Chapter 789

Nice Ride

Cammy and Savannah expected to be picked up by Sheila, Cameron and Allison. They'd just finished the inspection of the building that was destroyed by a drone missile attack. They were surprised that the girls arrived so early. The only problem was, it wasn't them. The girls had just boosted a van but it was a 4x4 pickup that had just shown up.

The vehicle was unknown to them that arrived at the location of the destroyed building. It was more than likely Grays or possibly a Terminator. It was a threat to Cammy and Savannah. They were still in the remains of the building that they'd just finished checking out. There weren't a whole lot of options open to them as to where they could go to avoid the newcomers. They didn't want to give away their position or engage the newcomers in a firefight until they knew a little bit more about them.

Cameron experienced some issues earlier about some of the things she'd done to people in the past. How she altered people's lives sometimes weighed on her. Now that there was a combat situation about to develop she was back to one hundred percent. She was combat ready.

Combat always allowed her to be what she truly was, a Terminator. It allowed her real self to be front and center as well as dominant. It was the environment that she was most comfortable in. She was a death merchant and she was ready to apply her trade.

She quickly surveyed the area where she would need to go to assist Cammy and Savannah. She wanted to remain unobserved and make a clandestine approach.

"Drive behind those buildings over there and let me out." Cameron said.

Cameron quickly checked her weapons.

Allison was still worried about Cameron. Just a few minutes ago she seemed anything but 'fine' even though she kept saying that she was fine. She knew that life was about choices. It was time to make one of those choices.

"I'm going with you." Allison said.

Cameron felt a slight glitch impulse. She was responsible for Allison's safety. She didn't want Allison needlessly endangered. She would prefer that Allison stay in the van where should be a little better protected.

"I want you to stay with Sheila." Cameron said.

Cameron was as worried about Allison as much as Allison was worried about her.

Allison was still concerned about Cameron's earlier condition. She didn't know if she would revert back to that state in thirty seconds or remain an efficient killing machine as the Terminator that she was. She was also worried about Savannah and Cammy. They needed to be safely extricated from the area. She wanted to make her position and reasoning clear.

"Then I want Sheila to go with you." Allison said. "I'll be fine here. Ally is watching over us. I can drive away from here at any time. Savannah and Cammy may need both of your help. I want you to both do that now."

Sheila was worried about Cammy and Savannah as well. She needed to agree with Allison's logic about the situation.

Sheila stopped the van and hopped out.

Allison climbed into the driver's seat.

Now it was Allison's turn to say that she was going to be 'fine'. With Ally overhead in the manned drone, she believed that she would be.

"Both of you go. Go help Savannah and Cammy." Allison said. "I'll be fine."

Cameron and Sheila both moved away from the van and headed out to help Savannah and Cammy.

Allison left the van running in case she needed to bolt. She watched all of her mirrors and continuously checked around her. She idled in 'neutral'. She was ready to move the shift selector into 'drive' or 'reverse' in an instant. She would use the van as a weapon if necessary. Because the van was currently on flatland she could leave it in 'neutral' and not need to step on the brake to prevent the van from rolling. She also wouldn't need to step on the brake to put the van into gear from 'park'. It would attract less visual attention when she needed to move. At slow speeds she could see well enough without the headlights as well.

She was very worried about all of them out there but especially Savannah. There was no copy of her 'program' because she was human.

John and John Henry in the Command Center were very worried about this new turn of events. It looked like the need for stealth was no longer necessary when it came to drones.

John was aware of Savannah's earlier order to keep all of their drones out of the immediate area. It appeared that time had passed.

"I want more drones sent to the immediate area now." John said.

John Henry agreed under the current circumstances with the arrival of the unknown vehicle. It surely represented the enemy in some form. It was either the group of Grays that they'd just battled or another group of Grays who was watching the first group of Grays. There was always the threat it could be someone from the anti-Metal group as well.

He decided to act.

"Savannah, I'm sending two drones back to assist." John Henry said. "Your team may need them. The conditions on the ground are clearly different now."

Savannah was worried about more hostile HK drones showing up. This group already used two of them earlier. She felt that those would be the biggest threat to Cammy and her. They were currently concealed from the occupants of the 4x4.

"Have the drones do recon and search for any more incoming HK drones." Savannah said. "We only have one truck here now. Cammy and I can take it. So far that doesn't look like a problem for us."

Cammy wanted the Command Center to know she agreed with Savannah.

"The fire started by the Thermite grenade is between us and them." Cammy said. "They may not know we're here yet. It currently doesn't appear that way. Savannah has a good plan. Our biggest threat will be HK drones or more vehicles arriving."

John Henry was notified of Cameron's and Sheila's current position. They were clandestinely making their way towards the vehicle.

"Cameron and Sheila are moving up behind them right now." John Henry said. "Cameron has reported that she's operating at one hundred percent."

That wasn't information that Savannah wanted to hear right now. There were two major problems with it. The first one was that meant Allison was alone. The second one was just because Cameron said she was operating at one hundred percent didn't mean it was correct.

"What about Allison?" Savannah asked. "I don't like her alone."

John Henry knew that the deal for both Sheila and Cameron to go entailed that Ally remained as Allison's security. He also linked up everyone's communications.

"Ally has her for now." John Henry said. "You're in direct contact with Cameron and Sheila now."

Sheila and Cameron advanced towards the pickup truck.

"Let's take these Grays down." Sheila said.

Cameron felt they needed to use a little bit more caution.

"We don't know if any of them are Terminators." Cammy said. "If one of them is, we will need to do a different type of response."

Savannah thought about what happened at the earlier locations before she arrived.

"If they have any Terminators they're probably out right now like Sheila and Cameron are. That was the technique that they just employed earlier." Savannah said. "Ally, what's happening around Allison?"

Ally watched the sky and the ground around Allison. She was also ready to reinforce any of the troops in the target area if it became necessary.

"Allison is clean." Ally said. "Nothing is moving around her. I'm ready to go where I'm needed and still keep an eye on her as well."

Cameron felt that Sheila and her made good clandestine progress.

"We have the truck flanked." Cameron said. "Sheila is moving in behind it and I'm alongside it. We're a ways out still. I have a clean shot if I need to take it. I don't see any other movement. I don't think there are any Terminators here. I haven't been able to detect any other movement around the area."

Savannah was worried about more than just the Grays. She didn't want any first responders needlessly put into danger. She wanted to wait a minute and see how things played out.

"Hold for now. What about any emergency response teams?" Savannah asked. "We've been here too long already."

John Henry already addressed the issue of the first responders.

"I've redirected them twice." John Henry said. "I've changed your location status to a 'false report'."

Cammy held her suppressed M4 up ready to fire as she watched the vehicle. There were some flames and a lot of smoke between Savannah and her and the Grays.

"The Grays are getting out of the truck now." Cammy said. "I have two on the ground. Only the driver is still in the truck. I'm going to 'pop' them."

Savannah didn't know if the driver of the vehicle would try to help his comrades when he saw them fall or simply floor it and drive away and leave them to their fate. She thought maybe they could use a ruse to lure the Grays closer.

"Wait. Cammy, I want you to call for 'help' faintly in a male voice." Savannah said. "Lure them over. It should keep the attention of the driver focused on our location as he watches his associates. Cameron and Sheila should be able to move up right on top of him. Ally, keep an eye on Allison and around her."

Ally kept track of everything both in the sky and on the ground.

"She's good for now." Ally said. "I'm all around her."

Allison listened to all the fuss about her. It actually irritated her some. She felt she was secure and protected there. She knew that if she said anything she'd be sure to upset somebody and it would most likely be Cameron or Savannah. She didn't want to cause any unnecessary grief or drama at this critical time.

She remained vigilant with her weapons close by. She was ready for whatever the enemy wanted to throw it at her if they chose to engage her. She was ready to show them how she did things in the future. She was concerned but she wasn't afraid.

The tension in the Young bunker seemed to be growing. No one there liked Allison's decision to remain alone so that both Sheila and Cameron could go down to assist Cammy and Savannah.

Holly was the one that was most disturbed by that decision. That was understandable since Allison was her lover.

"They're leaving Allison exposed." Holly said. "She's all alone and there are hostiles in the area."

Holly clearly became more and more distressed.

Young Allison was worried too but she saw things a little differently.

"Savannah has Ally covering her with the manned drone." Young Allison said. "It's a tactical move to get Cameron and Sheila closer. Savannah doesn't want Cameron alone. They will all forego Ally's assistance to keep Allison covered. We also need to remember that Allison is the one who made the call for both Sheila and Cameron to go down. She's on the ground and she's able to determine what her situation is better than anyone else. She's an experienced Resistance fighter from the future. She knows how to take care of herself as well as read the situation."

Holly was still very worried about Allison.

"It's risky for Allison." Holly said. "That also puts all of them at risk."

Young Allison thought that it was a sound decision on Allison's part. She saw it as the most logical choice based on the current information.

"I would make the same call." Young Allison said. "They need to finish this and get out."

Anna knew that it was tough on Holly because Allison hadn't been in a combat situation for quite some time. She wanted to give her some reassurance.

"Cameron and Savannah are there." Anna said. "Holly, they won't allow anything to happen to Allison."

Hanna came down into the bunker.

"Claire and Summer are asleep." Hanna said.

Anna got Hanna up to speed on the operation. She also wanted to see Young Allison get cleaned up and go to bed but she doubted that was going to happen. She still needed to try anyway. It was her job and responsibility to look after Young Allison after all.

"You should be in bed as well, Allison." Anna said.

Young Allison knew it was very late. Until the current operation was concluded she didn't plan on going anywhere.

"As soon as they're clear, I will." Young Allison said. "You know I can 'push it' and function at one hundred percent the next day."

Young Allison saw the deep worry in Holly. It was when Holly put her hand in back of herself that she knew it was time for her to act.

Young Allison went to Holly and took her glitching hand, it stopped instantly.

"I'll wait here with you until the danger is over." Young Allison said. "You can scan me if you want. I have confidence in what they're doing. I know you do too."

Holly started to scan Young Allison. She was a little surprised at the results of her scan.

"You believe in them." Holly said. "You're not afraid."

Young Allison was worried but she wasn't afraid. She was confident in everyone's ability that was currently in the target area. That included Allison as well.

"I do believe in Cameron and Savannah and I'm not afraid." Young Allison said. "We need to face down Skynet to protect John and the future. That's what they're doing. That's what I'll be doing. Most of all don't forget that's something that Allison has already done."

Young Allison squeezed Holly's hand. It seemed to reassure Holly even more.

"Come over and sit next to me." Young Allison said. "We can watch everything together."

Holly was a little worried that she may have disrupted operations a little more than she'd intended.

"I don't want to be a problem." Holly said.

Young Allison smiled at Holly.

"It's what I want." Young Allison said.

She led Holly over to her work station.

Anna gave up her seat so Holly could sit next to Young Allison.

Young Allison wanted to give Holly another morale boost.

"You don't need to get up, Anna." Young Allison said. "I can sit on Holly's lap."

Holly's face instantly lit up. She thought that sounded like a good idea.

Anna instantly saw that for the manipulation that it was. Young Alison was about to use her sexuality to influence Holly. She didn't want that to happen. She knew Holly was already infatuated enough with Young Allison since she was the SAME person as her lover Allison was.

"Maybe that can happen some other time." Anna said. "Things are good the way they are right now. Let's keep it that way."

Anna wanted to make sure that didn't happen. She glanced up at the security monitor.

Young Allison continued to hold Holly's hand to keep her relaxed and from glitching. Savannah told her how to help their Terminators when they were in distress for different reasons and how to help each one. In fact, Savannah told her a lot of things to do and not to do. Savannah always watched over her and watched out for her too. She'd always done that for as long as she could remember. Whenever there was a problem or even an issue Savannah was there to help her with it. She saw the same thing with Vanna and Allison as well. Her mother told her that Future Savannah did the same for Future Allison.

It was very clear to Young Allison that Savannah always loved her. Maybe when she was younger she didn't understand the depth of that love. As she grew older she knew the nature of her love for Savannah grew and developed into what Savannah always felt for her. Savannah never took advantage of her and made sure no one else did either. Just to think of it all made her love Savannah even more. She couldn't wait for the day when Savannah would 'take' her. It was something she wanted more than anything.

Cammy knew that was a good idea that Savannah suggested about calling for 'help'. The Grays would be thrown off from whatever they'd been thinking before.

It was time to cast the line and see what the bait brought in.

"Help me…." Cammy said in a faltering male voice.

The two men on the ground instantly looked over where they thought the voice came from.

"I hear someone." One of the men said.

It appeared to Cammy that the ruse was going to work.

"Over here…." Cammy said in a faltering male voice. "Help me…."

Cammy could see the other man look around at all the devastation.

"How is anyone still alive after this?" The other man asked.

Cammy made a coughing, gasping for air and wheezing sound.

"Help me…." Cammy said in a fading male voice. "Help…."

Savannah pulled her Taser.

Cammy nodded and took the Taser from Savannah. She returned the suppressed M4 back to Savannah.

The two men approached through the shattered wreckage. They didn't appear to be on the lookout for outside danger but thought they were about to help one of their associates. They hoped they could get some answers about what happened there.

One of the men quickly looked at his phone.

"My phone is still out." One man said.

The other man briefly looked at his phone.

"Mine is too." The other man said. "I wonder what happened."

The two men continued their approach. They didn't perceive this as a threat.

That's what Savannah hoped for.

The man in the truck concentrated on his two associates. Sheila was directly behind the truck now and Cameron was alongside of it.

The man watched his two associates try to aid one of their comrades who sounded injured.

Cameron was able to walk right up next to him. He started to turn in her direction. She punched the man in the side of the head through the open window. He slumped over.

Sheila was next to Cameron now.

"Nice ride." Sheila said as she looked at the truck.

Cameron felt a slight glitch impulse at Sheila's comment about the truck.

"It reminds me of one we used to have…." Cameron said. "That all seems so long ago and like yesterday, all at the same time."

Cameron thought of Future Derek and the places they went in the truck. Not all of the memories were fond memories. It made her think of John being out with Riley in it and what they 'did'.

Cameron knew if she dwelt on that, she would glitch out.

She did NOT need to go there now. Savannah and Cammy were still in danger.

Savannah waited until the men were in Taser range. She tossed a small piece of metal above the men so it would land behind them. They both turned and looked at the clanging metal sound behind them. Cammy fired her Taser twice and both men went down. It was two clean shots. They never saw it coming.

Sheila watched it all go down and then she ran to where Cammy and Savannah were. Cammy and Sheila both picked up a fallen man and carried them back to the truck.

Savannah wanted to get Allison closer to where they were at.

"Allison, bring the van up." Savannah said. "Ally, make sure she's clear."

Ally had everything covered.

"Allison is clear." Ally said. "I'm on her six and high."

Sheila couldn't resist the opportunity to get a sexual innuendo in about that comment.

"I wish I was." Sheila said.

Ally thought about asking Sheila which one but decided Sheila would say 'both'. She didn't want to upset Cameron any more right now. Currently it appeared that she'd made a full recovery from her earlier confused condition.

Cameron shot Sheila a dirty look and then she checked the man in the truck.

"He's dead." Cameron said. "I must have hit him too hard, my bad."

She hadn't intended to kill him yet. She'd hoped to get some answers.

Cameron pulled him out of the truck and carried him to where the fire was burning in the lower level of the remains of the structure. She tossed him down into the inferno after emptying his pockets. She tossed the other two dead men that were in the rubble down there as well. They might as well get rid of the evidence now.

Allison arrived with the van. Cammy and Sheila placed their freshly bound and gagged prisoners inside the back of it.

"This isn't what I thought would happen in the back of the van." Sheila said as she pulled her knife out. "But it's almost as exciting."

Allison heard what she said but was unsure what she was talking about. Most of Sheila's antics were kept from the others. Savannah and Cameron tried to keep the extent of Sheila's enhanced interrogations covered up as well.

"Let's move this truck out of here too." Cameron said.

"I'll go with you until we can get in the van." Savannah said.

Savannah stopped by Sheila. She wanted to correct her previous decision to allow Sheila to do 'whatever' she wanted to the prisoners. She knew that she'd been wrong at that time to encourage it. It was time to rectify that mistake.

"Don't do any more than you have to." Savannah whispered. "Please, for me. Then terminate them swiftly."

Sheila nodded.

Savannah looked at Cammy and Allison.

"Cammy can drive the van." Savannah said. "Allison can ride with us for a bit."

Sheila, Cammy and Cameron all looked at each other. They knew what Savannah was doing. She was trying to shield Allison from the brutality.

Savannah didn't want Allison to hear or watch the interrogation. She'd witnessed them before and she didn't want those images or screams in Allison's mind. They were still in her mind…. And those eyes that looked at her at her….

Now she thought about the female Gray she'd needed to strangle. That would be an image that bothered her for a long time. She could have shot the woman or even used the knife on her. Cameron or Sheila could have snapped her neck. Instead when the female Gray tried to choke her, she chose to do the same thing back. She watched the life fade from her eyes as she did it. She didn't want Allison to have any images like that. She believed that the girls from the future all had enough images to deal with.

Savannah shook her head to clear her mind.

I'm Sorry For What I Did

Life has many corners
Which may force a turn
Do we forget what we know
Or do we expand and learn

There are many things we do
That some may never understand
Few things seem to work out
As we once thought or planned

There are goals we set
Trying to reach out
They seem harder and harder to obtain
Leaving one full of doubt

For what one sees as right
Another can see as wrong
We know where we are
Wondering if we'll ever belong

I regret many past actions
Some things I may have hid
For those I have inadvertently hurt
I'm sorry for what I did

Nobody