Chapter 210

I Hope So

Cameron wanted to increase the security of the area around the base. She was currently under a suspicious van which was in the vicinity. From under the van she listened to a phone conversation one of the occupants conducted with someone. It didn't seem to be Skynet related. It was a plus. The men appeared to be common criminals staking out a nearby establishment. It seemed they would burglarize it at a later date. She didn't want them to commit a crime and have the police or press snooping around. She heard enough. It was time to throw out the trash.

The goal was to keep any unnecessary attention from falling on the Resistance. Half of her operations were now conducted 'off the books'. She operated outside of the Resistance so it wouldn't be tainted by her actions.

Cameron made some animal sounds and 'clicking' noises to draw out one of the men. She was sure at least one of them would get out of the van to take a look and see what it was.

"What's that?" The first man asked.

The second man didn't have a clue. He offered up what seemed to be the easiest thing to do.

"I don't know." The second man said. "It sounds like some kind of animal. Maybe you can drive away."

The first man ran over an opossum one time. It turned into a big mess.

"I don't want to run over it, or have it caught up in any moving parts." The first man said.

The second man didn't think it was a big deal. He heard reports of a mountain lion sighting not too long ago a few miles away.

"Let me take a look." The second man said. "I hope it's not a cougar."

The first man doubted it.

"It's probably a squirrel." The first man said.

The second man shrugged his shoulders as he reached towards the door handle.

"Whatever." The second man said.

The passenger got out. He bent down to look under the van. Cameron's fist was waiting for his face. She punched him hard. The blow crushed his nose flat against his face. It drove the cartilage into his brain. She rolled out from underneath the van on the opposite side and stood.

Cameron came up on the driver's side and smashed her fist through the glass and struck the driver's head. The force of the blow caved in the left side of his head and snapped his neck at the same time.

She looked around to make sure she was still unobserved. She knocked the rest of the shattered glass out of the window with her elbow. She shoved the driver between the seats into the back. She went around to the passenger side and opened the sliding door. She threw the other lifeless man inside. She snapped his neck too, just to make sure he was dead.

Cameron went back around to the driver's side. The keys were still in the ignition. She got in and started the van. She drove off with the van.

No one seemed to notice, and no one followed her. The take down of the two men was only a few seconds from start to finish.

Cameron needed to determine who the people were and what kind of a threat they posed. It was clear they were working with others, based upon their conversation. She would eliminate their entire group. She didn't like loose ends. There would soon be others there in their place if she didn't take care of the 'nest'.

She felt criminals by choice, would become Scavengers by choice. She didn't have any qualms to preemptively thin the herd. She wanted to think of the best way to do it.

John and his team were on a recon. He decided it would go hot. They currently watched an HK drone from a spot with good cover. They were sure it was the same HK drone they damaged in the Tehachapi area. The group who retrieved it, deceived them. The bait and switch tactic was followed up by an attack on the SUV with Cameron, Bob, and Holly in it. The mission was personal. They remained unobserved where they could see everything.

There was some new activity on the ground. It appeared some type of test was about to take place.

"They're moving away from the HK drone." Bob said.

It looked like it was almost show time.

John felt a rush of excitement

"I see." John replied. "I want everyone ready."

Dan took aim with his AR10. Bob brought the Barrett up. He would engage the HK drone first. He took aim at it. John looked around to check everything around them. He brought his M4 with a scope up to his eye.

John wanted to establish the target lineup. He knew the Terminators were both much more proficient than he was.

"I'll engage the three people on the far right." John said. "I'll shoot from right to left until we meet.

Dan sighted and selected his first target.

"I'll take the other nine starting from the left and work towards you." Dan said.

Bob sighted on the HK drone. He wanted it to have a little altitude before he took it down. He hoped to make the crash much more spectacular.

"Once the HK drone is up, it's going to become scrap metal." Bob said.

The HK drone powered up. The noise of the power plants increased substantially as it started to lift off the ground.

Claire watched Isabel interact with Young Allison. She was just like 'Cameron'. Everything she did was exactly like Cameron. It was like Cameron, with a different body. She couldn't place how to describe it, other than that. It was like two people were the same person.

She couldn't take it any more. It was driving her crazy. She decided to conduct some 'tests'. She thought she knew a good way to check.

"Can I see you dance?" Claire asked.

She put on the same music as she played for Cameron.

Isabel knew what Claire was doing. She danced exactly the same as Cameron. They were the same program after all. No two people danced exactly the same. She decided at some point it would be easier if she could tell Claire the truth. It wasn't time yet, but the day would come soon enough. All the 'preparation' would make it easier for Claire to accept and understand.

She believed it was important Claire understood what was coming. For someone just to hear what was going to happen, didn't really mean much. If they could see some things which they knew were impossible, but they witnessed them with their own eyes, it would make things easier to accept. She was sure Claire would choose to have Young Allison protected when Judgment Day occurred.

Isabel and Cameron both felt the 'hunger' in Claire for them. It was why they wanted her as part of the equation. Neither one of them wanted her terminated at this point. Since she already produced one beautiful daughter, and there was another one on the way, it was clear Claire was capable of producing superior offspring.

Claire watched Isabel dance. Things played out as she imagined they would. Everything was exactly as she believed it was going to be. Cameron and Isabel seemed the 'same' to her, which was impossible. She didn't know how best to handle the situation. She felt something needed to be said.

"You dance beautifully, Isabel. You're as good as any professional or any instructor. You're also nearly identical to Cameron, if not the same." Claire said. "I can't tell the difference."

Isabel understood the nature of Claire's 'test'. She didn't want to push it too far too fast. She just wanted to lay the groundwork for the revelation when it came. When the truth was told, it would be evident there were a number of facts already in place to back it up.

"We learned at the same time and have practiced together." Isabel said.

Claire was as impressed and infatuated with Isabel as she was Cameron.

"Cameron is amazing." Claire said. "She's perfect in everything she does. You're so much like her. It's as if only your 'appearance' is different."

Isabel knew Claire was spot on. She tried to hold Claire back a little. It wasn't time yet. She wanted to change the subject a little.

"We're from two different places." Isabel said.

Claire paused for a second. She didn't want to seem insensitive. Isabel and Cameron were clearly two different individuals physically.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything offensive." Claire said.

Isabel smiled and touched Claire's cheek.

"You're fine." Isabel said.

Claire felt a rush of exhilaration when Isabel touched her. It made her think back to her life before she was married. It was already in the back of her mind. No, it wasn't in the back of her mind from the moment she saw Cameron. It was in the front of her mind. It was probably when Cameron said Isabel only had 'female friends'. She understood it to mean, exactly what it sounded like.

There was another nagging question which troubled Claire. Isabel and Cameron were like the same person. Allison was very different from Cameron, and they were twins. She would have thought it was where the similarity would be.

"How are Allison and Cameron so different?" Claire asked.

Isabel tried to play it cool. The obvious response would be, one was human, the other was a cyborg. It wasn't time yet to get into anything so complicated.

"They're two separate individuals, even if they're identical." Isabel said.

Claire still saw something out of place. It was significant enough she felt she needed to comment on it. She knew what she witnessed. It was just hard to understand it all.

"Cameron and you are like twins. Allison is like someone from a different place." Claire said. "I can see as many differences between Cameron and Allison, as I can see similarities between Cameron and you."

Isabel was aware when she 'updated' with Cameron they did some things differently sometimes, even with the same program. She wasn't sure if she could explain why. There didn't seem to be an explanation, other than when they viewed something, they sometimes acted slightly differently in response.

"Everyone is different." Isabel said. "Our friends are all different too."

With all the beauty and sexuality which radiated off of Cameron, Isabel, and all their female friends, it raised one big question.

"I've met all the girls. They are all beautiful like you. Do any of you have boyfriends?" Claire asked.

Claire was fairly certain they didn't. She was sure they had each other.

Isabel smiled. She wondered when Claire was finally going to ask specifically.

"No, only Cameron does." Isabel said. "The girls have other 'interests'. They all love Cameron and each other."

Claire could feel it too. She was really disappointed to know Cameron was the only one with a male suitor. It made Isabel even more appealing along with all of her special female friends.

"I can believe it. I'm captivated by her as well. She's so unique and so perfect. How can anyone not love her?" Claire asked. "Do you love her?"

Claire basically just asked 'Cameron' if she loved herself. She didn't. At least she believed she didn't.

'No.' Isabel thought. 'I don't. I'm the only one who doesn't.'

"Sometimes I do." Isabel said. "I do understand she's special to a lot of people."

Claire wanted to be 'diplomatic'.

"Maybe it will change one day to all of the time." Claire said.

She couldn't tell Claire there were times she 'hated' herself. They were feelings which she was made to feel by others during her early association with the Connor Clan.

"I hope so. I really do." Isabel said. "I wish everyday it will…."

Claire 'felt' a lot more than she knew she could say. She touched Isabel's cheek and looked into her eyes. She wanted to convey what she 'felt', even if she couldn't 'say' it aloud. She knew her 'true self' was awakened with her exposure to Cameron and the girls. It appeared most of them were right around her age as well.

She didn't believe there was any need to burden Isabel with how she felt about 'married life'. She was happy with her daughter and the baby on the way. She still wasn't sure exactly how she ended up pregnant since there was limited sexual contact with her husband. She wanted Isabel to follow the freedom of her own true self and not submit to the desires and demands of others.

"Don't be afraid to open your heart to new things or new people." Claire said. "An empty heart is a sad heart. Life has much to offer each of us. There's always another 'door' for us to open."

Isabel could feel the love Claire emitted for her. It was what Vanna, Allison, and Jesse all felt for her. It gave her a pleasant feeling. Since she was Cameron, she believed the same things Cameron did. None of the girls would ever abandon her or make her feel bad about herself for any reason. All of them offered love. What else mattered?

"I know what my heart tells me." Isabel said. "I can see how much beauty is out there."

Claire wanted to make a point.

"Never be afraid to follow your heart." Claire said. "If you don't seek what you truly want, you will never be happy. Nobody knows what you want, better than you do."

Isabel tilted her head slightly. She believed Claire hit the nail on the head.

Allison was so pleased to talk with and share with Holly. All of her 'secrets' came out easy. She talked about things she hadn't thought about in years. She talked about things she didn't want to remember.

"I've been so lonely, Holly." Allison said. "I want something I know I can't have. The more I can't have it, the more I want it."

Holly was unsure what to say. She knew what Allison meant. She wanted to change the direction of the conversation. There was something she needed to know. It seemed as if it could be a sensitive subject. She was aware she may have crossed a line. She understood it could create more than a few issues going forward.

"Will 'this' cause a problem with Vanna?" Holly asked. "I mean us sharing?"

Allison showed a faint smile. There was a lot of leeway in her relationship with Vanna. Vanna was with many more females than she was in the past, the future. It seemed the more brutalized, beaten, and scarred a female who passed through was, Vanna was always with them. She wanted them to know they still possessed value and worth. It was because of her treatment in Scavenger camps.

She understood it wasn't about love in the traditional sense. Sometimes it almost seemed more like therapy for the abused. She could tell it was a way for Vanna to deal with her past by attempting to offer others a future. Vanna was with dozens and dozens of more females than she ever was. She only was with a few since Vanna was first with her.

"No, our relationship has always been open." Allison said. "We always wanted to give each other the freedom to explore, even if it seldom happened for me. It happened a lot for Vanna. Vanna and Jesse are 'one' now. Ever since Jesse got her nipple rings, Vanna has been captivated by Jesse. Gail has been away on the protection Details a lot."

Holly wasn't sure where the conversation was going. She tried to think of a response when Allison looked at her with dead seriousness.

Allison wanted to make everything clear from the beginning. She didn't know exactly what was going to happen with Holly and her. She was sure it was a beginning of some sort. She didn't know where it would lead. She didn't want to think about where it would end.

"Holly, I'm in love with Cameron and John." Allison said. "I'll always love Vanna no matter what. I'll love her forever. Time will bring us back together. It does every time we drift apart. I need you to understand it. Vanna will forever be a part of me. I owe her my life. We may fight and argue and drift apart, but time will always keep us together. I don't want it to hurt you. You must accept it and understand it. Vanna will always be a part of my life, forever. She will always be my first choice."

Holly looked a little upset. It wasn't what she wanted to hear. She had a few confessions to make as well.

"I understand your complex relationship with Vanna." Holly said. "I love Cameron as well, Allison."

Allison looked deflated. There was a little 'sickness' she felt inside. She didn't want to be 'used'. It reminded her of her breeding sex. It was different, but it was still being used, even if it was by her choice. It really made her feel like an animal. The way it happened was exactly how it did with animals. She didn't want her mind to go there.

"Is that why you're here?" Allison asked.

Allison swallowed hard when she said it. She knew both Vanna and Jesse, and now Holly, 'saw' and 'used' her as 'Cameron'. Sometimes they asked her to play 'Cameron'. It was OK. It was all in fun. It was when they touched her and 'saw' only 'Cameron' when it hurt her. At that point, she didn't matter.

Holly's answer didn't help any.

"Yes." Holly said.

Allison now looked upset.

Holly could see right away she needed to explain and qualify her response. She didn't want to hurt Allison. She didn't have any experience in dealing with another individual on a personal level. After what occurred with Allison, things couldn't get much more personal.

"Allison, it's only part of it. I'm also here because I want to be with you as well. I've developed feelings for you. You know we've been 'eyeing' each other for a long time. You know I only do it with you, and not the other girls." Holly said. "I've been 'saving myself' for the one I thought I could love, as well and they could love me back. I 'saved myself' for you. No one has ever touched me before. I wanted you to be the first and you were."

Allison was deeply touched by what Holly just said. It was an honor to be someone's 'first' by choice. There were still a lot of issues she needed to wade through. There was a lot of hurt, guilt, and pain within her. Since Holly was untouched, it made her feel very used. Some things she couldn't control. There were some who took from her against her will. She knew it wasn't her fault but it still left her feeling very tainted.

"Holly, I do care about you. Maybe I can love you back even more. I need time to deal with the pain of Vanna and Cameron. I wanted to be with you and I'm honored you saved, and then gave yourself to me. It really means a lot. I can honestly say it's the most special gift anyone has ever given me." Allison said. "My love for you will grow, but I'm still hurting. I need time, but it will come. The love will grow. I promise. I want it to. I will love you back even more."

Allison kissed Holly on the cheek.

There was an issue Holly always wondered about. She wasn't sure how to get to it without a problem.

"You were with Isabel-Cameron on her 'first time'." Holly said.

Allison saw a lot of differences there.

"Yes and no. She was a copy of Cameron's program, so it wasn't really her 'first time'. Maybe it was her 'first time' with a female if you look at it like that." Allison said. "For you, it was your 'first time' to share with anyone. It's really special and means something to me. I know you could have been with half a dozen others, including John. I know you didn't because you wanted something to be even more special. You wanted to follow your heart. It's something which isn't very easy to do most of the time."

Holly really wanted to be with Allison more now.

"I have those files from Isabel-Cameron. My program was in there as well. I've chosen not to review them. I wanted to 'learn' on my own. Since you've shared with me, I feel even more and stronger feelings for you. I want to be with you more, Allison. Let me fill the void in your heart now. I believe it's what you want. it's what I want as well."

Allison really wasn't sure where things were going to go. She still needed to think about her commitment to Vanna. She also desperately wanted more. She believed she just found it.

"We will, Holly, I promise. I feel more for you every second…." Allison said.

She moved to kiss Holly and start in again. None of it with Holly was just about sex to her.

'Somebody To Love' by 'Jefferson Airplane', played in the background.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Everyday

Surrounded by life
Each day it crushes us like a vice
Drowning out our desires
Before acting maybe we need think thrice

Look around, no one is happy
Living and happiness can't coexist
There are only moments of joy in life
Some come in a tryst

How can we escape the pain
Can we do more than try
We sink into oblivion
Nobody can feel you cry

No one cares or LISTENS
Nobody tries to lend a hand
Surrounded by many but none
Nothing works out as planned

Amongst the rubble of time
Buried within billions of grains of sand
We may find a beautiful gem
Few exist throughout this land

Do we treasure what we've found
Or just throw it away
Perhaps we may find better
As time slips away everyday

If we knew what we wanted
Not what we think we want
Could any lives be salvaged
Endlessly we seek and hunt

Nobody