Chapter 126

In And Out

John Henry was able to compile enough information and data on a new target. Everything seemed to indicate there was a version of 'Skynet' being built there. It was from the information on some surveillance Bob and Jim conducted previously. Bob was recalled to the base for another operation. Jim was able to follow a box truck from the location they were watching towards the new location.

Jim needed to keep some distance between him and the box truck. He didn't want them to know they were being tailed. He was already aware of the location where the box truck visited. What was unknown was if the box truck picked up something, or let something off.

The first location would require further investigation. Since it was known, there was no pressing hurry to do so. It would be better to find out what the other locations were before they acted. There was a better chance they would be able to find additional targets.

Jim lost the box truck in traffic when they neared an industrial area. He immediately closed up the distance he'd been behind it, but was unable to reacquire it. He wasn't sure if they pulled a fast one, or if it was just coincidence. He was sure there wasn't too much coincidence when Skynet was involved.

What was done to hide the truck was unknown. They thought it might be standard operating procedure for them to lose any tail, without knowing they were actually being tailed. It was an effective strategy.

He contacted John Henry to see if there was anything on any of the traffic cameras. There weren't traffic cameras in every intersection, but there were a few around the area. None of them picked up the box truck. It indicated the box truck was still in the area. It was probably at the new location.

He proceeded to check each street one at a time. There was no sign of the box truck anywhere. He wondered if he'd left too much space between them. He didn't think so. He checked with John Henry again to see if there were any new developments. So far there weren't any.

Jim realized there wasn't much he could do. He set up surveillance equipment in several different locations. All of the main routes out of the area were covered between the surveillance cameras and the traffic cameras.

It was a few days later when they received a hit. The box truck left the industrial area and was on its way back to the building they already knew about. It was currently under surveillance.

Several Terminators were dispatched from the Resistance base to go into the area where the truck was lost before. They waited for the truck to return. They knew when it left the other building.

They waited for it to return back to wherever it left from. They knew how long it would take to return. It was right on time. It was soon in the area again. One of the teams on the ground was able to spot where it turned at. They thought they found the location. Another team spotted the same truck a few minutes later. It evidently drove through the rear of one property, into the rear of the property behind it, and out to the street on the other side. There was no indication of the maneuver from the street it turned off of originally. It ended up at a more remote location a little further away.

John Henry was able to put all the information together. They now had a target. With the energy usage at the new location it seemed as if there was a very powerful mainframe under construction.

The confirmation was all Cameron needed to hear. She saw it as her duty and function to destroy every 'Skynet' herself, in any timeline she was in.

It was Cameron's goal to make sure 'Skynet' knew it was her who terminated it. It was personal to her. She also didn't want John identified as a threat in this timeline. She wanted to take all the heat herself. She didn't want anything associated with the Connor family. She wanted to protect Sarah as well.

As far as Skynet knew, both John and Sarah were terminated. It applied to Savannah as well. If Skynet believed they were all terminated, it wouldn't keep sending additional Terminators after them.

Everything was organized and the team members assembled.

The team made final preparations for the strike mission.

Cameron was very specific as to who would be with her.

"Jesse and Riley are coming with me." Cameron said. "They'll be on my team."

John was a little confused by Cameron's selection. He questioned the decision.

"Is it a wise team up?" John asked.

Cameron glared at him.

John could see he'd made a mistake to question Cameron's plan.

"On second thought, it sounds like a good idea." John said.

Cameron smiled. She wanted to make her position clear. She wanted to give John a reminder how things 'worked'.

"Someone likes to get 'lucky' at night, I see." Cameron said.

John didn't like the implication. It was something he experienced more than a few times when he upset Cameron.

"Are you going to use sex as a weapon?" John asked.

Cameron didn't want to seem petty. It was just the way things worked.

"No." Cameron said. "Maybe motivation is a better way to think of it."

John wondered what the motivation was for.

"Motivation?" John asked.

Cameron wanted to keep it civil and light.

"It's motivation to keep me 'happy'." Cameron said as she smiled and gave John a kiss. "You won't like me when I'm angry."

John decided to move on. He was used to working with those on his team.

"OK, so Allison, Bob and I will make up the other team." John said.

It sounded good to Cameron.

"Yes." Cameron said. "I like the plan"

There was another issue John wanted to deal with. He would bring it up and see where it went. He was aware it was a source of friction for Cameron. He wanted to keep all of the team members' proficient.

"Gail and Holly are in on rotation this week…." John said.

Cameron didn't say anything.

John wanted Cameron to think about her disposition. He wasn't really sure how to address it, other than to just say it.

"Are you jealous of them?" John asked.

Cameron still didn't say anything.

John wanted to give Cameron a reminder. It was something they both gave each other previously.

"Sometimes it is nice to have help." John said.

Cameron looked at him. She knew John was right. The additional assistance would provide extra protection for John.

"You pick one for your team then." Cameron said. "I'll take the other one."

John already picked one out. It was something he wanted to do for a while.

"I'll try Holly." John said. "I haven't seen her perform yet."

Somehow Cameron didn't like John's 'wording' with his statement. She was aware Gail and Holly could do 'everything' she could. She specifically thought about the bedroom. She knew they were both endowed with voluminous breasts. She knew some thought it was a 'better build'. She didn't. Breast size wasn't everything. At least it shouldn't be. It was a visual attraction, she believed was actually a distraction.

Gail and Holly both seemed to really like Riley for some reason. It was OK with Cameron for the mission. She would be a 'big girl' about it. She'd noticed Gail check Jesse out before also. Then again, Gail checked out all the females. She thought especially Allison and her too. She read in Cosmo females spent as much time checking out other females as men do. It appeared they wanted to check out the 'competition', even if it was on a subconscious level.

'What's the world coming to?' Cameron wondered.

If nothing else, it presented more 'opportunity' for John in the future. She might not always be there.

John always could make a choice.

Life was about choices.

Then again, she wasn't pleased about some of his past choices. She didn't want to think about those right now. She thought about them enough anyway.

The team armored up. Everyone got their gear together and checked their weapons.

Cameron wanted to make sure everyone was protected.

She noticed right away one of the team members hadn't followed protocol.

"Gail, aren't you forgetting something?" Cameron asked.

Gail looked around and checked her weapons.

"No." Gail said.

Cameron noticed Gail wasn't properly protected. She originally thought she wouldn't say anything to Gail about it. She knew Gail was part of the team and they all needed to support each other. There was no need to be petty when someone's safety was involved.

"You need to wear your body armor." Cameron said.

Gail felt it restricted her movements some.

"It fits tight around my 'frame'." Gail said.

Gail's description made Cameron smile. She wanted to spell it out clearly for Gail. It was something she found out the hard way more than a few times.

"Gail, your voluptuous breasts will look a lot nicer without bullet holes in them, or chunks blown out of them." Cameron said. "Besides, do you know how long it takes for a nipple to regenerate?"

Gail quickly put her vest on. She didn't want to find out, especially with Holly at the base. She was already in enough 'competition' with her as it was. Since they made a comparison of their 'anatomical parts', she wanted to keep all of hers in top condition. She wanted them to remain attached to her sheath as well.

"Thank you for explaining." Gail said.

Jesse and Riley smiled at the exchange. They didn't comment. They double checked their vests.

Cameron checked them as well. She smiled at each girl as she did. She didn't want anyone to get shot whether they were a Terminator or human. Damage was damage, it all needed time to repair.

John went over the plan again. He wanted to make sure everyone knew what their job was. It was a serious operation if there was a version of Skynet there. The indications were another Skynet front was trying to establish a super computer bank.

They would hit it. Everyone inside would remain inside 'forever'. They would then blow the place up.

John didn't want anyone to get carried away, or do more than they needed to destroy everything. The longer they were inside, the more could go wrong.

"I want to keep this a simple in and out." John said.

Allison thought about some of their past operations. It didn't seem as if any of them were simple.

'Like it ever happens.' Allison thought.

John wanted to make sure who the teams were. He didn't want any confusion.

"My team is 'Team One' and Cameron's team is 'Team Two'." John said.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"We have two elements in each team. Bob and Allison are one. Holly and I are the other. The two in an element will always stay together." John said. "Cameron's team elements are Jesse and Gail, and Cameron and Riley."

Cameron double checked Riley again. Riley smiled at her as she did.

"Everyone knows their task, let's do it." John finished.

John really hoped they could pull the operation off without too much trouble. They should have the element of surprise in their favor. There was a Terminator with every human. If something turned into a problem, the Terminator would need to take the heat. It was just the way things needed to be.

Jesse noticed Gail eyeballed her. She was about to say something when Gail spoke.

Gail wanted to address something. It was based on her observations and calculations.

"You know, Jesse, you're 'built' totally different than I am, but you're really Hot." Gail said.

Jesse was a little surprised to hear it. She thought there may be other factors involved.

"Thanks, I think." Jesse said. "Maybe it's the 'accent' they tell me I have, or my 'features'."

Gail felt it was more. It was the 'whole package' with Jesse.

"No, they only make you Hotter." Gail said.

Jesse was aware her background was different from everyone else's.

"I was born in Hong Kong if it makes any difference." Jesse said. "I grew up in Australia."

Cameron looked over at them and frowned. It was unnecessary banter.

"You two know John Henry is monitoring everything." Cameron said.

Gail just wanted to rub it in on Holly because she was with the 'HOT girl' as her charge.

Jesse held her silenced pistol out as they advanced.

As they came up on the first guard, Jesse put two rounds in his head.

"Nice." Gail said as she looked at Jesse and smiled.

Jesse nodded back. She wasn't known as a 'Metal Lover', but the Metal girls caught her fancy. Gail seemed very receptive to her. It was something to think about. She wondered what a Metal lover would be like. A Metal lover would never get tired when she was doing something. She would be able to do it for hours at a time. Maybe the human body couldn't tolerate so much sensation. It was an interesting concept. Right now she was happy with the human girls, and everything they had to offer, and receive. She liked the human connection. She'd learned to appreciate the closeness from Vanna and Allison. She liked the 'love' they offered. It was something a Metal girl wouldn't be able to do. At least she didn't think so. Maybe she could find out one day.

Cameron and Riley moved into their position. She felt responsible for Riley and didn't want her to get hurt, or worse, especially since she was in her element. The one thing they could always expect on any operation was the unexpected.

"Stay close, Riley. Don't take any chances. I'm here to help protect you as well as instruct you." Cameron said. "Stay focused and always pay attention to everything around you."

Riley was pumped up. She was thrilled to work with Cameron. She was a little apprehensive about the operation.

"I understand." Riley said.

Cameron moved up and grabbed a guard. She snapped his neck like a rotten twig.

Riley was amazed at the ease Cameron did it with.

On the night they went out, Riley saw how powerful Cameron could be. She was sure it was only a small portion of her power. She also watched Cameron play with Savannah. They acted like two girls, especially when River was around. She missed River. River always came around when she was down, or afraid, and reassured her with a gentle touch or smile. She would be gone as quickly as she came. Such a simple gesture at the right moment meant so much.

Cameron spotted danger but Riley seemed oblivious.

"Riley, watch out." Cameron said as she stopped her.

There was an electronic beam Riley almost crossed.

Riley knew she'd let her mind drift a little. It was a mistake.

"I'm sorry." Riley said.

Cameron wanted to cut Riley some slack. She knew she wasn't as experienced as the other girls. It was why she wanted her on her team. She did need to remind her of the consequences.

''You need to stay focused." Cameron warned. "One screw up and you end up hurt or worse."

Suddenly a guard appeared on Riley's right and raised his weapon.

Cameron stepped in front of Riley as the guard fired.

Riley could feel the impact of the rounds hit Cameron, which were meant for her.

Cameron fired her M4 into the guard. She quickly looked at Riley to make sure she was OK.

Riley saw there was metal exposed on Cameron's face. Now she felt really bad about it. Then again, if the same damage happened to her, she would be dead. She felt she needed to say something. There wasn't a whole lot to say.

"I'm sorry, Cameron." Riley said.

Cameron knew when she fired her M4 things were going to heat up.

"You need to keep moving." Cameron said. "Start placing charges, all Hell is about to break loose."

Cameron checked on the other element of her group.

Jesse went low as the shooting started, Gail backed her up.

Gail watched four men appear. All fell as she opened up on them with her M4.

Jesse started to place charges from her backpack while she watched their six.

Cameron motioned for Riley where to place her charges. It looked like she did everything correctly.

She spotted a Gray trying to retreat from the direction Bob's team and John's teams were at. She motioned for Riley to move forward and take him before they were noticed. She covered the Gray herself. She wanted to give Riley the experience to 'take the shot'.

Riley moved up. She checked her flanks and behind her before she zeroed in on the Gray. She didn't want to be open to a direct counter attack. She aimed her M4 and fired a three shot burst. The Gray was hit in the chest and instantly fell. Riley kept her M4 ready in case there was an additional target. There wasn't one evident.

Cameron indicated for Riley to continue to place her explosive charges.

Riley knew their 'job' involved death. It was better if death was directed at the enemy, and not to anyone in their group. She could see the Gray that Cameron pointed out to her attempted to ambush John's team or Bob's team. She ambushed him first. She killed before in the future. She did so in the past as well. It wasn't any different when the enemy was the same.

After she placed the last of her charges, she might ask Cameron if she could lead. She looked at the damage she caused Cameron with her inattentiveness. Maybe her desire would need to wait for another time.

Allison and Bob advanced. Bob carried an M60. Allison started to place her charges. She went low when the 'pig' opened up.

Bob didn't want things to get away from them. They needed to complete the objective.

"Keep placing charges and watch our six." Bob said as he continued to lay down suppressing fire.

Allison wanted to stay out of the direct line of fire. As soon as she placed her last charge, she wanted to mix it up with some Grays. She didn't like the fact they were shooting at them. She took these things as a personal affront. She would like to get some payback and retribution. Maybe it wasn't the way to do things, but it was how she always did it.

Holly popped up with an M79 and put an HE round into the doorway Bob had been shooting into when Bob changed belts. White smoke poured off of the barrel.

John placed his charges and brought his M4 up to fire at two men moving in behind them. They both went down. One of them was still in the fight. He managed to get off a few shots in his direction. John sought cover and returned fire. He was able to score and take the Gray down.

John Henry compiled all the data and relayed information to each group.

Cameron advanced towards the 'Clean Room' and the computer banks. She wanted to arrange a 'date' with Skynet who was in the 'Clean Room'. It's what she hoped anyway.

John Henry came over Cameron's com link.

"There's a Terminator headed your way." John Henry said.

It looked like things were about to heat up.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Inspiration

What is inspiration
Where does it spawn from
The heart, mind and soul
From happiness or feeling glum

Perhaps from encouragement
Our inner self can expand
Seldom the path followed
Is the one desired or planned

What will be our motivation
Will anyone ever really know
Or is it as fleetingly transitory
As a colorful Spring rainbow

Do we try to discourage
Or should we encourage
Isn't it the proper way
To show one's true courage

Spark up the enthusiasm
Unleash the imagination
For inside everyone of us
Grows tomorrows foundation

We may rise to the challenge
Or we may falter and fall
What really matters
Is if we answer the call

Nobody