Chapter 155
Homeward Bound
Cameron moved through the jungle. She wondered if she would encounter any more trouble. She was aware there was always more trouble which could lurk anywhere. She found out soon enough.
There was a 'crack' sound up ahead off to her right. She heard it again a few seconds later. It was clear something was there. She figured it was an animal, she didn't know yet if it was the two legged type.
She was fairly certain the Jaguar was left behind earlier. It's possible it could have expanded its territory to follow them. It was left with a rather negative account of their brief association. The Jaguar may be among the largest predators in the jungle, it wasn't the only one. She needed to consider the fact she might be near a body of water. There were various creatures which lived there.
She changed her direction slightly to go to the left. She needed to get to the airport. Well, it was probably just a landing strip. She hoped to avoid a confrontation with a wild animal. There were other animals to consider. Her biggest threat would actually be humans. She heard a human voice. She couldn't quite catch what was spoken. It was directly in front of her.
Cameron used some of the other visual spectrums available. She picked up two thermal images. She looked around for more. She didn't want to be in the middle of a group of them if they were spread out.
She soon detected a third man further to the left. They weren't headed towards her, they were headed towards the airstrip. She didn't know if it was a patrol on its way back there for the transfer of the narcotics. She knew it could be another group who planned to get control of the cash the plane would have brought. They could get drugs anytime. The only time they would be able to get their hands on the cash is when the aircraft arrived.
Cameron was close enough to get a visual sighting on the two men she first heard. They wore black uniforms. They were different from the uniforms worn by the men in the truck. It was her assessment they were after the cash. She wondered why they weren't already in place. Maybe there was another group already there. She didn't want the girls to be caught in a crossfire. It was time to make her move.
A Terminator was designed to kill humans. It was exactly what she intended to do. Anyone she came across, she would terminate. She made her way directly to the closest man. She moved up behind him and snapped his neck. She lowered his body to the ground. She advanced towards the second man. She did the same thing to him. She could hear the third man was closer to her position. It was unclear if she was detected or not. So far the man hadn't shouted an alarm or raised a challenge. He also hadn't taken a shot.
She moved behind a tree. She looked around from the opposite side she should have passed by it. The third man was very close by. She moved around in back of him and terminated him as well. She left the three men behind. There was no way to know yet, if there were more or not. So far the three terminations only cost her sixteen seconds.
Cameron kept track of the time. She could speed up her pace to regain the sixteen seconds, or she could continue at a slower pace in case there were more men. She decided to make up the time. She didn't want the girls trapped between two enemy forces. She would be able to take the damage, they wouldn't.
It caused her some concern when there was more noise off to her right side. She didn't know what it was. It didn't repeat itself. It sounded very much like the original sound. It seemed her best course of action would be to continue at the speed she currently traveled. She veered off in the direction of the noise. If a threat was detected, it would be terminated. Nothing was encountered.
She was close enough now to hear where the airfield was. There was activity occurring there. She quickly and silently made her way to the outskirts of the target area. She spotted the small airfield. She was on a timetable to act before the truck arrived.
She watched them refuel the plane from a small tanker truck. The pilot went back inside the jet when they finished. The copilot went off elsewhere. He fooled with his pants as he walked. The tanker truck moved off to the side and parked by a hut as soon as the refueling was complete.
Cameron moved up and took out a guard. He watched the activity inside the perimeter instead of on the outside like he should have. She took out two more guards. She moved to the hut to see what else was inside. She snapped the neck of another guard, as well as the driver of the tanker truck. She took his rifle. It was in better condition than the one she held. The rifles of the three other men she terminated on the way there, were in worse condition than the one she just got rid of.
She looked over the fuel truck's controls. She set them so only a lever needed to be moved to start the fuel flow. She then tore the metal head off the hose. Once the fuel flow was activated, there was nothing to restrict its flow.
Cameron went over the time schedule. She was ahead of where she figured she would be. The inattentive guards made her attack easier.
She wanted to take a look inside of the airplane. She quickly moved to the plane and went in the open door. The pilot never looked back as she came up behind him and snapped his neck. She moved back to the door of the plane to see if anyone spotted her enter it. No one did. The copilot was on his way back to the plane. He zipped up his fly. She moved from where she was, to behind the door of the plane for better concealment. The copilot entered. He didn't look around. She broke his neck as well. She took his sidearm and chambered a round. She stuck it behind her back.
Cameron quickly checked the inside the plane. She found a large sum of cash in a duffel bag. It was much like she encountered with local gangs. The payoff where she was, was much larger. She thought raiding the drug trade would be an effective strategy for her to get a hold of cash. The drug trade was involved with big money.
She could use the money to set a new operation up. It would be her operation. She could do things outside the scope of the Resistance if she did. She wondered if she was laying the first seeds of herself as 'Skynet' with the thought. Two acronyms popped into her head as a name for it.
The first acronym:
CAMERON
Communication
And
Monitoring
Encryption
Roving
Overview
Network
The second acronym:
CAMNET
Communication
And
Monitoring
Network
Encryption
Tracking
She liked the last one. She was sure it was because it was similar to Skynet. Maybe the apple didn't fall far from the tree, like the saying indicated.
She didn't want to dwell on it. The fear she became 'Skynet' bothered her. There were pressing needs for her to deal with.
The truck was coming. She heard it. So did the remaining men at the airfield. A group of men gathered. They expected to unload the truck like they always did. They were all complacent in their jobs. It was the same thing every time, over and over.
Cameron exited the plane while they were all distracted. She didn't want to be too close to it when the shooting started. She moved well away from it so it wouldn't be damaged. She took aim at the gathered men and fired the rifle. The group of men fell. She dropped the empty rifle and used the pistol she took from the copilot. It was a Glock 17. She shot anyone else who appeared, each once in the head. She scanned for any more targets, there were none.
She motioned for Allison to park the drug laden truck next to the fuel tanker. She wanted to make sure she left a lasting impression at the base.
"Open the valve on the tanker and let the fuel run under the truck. It's the green lever." Cameron said. "Just flip it."
Cameron tossed both deceased pilots out onto the ground. She looked over the instruments and controls. She started the jet. She was ready.
Allison parked the truck where Cameron indicated. The girls got out of it and flipped the lever on the fuel truck. They watched the fuel as it began to flow onto the ground. They headed for the plane.
Jesse took a road flare with her she found inside the truck they arrived in. She paused when they were about fifty feet away. She ignited the flare and tossed it toward the trucks. The flare spun end over end. The fuel flowing from the tanker truck was headed right for it. She ran and joined Vanna and Allison as they boarded the plane.
Cameron ushered them in, closed the door behind them, and locked it. She hurried back into the cockpit. She told the girls to fasten themselves in. She secured herself and started to taxi the jet. She started down the short runway. She lifted off smoothly. The plane was already airborne as the fuel tanker exploded behind them. It set the drug laden truck next to it on fire as well.
She checked the instruments and gauges. Everything was in order. They carried a full load of fuel. She'd checked the 'flight plan' the pilot marked on a map. She knew where she was and where she was going to go. Her destination was different from where the drugs were headed, but she should have sufficient fuel.
The jet screamed into the darkness of the night….
Cameron felt a little apprehensive as to what awaited her. Either way they were homeward bound.
'Homeward Bound' by 'Simon and Garfunkel', played in Cameron's mind.
Cameron wanted to stay off of any radar and not get intercepted by anyone. She didn't want anyone alerted to their presence. She didn't want to be detected by the authorities, or by John Henry. She wanted to arrive unhindered and unannounced. The goal was to find out what the current situation was at the Resistance base, not influence it one way or another.
Allison moved up to the cockpit after a short while. She looked at Cameron. There was a set of headphones on the copilot's seat. She lifted them up and sat down. She put them on.
Cameron stared straight ahead and checked the gauges periodically. The one which bothered her was the fuel gauge.
Allison peered out into the darkness. There wasn't much she could see. She took in the stone cold look on Cameron's face
"Is everything alright?" Allison asked.
Cameron glanced at her.
"We're burning a lot of fuel at this altitude. It's a good thing this plane has extra fuel capacity." Cameron said.
Allison stared into the total darkness. There was no moon.
"Can you see?" Allison asked.
Cameron looked ahead of her.
"I see everything." Cameron said.
Allison couldn't see much of anything except some patches of something from time to time.
"What are those white things I see every now and then right under us?" Allison asked. "They look to be only a few feet below us."
Cameron was just above the water.
"Those are waves and white caps." Cameron said.
It didn't make sense to Allison. They seemed right there below them.
"Aren't we high in the sky?" Allison asked.
Cameron gave her a brief description.
"No. I'm flying fifteen feet above the Pacific Ocean at four hundred and fifty knots. It's why we're using so much fuel. I want to avoid detection. There's enough fuel for us to make it to California. Low altitude flight is what this plane has been modified for. It can fly like this to do drug smuggling." Cameron said. "I'll set down at one of the smaller airports in the Los Angeles area, maybe at Santa Monica. We'll have to be ready to move fast once we touch down. I want you to inform the others and then get some rest. We still have four more hours of flight time."
Cameron indicated the map the pilot used as to where they were, and where they were going to go. The entire flight would be over water. She knew it was possible a ship might be able to report their passage. She knew it would be a lot more likely over the land. If she was over the land at such a low altitude, she would need to factor in trees and power lines.
Allison removed the headphones. She went into the main fuselage and filled Vanna and Jesse in. The girls talked about what happened so far. It wasn't the adventure they thought they were headed for. It was supposed to be into Cameron's future. They way things shaped up, they would be gone less than a day, even though more than fifteen months passed. It gave them all something to think about.
They went from being worried about what time period they were in, to being home in time for dinner, so to speak.
Cameron neared the California coast.
Jesse came up and sat in the copilot's seat. She put the headphones on.
She looked out into the darkness. She couldn't see anything.
"How are we doing?" Jesse asked.
Cameron could think of a deeper answer to her question. She decided to keep it simple.
"We'll touch down in twelve minutes." Cameron said. "I'm monitoring air traffic at the airport I want to use. We'll set down between two scheduled flights and taxi off to the hangar area. Get everyone ready to move. I want to take the duffel bags and weapons with us. We're going to dump this plane and commandeer a vehicle. We want to get away from the airport before anyone figures out what happened."
Jesse could see how concerned Cameron was. Right now wasn't the time to discuss it.
"Roger." Jesse said as she touched Cameron's arm and moved off.
Cameron closed in on her landing zone. She popped up from the surface of the water and completed her turn. She was over the land now, still very low. She was as low as she could fly safely. She approached without lights and chopped the speed to just above stall speed with the gear and flaps down. She set down on the runway and quickly taxied to the hangars.
She turned off the engines as soon as the plane stopped. She kept them running in case she would need to increase the power and take off from the taxiway. She wasn't sure what the local drug enforcement policy actually was. No threats were detected. She parked as close to some vehicles as she could. She opened the door and they exited. They appropriated a parked van. It was the closest vehicle.
They took the money and weapons with them. They didn't know what awaited them or what their future would be. They drove out of the airport and onto the street. It didn't appear anyone was after them. There was no one who followed them.
Cameron knew they were in good shape if they needed to survive on their own. With plenty of money, guns, and a Terminator, what more would they need? If they needed to start a new future for themselves, they were off to a good start.
Cameron got on the 405 Freeway and headed for the Valley. She became increasingly apprehensive the closer they got. Traffic was moderate. They still made good time. She was well aware John's actions in her absence would determine her fate. Her fate determined the girl's fates as well.
The girls all gave her encouraging support. It was really still the same day for all of them. It was sort of surreal. It was like they went on an adventitious 'day trip'.
Cameron wanted to go over her plan and make sure everyone agreed to it still.
"I don't know what we'll find when we get there. I would like to take a look by myself first. If I see Riley and John together, I'll leave. We can all leave together. That's if you still want to leave with me. You are free to stay if you choose." Cameron said. "Is it acceptable to you three?"
They all planned to go with Cameron. It was what they did earlier in the first place.
"Yes." They replied.
Cameron wanted to make sure they understood they could make their own choices.
"If any of you wish to remain at 'home', you may. It's your choice. Please don't tell them I survived. Let John think I'm 'dead' so his life can move forward." Cameron said. "I don't want any of them to search for me."
The girls were apprehensive as well. They still wanted to go with Cameron.
Cameron threw out some more options to them. She didn't want them to feel obligated to her. There were still choices they could make.
"If one of you wishes to claim John for yourself, I would appreciate it." Cameron said. "It may involve some conflict if John and Riley have mated and produced offspring."
Allison didn't want Cameron to get ahead of herself. She could see it troubled her to point out the options.
"Why don't you tell us what you find first, and then we can decide what's best for everyone at that point." Allison said. "Is it agreed upon ladies?"
Vanna wanted to go with Cameron, but she would go wherever Allison went. She didn't want to lose her again. Once was enough.
"I'm with you whatever you decide, Allison. I won't leave you." Vanna said.
Allison and Vanna shared a knowing look. It was the look of love.
Cameron wanted Jesse to remember her past at the base.
"Jesse, if you want John, or Derek, you may stay there, or come with me." Cameron said.
Jesse thought it was a 'no brainer'. She loved Cameron more than ever.
"I'll follow you, Cameron." Jesse said. "I'll follow you to the ends of the Earth, or the end of time."
Cameron knew it was what the girls already did by coming with her in the first place. They already took the leap and followed her to the ends of the Earth and what could have been the end of time.
She looked at Jesse.
"Thank you, Jesse, I won't forget this." Cameron said as she gently squeezed Jesse's knee. "I won't forget what all you have done for ME. I promise to take care of you."
Cameron glanced at the three girls who would NEVER leave her side. Cameron KNEW what love truly was…. The girls were willing to sacrifice everything for her. She watched them do it. She knew sacrifice was the true test of love.
"No matter what happens next, one way or the other. I PROMISE to take care of you in whatever way I can." Cameron said.
The girls all weren't sure exactly what Cameron's statement meant. They did know what it sounded like. If they needed any motivation or enticement before, they certainly didn't now.
They neared the base.
Cameron felt 'fear' as she drove. She was aware a lot can happen in fifteen months. Based upon her observations of some of the high school students, she knew a lot could happen in fifteen seconds. She really didn't think it did anything for the female though. If John moved on, she would accept it. She knew it was her fault for leaving. John chose Riley before. It should be no different this time. She noted her left hand glitched out of control. She tried not to cry as she drove. The tears still ran silently down her cheeks. Jesse gently wiped them away.
Nobody could wipe away the tears in her heart.
Closing monologue by Cameron:
Homeward Bound
Home
Where is home
Some say it's where the heart is
Maybe it's from where one no longer will roam
Home should be where one is comfortable
There should be no problems or strife
It's where one wants to stay
So they can live out their life
To make a home complete
The comfort of others is sought
There may be some battles fought
What was left behind should be forgot
Home is where the future is built
One can grow and live for tomorrow
In times of hardship or sadness
Another's strength they may barrow
Once love is found
The other should be crowned
Happiness and joy may abound
The direction always will be homeward bound
Nobody