Chapter 1269
See The Changes
Cammy wanted to get Savannah back to the base. She was worried about the long day for her and all the danger she'd been in. There was more than one close call for her.
Savannah was tired and hungry. She'd given the mother dog her only food earlier. She wanted to know how the other elements of the operation were doing. There were several other things that happened during the day.
"What about the location we used the tanker truck on?" Savannah asked. "Has anything else happened there?"
Cammy thought the issue was taken care of. There were no survivors from the building. She was unaware the female Fanatic, who Hank and Larry tracked, visited the location after the explosion.
"Nothing further has happened after the 'traffic accident'." Cammy said. "Cameron's Terminators will handle everything there."
Savannah thought it was one down. There was also the incident with the other small drone.
"What intel was gleaned from the van?" Savannah asked.
Cammy checked with CamNet.
"They're still looking into it." Cammy said.
Savannah wasn't so sure about the answer. It may be accurate, however it sounded somewhat evasive. There was specific information she wanted to know. She knew she was going to need to press the issue.
"If there's anything related to the anti-Metal group, I want to know personally." Savannah said. "I don't want anything held back. I want to know the information first. "
Savannah knew it was a sensitive issue as far as Cameron was concerned. She didn't want her to worry about it.
Cammy wanted Savannah back at the base. The longer she stayed out, the more chance something else would develop. Savannah would want to be involved. It would put her in additional danger.
"You need to rest, Savannah." Cammy said. "You've been through a lot today."
Savannah wasn't worried about herself. She was more worried about Cameron. She didn't want Cameron to concern herself with any of it. She wanted her to enjoy her alone time with John.
"Have we been able to suppress all the details from Cameron?" Savannah asked.
Cammy knew they hadn't been able to do it as well as Savannah would have liked.
"Some of them were toned down. Others were not." Cammy said. "There are certain aspects to any operation that are going to come out and need some type of explanation."
It wasn't the answer Savannah wanted to hear. Maybe she should have made it an 'order'. The more the anti-Metal faction was involved, the more it would motivate Cameron to push things. She wasn't on the ship for a reason. The cruise was supposed to be about Cameron and John.
"I want Cameron focused on John." Savannah said.
Savannah didn't like Cameron's plan to 'use' the Metal girls the way she was for John or herself. She figured all the human females would be next. She knew Jesse and Claire would be more than willing to be with John for their own personal reasons. If they were prompted and manipulated by Cameron, anything could happen.
Cammy could see Savannah was deep in thought. She didn't think there were some things Savannah should worry about. If Cameron was involved, they were going to happen.
"It's out of our hands." Cammy said. "Cameron already told everyone, 'what happens on the ship, stays on the ship'."
Savannah could have done without the reminder. She didn't think it was her place to impose moral standards for anyone else. She wasn't even sure there were any moral standards anymore.
"I know what I wanted to happen." Savannah said. "I also know if people are acting on their own free will, they should be entitled to do so as long as everyone is a willing participant."
Cammy didn't want Savannah to get sidetracked on something they weren't directly involved with.
"We don't have any control over the events which occur on the ship." Cammy said. "I don't really know if we should even think about it."
Savannah didn't want to dwell on it either. She wondered how things were at some of the other locations where they'd seen some action.
"Is there any new activity at the port location?" Savannah asked.
Cammy cringed at the thought. She didn't want to go back there if it could be avoided. She needed to find out. She checked with John Henry.
"There's nothing new there." Cammy said.
Cam sat in the back seat. She didn't have much to say as Savannah and Cammy talked. She knew there was something they wanted to discuss with each other. Savannah tried to get her to trade clothes back again with her. She refused to put Savannah back in such fifthly rags. Those clothes were headed for the trash when she got back to the base.
Cammy pulled up next to a vehicle and stopped.
"We're here." Cammy said.
Savannah looked over at the vehicle
"There's your SUV." Savannah said.
Cam would rather have stayed with Cammy and Savannah.
Cammy let Cam out.
Savannah told Cam to call Vanna before she did anything else tonight.
Cam told her she would.
Cammy drove away and made sure they weren't being followed.
Savannah could see Cammy checked for a tail before and after she'd let Cam off. They drove a little further.
Cammy pulled over at a park. She parked near the restroom. She silently motioned for Savannah to leave her com and phone in the SUV. Cammy wanted to speak to her about the Fanatics off the record.
Savannah understood and issued a 'cover story'.
"I need to use the restroom real quick." Savannah said.
Cammy wanted to have an excuse for being out of the SUV as well.
"Let me make sure it's safe." Cammy said. "There are low life's who hang out around women's restrooms sometimes."
They exited the SUV. Cammy led the way into the restroom.
Cammy checked everything real quick. Her statement was completely accurate. There were a lot of lowlifes who hung around the female restrooms at parks as well as other locations. There'd been more than one encounter with such individuals by the team. They were usually handled with 'extreme prejudice'.
"I need to remove the issues dealing with what the Fanatics and SkyMaster referred to you as." Cammy said. "I'm going to erase it off of our body cams."
Savannah entered a stall. She thought Cameron should know. She was still somewhat mystified as to why the Fanatic and some version of SkyMaster both self terminated.
"I want Cameron to see it when she gets back." Savannah said. "I think it's important."
Cammy was very agitated about what was said by the Fanatic and SkyMaster.
"I know it's not you they referred to." Cammy said. "They're mistaken or wrong."
There was a 'sick' feeling deep inside Savannah. She didn't think it was herself either. She knew how much more aggressive and cavalier she'd become to everything. She'd looked the other way when 'just punishment' was dealt to certain individuals. There were times when she was angry she wanted to do those very things herself. She would have if others hadn't stopped her. She thought she should be ashamed of those actions. She wasn't. She felt at the time they were justified. She didn't know what the future held. She didn't know what was possible. She didn't know what she was capable of.
"What if it's true?" Savannah asked. "What if there was a temporal error or I go 'bad'?"
Cammy didn't think it was possible.
"I don't believe it." Cammy said.
Savannah needed to look at the facts. The facts all supported the same thing. The facts all pointed in the same direction. She'd already seen how vengeful Young Allison was. Was she any different? She didn't think so. How could she be? They were both raised the same.
"I've been positively identified as 'The Redheaded Witch' and 'The Evil One' by two different groups of Fanatics as well as one variation of SkyMaster." Savannah said. "I think I need to accept there's some version of Savannah Weaver who they're all referring to."
Cammy looked at Savannah. She wanted her to fight and defeat the enemy. She didn't think it was done through some type of perverted tyranny.
"It's NOT you." Cammy said. "I refuse to believe it."
Savannah didn't hear Cammy, who played 'Cameron', referred to as 'The Good Skynet'. SkyMaster said it wasn't afraid of Cammy. She thought it would have been mentioned as some of the Fanatics had done before, it wasn't.
"They didn't identify you as 'The Good Skynet' this time." Savannah said.
Cammy always thought it was CamNet who would be associated with being referred to as, 'The Good Skynet'. Maybe there was no good version of Skynet. It seemed doubtful by its very nature. It was one of the reasons why Cameron feared she would become Skynet at some point.
"No." Cammy said. "It may or may not be CamNet who they actually refer to."
Savannah was left with a sick feeling just thinking about it. She was responsible for CamNet receiving a chassis. Then again, CamNet or someone who looked like Cameron was supposed to be 'The Good Skynet'. It was better than just Skynet or SkyMaster.
There was something else for her to think about. If there was some Terminator version of her, maybe it was the same thing for Young Allison. Maybe it was both of them in some type of machine form who were referenced by the Fanatics.
Savannah was about to tell Cammy what happened with the Fanatic she'd encountered when Cammy brought it up.
"At least you killed the one Fanatic." Cammy said. "I would have killed him myself for what he called you, if you hadn't already done it."
Savannah knew what the truth was. She should have been dead. He had his pistol pointed at her. The Fanatic should have shot her in the face. He didn't. Events played out much differently.
"I didn't kill him." Savannah said.
Cammy tilted her head slightly. She'd personally seen him with the top of his head blown off.
"He was killed before Cam returned." Cammy said. "I know you killed him."
Savannah wasn't sure how to best explain it. She decided to say what the Fanatic actually thought.
"'The Redheaded Witch' killed him." Savannah said.
Cammy tilted her head slightly in the other direction.
"How was it possible?" Cammy asked.
Savannah figured Cammy and Cameron would see her body cam footage of the event.
"He came up behind me. When I turned around, there was a gun pointed at my head." Savannah said. "When he saw my face he staggered backwards. He shouted 'The Redheaded Witch' and a few other things. He turned the gun on himself. You saw the results."
Cammy was surprised. Then again, she'd watched SkyMaster do the same thing. She wondered how both humans and machines could be so terrified of 'The Redheaded Witch'.
"Both a Fanatic and SkyMaster terminated themselves upon just 'seeing' you." Cammy said. "You didn't do anything to physically threaten them."
Savannah didn't know what to say about it. It sounded like total terror.
"You were there for one of them." Savannah said. "The other is on my body cam."
Cammy was sure there was some other explanation. She'd never believe Savannah would 'go bad'. She refused to believe it.
"It's not you, Savannah." Cammy said. "I'll never believe it is."
Savannah wasn't convinced. She wanted a safeguard put into place.
"I need a clandestine file with everything and all our team's encounters with the Fanatics and reference to Cameron, CamNet and myself on it." Savannah said.
It sounded like a bad idea to Cammy.
"What do you need it for?" Cammy asked.
Savannah grew somber. She felt she needed to take responsibility.
"I need to show it to Young Allison." Savannah said.
Cammy thought it was the last thing that should happen.
"No." Cammy said. "I won't allow you to be tainted in her eyes."
Savannah decided to spell it out. There were certain guidelines which needed to be followed.
"Cammy, I'm going to need Young Allison, or you, to terminate me if I ever go bad." Savannah said. "I want it to be one of you two."
Cammy couldn't believe what she'd just heard.
"I'll never do it." Cammy said. "I'll submit to chip extraction first."
Savannah wanted it to be one of the people who loved her.
"It will prove your love for me if you do." Savannah said.
Cammy was going to erase the file.
"You want me to kill you to prove I love you?" Cammy asked.
Savannah thought there was some beauty in it.
"Yes. It will show you truly love me and carry out my wish." Savannah said. "I don't want any innocent people to die because of me, ever."
Cammy noticed her hand started to glitch.
"I'll never do it." Cammy said.
"We'll see." Savannah said. "Never say never."
Savannah flushed the toilet. She'd decided to take advantage of their current location.
"I figured I might as well go since we're here." Savannah said. "These bathrooms beat the Hell out of most of the ones in the future. You know there's a drone scanning us right now too."
Cammy looked towards the stall.
"I doubt anyone will ask at this point." Cammy said. "It was good thinking."
Savannah appreciated the use of any restroom facilities when she was out in the field.
"When nature calls, no one stalls." Savannah said.
Cammy still thought it was an inefficient way for organic beings to be 'powered'. It seemed they all existed on the consumption of some other living entity for their own survival. There was really something brutalistic about it.
Savannah used the sink and pointed at the door to the restroom.
"Let's go." Savannah said.
Cammy took a look around the park when they left the restrooms. If she spotted any suspicious looking individuals, she would deal with them before they left. She wanted parks to be a safe place for everyone. Isn't that why they were created in the first place?
Savannah and Cammy reentered the SUV and headed back towards the base.
Cammy reached over and touched Savannah's hair.
"I'll wash your hair for you when we get back." Cammy said.
Savannah wanted her to wash a little more than just her hair.
"Do you only want to wash just my hair?" Savannah asked.
Cammy understood the full nature of the invitation.
"I'll wash you everywhere." Cammy said.
Savannah wanted to make sure it was a two way street.
"You can, only if I get to do the same thing with you." Savannah said.
Cammy was thrilled at the prospect. It helped clear her mind of the earlier thoughts.
"It's a deal." Cammy said. "It's time we get a new set of wheels."
They switched vehicles and went through an ambush set up by Al and Ed. No one followed them on the ground or in the air.
They rode in silence for a while.
Savannah wondered about some of the people they'd tried to help. She hoped it was worth the effort. She really didn't know how effective any of their actions would be.
"How are Susan and the two girls doing?" Savannah asked.
Cammy checked with CamNet.
"They're all doing well." Cammy said.
Savannah wanted to maintain a personal connection to them. She thought it would help them in their recovery and rehabilitation.
"Maybe we should visit them." Savannah said.
Cammy thought it was too late.
"I don't think we should do it tonight." Cammy said. "We're almost back to the base."
Savannah didn't mean for them to check on them right now.
"I meant when we had some free time." Savannah said.
They drove for a short time. CamNet verified it was clear around them and above them.
Cammy pulled into the carpool.
Steve and Tom were back. There was no sign of Cam, Al or Ed.
Savannah collected her gear and weapons. She would need to make sure everything was cleaned and inspected.
Steve and Tom walked up to Savannah.
"We'll take care of those for you." Steve said.
Savannah didn't want anyone to feel like they needed to serve her.
"I can do it." Savannah said. "Thanks anyway."
Tom was persistent. He believed it was the logical choice.
"We don't sleep." Tom said. "Please let us assist you. "It will give us something to do. It's something we like to do."
Steve wanted to remind her about what happened earlier.
"You were the one in the fight today, twice." Steve said.
Cammy took Savannah's gear from her and handed it to Steve. She knew Savannah wouldn't do it on her own.
"Thank you." Savannah said.
Tom held out his hand.
"Give us yours too, Cammy." Tom said.
Cammy looked at Savannah and handed her things to Tom. She didn't sleep either. She actually planned to clean and inspect both Savannah's and her weapons later on. She figured it would make Savannah less self conscious if she allowed Steve and Tom to assist her as well.
"Thanks." Cammy said as she looked at Savannah. "I have something else to clean."
Savannah looked at Cammy and smiled.
They headed for the door.
As soon as they entered the interior of the base, Allison rushed over to greet them.
Cammy watched as Allison hugged Savannah. It was clear she was there for more than to say 'hello'.
Savannah could see the disappointment on Cammy's face. She didn't want to create a problem.
"Cammy promised to wash my hair for me." Savannah said. "It will be along with the rest of me as well. You can see I need it."
Cammy knew Savannah wanted to be with Allison. She didn't think Savannah ever viewed Allison as either Future Allison or Young Allison. She didn't think she viewed Allison as Cameron either. She figured she would be able to fit the bill a little better. She wanted everyone to be happy. She was always open to a little extra 'girl time'. She wanted a diplomatic solution.
"Allison could wash one side while I wash the other." Cammy said.
The idea excited Savannah.
"Is that OK with everyone?" Savannah asked. "I'm really dirty."
Allison suppressed a giggle on the play of words.
"It works for me." Allison said.
Cammy was pleased with the prospect of what was about to happen.
"It does for me too." Cammy said.
Savannah moved into the middle with Allison on one side and Cammy on the other. She took a hand of each of them. Tonight was going to be a beautiful night. She wanted the love both of them would share with her. It wasn't so much the fight for her life as it was for what the future might hold. She knew one day it would actually be Cameron and Young Allison. She just didn't know when.
She would make sure there was plenty of light in the room when they shared. It wasn't often when she was able to share with Allison side by side with one of the cyborgs created in her image. She would check to make sure everything was identical. The thought filled her with additional excitement. She was pretty sure the only thing more exciting would be to share with Allison and Young Allison side by side.
Vanna was with Precious in the nursery.
Samantha entered the room from the hallway. She looked very disappointed to Vanna. She knew Samantha wanted to be with Savannah.
"By the look on your face, I don't even need to ask." Vanna said.
Samantha hoped to be with Savannah. It wasn't going to happen.
"Cammy and Allison are with Savannah." Samantha said.
Vanna was game for another round.
"I'm here." Vanna said. "I'm pretty close to her."
Samantha knew they were identical except for age and 'experience'. Cam would return soon too.
"You are." Samantha said. "You're only available until Cam comes back."
Vanna was up to a three way later on. She liked to be inclusive.
"There's room for all of us. I don't think it will be a problem for her, if it isn't for you." Vanna said.
Samantha came over and checked on Precious as Vanna nursed her. She liked the new freedom Cameron allowed her.
"I like having some independence." Samantha said.
Vanna understood freedom of choice very well. She never wanted Samantha to know what it was like not to have a choice.
"We all do." Vanna said. "You don't think yours will last."
Samantha looked at herself in the mirror. It was clear a lot of things wouldn't last. Her former appearance was one of them.
"I can see the changes to my sheath." Samantha said. "My body is already Resequenced. My face still has a little way to go."
Vanna liked Samantha having Claire's appearance.
"I can see it too." Vanna said. "It will progress rapidly in a few days. It's very beautiful."
Samantha looked a little concerned.
"I still need to do an updated 'Neural Interface' with Claire." Samantha said.
Vanna could detect some hesitation.
"Do you want something different?" Vanna asked.
Samantha thought she should follow a different path.
"If I'm going to be assigned to Precious, I should use Riley's DNA." Samantha said.
Vanna didn't think it was a good idea. It would cause a problem for Cameron. She tried to be diplomatic.
"Claire wanted you for her girls." Vanna said.
Samantha thought there were other options available as well.
"There's Jan too." Samantha said.
Vanna was a little worried about Sarah.
"I don't know about Jan." Vanna said.
Samantha made a valid point. She didn't think past prejudices should be an issue.
"The girls all need protecting." Samantha said. "A Skynet future is an ugly place."
Vanna wanted Cameron in on any possible changes. She didn't think anyone should act on their own or try to change what Cameron already planned.
"Maybe when Cameron gets back we need to have a group discussion about it." Vanna said. "I'm sure there are other options and some flexibility."
Vanna believed Samantha could be cloned to become two different individuals. It would give her program the best of both worlds. She could keep Claire's appearance for one of them and pick a different appearance for the other one. She thought it would be hot if she picked Sarah. She doubted Sarah would be too keen on the idea.
Samantha didn't think Cameron would put what was best for her first.
"I guess." Samantha said.
Vanna looked around. Cam should be there by now.
"Did Cam come back with them?" Vanna asked.
Samantha quickly checked her files.
"I didn't see her." Samantha said. "I saw Steve and Tom."
Vanna looked a little worried now.
"I wonder if something else happened." Vanna said.
Samantha didn't want Precious to pick up on Vanna's negative vibe.
"You're going to upset Precious." Samantha said.
Vanna took out her phone. Something must have happened.
"I'm worried where Cam is at now." Vanna said. "There must be something else."
Samantha wanted Vanna to think about her current actions.
"Are you going to call her?" Samantha asked.
Vanna knew it was bad practice if Cam was on an operation.
"I'd better not." Vanna said.
Samantha came up with an idea.
"I can go check with John Henry and see where she is exactly on the satellite overlay map." Samantha said.
The more Vanna thought about it, the more worry it caused her. It seemed to her there were several factors involved.
"I have a feeling they're trying to keep Savannah out of something." Vanna said. "I'm worried."
Samantha wanted to help Vanna out.
"I'll find out." Samantha said.
Vanna hoped they gave it to Samantha straight. She wasn't sure they would if it was something they were trying to prevent Savannah from becoming involved with.
"Thanks." Vanna said.
Samantha checked on Precious one more time and left for the Command Center.
Vanna watched her go. Precious stirred a little.
Anna went to check on Young Allison.
Young Allison noticed Anna coming. She didn't want any more bedtime advice.
"Relax. I'm almost ready for bed." Young Allison said.
Anna looked at Young Allison. She'd followed up on an earlier request from Young Allison.
"Savannah is back at the base." Anna said.
Young Allison asked CamNet to show her the footage from inside the base. She wanted to verify the fact Savannah was at the base to stay for a while.
"I already checked." Young Allison said. "I saw her."
Anna finally took her eyes off of Young Allison and looked around.
"I see your books are out." Anna said.
Young Allison looked at the books and frowned.
"I need to study a little before I sleep." Young Allison said.
Anna felt Young Allison was a little lax on a few things.
"What else do we need to do?" Anna asked.
Young Allison frowned a little.
"I need to work on my physical training." Young Allison said. "You know I always do."
Anna couldn't help but return her gaze to Young Allison. She was only wearing her underwear. She needed to ask what was happening. She wasn't sure if Young Allison did it for a specific reason, or if she was just trying to mess with her.
"When are you going to put your bed clothes on?" Anna asked.
Young Allison faced Anna.
"I wasn't sure if I needed to put my street clothes back on." Young Allison said.
Anna tilted her head slightly.
"It's late." Anna said. "Why would you need to get dressed to go out?"
Young Allison was dead serious.
"In case you make any anti-Metal contact." Young Allison said.
A glitch impulse shot down Anna's left arm.
"You won't be going out if we do." Anna said.
Young Allison believed it was her duty to act. There was a deeper calling involved.
"We need to take care of them before Cameron finds out." Young Allison said. "She's very troubled by them. I believe it would be better if humans dealt with them rather than machines. It would disprove their point."
Anna could see Young Allison was troubled too and it wasn't just the anti-Metal angle.
"I know all this." Anna said. "What are you really trying to tell me?"
Young Allison didn't want to say her mother shouldn't make love to her future mate, John. She was sure it would happen anyway at some point. It happened with Savannah and her mother already. They'd shared many times. Most of them were in the future. She knew there were a few times since then as well. She always found it a little hard to look at either one of them after they'd been together with each other.
She needed to think about what Allison told her. Allison told her they all share and it's no big deal. She said there's a lot of love to share. Allison told her everyone knows who they 'belong to' at the end of the day. She was aware of what Cameron feared. The anti-Metal faction would only exacerbate her feelings.
"Jesse and my mother are on the ship…." Young Allison said. "Cameron will want John protected."
Anna thought it was a good first move on Cameron's part to protect John.
"Savannah isn't available." Anna said. "Vanna and Allison are at the base."
Young Allison felt it limited the choices to who was currently on the ship.
"Now do you see why I'm worried?" Young Allison asked.
Anna wasn't going to let Young Allison get anywhere near John right now. It was her main worry.
"Please put your bed clothes on." Anna said. "These are things you don't need to worry about."
Young Allison looked at herself in the mirror. She wondered if John would find her attractive. Her mother was currently more shapely than her in every aspect. Her mother also had experience in bed with both males and females. She had neither. Even if John were to try them side by side, or one after the other, her mother was bound to be better at everything and more desirable to John. She needed to expand her sexual parameters. She could do anything any other female could do. She hoped she would learn to be able to do it better as time went on. It was a lot for her to think about. There always seemed to be a lot for her to think about.
"I worry about everything." Young Allison said. "I have responsibilities and obligations. There are promises I must keep."
Young Allison thought she was old enough. She was 'ready' anyway. What could it hurt? No really, what could it hurt? People did it all the time. Girls much younger than her were more experienced than she was. She knew there was some obtuse moral standard which the people who wanted to impose, never followed when they were her age. It really made her wonder what made them think anyone else was going to follow it. If anything, everyone started younger and younger. She was far advanced for her age in all areas except one. It was something she needed to change.
She was going to need to talk with Savannah. It was past the time for them to start to share. She needed to share with Savannah first so it would free her from her self imposed restrictions.
She took one more look at herself in the mirror. She didn't think she really looked very much different than Cameron did at this point in time.
Anna watched everything and frowned. Young Allison wouldn't be able to be restrained much further from a sexual relationship or from combat. She would prefer one to the other. It wasn't combat either.
John Henry noticed Samantha was on her way to the Command Center. He was sure it was more than a social visit.
Samantha entered a few seconds later.
They greeted each other.
Samantha went right to the point.
"Where's Cam at?" Samantha asked. "Vanna's waiting for her."
John Henry didn't like the confrontation. Operations came before pleasure.
"Cam needed to check a few things out on the way back." John Henry said. "I felt it was a better choice than Cammy and Savannah."
Samantha pressed the issue.
"What needs to be investigated? " Samantha asked.
John Henry tried not to be specific. He showed her instead.
"Here's what she's checking on." John Henry said.
Holly opened her eyes. She sat up. Her robe fell open. Both of her breasts were exposed.
She checked her files. She'd put the belt on and it was secure. Someone must have loosened it.
Holly looked over at Jan and Summer. They were both asleep. She didn't believe it was either one of them.
She closed everything up and secured the belt again.
She listened. It was quiet in the Honeymoon Suite. There was some new activity in the Owner's Suite.
Holly lay back down and closed her eyes. She went back into standby.
The three Metal girls headed to where Bob was at in the casino. They didn't approach him directly. They wondered if there was a problem or if Bob was there to make sure Sheila didn't create one.
Bob clandestinely waved them off.
They looked around for any other threat.
Ally didn't think anyone would be stupid enough to attempt to rob the casino while the ship was at sea. There was nowhere for them to go. There could be another factor involved.
"Maybe there's someone else trying to 'game' the system." Ally said.
It sounded exciting to Sheila. She would like a little competition. Humans weren't a match for her. She felt a slight glitch impulse. Well, there were two of them who seemed to be. One of them was in a distant future. The other one was in a bed next to Jan in the spare room of the Honeymoon Suite. She'd observed Summer there earlier. She wanted to focus on where she was at right now.
"Let's find them." Sheila said. "I'll challenge them."
Sheila really wanted to beat them at their own game.
Gail thought the perpetrator should be punished. If it was up to her, she would snap their neck and throw them overboard.
"They should be reported and disciplined." Gail said. "CamNet won't like being cheated."
Ally looked at Sheila when Gail spoke.
"She means by anyone too." Ally said.
Sheila didn't see what the big deal was. She was designed to carry out multiple functions with superiority.
"I didn't cheat." Sheila said. "I simply used my 'natural ability' to play the game."
Gail saw it differently.
"If you know what all the cards are and what the next one will be. It's called cheating." Gail said.
Sheila felt the gambling establishments cheated the people out of joy and happiness as it took all their money.
"You're a stiff." Sheila said. "How many of these people here do you see win and leaving with those winnings?"
Gail looked around.
"None." Gail said.
Sheila felt she'd proved her point.
"Who's cheating who?" Sheila asked.
Ally didn't see it as 'cut and dried', even if in reality it was.
"They're games of chance." Ally said.
Sheila wanted to prove Ally's point.
"Well, what do you think the chance is of me winning?" Sheila asked.
Ally thought Sheila should try to be more subtle as she won.
"I think you need a back room poker game." Ally said.
Sheila's face brightened up at the prospect.
"That's just my speed." Sheila said.
Sheila hoped Summer wouldn't be there. She always won.
Seconds Ago:
Bob watched the three Metal girls approach. He waved them off. He was here to downplay any problems Sheila might create.
He was also on the lookout for any other suspicious activity. He didn't want it to seem like he was friendly with any of the guests, especially if one of them was going to start winning. He was sure once they did, they would win big.
Cameron went back to see how John and Hanna were doing. She hoped to find John asleep and Hanna in standby. She was still worried John might wake up and start in on Hanna. She didn't think Hanna would tell him it wasn't her in control. It wasn't what she wanted. It was what she'd promised Hanna. She just didn't expect her to collect now. She would try to delay what she'd promised the Metal girls for as long as she could.
She was pleased to find both of them inactive.
She climbed into the far side of the bed and was about to plug the tether back in.
John turned his head and looked at Cameron.
She wanted John to know where she'd been.
"I wanted to check on operations." Cameron said. "You were resting."
John was pleased to see Cameron. He was pleased to see she was still naked as well.
"I'm just glad you're back." John said.
Cameron wanted to make sure John was still on board with everything. She picked up the tether. The other end of it was still connected to Hanna.
"Will you plug this in for me?" Cameron asked.
John looked over at Hanna.
"Will she wake up if we do it?" John asked.
Cameron was ready to take control of Hanna's chassis again. The thought excited her greatly.
"Do you wish for me to remain inactive while you ravish me in Hanna's chassis?" Cameron asked.
She wondered if John was going to reenact some of the things he'd done already.
John wanted to show Cameron he cared about her.
"I mean can we do it once in your chassis now." John said. "Can we do it without Hanna rebooting?"
Cameron thought about what John was really asking. He wanted to make love to her in her chassis and then with her in Hanna's chassis right afterwards. He wanted to compare them to see which chassis was 'better'.
It was fine with her. She'd like to compare chassis too. She was sure he would be more excited as he ravished her in Hanna's chassis. She was sure he would concentrate on specific areas again. She was more than ready to show them to him.
"I can keep her inactive while we knock one off. I'll transfer over and we can do it again." Cameron said. "I want to compare them too."
John wasn't sure Cameron understood his question. What she suggested was something he wanted to try now anyway. It sounded like a thrill.
"I think it sounds like a plan." John said.
Cameron wanted it to be a position where John would do the majority of the work. She thought it would produce a more accurate reaction to each chassis.
"It will be straight up missionary style. First use my chassis and then switch to Hanna's chassis." Cameron said. "Do everything the same."
She was sure whichever chassis John used first wouldn't get as good of a performance as the second chassis would. She knew it would take more time for him to finish.
John wondered if there was any way to switch back and forth a few times during the process. He thought it would be very exciting to be able to experience something of that nature. He decided not to ask. He didn't want to push it or seem too greedy.
"Are you good with everything?" John asked.
Cameron didn't think it would be a big deal.
"Yes." Cameron said. "I'm my program."
John was a little unsure of his ability at this point. He didn't seem quite as virile as he'd been earlier.
"I may only be able to finish once." John said.
Cameron knew how she wanted it to play out. She wanted Hanna's chassis to have the best time.
"Finish when I'm in Hanna's chassis and make sure I finish in Hanna's chassis." Cameron said. "I want to leave a pleasant experience for her."
John plugged in the tether to the back of Cameron's neck.
"Hanna will remain inactive until I switch over." Cameron said. "Mount up. Remember I want everything the same in both chassis."
John wondered if things could get better than this.
Maybe they could.
He would like to ask Cameron to use a connector and bring Sheila back. He could switch from chassis to chassis to chassis that way.
Hank and Larry both hoped CamNet would act in their absence. They didn't want the enemy Terminator to get away. They could always reacquire the female Fanatic, the man in the car and the future Scavengers.
"I think we should go back and deal with the Terminator." Hank said.
Larry wasn't sure he was a Terminator.
"We haven't actually seen any Terminator abilities yet." Larry said. "He may just have been lucky."
They saw him look in the direction where the wounded man went over the fence. He didn't check his fallen colleagues who came out of the building with him. He didn't check on the two men who fell last. He started over in the direction where the man went over the wall. He passed by the other fallen man. He didn't check him either.
"He doesn't seem too concerned with anything." Hank said.
Larry wondered if he'd spotted the female Fanatic when she looked over the fence.
"I think he has a new target in mind." Larry said.
The female Fanatic continued across the rear of the property next door and turned around the corner of the building. She looked back to see if the man came over the wall. If he did, and he was a Terminator, he'd be able to run her down.
She was around the corner before she heard a 'thud'. She didn't stop to look, she kept going. She tried to stow her newly acquired gear as she ran. She didn't want to lose any of it. She was going to need to use her hands to get over the fence.
As soon as everything was tucked away, she decided to go over the wall into the next property. She was able to make it on the first try without too much difficulty. She knew she was pumped full of adrenaline. Instead of going out the front and being spotted by the man where the two vehicles were parked, she decided to go back the way she'd come and attempt to get back to her vehicle.
She hoped whoever came over the wall I would think she'd headed towards the front. If she could move quietly enough they should make their way to the front of the property and probably spot the man by the two vehicles. Hopefully they would think it was her. No more than the top of her head above the level of her eyes would have been visible for the few seconds she'd looked over the wall earlier.
Hank and Larry watched the man go over the wall. He did it effortlessly. He did spend a moment to look at the man on the other side of the wall. His head popped up. He looked to the far side of the property.
"He knows someone else killed the man." Hank said.
Larry watched the maneuver by the female Fanatic to head in one direction and then switch back to another direction on the other side of the next wall.
"The female Fanatic is very elusive." Larry said.
Hank didn't think it would matter in the end.
"I still plan to terminate her myself." Hank said.
Larry knew they were going to have to use some caution.
"If she's able to elude whoever went over the fence right now, she's going to be on the lookout for a Terminator going forward." Larry said.
Hank wasn't too worried about it.
"I will personally terminate her anyway." Hank said.
Larry thought Hank needed to use some caution.
"She has a satchel charge now." Larry said. "It may be best not to approach her directly. We know she believes she will achieve Ascension if she uses it against you. She won't hesitate."
Hank knew the bomb was a problem.
"I plan to help her with Ascension and not get blown up." Hank said. "Everyone should achieve what they desire."
They watched the female Fanatic move in the other direction along the fence on the other side of the property. She stayed low and moved fast. The man who'd checked the fallen man picked up his long gun and stood up.
He didn't continue along the back of the other building to the other side. He looked at the closest way to reach the street. It was from where he was currently at. He immediately started out in a run alongside of the other building.
"He's headed for the street." Larry said. "He plans to intercept them when they go out the front."
Hank and Larry watched the female Fanatic move in the opposite direction. She was one property over from where the man who headed towards the front was at. Their paths were unlikely to cross.
The female Fanatic didn't detect anyone in direct pursuit of her. She looked back over her shoulder several times.
The satchel charge was slung over her shoulder. She moved it around in front of her as she ran in armed it. If she was about to face a hostile Terminator, she would try to blow him up along with herself. It would upset her greatly to have to destroy one of the machines. They should be worshiped as gods for their superior abilities as well as their form of creation. Any invention of SkyMaster with something to be worshiped. The Terminators in the past were created by Skynet. Their programming had been corrupted to serve a false master. They weren't 'true believers'.
She pulled out the silenced pistol and checked to make sure it was ready to shoot. It was. She put the safety on and tucked it away. She was going to go over the wall directly in back of where she was headed. She was concerned there may be another watch dog. She wanted to use the silenced pistol instead of her own so she didn't give away her position. If she'd temporarily eluded what she believed was a Terminator, he would know exactly where she was at. She couldn't afford to receive a dog bite at this point. It would slow down her mobility greatly. Right now she needed all the speed she could get.
The female Fanatic went over the wall at the rear of the property. She took one look back before she dropped over to the other side. There was no one behind her. She quickly moved through the property to the street on the other side. No dogs were encountered. She headed back to her vehicle. She knew the building she'd just left was active with the enemy. She planned to return with something a little bigger than the satchel charge to deal with it.
See The Changes
Money changes everything
Time seems to change it more
To go against the flow
Becomes a big chore
Everyone wants conformation
They want everyone to be the same
It's only their own shortcomings
For which they should place blame
Nobody makes someone look bad
It's their own actions that do
Their inactions are just as troublesome
It makes who they are true
Stop blaming other people
Put on the grown up pants
It's only around themselves
They continue to dodge and dance
When one finally grows up
They are who rearranges
It won't take long
To see the changes
Nobody