Chapter 214

Fresh Meat

John and his team returned back to the base. He viewed the mission as a success on multiple levels. He asked Bob to make sure the damaged Terminator was delivered to the lab.

John Henry wanted to make sure Cameron was up to speed on the current operation. He informed her the captured Terminator was in the lab, and she was severely damaged.

Cameron wanted to check her out to see what was necessary to fix her, or if she would become spare parts and projectiles.

She entered the lab. Right away she spotted the beautiful Asian features on the face of the new Terminator. She then moved around her to the other side and saw the damage. It was horrendous. She needed to suppress a glitch impulse. It could have been John who ended up looking the same way when he turned the recon into an attack. She also knew she could end up looking the same way herself. She pushed both of those thoughts from her mind.

Cameron removed the sheet and saw the damage to the arm and torso, it was extensive. The right breast was gone along with some of the left one. Bloody tissue and metal seemed all mixed together. She scanned the chassis. It seemed intact and undamaged. She continued the inspection a little lower and was pleased to see everything 'down there' was still intact and undamaged.

She seriously considered using Allison's DNA to make a duplicate chassis of herself, and put Isabel's chip in it. It would be to literally make two of herself. She believed this version of her would be a clone. It would be a clone of her program, and a clone of her chassis. She knew it would cause a problem down the line bigger than the one with just her in Isabel's current chassis.

Cameron thought it would be easier for John to share both of them if they looked identical. They would both be 'her'. She didn't believe he would be able to tell the difference. Maybe she wouldn't even tell him. They would both be his wife. She was her program, and there were 'two' of her now, even if the sheath was different. John was very disrespectful of her program.

Vanna entered the lab. She saw Cameron look over the new acquisition. She noticed where Cameron checked just a few moments ago. She already did the same thing herself earlier. It never hurt to know what the 'competition' would look like. She was still in a class all of her own. It was time to get down to business.

"She's a real mess, Cameron." Vanna said. "It will take a long time to repair the damage."

Cameron knew what she wanted to do. John would need to learn to adapt and understand her better. It was time he stopped disrespecting her just because her appearance was different at times. Who did he think he was anyway? She decided to lay it out for Vanna. She didn't think there would be a problem.

"With the amount of recovery needed, I would like to Resequence her sheath as well." Cameron said. "I want to use Allison's DNA."

Vanna saw it as a potential mistake. Two of 'Cameron', with both of them being identical, sounded like the recipe for disaster. It was bad enough when Isabel-Cameron thought she was Cameron. She wanted to give Cameron a few other options to think about.

"Are you sure it's a wise long term choice?" Vanna asked. "What if we used Jesse's DNA or mine? It may be a better in the long run."

Cameron was intrigued with the idea. She felt her plan was necessary for John to stop disrespecting her program. It seemed to her John felt 'Isabel's appearance' didn't please him since he wouldn't touch her. She would take away the appearance issue so there were no excuses. It would be the same appearance, with the same program. There would be no difference. She didn't want to think of the new Terminator as her clone, but rather as her duplicate.

"I want another copy of myself." Cameron said. "I'll place Isabel's chip in it, and replace Isabel with Cameron II at the Young residence. It will be easier for John to accept my duplicate self if she looks like me. As Isabel, he doesn't want me."

Vanna wanted to keep Cameron from making an identical clone of herself. She thought of a few ways to delay the process. There were other things they could do immediately.

"Then we should Resequence Isabel with Allison's DNA. We can use Jesse's DNA or mine on this one." Vanna said.

Cameron looked over the pulped torso of the captured female Terminator. She could see it was going to require some time before the Regeneration and Resequencing could take place. She still liked Isabel's appearance. Vanna was correct about the time issue. She took one more look at the damaged female Terminator.

"I'll think about it." Cameron said. "Start the repairs. I'll have Gail assist you along with Mr. Murch's team. Get this 'mess' back into operational condition."

Vanna watched Cameron go. She went over to the new Terminator and closed her legs back up as she covered her over. She didn't want to disrespect her too much. She already checked what Cameron did too. Everything was there and looked functional.

John went over all the information with John Henry. He knew there was more of the Skynet offshoot to track down.

"We need to find out everything about Skyshield." John said. "There's more of it out there somewhere. There most likely is another mainframe."

John Henry was able to track Skyshield back a little way. It was a legitimate company to begin with. Not so much could be said for it now. It was absorbed through different mergers and stock acquisitions. He was sure most of them were fraudulent and manipulated. There was an internal shake up.

"It appears Skyshield was originally a separate entity from Skynet. I believe Skynet operatives infiltrated it. They now seem to be in control." John Henry said. "It would be a safe bet there are more Terminators out there infiltrating similar groups. Skynet might try to operate under the guise of various names, it's still Skynet."

It wasn't good news to John. It meant Skynet could be anywhere and everywhere. There could be other dummy or shell companies out there right now. Most likely there would be even more as time passed.

"Skynet will try to take control, one way or another, and then make whatever they can control into Skynet itself." John said. "It must be how it keeps surviving, even after it's been terminated."

There was more information for John Henry to work with. There was also an issue with Cameron. He thought he needed to give John a heads up as to what he would soon face. He believed he did his part to warn John earlier what would happen.

"The intel you provided will aid me where to look." John Henry said. "Cameron was very unhappy you did more than a recon."

John figured a rebuke was coming. He was surprised Cameron didn't confront him herself about it. Maybe this method was to ease him into it. He still felt his actions were justified. They lost the HK drone once. He wasn't about to lose it again. He went over the events which occurred in his head. He was sure he made the right choice.

"We saw there was an opportunity. It was safe for us to act, so we took the shot." John said. "We're not all as reckless as Cameron. If we would have felt endangered we would have retreated and asked you to send in the drones."

John Henry tilted his head slightly. So far they hadn't used the drones they captured.

"It may be an option for another time." John Henry said.

John knew he took a chance, but valuable information was gained with it. He would do the same thing again the same way. He found everything worked out perfectly. It's how the operation should be looked at. 'What ifs' were pointless. There only was what actually occurred. If Cameron would have been around, she could have gone with them.

"Cameron is obsessed sometimes." John said. "She was out conducting her own operation. Maybe next time she will stick with Resistance business."

John Henry didn't agree with Cameron's off the books operations or her infiltration of the Young residence. Both of them tied up valuable resources for the Resistance.

"I think everyone can get sidetracked at times." John Henry said. "It's what they get sidetracked about which matters."

John only could wonder what it was. Cameron spent a lot of time involved in non Resistance affairs. She was seldom forthcoming with what they were. He hoped it wasn't the ground work for her to end up as Skynet later on. Sometimes it seemed like it. Somehow it wouldn't surprise him at all. Some of the things she did irritated him more than others. She already told him a long time ago she lied to him about important things.

"I have no idea what she does alone, and I no longer ask." John said. "I don't want to hear her lie. Lying is second nature to her."

John Henry could see John was irritated now. It was understandable. He also could see the bigger picture and Cameron's mission and duty as she saw it.

"Cameron does have a way with leaving out some facts." John Henry said. "You do know she's doing everything to protect you."

It was a statement, more than a question.

John learned a long time ago there wasn't much he could do about it. He was just along for the ride. Between his mother and Cameron, he never really had too much control over his own life. He didn't know both of them tried to protect him as much as they could. He couldn't fault them for their efforts even if he didn't agree with it all of the time. He was still alive now because of both of them.

"I do." John said. "I know it's what she believes. It's why I don't push it."

John knew Cameron believed a lot of things he didn't agree with. She was still driven to do them. John was sure it was all Future John's fault - HIS fault. It was where the conversation always ended up at. It all came back to 'him' - Future John. Just like everything involved with Allison and Vanna did. Cameron always said she was following her directives. He really hoped he never became THAT Future John.

Holly and Isabel were tethered for hours. Maybe it became more than simple maintenance the longer they searched for a problem together. It allowed both of them to interact with each other in a very personal manner.

"I can find nothing wrong." Holly said. "My program, in conjunction with your program, should prevent you from terminating Young Allison's parents and taking Young Allison into 'protective custody'."

Holly was sure Isabel or Cameron would at least wait until the baby girl was born before terminating Claire. It would be one more child she could steal.

Isabel still felt some 'shame' for her earlier thoughts.

"It's not what I want to do, Holly." Isabel said. "It was a feeling which came over me. I don't want to hurt these people, even if I want to commandeer their offspring. It isn't how I want to do things."

The implication to do both of those things was already expressed by Cameron before Isabel's creation.

"You, well, Cameron, did want to take Young Allison into 'protective custody'." Holly said. "I'll inform Cameron to come see you. I'll tell her of your wish for your 'alone time' with John."

Isabel was frustrated and restated her long term goal.

"Cameron will know it already. We are identical." Isabel said. "I must protect Young Allison for John."

Allison came to check on the progress of the Metal girls. She listened outside the door for a moment before she opened it. What she heard troubled her on about three different levels. She was glad her mother didn't hear it.

"There's just so much 'wrong' with your statement." Allison said as she walked up.

Allison carried Young Allison who drifted off to sleep a few minutes ago.

Isabel saw nothing wrong with her statement. It was already a fact in her future.

"She will be John's mate." Isabel said. "It's inevitable. It's the 'Natural Order'."

Allison wasn't ready to concede. She currently held 'herself' in her arms.

"Oh, brother…." Allison said. "You actually believe it."

Isabel wasn't about to back down either. She wanted to remind Allison there were other options currently available to John right now. Maybe if the girls would have listened to her, they wouldn't be where they were right now in the first place.

"As WILL you…." Isabel said.

Allison looked defeated. She knew Nobody could stop Cameron. Now there were two of her. She really didn't think it would take too long before they started to butt heads. She looked at Young Allison in her arms. She was very uncomfortable with the thought of raising children.

"I don't think I would ever make a good mother for anyone." Allison said.

Isabel looked into Allison's eyes. She spoke from her 'heart'. Allison didn't need to be a good mother. She just needed to produce the offspring.

"I'll raise your children and tend to them myself if it worries you." Isabel said. "I'm better at it than I thought possible. I actually enjoy the challenge."

She didn't consider the fact since sleep was unnecessary for her, it might be a big bonus to her child rearing skills.

Allison witnessed some funny things at times.

"It's something to see when a toddler faces down a Terminator." Allison said.

Isabel tried to keep it light. It was clear Young Allison could be very strong willed at times. As irritating as it was. She believed it would be a good quality going forward. She wanted Young Allison to be strong in more than just physical strength.

"Young Allison and YOU can be quite troublesome sometimes." Isabel said.

Allison felt a little insulted. She was who she was.

"I guess there are some things we never outgrow." Allison said.

Isabel smiled.

"Apparently not…." Isabel said.

Jesse was in the commissary. She got a quick bite to eat. She wondered where everyone was at. She knew where she could find out. She headed to the Command Center since she was close by. Gail informed her she would return to the Resistance base soon. There wasn't a specific timeline.

John Henry saw Jesse was on her way from the security cameras. He wondered if she was looking for John or Gail. It could be Cameron too. He would find out soon enough. She was almost to the door.

"Hello, John Henry." Jesse said as she entered the Command Center.

John Henry noticed her right breast was about to pop out of her top. He hoped it did so he could see the nipple ring. It always fascinated him to look at it.

"Hello." John Henry said.

Jesse moved her arm and the full breast popped out.

It was what he wanted to see. It was up close and personal. He wondered if she 'wanted' something specific. She already delivered the treat, before she asked for anything.

"I'm looking for Gail." Jesse said.

John Henry was transfixed on her exposed breast two feet away from him. He took in all the details of everything there. He saved multiple images as well. Some of them were close ups when he zoomed in.

Jesse could see she got John Henry's attention. She might have gotten it a little more than she anticipated, at least in one area.

"I'm up here." Jesse said.

John Henry looked up at her face.

"I'm sorry. I was distracted." John Henry said.

Jesse smiled. It was exactly what she wanted to happen. It pleased her to see it worked just as well on Terminators as it did humans. Everyone wanted to see her jewelry and what it was attached to up close. It was actually a toss up who concentrated on them more when it came to males and females. She actually believed it was the females. She knew females always sized up the 'competition'. She figured they also wondered how they would look with the same jewelry, in the same place. She was sure it would enhance all of them.

"It happens." Jesse said. "Do you know where Gail is currently at? I don't want to call her."

Jesse shifted around and moved her right breast back inside her top. When she did, the left one popped out. She made a point of centering the captive bead on the ring.

John Henry's gaze was transfixed again. He spoke without looking at her face.

"She's in the lab with Vanna right now." John Henry said. "Cameron recalled her for a special task."

Jesse bent down and looked into his eyes. She moved everything back inside her top.

"Thanks, love." Jesse said.

She smiled at him and left. She figured it must be something important Cameron needed her for if Gail didn't see her first when she returned to the base. She decided to check it out herself.

John Henry quickly adjusted his pants. He would need to get a larger pair from the supply room next time. His current pair was very constrained in the groin area right now.

Jesse smiled and laughed to herself a little when she left the Command Center. She liked toying with John Henry and the other male Terminators. She always kept them off balance. It wasn't hard to keep anyone off balance when she gave them a close-up view of her jewelry. It was amazing how little things could be such a distraction. She wasn't referring to her norks either. She headed for where Gail was at.

She entered the lab. She wanted to speak with Gail. She spotted her right away.

Gail looked over and smiled.

"I was looking for you." Jesse said to Gail.

Gail didn't think Jesse needed to look any further.

"I'm here." Gail said. "I need to work."

Jesse spotted the covered figure. She heard a new female Terminator was captured by John, Bob, and Dan earlier.

"Is that the fresh meat?" Jesse asked. "Is it the new 'sheila'?"

Gail tilted her head slightly. She needed to learn Australian slang words to keep up with Jesse. The term 'sheila' referred to a female. It was a generic term.

"Yes." Gail said.

Jesse saw the one side of her face. It was pretty. The rest of the figure was covered over. She liked what she saw.

"She's beautiful." Jesse said.

Gail and Vanna exchanged quick glances. They both knew there was a lot more to see. Most of it was anything but beautiful.

Jesse moved to the other side. She stopped in her tracks for a moment as she looked at the damage.

"Oh, God…." Jesse said.

To see the other side of her face was a shock to her. It made her wonder what condition the rest of her body was in. She went to reach for the sheet but stopped. Somehow it seemed like she should ask before she acted.

"May I?" Jesse asked.

Vanna issued a warning. She was sure it would be an even bigger surprise for Jesse.

"It's not pretty." Vanna said. "She's a real mess."

Jesse drew back the sheet. She gasped a little as she looked at the carnage.

"Even her norks are destroyed?" Jesse asked. "I can only see part of one."

She quickly lowered the cover. She saw enough, too much actually. It made her wonder what the prognosis would be. She was aware of some of the troubles Cameron experienced previously.

"I didn't expect her to have a real pair of knockers, but at least norks. Will they grow back or regenerate?"

Vanna never got used to the damage. At least it wasn't on Cameron this time. There were several techniques they could use to speed the process. There was a lot of past experience to work from.

"We'll restore her in a short time if I can use replacement sheath sections. She'll be a new person. We'll make her as good as new." Vanna said. "Cameron was very messed up, but only about half as bad as this when I fixed her the first time."

Jesse lifted the cover down lower. She smiled at what she saw. No one said anything. She lowered the cover and moved back up towards her face. She gently touched the good side of the damaged Terminator's face. She didn't want to disturb their work any longer. She could catch up with Gail later on. She knew Resistance business needed to come first.

"Don't worry, love, they'll fix you." Jesse said and left.

Vanna and Gail both watched her go. They both looked at the damaged female Terminator in front of them.

"I know if we do need to Resequence her whose DNA I want to use." Vanna said as she looked at Gail.

Gail nodded and smiled.

"Yes, I would like it as well. I will obtain the DNA and visit the genetics lab myself. I'll have the information in twenty four hours." Gail said and left.

Vanna smiled. It looked like the nipple rings she purchased for Allison wouldn't need to go to waste after all…. Somehow it was even more fitting since they were identical to the ones Jesse wore.

She needed to reach back out to Allison, they were meant for each other. What went wrong? She wondered. She knew it happened from time to time. This was one of those times.

Vanna knew no matter what, she would always love Allison. She knew they would always come back together again as well. They always did. They 'belonged' to each other. Their love was eternal….

She really missed Allison. Her time with Jesse was great. It just wasn't the same. She knew she needed to reach out. No, not out, she needed to reach back. There was a lot of 'history' between them.

Claire wondered what exactly was going on inside of Isabel's room. She could only imagine. She could feel the 'call' inside of her awaken and want more. She watched Allison arrive with Her Allison sometime later. She saw her enter into the room without knocking. It made her wonder exactly what was what.

Holly was finished with Isabel. Cameron would have to deal with any other issues herself. It was time for them to leave. They bid everyone farewell.

Allison was a little upset at the way her mother checked out Holly. It was very sexual. She tried to blow it off as 'reading' too much into it. She didn't know she actually hit the nail on the head.

Holly drove the SUV. She thought Allison looked a little 'off'. It bothered her. She reached over and took Allison's hand.

A song came over the radio. Allison reached over with her free hand and cranked up the volume.

'Crazy Little Thing Called Love' by 'Queen', blasted from the speakers.

Allison and Holly felt so 'close'.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

All The King's Horses…

I have what you want
You have what I need
What I really want and need
Is my heart to no longer bleed

They were so fine
True beauty indeed
I wanted all of them, everything
Not a meaningless act of greed

Passion, excitement and meaning
Filled them with loves seed
How wonderful it would have been
For this love to breed

The worst times of our lives
Became the best times indeed
How I wanted to become one
Our future shared to succeed

When the heat turned up
They decided their future I would impede
I was cast aside, replaced
Love's defeat I'll never concede

Nobody