Chapter 199

Thank You

Vanna, Allison, and Jesse wanted to spend some alone time together to reflect on their adventure with Isabel-Cameron. It was a way for 'Cameron' to share herself with the girls. Cameron was her program. Isabel-Cameron contained a copy of Cameron's program, even though the sheath was different. It was special enough in itself. Holly's program was also on the chip so they were able to share with 'Holly' as well as 'Holly and Cameron' combined.

The three girls thought it was something very special Cameron allowed them to share. It was what they all wanted. They returned from their walk. They still felt very elated. They all loved Cameron more than ever.

They were saddened by the fact Isabel-Cameron chose termination instead of what would end up as combat with Cameron. The two Terminators didn't feel they could exist together. Maybe if Isabel-Cameron knew she was a copy of Cameron's program to begin with, it may have been different. Instead she believed she was 'Cameron Prime'. It is hard to go from 'top dog' to Nobody in a few seconds.

Soon after the girls returned the base, they ran into someone. Cameron 'just happened' to pass by.

"Thank You." Each girl said as they gave her a big hug.

The girls rejoined and walked away together. Isabel-Cameron told them Cameron didn't want to know what happened or discuss it in any way.

Cameron smiled to herself as she watched them walk away. Earlier she followed them to make sure they were extra protected. She waited for them to return and 'see' her.

It made Cameron feel good she was able to make them happy in the only way she could, even if it was indirectly. SHE belonged to John. She sadly thought about how John didn't belong to her. John belonged to Allison and Vanna. She really believed she was in the way of the 'future'.

Cameron felt it inside of her. It was happening again…. She needed to fight the feeling. She must fight it. Savannah said she was invincible and eternal. She must be 'invincible' to be 'eternal'.

The internal demons which haunted Cameron were always close at hand. It didn't take much for them to surface.

Cameron headed for the Command Center. She needed to get back into operations. If she was busy with Skynet, she didn't have time to dwell on the other things. It was probably one of the reasons why she always was in combat, usually by herself.

She nodded at John Henry as she entered the Command Center. She thought about the earlier action the Resistance team faced before her period of inactivity.

"Has there been any more drone activity since the Tehachapi incident?" Cameron asked.

John Henry hadn't detected any. It made him wonder about the source. It was still out there. They hadn't been able to recover the one drone which they damaged. A group of Grays took it away.

"There's been none observed." John Henry said. "After we shot down both of their drones they've been quiet. I think they only possessed those two drones. The one Isabel was in, or on, was bigger than the one we followed. The pieces we recovered were crude and not Skynet grade work. The chip from Isabel destroyed itself when you removed it. We have no further information."

There was speculation Skynet, or one of its offshoots, targeted Cameron specifically. It was believed to be the case since she made a point of making sure each Skynet she terminated knew it was her. She did it to take the heat off of John. She became the threat, not John Connor.

Cameron was more than a little concerned about the nature of the attack.

"Do you think they were after me specifically?" Cameron asked.

Based on the way events played out, they reinforced John Henry's belief they did.

"Yes. Your unconventional arrival on the train must have thrown them off in their surveillance of us in the area. Neither you or Allison were visibly present for much of the chase." John Henry said.

Cameron shared some personal interaction with each version of Skynet before she terminated it. It always responded back to her.

"Skynet, one Skynet, said I was 'Human, machine, and Liquid Metal'." Cameron said. "I've never quite understood how."

John Henry could see there were several possibilities for it. Mrs. Weaver was in some unknown future and there was most likely a Duplicate Cameron and Duplicate set of the girls 'in some future' as well. They didn't have any proof of it.

"There must be a timeline where Allison defeats it. Mrs. Weaver may have taken your appearance to destroy one. We know she's used your appearance in the past." John Henry said. "We don't know what our current future will bring."

Cameron could have done without the reminder Mrs. Weaver took Allison's appearance in the alternate future. She thought of some other options.

"Indeed." Cameron said. "We know Mrs. Weaver did take Allison's appearance to attempt to seduce John. It was also used to build the 'Legend of Allison Young'. It was a source of hope for the Resistance in the alternate future."

John Henry felt it always put a target on Allison.

"Such action may or may not have merit." John Henry said.

There was another hope and worry for Cameron. It may be even more complicated than they first thought. It wasn't something she wanted to think about, but it was still a possibility.

"Maybe it was River, not Allison, who went after Skynet." Cameron said. "River could outsmart any version of Skynet, or any of us for that matter. What if it was a Liquid Metal version of me? There most likely is a version, a Duplicate version, of Allison, Vanna, Jesse, and myself in the future, 'in some future'."

Everything which occurred during the TDE incident wasn't fully understood. There was nothing to compare it to. It seemed a one of a kind anomaly.

"Based on what's happened we know of, it's highly probable. Maybe River is there too with the other Duplicate Cameron." John Henry said.

Cameron possessed all of Duplicate Cameron's files.

"No, we encountered River after the future TDE malfunction segment." Cameron said. "It was the second segment. River's future was the third segment."

For some reason Cameron only thought she would see River in the past or present, but not in the future. It made no sense. Then again what around there did anymore?

They were locked out of the past on their TDE, apparently by River at Cameron's request.

It was most likely to prevent Cameron from using 'Temporal Management' to alter or reshape events. She was sure most people would view it as 'Temporal Malpractice'.

Cameron believed she relived her life over several times. Maybe she made things worse with the use of the TDE in the past. Maybe it wouldn't happen this time.

Nobody would give Cameron a 'Gold Star' for ethics or morals.

The girls were still in a state of euphoria about last night. Jesse went off to find Gail so they could talk about it. Allison and Vanna wanted to share. They needed to talk about it some more first.

Allison was still worried about some of the conditions.

"She said we can never ask her or talk about it to her." Allison said.

Vanna was excited it even happened. It was a dream to her which seemed elusive. She believed Cameron did what she could to share with them without compromising herself.

"I still can't believe she 'did it' for us." Vanna said.

Allison was ready for more. She wanted a 'Metal lover' too.

"It was out of this world." Allison said.

Vanna learned the advantages of a 'Metal lover'. They could get you there every time. They never needed to slow or stop. They could also keep a finish going as one continuous event. It was nearly enough to drive someone insane because there was so much feeling and pleasure.

"Now you know why Jesse is so attached to Gail." Vanna said.

Vanna could actually understand why Jesse needed CPR on more than one occasion with pleasure at such an intense level.

Allison had a secret desire for Holly. She never told Vanna before. She didn't think it would hurt to throw a few hints out there. Maybe they would turn into more than hints.

"I would like to get friendlier with Holly, or 'new Isabel', myself." Allison said. "I mean, it could be for both of us."

Vanna wasn't so sure about the last second add on to include her. It seemed like more of an afterthought. She didn't want to get 'replaced' by a female Terminator. They would never get old or fat. Her beauty wouldn't fade into time. The idea was still very intriguing. After what they experienced with Isabel-Cameron she was ready for more. She didn't want to encourage Allison. She wanted to dissuade Allison a little.

"Riley tried with Holly and failed." Vanna said. "Don't get your hopes up, or your pants off yet."

Allison felt she had an ace to play. Based upon how others viewed her, she thought it was a pretty good one.

"We have one thing on our team Riley didn't have." Allison said.

Vanna was a little worried now. She could see Allison put more than a little thought into it. She did as well but it didn't seem like it would go anywhere. Allison seemed a little more determined.

"What is it?" Vanna asked.

Allison noticed how Holly looked at Cameron. She observed how everyone looked at Cameron. She believed 'new Isabel' would too.

"We have bait." Allison said.

Vanna was worried a lot now. She wondered if Allison may have done something already.

"Bait?" Vanna asked.

Allison could see Vanna was worried. She didn't think it was a big deal. It wasn't anything which didn't already happen. She was aware Vanna and Jesse both 'saw' her as 'Cameron' at times.

"It's ME, silly. I look like Cameron. Who doesn't want to be with Cameron?" Allison asked. "I want to be with her!"

Vanna knew it was true. Everyone did want Cameron. She thought there was also a downside to it. She thought she should at least point it out.

"Everyone wants her, even Skynet." Vanna said. "I think we especially want her."

A look of real seriousness and concern came over Allison. There were a lot of events which took place previously which she couldn't understand. It was something which was beyond her on so many different levels. It wasn't just one or two times. It was something which happened multiple times. Some of them were very extreme.

"I can't understand how the most desired person in the world feels so bad about herself, to the point she wants to 'die' sometimes." Allison said. "She even wanted to destroy herself or ruin her body a few times."

Vanna worried about all of the same things Allison pointed out. She really didn't know what more could be done about them than they already tried to do. The set of Duplicate girls and Duplicate Cameron met an untimely fate. She really liked everything about Isabel-Cameron when they were together. Her sheath was perfect in every regard. It was incredibly alluring and beautiful. She knew the Isabel chassis was still out there. It might have different programming but the sheath would be the same. She moistened her lips slightly in anticipation of touching Isabel's sheath again. She thought Allison's bait idea held some merit with the 'new' Terminator. She wanted to be in on the deal too.

"It won't be long until 'new Isabel' gets hooked on Cameron, then you can spring your bait trap for both of us." Vanna said. "I'm more than ready for a repeat performance. I know the love part of it won't be the same but the sex part should be.

Allison was aware only the sheath would be the same for 'new Isabel'. She found Isabel's sheath extremely appealing. Even if the programming wasn't the same, it would still be one hot ticket to be with. Without a termination timetable to follow her around, 'new Isabel' could spend the entire night with each of them alone. It was the experience she craved. She didn't want Vanna to read more into it than there could be.

"If we ever did, it wouldn't be the same. It wouldn't be Cameron, 'a Cameron', like it was." Allison said. "Everything would be physical, with little more."

It made Vanna wonder about a Terminator's past. Cameron seemed to stress out over hers because there was so much she didn't know. She could understand it. She wondered how it would be if her past was erased. She believed it would make her a different person. She wouldn't have nightmares about what happened. She wouldn't know what it was like to be held down by a group as they took turns. She wouldn't feel so bad about herself for events she couldn't control as if somehow they were her fault. Maybe Cameron wanted her past back. She would like to get rid of her past as if it never happened. Maybe it was one of those things where someone wished for something and then when it happened, it wasn't how they expected it would be.

"Do you think anyone will tell 'new Isabel' about what happened before she was just 'Isabel'?" Vanna asked. "Her chassis and sheath were well used by us. We did everything, and then some. It would be like one of us getting a used body and not knowing what was done to it. I don't think too many females would want to choose mine based upon its past history, even if it looks presentable now."

Allison didn't really want to think about the negative baggage they all carried. She didn't think what happened with Isabel Cameron was anything negative. She hoped if 'new Isabel' knew her past, she would want to 'try it' at least one time. She wasn't sure secrets were a good idea either. Maybe it was worse to find something about what happened in someone's past, if they didn't know about it, and now they did. She understood Cameron's desire to find out what really happened. She thought it mattered since it already happened. There was no need to try to cover it up unless someone else wanted to hide something. She didn't believe they needed to hide anything.

"I will if she ever asks." Allison said. "She'll review past security footage like they all do. You know they're always looking for something someone missed. They're always looking out for us."

Vanna felt Cameron would cover it up. If anyone was going to blame someone for anything, she knew where the finger would be pointed. It would be pointed at Cameron. She knew Cameron wouldn't want to answer for what Isabel-Cameron did. It did make her wonder if Cameron could see the parallel between what she believed was done in her future to her, as to what she would do to hide what Isabel-Cameron did with them. Maybe it was some of the same things Future John experienced.

"Cameron will have erased all footage of those events of Isabel-Cameron with us." Vanna said. "I absolutely guarantee it."

Allison wondered who Cameron would let know what happened besides Holly.

"Do you think she told John what her 'other self' did?" Allison asked.

Vanna felt Cameron would try to keep secret what 'she' did. She didn't think Cameron would tell anyone. Cameron used Isabel-Cameron as an extension of herself. To talk about those exploits would be what she wanted to do herself, even if she didn't.

"No, it was her gift to us. No other Terminators were around. Everyone was out." Vanna said. "There are only seven of us who know what happened, well, six of us now. There are three Terminators and three humans who all played a part, plus Isabel-Cameron, who no longer exists, at least in program form."

Allison was aware Cameron knew how to play the game. She was sure there were a lot of things which went on with Cameron none of them knew about. Sometimes the only traces were the damage done to Cameron, which she tried to hide from the others. Most of it was related to Skynet.

"Cameron is always one step ahead somehow." Allison said. "She's the greatest."

Vanna wanted to bring something up but hesitated. It was a subject which seemed to drag on. There didn't appear to be a good resolution to it either. It was an idea which she was more open to now than she had been originally. She knew long ago the only male she wanted to be with by choice was John. There was always the factor of Cameron to consider, especially since she seemed to be able to return from the 'dead'.

"Cameron still wants us to be with John." Vanna said.

Allison frowned. It wasn't because of the act of being with John either. It was because of the repercussions it would have on Cameron. She didn't want to make any problems for Cameron. Cameron seemed to have enough of them on her own.

"She wants ME to be with John specifically." Allison said. "I don't know what to do."

Vanna believed it was true Cameron wanted Allison specifically. The reason to her was more than obvious. The Apple didn't fall far from the tree.

"I've thought about it a lot, Allison. YOU are HER. SHE is YOU." Vanna said.

Allison looked skeptical. She was more open to the idea than ever. She still needed to think of the repercussions. It sounded like trouble.

Vanna did a lot of thinking about it. It was probably way more than she should have.

"Hear me out." Vanna said. "Cameron loves John and me because Her Allison - Future Allison loved John - Future John and me – Future Savannah. It's why we almost were together before. Future Allison loved Future Savannah. Cameron loves who Future Allison loves. I'm sure her original 'Neural Interface' had something to do with it. The more of Future Allison Cameron could absorb when she was a Skynet Terminator, would have made her a better infiltrator."

Allison could see Vanna's conclusion held some merit.

"OK, it makes sense." Allison said. "I can see sometimes she has a lot of 'ME' in her, even if it's not 'ME' specifically. We all started out as the same Allison Young."

Vanna thought about it a lot since what Cameron wanted from them was life altering.

"Now, Her Riley – Future Riley and Her Jesse – Future Jesse were out to stop John from becoming a 'Metal Lover'." Vanna said. "It was how Future John was viewed. It caused a lot of friction in her future. People died and were killed over it. Future John was probably going to be assassinated because of it. Cameron was sent away to protect her AND protect Future John by NOT being there with him. I don't know if Cameron knows she's trying to put John with us to PROTECT him in the future from assassination or threats. It's what she's doing, even if she doesn't know it. It isn't just about having his children. It's about saving his life. It's about him having real females as his companions or even wives. Cameron is trying to protect John. US being with John, not just Cameron, saves his life."

Allison deduced much of what Vanna said herself. Cameron seemed to dance around it. She could only draw one conclusion.

"So we really do NEED to be with John after Judgment Day." Allison said.

Vanna saw the real reasons.

"Yes. Cameron knows us having his children will tie him to us forever. She really WANTS us in his bed too, not just having the children. She wants John to look HUMAN and be like real people, be like other people, not to only be in love with a machine." Vanna said. "John needs to have a human side which no one can refute even if he's associated with a 'Metal lover' so he isn't accused of being a 'Metal Lover'."

Allison could find no fault with those conclusions.

"Do you think she knows any of this specifically?" Allison asked.

Vanna felt it was the root of most of Cameron's problems.

"No, I do not. I don't think she wants to think about it, or what really is driving it." Vanna said. "She's hinted at it before but seems to push it away so she doesn't need to think about it. It's been driving her crazy and I don't think she knows why."

Allison felt the issue needed to be discussed and brought out into the open. There were other issues as well. She still saw a problem with some of the fundamental facts.

"Maybe we need to talk to her." Allison said. "I still can't betray her to be with John."

Vanna saw it one step further. There was a deeper issue which needed to be considered.

"You wouldn't do anything, even if it caused Cameron to self terminate because we didn't?" Vanna asked. "John being assassinated will cause Cameron to self terminate. I think we both know it. We all heard how Gail responded when Duplicate Jesse was killed."

Allison could have done without the reminder the Duplicate versions of them were all killed. It was the current situation she needed to consider. She saw it as a no win scenario.

"I don't know what to do, Vanna." Allison said. "I really don't. Whatever we do, or don't do, 'hurts' Cameron."

Vanna felt action was necessary for the good of everyone in the long run.

"We're part of the Resistance." Vanna said. "We're supposed to follow John Connor. We're supposed to protect John Connor. We have to make John and Cameron understand fully what I think I've figured out."

Allison wanted everything. She just didn't want to wound Cameron inside.

"Vanna, I want to be with BOTH of them." Allison said. "I love both of them. I love you, Vanna. You're right. It's the big picture we need to look at. It's especially so if Judgment Day comes. I still don't want to HURT Cameron."

Vanna saw no other lasting solution.

"IF Judgment Day comes we will HAVE to." Vanna said. "It IS in our future. We can't be selfish."

Allison felt a little defeated.

"Everyone sacrifices for John Connor." Allison said.

'Last Train To Clarksville' by 'The Monkees', drifted through the room.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Concealing

I have stayed away always ashamed
Afraid, lonely and hungry but always scared
I can trust neither woman nor man
No one ever knew how much I cared

I always believed if you touch many
Each one means less and less and less
Sex replaces true love's feelings
Sex without love is just a worthless act

Sex becomes a meaningless animal type function
Soon a person loses their self worth and esteem
They value themselves and life less and less
The mind fills with a long endless silent scream

But sometimes someone touches you inside
Afraid because you know this feeling
We may run or hide but we still know inside
We stab our empty hearts always concealing

Nobody