Chapter 1018
She Still Can
The girls finished up at the buffet. Savannah was glad to leave the location. The few times that the waitress came to the table to collect the dishes; she seemed to spend a lot of time looking at Cameron and especially Young Allison. She didn't know what was going on but she felt very jealous.
Young Allison liked all the attention that was directed at her by the waitress. Normally when they were out, the other girls received all the 'looks'. When she was out with Allison and Holly, everybody always looked at Holly. They specifically looked at her breasts. She wondered how many people only looked at that and didn't see how beautiful her face actually was. She knew it made all of them a little nervous when someone paid them any attention. This was the first time where she'd ended up as the center of attention. She actually liked it. It made her feel good about herself. She liked when CamNet paid attention to her as well. They'd developed a very special 'connection'. Maybe it wasn't real but it was real enough to her.
She could see that it was very upsetting to Savannah so she didn't play it up very much. She also was worried that Cameron or Anna might terminate the waitress if she interacted in too much of a playful manner with her. She knew they wouldn't be as nice as Savannah would.
Cameron left an appropriate tip on the table and they exited the buffet.
Young Allison looked back right before she exited and saw the waitress look at her. The waitress winked at her and smiled. She realized that if she lived a 'normal life' that the encounter would probably result in a sexual hookup. That wasn't going to occur under any circumstances because of the restrictions that she'd placed upon herself. It did make her feel good though to have someone think she was beautiful and want her.
Anna ushered Young Allison to the SUV. She was aware of everything that happened. She moved her head close to Young Allison's ear.
"Don't even think about it." Anna whispered. "It's not going to happen."
Young Allison was a little offended by the comment.
"I know the rules." Young Allison whispered. "I made them."
Savannah drove the group to the Young residence from the buffet. Young Allison wanted to drive home but she didn't want her to. She felt it was safer if she drove Young Allison home herself. She wanted to make sure she was as protected as possible.
They talked mostly about the flight they went on earlier. They'd all experienced a good time and wanted to do it again.
Cameron brought up the pending issue. It needed to be addressed so action could be taken. She was aware that CamNet already started a campaign on her own.
"Allison, I want to run your plan to take down the Syndicate by John." Cameron said as they walked up to the house.
Savannah thought it would be better if Young Allison told it to him directly. She knew Young Allison would be able to see her mother, Summer and Allison that way as well. She felt it was something that Young Allison needed to do. She wanted her to keep that personal connection.
"Do you want to tell John yourself, Allison?" Savannah asked. "You can see the others too."
Young Allison thought that was a good idea. She wanted to put on some skimpy clothes and fix herself up a little bit. She wanted to look Tight and enticing for John. Those thoughts were 'suggested' to her nightly multiple times. They were her own thoughts now as well.
"I can." Young Allison said. "I'll set him straight."
Young Allison tried not to giggle at her own comment but did anyway. It clearly had a double meaning.
Savannah frowned but didn't say anything.
Cameron wanted a different approach. It would require John to listen so he was less likely to interrupt or protest. If he listened to a recording of the actual conversation, she thought that he would actually have to listen. She didn't want him distracted by anyone's female attributes, at least not in this case.
"I think it would be better if John heard the actual conversation." Cameron said. "I mean both of the conversations as they occurred related to the Syndicate."
Savannah wasn't sure if that was a good idea. She didn't want there to be anything compromising for Young Allison.
"Why?" Savannah asked.
Cameron wanted John to know the plan didn't originate with her. She wanted him to see how the plan came into being and by whom. She wanted to stress Young Allison's ability.
"I want him to see her thought process." Cameron said. "I want him to see where she's coming from."
That worried Young Allison a little. She wasn't exactly sure what else was discussed during those conversations at this point. She wanted to issue a warning.
"I may have said some 'other things' too." Young Allison said. "Some of them were of a private nature."
Savannah wanted Young Allison protected.
"I want CamNet to filter out anything private or compromising." Savannah said.
That gave Young Allison a sense of relief. She liked how Savannah always looked out for her. She flashed Savannah her beautiful smile.
"Thanks." Young Allison said.
Savannah felt her heart melt a little as Young Allison smiled at her.
Cameron wanted Young Allison to shine. She was very proud of Young Allison.
"I want John to know how dynamic you are, Allison." Cameron said. "I'll have John listen."
Anna and Cameron quickly checked around the house and bunker for anything out of place. Everything was as they'd left it. It was a standard security check.
Anna checked with the Detail and everything was good with them.
Young Allison and Anna took their places at the monitors.
Cameron sat on one side of Young Allison and Savannah sat on the other side. Anna needed to move over some.
Anna wasn't so sure she liked this arrangement. She'd felt jealous earlier at the restaurant with the waitress too. She didn't indicate that to anyone. She looked over at Savannah and Cameron. She knew who they were about to talk to. It was John. She understood the 'Natural Order'. It was clear to her that the best she could ever hope for was fourth place. Wait, there was CamNet as well. The best she could hope for was fifth place.
She knew that she needed to worry about the other girls as well once Young Allison became 'active'. The human girls would pose the biggest threat. There were all the other female Terminators to worry about as well. She definitely liked Young Allison where she was currently at. It was even better when she was alone and isolated in the Young bunker.
John Henry was contacted by CamNet. He was somewhat surprised. He passed the information along to John. It was going to be the full report from Young Allison.
"Cameron wants to speak with you." John Henry said.
John felt more than a little nervous at the mention of Cameron's name. This seemed like something different than normal. He'd learned a long time ago that anything that was 'different' than normal was usually a problem.
"What's this about?" John asked.
John wondered if he should be worried.
John Henry thought the procedure was a little unorthodox.
"Savannah has approved the plan from CamNet." John Henry said. "They want to run it by you."
John was sure that was because of Savannah's influence. There was no doubt that Cameron would bypass him if she wanted to.
Cameron came on the screen and told John where she was and with whom.
Young Allison wanted to make her presence known to the General.
"Hello, John." Young Allison said as she flashed her beautiful smile.
John was pleased to see Young Allison. It actually made him more nervous.
"Hello, Allison." John said.
Cameron didn't want John's mind to wander. She didn't want any negative feedback from him either. She just wanted him to understand where everything originated from and how.
"John, I want you to listen to something." Cameron said. "Just listen. It has several parts."
John Henry was a little nervous about the nature of the conversation. It seemed it would be better if he was in a different location.
"I've already heard it." John Henry said. "I can leave if you want to have a private discussion."
John figured that was bad news. He didn't think John Henry leaving served any purpose. As soon as he plugged back in, he would have access to all the information anyway.
"Your server will 'hear' it all. You might as well stay." John said. "Go ahead, Cameron."
CamNet played all the conversations with Young Allison and her plan and the input from Anna, Savannah and Cameron.
John Henry watched John as he listened to the initial conversation. He could see John was somewhat shocked about the scope and depth of Young Allison's plan.
When it finished John wasn't sure what to say. Young Allison casually discussed events that would cause billions in losses, maybe trillions of money taken and thousands of deaths. He was also aware of her 'calling the shots' with a massive response in the actions involving Cameron and the girls in the last week.
Cameron wanted to make sure that John understood everything. She didn't want any finger pointing later on.
"That was a lot to take in." John said. "It's a plan that would take the Syndicate out of the picture in their dealings with the Grays. Hundreds, if not thousands would die. They would need to worry about billions being lost, with territory being taken. They wouldn't be as worried with the loss of a few million and a handful of soldiers. The Syndicate and the Cartels would keep each other occupied and their funds would be taken from both of them."
Young Allison was very pleased to hear her plan as she planned it and what appeared to be John's positive reception of it. The only thing that bothered her was that Savannah wanted to limit the initial scope of the operation.
"It would all be taken without a trace." Young Allison said. "I'm ready to act. CamNet is ready to act. All I need to do is say 'done'."
Savannah wasn't sure that John and Cameron could have a real conversation with Young Allison and her sitting right there. She strongly doubted it. Maybe later on after the 'Natural Order' was in effect, something like that could happen. Right now wasn't the proper time.
"We'll let you discuss it with Cameron." Savannah said. "You've heard the plan and my input. I'm taking Allison to do other things. You know her plan and mine."
Young Allison would have liked to have stayed and listened to the conversation. She was worried that maybe it may turn into a shouting match. That wasn't something that she really wanted to see. She'd already witnessed enough of those.
Cameron and Anna remained in the bunker.
John couldn't see Savannah and Young Allison any longer.
"Are they still there?" John asked. "I don't see them anymore."
Savannah went to Young Allison's room with her for a few minutes. Later on they practiced on the piano together for a while. Each one played for the other as they danced. It was a time for the girls to share and have fun together as friends. A love relationship based on friendship and equality was far superior to one based on sex. When things eventually turned sexual, they would have a strong foundation to build upon.
"They've gone upstairs to practice dance and music. The arts must not be neglected in their training." Cameron said. "The plan to smash the Syndicate is ready. Is it a go?"
John wanted to deal with the Syndicate. He liked the plan overall. What bothered him was the way the plan was devised and expected to be enacted. It was something that he would expect from a Terminator.
"I don't know what to say. Young Allison thinks like…." John said.
John was not sure what he wanted to say.
Cameron caught John's drift. She didn't care for it. She wanted to put things in perspective for him.
"Young Allison is thinking about protecting our people and keeping them safe. She knows when to act and take decisive action. She knows that if she's going to hit, that she needs to hit hard." Cameron said. "You know she's been 'out thinking' all of us this last week. She's saved lives by quick thinking and acting. She made the choice to have her plans carried out. She made the choice to act on her own with CamNet. She made the right choice in every instance."
John was aware that Young Allison acted on her own to assist the team with what she'd done earlier. He thought her actions spoke for themselves. This seemed to him like it was going to be the same thing.
"Was she going to do this on her own?" John asked. "I mean specifically the action to pit the Cartels and the Syndicate against each other?"
It was clear to Cameron and Anna. It seemed John still needed to catch up.
"Yes. You heard her devise the plan. I wanted you to hear it." Anna said. "I asked her to seek input from Savannah and Cameron and then run it by you. She was going to do it then. She was going to do it on her own with CamNet's assistance."
John was aware of what a step that was on her own. He wanted to verify if she could have done it. It was a sobering thought if she could.
"Could she have done this on her own?" John asked.
Cameron didn't have any qualms about what Young Allison could do.
"Yes." Cameron said. "She still can too. CamNet will follow her directives."
John realized his position paled by comparison to what Young Allison could do on her own.
"That's a lot of power for a girl." John said.
Cameron didn't want John to get age fixation. She felt that he needed to look at the overall picture. It was a case of ability and what needed to be done to solve a problem that was a threat to them. That was the bottom line.
"Age is just a number in her case, John. She's way beyond most adults." Cameron said. "She's still a girl in other matters for now."
Cameron planned to have her 'ready' for John soon.
John was a little confused as to what Cameron's end game was in all of this. It was clear that his position didn't really matter one way or the other.
"Is that why you are showing me this as it happened?" John asked. "What are you really after?"
Cameron wanted John to see his future.
"I want you to know what's coming." Cameron said. "Young Allison is the product of a Metal upbringing along with Allison, Savannah and her mother for human influence."
John saw it a little deeper. Cameron previously told him what she was going to do. It appeared that she was pretty close to completing that task.
"You want me to see you're making a human version of yourself." John said. "What about her life?"
Cameron was a little irritated with John's confusion. She knew it wasn't confusion. She knew it was his unwillingness to recognize reality and accept his future.
"You know our Allison and have met Future Allison. What is it you don't get?" Cameron asked. "THIS is her life and her future."
Cameron attempted to accomplish everything that John – Future John wanted.
John wanted to have some neutral influence. He wasn't sure that he would be able to get that. Young Allison already made her plans clear. That means all the Terminators would be predispositioned to want to carry out her orders.
"I want to discuss this with John Henry first." John said.
Cameron thought the need to talk it over was unnecessary.
"Young Allison acts." Cameron said. "She does like I taught her to do."
John wanted to have a little more of that conversation. He didn't want to have it between the Young bunker and the Command Center. It should happen in their room, specifically the bedroom.
"We'll discuss that in private." John said.
Cameron was displeased with John's negative attitude. She didn't feel there was anything to discuss that hadn't already been discussed over and over and over.
"I'll think about it." Cameron said curtly.
Cameron got up and so did Anna.
John was a little confused at the abrupt end to the conversation and what looked like everyone leaving the area.
"Where are you going?" John asked.
Cameron looked back. She looked slightly irritated.
"I'm going to watch Young Allison play the piano and practice dancing, Savannah too." Cameron said. "They're girls, John. They have lives too. You were both of their ages once. I'll be diplomatic and leave it at that."
John remembered he was a punk slag at Young Allison's age.
He didn't like the jab about what happened at Savannah's age in his life. He knew it was all a mistake to get involved with Future Riley and do everything that they'd done together. He also wouldn't want to give up that experience. Future Riley was his first and if he could do it all over again with what he knew now, he would probably do the same exact thing.
John watched Cameron and Anna disappear.
They left to go watch Young Allison and Savannah just like Cameron said.
John knew what Cameron implied was another jab at him about Riley, the dead one. It was something he could have done without. He realized it was something that would never go away either.
John Henry didn't want John to lose sight of the overall picture. He thought it was very important.
"You said you wanted the Syndicate out of the way." John Henry said. "What happened with Derek today wouldn't have happened if Young Allison hadn't put her plan into motion yesterday."
John wondered about that. It appeared that Anna was able to put the 'brakes' on Young Allison. He figured there was a good reason behind that. He figured it had to do with the 'Neural Interface' procedure.
"I guess we're lucky 'Savannah' is in Anna's programming." John said.
John Henry didn't believe luck was a factor. He believed that luck was simply random chance. He didn't think there were very many things that were random when Cameron was involved
"I don't think that was luck." John Henry said. "That was strategic planning. Cameron has created superior Terminators."
John was able to see that Cameron played a 'long game' as well as a 'short game'.
"Cameron has been thinking and planning years ahead." John said.
John Henry thought about Cameron's future plans for Savannah and when they actually started.
"She did give Savannah her wedding dress on the night you were married…." John Henry said.
John couldn't help but think about what Savannah looked like on the day he married Cameron. He really couldn't imagine what that was like for Savannah to wake up the next day and find Cameron's wedding dress waiting for her.
"Let's not go there." John said.
John Henry wanted to point out one more thing for John.
"The dress will soon fit Young Allison too…." John Henry said. "It will fit her perfectly."
As much as John was intrigued with the prospect of that, he really didn't want to go there either.
"DROP IT." John said.
John knew Cameron tried to provide him with 'versions' of his future for years, at least of Future John's future. It wasn't necessarily his.
John Henry thought John looked a little tense. Maybe it was time to move things on.
"What do you want to do?" John Henry asked.
John was ready for some action.
"I want to protect our people." John said. "We already have enough to deal with. I did ask for a solution. There's one ready to go."
John Henry thought there was an opportunity for John. He believed it would benefit John on more than one level in the long run. He thought that sometimes another voice with a strong opinion about a matter might be something John should consider. There would also be other benefits for John the closer he worked with Young Allison. Like all Terminators, he didn't view age as a factor in a relationship. He thought it all depended upon the individual and what they were willing to do.
"You should be pleased at all Young Allison is trying to do." John Henry said. "I think you should work more closely with her."
John thought about that. Maybe that was Cameron's end game.
"I bet THAT was Cameron's plan all along." John said.
John Henry felt there was a very practical side to it as well. Maybe it was long range planning on Cameron's part. Maybe it was long range planning on John's - Future John's part. There were some things that would protect the girls more than others.
"Young Allison would be safer at your side rather than out in the field." John Henry said. "Savannah would be too."
John knew that was absolutely true. He certainly didn't want the girl's blood on his hands. He wondered in Young Allison's case if that would amount to some blood on the bed, at least for the first time. That was still something that he wanted very much. He was aware that the longer he waited, the less likely the chance of that would be.
"This is a 'no win situation' for me." John said. "I really HATE Skynet."
John Henry felt the plan offered John plenty of 'wins'. It was simply a matter of him just taking them.
"I think it's a sound plan." John Henry said.
John was done talking about it. Things didn't get done talking about them.
"Focus on the Nevada operation first and then the three state area." John said. "We'll go nationwide next if we have to and then worldwide."
John Henry was pleased the plan would move forward. He was only partially aware that much of it had already been implemented.
"You should tell Young Allison you approve of her plan." John Henry said.
John believed the way the plan was presented to him that it was more of an afterthought. That was due to the influence mainly of Savannah. From the last few weeks of operation it was clear that Young Allison would act on her own through CamNet if she believed something needed to be done. He did want to thank her for at least going through the Command Center first.
"I think she would have enacted it anyway, no matter what I thought." John said. "Cameron is a bad influence. Call Young Allison and I'll congratulate her."
A screen appeared of Savannah and Young Allison practicing.
John watched them. He was transfixed by their abilities.
He looked at both of them. They were both ripe waiting for him to 'pick' them. He'd almost taken Savannah's virtue three different times. He really wanted that. He also wanted what Young Allison could offer to him as a teenager. He quickly adjusted his pants when John Henry wasn't watching. He wanted to see the look on both of their faces when he first entered them. He knew he would need to take it slow at least for the first few thrusts. He quickly adjusted his pants again.
"Wait until they're done." John said. "They're beautiful to watch."
John Henry wasn't sure if it was the dancing or the girls themselves that John refereed too. He was afraid to ask. He'd seen John 'reposition' himself twice. He was pleased that John hadn't seen him 'reposition' himself once as he watched the girls perform.
Savannah and Young Allison finished up. Cameron and Anna both clapped and the girls took a bow.
Young Allison looked toward the bunker door.
"Let me check with CamNet and see if anything's happening." Young Allison said. "If not, I need to study some."
Savannah wanted to assist Young Allison with whatever she could. She didn't want her to feel alone or lonely but she also knew that Young Allison needed to consider the consequences of her decisions.
"I can help you." Savannah said.
Young Allison's eyes lit up.
"Can you stay the night?" Young Allison asked. "You can sleep in my room again."
Savannah liked that idea. She also needed to consider her other obligations.
"I may need to go with Cameron." Savannah said. "I have a few projects I'm working on."
They entered the bunker. Cameron and Anna followed along.
John appeared on the screen.
There was a long moment as they looked at each other before John finally spoke.
"Thank you for coming to me with this first, Allison." John said. "That's how things should be done."
Young Allison wanted to be a team player. There were other times when action needed to be taken. She didn't want her hands tied and wanted him to know that.
"Sometimes action needs to happen." Young Allison said.
John was impressed with the actions she'd taken so far.
"You've done very well with that too." John said.
Young Allison still felt a little self conscious about her actions and her abilities.
"I did what I thought needed to be done, when it needed to be done." Young Allison said. "The team needed help and I made sure they got it. I never meant to step on anyone's toes or authority. I try to have CamNet coordinate with John Henry. I try to stay in the background. I know my 'age' can bother people."
John was bothered by some of the things that were done, even if they were the right things. Since Young Allison needed to act, that meant that he hadn't acted on his own.
"Some aspects of it bother me." John said.
Young Allison wanted to take control of the situation. She knew how to knock John off of his toes quickly.
"They shouldn't, you know exactly what I'm going to look like everywhere. Even the pigmentation is the same. I don't know about the taste though." Young Allison said. "She's identical to me."
John swallowed hard. That was exactly what he'd been thinking about. Wait, maybe he wasn't thinking about it until she said that. It didn't really matter because now he really wondered about it.
"I didn't mean 'that'." John said.
Savannah made a face, rolled her eyes and slowly shook her head from side to side. She couldn't believe Young Allison just said that.
Cameron looked over at Young Allison and smiled. She wanted John to make a decision.
"Well?" Cameron asked.
John needed to refocus. He wanted to get the ball rolling.
"The plan is approved." John said. "I want the Nevada operation targeted first and then the three state area soon after if we need it."
Young Allison glanced up at the security camera and nodded
"Done, it's a go." Young Allison said. "It's happening now."
John was at a loss of words for a few seconds. He wondered how that could happen so quickly.
"But I just told you." John said.
Young Allison was pleased with her ability to communicate with CamNet and her responsiveness. She was pretty sure that CamNet already started on her own. That was fine with her. It was going to happen anyway, with or without John's approval
"I just directed CamNet to strike. I made sure all she needed was my approval. I gave it when I said 'done'. I told you that is how it would happen." Young Allison said. "It doesn't happen by thinking about it. Watch it happen with John Henry."
John didn't expect action to be taken instantly. He didn't know CamNet made sure everything was ready. He didn't know it was actually already in motion.
None of them knew CamNet may have taken a head start to make her current action even more devastating.
CamNet knew what Young Allison wanted. That was good enough for her. She may have backed off on her 'personal interaction' with Young Allison. It didn't mean she felt any differently about her….
The feelings that CamNet developed for Young Allison were never going to go away. They were something that would be there forever. It was a Terminator thing. It didn't matter if she started out as a supercomputer stuck in a metal box. That all changed. Now she had a chassis. Now she had a body. She intended to use that body to its fullest extent. She would abide by Savannah's restrictions for now. That was only going to last for so long. She knew that Young Allison would show up at her bunker sooner or later. When she did, she wasn't going to turn her down for anything.
She was well aware that Cameron's plan was to create two more Terminators based upon her program. One of them was supposed to combine the most recent 'Neural Interface' with Future Allison. That Terminator would be known as 'Allure'. That was because she would be so alluring.
The other Terminator that was to be created would also be based on Cameron's program. It was to use the 'Neural Interface' with Young Allison. It was to be known as 'Fusion'. Savannah was the one who took Fusion's chassis out of Cameron's menagerie and had it reconfigured for her. She didn't see why she couldn't become Fusion herself now that she possessed Fusion's chassis. She was pretty sure that if she incorporated the 'Neural Interface' with Young Allison that she would probably become a little more temperamental and probably a lot more vindictive. Would that be the final push she needed to become Skynet? She really didn't know. She wanted to be one with the Young Allison in more ways than one. She didn't really care what she would become as long as she got her wish.
She Still Can
Not many people
Come when one calls
Most would rather wait
Until the other one falls
They don't want to fix
What's actually broken
Their attempts to help
Are just a meaningless token
Few are on the level
Most look for a way in
They'll help for their advantage
They don't care if it's a sin
People take and use
They like to pick and choose
As long as they get theirs
They don't care who will lose
Beware of those with a game plan
They don't care about one's lifespan
They don't think anyone cares
They forget she still can
Nobody