Chapter 1386


Unexpected Surprise


Frank drove back across the Bay Bridge. It was lit up much more spectacularly than the Golden Gate Bridge. There were different colors of lights, sometimes the patterns changed. They got a good view of the city as they approached it on the upper deck of the Bay Bridge. The ride out to Yerba Buena Island and Treasure Island was on the lower deck of the double deck suspension bridge. The view from there left a little to be desired.

Cameron was in the rear seat with Vanna next to her. John was on the other side of Vanna. Allison was next to him. She wanted something to happen. She was very comfortable with the thought. John was going to be with Vanna and Allison tonight or he was going to be with one of the three other girls. It would most likely be Leticia.

She glanced over one row of seats. Sheila was all over Leticia. It was a done deal. Mary and Gail-Cam were a pair. Laura and Holly were too.

It was the events with Savannah and Cammy which worried Cameron the most right now. She was informed by CamNet that Summer was involved and what action she took to remove her mother from the picture to prevent her from assisting. She'd used Samantha to be with Claire in her room. It was an unexpected surprise.

Cameron previously prevented Samantha from being sexually active. She reconsidered. It was actually a suggestion to her from Summer, before she'd left on her honeymoon, to allow Samantha to become sexually active. She was very surprised at the suggestion from Summer but was glad she'd allowed it. Her reports from John Henry and CamNet showed it was a wise decision. Based on what happened now, it was an even wiser decision.

It made her wonder if Summer would have 'approved' Samantha to be with her mother now, even if Samantha hadn't been allowed to become sexually active before. She believed she would have. CamNet would back her up. Summer knew what everyone's inner desires were.

Cameron was sure there was more going on with Summer than she knew yet. She didn't just mean about the current operations either. She was sure it all went back to Summer's origin. She was sure at some point it would all fall back in her lap if there was any 'hocus pocus' involved.

She'd learned to trust anything from Savannah, Young Allison and Summer. All three girls were highly educated, intelligent and possessed good foresight. Summer surpassed Savannah and then Young Allison at a much earlier age. Young Allison secretly trained Summer to be her 'replacement' and assume her 'duties' if she fell. It was a very sobering revelation to her when she'd learned of it. The girls were very aware they would deal in death. Termination was a reality to them. It was a heavy burden to drop on a girl. Savannah's adventures in two futures proved not everything could be controlled.

Cameron looked over and frowned slightly. Things weren't playing out the way she'd anticipated. John was still unresponsive for moving in on Vanna and Allison. Savannah wasn't coming on the cruise and she didn't want to deal with the fallout and push back if Young Allison did. Everyone would be on her case if it happened. She wanted to get things started. She needed to set a chain of events into motion.

Didn't she know what was best for everyone anyway? Future John's directives were always in the back of her mind. Future John wanted Savannah Weaver and Allison Young for John. What was available now was close enough. It was still Savannah Weaver and Allison Young, even if they were from a different timeline. They were actually an unforeseen bonus.

She was pleased with the thought until she remembered what the girls needed to endure in the alternative future. Maybe it wasn't as big of a bonus as it should be. All of the girls from the alternate future suffered a lot at the hands of others. Vanna and Jesse had it the worst. She looked over at Vanna and felt a twinge of guilt. If she wouldn't have gone into the future in John Henry's chassis, along with his program, John wouldn't have attempted to follow her. What happened to the girls from the alternate future seemed to fall squarely on her back.

She needed to remind herself, she was actually conducting her mission. It was what Future John wanted to happen. It was the timing she hadn't expected. John was the one who'd acted irrationally and attempted to go after her. If he wouldn't have got her chassis shot up in the first place, by the foolish attempt to get his mother out of prison, she would have been able to go in her chassis. She didn't even want to think about it right now.

With the reminder about what happened to them and the threat of the anti-Metal faction out there, she felt a little less euphoric about everything she'd currently planned.

Nonetheless, it was still going to happen anyway tonight. Everything was set into motion. Something was going to happen.


Dan drove the chase van. He stayed about two cars in back of the van Frank drove.

The four Terminators in the back all received instructions from Cameron. It was very confusing to all of them. What she wanted to do seemed out of place, and certainly at the wrong time. They were on a cruise. The ship may currently be in port, but it shouldn't matter.

"What's Cameron doing?" Ally asked.

Bob looked at his instructions.

"I don't see it as anything good." Bob said.

Hanna understood Ally and her were given the 'green light' to be with Leticia. it would have to be as 'Ann' and 'Peggy'. Hanna couldn't be with Mary and Laura because she didn't have Vanna's scar. Mary and Laura had experienced extensive visual activity in that area earlier on Vanna as 'Ann'. Perhaps some more alcohol would dull their recollection. It would certainly reduce any inhibitions they had left. It didn't seem like many at this point.

"I think I'm going to back up Cameron." Hanna said. "I'm not going back to the ship."

Jim thought she would miss out on what she wanted with the new human females.

"Cameron wants to operate alone." Jim said. "She's given you what you want."

Jim was to free up Cam-Gail in the Control Center.

Bob knew it was unwise for Cameron to operate alone.

"Cameron doesn't always think clearly in these matters." Bob said. "Her only focus is on accomplishing the objective."

Ally looked at Hanna. She wanted to be with Mary, Laura and Leticia as much as Hanna did. There was a deeper calling.

"I know what I'm going to do." Ally said.

Hanna felt it was more than a matter of choice.

"I do too." Hanna said. "It will be like old times."

Ally and Hanna both received a message from Sheila. She'd made her decision as well. The three Metal girls we're going to back up Cameron.

"It looks like the 'Three Musketeers' will ride again." Ally said.


Cameron wanted to get everyone on the ship. It was late. There were other things she needed to deal with.

Frank pulled up outside of the Cruise Terminal after a drive along the Embarcadero. They all liked to see the old Ferry Building when they passed it.

Everyone got out of the van and Frank drove away.

Sheila hurried away with Leticia.

Holly and Gail-Cam led Laura and Mary back through security to reboard the ship.

Vanna and Allison hung back a little.

Cameron took John off to the side. She wanted to make everything clear to him.

"Tonight's the night, John." Cameron said. "It will be the best honeymoon treat ever."

John looked away from Cameron over to Vanna and Allison. He was really unsure about Cameron's decision.

"I don't know about this." John said.

He would have liked it better if Cameron hadn't mentioned the honeymoon part.

Cameron gave John a kiss.

"It's what I want for you." Cameron said. "I want you to have the best time."

The night air was chilly.

John really wanted to be with Vanna and Allison. He'd wanted it from the first time he saw either of them.

Cameron wanted John to know he had a choice. The choice would be over who the females were. What was going to happen, was already predetermined. One way or another, it was going to happen.

"It's either them or Leticia." Cameron said. "Sheila will have her in your bed soon enough."

John watched how Cameron got the three girls from the ship a little tipsy and turned the Metal girls loose on them to get them aroused. He was worried about Cameron.

"It's our bed." John said.

Cameron smiled. She felt she'd adequately acclimated John to his future.

"I've shown you there's much more." Cameron said.

Cameron led John through security as Vanna and Allison followed them.

"Go to the suite." Cameron said. "I'll be along with one of the girls in a few minutes. I want you to do this for me, John."

It was what she'd wanted John to do for years. She wanted him protected. She couldn't be the only one at his side going forward. He would be killed because of her. He would be seen as rejecting humanity in favor of machines. He would be branded a 'Metal Lover' and pay the price. The price would be his life.

They boarded the ship. She sent John on up to the suite.

Cameron dropped back and spoke with Vanna and Allison. She wanted the girls to understand exactly where she stood. She wanted them to know it was what she wanted. It was what she wanted for John. It was what she wanted for them. It was what they all wanted.

"You know what I want." Cameron said. "I know you both want it too."

Vanna looked at Cameron. It wasn't a game to them. She wanted to remind Cameron once some things were done, they couldn't be undone.

"We do." Vanna said. "There's no going back if it happens."

Allison wasn't sure if Cameron would blink again. She also wanted to give Cameron an option without making it seem like it.

"I guess we'll know when we get to the suite." Allison said. "If an energy bubble appears, we'll know you changed your mind."

Cameron tilted her head slightly to the side. She straightened it and kissed both of them on the cheek. Her mind was already made up. It was going to happen.

"I won't." Cameron said. "I want John protected."

Allison always figured her mother would take cuts in front of her. She was sure her mother would be much better in bed with a male than she would. Everyone seemed to indicate she was much better in bed with a female as well.

"At least I'll get to do it before my mother does." Allison said. "I was really afraid she was going to beat me to it."

Cameron wanted John to be with Vanna and Allison before he was with Jesse and Claire. She knew by the reports from the Metal girls, Jesse and Claire were better in bed. It was another reason none of the Metal girls were able to have their 'one time' with John yet. They would all out perform the human girls. Their focus would be on sex. She wanted to give John something deeper. She wanted to give him what she couldn't provide. She really wanted John to have a 'taste' for the human females.

The elevator door opened and Vanna and Allison walked in.

"I love the magic elevator." Allison said. "I wish they were all like this."

They waited for Cameron to enter.

Vanna was about to look to see where she was, when 'Cameron' entered and the door closed.


John rode the elevator alone up to the suite deck. Holly was waiting for him.

He saw Gail-Cam lead Mary and Laura into one of the suites outside the private area. Sheila was with Leticia there too. They all disappeared inside.

Holly opened the doors for John and made sure he entered the Owner's Suite.

"Cameron will be along with Vanna and Allison shortly." Holly said.

John was very pleased to have been with Cameron in Holly's chassis. He wondered how she felt about the other activity with Allison. He wanted to know how his actions would affect other people. It didn't matter if they were machines or humans. They were still other people to him.

"Does it bother you?" John asked.

Holly didn't need to think about it. She'd finally been able to get over her earlier hang ups from the beginning of the relationship.

"No. Not any more." Holly said. "There was a time when it would have. I understand everything better now. I want Allison to have something she wants very much. I've experienced you through Cameron. I want the same experience for Allison. I know she wants it too. She'll be very pleased with her 'first time' to actually 'make love'. I'm very pleased it will be you. I know you will deliver for her."

John was sure Vanna and Allison both wanted to be with him. He wondered what went on behind the scenes. He was sure there were a lot of things he didn't know about. There was one thing he did want to know.

"Did Allison actually say something to you about it?" John asked.

Holly smiled. She'd spent hours at night talking with Allison.

"Yes. We've talked about many things." Holly said. "You know she's always loved you. She'll make love to you. It won't be just sex. Don't worry. She's already pregnant with your child. Her true love is Vanna. They belong to each other. She knows you belong to Cameron. We all know who we belong to, even if we share. There's true beauty in it."

John saw the door to the private area open. 'Cameron' walked in with Vanna. She kissed Vanna on the cheek and went back outside the private area. Holly smiled at both of them and left as well.

Vanna walked up to John and hugged him. They went inside the Owner's Suite and the door closed behind them.


Earlier:

Vanna and Allison looked at each other on the ride up to the suite deck. The question was who would go first. The issue was actually decided years ago.

Allison looked at Vanna. She'd been bothered by her actions previously when they both thought they were going to be with John. She'd disrupted the first coin toss. Vanna actually won. She'd won on the second one.

"You really won the first coin toss." Allison said. "I'll honor it now. I should have when we did it the first time. I'm truly sorry about it. I know I was selfish and greedy then. It's bothered me all of these years."

Allison referred to the night they were going to be with John when they thought Cameron was terminated and never coming back. They'd waited months for her to return. They were going to carry out what she'd asked them to do. What she made them promise to do. She made them promise to be with John if she was terminated.

Vanna gave Allison a long kiss. She always felt cheated from the episode. Her love for Allison was always strong. She didn't protest at the time, even if she'd wanted to. She wanted to give her true love something she wanted desperately. Love was about sacrifice. She'd sacrificed at the time for her true love. She thought it was very magnanimous of Allison to step back and apologize.

"Thank you." Vanna said. "I hope it happens."

It really seemed to Allison like it was going to happen.

"It will." Allison said.

They let Allison off with Sheila and Leticia.

'Cameron' led Vanna into the private area and sent her on her way. She walked out of the private area and hurried towards the suite where Sheila, Allison and Leticia were. She quickly entered.

Sheila passed Leticia off to Allison and went out onto the balcony when 'Cameron' entered.


Frank pulled up and waited a block from Fisherman's Wharf.

Dan pulled up in the other van. Ally, Hanna and Bob got out. Dan drove the van away.

"Where's Jim?" Frank asked.

Bob knew Jim needed to be back on the ship before the rest of them.

"Cameron wanted him back on the ship. She needed to use Cam-Gail for something else." Bob said. "It was a priority assignment."

Dan ran back to the van and climbed in. He'd just returned the other van to where he'd 'borrowed' it from earlier in the evening. He was reassured by the Control Center no one had reported it missing. They might wonder why the fuel gauge was a little lower than it had been when they previously drove it. Maybe they wouldn't even notice.

Frank took off and headed back to the Cruise Terminal.

Cameron waited at the curb for the van to arrive.


Sheila was in contact with CamNet and Ally. She really wanted to be with Leticia. Duty called and she owed Cameron big time. There was no choice to make. Duty came before booty.

As soon as 'Cameron' entered the suite, Sheila went to the balcony and jumped over the side. She landed on the dock. It wasn't too many decks down. She jumped another fence and ran to where she could see Cameron standing. The van was about to pull up. She should get there before it pulled away.


Leticia was surprised to see 'the twins' standing there. It was 'Barbara' and 'Peggy'. She thought someone else would be there as well. She looked around.

"Where did Sue go?" Leticia asked. "She told me she had a surprise for me."

Allison was surprised to see 'Cameron' start to undress.

"We're the surprise." 'Cameron' said.

Allison looked long and hard at 'Cameron' as she stripped off her clothes.

Leticia stripped as well. She'd wanted to be with 'Sue'. The twins were certainly an unexpected surprise.

"Gail?" Allison asked quietly.

Cam-Gail was very pleased with the turn of events.

"Yes." Cam-Gail said softly. "Sheila needed to do something for Cameron so we lucked out."

Allison wasn't sure what was going on at this point but she really wanted to be with Leticia too. It would take her mind off of what Vanna was doing right now. She really hoped it set Vanna's mind free of the demons who'd resided there since her first assault when she was younger, not to mention the many which followed.

Cam-Gail, Allison and Leticia headed into the bathroom and used the shower together. She would let Allison and Leticia get started before she joined in with them. There was a connecting door to the suite next to them. She entered and could hear Holly and Laura in the main bedroom and Gail-Cam in the spare bedroom. Cam and her agreed they could use each other's chassis for the three new human girls. They both planned to share with all three of them anyway. Their chassis would be used one way or the other. They hoped at some point to share with them again once they were back in their own chassis. It would be interesting to see how the girls responded to them with a different appearance.

If Vanna or Allison failed to be with John, the Metal girls were to get one of the other girls from the ship in there instead. They really didn't think it would be a problem for the three new girls.


Cameron stood at the curb in front of the cruise terminal. She was going to fly back and personally back up Savannah if she planned to face the anti-Metal group. She'd made all the arraignments. She didn't want Savannah to face the anti-Metal group either.

The van pulled up in front of Cameron.

She could see Dan and Frank in the front seats.

The side door opened on its own much to her surprise.

"We've been waiting for you." Bob said.

Cameron entered the van. She'd really expected to be alone.

Ally and Hanna were there too. There was the sound of running footsteps behind her and Sheila arrived and climbed in.

"Let's go." Sheila said as she closed the door. "It looks like we'll be busting heads instead of beds tonight."

Cameron thought she would go alone. She didn't expect the loyalty of her fellow Terminators.

Frank took off.

Cameron was at a loss for words. She knew the three Metal girls all wanted to be with Mary, Laura and Leticia. They chose to come with her instead. It gave her a very positive feeling. She felt a little uneasy leaving John to be with Vanna and Allison. To see Ally, Hanna, Sheila and Bob there pleased her. Jim and the other Metal girls already carried out the specific tasks she'd assigned them. She felt she needed to say something. Maybe she didn't show enough appreciation for what those around her did for her.

"I didn't expect this." Cameron said. "It's quite an unexpected surprise. I'm moved by this."

Ally was with Cameron often in dealing with drug operations.

"We're going with you." Ally said. "It's no different than taking down a drug or sex trade operation. We've done plenty of those together."

Sheila was glad she'd made it.

"We have some extra muscle this time." Sheila said as she looked at Bob.

Bob smiled back.

Dan and Frank also volunteered to go with her. She told them she wanted them to carry out her earlier assignment for them. They were to return to Golden Gate Park and terminate any of the gang members if they returned. She also affirmed their desire to clean up any other street trash they came across in their nocturnal adventures. She thought San Francisco was a beautiful city. She wanted them to help keep it that way.

Frank drove a few blocks and the Blackhawk set down. Cameron received word they needed an additional crew member for the jet at the airport. Dan joined them.

Ken flew the Blackhawk alone. Lou was at the airport getting everything ready. Cameron and her team boarded the Blackhawk. It lifted off for the airport. They took a few extra weapons from the van. There were some weapons and vests on the Blackhawk too. There would be a jet waiting there for them when they arrived at the airport.

Cameron was surprised at the jet they'd procured when they landed. She saw why Lou requested an additional crew member. It all made sense now.

"Oh my, that's a big one." Cameron said. "It's a little bigger than I'd expected."

It was a chartered 727 Freightliner. The rear ramp, or 'airstair', was down. They took their gear and boarded. They would have plenty of room in the jet. Bob and Dan went up to assist Lou in the cockpit.

Cameron checked everything and put the rear ramp up. Things was going to be easier than she'd anticipated. There were six ram-air parachutes. They were the elliptical type.

The 727 started to taxi. CamNet gave them priority clearance. The jet was equipped with a 'hush kit' for noise abatement. It thundered down the runway and took off into the night sky. Without any type of load, other than the few passengers and their gear, the 727 was very light. Its performance was able to reflect it.

Cameron asked the Metal girls to armor up and get their 'ellipticals' set. They would divide up the weapons and get everything ready.

She moved up to the cockpit. Lou verified the 'Cooper vane' was disconnected so the 'airstair' could be lowered in flight. It would make their exit from the aircraft much easier.

Everything was better than Cameron hoped for. She could see how everyone went out of their way to make sure she was provided with the best equipment available on short notice. She was also appreciative of her extra help.

Everyone was ready. They all checked over each other's gear and equipment.

"We'll be over the drop zone in twenty seven minutes." Lou said. "They're still on the move."

Cameron didn't want Savannah to face the anti-Metal group alone. She didn't trust them. She was in contact with CamNet and found out the vehicles all stopped. It was soon determined Summer, who was with John Henry in the Command Center, identified where the group the Grays was searching for was at. They still weren't sure who the group was.

Lou and Dan would handle the rest of the flight. They would land at Van Nuys. Some of Cameron's Terminators from the hangar at Van Nuys would fly a helicopter out to pick them up when they were done and fly them back to Van Nuys for the return flight. There was one waiting already.

"Nine minutes until the drop zone." Lou said.

The jet began its steep descent. The configuration of the 727 gave it the ability to take off and land on short runways. Since there were no engines on the wings, the wings were very clean. The three engines were located at the rear of the fuselage.

Cameron and Bob moved to the rear of the jet as Lou slowed the air speed. The flaps were down as well as the landing gear. It was the most stable configuration for the aircraft at slow speeds. When they were slow enough, the airstair was deployed.

Cameron checked everyone's gear and Bob checked hers. They would make their jump from ten thousand feet. They were ready to go.


Earlier:

John Henry and Summer were in the Command Center.

Summer looked at the screens in front of her.

"I have it." Summer said.

John Henry wasn't sure what she had. He looked at the same screens. There were two vehicles of Grays stopped. Cammy and Savannah were stopped across and back from them by about a mile on a parallel route. Cammy was currently on a dirt road.

'Coltan Overcast' and 'Cherry Bomb' were in close above Cammy and Savannah. They were just out of earshot of a human. They were within effective minigun range.

"What do you have?" John Henry asked.

He made sure CamNet and the Young Bunker both received everything in real time.

Summer was concerned about what she'd discovered.

"There's something between Cammy and Savannah and the Grays." Summer said.

John Henry looked. He looked at footage from three separate drones overhead at a higher altitude. Another drone showed the whole area, it was at a higher altitude too. Everything was dark. Only the moon light lit the area dimly.

One of the cameras was in infrared mode. Another used thermal scans. The third used night vision.

Summer quickly got up and moved over to John Henry and adjusted the contrast on one of his monitors.

John Henry sat up straight. He now spotted the threat.

"Cammy, there are targets between you and where the Grays are at." John Henry said. "I make six figures. They're in earthen embattlements. There are most likely more. It appears to be an ambush of some type."


Earlier:

Young Allison and Anna were alert when they heard a new voice speak

"I have it."

Young Allison recognized the voice immediately.

"That's Summer." Young Allison said.

They listened to the conversation with John Henry and Summer.

Anna made adjustments to one screen like John Henry instructed them to do. She was surprised at what appeared.

"It's brilliant." Anna said.

Young Allison smiled.

"No. It's Summer." Young Allison said.

Anna made sure everything was locked up for a missile strike. It was. They could act anytime with a drone strike from multiple drones and different angles.

"CamNet has everything targeted including the Grays." Anna said. "We can take everything out before Savannah approaches the area."

Everything was available to them. They could have 'metal hail' fall silently from the sky or get direct close in minigun support. There were missiles ready for everything else. It was all there and ready.

Young Allison knew Savannah wanted to try and make contact with the anti-Metal faction if possible.

"Hold for now." Young Allison said. "The ball is in Savannah's court."


Cammy and Savannah were given detailed instructions by John Henry. CamNet made sure everything was indicated on the drone footage they viewed.

Savannah had her night vision ready to put on in anticipation of exiting the SUV. She was a little surprised by one of the voices she'd heard.

"Summer is with John Henry." Savannah said.

Cammy nodded. She was pleased with the information.

"Summer is highly intelligent." Cammy said. "She's very gifted."

Savannah didn't want to get into the speculation again about Summer being 'River', or a clone of River, or River's sibling, or River's offspring. It always pointed the finger at Cameron for time manipulation or some temporal malpractice. She needed to point out Duplicate Cameron was with River in her future along with the Duplicate girls and Metal Summer. If someone was meddling in the future, five hundred years in the future, it was most likely Duplicate Cameron or Metal Summer. They both ran Cameron's program. It would seem River would need to be a party to any of it herself. None of them would be able to fool River.

"Summer is very special on multiple levels." Savannah said.

Cammy thought it was time to watch and see what happened. She didn't see any need for their involvement until there was a victor on the battlefield.

"We can wait for the fighting to start and then finish off the survivors." Cammy said. "We can also let CamNet conduct a drone strike and finish off the survivors."

Savannah wanted to act. She wanted to reach out if she could. She could stop the Grays from attacking the anti-Metal group. It was in the front of her mind she could become the focus of their attention too, in a negative way. Everyone warned her of it. No one actively encouraged her to try and reach out. She didn't like killing Resistance fighters. Skynet and its illegitimate offshoots were the enemy. It wasn't the Resistance under John Connor in any timeline.

"I want to move out now." Savannah said. "I want to make first contact."

Cammy was afraid of something else.

"They may draw first blood." Cammy said.

Savannah didn't need to keep hearing it. She believed it was something she needed to attempt. They didn't need additional enemies. They didn't need pointless enemies.


Summer looked over everything. CamNet turned control of two of the drones, which scanned the area, over to her. She immediately changed the scan pattern on both of them.

"We must also take into account this could be another group of Grays from a different future or the Fanatics." Summer said. "We don't know who any of these people are other than one group appears to be Grays. Everything else is pure speculation at this point."

John Henry knew it was a just warning. They were operating under the presumption the group the Grays was after was the anti-Metal faction.

"It's a valid warning." John Henry reiterated. "It must be taken into account."


Vanna and John moved into the bedroom.

They looked at each other for a long moment. What they both thought and felt was unnecessary to verbalize. It was something they'd all known for years.

Vanna was a little apprehensive. She wanted to move things along.

"I'd like to take a shower first." Vanna said. "Will you help me with my clothes?"

John was very excited about everything.

He wasn't sure Vanna would go through with it. He wasn't going to push her if she started to hesitate. He decided it would be best to let her lead on everything. The last thing he wanted to do is traumatize her further. He was aware what they were about to do was complicated and difficult on multiple levels, especially for others.

They slowly undressed each other. They stood before each other naked.

John noticed Vanna put her hand over her scar at one point. He gave her a hug and moved her hand away.

"We all are how we are." John whispered in her ear. "Nobody is perfect."

He smiled at her and she smiled back. They were both very nervous.

"Thank you." Vanna whispered.

They entered the big shower and playfully washed each other off. Vanna made sure everything clean and ready to go. They ended the shower and got out. They dried each other off.

Vanna was a little surprised when John moved up next to her and scooped her up in his arms. She felt their bodies pressed tightly together. She was appreciative of the gesture.

John carried Vanna into the bedroom. He carefully set her down on her feet. He opened the bed as she watched.

Vanna looked at the open bed. She looked at John and climbed into the bed.

John kept a little bit of distance. He didn't want to seem pushy, or in a rush. He didn't want it to seem like he expected something. He wanted what Vanna wanted right now.

"Do you want the light on or off?" John asked.

Vanna answered quickly.

"Off." Vanna said.

John went to turn it off.

Vanna thought about some of her past experiences. The majority of them were in the dark. She also was pleased with some of her personal attributes. They were always very popular with everyone. She didn't think what they were about to do was something to hide from. It was going to be a moment of beauty.

"Wait." Vanna said. "I want us to see each other. Then again you already know what I look like everywhere."

John knew she referred to when Cameron was in control of Hanna's chassis. He wanted to point out there was a difference.

"I haven't seen you." John said. "I think you're beautiful. It's who you are inside, who is the real you."

Vanna liked he'd referred to her as an individual. Her scar still bothered her some. She thought it made her ugly. She did know all of her female suitors and lovers said it didn't matter. John said the same thing. His words about who she really was touched her. She didn't often hear it from her female lovers.

John turned off the light in the bedroom. He turned on the light in the dressing room instead. The light they received would be much dimmer. It was still enough to see by. He wasn't sure if he hadn't been with Cameron and Hanna's chassis, if he would have done the same thing. He did know what Vanna looked like physically. He already knew what every detail on her body looked like. Cameron made sure of it when she controlled Hanna's chassis.

Vanna felt it was better. There was still light but it wasn't too intense.

"I like it better this way." Vanna said.

John moved to her waist and bent down. Vanna thought he was going to get started right away. They hadn't even kissed yet.

Instead, she felt John kiss her scar.

He then moved up in bed next to her.

It meant a lot to Vanna with what he just did. It touched her very deeply. He really did accept her for who she was. Now she felt guilty about all the men who'd used her. It wasn't her fault. She became very nervous as she began to relive the shame of what she'd been through.

John could see Vanna started to tense up. His hand touched her cheek softly.

"Relax." John said softly. "This is where we are now. The past is behind us."

Vanna gave him a faint smile.

John kissed her cheek. He wasn't going to push anything. He would back off in a moment's notice. He wasn't out to hurt anyone, make them feel uncomfortable, or traumatize them.

"You tell me what you're comfortable with." John said softly.

Vanna expected him to take her right away. It was how it normally happened. He didn't. He was very kind and gentle. She really wanted to do this. It was her 'first time'. It was the first time she wanted to be with a man. It was the first time she'd offered herself willingly to a man. It was the first time she gave her consent to a man.

John moved over her.

Vanna was aware things were always rough at first.

"Go slow." Vanna whispered.

He could feel her tense up. He wasn't sure but he thought it was fear.

Vanna had been in this position too many times. This was the same, even if it was different. There was no gun to her head or a knife to her throat, but it was still the same. Her hands weren't bound. She wasn't tied to the bed. There weren't four men holding her down. It was the worst of them all. They all took a turn, one after another. They all went again and then again. Why did they have to say things when they held her down? Why did they need to hurt her? They wanted to hear her scream.

She looked at John loom over her. It was the same.

Vanna wanted to scream. Her mouth was suddenly dry. She wanted to run. The past gripped her firmly and wouldn't let her go. It tried to define her. The past was where she was stuck at, even if the past was the future. It still haunted her. She really wanted to be with John but the demons inside her head were winning the fight. She didn't want to let John down. She almost wished he would just take her and get it over with. It wasn't the way she wanted it. He didn't push it.

"I'm not sure I can do this." Vanna said. "I don't think I can do this. I want to, but I can't."

John moved off of her and lay next to her. He still hadn't touched her yet. The only thing he'd kissed was her scar. He'd wanted her to set the pace. It didn't look like things were going to go very far.

It was an unexpected surprise, even if it wasn't.

"I'm sorry." John said.

John didn't feel he'd done anything wrong to Vanna. He sure wasn't going to 'push' Vanna. It would only make her fears real. He wanted to help her, not hurt her.


CamNet's Terminators moved the big truck to the target building. They backed it up to the dock. The Terminator inside began to load it. They headed on down to the end of the cul-de-sac to see what was happening at the burnt out building.

They decided to approach on foot. They followed the same path the homeless men used earlier. They were soon near the siding which crossed over the street. They looked down the narrow gap between two buildings where the tracks ran.

"There hasn't been any sign of the rail gang returning." Lena said.

Tina thought it was out of their hands now.

"They were instructed not to return." Tina said. "We should have terminated them anyway."

Lena thought they already left a big enough trail of bodies behind.

"We're going to have enough stiffs to deal with already." Lena said.

They continued on past the siding and followed the spur track which came off of it. It ran alongside the burnt out building. They entered the building the same way the homeless men did. They looked around the building as they entered.

"What do you think happened here?" Tina asked.

Lena wasn't sure what they would find.

"It appears the building was mostly empty when it burnt." Lena said. "I don't see any shell casings on the ground."

They examined what would have been the workroom and storage areas of the building before they made it to the office area. They followed the footprints in the soot and dust as well. So far they hadn't turned up anything.

"I found a stairway." Tina said.

Lena came over to see what she'd found. She looked around at the wall in front of it. It appeared to be a 'hidden entrance'.

"I think we know why the drone couldn't track any of the individuals once they'd been in the building for a few minutes." Lena said. "It appears the opening was covered over. The fire damaged the false wall in front of it."

Tina examined the burnt wood and drywall.

"Someone must have seen part of the opening and pried everything else away." Tina said. "I can see fresh pry marks."

They checked the drone images over them to make sure there was no one else moving around. The homeless men were back near their encampment. There were no other vehicles moving around them. There was no sign of the rail gang. They went down the stairs.

Right away they could see the drug paraphernalia scattered around on the floor.

"It looks like they dropped everything and ran." Tina said. "I don't think it was from the homeless men either."

Lena walked over to the far wall. She could see fresh pry marks on the door frame. She entered the room.

"I found what spooked everyone." Lena said.

Tina quickly entered the room. She spotted the bodies lined up on the floor.

"I don't believe any of them are female." Tina said. "Look at their injuries."

Lena could already see the condition of the bodies.

"The men were beaten to death by a Terminator." Lena said.

Tina could see it was done methodically.

"Why would they be here?" Tina asked. "This building must be connected to the other one somehow."

Lena wondered why they were there as well.

"There's no way for us to know." Lena said. "The men we questioned didn't seem to know about this location."

Tina thought about the explosion at the building where there'd been a hostile Terminator.

"CamNet may have blown up the Terminator responsible for this." Tina said. "It's probably the reason the rail gang was so intimidated. We saw how they responded to the female Fanatic. She must have made them believe she was connected to the group of Grays. More than likely there'd been some encounters with them."

Lena didn't think there was anything else to see. They needed to make sure the big rigs got off OK.

"Let's go back." Lena said. "The other big rig should be there by now. We can see if they need us to put the grab on either one of the other box trucks."

They checked the drone footage as soon as they came up from underground.

They could see the second big rig was at the building. It was one spot over from where the other big rig was at. The two Terminators in the building indicated they'd taken everything of value. They wanted to know what was supposed to happen next with the building.

CamNet instructed them to burn the building down.

"What about the two boxcars inside?" Lena asked.

CamNet's Terminators were instructed to push the boxcars outside of the building first. The other two Terminators there would assist them before they left with the big rigs.


The female Fanatic checked around her one more time. There were no sounds or any movement. She debated whether she wanted to continue on the paved road until it turned into the dirt road, and follow the big rig in the SUV, or move it off to the side and continue on foot.

There was no way for her to know if there was a checkpoint further ahead. The vehicle might be recognized as a friendly vehicle at first. Once she was spotted as the driver, things would change.

There was a lot of blood on the steering wheel and on the driver side of the vehicle. It was where the driver had bleed out after she'd sliced his throat open. She looked around for a better option.

The moon was out right now. She could look around the area much easier. She could see there was a ditch on the opposite side of the road from where her car was parked. It was up a couple of hundred feet ahead of her.

She leaned over and started the SUV. She put it into 'drive'. The vehicle started to move forward at idle speed. She quickly closed the driver's door and walked alongside of it to steer it as it continued to build up a little speed. She needed to break into a mild jog to keep up with it. Once she was certain it was headed for the ditch, she moved away from it.

The front left tire went off of the paved part of the road. There was a dirt shoulder and then a steep angle. The SUV bottomed out slightly and then rolled over on its side as it fell into the ditch. The engine stalled. She wasn't going to waste time to attempt to cover it up. It would be spotted in the daylight more than likely. Right now it was off of the road.

The female Fanatic took one more look around her and started up the paved road. It soon turned into a dirt road. She carried two Berettas, two bombs and two grenades. She would have liked to have gotten her hands on another night vision device. There was no such luck. She knew she wouldn't be able to stay on the dirt road for very long.


The two homeless men cautiously approached their encampment. They were ready to bolt at any moment and seek out a municipal shelter for a few days. They proceeded to collect anything of value they could carry with them.

They'd been at their current location for a few months. They had a bad habit of bringing home things from the various buildings they visited. They'd actually collected a lot during the short time period they'd been there.

They constantly checked around them as they worked to take whatever they would be able to carry.

"We need to leave most of this behind." The first homeless man said.

The second homeless man hated to leave so much behind.

"It's going to take us a long time to get this much stuff again." The second homeless man said.

The first homeless man thought about what he saw in the burnt out building at the end of the cul-de-sac.

"It would take a lot longer to get our lives back." The first homeless man said. "I saw the condition those bodies were in. I'm sure what happened to those men, happened while they were alive. I don't want to end up like them. Everything here is just a bunch of junk. We're homeless. We don't need anything."

The two homeless men took their most valuable items with them and walked away from their encampment. They could hear a loud squealing sound on the other side of the railroad tracks. It was at the building where they thought the girls might have been taken. They were a little surprised at what they witnessed. It was a very unexpected surprise.


Unexpected Surprise

Sometimes it's easier
To hide behind a disguise
It helps delay those

Who seek to chastise

It's not very hard
To run short of allies
No one wants to be around
When everything will capsize

It does one little good
To fret and agonize
It's only a matter of time
Until everyone meets their demise

One needs to wonder
What exactly was the prize
When they are left holding
A sack full of lies

Often upon deaf ears
Will fall one's cries
They can't see much
When they shut their eyes

When one keeps doing
Things that are unwise
Sooner rather than later
There will be an unexpected surprise

Nobody