Chapter 997

Messing With Me

Cameron's team was on the south side of the city. They were near the port. They disengaged from surveillance of the port facility they'd taken down earlier. Cameron wanted to get Savannah some food and a place to freshen up. That was done at the prompting of Young Allison.

Gail and Savannah entered the eating establishment and procured some food. Gail didn't like the clientele of the restaurant. She thought there were too many gang members.

When Gail and Savannah returned to the SUV, Cameron wasn't there. She hadn't informed them she was going to get out of the SUV or go anywhere else.

Savannah was worried because Cameron wasn't around. She tried to call Cameron on her com but there was no answer. She was ready to ask John Henry and CamNet where Cameron was at.

Gail didn't like the turn of events either. She was very worried about Savannah's safety. She decided to take some precautionary action.

"Get in the SUV and put your vest on." Gail said. "Start it up."

Gail wanted Savannah to be able to flee if there was some issue about to develop.

Savannah would do that and call John Henry. It was time to get some more information.

She set the food on the floor of the back seat and slipped her vest on. She checked and readied her M4. She climbed behind the wheel and started the SUV.

Gail was still outside as she searched for a target and looked around. She was ready to engage any threat.

She scanned for a visual clue when she heard an audio one. There were some shots fired. It must be Cameron since the shots she heard were silenced.

She warned Savannah of the nearby danger.

"I heard silenced pistol shots." Gail said. "They came from the far side of the building."

Savannah wanted Gail protected too. If there were silenced shots fired. It was most likely Cameron. She wanted to get over to the area so they could assist her. She figured she could use the SUV as a two ton weapon to engage any group of the enemy on foot or another vehicle.

"Put your vest on and get in." Savannah said.

Before Gail could act, Cameron appeared from the direction Gail indicated she'd heard the silenced shots.

Cameron hurriedly walked back from around the far side of the building.

Savannah figured they were going to have to take off. She wanted to have everything ready when Cameron arrived.

"Gail, get in the back. Watch out for the food." Savannah said. "It's on the floor in back of me on the driver's side."

Gail climbed in the back on the passenger's side and picked up her M4.

Cameron hurried over and hopped in the passenger's seat as Savannah started to drive away.

"Where to and how many of them are there?" Savannah asked.

Gail covered the area Cameron came from with her M4. Savannah saw her load a HE round in her M203.

Cameron noticed Gail preparing for combat.

She wanted to reassure Savannah and Gail there was nothing to be concerned about. The problem was solved. She didn't want to worry Savannah and Gail.

"There's no threat." Cameron said. "I'm sorry for the confusion. I didn't mean to alarm you. Pull over, let me drive so you can eat."

Savannah pulled over after they were a mile away from the diner. She made several turns to make sure that there was no one behind her. There wasn't. She wasn't sure she was ready to buy Cameron's story. Not yet anyway. She wanted to know more.

"What about the rounds you fired from your pistol?" Savannah asked. "That sounds like something."

Cameron looked at Gail. It was clear Gail told Savannah that silenced rounds were fired.

Gail saw that Cameron was slightly agitated now. She wanted to defend her decision.

"Savannah was very worried. I was worried too." Gail said. "I told her there was an incident of some type. I was going to assist you. We both were."

Savannah didn't want any issues to develop. It appeared that they could. She didn't think that Gail did anything wrong. She wasn't sure why Cameron looked agitated.

"We needed to be able to respond on short notice." Savannah said. "We were ready to drive over there to back you up when we saw you come around the side of the building. Gail did the right thing."

Cameron didn't want to spoil Savannah's meal with any details. She didn't think it was anything important and it was concluded. She'd hoped to get back to the vehicle before they'd returned from inside of the diner. That wasn't the case. If she would have been able to return to the SUV, they wouldn't have known anything happened.

"I needed to take care of something." Cameron said. "I'll fill you in with all the details once you're done eating. It was no big deal."

Savannah knew Cameron was hiding something or at least holding back. It didn't seem critical to the operation so she let it slide, for now.

She wanted to break the tension in the SUV. What better way was there to do it than with ice cream? She looked at Cameron and smiled.

"Do you want vanilla, chocolate or strawberry for your ice cream?" Savannah asked as she looked at Cameron. "I got one of each."

Cameron could see Savannah reached out to her. She didn't want any problems either. She returned Savannah's smile and looked back at Gail. She wanted to see what Gail would do.

"Let Gail pick first." Cameron said.

Gail didn't say anything. She looked at the three flavors of ice cream.

Savannah wanted to prompt her.

"OK, Gail, it's time to make a choice." Savannah said. "You can pick first."

Gail didn't have any reference on the different flavors of ice cream.

"I don't know." Gail said.

Savannah wanted Gail to make a decision.

"You have to pick first, Gail." Savannah said.

Gail looked at the three choices and made a decision based on appearance. One was more pleasant to look at.

"I'll try the pink one." Gail said. "The color looks 'pretty'."

Cameron and Savannah looked at each other.

Savannah thought that was a different way to choose a flavor.

"See, that wasn't so hard." Savannah said. "Strawberry tastes good."

Savannah started to eat her food. She'd ordered a sliced turkey dinner with vegetables. She wanted to try to eat a little bit healthy. She glanced over at Cameron between bites.

"You pick next, Cameron." Savannah said. "You know I'm good with any one of them."

Cameron looked at the two choices that were left. The decision was easy for her.

"I'll try chocolate." Cameron said.

Cameron drove back to where they'd waited before.

Savannah finished her food and started on her ice cream. Cameron and Gail started to taste their ice cream now as well.

"We can all try some of each other's ice cream too so Gail can try all three." Savannah said. "I want to share with her. You only need to try a taste just to see what it's like."

Savannah reached back and offered some vanilla ice cream to Gail.

Gail took half a spoon full from Savannah and tried it. She analyzed it and compared it to her flavor. It's set off as many warnings in her HUD as the pink ice cream did. Both of the flavors set off the same warning that the sugar content was too high. Her files indicated that humans liked sweet things, even if they weren't healthy for them. She was aware that human behavior was very erratic and unpredictable. Some things they did the same way every time, other things they did different every time. It was very confusing to her. When it came to sex, the same stimulation done in exactly the same way wouldn't always produce the same result in the same amount of time. Sometimes the result was quicker, sometimes it was longer. Strangely enough, the intensity of the finish seemed to vary as well. She wanted to base her opinion in a positive manner for Savannah.

"It tastes different." Gail said. "It's good too."

Savannah wanted to point out even if something was almost the same, it could be different. She thought about the girls as a case in point but didn't bring that up.

"That's the whole point." Savannah said. "That's why there are different flavors. A little variety is good with everything."

Cameron checked in with John Henry and CamNet for any new developments. Nothing was different. There wasn't a new target.

In a few minutes everyone was done with the food. Savannah finished all the three flavors of ice cream.

Savannah collected the trash and put it in the bag the food was delivered in. She didn't like to have a mess inside of the vehicle. Over the years she'd viewed the interior of many parked vehicles in parking lots or along the curb. Some of them were a complete mess inside. She knew that was just laziness on the part of the people. How long did it take to throw the trash away?

Cameron looked Savannah over. She'd scanned her several times since they'd been parked. She was pleased that Savannah ate a somewhat healthy meal. It was better than the grease leading fast food that most of the teenagers she'd observed consumed.

"If you want, you can rest in the back seat." Cameron said. "We may be here all night."

Savannah was tired. That sounded like a good idea. There was still an unanswered question regarding Cameron. Cameron hadn't made any move to divulge what happened at the diner. More specifically it appeared to be around the backside of the diner.

"Maybe I'll rest later on." Savannah said. "Cameron, what did you do at the diner?"

Cameron was satisfied that Savannah was done with everything she was going to eat.

"I didn't want to spoil your meal." Cameron said. "I needed to end a threat."

Savannah wondered if Cameron killed the gang members when they left the diner.

"What kind of threat?" Savannah asked. "What did you do?"

Savannah was a little apprehensive about where this was headed.

Cameron decided to tell the story.

"When we pulled up, I saw a suspicious car." Cameron said. "I wanted to make sure it wouldn't be a problem for you and Gail."

Savannah waited for Cameron to continue. She didn't. Cameron's hesitancy seemed to indicate there may have been some terminations.

"Did you kill someone?" Savannah asked.

Cameron looked straight ahead.

"Yes." Cameron said.

Savannah needed to prompt Cameron again.

"Well?" Savannah asked.

Cameron frowned slightly. She glanced over at Savannah and continued with the story.

"I saw the local gang members in the restaurant." Cameron said. "I saw a crew from a rival gang drive by on the side street. I didn't want any trouble while you were unarmored. One group wore blue and the other group wore red. They're the colors of the two main rival gang factions on the south side. I've had unpleasant dealings with both groups before. They lost."

Savannah wanted to hear the rest of the story. She didn't understand why Cameron delayed so much with the finish.

"And…." Savannah prompted.

Cameron believed there was going to be an incident at the rear of the restaurant. She didn't want that to be the case while Savannah was inside.

"I checked them out." Cameron said. "They were waiting for the other gang members to come out of the restaurant. They were going to ambush them when they got into their car."

Gail thought that was a good preemptive strike. An ambush sprung on the enemy was always an effective strategy, especially when there was overwhelming force.

"Did you take them out so Savannah wouldn't be caught in the crossfire?" Gail asked.

Cameron wanted to wrap up the story. She felt that she'd said enough.

"No, you would have been safe." Cameron said. "There was a block wall between you and the diner and where they were at. I returned back to the SUV. I didn't do anything to stop them."

Savannah thought Cameron didn't do anything because it would mean fewer Scavengers in the future if the two gangs killed each other. Something else must have occurred that changed her mind. She wanted to know what it was. It was clear that Cameron helped one gang over the other.

"What made you change your mind and go back?" Savannah asked.

Cameron believed her actions were a result of the influence of Savannah and Young Allison on her. They taught her to look at more than just something at a specific point in time. They taught her there was often a bigger picture. That was exactly how this scenario played out.

"The crew inside the diner left a tip and thanked the waitress for her service." Cameron said. "It appeared they were very nice to her. Females in this neighborhood aren't often treated nicely."

Savannah was a little confused. She understood what Cameron indicated. She wanted to confirm her suspicions.

"So you went back and took out the rival crew because a different crew left a tip and thanked the waitress?" Savannah asked.

Cameron was very pleased with her decision. There was another influencing factor as well.

"Yes." Cameron said. "The rival crew in the car also threw their cigarette butts out their windows onto the ground without extinguishing them first."

Gail agreed with that scenario.

"That was littering and could have caused a fire." Gail said. "I would have terminated them for that alone. The rules need to be enforced."

Savannah looked back and forth between Cameron and Gail.

"Are you two messing with me?" Savannah asked.

Cameron and Gail both tilted their heads slightly to the side as they looked at each other. They seemed somewhat confused by Savannah's question.

"No." They both said at the same time.

Savannah thought that was a very different way to determine who lived and who died. She was actually surprised that Cameron didn't terminate the members of the other gang as well. Maybe it was because they were nice to the waitress. She thought Cameron hoped that not all of them would end up as Scavengers.

John wondered where Cameron was at. John Henry saw everything that occurred from the drone footage. He didn't see the part about the tip inside the restaurant.

John Henry told John that Cameron extinguished a possible fire hazard because there were some burning cigarette butts on the ground.

John thought that was really thoughtful of her.

John Henry didn't elaborate any further.

"What about anything else?" John asked.

John Henry decided to drop anything further on what Cameron did. It would only cause John to become irritated and the act was already done and finished. There was no way to stop it now since it was over. He decided to focus on the current task at hand.

"Everything is unchanged as to our ongoing operation." John Henry said.

John would have liked to have known what it was specifically that they needed to wait for. With his people in one place for an extended period of time, it could make them targets.

"I'm glad for that." John said. "I hope nothing else happens but I don't like our people out waiting."

John Henry believed there was adequate protection for the Terminators currently out in the field around the port area. It was actually better coverage than they would have on most operations. At least that was most operations as long as Young Allison wasn't involved. If she was, there would be plenty of drone support to back them up.

"There are five vehicles out." John Henry said. "They each have a drone orbiting them and three more are on wide patrol around the area."

John let out a slow breath and made a slight face. They were currently in a dead zone. He quickly thought that maybe the term dead zone wasn't the proper term to use.

"So wait and wait some more it is." John said.

John Henry saw no point in John waiting for 'nothing' or attempting to sleep in his chair when there were more comfortable accommodations that awaited him in his room.

"You should get some rest." John Henry said. "I can call you if anything develops."

John felt more than a little guilty about being in comfort when there were others that weren't.

"What about Savannah?" John asked. "She's out there…."

John Henry didn't see it as a problem.

"It's not the first time." John Henry said.

After another hour John decided to lie down but only if John Henry called him at the first sign of trouble.

John was too tired to look at any of the usual close up images on the internet. He decided to give 'Little Willie' a rest for the night. He could always make up for it later on. It wouldn't be the first time and he was sure it wouldn't be the last.

It was clear to Cameron that Savannah was tired. She didn't want Savannah to tough it out unnecessarily. If there was a known enemy in the area and they didn't have drone support, she could understand Savannah's vigilance. That wasn't the current case. She wanted to take care of Savannah even if Savannah didn't want to take care of herself.

"I want you to rest." Cameron said.

Savannah didn't want to be a problem for anyone.

"I'm fine." Savannah said. "I can hack it."

Gail wanted to offer an incentive to Savannah. She thought it would be a nice gesture for both Cameron and Savannah.

"Let me take the driver's seat. You can sit in the back and Savannah can lay her head on your lap." Gail said.

Savannah thought a few minutes rest would be nice.

"Thanks, Gail." Savannah said. "I'll do that."

Cameron wanted to cement Gail's personal bond to Savannah further.

"You can lay your head on Gail's lap and I'll remain in the driver's seat." Cameron said.

Gail felt a little self conscious about that offer. It made her feel uncomfortable. She didn't want to intrude.

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

Cameron looked back at Gail and smiled.

"You're not." Cameron said.

Cameron looked at Savannah and she nodded.

Savannah got out on the passenger's side door and entered through the back door.

"I didn't want to climb over the seat with my vest on." Savannah said.

Cameron wanted Savannah to at least have a little bit of comfort.

"You can take it off." Cameron said. "I'll keep watch."

Gail planned to remain vigilant along with Cameron.

"I will as well." Gail said.

Savannah laid her head on Gail's lap and smiled at her. She placed Gail's hand against her neck and was asleep in two minutes. She wanted Gail to scan her as she rested. She believed it was a comforting experience for any of the female Terminators when she did that.

Cameron and Gail started a conversation in a very low decibel level that was so quiet only they could hear it.

"Thank you, Cameron." Gail said. "For everything you've 'allowed'."

Cameron believed that the true test of love was sacrifice. She'd sacrificed multiple times so that Savannah could feel as much love as possible. She never wanted Savannah to feel like her.

"I like everyone to be happy." Cameron said. "I want Savannah to feel nothing but love, feel wanted and feel appreciated."

Gail looked down at the side of Savannah's face. Her lovely red hair hid part of it.

"She does." Gail said. "She's so beautiful."

Cameron believed Savannah's true beauty emanated from within her. It was only heightened by her pleasant physical appearance.

"She is beautiful, Gail." Cameron said. "She's beautiful both inside and out."

Gail gently brushed some of Savannah's hair away from her face so she could get a better look at her.

"Savannah is the 'Chosen One'." Gail said. "She's allowed me to scan her now as she sleeps."

Cameron reflected on her own personal experience.

"It's wonderful when she dreams." Cameron said.

Gail wasn't sure exactly what that was in reference to. Maybe there was more in play than she knew.

"Do you scan her often when she dreams?" Gail asked.

Cameron felt a very pleasant feeling inside of her when she thought about it.

"I have ever since she was a girl." Cameron said. "I've scanned her when she dreams and whispered to her many nights. I help educate her and tell her of her future."

Gail was aware of each of the female Terminators duties that were assigned to a human female. The nightly 'conditioning' was part of it.

"You've done that since she was a girl." Gail said. "We must always soothe and comfort our girls. They all must be ready for the future."

Cameron always had a lot of time when she was around the base at night. She could only deal with John for so long. If she stayed in the room all night with John, he may wake up and want to use her for his pleasure. Those experiences were usually very unfulfilling for her. John would only spend enough time for his own satisfaction and not for hers before he fell back asleep. That would always leave her with another mess to deal with and no reward to go along with it. She would rather spend the time elsewhere with the girls.

"I don't sleep." Cameron said. "Cammy helps me now."

Gail was aware that Cameron left the base at night often. She wasn't always sure where she went. She knew not to ask. Now seemed like a good time to ask something specific.

"Do you do that with Young Allison as well?" Gail asked.

Cameron was there personally whenever she could manage it. She'd used her surrogates previously and currently when she was unavailable.

"Of course…." Cameron said. "She needs to know everything too. I did it as Isabel and now as Anna."

Gail wondered how that went over with Young Allison's parents.

"Does her mother know?" Gail asked.

Cameron frowned slightly. Claire was subjected to her own personal 'conditioning'.

"No." Cameron said. "That would be a problem. I don't like problems."

Gail was aware of how intelligent Summer was.

"What about her younger sister, Summer?" Gail asked.

Cameron felt a slight glitch impulse. There seemed to be a lot of sensitive issues associated with Summer.

"Anna, Holly and Hanna take turns with Summer." Cameron said. "I do as well when I have time. They 'condition' Allison as well."

Gale didn't think the 'conditioning' was so widespread at the Young residence.

"I didn't know this was being done to everyone." Gail said. "Is this why she is so intelligent?"

Cameron believed she only allowed and assisted the girls, all of them, to find the greatness within themselves.

"The intelligence is theirs. That applies to all of them." Cameron said. "The future is theirs for the taking."

Gail looked up from Savannah at Cameron.

"What about you?" Gail asked. "I know you want to be with her."

Cameron felt a slight glitch impulse.

"I do." Cameron said. "I want that more than anything."

Gail was very confused by Cameron's actions or actually lack of action in this case.

"I don't understand." Gail said. "What are you waiting for?"

Cameron didn't want to prevent Savannah from bonding with her true love.

"She must bond with Young Allison FIRST once she is mature." Cameron said.

Gail didn't see any reason why that couldn't happen now. It was clear to her that Young Allison was more than ready for an emotional as well as a physical relationship with Savannah. The longer Cameron delayed that from happening, the longer she needed to wait to consummate her love with Savannah and Young Allison.

"Are you sacrificing your love now, for Savannah's future love?" Gail asked.

Cameron was very worried about her interaction in the past, the present, with the girls as well as John. It was a disrupting influence on the 'Natural Order'. They should be concentrating on each other and not her. She didn't want to be the catalyst. She was only to be a supplement.

"YES. They must have an unbreakable bond FIRST." Cameron said. "If I'm with either of them before they're together, I'll disrupt the 'Natural Order' even more than I already have."

Gail understood better now Cameron's sacrifice. It was the true test of love, to put the one you love before yourself. Cameron did this over and over for Savannah. Cameron was even more special than she thought and much stronger than ALL of them to be able to do this over and over.

She was very pleased with Cameron. She was much more advanced and far thinking than the rest of them were.

Gail kept watch as she scanned Savannah while she slept. She hoped for a late sunrise as well as no enemy action. This was a special time for her that she would cherish forever.

Messing With Me

Do people say
What they really mean
Or do they say things
Just to be mean

Do some people think
About the words that hurt
Before like a mindless fool
The conger them up and blurt

It's always about themselves
Where most people reside
From everyone else
Their true self they try to hide

That's actually because
They know who they really are
They don't want to admit it
They'd rather fight and spar

Don't play nice or sweet
You know that I'll see
You're just fooling around
I know you're messing with me

Nobody