bothered her too and she tried to keep Sheila from regressing.

Sheila knew Cammy wanted the truth. She really didn't see anything wrong with it.

"OK, I went all out on them." Sheila whispered. "I'll try not to do it again. It didn't do much for me anyway, since I've been 'reformed'."

Sheila was aware she took little pleasure this last time. She even pushed it a little to see if she could get that same 'feeling'. She couldn't. Instead she thought about Savannah and felt 'guilty'.

Savannah went over everything with Young Allison. They spent hours talking about all the things in the present and their future. They talked about what the future held for them. They talked about what they wanted in the future. They both agreed that they wanted the same things. She wanted to make sure that their relationship going forward was built on trust. She didn't want them to hide things from each other or lie to each other.

"I know this is a lot of 'big girl' stuff and you understand all of it." Savannah said. "I want to be open and clear about all of it. We've nothing to ever hide from each other."

Young Allison didn't think any of this should be a big deal. She knew and understood everything to its fullest extent already.

"I do understand it better than anyone thinks. You know I do." Young Allison said. "There's little I don't know. I only haven't actually done the physical aspects of everything. I've studied and seen everything else. I'm highly educated and informed."

Savannah honestly didn't think that Young Allison needed to push anything. Things would happen when they were supposed to happen. There was no need to rush anything.

"Don't be in a hurry to 'learn'." Savannah said.

Young Allison was a little surprised that both of her older selves from two different futures indicated what Savannah just said.

"Allison and Future Allison both told me the same thing. They told me to stay a girl as long as possible because being a woman 'sucked'." Young Allison said. "Vanna told me as well."

Savannah was a little worried about that last revelation. She was aware Young Allison understood all the females in the future were assaulted. That actually included both of them in their future versions. It was to the extent of the exact details that were told to Young Allison that worried her.

"Did Vanna talk to you about 'everything'?" Savannah asked.

Young Allison was aware of the events and the brutality behind them. As to the specific events or the frequency of the violations, none of the future girls was very descriptive.

"No." Young Allison said. "Allison and Vanna said you would tell me when I needed to know when I was ready…."

Savannah couldn't picture some of the things being done to her body. Some of the details Vanna told her physically sickened her. Jesse and Allison both told her of some of their assaults. Allison appeared to be the luckiest of the three girls from the alternate future. She was only assaulted a half a dozen times. Jesse and Vanna were assaulted hundreds of times. Some of those we're by a dozen men at the same time. They also both were captives in Scavenger camps. That's where the real brutality and savagery would occur. Both of them had their bodies scarred purposely in Scavenger camps.

"It's very personal." Savannah said. "I'll have to ask for their permission first. I've sworn to never repeat the things I've heard."

Young Allison really wondered what some of the details were. She was aware of the various types of assaults. It was the purposeful savagery and brutality behind them she couldn't picture. Those weren't just about the assaults. They were more about the satisfaction and pleasure the individual derived at inflicting the terror, pain and suffering on another individual.

"Was it that bad?" Young Allison asked. "I know what happens to females. I know what the Scavengers and Grays did and do. I can picture some of what was done. I know it was very traumatic for them."

Savannah was aware that Young Allison's beauty, especially her face, would make her a magnet for violators in any time period. That included the past.

"It was worse…." Savannah said. "Cameron or Anna will need to be with you at all times in the past. It's my request to them. I want you protected and I don't want anyone to try and abuse you. I want a Terminator with you every second you're awake or not in the bathroom."

Young Allison thought that is the way it was now, here. It made her worry about who else would be there with her.

"My mom will be there and you too sometimes." Young Allison said.

Savannah was very aware how evil some people could be. She also appreciated the level of protection that she was afforded by the Resistance. Even with Terminator protection, there were times when they were out when both Jesse and Vanna pulled weapons on males that looked too long at her or too suggestively. They both were going to kill them but the Terminators with them stepped in and took care of 'business'. Both Vanna and Jesse knew where those looks led and the abuse they suffered at the hands of men like that later on. It was something that happened dozens of times when they were younger.

"People can do very cruel things, especially to those weaker than them." Savannah said. "I've been protected by Terminators most of my life as have you."

Young Allison always remembered Terminators around her. She actually couldn't remember a time when there weren't any.

"I know when 'Judgment Day' comes; I'll need to have a Terminator around me always." Young Allison said. "I know what can happen on several fronts."

Savannah was aware the Terminators were also going to be a liability. There were groups of people out there that would hate Terminators even if they worked to help the Resistance. That was Cameron's fear. She believed John would be assassinated if there were only Terminators around him. That was what she wanted Young Allison and her to help her with. If they were both at John's side and his bed he wouldn't be viewed as a 'Metal Lover '.

"If 'Judgment Day' happens, it's up to us to protect John and Cameron from everyone." Savannah said. "They'll both be targets. WE are the ones who will protect and defend them. We'll do what we have to do."

"I know my place." Young Allison said. "I'll 'protect' John and you'll 'protect' Cameron. We are to protect them from 'themselves' as well. We will prevent them from making bad decisions and from becoming distant and cold. Human life must remain sacred to both of them."

Savannah knew the same things. They were always fresh in her mind in the morning when she woke up as she grew up. She wanted to keep Young Allison's hands as clean as possible. That included the present as well as the future. It would also include the past when she was there.

"Both humans and machines, MUST always know this." Savannah said. "I'll protect you as much as I can and do any 'dirty work' that needs to be done. I'll do it, NOT you."

Young Allison felt an extreme sense of guilt. She didn't know all the details but she did know enough and was able to observe enough of some of the events that she'd forced into motion. It was Savannah who stepped in and assumed the burden.

"I've caused you to have to 'start' now, haven't I?" Young Allison asked.

Savannah felt the need to protect those that she loved. No sacrifice would be too great to protect them or help them.

"I'll do whatever I have to do to protect John, Cameron and you." Savannah said. "I swear it."

Young Allison felt Savannah was tasked with a very big burden. She really didn't think it was fair to Savannah. She intended to share that burden clandestinely as much as possible.

"I understand that's a big responsibility." Young Allison said. "You're taking the future on your shoulders. That's a lot to ask of anyone."

Savannah knew it would take both of them to make everything work.

"We both will. It is our function." Savannah said. "It is what we've been 'chosen' for…."

Young Allison was also aware of the thoughts that were fresh in her mind every morning when she woke up. There wasn't anything that she felt she wasn't ready to do now.

"Everyone sacrifices for the future." Young Allison said.

Bob was a few miles out from the quarry. It seemed like the perfect place to stash the truck until nightfall. The drones could be launched unobserved. It was out of the way and shouldn't draw any visitors. There was nothing there but rock. Anyone who approached the area would immediately be pegged as a threat. The solitude and remoteness of the location would ensure their rapid termination if the situation warranted it.

Bob wanted Cammy to make sure the road was clear into the quarry.

"Cammy, you can take 'point as we near the quarry." Bob said. "If I run into trouble, the big rig will be hard to maneuver on the road there and in the quarry itself."

John liked the idea. He didn't want to lose the load that was in the truck. If they couldn't take it themselves for any reason, everything in the truck would need to be destroyed.

"That's an excellent idea." John said. "Make sure the coast is clear. Once Bob is in there, make sure no one goes down that road."

Cammy and Sheila quickly closed up the distance on Bob's big rig.

"I'm intercepting Bob now." Cammy said. "We're about to pass him."

After a couple of minutes Cammy gave the details.

"We passed Bob and have moved two miles in front of him." Cammy said. "I'll advance to three miles and hold in that position until the turnoff. Bob can slow down some to give us more time to investigate when we get closer."

A few more minutes passed.

Cammy was almost to the turnoff when she spotted a potential threat.

"There are two vehicles making the turnoff into the quarry area." Cammy said. "I can see them. They can't see me, unless they have a Terminator with them."

They all knew that was a real possibility.

"They may have a Terminator with them." John said. "We know some have to be involved in all this. The two homeless men seemed to confirm this."

Sheila spotted an area up ahead where Bob could pull off of the road and remain unobserved for now.

"The big rig is still three miles behind us." Sheila said. "Bob can pull over along the next 'windbreak' of trees and wait. They are thick enough. He won't be seen from the road."

Cammy thought that was a good idea. She wanted Sheila to reinforce Bob.

"I can leave Sheila with Bob." Cammy said. "We must protect the cargo."

John considered that possibility. He wasn't sure what Cammy's actions were going to be. He decided that she would probably need backup more than Bob would if he was concealed.

"We also need to protect you, Cammy." John said. "Sheila will remain with you."

They all knew if Cameron was there, she would go in alone. She always took the burden of any threat upon her own back to avoid damage or destruction to others in the Resistance.

Cameron made her way into the bunker and monitored the events. She stayed quiet and checked everything herself. She knew she should be leading the assaults but she needed to get things under control here and check on Allison and Claire herself.

Anna believed that there was a problem that developed with the Young Allison. She made reference to it in her reports but hadn't received any feedback. She wanted to address the issue directly to Cameron while she was there.

"This is what Young Allison does with any of her free time." Anna said. "She's become isolated. CamNet took advantage of that. She doesn't do very many 'girl' things. She has no interest in them, except when she's with Savannah."

Cameron hoped to address and correct that problem in the past.

"She will when we take her to the past." Cameron said. "We will both make sure she does. Her beauty must be honed and enhanced as well. Not only will she learn to look Tight, she will want to. It will be important to John."

Anna tried not to isolate Young Allison further with excessive combat instruction and maneuvers.

"I haven't pushed her combat training." Anna said.

Cameron planned to combat train Young Allison herself.

"It will be taken care of." Cameron said. "Cammy and Sheila have prepared everything I've asked for. Everything is in place."

Anna wondered how they were able to pay for everything in the past. There were several ways that they could have done that. Most of them would have been illegal.

"Did they really make millions betting on sporting events?" Anna asked.

Cameron was very pleased in the way that they'd acquired funds. It was a method that she used herself on more than one occasion on her temporal trips into the past.

"Yes, on that, stocks and gambling. They were given instruction on what to do on known events. It was 'easy money'." Cameron said. "They made sure they didn't change anything. The only one to come up short was the Syndicate. They actually experienced a few 'run ins' with Syndicate thugs."

Anna could picture what Sheila would do to anyone who physically threatened them with violence or any type of an assault.

"I'm sure Sheila took care of them." Anna said.

Cameron wondered about some of that.

"Cammy assured me nothing was changed." Cameron said.

Anna was aware that weapons availability would be much more restricted in the early Sixties.

"I think that the weapons selection will be more limited." Anna said.

All the weapons Cameron desired to have available for them, she'd specifically requested. Some were still in the prototype and test phase. She didn't think it would be a problem.

"We'll have what we need." Cameron said. "It is all waiting."

John Henry was worried about the unknown nature of the vehicles going to a remote spot.

"This may be Grays checking on something we missed in the vehicles we buried with the rock." John Henry said. "There could have been a tracker or a GPS device that we missed."

John knew people selected remote locations for many other activities.

"It could be kids looking to do drugs' too." John said. "It could be for sexual activity as well."

John briefly thought of his first encounter with Riley - Future Riley in the pickup truck. He quickly pushed those thoughts from his mind.

Cammy looked over at Sheila. Sheila nodded at her.

"We'll take them down." Cammy said.

John wanted to know a little bit more about who they were first.

"We don't even know who they are." John said.

John Henry was ready to give the Metal girls some additional backup. The location seemed remote enough to do that even in the daylight.

"If they need assistance, I can scramble the two drones on standby. They can be there in minutes." John Henry said.

John hoped to avoid using the drones during the daylight. If the girls ran into a jam, he was all for it.

"If they're needed, we will do it." John said. "I don't want to risk it yet."

Sheila moved to the back of the SUV to check on the weapons compliment.

"We have a LAW rocket and an M79." Sheila said. "I think we can take them."

John was worried the Skynet forces would be able to call in reinforcements.

"What happens if more show up?" John asked.

Cammy looked over at Sheila and shrugged her shoulders. The answer seemed obvious to both of them.

"We fight harder…." Cammy said.

I'm Thinking About What To Do

What does tomorrow bring
It's a mystery we can't know
Even what happens today
Will leave us unsure which way to go

We think we know what we want
But we can never ever be sure
A new adventure can arise
Soon it becomes a fateful lure

We know what we have
Is made unstable by what we want
Leading one to unwise events
Perhaps even a foolish stunt

Blindly we trudge on
We think we know it all
We're too enthralled to see
When we're about to fall

Each day provides us with many choices
Meaning decision need be made by you
I face every one of them also
I'm thinking about what to do

Nobody