Chapter 160

Original

Cameron carefully went over all the data from Duplicate Cameron she received from Holly. All of her files were identical to every file from Duplicate Cameron. There was no doubt they were the same cyborg. They were identical right until the moment when they were pulled back by the TDE for a millisecond.

She knew there was no way Duplicate Cameron could have known she was a 'Duplicate'. The fact they both contained the same heart was further proof of it. The fact Duplicate Cameron removed her heart, and left it for John, showed she knew her mission was 'terminal'.

Cameron knew it was 'her' who did it. She sacrificed herself to stop Skynet. She didn't become Skynet, she destroyed it instead. She wondered if she was faced with the same choice again, what would she do? Would she do her job like Duplicate Cameron did, or would she fold for her own selfish interests?

Life was about choices and Duplicate Cameron made one. It was a choice about 'death'. She took the fight to Skynet and destroyed it. She did what she needed to do to protect John.

It was all very unsettling.

Cameron wanted to discuss everything further with John Henry. She went to the Command Center, since John was away from it currently. She didn't want him to become involved in the conversation, or any of its implications.

"I've reviewed all the data from Duplicate Cameron, my other self." Cameron said.

John Henry thought they went over everything several times already. He didn't think anything would be different.

"Yes?" John Henry asked.

Cameron wasn't sure she liked his indifference.

"I believe I'm the original Cameron, and the others were 'Duplicates' of myself and the girls. We were the first time transfer." Cameron continued. "I am Cameron Prime."

It was an issue John Henry tried to determine on his own. Everything indicated the two sets of Cameron and the girls were the same individuals. There was no known way to distinguish a 'Duplicate' from an 'Original'.

"I believe you were identical, and the same in every way." John Henry said. "I don't know how to determine who is an 'Original', or a 'Duplicate' because you are, or were, identical."

Cameron came across some 'new' things on her chip which bothered her too.

"I've found files I can't open. They were transferred to me by Holly from Duplicate Cameron." Cameron said. "I believe they were encrypted by River. I evidently used one on the TDE as my Duplicate self. I can't decrypt it either. I don't believe I was supposed to find these files."

John Henry wasn't sure where to go with the information. There must be something behind it. More than likely whatever path it led down, wouldn't be a good one.

"Perhaps it's best if you leave them alone." John Henry said.

Cameron didn't look happy.

"I believe I asked River to help me with this in the future, yet somehow in the past." Cameron said.

John Henry worked with River and could tell she was a good person. If she 'did anything' to Cameron - Duplicate Cameron, he was sure it was something to help her. They wouldn't be random acts. They wouldn't be malicious. Duplicate Cameron and River loved each other.

"This may not be the time for you to view them. They may also be by your own doing." John Henry said.

It brought up another sore point for Cameron. She wanted to do a temporal rescue mission. The TDE wouldn't function into the past.

"Why can't I fix the TDE so I can go back in time and save John and Allison's baby?" Cameron asked.

Cameron wondered what two of 'Allison' in the same timeline would be like. She even briefly considered she may have to terminate one. She became angry at herself for such a thought. It still crept back into her mind. She could go back and secretly rescue Duplicate Allison. She could then take her baby from her when it was born. She doubted Duplicate Allison would give it up without a fight. It would end in Duplicate Allison's termination. Her hand now began to glitch. Just the thought of the event in itself, only further agitated her.

John Henry was sure there was a need for everything which was done, and how it was done. He didn't want Cameron to over think it.

"Perhaps it was meant to be this way by YOUR request." John Henry said.

Cameron wasn't known for sitting on her hands. She wanted to take action. There seemed to be only one option left open to her. She wouldn't wait for 'luck'. She would create her own 'luck'.

"I want to construct a second TDE. It won't be corrupted." Cameron said.

John Henry could only see all the manipulation as additional folly. He really thought Cameron should leave well enough alone.

"Cameron, NO. Allison is here now, leave it alone. Haven't you meddled enough?" John Henry asked.

Cameron saw Savannah playing with Vanna and Allison when she passed the recreation room on the way to the Command Center. It was something Savannah was unable to do for the last fifteen months when they were all 'dead'.

"Apparently not, or we wouldn't be having this conversation. Savannah wouldn't be playing with Vanna and Allison right now. We would all be 'terminated'." Cameron said. "Savannah would be all alone and depressed."

John Henry remembered Savannah was the only one who believed Cameron would return.

"Indeed." John Henry said.

Cameron decided there were some other things she needed to take care of. She felt they were very important to some of their group. She left the Command Center.

John Henry watched her go. He was sure he hadn't heard the last of it yet.

Cameron invited Allison, Vanna, Jesse, Holly, and Gail to go out. She wanted everyone to be happy. She asked Sarah and Riley to join them. They were doing other things.

She knew this Riley was different from her Riley – Future Riley. She gave her respect and fair treatment. She liked how John read her poem book to Riley. It allowed Riley to better understand the pain she'd endured, no, still endures.

Cameron reviewed her attempts as Duplicate Cameron to amend her relationship with Riley. It surprised her, as Duplicate Cameron, she could be so magnanimous. She was proud of 'herself' for such kindness and thoughtfulness. It was the right thing to do. Duplicate Cameron made Riley love and respect her, just like EVERYONE else did. It was everyone except herself - Nobody.

She purchased Holly another red dress. She bought another blue one. The girls were nicely dressed and they all looked Tight. She liked to see the heads turn as they passed by both men and women. She liked how they all looked at them, looked at them again, and then again….

Cameron decided to take them to the same place she took them before. They would take two vehicles again. There was an issue which developed when Allison wanted to drive one of the SUVs. Vanna thought it was a bad idea. She was very uncomfortable with Allison's driving habits.

Jesse could see the situation might turn tense. It wasn't what she wanted to see. There were a lot of things in life which passed her by. There were a lot of choices she would like to make again. It was too late for most of them. She originally wanted to ride with Cameron. She wanted her life to be different.

"I'd like to drive." Jesse said. "You two can kiss in the backseat on the way there. I honestly would rather hear those sounds than any others. We're supposed to have a good time tonight. I think it should apply to everyone. I would like it if it did."

Vanna and Allison looked at each other. The tension which started to develop, instantly evaporated. They could see Jesse wanted to be a force of good.

"I can ride with Cameron." Gail said.

Holly quickly looked at Cameron, Gail, and Jesse.

"There are a few issues I want to discuss with Cameron." Holly said. "I'll ride with her. You four can ride together."

Cameron was very pleased to see they were all on the same page. She wanted what happened to be organic.

"We'll meet you there." Cameron said.

The first SUV left the Resistance carpool area with Gail, Jesse, Vanna, and Allison.

Cameron and Holly follow them out.

"I think what you want to do is a good idea." Holly said. "I know Gail has been troubled deeply since her reactivation. She believes there's a future for her and Jesse. I don't want to be a distracting influence."

Cameron glanced over at Holly and smiled.

"Tonight you're mine." Cameron said. "I want everyone to find happiness."

Holly's eyes ran over Cameron's figure several times.

"I don't want to distract Jesse." Holly said.

Cameron understood the feeling.

"I feel there are times I distract everyone." Cameron said. "I don't like to cause distractions for others."

Holly wasn't sure if 'distractions' was the proper word.

"You're very appealing." Holly said. "Not everyone knows you as well as I do."

Cameron and Holly exchanged a quick glance. They shared the same chip for fifteen months.

They followed behind the other SUV.

Cameron allowed the other SUV to make it through a signal, which they didn't.

Holly quickly looked around. She knew Cameron would have run the red light to stay with them.

"Is there some trouble?" Holly asked.

Cameron glanced over to the left side as she sat at the signal.

"I think it depends upon what the definition of trouble is." Cameron said.

Holly was fairly certain 'trouble' meant exactly what it said.

"Is it the black Le Mans?" Holly asked.

Cameron checked all around her.

"It looks suspicious to me." Cameron said. "I don't like Scavengers, even if they're not Scavengers yet."

The black car went across the intersection in front of them.

Cameron waited a moment. She made a turn to follow it.

"Do you want me to notify the others?" Holly asked.

Cameron didn't want any distractions.

"No." Cameron said. "They'll only come to back us up. It doesn't matter if we tell them not to. Not everyone listens when they should."

Holly shot Cameron another glance.

"I think your statement applies to everyone." Holly said. "You know what I mean."

Cameron did know what she meant. Her actions were often questioned by others. With some of the events which occurred, she believed they weren't unfounded.

"The risk and danger belong to me." Cameron said. "I know everyone wants to do more. I don't want them to. I want everyone protected. I can take the heat."

Holly didn't believe it was fair.

"I want to do more." Holly said. "We all want to do more. Some individuals matter more than others. We might all want to be equal, but we're not. You know what I mean. Not only does John matter to the Future, you do as well. You know it. Maybe you need to take some time to think about what the reaction, for any action you take, will be."

It made Cameron think about what happened to Duplicate Cameron and the Duplicate girls. They all terminated because of her.

Holly felt the SUV swerve slightly. She saw Cameron withdraw her left hand from the steering wheel.

The black car in front of them started to speed up.

Cameron closed up the distance. Her Glock was in her left hand.

"I think they're going to do a 'drive by' shooting." Cameron said. "The target is the blue Monte Carlo."

Holly didn't think Cameron was quite at one hundred percent. She pulled her Glock as well.

"You drive." Holly said. "I'll take them. Do you want them terminated, or incapacitated?"

Cameron wanted the future to be safer.

"I'll let you make the choice." Cameron said.

Holly briefly wondered if she was being given a 'proficiency test'. It was something Cameron did from time to time with the other Terminators. She now began to wonder how much of what actually happened so far was chance, and what wasn't.

She glanced around to her side to make sure no one would observe her. She held her Glock right above the mirror on the right hand side and waited to make her move. The occupants of the black car produced weapons. They stuck out of the right side of it. It was clear some type of armed conflict was about to take place. Weapons were produced in the blue car as well. She fired her Glock twice. The right rear tire on the black car was shot out, as well as the left rear tire on the blue car. Both of the vehicles swerved toward each other.

The two vehicles collided as the gunfire broke out. Both cars swerved widely out of control. The black car slammed into a telephone pole. Several bodies were ejected out onto the street. The blue car slid sideways into a light pole. The light pole toppled over from the impact. Two bodies hung from the window. Both of the cars begin to burn.

"I think it takes care of the problem for now." Holly said. "Do you want to stop so I can finish off any survivors?"

Cameron approached the wreckage along the side of the road. She could see there were at least two moving figures in both of the burning vehicles. It appeared as if they were trapped.

"I think we're good here." Cameron said. "I think you handled the situation beautifully. Justice was served. The violence was contained. They both wanted a fight. They both got what they wanted."

Cameron made a quick left hand turn at the next street and left the two burning vehicles behind. As she turned the corner, she glanced back and saw one burning figure emerge from the blue vehicle. They only moved a few steps away from the blue car before they fell and continued to burn in the street. She picked up the pace and went through a few yellow lights. She made a couple of turns and ended up in back of their other SUV.

Jesse pulled into the parking lot. Cameron pulled up and parked next to her. She handed the keys to Cameron when she got out of the other SUV.

"Is everyone ready for a little fun?" Cameron asked.

Holly tried to keep a straight face.

"I think it depends upon what your definition of fun is." Holly said.

Cameron and Holly exchange a quick glance because of the earlier events with the two gang vehicles.

Allison looked at the other girls.

"I know what my definition of fun is." Allison said.

The girls all giggled. They entered the establishment and moved to a large table.

Cameron was relieved there were no questions asked about her brief 'disappearance'. She wasn't sure there was too much difference between 'trouble' and 'fun'. Sometimes they seemed to play hand in hand.

Allison and Vanna danced with each other. She asked Holly to dance with her so Jesse and Gail could be alone to talk. It was part of her plan to get Jesse and Gail 'together'. She at least wanted to see if there was a spark. If there was a spark, maybe a fire within them could ignite. She really hoped Gail and Jesse would be 'receptive' to each other. She'd promised Gail she would try to give her 'Jesse' back.

Gail requested a song and asked Jesse to dance. The song came up after they'd been out for three numbers. She looked at Jesse with loving eyes. They were hungry eyes.

Jesse matched the looks with curiosity and trepidation. She wasn't really sure where things were headed.

'Should I Stay Or Should I Go' by 'The Clash', blasted through the room.

Gail looked at Jesse as the song played.

Based on Gail's 'behavior', and the way Gail looked at her, Jesse thought there was a little more in play. The song seemed to be directed at her by Gail's actions.

"Are you asking me, love?" Jesse asked. "Is the song asking what you want to ask?"

Gail gave Jesse a faint smile. She was afraid she was being too forward.

"Yes." Gail said.

Jesse was highly intrigued by the 'idea' of being with a Metal girl. She wanted to be with Cameron. It was unlikely. Perhaps there was a way to attain what she wanted. It may be as close to her desire as was possible, even if it was a surrogate. 'Close' or 'almost', might be better than 'nothing'.

"I want to spend more time with you I…." Jesse started.

Gail couldn't help herself. She loved Jesse – Duplicate Jesse, dearly. It was the same Jesse. She scanned Jesse dozens of times and always came back with identical results. There was no deviation or difference whatsoever. It was time to make a move. She kissed Jesse.

Jesse was taken by surprise and barely responded. She quickly determined things could go somewhere. Maybe this was an opportunity to see what could happen and how.

Gail was worried at the lack of a response. She was willing to risk it all to press the 'attack'. She wanted Jesse back. It wouldn't be her Jesse, even if it was. It was.

She kissed Jesse again. She put all the love and feeling she learned from Duplicate Jesse into the kiss.

This time Jesse responded with passion.

After a long deep kiss which left Jesse breathless, literally, she looked at Gail. Whatever this was, she wanted more. She was never one to back down from a sexual encounter with a female. It was all she could see a female Terminator as. They all looked and acted like human females. She knew it was time to make a choice. There was no choice to make. Whatever was there, she wanted more.

"You should stay." Jesse replied. "You sure can kiss."

Gail wanted to lay everything out.

"I can do 'more'…." Gail said.

Now Gail really spiked her attention

"Really?" Jesse asked. "Can you do everything?"

Gail believed she possessed a distinct advantage. She already knew all of the different things Duplicate Jesse liked, and how she responded to each one. It was time to roll the dice.

"Yes. I can do everything and even more." Gail said.

It was all Jesse needed to hear. The spark ignited with a rush. A new fire burnt inside of her. It was fanned by Gail. She heard the rumors about Gail and 'her'. Those rumors surprised even her. It seemed to be a grand opportunity to her. She knew Cameron was 'untouchable', but Gail wasn't. She was touchable, quite literally. After THAT kiss, she was ready for more. It didn't really matter what it was. It was the start of something good.

Jesse wanted to capitalize on things before they slipped away from her. She walked up to Cameron.

Cameron was ready for it. She wanted it to play out like it did before. She was aware of what Duplicate Cameron did to make everything happen. It seemed to be the way things were headed. She handed Jesse a set of keys.

"It's why we came in two vehicles. It was in case anyone needed to leave early." Cameron said and winked. "They can go anywhere they want, or do anything they want to do, without any problem or hindrance."

Jesse was glad she wore a dress right now. She never did otherwise. Her body responded to Gail as an impending sexual encounter. She couldn't stop, it nor would she want to.

"I do NEED to." Jesse said.

Cameron smiled at her.

"You'll find everything you've wanted, in more ways than one." Cameron said.

Jesse and Gail left.

Cameron hoped it was a new beginning for them.

Allison looked at Vanna. They were well aware of the developing situation. They heard all of the rumors as well. As unbelievable as they seemed, they seemed quite real, especially now.

"Well, Cameron is 'assigning' a Terminator to Jesse to keep her 'available' for John, I see." Allison said.

Vanna knew Cameron wanted them to remain together.

"Just like we're on 'Standby'." Vanna said.

Allison could see the deeper issue.

"Cameron is obsessed. She can't let it go." Allison said.

Vanna looked around, she felt uncomfortable. There was something that bothered her greatly, and it was of a very sensitive nature. She tried to downplay it before but it haunted her.

"Allison, when we get back, I need to talk to you about something." Vanna said nervously. "Savannah asked me a question, before we left, I didn't know how to answer it."

Allison could see Vanna was troubled. It wasn't a good thing.

"What was it about?" Allison asked.

Vanna didn't know what to say, or how to say it. It was sure to ruin the mood and put Allison on the 'defensive'. There would be accusations and finger pointing. Maybe she shouldn't have said anything.

"Let's wait until we get back." Vanna said "I want to enjoy the evening."

"OK." Allison said as they continued to dance.

Allison could tell something deeply bothered Vanna. It in turn bothered her.

Cameron and Holly watched Vanna and Allison and listened.

Holly looked at Cameron.

"They'll 'know' by the end of the evening." Holly said.

Cameron knew the lid could only be kept on it so long.

"Yes, it was only a matter of time." Cameron said. "I'll go to them when we get back."

Holly didn't think Cameron would be forthcoming with all the facts.

"Will you tell them the truth?" Holly asked.

Cameron didn't like the unspoken accusation. This was about the future. She needed to protect John and the future.

"What do you think?" Cameron asked. "You, better than anyone, KNOW what is necessary and why."

Holly got to 'know' Cameron, well, Duplicate Cameron quite well for the fifteen months Duplicate Cameron was on her chip. They shared a lot of things, but not everything.

"I do. I'll support you, for John." Holly said. "Everyone sacrifices for John Connor."

It pleased Cameron to know Holly would back her up in regards to personal issues which dealt with John and the future. She also wanted to throw a 'carrot' out there for Holly to think about.

"Thank you, Holly." Cameron said. "Now let's go have some fun. That's unless you want to get to 'know' Allison or Vanna a little 'better'."

Holly was willing to play for a little higher stakes.

"Or you…." Holly said.

Cameron laughed and then realized Holly wasn't joking.

Holly kept her eyes on Cameron. She wasn't joking. Since she shared 'Cameron' on her chip for over a year, it only made her love Cameron even more….

Cameron saw where things were going. She wanted to 'direct' Holly in a direction she could explore. She looked at Holly and then at - Allison.

Holly looked lovingly at Cameron and then followed her gaze to Allison. The message was clear. There was a way to attain what she wanted. It may be as close to her desire as was possible, even if it was a surrogate. 'Close' or 'almost' might be better than 'nothing'. She moistened her lips lightly as she studied the potential.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Our Tears Can Prevent Us

Our tears can prevent us
From seeing the truth
As tomorrow becomes yesterday
Away we squander our youth

Chained to the past
We can never break free
More of the same
Is all we can see

The tears come and go
But they never stop
In endless streams they flow
Like an eternal raindrop

Jab, slice, cut and stab
Keep the tears from going away
The more we hope and pray
The easier we become prey

So the tears flow endless
Nothing is ever a plus
We try to move forward but fail
Our tears can prevent us

Nobody