Chapter 1501
Are Tops Optional
John headed back to Command Center. He was ready for a report from John Henry about Skynet in the mine.
John Henry was aware of John's short liaison with Jesse. It seemed she'd done a few of those. He was now aware there were others. CamNet kept the information from him before. She'd let him review the footage earlier.
John hoped there wasn't any bad news. He needed to find out.
"I hate to ask, but what do you have?" John asked.
John Henry was able to do some investigation.
"The good news is, I can only track activity back to the mine in the last two months." John Henry said.
John waited for a little more information, but it didn't come. It seemed there was only one other choice.
"What's the bad news?" John asked.
John Henry figured John believed if it wasn't good news, it was bad news.
"Skynet, or Grays, may have controlled the property for years." John Henry said.
John quickly understood the implications of the time frame.
"In a few months, they may not have done a whole lot based on other installations we've taken down." John said. "If someone worked on something clandestinely for years, anything could be down there."
John Henry would have liked a little more conclusive proof. So far he hadn't found it.
"It's all an unknown." John Henry said.
It made John wonder about the recent activity.
"I think the Coltan has something to do with the uptick in activity." John said.
There wasn't much Coltan in the Southland. There was a possibility Skynet discovered something in the future and sent operatives to the past to capitalize on it.
"I think so." John Henry said. "I don't believe they're getting Coltan out of the mine, but it's a possibility."
John wondered about any physical evidence. When there was excavation of the ground, it usually gave off a few indications.
"Are there any fresh tailing?" John asked.
John Henry discovered a few things with extensive review of satellite photos. Someone went to great lengths to mask what was actually going on.
"There are some." John Henry said. "It appears they're trucked away every night from past satellite imagery. The area looks the same in the daytime, more or less. If we hadn't tracked the truck back there, we may not have discovered any of this activity."
John was aware of some of the things uncovered in Skynet's previous underground operations. They were either used to store equipment, or construct a version of Skynet.
"We know some of those mines go on for miles in all directions." John said. "Maybe this is only a storage facility."
John Henry thought Skynet prepared for a 'harder hit' in the future.
"Most mines are bunker buster proof." John Henry said.
"It depends upon where the bomb goes off at." Summer said.
John and John Henry both turned around.
"Hi, Summer." John said. He looked a little further. "Hi, Jan."
The girls greeted both of them.
John Henry understood exactly what she'd meant. He'd watched it happen recently.
"I know you used an innovative approach before." John Henry said.
Summer and Young Allison directed CamNet to send a team of Terminators into the past at several other locations to acquire and put into place nuclear weapons deep below a mine, or a hardened bunker system. The ground under them collapsed through nuclear cavitation as a section of earth was vaporized. The weight of the material above the cavity would collapse it.
It wasn't really something Summer wanted to take 'credit' for. She'd actually expected there to be more repercussions directed at her than there were. So far there'd only been praise.
"We got the job done." Summer said. "It was a team effort."
Summer wanted to include CamNet since it was all possible with her assistance.
John wanted to keep Cameron away from any more mines. He was ready to use the innovative approach again. Cameron wasn't the only one he was worried about.
"Maybe we could do the same thing here." John said. "I know Cameron is going to want to go inside of there. I don't want her or Savannah near a mine again."
John Henry wondered if maybe Summer already acted. Young Allison and Summer often worked clandestinely through CamNet. They both knew others didn't always like the way they did things. He wanted to know. He decided to use a direct approach.
"Has anything been done yet?" John Henry asked.
Summer caught the implication. She wasn't sure if anyone else did.
"I haven't done anything." Summer said. "We know less about this installation. There could be further excavation and tunneling since Skynet was involved. It caused an unforeseen problem at the other installation. It was something which played out differently than was factored in."
John Henry understood every situation was fluid.
"Time will tell." John Henry said.
John noticed the girls were in the commissary earlier.
"I hate to change the subject, but when will it be dinner time?" John asked.
Jesse was very elated about her time with John. She decided to stop by Sarah's room. She wasn't sure if they would be together, but she just wanted to see her. She wasn't sure if she'd mention she was with John only a few minutes ago, if Sarah headed down 'that way'. It could get tricky. It was her son who was 'there' only a short time earlier.
She knocked at the door. There was no answer.
Maybe Sarah was with Claire. She turned to go there. She decided to go back towards her room. She would see what was happening in Riley's room first.
She moved up to the door and listened. She could hear giggling and laughing inside. She went back one door to the nursery and went in. She moved up to the door into Riley's room from the nursery and listened.
There was a soft knock at the door almost instantly. Jesse backed up.
Samantha opened the door. She was topless.
Jesse took in the view.
"You look beautiful." Jesse said.
Samantha glanced down at herself.
"Thanks." Samantha said. "I'd like to go topless all of the time. Nudity doesn't bother me. I really like the way I look now."
Samantha opened the door and motioned Jesse to come inside Riley's room.
As intrigued with the concept as Jesse was, she wasn't sure it was a good idea. She believed Cameron would be the one who decided if any such behavior would be tolerated or not.
"It may not go over with everyone." Jesse said.
Jesse thought of some of her nude adventures in the hallway between the different girl's rooms. Some of those were Sheila too.
Claire wondered where Samantha went. Samantha returned a minute later with Jesse. She smiled at Jesse.
Riley was happy to see Jesse. She wanted to be with her again very much. Maybe she could be with Young Jesse. She planned to show up at her room one night and see what happened. So far everyone was with her she'd offered herself too. No one turned her down. It really meant a lot to her. It appeared the taboo was lifted. Maybe it was never really there.
Jesse looked around at Riley, Sarah and Claire.
"Are tops optional?" Jesse asked.
She stripped her top off.
Everyone could see she was much smaller now.
Riley pulled her top off.
Claire did too.
"What the heck." Sarah said.
Sarah took her top off as well.
The girls all looked at each other and admired the diversity. They were all totally different in size, shape, pigmentation and feel, except Samantha and Claire, they were identical. Well, almost. Samantha wore a little extra jewelry….
Jesse would really like to show off with the other girls.
"We should go to a nude beach." Jesse said.
The idea intrigued Riley immensely. She would like to see other nude females in person. The images on the internet only went so far.
"I'm in." Riley said.
Sarah didn't know if she wanted to go nude all the way.
"Is there just a topless beach?" Sarah asked.
Samantha actually looked into the issue with the recent activity the Metal girls experienced at the nude beach club.
"There are." Samantha said. "The thing about the nude beach is, if everyone is nude, it's no big deal, everyone's the same. There's an all female nude beach the girls have been to before."
Jesse thought Sarah was worried about her Cesarean scar. It was almost invisible at this point. She carried a few herself. She didn't think it was a problem. Even though it did trouble her from time to time. It never stopped anyone from being with her.
"I have a few scars too." Jesse said. "It's no big deal. We all are who we are. We're all better looking than most of the girls would be, even those younger than us."
Claire liked the concept where everyone would be equal. They would all be nude. If they were all nude, no one would stand out.
"I'd try it." Claire said. "I think after seeing everyone else, it would be like Samantha said."
Sarah was willing to give it a try. She wanted to put a few qualifications on it.
"Next time the boys are out, I'll give it a try." Sarah said. "If I don't like it and want to go, it needs to be respected too."
Claire reached over and took Sarah's hand and gave it a soft squeeze.
"We'll do whatever you want, Sarah." Claire said. "I will."
The girls all continued to talk topless. It really was no big deal. Sarah still drew the most looks. She'd seldom been seen topless or nude over the years. It was something they all wanted more of. Something 'new' was beautiful to see, even if it was the 'oldest'. It was still Hot.
The scars Sarah collected over the years from her involvement with Skynet related issues, didn't matter to any of them. The action was elsewhere.
Sheila and Leticia continued to ride the wild surf. No one else was in the mood for making bets. It was clear the 'special girls' could do the impossible with many things.
Leticia thought 'Sue' looked like a pro surfer. It was especially so when she 'shot the curl' on a bigger wave one time.
Mary, Laura and Cammy watched them intently.
Leticia wiped out a few times, but Sheila never did.
Sheila asked Cammy to give it a try. They traded the boogie board for the surfboard.
Leticia was thrilled 'Barbara' was going out with her.
"Are you as good as 'Sue'?" Leticia asked.
Cammy looked over at Sheila who was fondling Laura and Mary on their boogie boards.
"I'm better." Cammy said. "I don't get distracted as easily."
Cammy looked around for Ally but didn't spot her. She didn't spot the lifeguard either.
Ally saw all the girls were distracted. It was late in the day and all the other females drifted away off of the beach. There was a cool wind blowing in from off of the water now.
She faced the lifeguard and looked her over from top to bottom and back again. She was ready to take advantage of the situation.
"Do you want to drop it to forty nine?" Ally asked.
The ripped lifeguard looked around. It was only the girls there right which were left. She didn't want to become too irresponsible with her duties
"Hold on." The lifeguard said.
The lifeguard walked out into the water waist deep for a minute and returned. She wanted a little more secure location.
"Let's go in here." The lifeguard said. "I don't want to get fired."
The lifeguard led Ally inside the small water station cabana.
As soon as Ally followed her in, the lifeguard kissed her. She quickly scanned her. She scanned back 'clean'. She noted the lifeguard seemed to have a much higher testosterone level for a female. She probably used some male hormones and it was why she was so ripped. She was very muscular. She was also a hungry kisser.
Ally matched her in everything she did. She'd never been with a 'stranger' before like this. They'd been with the girls on the ship a few days before anything happened. She'd only met the lifeguard an hour ago. She wasn't sure how far it was going to go, but she was ready to go all the way.
Holly entered the Chinese restaurant. There was no one at the front desk. What looked like their order was there. She felt she needed to say something. She didn't just want to take it and go.
There were no patrons visible in the restaurant either. There were other cars out in front.
Something was wrong.
She quickly looked in the men's and women's restroom, they were both empty.
She used her com. She wanted to warn the others. She was worried about Allison and Vanna.
"Something's wrong inside here." Holly said. "Drive the girls away, now."
Cam wondered what was taking so long
Holly's com communication said it all.
"Something's wrong inside here." Holly said. "Drive the girls away, now."
Cam looked down the street. Allison and Vanna were at the end of the block. Maybe it was a good thing they'd left to pick up the Mexican food.
She didn't plan to leave Holly there alone.
Cam checked her Taser and silenced M9 and exited the SUV. She locked it and ran around to the back of the building. She filled Holly in as she ran. They would launch a coordinated effort if it was necessary.
A cat hissed at her and ran away because she'd disturbed its dinner. It ate from a plate of fish heads someone must have put out for it.
She moved up to the kitchen door and looked in. It wasn't shut tight.
She heard a noise behind her and looked. The cat was back. It kept an eye on her. It wanted the fish heads.
Cam looked back inside the crack in the door. There were half a dozen people there. There was a robbery in progress.
She communicated with Holly at a low decibel level only a Terminator could hear. They planned a coordinated response.
Holly moved up and peeked in the kitchen door. She spotted two masked men inside robbing the patrons of personal items.
There was an office area off to the side. She heard some noise from there.
"Hurry up and open it." A thug said. "If you don't open it on the next try, I'm going to decorate the wall with her brains. She's an old Bitch anyway."
Holly tilted her head slightly. It sounded like a terrible decoration. She already held her silenced M9. She advised Cam of the new development.
She moved up and looked. There was a masked gunman who looked like he forced the owner and his wife to open the safe.
The owner messed up the combination again because he was scared and shaking.
"That's it, old man." The thug said. "This Bitch is history."
The thug held his gun to the side of the older female's head.
Holly fired three silenced rounds into the back of the man's neck and severed his spine. He dropped silently to the flood like a rag doll.
The owner and his wife didn't know what happened.
She quickly moved back to the kitchen door.
She coordinated with Cam and fired one silenced round from between the gap in the double doors into the kitchen. She dropped one thug with a head shot.
Cam could hit one of the men easily. The other one was just out of sight with his body. She could only see the gun and sack he held.
They were in the process of stealing rings, watches, earrings, necklaces and wallets from the scared patrons. They were rough about it too. She watched the one thug grope a young Asian female.
"Maybe we'll take you with us." The thug said. "I think you'll enjoy it. I know I'm going to."
The female's boyfriend, or brother, stepped forward and pulled the female back away from the man and placed her behind him.
Holly communicated she was ready.
The thug lifted his gun to point at the man who pulled the female behind him. It looked like he was about to kill him.
"Now." Cam said.
Cam fired one silenced round and the thug's head snapped sideways and he fell to the ground. She saw the other thug fall at the same time. Everyone inside was at a loss as to what happened.
She quickly retreated and ran back around to the front. The cat ran off again as she passed it. This time it took one of the fish heads with it. She spotted Holly carrying three large bags as she ran from the front entrance. It was their food.
Cam got in and opened the rear door for Holly. As soon as Holly was in, she drove away.
"Where are the girls?" Holly asked. "You said they were out."
Cam was glad they were away from the area. She wouldn't have left them otherwise. She did know if Vanna and Allison found out what was happening inside of the Chinese restaurant, they would have gone in themselves.
"They walked down to the Mexican restaurant." Cam said. "They're inside."
She pulled up in front of it twenty seconds later.
Allison and Vanna walked out a minute later with four large bags.
"How long have you been waiting?" Vanna asked.
Cam looked back at Holly.
"It was just for a few minutes." Cam said.
Allison thought Cam looked a little tense.
"Did anything exciting happen while we were gone?" Allison asked.
The Metal girls didn't want to get into specifics.
"No." Holly and Cam both said too quickly.
Vanna and Allison looked at each other but didn't say anything else. It wasn't the right time.
Allison got in the back with Holly and all the food. Holly moved up to the front so Vanna could join Allison in the back.
"You girls can snack on a few of those tortilla chips while they're hot." Holly said.
Vanna and Allison did as Cam drove away. It was clear they both enjoyed their snack.
"This spicy salsa is good." Allison said.
Cam and Holly glanced at each other and went to link up with the boys. They were only a block away.
Kyle arrived at the Indian restaurant. Someone came out to deliver the food to them at the curbside.
"Now that's service." Derek said.
Jim and Bob both knew it was because of what happened with Holly and Cam. They'd been made aware, after the fact. They didn't mention it to Derek or Kyle.
Kyle was able to pick up Cam's SUV a minute later.
Gail went into the ice cream shop to pick up the order.
The clerk looked a little confused. He was unsure of the order.
"What flavor did you want?" The clerk asked.
Gail looked at all the containers of ice cream behind the glass counter.
"Pink." Gail said.
The clerk was a little confused by the original order. He still was. He had several different flavors which were pink, or 'pinkish'.
"I have a quart of every flavor that's pink." The clerk said.
Gail smiled.
"That's my favorite flavor." Gail said.
The clerk decided to look at her massive breasts rather than comment on the difference between color and flavor.
"There are also a dozen malts in various flavors." The clerk said.
Everything was packed in two large Styrofoam cooler type containers.
"Those are heavy." The clerk said.
Gail smiled at him and picked both of them up at the same time.
The clerk looked surprised.
Hanna quickly took one.
"She works out." Hanna said.
The clerk wasn't sure what she did. He wondered if when she worked out, if it increased the size of her breasts. If it did, she must work out a lot. He didn't think so, but the thought was fascinating.
They headed back out to the SUV. Once they were back on the street, they passed several police cars stopped in front of a Chinese restaurant. There were several ambulances on the way behind them.
They fell into line behind Kyle and the girls a few minutes later.
Cameron led the group to the other side of the display grounds.
"This is an S-2 Tracker." Cameron said. "It was the first dedicated submarine tracker with a single plane. Previous attempts used two aircraft which worked in tandem."
Young Jesse didn't care for the fact it tracked submarines.
"I think I don't like this one." Young Jesse said.
Young Allison looked over the physical dimensions of the aircraft.
"This plane is about the size of the Mitchell." Young Allison said.
Anna made a quick comparison.
"It's eleven feet shorter with a five foot greater wingspan. It's very close." Anna said. "The speed was almost identical too."
Savannah looked under the fuselage.
"I see it has a bomb bay." Savannah said.
Camille pointed out the three hard points on each wing as well.
"The payload was fifty percent more than a Mitchell." Camille said. "It could carry two lightweight torpedoes inside, or one nuclear depth charge."
Young Jesse frowned at the mention of one of the weapons.
"Now I know I don't like it." Young Jesse said. "A nuclear depth charge sounds deadly."
Young Allison thought it was part of the aircraft's job. It was designed to track submarines. Once it found them, it needed to respond.
"I think it was the point." Young Allison said.
Camille knew it was used Down Under.
"Australia had a few of these." Camille said.
Young Jesse reconsidered her opinion.
"I'll give it a pass then." Young Jesse said.
Young Allison wondered about some of the weapons.
"Could it carry any gun pods on the hard points?" Young Allison asked.
Cameron didn't think it was a standard option.
"I don't believe so. It seems possible someone could have done a shipboard modification." Cameron said. "Additional lightweight torpedoes could be carried along with more standard depth charges. Rocket pods could also be carried."
Young Allison knew someone could still 'make a statement' with rockets.
Ted opened it up and they all looked inside.
"It looks cozy for the four crew members." Young Allison said.
Cameron pointed out another important application.
"After they were retired, a few of these were equipped with tanks to hold water, or fire retardant, to help combat wildfires." Cameron said. "They were quite successful in the application. The majority of those aircraft have been re-engined with turboprops."
They headed for the next plane.
"I see the Coast Guard is represented." Young Jesse said.
Cameron was aware the design of the aircraft started as a commercial airliner. It didn't take long to find a military application.
"The base aircraft was the C-131 Samaritan." Cameron said. "This version, the HC-131 was transferred from the Air Force."
There was a ramp in place so they all went up.
"This thing is about the size of the C-46 we were in earlier." Savannah said.
Cameron knew there were similarities as well as dissimilarities.
"It's very close. It uses tricycle landing gear." Cameron said.
They checked out the cockpit, it didn't make much of an impression on anyone.
Cameron decided to add one more fact. She was sure it would catch everyone's attention.
"There's one other thing." Cameron said. "In the late Fifties, for Project Mercury, a Samaritan was the first aircraft to be used as a 'reduced gravity aircraft', or 'vomit comet', for astronaut training."
Savannah understood it was an important function to be prepared for space. The knowledge still left a little to be desired.
"I think it's a fact we could have done without." Savannah said.
Cameron led them to the next aircraft.
Young Jesse looked at the shape of the airframe. She wondered if it should be called a fuselage or a hull.
"This looks like a sea plane." Young Jesse said.
Cameron felt the statement needed a little qualification.
"This is an HU-16 Albatross." Cameron said. "Technically it's an amphibious aircraft since it can operate on land or water."
Ted let them inside.
Young Allison felt the interior was cramped
"It's kind of crowded in here." Young Allison said.
Camille reminded her of its original intent.
"It was a search and rescue plane mainly." Camille said.
The girls moved up to the cockpit.
Savannah liked what she saw right away.
"It has a nice clean cockpit." Savannah said.
Young Jesse pictured herself using the aircraft in its intended role.
"I like to try a water landing in this." Young Jesse said. "It has to be a rush."
Cameron was aware the height of the waves, or swells, was always a consideration to be taken into account.
"Water takeoffs and landings are a little different." Cameron said.
The girls all tried out the pilot's positions before they exited.
They moved across the aisle as Ted locked up the Albatross.
Young Allison was very pleased with the next aircraft they encountered.
"This is what I'm talking about." Young Jesse said.
Cameron was pleased with the aircraft as well.
"You all know this one." Cameron said. "It's the F-15 Eagle."
Camille thought about how the aircraft progressed through a series of different roles.
"It's another master of many trades." Camille said.
Cameron wanted to remind them about the earlier discussion of evolving aircraft from the same manufacturer
"This plane stems from the 1967 redesign of the F-4." Cameron said.
Young Allison was sure the F-15 would be as long lived as the F-4.
"Since there are Phantoms still in service in a few countries, I think we can expect this plane to be around for another twenty years or so." Young Allison said.
Cameron didn't see the retirement of the plane anytime soon. They were still being manufactured in several different models.
"The US Air Force will have them around for at least that long." Cameron said. "There's a 2040 upgrade program. There are other variants still being built. They will probably be around thirty more years."
Camille pointed out the original mission of the F-15.
"The Eagle started out as a pure air superiority fighter and slowly evolved into the multi mission role very quickly as they replaced its older brother the F-4." Camille said. "A southwestern Asian country on the Mediterranean was the first to use it as a bomber, as well as a fighter."
Cameron liked the performance of the aircraft.
"With a top speed of over Mach 2.5, and a fifty thousand foot per minute climb rate, the pilots received a hot rod performer like the original Mach 2 fighter, the F-104." Cameron said.
Young Allison liked the offensive weapons available.
"It definitely came with a better weapons package." Young Allison said. "It packs the same M61 Vulcan cannon too. It's funny how some things seldom change, even if they do."
They moved on to the F-16 parked next to it.
"This is the F-16 Falcon or Fighting Falcon." Cameron said. "It's small and it's fast with another great rate of climb."
Cameron 'borrowed' one once and flew circles around two Navy F-18 Hornets. She could outperform them in every maneuver and simply climb away from them like they were parked. She decided not to bring up the story again since it always seemed to make everyone nervous for some reason. She'd always felt in control that day.
"The idea for the F-16 came out as soon as the Air Force received the price tag on the F-15." Camille said. "It too has been produced in a number of variants."
"It reminds me a lot of the F-104. It's small and fast." Cameron said. "It can break the sound barrier while in a vertical climb. It can out climb just about anything. The airframe can withstand nine 'Gs'. It will kill most pilots before it begins to break up."
Cameron was able to take many times the force of gravity. It was how she was able to push the F-16 so far that day. She'd only heard a few rivets 'pop' during the maneuvers.
"It packs a Vulcan cannon too." Young Allison said. "It can get down and dirty."
Camille felt the F-16 represented a good payload capability.
"The payload is seventeen thousand pounds." Camille said. "It was a thousand pounds more than the early F-15 Eagles. The F-15E Strike Eagle can haul twenty three thousand pounds. It can still make Mach 2.5 and fly at sixty thousand feet."
The girls liked the fast jets. Now they were down to the last two aircraft. The B-36 Peacemaker and the B-52 Stratofortress were yet to be explored.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Temporal Mission:
Past Timeline:
November 24 1963
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Young Allison resumed what she was doing. She hoped things would pick up once they crossed into California. She would at least be familiar with more of the locations.
Cameron informed Young Allison five minutes before they reached Yuma. The station stop was very brief, no one got on or off the train. They pulled out of the station at a moderate speed and crossed over the Colorado River.
"I see what you mean about this being a long bridge." Young Allison said. "I don't think the Colorado River ever is full enough to warrant such a large bridge."
Cameron thought it was more about keeping the track level that it was about the size of the Colorado River.
"There was a time when none of the water from the Colorado River reached the Sea Of Cortez, sometimes referred to as the Gulf Of California." Cameron said. "It's also been referred to as the Vermilion Sea."
Young Allison was familiar with the first two names.
"I take it the name Vermilion Sea refers to some type of bacteria or microorganism growth." Young Allison said. "It doesn't sound very inviting."
Cameron was aware some of the cruise ships visited a few ports in the Gulf of California.
"There is a lot of marine life which calls the area home." Cameron said. "It's the land on both sides of it which is what is dangerous, especially the eastern side."
Young Allison figured it was because of the drug cartels.
"As long as no one stands up to the narco-traffickers, they will continue to run the country." Young Allison said. "It might be a little safer to visit the area in this time period."
Safety wasn't a concern for Cameron. It was a concern for Young Allison however on her part.
"There are a few places we can visit." Cameron said. "I don't know if many of them will be south of the border."
Cameron would prefer to have more of the Metal girls with her on any junkets into third world countries. The only problem was, the more Metal girls there were, the more attention they would draw. It would almost be as if they were 'asking' for trouble. She was sure if Sheila was with them, she would really 'ask' for trouble.
Young Allison spotted the marker halfway across the bridge which indicated the border line between Arizona and California.
"I guess we're on Pacific Time now." Young Allison said. "It's our third time zone since the trip started after our arrival."
Cameron was aware of the time zones and what their purpose originally was.
"With the rise of rail transportation in the United States, a better method for setting schedules was necessary." Cameron said. "In 1883 four time zones were established for the continental United States. Not only did it benefit passengers with set arrival and departure times, it also helped prevent accidents for scheduled timetable meets of trains. There were approximately three hundred different local 'sun times' to try to work around previously."
Cameron was sure there were probably more than a few 'cornfield meets' based upon the confusion over time.
Young Allison knew different countries handled time zones differently.
"During World War II the Japanese did everything on Tokyo time." Young Allison said. "When they launched the unprovoked sneak attack on Pearl Harbor, it was actually December 8 1941 for them. China currently operates under one time zone. Everything is on Beijing time. It must be really messed up for the people who live in the western part of the country."
Cameron didn't think certain types of government actually cared too much about the people it controlled. The government itself was more about control, than it was the people. There were certain political parties who thought along similar lines where they lived.
"Most humans operate more efficiently when they have guidelines to follow." Cameron said. "I think most can agree on time zones. The change between Standard Time and Daylight Savings Time is another issue in itself."
Young Allison watched the Colorado River pass behind them. She'd noticed there was a little more greenery along both sides of the river. She was aware they would pass near both the Imperial Valley and the Coachella Valley on their journey. They were both areas known for producing vegetables and fruits. It was all because of the water from the Colorado River. What wasn't used by farmers north of the border, was used by farmers south of the border. She could understand why the Colorado River at times failed to reach the Gulf of California.
It wasn't long before the landscape assumed the same drab appearance. It actually looked even bleaker. Most of the time it resembled what she thought of as 'the desert'. She was aware there were two types of deserts in California. There was the high desert, and there was the low desert. An example of the high desert was the Antelope Valley. It was home to Edwards Air Force Base and The Dryden Research Center. The low desert was usually thought of as the Palm Springs area. She knew the actual definition referred to what was above 2000 feet, or below 2000 feet in elevation. She looked at a notation on the brochure.
"It looks like we'll be below sea level soon." Young Allison said.
Cameron was aware there were a few places on earth which were below sea level. In the instance they were in, they were well inland from the ocean. There were places around the world where people built on land below sea level next to the ocean. It always amazed her when they wondered why it flooded during a severe storm or hurricane. She was aware there were references in a several thousand year old book which indicated, a wise man built his house upon a rock, and a fool built his upon the sand. She figured only an imbecile would build below sea level.
"This area was once an inland sea." Cameron said. "Over time the water evaporated and left a dry lake bed."
Young Allison looked at the map on the brochure.
"There is a fairly substantial inland sea now." Young Allison said. "It's the Salton Sea."
Cameron was aware the Salton Sea was an aberration caused by humans.
"As more people tried to farm the Coachella Valley and Imperial Valley, they needed water. They attempted to build crude canals off of the Colorado River." Cameron said. "In 1905 the gates of one of those canals silted up and caused the Colorado River to overflow. It soon tore away the bank and began to pour into the Salton Sink. Neither the state of California, nor the federal government, did anything to stop it."
Young Allison thought about it.
"They probably figured since they weren't responsible, it wasn't their problem." Young Allison said. "I'm sure the lack of water south of the border didn't go over very well either."
Cameron knew it mattered to one entity.
"The Southern Pacific railroad tracks ran very near where the water started to pool. They needed to move their tracks." Cameron said. " They level of the water continued to rise. They needed to move the tracks three more times afterwards as well. It was clear the entire area was going to fill with water at some point, even if it took years. Since they were a large landowner in the area, they decided to tackle the problem themselves."
Young Allison was aware of the history of California.
"I can see the 'Octopus' acted for its own benefit, rather than for the benefit of anyone else." Young Allison said.
Cameron was aware of the reference to the 'Octopus'. It referred to the control Southern Pacific once held over everything from the government, to the land, to all forms of transportation, including ships. There's been a lot done to rein in the power of the once mighty 'Octopus'.
"Everyone watches out for themselves." Cameron said. "It's what the Resistance and Skynet each do as well."
Young Allison could see the size of the Salton Sea was substantial. The train was soon near shore of it.
"How did the Southern Pacific get the Colorado River back into its course?" Young Allison asked. "It doesn't seem like anything would have stopped it until the entire area was flooded."
Cameron knew the Southern Pacific had experience in building trestles.
"The original Central Pacific portion of the Southern Pacific, wanted a shortcut through the Great Salt Lake." Cameron said. "They decided to build a trestle across it. It was completed in 1904. It was later converted to a causeway, but that's another story. It can clearly be seen on a satellite map."
Young Allison was aware the Great Salt Lake was another large inland lake.
"They probably used the same equipment and crews on the Colorado River." Young Allison said. "It was only a short time later."
Cameron wasn't sure what they used, but they certainly had the experience and know how to do it.
"They built a trestle across at the breach. It had expanded considerably. They actually used some barges to drive piles." Cameron said. "They were successful and filled in the area under the trestle. At one point they had a 'break away' and the river began to flow towards the Salton Sea once again. They brought in more cars with gravel and earth and plugged up the gap. The river has followed its original course since then."
Young Allison could see a parallel.
"It sounds like another example of where humans allowed technology to get away from them." Young Allison said. "They created something they believed they could control, but they couldn't."
Cameron tilted her head slightly. It was a crude but effective analogy.
"It was the same mistake they made with Skynet." Cameron said.
Young Allison wondered about CamNet.
"I don't believe it will happen to us." Young Allison said.
Cameron knew exactly what she referred to.
"John Henry and CamNet we'll both listen to, and obey, Savannah and you." Cameron said. "All of the Terminators will."
Young Allison knew it was a safety feature Cameron programmed into them.
"I think they'll both listen to Summer as well." Young Allison said. "We all know she's the true genius."
Cameron quickly looked at Young Allison. She hoped she didn't bring up the speculation about Summer being River. She was aware they all 'accused' her of 'temporal malpractice' whatever the subject came up. Everyone believed Summer was either River, River's sibling, River's clone, River's offspring, or some other type of DNA connected relative.
"Summer is very gifted". Cameron said. "She's the smartest human in this time period. Let's leave it at that."
Young Allison could see Cameron looked a little uneasy now. She reached over and took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"It is what it is." Young Allison said. "I know it's a touchy subject."
They were soon past the Salton Sea. It wasn't long until the train slowed again.
"We're going to pass through Indio." Cameron said. "The area is known for raising dates. It's also the location where helpers will be added to freight trains to get them over Beaumont Hill."
Young Allison could see the tall mountains very close to them. There was snow on the tops of them. She went to the door of their room and opened it. She looked out into the hall. She didn't see anyone else. She looked out the windows on the other side.
"I can see four very large mountain tops." Young Allison said. "They all look like they're close to two miles in elevation. It's lucky there's a pass for both the railroad and the highway to use."
Cameron knew it was a little more than luck.
"I think the Gulf of California, the Salton Sink, Beaumont Pass, Cajon Pass, and what created the Central Valley, along with San Francisco Bay, can be attributed to the San Andreas Fault." Cameron said. "It may be an over-simplification, but all of those features line up with the fault line. The rail line has been traveling very close to it shortly after we entered California."
Young Allison always heard about the 'Big One'. It was in reference to a major earthquake along the San Andreas Fault.
"I don't think I ever asked before, but had the 'Big One' happened in your future?" Young Allison asked.
Cameron knew it hadn't. There'd been plenty of earthquakes along various other faults on a regular basis. They seemed to affect the Los Angeles area every twenty years or so.
"No." Cameron said. "You don't have to worry about the western part of California breaking off and becoming an island anytime soon."
Young Allison laughed.
"I think it will be more like the Gulf of California extending itself all the way to San Francisco Bay." Young Allison said.
They passed several freight trains and a yard in Indio. There was a lot of activity around the engine house.
They were soon past Indio.
"This really looks like the desert now." Young Allison said. "There's a lot of sand."
Cameron pointed out what Southern Pacific needed to do to protect its mainline.
"We're going to pass through long sections where there will be trees on both sides of the railroad tracks." Cameron said. "They're more like bushes really. There's an irrigation system set up to water them. They help keep the track from being buried by sand during wind storms. It was something which actually used to happen."
Young Allison looked at the map.
"We should be in Palm Springs soon." Young Allison said.
She could see Cameron tense up a little bit. She knew it was about Cameron's Wild Ride on the Aerial Tramway.
Optional
There are those who radiate confidence
The things they do are inspirational
They're done without request
They're never conditional
When things are done
They're always rational
They're done to their fullest extent
They're not half way or marginal
Some of their greatest accomplishments
Aren't the ones which are external
There are the ones hidden from view
They're the ones which are internal
It's never over until it's over
Nothing is ever really final
Some things are never over
They are timeless and eternal
The truth is out there
It's nothing exceptional
The facts are always the facts
They are never optional
Nobody