Chapter 110
Homeward
The window behind 'Cameron' exploded inward as something crashed to the floor. It rolled in. It stood up in an instant.
It was Cameron.
Cameron looked around the room as she scanned for threats. She was ready for combat. Much to her surprise all the threats were already neutralized.
There was no one for Cameron to attack, the bikers were all dead. Every one of them was terminated.
Cameron looked on in awe. She realized she could never have done 'this' as quickly and efficiently. Not a single shot was fired.
She actually saw the nude female figure enter the building less than a minute ago as she ran towards it. There were now twenty six terminated humans in the building. She really believed it was an amazing feat no matter how it was looked at.
Cameron looked at 'Cameron'. It was the female from the distant future. She did make the time transfer with them. She was able to move away from their group right after they appeared. It alone said something about her stamina and ability. The temporal transfer was so violent, it affected all of them adversely. It clearly didn't affect the other female. She tried to remember the name of the female.
"River?" Cameron asked.
Allison quickly made the connection. She was close earlier.
'That was it.' Allison remembered.
The girl who looked like her was named River, not Brooke. She could only remember it was something which dealt with water. She didn't even consider 'stream' or 'ocean' as a name for a person.
River slowly looked up at her.
It was clear to Cameron the female was something special. Her ability to get up immediately after the temporal transfer was a clear indication. The room full of dead bikers was proof of it.
"What are you?" Cameron asked.
River looked at Cameron evenly.
"I'm a girl from your future." River responded.
Cameron touched her cheek. It was evident she was much more. She remembered River's words to her earlier. It was a two way street.
"You're a weapon." Cameron stated.
Cameron and River identified each other in the same way. They both knew the other was a weapon. One was constructed. One was transformed.
They were both the creation of others without their choice.
John led Riley into his room.
Riley closed the door behind her.
John Henry and Bob were on a mission to stop Riley. They did it to 'protect' Cameron for when she returned. They knew what was about to transpire would 'damage' her severely. They each turned off of a separate hallway. They ran into each other. They literally bumped into each other. They both looked at each other as their eyes flashed red in acknowledgement. They both continued towards John's room. They both knew what needed to be done. It was what WOULD be done. No words were exchanged between them. Words were unnecessary at this point. 'Corrective' action was what was necessary.
Sarah arrived at John's room at the same time they did. She stood in front of them. She held Allison's Model 66 in her hand. She looked at them. She understood why they were there. They knew as well why she was there. They'd all come to 'protect' John from himself. They'd all come to protect Cameron. They were all there to protect the future even as convoluted as it seemed.
She was well aware there would be consequences for what was about to transpire. There was no reason anyone else needed to face them other than her. She believed she could survive what was necessary. One death would be enough. There was no need for any additional terminations. If anyone else was going to die, it would be her. The thought of dying a slow death from cancer was never very far in the back of her mind. If it was over quickly, it was over.
She was very glad to see the two Terminators there. She'd grown quite comfortable to be around them. She understood them better as individuals now. They all might have been constructed as killing machines, but they were so much more now. They were more than her co-workers. They were her friends. Friends were something which were few and far between growing up, especially in the years since the first Skynet attempt to terminate her. She was supposed to be a leader. It was time for her to lead.
"He is my son. I'll do it." Sarah said. "You'll be terminated if you do it. I won't be. John will only hate me, I hope. Cameron is his destiny, not Riley. Cameron will return. I must believe it as I do 'this'."
Sarah needed to think about Savannah's resolve. Savannah never wavered or gave up hope. She believed Cameron would return. Savannah believed the girls would return with her. Now it was her turn to believe as well.
The two big Terminators shared a common goal with her. They were both ready to act. The end of their own existence would be the result. They both wanted Cameron to find happiness when she returned. They needed to remember Savannah's words, 'Cameron is invincible. Cameron is eternal.' Their existence might not be. So be it.
"It must be done for Cameron." John Henry and Bob said together.
Sarah already made up her mind.
"It will be so." Sarah said. "I swear."
The three of them stood outside of John's door.
Sarah decided to get it over with before things went too far. She thumbed back the hammer on Allison's Model 66….
"It all ends NOW." Sarah said. "This can not happen."
She remembered Cameron's final message to John before he left into the future.
'I'm sorry, John.'
Sarah was too. It was time to act.
Cameron took a moment to survey the carnage inside of the building. She verified again there were no additional threats.
"Is everyone alright?" Cameron asked as she personally checked each of the girls and River.
They all said they were fine.
Cameron wasn't sure 'fine' was the right word. She double checked River as there was a lot of blood on her. None of it was actually hers.
Allison was very concerned about what was almost done to her.
"It was close." Allison said as she double checked her private parts.
Vanna glanced over Allison's as well. She knew they were only seconds from irreversible disaster.
"IT was too close." Vanna said. "I don't think you'll have any additional scars."
Allison faced Jesse. She was sure Jesse's actions put an end to what was about to happen, before it could.
"Thanks, Jesse, for killing the ugly 'Bitch Whore'." Allison said. "Did you see what she was going to do to me?"
River watched and listened to all the girls as they spoke with each other. She made a further assessment of each one of them. They all seemed to speak with truth and honesty whenever they spoke. She could feel the love between them. She needed to clarify something for them.
"I killed her." River said. "I killed all of them."
Jesse looked at the ugly woman. Her head was nearly severed. She never even saw it happen. In fact, she'd only seen a blur and blood spray as it happened. It seemed the same way for all the bikers she saw fall. If it weren't for the fact she looked at the group of dead people, it almost seemed like it never happened.
Allison wanted to express her appreciation for what was prevented.
"Thank you, River, for saving us." Allison said. "Thank you, for saving me."
River indicated Cameron. She understood she needed to choose her words carefully.
"I saw she wouldn't make it in time before the woman hurt the one who looks like 'me'." River said as she looked at Allison. "I did what now comes as 'natural' to me. It's like an 'instinct' at this point."
River was now aware a lot of things were like 'instinct' to her anymore. She knew they weren't, even if they were.
Vanna wasn't sure what it all meant, but she wanted to personally thank River too. She was aware whatever would have happened to Allison would have happened to her a minute later, if not sooner.
"Thank you, River." Vanna said. "You saved us from severe injuries. You saved our lives."
River looked at Vanna and reached out to touch her scar.
Vanna let her.
River looked at the scar and then at Vanna.
"This was done by people like 'this'." River said.
River looked at Jesse.
Jesse nodded.
River touched Jesse's scar.
"This was done by someone like 'her'." River said.
River looked at the ugly woman Jesse stabbed.
Jesse was reminded of her violent past.
"Thank you, love." Jesse said.
Cameron looked at River. There were a multitude of thoughts in her mind. There was one she wanted to bring to the forefront. She believed it was very important.
"Will you join us?" Cameron asked.
River looked around at the carnage.
"It would appear I already have…." River said.
No one was sure what was really what right now. There were a lot of unanswered questions. Most of the questions hadn't even been asked yet.
Riley was filled with anticipation. It was the moment she dreamed of and waited for. She was actually surprised it took John so long to 'get it'. He seemed a little slow to understand what she was after. She knew it was what they both wanted. She didn't think any man would turn her down once her womanly charms were offered up. She believed her assets were very prevalent and desired by others. It included both males and females. She did have quite a lot to offer.
She was aware John was with her other future self. Now he could be with her. She knew it was what he wanted. She could see and feel it. John was hungry for her. She knew she was really ready for everything. She knew her body was already responding to what was about to happen. It was quite evident to her, where it would matter. It was definitely going to be a smooth ride.
Their coupling was a long time in coming. She knew once they started, she wouldn't be….
Riley moved up and kissed John on the cheek.
She reached for his head to turn it so she could get to his lips. She knew things were about to start. Her excitement level was through the roof. She didn't think there was anything she ever wanted more than what was about to happen.
John needed to make a decision. No. It wasn't a decision. It was the right thing. He gently but firmly brushed her hand away. He needed to keep some control. He didn't want to get into a convoluted discussion which would probably quickly devolve into some type of confrontation. He knew just how to do it and 'explain' himself.
"Sit down." John said in a commanding voice.
Riley froze. It wasn't what she expected to hear, especially the way he said it.
The mood suddenly changed. In an instant it all slipped away from her. The brass ring was in her hand. It was yanked away. It was right there and everything was good to go right now.
Riley sat.
It wasn't what she expected. The direction things were headed wasn't what she wanted.
She didn't understand what John was doing. He should be 'all over' her. She believed she clearly offered herself to him with a guaranteed 'payoff'. What guy would turn a 'free ride' down? She briefly considered some other possibilities. Maybe John was really into men instead. He could still knock one or two off. She'd even take it like a dude to make it happen. He wouldn't even need to look at her front side.
John looked at Riley for a long silent moment.
He wanted to say something but decided on another plan instead. He needed to make Riley understand his position and how Cameron would feel about it. There was proof of how she already felt from 'before'. He certainly didn't need to have any additional pages added on his behalf about his selfish actions.
John sat down and picked up Cameron's poem book.
He looked at Riley for a long moment to convey he wasn't angry or upset with her. He didn't want what was about to happen to be a negative encounter. It needed to be a time of understanding.
"I would like you to listen carefully to what I read." John said. "It's very important to me. Please hear the words and feel them."
Riley didn't really understand what was happening. She could see John needed to do something first. She swallowed hard and nodded.
"I will." Riley said. "I don't want to cause any trouble."
John smiled at her.
"Thank you, Riley." John said. "This is about understanding some things for both of us."
John looked at the cover.
He read it aloud.
MY STORY
(Art Of The Mind)
By
NOBODY
Riley swallowed hard when John said 'Nobody'. It was clearly someone who was made to feel like trash, and their very existence was worthless and without meaning. She figured there were probably a lot of people who felt the same way at times. It just wasn't all of the time.
John opened the book and started to read aloud to Riley. He read page after page. He stated 'Nobody' clearly at the end of every poem as he looked directly at Riley. He did it each time he said 'Nobody'.
Sarah reached for the door handle. The Model 66 was in her hand. It was ready to fire. She planned to kill Riley as soon as she opened the door. She didn't want Riley to contemplate her execution. If she was lucky, Riley would be looking the other way. Her world would go to black in an instant. There would be no time for John to react and get in the way of the bullet. It was the last thing she wanted to happen. If John was killed, the second round fired would be inside her mouth with the barrel pointed upwards. It would be over fast with a bullet through her brain. It was the only way to be sure. She would be dead before she would even be able to hear the shot fired.
John Henry could hear what was actually happening inside the room. It wasn't what he expected to hear. He was actually somewhat impressed.
"Wait." John Henry said. "Listen…."
Sarah paused and listened. She heard John reading Cameron's poems aloud to Riley. She felt a sense of relief. John did do the 'right thing', even if it was hard for him to do.
She carefully uncocked the Model 66.
Sarah understood what John was doing. He tried to make Riley feel the hurt and pain John caused Cameron before. It was the hurt and pain caused by 'John's Riley', Future Riley. John made Riley feel the pain he felt as he shared Cameron's pain. She understood it, the pain reinforced the love. If Cameron didn't truly love John, there would be no pain for her to feel. Cameron's poems weren't about anger, they were about pain and suffering. They were about emotional trauma. They were about love.
She listened as John read every poem aloud to Riley. Tears ran down her cheeks.
Bob and John Henry silently left, they understood. John was going to honor Cameron, even in termination. They both respected John more as a true leader.
Sarah really wondered if Cameron would ever come back….
She no longer possessed any faith, but she prayed anyway. She didn't pray for herself. She prayed for John and Cameron. It never hurt to try.
Sarah left to seek out Kyle. Her son was a better man than she gave him credit for. She was proud of him. John Connor was truly a great man. Sarah needed Kyle to comfort her right now. She wasn't ashamed of what she'd almost done. Nobody put her 'baby' in a corner.
Cameron wanted to conceal what occurred inside of the building. The best way was to destroy all the evidence. There was a ready-made solution at hand. The bikers brought it with them. There was no reason they couldn't experience the fruits of their own labor. She spread the chemicals around the warehouse. They were the chemicals used to make the drugs. They were highly flammable. Since there were no bullet wounds in the bikers, the fire should mask what really happened there when she torched the place. There were extra cans of fuel in the pick up truck. She doused all the bodies with the chemicals and the gasoline. She hoped to make it look like the bikers got careless with making the drugs and they all died in the fire which ensued.
They found spare clothing on some of the bikes, as well as a few weapons they recovered from the dead.
It was time to set things in motion and cover their tracks. Cameron ignited a road flare and tossed it into the building. The gasoline vapor ignited with an explosive roar. The chemicals caught fire from the gasoline.
Cameron didn't want the girls to try and ride any of the motorcycles. They would all be a little more secure in the truck.
Jesse, Allison and Vanna all got in the truck.
Cameron asked River to ride with them. She was going to ride one of the 'hogs' back.
River looked at the motorcycle Cameron selected and wanted to ride with her. They found enough unbloodied leather for both of them to wear.
Cameron looked at River. She could 'feel' something in her conciseness.
"Can we communicate?" Cameron asked.
River smiled.
"Yes." River said. "I can 'feel' and 'read' you."
Cameron wasn't sure how it was possible, but there was something there. There were a few things she wished to keep private.
"You may look anywhere except my alone time with my husband." Cameron said.
River didn't want to overstep.
"I understand." River said. "You can stop me if I go too far."
Cameron fired up the hog she commandeered. It was loud.
She looked at Allison behind the wheel of the truck.
"Let's ride." Cameron said.
There was a big smile on River's face as they rode. She communicated silently with Cameron. She was able to see and feel her thoughts.
Cameron could 'feel' River inside her mind, but she couldn't see into River's mind. She let River go where she wanted. She never stopped her. She didn't have anything to hide from River, or did she? Maybe River could find what Future John really did 'with' her, if not 'to' her. She really wanted to know if her chassis was defiled in the future by anyone.
She led the truck down the dirt road to a paved street. They soon picked up the Interstate. They would be back to the base in less than two hours. The question was, what would they find? This could still be an alternate timeline.
As far as they knew, they might be less than two hours from termination. It depended upon what the reception would be.
Cameron hoped termination would be swift if it was.
Allison followed behind Cameron and River. She found a local channel on the radio and blasted the music as she drove.
'Truckin'' by the 'Grateful Dead', was the song which filled the night air.
Nobody knew what would fill the future.
Closing monologue by Cameron:
Elusive Illusions
We think we've found the one
There really is no such thing
Visions clouded with lust and greed
To them another meaningless fling
Their payoff of indifference
Surrounded by nothingness
Their goal of complete victory is
Our obedience and submissiveness
We can surrender our true self
For the knowing hurt yet to come
We always know how the story ends
As we are ground up and spit out as chum
Slowly they mash and grind away
Annihilating the fabric of our existence
With any minuscule scrap our subsistence
Coexistence eradicates our resistance
We take the blows and the heat
As our minds fill with impossible delusions
Perpetually knowing eternally within
Love and happiness are elusive illusions
Nobody