Chapter 1247

I'm Counting On You

All the Resistance personnel on board the ship watched the 'sail away'. None of them joined in on the festivities on the pool deck. They all preferred the solitude of their balconies. They simply watched the ship move slowly away from the dock after it was untied and head out through the breakwater. They took one last look at the small port as they left.

Everyone started to get ready for the formal night dinner after the ship undocked and cleared the small harbor. Some were more concerned than others about how they would look once they were dressed up. It just wasn't something any of them normally did.

Jim monitored everything from the Control Center.

Ally and Sheila were both in their maid's uniforms with Jim. The others were getting dressed up.

Jim wanted Sheila and Ally to be included with the others like they were last night.

"I can take care of everything when they leave." Jim said. "You can both get dressed up and go with them."

Sheila wasn't sure how the others would react towards her. She thought maybe they would look at her differently. In reality, she was the same. Just her chassis was used by Cameron and John. Even though it was done 'to her', she wasn't the one who did it or was in control. Technically she was still a virgin, even if her chassis wasn't.

She was aware of the 'trouble' she'd caused last night as everything unfolded. It bothered her too. She usually didn't care what anyone thought about her. Now it worried her what they might think or say. Maybe she would be ostracized. It was OK too. It would allow Cameron the use of her chassis even more if it was the case. She wanted more of the same experience. She secretly hoped Cameron would allow her to have her 'one time'. She really wouldn't be a virgin any longer in any way.

Sheila didn't want to cause any problems for anyone.

"I don't want to go." Sheila said. "I'll remain here."

Ally looked at Sheila. She could tell she needed a friend right now. She wanted to be fair and allow Jim the opportunity to go out.

"I'll stay with Sheila." Ally said. "You can go, Jim. We're already dressed for the assignment anyway."

Jim also wore his uniform.

"I'm dressed for the assignment too." Jim said.

Ally never saw him out of it since she'd been on board the ship. He always looked immaculate in it.

"So you are." Ally said.

Jim was content where he was at. He really didn't need any extra drama. He'd witnessed enough of it with everyone else. He'd like to stay off of everyone's radar and out of their thoughts. There was one situation he hoped to avoid.

"I'll remain here." Jim said.

He would like to stay out of Cameron's crosshairs as long as possible.

There was a knock at the door. It opened and Jesse was there.

"I need to borrow Sheila for a few minutes." Jesse said.

Sheila wondered what for. She wondered what was wrong. Maybe it was some personal drama. She decided to go find out.

"Sure, love." Sheila said.

Sheila looked at Ally and Jim and headed out.

Once Sheila was in the private area, Jesse closed the door and led Sheila to her small room.

Sheila wondered what was going on. Maybe it was a surprise.

"What is it?" Sheila asked.

They went into Sheila's small room and Jesse closed the door behind them.

Jesse just looked at Sheila and gave her a long hug.

Sheila hugged her back. She could feel tears on her shoulder.

"What's wrong, Jesse?" Sheila asked.

It seemed Jesse was 'filled in' on everything that happened since last night.

Jesse looked at her and there was a lot of 'pain' on her face.

"I know what it's like." Jesse said.

Sheila was pretty sure where this was headed. She didn't want to give the wrong impression.

"What?" Sheila asked. "What is like what?"

Jesse looked at Sheila for a long moment.

"I know what it's like to have your first experience taken from you." Jesse said.

Sheila smiled at Jesse and wiped the tears from her cheeks.

She wanted Jesse to know she felt it was something beautiful, not something tragic or abusive. It was what she wanted, rather than nothing. The feedback through Cameron's chip was a far superior experience than she could have had on her own.

"It wasn't like that, Jesse." Sheila said. "I allowed Cameron to have it. I shared it with her. Actually she shared it with me. It was beautiful. You know we all love Cameron and John. She reset herself. It was like it was her first experience. She shared the file with me in real time for the first one. It was like we both experienced our first time with a male."

Jesse still didn't think it was fair. It seemed selfish. She couldn't imagine any human female would allow the same thing to happen. She felt she should be angry at someone. She wanted to be angry at John but she knew he wasn't the one behind it, Cameron was. She couldn't be angry at Cameron. She loved her too much. It just didn't sit well with her.

"It's still not right." Jesse said.

Sheila knew where the pain Jesse felt came from. It was something she hadn't actually explored as to what happened. It was only Jesse's feelings of the aftermath she'd ever viewed. She didn't want to know what it was like to be taken in the same ways Jesse had been taken multiple times.

"I've never replayed any of your actual experiences. I've only felt your feelings afterwards." Sheila said. "I've shared the pain with you."

Jesse wondered if maybe Sheila should view her experiences. They again, maybe she shouldn't. It would only make her suffer too.

"They were violent, painful and cruel." Jesse said. "You don't know what it is like to have them hold you down and take turns while they laugh and call you a slut, trash and whore. I was still a girl. My family was dead. I was all alone. I wished I was dead too. I often still do."

With her repeated failures to get pregnant, it made the feeling of death seem like a peaceful escape. It was always a thought never too very far back in her mind. Maybe some of her past behavior in the future was a way for her to try to end her life with some type of honor. It would be the final admission of failure if she actually killed herself. She really didn't think she had any honor. Her honor died the same day she was first pulled from her hiding place by a group of men.

There was something which changed it all. It was something Cameron did for her and made happen. The first time she nursed Precious, everything changed. She now had a true purpose. She could sustain a tiny life. Now her existence actually had value. She was more than just some thing to provide pleasure to others. Her body was more than a receptacle for others.

Sheila tried to soothe Jesse. She wasn't sure how. Jesse was always confident and strong. She was never weak or vulnerable. This was a look at the 'real Jesse'. It resided deep inside of her hardened shell. The 'real Jesse' was as human as the rest of the human females were.

"Jesse, I'm sorry about it. I really am." Sheila said. "My experience wasn't like you think. It was loving and beautiful. I'll let Cameron and John share my chassis whenever they want. I'll do it the same way with Cameron in control. It's actually easier for me on several levels. I reap the reward without all the drama, headaches or responsibilities."

It was a file Sheila could turn on or off. She could delete or erase it. She didn't think she would. If she ever did get her 'one time' with John, she would want to compare her first time with Cameron's first time in her chassis. She knew they were going to be different.

Jesse still felt Sheila missed something. Even if she was a machine, she still should have some kind of rights.

"It's still not fair." Jesse said.

Sheila wanted the experience. She really doubted Cameron would honor her promise to let her have her 'one time' with John on her own. Cameron would never allow her to do it on her own unless she was lost in time somewhere again. It wasn't something anyone wanted to happen.

"It was the only way it was going to happen for me." Sheila said. "You know we're not allowed relations with a male unless it's John. It could only happen if something happened to Cameron. Nobody wants that."

It just reminded Jesse too much of her past.

"You should be in control of your own chassis." Jesse said.

Cameron promised Sheila she could be with John 'one time' but changed the conditions. Actually the conditions changed. She wanted to be with John before Cameron used her chassis. It didn't happen. It wouldn't happen that way for any of the Metal girls. Cameron would always be first. She knew what Cameron really wanted. She knew the order she wanted it to happen.

"Cameron won't allow it until Young Jesse or you are with John first." Sheila said.

Jesse was a little surprised to hear what Sheila said needed to occur. She wondered where the thought came from.

"Why?" Jesse asked.

Sheila knew Cameron wanted human females for John.

"Cameron wants him protected. She wants him to know what a human female is like first." Sheila said. "Cameron wants you or Claire to be with John while we're on the ship."

Jesse hadn't received any stronger or current indications from Cameron to 'step up'. Jesse wanted the experience with John. She'd been in his bed multiple times. Sometimes she was naked. Sometimes she was there with Vanna or Allison. They were all hesitant to be there. Cameron placed them there herself. She also didn't want to 'hurt' Cameron. It was what stopped all the females from actually acting. They all knew it would be the function of Savannah and Young Allison in time. She wanted to know more specifically about what Sheila just brought up.

"Did Cameron tell you this?" Jesse asked. "Do you mean she just mentioned it again?"

Sheila's experience with Cameron was more than physical.

"Yes. It was indirectly. We shared thousands of files while we were plugged in. It was a very beautiful experience as well. I was happy with it. What John and Cameron did with my chassis was just a bonus at that point." Sheila said. "Cameron is truly dynamic."

Jesse remembered how hard she'd tried. No man ever turned her down before. John was the only one who wouldn't 'take' her. It actually caused her a lot of stress to be rejected.

"We've tried to be with John before." Jesse said. "I've even been in his bed naked. He'd never touch us. Vanna and Allison tried too. We all did what Cameron asked us to do. We tried to be with him and offered ourselves to him many times. It was literally right in his face."

Sheila really wondered how anyone could turn it down, especially if it was right in their face. She felt it was all in the past now. There was a new awareness for John. It didn't start with today. Today reinforced it.

"It's different now." Sheila said. "Cameron made love to him in my chassis multiple times. He will accept you now. He knows how much better it is now. I'm sure he 'saw' my sheath as you at some point. Cameron told me he would. She said he 'saw' her as 'Allison' sometimes."

Jesse was going to ask 'which Allison' but figured she knew the answer to it already. They all knew what one of his favorite movies was….

She'd been with all the girls, Terminator and otherwise. They were all different in their responses. They all offered something different, even if what was offered was the same. The human girls weren't the same experience. Each was unique. There was a difference between Savannah and Vanna and they were the same person. She wanted to know how anything could be better.

"How's it better?" Jesse asked. "What's better?"

Sheila received the information as Cameron scanned John during their coupling.

"I know Cameron scanned John when she asked him about it. He actual preferred my sheath for sex." Sheila said. "He will be with either you or Young Jesse if he gets the chance again. He wants more of what he tried with my chassis with Cameron in control. I believe he's wanted to be with you from the first time he saw you. You need to remember he travels with a certain amount of baggage."

Jesse was actually pleased to hear the news. She didn't know if it was true or not. There was still a some speculation with Cameron involved. She hoped it was John's past that held him back when it came to her. She didn't want it to be her for the reason he wouldn't take her. She didn't want to feel 'not good enough'.

She wondered if the program, was the same program, how the cyborg chassis or sheath could be very much different. Maybe the DNA Resequencing of the sheath played a bigger role than just appearance. Maybe Cameron was more advanced. She sure seemed to have more 'problems' than the other Metal girls did. It seemed Cameron even had more problems than a human female.

Jesse felt they were still a certain amount of restraint they needed to use.

"I don't know." Jesse said. "Cameron doesn't always really want what she thinks she wants. I don't think John does either."

Sheila was sure John was ready to explore.

"He'll want it now." Sheila said. "Technically he's only been with 'Cameron' and whatever his experience was with Riley, the dead one."

Jesse thought it would open a whole new world to John.

"Once he touches one of us, it won't be 'Cameron', technically or not. It really will be someone different." Jesse said. "I'll do it. I want to do it. I think Young Jesse needs to try it first with John."

Sheila wanted Jesse to do it so she could have her turn. Young Jesse was on the other side of the world. She wasn't really sure why Jesse thought that way. She'd actually shared with both of them before.

"Why do you think John should be with Young Jesse first?" Sheila asked.

Jesse was very aware there was no substitute for experience.

"For the same reason Cameron wants me to be with him before you actually are. The experience level is different. There's also a performance issue when it comes to a Metal girl. You never get tired and don't need to stop." Jesse said. "If you were with John as yourself, I would seem lacking. I'm afraid Young Jesse would really seem like nothing. Other than the fact he would be her first, she doesn't know how to really please a male. She would be more of a recipient at first than a participant."

Sheila wasn't so sure about it.

"It seems easier to please a male than a female." Sheila said.

Jesse was with more males and females by choice than the other girls. Vanna was never with a male by choice. Allison only was for breeding sex. Those were all 'in and outs' in less than two minutes while she was on her knees. There was no kissing or touching involved. It was more like the way other animals mated. Claire's experience was limited. It wasn't as much as hers with either males or females.

"It's true." Jesse said. "I have a lot of experience with both. I'm talking about the ones where I was an actual participant in. Not just a receptacle, not the abuse."

Sheila wanted Cameron to do more with her chassis. She wanted it while they were tethered. If Cameron did the chip swap, she wouldn't get the experience in real time. It was doubtful Cameron would allow her the use of her own chassis during a chip swap. Even if Cameron did, she would be afraid to 'use' it. There might be some 'punishment' if she was with another female even.

"I don't know." Sheila said. "I just know what Cameron did and felt with John. I want to experience it again, even if she's the only one in control. I know it wasn't 'real' for me. It was only a file, but it seemed real to me anyway."

Jesse wanted Sheila to expand her experience level with her personal experiences. She really didn't think you could hurt anything at this point in time.

"You're free to review my files as to what happened to me." Jesse said. "I'm really surprised you haven't. All of the early ones are violent, abusive, painful and ugly. Sometimes I couldn't even walk for a day or two."

Jesse was aware of how violent and aggressive Sheila was with sex traffickers and others. She thought the violence came from her experiences and it was why Sheila was so violent. She actually wondered how aggressive Sheila would become when she did review those files. Maybe it was better if she didn't. Either way, the information was there. It was what Sheila chose to do with it afterwards.

Sheila wanted to try something different so she could compare herself with Jesse.

"I don't know." Sheila said. "Maybe you should do it with John first and then do the 'Neural Interface' with me again. I'd like that. I want a positive experience. I want to compare it to what Cameron did. You can help me understand how to best please John. Your experience level is far greater than mine."

Jesse wasn't sure Sheila should be updated with her.

"I have done a lot of things since we originally did the 'Neural Interface'." Jesse said. "I'm not the same person I was. The love I've found here has changed me from who I was. It might change who you are now."

Sheila knew it was the case when Ally interfaced with Future Allison. The result wasn't something anyone other than Ally liked. She became very different. She was like someone else. They all wanted 'Ally' back. It finally took an order from Cameron to make Ally revert back to her previous programming. She wondered what would happen to her. She wanted to remind Jesse there could be consequences. They might not be good ones either.

"It happened to Ally when she did the 'Neural Interface' with Future Allison. We all liked who Ally was before the update better." Sheila said. "Cameron forced her to switch back and removed the Future Allison files from her."

Sheila wondered exactly where those 'Future Allison' files were at right now. She was pretty sure there was a Terminator in Cameron's Menagerie named 'Allure' who possessed them. She wasn't activated.

She was aware the Terminator chassis named 'Fusion' was the one CamNet currently possessed. It was supposed to be for the 'Neural Interface' with the Young Allison when she was older. It made her wonder if CamNet would want the 'Neural Interface' with Young Allison so she could actually become Fusion. She would have a separate identity from her CamNet server. John Henry's server was known as 'JH'. John Henry was his own entity.

Jesse wondered if there was a way to get the specific files and not take everything.

"Maybe you can set a restore point or keep the new files isolated. If you could, you can pick and choose." Jesse said. "I don't want to see you changed either."

Sheila wanted to be better. Maybe Jesse could help her improve herself. Jesse was able to fix herself. Maybe Jesse could help fix her. She didn't want to be a Metal monster.

Sheila looked at Jesse. She wanted Jesse to act.

"Cameron thinks if you won't do it, Claire will." Sheila said.

Jesse believed it was true. She knew Claire would at least try it. There were several reasons involved. The first reason would be for Claire to see if she could actually finish with a male. It was a pleasure she'd been deprived for all of her sexual experiences with a male. The other reason was to keep her daughter, Young Allison, out of John's bed until she was a little older.

"She will." Jesse said. "She almost has. She told me about it. She's ready."

Sheila decided to spell it out.

"I want YOU to do it, even if it is only once like Cameron promised me." Sheila said. "I'm counting on you or Young Jesse to do it so I can have my turn too. Cameron won't allow me my 'one time' until one, or both of you, have been with John."

Jesse felt there needed to be some type of prompt first. Cameron hadn't 'leaned on' her in a while. She didn't want to overstep. Maybe if Cameron mentioned it to her again she would think about it. She felt it was something Cameron needed to do first, before she did anything on her own. She didn't want to do anything to hurt Cameron. Maybe there were other factors in play.

"Cameron hasn't said a word to me." Jesse said. "I mean about this specifically. Is Young Jesse coming here or something?"

Sheila knew what Young Jesse asked for, even if Jesse didn't know.

"Young Jesse told Camille, if she gets pregnant again, she wanted a traditional conception." Sheila said. "Cameron said it would be so."

Jesse's face brightened up. Maybe she could have her own child after all. She better not get her hopes up.

"Would it be for herself or someone else?" Jesse asked.

Sheila could see the thought perked up Jesse's interest.

"I don't know." Sheila said. "I just know she wants it to be the traditional method the next time. Her body is fit and young. It should happen easily for her. She's already been successful once with the artificial method."

Jesse wanted to try it with John to see if it would work for the same reason.

"I'd want the same thing too if it was my baby." Jesse said. "It would make it real. It would make it normal. It's a beautiful thought."

Sheila didn't think there would be too many obstacles at this point for Jesse. She knew of John's earlier hesitation to be with her first. There were ways to get around his hesitation.

"Maybe the next time Cameron uses my chassis she can switch out with you." Sheila said.

Jesse thought it would be hot. John could start with Cameron in Sheila's chassis. She would slip right into the bed and take over. It would be even hotter if Cameron watched John make love to her. She became highly stimulated with the thought. She looked down at her breasts.

"John would know the difference." Jesse said. "Look at these things."

Jesse cupped her larger breasts. She wondered if they would get any larger.

Sheila possessed the files of how John reacted to Cameron in control of her chassis. She was pretty sure once he got started, he wouldn't be able to stop if there was a switch. He would want to continue until he finished. She was pretty sure he wouldn't care where he finished at, as long as he was able to finish.

"I think he would do it if Cameron got him going and then traded with you before he was done. He would want to finish if he was almost there." Sheila said. "He wouldn't be able to resist you."

She was pretty sure anyone could be substituted at that point.

Jesse wondered about it. She didn't mind an audience as long as everything was consensual. There might be an added plus to the whole thing if there was an audience.

"Would Cameron participate or just watch?" Jesse asked.

Sheila was unsure how it would work. Cameron was able to take complete control of her chassis. She would try to signal Cameron to make it a 'three way' if the situation arose. There was actually the possibility it could turn into a 'four way'.

"Unless we do the chip swap, Cameron's chassis would be there and tethered to my chassis since she would be controlling it." Sheila said.

The idea thrilled Jesse even more. She tried to picture it all in her head.

"So Cameron's chassis is there and deactivated while this is happening?" Jesse asked. "It's like she is watching the whole thing, but she's the only participant. That's kinky."

Sheila expected Cameron to try something with her own chassis while she controlled her chassis. She thought Cameron would at least look if not do a little more with her own deactivated chassis. She knew it's what she would do herself.

"I hoped Cameron would touch her deactivated chassis but she never did." Sheila said. "It would have been Hot."

The thought made Jesse want to be with Young Jesse. She would teach her specific things when they were together. There were many things she'd learned over the years. Young Jesse wouldn't need to learn them on her own. She thought it presented a rare opportunity for someone to actually be with themselves, while they were themselves in two separate chassis at the same time.

"Cameron could be with herself that way." Jesse said. "It would be beautiful."

Sheila looked at Jesse and touched her thigh as she moved her hand up. She'd shared with Jesse many times. She wanted to do it again right now.

"You could sort of do it now." Sheila said. "I know you need to get ready for dinner."

Jesse was excited with the thought, because of the topic they'd just discussed.

"I could delay getting dressed up for a short time." Jesse said. "A snack before dinner wouldn't hurt."

Jesse and Sheila rapidly stripped each other's top off.

Sheila tugged on her rings as she looked at Sheila's larger breasts.

"What do you like better?" Sheila asked.

Jesse missed her rings. She felt it made her distinctive.

"I like the rings over the larger size." Jesse said.

Sheila wanted to throw a few other possibilities out there.

"What if it was the rings as well as the larger size?" Sheila asked.

It was something for Jesse to think about.

"That's a tough one." Jesse said. "I don't know if I'll ever be like I was before. What I'm doing for Precious is the most beautiful thing I've ever done. I wouldn't trade the experience for anything. The more I do it, the more I want to be a mother."

Sheila wondered how far Jesse was willing to go.

"Would you try to be a mother on your own with Gail?" Sheila asked.

Jesse knew it was a lot of responsibility. It also took a lot of commitment. Right now she was able to share the duties with Riley and Vanna. Samantha was there all the time as well.

"I don't know." Jesse said. "Vanna and Allison have each other with Cam and Holly. It might be tough."

Sheila could see the same things everyone else could. Claire and Jesse were clearly an 'item' at this point in time. It was way beyond finding pleasure in each other. They were clearly ready for the next step.

"What about Claire and you?" Sheila asked.

Jesse looked at Sheila as they finished stripping. She looked at Sheila's perfect body. She knew hers wasn't.

"Sheila, I really love her." Jesse said. "I'd like to be with her full time."

Jesse loved Claire dearly. There was one problem. She felt she wasn't good enough for Claire. She reached down and touched her scar. It wasn't the scar itself. It was what the scar represented. The scar represented her past. Her past was cruel, violent and evil. She didn't feel she was good enough for anyone. It was a thought that bothered her all the time when she thought about it. Claire deserved someone better than her. Cameron showed her she wasn't a used piece of trash. Cameron taught her she was worthy. Cameron believed in her and helped rebuild her. Her doubts still remained.

Sheila was aware that Jesse pursued younger females at one time during her 'Scavenger years'. She knew what she'd done with many of them.

"You're not after her daughters are you?" Sheila asked.

Jesse respected people and especially females more now.

"That's not me anymore." Jesse said. "I would die protecting them before I let anyone abuse them. I would kill myself before I ever touched them in an inappropriate manner."

Jesse thought back on how she literally needed to run away from Savannah when Savannah first wanted to be with her. She was afraid Cameron or Vanna would kill her if she even touched Savannah. She wanted to get ahead of the problem and went to Cameron for advice. It was soon after that when Savannah was on a plane headed for Australia. 'Jesse' was going to be Savannah's first. It just wasn't her. It was Young Jesse.

Sheila remembered some of her earlier encounters. She'd felt the lust inside her for Young Allison before when they were at the pool. She knew Cameron, Savannah and Claire would all terminate her if she ever got careless.

"I don't think it's in me either anymore." Sheila said.

Jesse brought Sheila down to her bed.

"I'll be on top." Jesse whispered.

The kissing started out slow and loving but soon expanded into wildness on both of their parts.

Jesse eventually rotated around and headed for what she craved.

Once she started, her head shot up. She hadn't been expecting things to be a little different, even though she should have. They'd just talked about it. She'd actually been in plenty of situations, exactly the same way.

"What's wrong, love?" Sheila asked.

Sheila hoped it wouldn't turn Jesse off.

"Is there a problem?" Sheila asked.

It made Jesse want to experience it more 'first hand'.

"Not for me." Jesse said.

Jesse started in again. Everything about Sheila, just got better.

Claire helped Summer get ready as she dressed.

"I can do this for you." Holly said. "You can take it easy."

Hanna wanted to help dress Claire up.

"I'll help Claire." Hanna said.

Gail wanted to do it too.

"I'll help Claire also." Gail said.

Claire looked at the door. She thought Gail would want to help elsewhere.

"What about Jesse?" Claire asked.

Gail was aware what Jesse and Sheila were doing. She thought a diplomatic approach was best.

"She needed to speak with Sheila." Gail said.

Claire was worried about the time.

"Will she be back?" Claire asked.

Gail thought about it for a few seconds.

"She always comes back." Gail said.

Claire wondered if Gail and her referred to the same thing. She didn't think so.

Cammy and Savannah let Cam off at her SUV.

Savannah wondered what was next.

"Are we going to go to the building at the new target location?" Savannah asked.

Cammy was all for it. CamNet dictated otherwise.

"CamNet has suggested a missile strike on it." Cammy said.

Savannah figured it was Young Allison trying to keep her out of harm's way. It also limited their ability.

"We won't gain any intel if we blow the place up." Savannah said.

Cammy was sure one of the groups was the Fanatics. They needed to use some caution.

"We don't know if we're dealing with the Fanatics. We've experienced a few run-ins with them over the last week." Cammy said. "They're always explosive in their responses."

There were a lot of unknowns facing them and at least two of the three groups they battled often. It might even be parts of all three of them. They seemed to have a way of infiltrating each other on a regular basis.

"We don't know what we're dealing with." Savannah said.

They did know they were dealing with trouble.

Hank and Larry weren't sure where the men would lead them at this point. They did know they'd retrieved something. If it looked like they weren't going to go any place specific, they would need to take them down so they could deal with the female Fanatic and the location she was at.

They kept track of the drone images and what occurred at the various locations. They wanted to keep track of the building the female Fanatic blew up, the complex they blew up, the female Fanatic, the Gray she tracked and the three Grey's they currently tracked.

So far there hadn't been any visitors who seemed to pay any extra attention to either of the two locations. They'd been more than a few lookiloos around the building the female Fanatic blew up. There'd been no one at the complex they'd taken down. Even though there was some earth movement at the specific location, it wasn't widespread. It didn't seem to attract any attention. There was no report of an earthquake anywhere. If there were any reports, CamNet would have squelched them. There was still no emergency response at either location.

The fire in the one building outside of the complex spread to the second building at this point. Both of them would burn completely to the ground. At least what wasn't covered by the side of the mountain would burn completely to the ground.

Hank and Larry decided to close up the distance on the three Grays. They were now in a more populated area. They didn't want any of them to leave the truck. They didn't want them to acquire another vehicle and they didn't want them to disappear into a building. There were two drones which now trailed the truck. There was one to watch over them. The recon on the burning buildings had been curtailed at this point. The drone currently with them, would break off to join the other two drones if the three men split up. One drone would stick with each man. They were aware of a new technique. It had been tried from high altitude to bring down a human target. It seemed to be effective. It was accurate, but it wasn't pinpoint accuracy. There was room for error based upon what the target did because of the time lag.

The female Fanatic wanted to know what was happening inside of the building. She knew there were at least two Grays inside of it. She decided to drive around the block and park back by the corner. She would approach the location on foot. She knew it was risky in the daylight. She hadn't spotted any security cameras on the front or sides of the building where the two Gray's were at.

She crossed over to the side of the street the building was located on. She walked down the street like she belonged there. No one seemed to pay any attention to her. She crossed over the driveway and saw the vehicle was still parked there. There was no sign of either one of the men. It meant they were both inside of the building. She passed in front of the building and looked down the other side of it. There was no one in sight. She made her move.

She was at the corner of the building between the side wall and the front. She looked in all directions before she moved further down the side. There were only a few windows. She didn't know if she wanted to chance looking in one of them. She might if it sounded like it was quiet inside of the room.

It seemed like a good idea to continue down the side and take a look around the back to see what was going on in the rear. She made sure she ducked below the windows as she passed them. She hadn't heard any sounds coming from them as she went underneath them. She continued along the side of the building until she reached the rear corner. She paused and listened. It was quiet. She carefully looked around the back. She didn't see any security cameras. It looked like the rear of any other business. She could see the Gray's vehicle parked in the corner in the rear. There was enough room for other vehicles to get around it to reach the rear of the building. It made her wonder if anyone else was going to arrive. She would need to pay extra attention.

She was about to go back around to the side when she heard talking. She moved right underneath the window so she could hear better.

"I don't know why they don't answer." The first man said. "I just got here a couple of minutes ago."

"Maybe something happened." The second man said. "You know we've had a lot of trouble the last couple of days."

"What's the intel on the hillside complex?" The first man asked.

"The last report we received from our man on the inside was it was attacked." The second man said. "The whole complex is down."

"What happened to our man?" The first man asked.

"He was trapped in the rubble." The second man said. "I don't think he made it out."

"I can't reach anyone at the new building." The first man said. "I think maybe it was attacked as well."

"Who could pull off two attack simultaneously against two different groups?" The second man asked.

"It would have to be those SkyMaster nut jobs." The first man said.

"We finished those losers off earlier." The second man said.

"Maybe there's a new player in town." The first man said.

"You're not going to try and tell me it's the Resistance are you?" The second man asked.

"You know they hate all machines and everyone associated with them." The first man said.

"I think we should go back and take a look." The second man said.

"Go back to where?" The first man asked.

"We should go back and check both locations." The second man said.

"That's going to put us in the crosshairs of who ever is behind the attacks." The first man said. "It must be a sizable force to bring everyone down. What are we going to do? How many of us are even left?"

"Right now it's just us." The second man said.

"I think we should pack this place up and take off." The first man said.

The female Fanatic listened to the two men inside. Unless they knew she was there, and they were setting her up, there should only be two men in the building. She wasn't sure what Skynet group they were from. They didn't seem to be directly connected to the hillside complex. It sounded like it was destroyed. She thought about going back to get the van and blow up the building the two men were in with it.

Maybe it would be easier just to ambush the two men when they came out of the building. There were other targets she could investigate afterwards. She'd really like to be able to use her bomb.

Hank and Larry decided it was time to act. It appeared the three Grays were going to run. They wanted to confiscate whatever they'd removed from the building. They didn't know if it would do any good to attempt to question any of them. The Gray who was actually in charge, didn't know the exact location of the new facility.

They were now only a few vehicles in back of the truck the three Grays were in. They were about to pass alongside the railroad tracks. There were only a few industrial buildings on the other side of the street.

CamNet informed Hank and Larry to speed up and get directly behind the truck. She'd formulated a plan to isolate the three Grays from any other vehicles around them.

I'm Counting On You

When times get tough
Who will stand tall
More than you think
Will crumble and fall

Everlasting love and devotion
Means a lot less than you think
When push comes to shove
Most people will buckle and sink

The primary concern of most
Is only for number one
The chances they'll change
Are about zero to none

Most roam with the herd
A few will stand out
Those are the ones
Who don't scream and shout

Whether they'll admit it or not
They know who is true
You're the one for me
I'm counting on you

Nobody