Chapter 1413
Leave The Rest
Steve drove rapidly towards the area where the van was disabled by the drone. They were there in less than half a minute.
They spotted the van. There was one man out of it. He was headed for the storm drain opening when he was enveloped in a shower of sparks. He fell and didn't move.
The back of the van opened and a second man jumped out. He raised a weapon. It was a pistol. He stood in the liquid which leaked from the rear of the van. It was gasoline. There was another shower of sparks and the gasoline vapor ignited. The man caught fire and fell into the burning gasoline on the ground. He no longer moved as he burnt.
The sliding door on the passenger's side opened, A female exited with her hands raised. She walked to the center of the street away from the burning van.
Steve pulled up next to her and Derek used his Taser on her. She fell immediately to the pavement with a loud thud.
Tom hopped out and went to check the burning van for any more targets. There were none. He was able to pull a few items out of the side door.
The situation with the van looked perilous to Kyle.
"Tom, leave the rest." Kyle said. "It's going to explode soon."
Steve was out of the driver's seat and came around to check the female. They needed to make sure it wasn't a Terminator. Either way, the Taser brought them down.
"She's human." Steve said.
He ripped her shirt off and used it to bind her hands and feet as well as make a blindfold and a gag.
Al and Ed arrived a minute later. They could see there were several things they would need to deal with. They wanted Derek and Kyle to leave the immediate area.
"We'll clean this up." Al said
Derek and Kyle knew they couldn't do much else there. The recon went hot and it looked like it was back to a waiting game.
"We can take the prisoner." Kyle said. "Where do you want her?"
Derek looked the topless female over. There was a barcode on her arm. There were burn scars on her back and across the right side of her front torso. One breast was heavily scarred and shriveled. The other one was medium sized and near perfect. It was clear the female had been badly burnt in the future. The blindfold and gag covered most of her face.
"I bet this is the anti-Metal faction." Derek said.
The Terminators looked at each other. They knew it wouldn't end well for the prisoner. Cameron would be back tomorrow and Sheila would be with her. There would most likely be a brutal interrogation.
"She hit her head hard when she fell." Steve said. "I think she'll be out for a while."
Kyle wasn't pleased with the fact they were almost ambushed.
Steve worried if any images of their SUV had been transmitted somewhere before the drone took out the man in the bushes. His phone was damaged by the 'metal hail'. There was no way for them to check.
Ed shared their same concern. They hadn't yet arrived at the old newspaper plant when the incident occurred. Their vehicle shouldn't have been clocked.
"Let's switch SUVs for now." Ed said.
Steve thought it was a good idea.
"We'll take her and go." Steve said. "We'll take Al and Ed's vehicle. Our SUV may be compromised. You need to dump it as soon as possible."
Tom decided to go with them until they could procure another vehicle. He would return and assist Al and Ed with the clean up. He would also retrieve the man in the bushes and remove the Claymore mines.
Steve received a new communication. Richard and Michael would meet them soon with two fresh vehicles. It would put the prisoner in the custody of Cameron's Terminators. They would take the detainee from them and begin the questioning.
Derek would like to know a little more about the group who tried to ambush them. He wanted to know if it was directed at them specifically, or at any of the other groups from the future. It was very personal when someone tried to kill them.
"Can we listen to the questioning?" Derek asked.
Steve thought it was a bad idea. He didn't think humans needed to be a part of it.
"It will be very violent and brutal." Steve said.
Tom wasn't sure how to address the issue.
"It's better not to know." Tom said. "Once CamNet has them, they all terminate sooner or later. If this is the anti-Metal group, which it looks like, it will end especially badly."
Michael and Richard arrived a few minutes later. They gave Steve and Tom each a 'fresh' SUV and left with the girl in Al and Ed's vehicle.
Tom drove the other SUV back to where Al and Ed were. Hank and Larry were already there when he arrived to assist. They'd brought a box truck to remove the van along the bodies.
There was never any emergency response so it was easier to police the aftermath of any of the combat operations. The goal was to stay off the radar of everyone. CamNet was always very proficient in making sure none of the leads were ever followed up by the authorities. If someone was persistent in an attempt to follow up on something, they were usually dealt with in a very punishing manner. Illegal drugs would be found on them or around them. They would lose their job and often face incarceration. Sometimes a few toes needed to be stepped on to protect the Resistance team.
Derek and Kyle rode with Steve back towards the base. They weren't usually on an operation when a prisoner was captured. Most likely if anyone was taken into custody, they were already severely wounded. The majority of the enemy they encountered were killed outright.
Kyle couldn't help but think about the female who exited the burning van with her hands up.
"I don't like it." Kyle said. "The female surrendered."
Steve didn't want to get involved with the decision process. He didn't want to get into a confrontation with the Reese brothers over standing policy. He decided he would 'kick the can down the road'.
"Cameron will be back tomorrow. You can address the issue with her." Steve said. "We don't set policy."
It bothered Derek too. He saw the terrible burns on her. He knew what it was like to suffer injuries in the future. Medical care was very hard to come by, especially on the battlefield. He was aware how Terminators conducted interrogations. It was done almost the same as it was in the future.
"They should at least know more about her and what happened before they beat her to death." Derek said.
Steve could only think of one way around the procedure which would start as soon as Richard and Michael delivered her to Cameron's base. He wasn't sure if it was just an elaborate dance around the issue. It was still a suggestion. It also came with qualifications as well as ramifications.
"You could contact Savannah." Steve said. "The downside to it is Young Allison wanted to be involved in the interrogations. She'll most likely attend once Cameron returns. Savannah and Young Allison are currently together in Palmdale. They can be here within an hour."
Kyle thought about it for a few seconds. He knew the information would be beaten out of the detainee. It was the way Terminators operated. They didn't use drugs or play mind games. They used brute force. They did what they were constructed for.
"Do you mean she wants to watch the interrogation?" Kyle asked.
Steve looked over at Kyle. He knew it was a little more involved in every way.
"No." Steve said. "She will participate. She wants to be part of the process."
Derek didn't like the idea. The level of violence and the type of activity shouldn't be in Young Allison's head. He'd been at locations where prisoners had been severely beaten by Skynet forces. It usually involved a Terminator. It was never something which was easy to look at.
"It will be brutal and bloody." Derek said. "She doesn't need to be exposed to the procedure."
Derek was really worried now because it was how Jesse got started. He knew she took it way further and turned it into 'pleasure' for herself. He remembered looking at 'things' in her collection. Those were just from the 'live ones' when she'd 'souvenired' them. She told him they were special because the people knew what was taken from them. If they were already dead, it didn't matter.
Kyle remembered how Young Allison was unphased by the men he saw her kill. She acted like a Terminator as to the extent it seemed to bother her. It didn't. He'd watched her shoot the big man twice with her Model 66. Once she retrieved her M4, she changed the magazine and charged the weapon. She shot the big man once in the head. He was already dead, but she made sure. From the after action report, he found out she'd done the same thing earlier as well.
"Do Savannah and Young Allison already know about this?" Derek asked.
Steve knew they followed all the operations. The only way they wouldn't was if CamNet became directly involved. It seemed doubtful in this instance.
"It's most likely." Steve said.
The ride back to the Resistance base was in silence.
Everyone knew it was dirty business.
Cammy went with Julie into the bathroom. Previously Cameron made sure all the female Terminators possessed an extensive database on human females and all associated problems.
Julie thought Cammy looked more like a beauty queen than a medical worker.
"Are you really a paramedic?" Julie asked.
She noted the stone cold look on Cammy's face.
"I have much more training and experience than a regular paramedic." Cammy said. "I've served in several 'war zones'. The injuries I've dealt with were much more severe and traumatic. Limbs were blown off and intestines were hanging out. I did my job and helped everyone I could."
Julie thought it sounded terrible.
As soon as Cammy said it, she realized it was true on several levels. She was now aware she'd treated injured in the future and the past. The details of the past events were still blocked to her. She did know she'd been to several war zones. There were numerous conflicts around the world during the time period she was in the past. She would need to see what Sheila knew about the new revelation. Why was she in combat? Were Young Allison and Savannah there with her?
Julie took another look at Cammy. She looked like a teenager to her.
"You don't look very old." Julie said.
Cammy didn't want to get into it. There was no way to explain anything without a bunch more questions. More than likely if Julie heard the truth, she would think she was insane.
"I'm older than I look." Cammy said. "I've seen a lot. None of it was pretty."
Julie didn't want to upset Cammy. She didn't want to relive any of her bad experiences, she doubted the pretty girl with her would either. She felt confident in her care.
"You seemed to know what you're doing." Julie said.
Cammy felt the light was bad in the bathroom.
"Let me see what I have to work with before we get started with the shower." Cammy said. "The natural light from the window will allow me to see everything clearly."
Julie did as she was asked.
Cammy started with an examination of her limbs and torso. She needed to check the more private areas.
Julie was a little self conscious about her appearance in certain areas.
"It's a real mess down there." Julie said.
Cammy looked. It was worse than a mess.
"What happened?" Cammy asked.
Julie frowned.
"Which time?" Julie asked.
Anna listened to the conversation with Cammy and Julie. It sounded as if Julie wasn't in good shape on several levels.
"You two wait here." Anna said. "I need to get the first aid kit from the SUV."
Anna went outside. She took the trash can with her.
Savannah and Young Allison looked at each other.
"Things may be worse than we thought." Savannah said.
Young Allison frowned. She wondered if she hadn't opened a can of worms again. She still felt justified for her actions last night. She also wanted to know what was happening around them.
"I'm sure it will be." Young Allison said. "Let me check on operations."
Both Young Allison and Savannah checked their phones.
"Steve's team is in contact with the enemy." Savannah said.
Young Allison checked the drone support. There was good coverage.
"Derek and Kyle were there too." Young Allison said. "It was a recon which almost turned into an ambush."
Anna returned with the medical kit. It contained an extensive array of medicines and surgical implements. She went to the bathroom and knocked. Cammy opened the door and took the kit.
Anna was already aware of the recon gone hot through her com.
They watched the van 'take down' and the capture of the prisoner.
Anna looked at Young Allison as it became clear the prisoner was a female. She was also hideously scarred. She wondered what Young Allison's take would be on it.
Young Allison viewed the images. She quickly came up with a scenario which seemed most likely.
"I bet it's the anti-Metal group." Young Allison said. "It will turn out the female wasn't only a captive of Skynet at one point, but her burn scars were probably related to Terminators specifically. She'll never stop hating Terminators."
Savannah knew it was speculation. It was also most likely true to some extent. She was aware of what would follow. She hoped it would be swift.
"I hope the interrogation is over before Cameron returns." Savannah said.
Young Allison wanted to be there and watch it. She wanted to see the people who hurt Cameron and who wanted to kill all of them because they were 'Metal Lovers'. She knew she needed to better prepare herself for the future. She thought she'd done well with her limited combat experience. She followed all of her training. She knew a few parts would be a little tougher than others. There was a difference between killing someone, and making them talk. She didn't see any reason to delay the inevitable.
"After we let Julie off, we can stop by Cameron's base." Young Allison said.
Savannah wasn't going to let it happen.
"No." Savannah said. "I've seen it before. I don't want you to fill your mind with those images. I'll take care of it."
Savannah sent a message to CamNet to make sure the interrogation was completed ASAP.
Young Allison saw what Savannah just did and how disturbed she was about it. She knew it could be horrific. Maybe it was even more horrific than she could picture. She really didn't see how. She could picture a lot of horrific things. She was aware of some of the things Sheila did to the sex traffickers. She was especially brutal to the female enablers. Savannah never discussed exactly what she'd viewed. She wanted to know more.
"Was it really bad?" Young Allison asked.
Savannah looked at Young Allison. She didn't know what to tell her other than the truth. She'd needed to kill someone in cold blood to end their misery. Maybe it was actually to end her misery of watching it and listening to it.
"It was worse." Savannah said. "I needed to end it myself. I couldn't take it any more."
Savannah thought at the time Cameron was so brutal so she would step up and kill the detainee in cold blood. The first time, she told Cameron to do it. The second time, she did it herself. Now she could see 'those eyes' of the female Gray she'd strangled. She watched the life fade out of her eyes as they struggled. She remembered Cameron's hands over hers to encourage her to 'finish' the job. She did. The female Gray died and she lived.
Young Allison gave Savannah a hug which she hungrily accepted. She figured it would probably bother Savannah more if she went herself and watched or even participated. Maybe now wasn't the time to push it. There will be other times. There were also a few things to remember.
"Sure, Savannah, someone else will take care of it." Young Allison said. "I still want to know where those people came from. I don't care how we find out. They're our enemies. They want to kill us because they don't agree with us. We need to kill them before they kill us. I really don't know how else anyone can look at it."
It was clear CamNet would pick the message up.
The female detainee was bound to be in for a rough time now.
Savannah thought about what Young Allison said. It was true in every regard. She still would like to meet with some of the anti-Metal faction and try to come to some kind of an accord, especially in the present. She'd heard several of them talk first hand. She didn't think any type of accord was possible. The anti-Metal faction should focus on Skynet and all of its illegitimate offshoots. They shouldn't focus on the Resistance and those who actually stopped Skynet from spreading in every timeline she'd been in or knew about.
Hatred had a way of controlling people. It made them deaf and blind to the reality around them. Their hatred became their belief. Once it was a belief, it didn't matter if it was true or not. Because they believed it, it was true to them. She felt they lost sight of the overall objective. It was the Resistance under John Connor which stopped Skynet. Just because he'd resorted to innovative means to use the enemy's own weapons against them, he shouldn't be marked as a traitor to humanity because he did. He wasn't a traitor to humanity. He was a savior of humanity.
Earlier:
Summer didn't think Jan should watch what was about to happen. She was unsure of Jan's level of exposure to real violence. She personally was allowed to view any of the operations that happened from Terminator files, drone footage or body cams. It was one thing Young Allison wanted her to see to 'harden' her. It was clear to her there was no creature more cruel than humans, especially to each other. With her advanced educational level. It wasn't as traumatic to her as it would be for a 'normal' person. Jan was a 'normal' person. She hoped Jan was anyway. She would try to get her to leave on her own.
"I think your mother is looking for you." Summer said.
Jan looked at Summer. She didn't want to go
"I want to see what my dad and uncle are doing." Jan said. "Mom will want to see too."
John Henry understood what Summer attempted to do.
"You can bring her here, but don't alarm her needlessly. They're not in combat." John Henry said. "Don't make her upset over nothing."
Jan left.
Summer wanted John Henry to take control of the situation.
"Get this over with." Summer said. "Clean up what they'll see."
John Henry looked at her.
"What about you?" John Henry asked.
Summer looked right at him.
"I see everything." Summer said.
John Henry looked at her for a moment. He was sure Summer was the deadliest weapon of all the girls which had been 'conditioned', including River. She was a threat to any computer system already without really even trying. If she were to place the encryption into the operating system, she could shut down any super computer with a targeted attack.
"Everything…." Summer said again.
John Henry jumped a little.
Cameron returned to John after her rude encounter with Holly-Camille. It was very much unlike Camille. It reminded her more of Cammy. Cammy was always a Bitch to her when it came to anything related to Savannah. Maybe Camille was the same way with Young Jesse. It was clear they both loved their human lover. They feared her being able to take the girls away from them. She already thought it was a given. Nobody could stand in her way if she chose to act.
John sat just inside the balcony door as he looked at the ocean while the ship passed it by. He remembered Cameron's desire. It was 'to get away from it all'. He thought where they were at now was a pretty good example. There was nothing but the ocean visible from where he sat.
He wondered about the old sailing ships. They could spend months out at sea with no land in sight. Sometimes if they got stuck in the Doldrums, they might even end up dead. He knew it was something he didn't need to worry about on the cruise ship. In fact, he hadn't needed to worry about much. It seemed his biggest decision was which entree to pick at dinner time. He glanced over when he heard Cameron.
"It's really peaceful to watch this." John said. "It makes it seem like everything else doesn't matter."
Cameron smiled and gave him a kiss. She believed he was a hundred percent correct.
"None of it does matter until our cruise is over." Cameron said.
John wasn't so sure about it. He was sure at this point plenty must have happened.
"How much am I going to need to get caught up on?" John asked.
Cameron didn't know all the specifics herself about a lot of it. Both Young Allison and Savannah asked her not to follow things too closely. She did show up on the one operation with Savannah. It was a nice 'shore excursion'. She mainly went because the anti-Metal group was involved. She didn't want Savannah to make contact with them. After what they'd heard, she was glad Savannah hadn't approached them. She figured whatever happened, already happened.
"I really can't say." Cameron said. "I think we'll all need some catching up. Life goes on."
John wanted to ask about Young Jesse. He didn't.
"I'm sure you'll let me know what's happening." John said.
Cameron wanted a 'heads up' before Young Jesse arrived. She wanted to give John a suggestion for his attire.
"You can put your suit on if you want for later on." Cameron said. "I think it would be a nice gesture."
John wondered what for.
"Do you mean before dinner?" John asked.
She'd stayed outside the door long enough to hear how Young Jesse wanted to arrive. She didn't want John in his undershorts, a bathrobe, or naked. She wanted him to be at his best to make a good impression.
"Yes." Cameron said. "You'll have a guest soon in an evening gown."
John wasn't sure who it was. Maybe it was Leticia. She looked really nice when she was dressed up. All the girls did. It seemed the fancy clothes magnified all of their beauty. The jewelry they'd been loaded down with further enhanced it. He needed to focus on the upcoming activity. He didn't want to fall behind.
"Should I get ready now?" John asked.
Cameron sat down next to him.
"We still have some time." Cameron said.
John reached over and took her hand. Their fingers interlaced. Cameron leaned her head on his shoulder. They sat side by side and watched the water pass by.
John really wondered if Cameron could see the beauty in it or not. He didn't want to ask and not like her answer. It was better just to think she did. It was a nice moment for them to share. They were together and she seemed content with everything she was doing and orchestrating.
He briefly wondered if there was another surprise guest he didn't know about. It could be one of the girls from the Resistance, or the girls from the ship. Maybe it was someone different from the ship. He really didn't know who it would be. Whoever Cameron brought in is who he'd be with. He really didn't think it mattered one way or the other anyway.
Allison and Camille-Holly did almost the exact same thing as John and Cameron. They were out on the balcony though.
The ship glided along through the ocean. There was a little up and down motion and sway from side to side but it usually wasn't very detectable.
Allison really liked when Camille-Holly took her hand and then later rested her head on her shoulder. It was a level of closeness they didn't usually share. Most of their relationship was sex based. This was different. This was how Vanna and her shared. They shared each other. They shared more than their bodies or specific parts of their bodies. It was the difference between the human girls and the Metal girls.
As time passed on, it seemed the Metal girls were able to develop and expand their emotional ability. She believed it was more than learned behavior.
Jim and Hanna watched the security feed from the nude sunbathing area.
It was clear things had been taken to a new level.
"It's a total 'free for all'." Hanna said.
Jim looked at the screen. It seemed everyone was able to enjoy themselves.
"It looks very stimulating." Jim said.
Hanna really would have liked to have gone.
"It is." Hanna said. "I wish I was there."
Jim wanted to see more but he also was aware of the operation with Derek and Kyle. It was worrisome to him. He was usually with one or both of them on recons. He felt out of place being on the ship right now. He couldn't fully enjoy what he was able to see on the top deck with the girls.
Hanna didn't follow the other operation. She concentrated on what was going on with the girls. She sent a message to Holly-Camille and asked what she was doing. There was no answer. It kind of narrowed it down as to what she was doing. Her hand slid down inside her pants. She needed some 'release'. She would take care of things herself right now. She tried to keep her body so it blocked what was going on.
Once Cammy got Julie scrubbed down and cleaned up, she looked a lot better. She treated a few small deep cuts. What she earlier thought may have been some damage to Julie was just the way she was genetically. She was very trim as was the rest of her figure and features.
Cammy and Julie exited the bathroom when they were done. Cammy was in her underwear and bra. They were both wet. Julie wore her new underwear and nothing else.
Allison liked the way Julie looked.
"You look a lot better." Young Allison said.
Savannah handed Julie a bra and her clothes.
Julie looked at the bra for a long moment.
"I haven't worn one of these in a long time." Julie said.
Savannah helped her put it on and hooked it for her. She then handed her some pants and a nice blouse.
They all watched as Cammy stripped off her wet undergarments and put her clothes back on.
Julie could hardly believe what she saw as she looked at Cammy. She didn't think she'd ever seen a more perfect body.
"Wow!" Julie said. "You're perfect. You LOOK perfect."
Cammy looked at Young Allison.
"I come from good genetic stock I guess." Cammy said. "She'll look just like me in a very short time."
Young Allison blushed a little. She knew it was true. When everyone looked at Cammy, it was really the same as if they were looking at her. It just wasn't actually her.
Once everyone was dressed Cammy fixed up Julie's hair.
Young Allison was very pleased with the results. Julie looked a lot different than she did last night when she been pulling food out of a trash can and eating it.
"You look very nice." Young Allison said.
Julie looked at herself in the mirror. She almost didn't recognize herself. It had been a long time since she'd seen 'that girl'.
"I sort of do look nice." Julie said. "Is it really me?"
It seemed to her Cammy could do everything, and do it perfectly too.
Savannah wanted to get down to business now. What needed to be done and how it was done mattered.
"It is you, Julie." Savannah said. "Now we're going to get you the help you need. You have to want the help for it to work and make it happen. It has to be you who does it."
Julie moved over to the window and looked out. She wanted to get off the street and all the negativity it spewed. The thought of the man earlier who wanted to cut her face, and other parts on her body as well, bothered her. It was one thing to put up with the abuse. It was another thing to have someone want to mutilate you and kill you. She didn't do anything wrong. It seemed to her things only got worse on the street as time went by. Nothing got better at all. She really didn't see how it could either. It was time to change.
"I want to try." Julie said. "I want to be more than I was."
Julie looked over towards the trash can. In it was her old life. She noticed her clothes were gone from the trash.
Anna took care of it. She'd scanned them and put them in the dumpster in the rear of the building. Neither Cammy nor her turned up anything which was communicable from Julie. It was actually a surprise. Then again Julie did say she'd been to the 'free clinic' a few times. They needed to know how much they would have to restrict the interaction between Julie and the girls. It wouldn't be much.
"I didn't want the maid to see them. They may have raised questions." Anna said. "Your past is behind you."
The girls all straightened up and left. The room was in good order.
Julie was sure since nothing 'happened' to her in the room; the danger was behind her too. The girls were the real deal and everything was as good as it could be. Everything played out as they said it would so far. She didn't ever have money to play the lotto, she still felt like she'd just won.
Cameron felt John drift off into sleep. She carefully slipped away and went and made the bed up. Everything was nice and looked neat. She wanted to leave a very favorable impression with Young Jesse. She laid out John's nice clothes for him.
Earlier, as the door to the Honeymoon Suite closed, she'd heard Young Jesse give Camille a 'rebuke' about her conversation with her and she wanted to dress up nice to come and see John.
Cameron listened to what was currently occurring in the Honeymoon suite. It didn't sound like Young Jesse was getting dressed up yet. She came and checked on John. He was still resting.
She went to the pass door and slipped inside the Control Center. She noticed right away what Hanna was doing. She could tell Jim wanted to do the same in his own way. It would be a little more obvious.
Hanna continued for a few more seconds until she finished. She only needed a single vibrating fingertip to make it happen.
Cameron looked at what Hanna currently viewed. The girls upstairs in the nude sunbathing area were all still at it.
She looked over at Hanna.
"Holly-Camille could use a friend soon." Cameron said.
Hanna looked at her and then at the Master Suite. She'd hoped Allison and Camille-Holly could too. She could see everyone else would have some comfort except Cameron.
"What about you?" Hanna asked.
Cameron gave her a faint smile.
"I'll manage." Cameron said.
'Everyone sacrifices for John Connor.' Cameron thought.
Jim gave Cameron a brief rundown on what Savannah and Young Allison were up to. He mentioned Kyle and Derek conducted a recon and were headed back to the base now. He left out the part about a near ambush and a female captive.
Cameron turned to leave. She paused and looked at Jim.
"Send the image from upstairs to my phone." Cameron said as she indicated what Hanna currently looked at.
Cameron reentered the main part of the Owner's Suite. It was time to get John ready.
She knew the anti-Metal faction was out there. John needed to be protected. She needed to remind herself it was her function and there was more than one way to do it. Some required a little more assistance than others. None of it was about her. It was all about John.
The girls in the nude sunbathing area all switched partners several times as they shared with each other.
Sheila and Vanna were now together.
Mary, Laura and Leticia each were with a Metal girl as their partner.
Vanna watched as the Metal girls all 'pushed' it. She didn't want them to get carried away and display all of their Terminator abilities.
"They need to not overdo it." Vanna said.
Sheila didn't see it as a problem.
"Everyone will get what they want." Sheila said.
Vanna pictured each of the human girls ending with a wild finish.
"This is a public area." Vanna said.
It seemed pretty private to Sheila.
"Maybe it is." Sheila said. "I'll take care of it."
Sheila sent out a low decibel warning to the Metal girls to not overdo it. They could always retreat to their suites later on for a grand finale.
Vanna was ready to go back at this point. She didn't want to get any sun damage. Parts of her body were being exposed to the sun which seldom saw it anymore, or ever did in the past, the future. The sun wasn't visible for years.
"I want to go back." Vanna said.
Sheila stopped her.
"Let me get you there one more time first." Sheila said.
Vanna smiled. She didn't think another finish would hurt anything. She knew Sheila could get her there very quickly.
"Since you put it like that…." Vanna said.
Vanna wasn't one to turn down a guaranteed finish. The Metal girls always delivered.
Derek and Kyle arrived back at the base.
Steve let them off and left again.
"You know he's going back there to help." Kyle said.
Derek figured he was going to do more than just go back and help. He was sure there was going to be some additional follow up.
"I know." Derek said. "There's not a whole lot we can do at this point.
They entered the base from the carpool area.
Sarah and Jan were in the hall outside Derek's room.
"Hi, Dad." Jan said. "Hi, Uncle Derek."
Jan ran up and gave Kyle a hug.
Sarah walked over and gave Kyle a hug and a kiss.
"We were on our way to check up on you." Sarah said. "We got sidetracked with Riley and Precious."
Derek looked a little worried.
"Is everything alright?" Derek asked.
Sarah didn't want to alarm him.
"Everything is fine." Sarah said. "I just stopped by to check on Precious. I think she's cutting a tooth."
Derek excused himself and entered his quarters.
Sarah turned her attention to Kyle.
"Tell me about your mission." Sarah said. "Jan already told me about some of it."
Kyle wasn't sure what Jan saw. He was sure she didn't see everything. He hoped to be able to work around any of the grisly details.
"Let's hear Jan tell it and I'll fill in the blanks." Kyle said. "I can see how much attention she paid to everything as she does."
It sounded like fun to Jan.
The three of them returned to their room.
Kyle intended to leave a lot of the blanks blank.
Young Jesse and Holly-Camille finished up. They took a shower together. They got the shower taken care of quickly. It was time for Young Jesse to get ready.
"Which dress do you want to wear?" Holly-Camille asked.
Young Jesse looked at the dress she'd thought about earlier. She wanted Camille to make the best selection. She wanted her to be part of the process as well.
"You can pick it for me." Young Jesse said.
Holly-Camille wasn't sure she wanted to do it. Since Young Jesse asked her, she would. She reached for the one Young Jesse looked at the most.
"I pick this one." Holly-Camille said.
Holly-Camille chose an emerald green dress.
Young Jesse hadn't tried it on before. Now she would have a chance.
"It looks pretty." Young Jesse said. "I like it. I think it's beautiful."
Holly-Camille believed the real beauty was elsewhere.
"You're even more beautiful." Holly-Camille said.
Holly-Camille helped dress Young Jesse and provided her with emeralds to wear. There were emerald earrings, an emerald necklace and an emerald bracelet. She then worked on Young Jesse's hair.
Young Jesse watched herself get fixed up in the mirror by Holly-Camille. It was hard to believe it was really her by the time she was finished.
"LOOK at me." Young Jesse said. "I don't look this good."
Holly-Camille looked at her handiwork as she touched up Young Jesse's makeup. She was very pleased with the results.
"Yes you do." Holly-Camille said. "Here's the proof. You're ravishing."
Holly-Camille listened to hear what was happening next door in the Owner's Suite.
Young Jesse was ready to go.
"Is it time yet?" Young Jesse asked.
Holly-Camille gave Young Jesse a kiss on the cheek. She needed to remind herself about what was really going on and why. It was more than just a sexual encounter. She needed to support Young Jesse and everything she did. It wasn't about her, it was about Young Jesse. It was about the future.
"Almost." Holly-Camille said. "You're doing Jesse a real 'solid'. I do understand it. She needs your help and no one else can really help her. You want to help 'yourself'. It's actually quite selfless and noble."
Young Jesse smiled at Holly-Camille.
"You're the greatest." Young Jesse said. "That's why I love you so much."
Holly-Camille was very pleased to hear it.
Cameron got John cleaned up and helped him to get ready.
John handed the tie to Cameron.
"You have better luck with these things than I do." John said.
Cameron thought John did just fine, but she did it anyway.
John was ready in no time.
"How do I look?" John asked.
Cameron fixed his hair a little.
"You look like a 'fine gentleman'." Cameron said.
John hoped he could behave like one. Things were a little different when he was with Young Jesse earlier. Then again, they were a little different with Allison and Vanna as well. It just proved no one ever knew what was going to happen or not happen.
Things weren't as cut and dried as they all seemed to be, even when everyone knew what was supposed to occur.
Cameron didn't think John should be as nervous as he was. It shouldn't be anything 'new' to him.
Wait.
Now Cameron wondered what was really going on. She didn't question John earlier about what happened with Vanna, Allison, or Young Jesse. What if nothing actually happened so far? She wondered if all of the girls actually backed out. She also needed to consider the possibility it was John who backed out. It wasn't what she wanted to happen, if nothing happened. Now it seemed like something else to worry about.
She regretted not pushing Claire and Jesse earlier before they got off in Catalina. She was sure both of them would have gone through with it. Then again John could have buckled and nothing would have happened either.
She was about to ask John when she heard the door on the Honeymoon Suite open.
"There coming…." Cameron said. "Let's go."
Young Jesse looked very nervous to Holly-Camille.
"It's time." Holly-Camille said. "It should be like before. You're not sore are you?"
Young Jesse wanted to get moving.
"I'm fine." Young Jesse said. "People do this all the time. I'll adapt."
Holly-Camille opened the door from the Honeymoon Suite into the private area.
John and Cameron exited the Owner's Suite at the same time. She propped the door open.
Cameron backed away and Holly Camille walked past them to go into the Control Center with Cameron.
John and Young Jesse faced each other.
"You look beautiful, Jesse." John said.
Young Jesse glanced quickly at John from head to toe. She hadn't expected him to look so nice.
"Thank you, sir." Young Jesse said. "You look handsome."
They approached each other. They were alone at this point.
"This seems like déjà vu." John said. "Will you join me?"
Young Jesse looked at John with wide eyes. She swallowed hard.
"Yes." Young Jesse said.
John swept her off her feet again and carried her into the Owner's Suite. The door closed behind them.
It was time to get to 'work'.
Lena and Tina would both rather beat the information out of the two men. Right now all they could do is watch and wait. They really wondered what exactly the two men were looking for. The building was thoroughly destroyed.
CamNet's Terminators continue to watch the drone footage. The two men were up to something.
The female Fanatic decided it was time to get out of the back of the truck. She pushed up a little on the roll up door. She took her knife out and moved it to where the latch was at. She hoped she could take enough tension out of the door to actuate the latch.
She was just about to stick her knife under the little gap when she heard something outside. It definitely wasn't what she wanted to hear.
The truck driver got out of the cab and looked everything over. He walked around the side of the trailer and checked his tires. He headed for the rear end of the truck. He thought about opening the rear door up and checking the load. He hadn't needed to get on the brakes heavy at all so far. Nothing should have shifted from when it was loaded.
"I'm already here." The truck driver muttered to himself. "I'll take a quick look."
The truck driver reached for the rear latch to open it.
The female Fanatic realized the truck driver was going to open the rear door. She could surprise him and kill him with her knife before he figured out there was a threat. She didn't know where they were at, or who else was around. She would also have trouble getting the body into the back of the truck. She didn't believe she could on her own.
Her best course of action was to retreat further into the truck. She quickly scrambled over the tops of the crates and headed for the front of the truck. She moved behind the first HK Track when she heard the latch thrown. She moved in back of the second one. It was the one closest to the front of the trailer. The roll up door opened just as she was able to get in back of it.
She could hear the truck driver towards the back of the truck. She hoped he didn't come up to the front. He didn't. She peered around the first HK Track and watched him grab the strap on the door and jump out. The door followed him down. She heard it latch.
The female Fanatic heard something else when the truck driver closed the latch.
Jill reached back and touched the pistol tucked in behind her. She decided she was going to take a look in the back of at least one of them. Right now she needed to use the restroom. She really hoped no one else would be inside. It didn't look like it since her vehicle was the only one there. There could be a homeless person or a vagrant inside of it. She didn't think so.
She decided if she couldn't turn around and run, she would pull the pistol and threaten whoever it was. If they were close to her, or made a move to grab her, she would shoot them. She was done with strangers using her body for their own personal pleasure. She was done with being taken. No one had the right to use someone else for their own sexual gratification. No one had the right to treat her like a thing. She wasn't a thing. She was a human being. She was just like they were. Why would they treat anyone in such a manner? Is it what they would want to happen to their mother or their sister or their daughter?
She used the restroom with no problem. She was a little disappointed there wasn't any hot water at the sink. Maybe if she let it run longer it would warm up. Maybe there was no warm water. She exited the bathroom. She looked over towards the car. It was still sitting there. No one was around it. She moved along the side of the building and looked over towards the diner across the street.
She could see the rear door was open on the truck she'd followed. It made her wonder what was going on. A few seconds later she saw the driver come out the back of it and pull the door down as he did. She saw him do something for a moment at the back of it before he turned away. She watched him walk towards the diner and enter it.
Her first thought was to cross the street on foot and head for the back of the truck to see what was inside of it. She knew the driver was going to be tied up for a while. She also needed to consider someone else might see her. She didn't want any of the men who'd abused her to recognize her. She made sure her hair covered most of her face as she returned to her vehicle.
Jill got back into the vehicle. She noticed two men exit the diner and head for the pickup truck. She would need to keep her eye on them.
The two men from the pickup truck watched the female across the street at the gas station.
"A little dessert wouldn't hurt." The first man said.
The second man wasn't sure if he referred to a piece of pie, or a piece of something else.
"What do you want to do?" The second man asked.
The first man glanced at the shabby looking car.
"We could always follow her." The first man said.
The second man wasn't so sure.
"It's always a hassle to stop them on the highway." The second man said.
The first man wasn't so much worried about stopping them as he was about what they needed to do afterwards.
"It's easier to dump the body somewhere along the road when we're out in the open." The first man said. "There's too many witnesses around here now."
The second man looked around the diner. Another man walked in. He went over to the table where some others were sitting. They seemed to know each other.
"What's with all the big rigs showing up at once anyway?" The second man asked.
The second man looked over at the car parked at the gas pumps. It looked like a total piece of crap. It was why they hadn't pursued anything in the early hours of the morning. He wondered if there was anything of value in the back of the trucks. Maybe they could kill two birds with one stone, so to speak.
"Let's go take a look." The first man said.
The two men paid their bill and exited. They headed for their truck. They spotted the female get back into her shabby looking car. Her hair was a mess. There were still several choices available to them.
Leave The Rest
Not every journey is an adventure
Some may be more of a quest
Depending upon the destination
It may turn into a test
Not all of the answers
May be easy to digest
The results may be
Something no one can contest
Each one must make the decision
On how much to invest
If things turn worse
It could turn into a slugfest
Take a good long look
At who stays and who's a guest
Avoid unnecessary words and jest
Instead search for the zest
When the time is right
To build a nest
Take what is real
Leave the rest
Nobody