Chapter 229

My Party

John and his team were at the location of the temporal incursions. They were able to witness its arrival the next time. The aching and flashing started as the energy bubble appeared. It was there for a few moments but quickly dissipated.

John was sure there was something in it.

"I saw something in the energy bubble." John said.

Jesse was by his side.

"I did too." Jesse said. "I'm sure there was something."

Bob held the Coltan loaded M60 at the ready.

"I did as well. I was, and still am, unable to tell what it might have been. I have replayed the file several times." Bob said. "It could have been anyone or any 'thing'."

Gail flanked Bob's position with an M79 loaded with an 'acid round'. She also packed a Coltan loaded M4 as did John and Jesse.

"It could be a Liquid Metal Terminator." Gail said. "I'm ready if it is."

John didn't want them to get ahead of themselves. Maybe the 'almost Cameron' 'Liquid Metal thing' wasn't the threat they perceived it to be. He wanted to use a little more discretion this time. He didn't need any 'itchy' trigger fingers.

"It could be. It might be Mrs. Weaver, or the other Duplicate Cameron, or 'a Cameron', or something else." John said. "We don't know what we're facing."

Bob thought they could help and try and 'grab' the signal with their TDE.

"Maybe John Henry can try to pull it in with our TDE. He redesigned it to receive as well as send." Bob said. "We should be able to 'hang on' to whatever is there. There should be enough power to do it."

John considered the idea but it seemed to hit a little too close to home for the unknown. They still didn't know if this was a 'friendly' or a threat. Maybe a little distance wasn't a bad thing.

"Do we want whatever it is at our base?" John asked. "I doubt anyone wants it. I know I don't."

The concept alarmed Jesse. They still didn't have any idea what it was. They needed to think about everyone else, especially the younger girls.

"NO! We don't want or need it." Jesse said. "I don't want to put Savannah and Jan in danger."

It just seemed like a bad idea to John. He doubted his mother would appreciate it. He didn't want to 'hear' it from her.

"I don't want anyone in danger either." John said. "My Mom has enough to worry about."

Jesse didn't want to take any chances.

"Caution should be the key." Jesse said.

There were a few other sinister thoughts in John's head.

"Maybe someone is testing us to check our response." John said. "There's a possibility this is being done to draw us out here. We already experienced something similar with the HK drone near Tehachapi."

Bob wondered if they should have a 'response' ready to try and 'send back'. Perhaps if what arrived in the energy bubble appeared to be a threat, they could take some action on their own preemptively.

"I think we should put a couple of satchel charges, along with several armed Thermite grenades into the energy bubble the next time and let it take them back to explode." Bob said. "I think it would shut down whatever they were doing."

John was about to question if they would go anywhere if they weren't covered by organic matter when Gail offered a delivery method.

Gail thought they would need to use an animal to put the explosives in before it could be sent. She didn't want the satchel charge or the Thermite grenades going off where the energy bubble was at and risk hurting Jesse or John.

"Let me put some acid rounds in with the satchel charges as well." Gail said. "We can use one of the large animals we saw. There's a lot of livestock roaming around here. We can subdue one and put everything inside of it. I can shock it with my Taser and carry it over to where we're at. It should live long enough to make the transfer. It will be a surprise in more ways than one when it arrives."

John thought they were getting ahead of themselves again. His biggest concern was if it was the other set of Duplicate girls and Duplicate Cameron. They didn't know if there was a second set of Duplicates, but it was a pretty good bet. They weren't the only 'friendlies' he was worried about.

"What if they are friendly?" John asked. "What if it is Duplicate Cameron or the Duplicate girls trying to get back from the future? It could be Mrs. Weaver or River for all we know. It could be something from Future John. We're going to need more before we launch any type of attack. Someone might not have all of the resources to make the TDE function properly. It's possible it could be damaged as well."

John really wondered if things were being done to bring Cameron to the remote location. If she wasn't so infatuated with the new baby girl, she would be there herself. She even may have even tried to conceal it from the rest of them and went off on her own. Somehow it seemed like an even more likely scenario.

Jesse was aware there was always a time lag between incursions. It looked like they might have a little time to kill. They didn't need to remain on alert until the arrival of the next energy bubble. Without the energy bubble, nothing could happen.

"I guess we need to wait it out." Jesse said. "We're all packing heat. We can deal with any threat."

Jesse looked around and decided now was as good a time as any to tell John what she wanted. He needed to start listening to Cameron and her. She took him off to the side. She already decided what was going to happen. She even decided how it could happen. She figured the best thing to do was just 'say it'.

"John, tonight I'm going to bunk with you." Jesse said. "We both want it, let it happen. Cameron is driving me crazy by always 'pushing' me…. It's something I would like to do as well. I want to do it because it's you too."

John didn't like how Cameron always 'leaned on' the girls to do what she thought she wanted done. He thought it was just as wrong to push someone onto someone else, as it was for someone to take from another or use them against their will. He really didn't think there was too much difference between the two acts.

"I know, Jesse. I'm sorry." John said. "I don't even know if Cameron knows what she really wants anymore. I don't think she really wants me. Maybe she never did. I think Cameron wanted Future John. I think maybe she felt obligated to be with me. I'm not Future John. I doubt I ever will be. In fact, I don't think I want to ever be him. I don't agree with some of his decisions and actions. I can't see myself making them. If Cameron really wanted me, she wouldn't be doing all the things she's doing over and over. They are things that always hurt ME. Maybe she married me to control me. With Cameron as my wife, I have no control over her."

Jesse thought about what John said. She could see there was a lot of truth to what he stipulated. If Cameron really wanted Future John, she could see why she would grab on to the next closest thing when she was sent into the past. It was only natural to try to grab onto whatever was close to what someone once wanted or even possessed. She understood it was what Gail did with her. Duplicate Jesse may have been her, but she wasn't actually her. She couldn't fault Gail for trying to hang on to something she loved, even if it wasn't exactly the same thing. She would probably do the same thing herself in a similar situation.

"It just goes to show, no matter how much we think we're in control, we really aren't." Jesse said. "We all know a lot happens we can't do anything about, except roll with the punches."

John was always afraid Cameron would tell him she was programmed to 'love' him and she was going to erase those files and make her own. He doubted she would choose him. Her attraction seemed to be towards the other females at the base. Maybe they treated Cameron better than he did. Maybe it was because he shared his bed with her and it wasn't what she wanted to do. Sex in general seemed pretty invasive on the female body by design.

Jesse didn't want what happened between John and her to be an issue about Cameron. It wasn't. They may have all needed to take a little more flak than was necessary.

"It seems the more Cameron hurts us, the more we all love her." Jesse said.

John felt it was the truth. He really didn't know any other way to look at it sometimes. How could anyone love Cameron less regardless of what she did or didn't do?

"I think it sums it up…." John said.

Jesse wanted the union between them for herself too. She wanted to move her life forward. There were certain things she wanted out of life as well. They often seem to change over the years or depending upon the circumstances. Right now she knew what she wanted.

"I want it to be about me. I don't want it to be about what 'Cameron wants'." Jesse said. "I want it to be about us, John."

Jesse moved closer to John. She wanted him so much. She could feel herself ready right now. Her body called for her to respond. She hadn't been with a male for quite awhile. She was ready to try it again. She didn't want to wait any longer….

Sheila lifted her head and straightened up. She was afraid she may have taken things too far. She looked at Vanna's face. Vanna went through a series of vocalizations and various parts of her body contracted and expanded in rapid succession. She was sure Vanna's breathing ceased as well, at least for a short while.

She was now worried. If anything bad happened to Vanna, there were going to be serious repercussions from Cameron. She needed to try to make sure Vanna was OK.

"Are you able to function?" Sheila asked.

Vanna tried to speak. She was unable to do so at first.

Her mouth tried to move and her vision was blurred. Things started to come back slowly, and then a little quicker. Her body needed to stabilize itself.

"I will be." Vanna finally said. "Let my heart slow down and my breathing stabilize."

Sheila was concerned about several issues.

"I was afraid you were about to terminate." Sheila said. "It was quite a surprise with some of the things which occurred."

Vanna was sure she was on her way out once she couldn't see and forgot how to breathe. Her body seemed to respond on its own without her having any control over it. The pleasure overwhelmed her and consumed her. It was amazing.

"I thought so myself. It was incredible, Sheila. Thank you, I really needed it." Vanna said. "I've never experienced some of the things which occurred before either. I've heard about them though."

It was quite an experience for Vanna. She never went so 'far' before in any previous sexual experience. Sheila took her to where she wanted to go and then intensified everything and didn't stop, even when she begged Sheila to stop.

Sheila was always pleased with Vanna's female attributes. They were totally unlike her own, or Jesse's by extension. Since she currently ran Gail's program, she was essentially a clone of Gail with a different sheath. She did sometimes wish Jesse could be more like Vanna in some areas, but it was impossible for humans to change their private parts.

Vanna seemed to find her female attributes more than satisfying based upon her performance and insatiable desire to do everything possible with them. Vanna seemed to do the same way with Gail's sheath as well. It was clear there were some things she really enjoyed doing.

"It was rewarding for me as well." Sheila said. "We can do it again soon if you wish. If Allison or Jesse aren't around and I am, come see me." Sheila said. "I'm good to go at any time. I can guarantee you a finish very quickly, with many more to follow."

Vanna sucked in her breath slightly at the offer. She tried to be with Gail whenever she could, but she didn't like to step on Jesse's toes. Jesse and Gail were a pair and she needed to respect it. Sheila was currently unattached to anyone. It didn't matter if she ran Gail's program or not. She didn't see any reason why she couldn't spend more time with Sheila, especially in Allison's absence. After some time passed, she was back to 'normal' at this point. Sheila's offer sounded good to her especially after what she just experienced.

"I would like it a lot, Sheila." Vanna said.

Vanna gave her a long kiss. Sheila held even longer. She literally took her breath away. Sheila left after the kiss. The kiss reminded her what others experienced when they were with her. She always found it quite appealing. Based upon the reaction of others, evidently they found her appealing as well.

She took a moment to collect her thoughts. She briefly checked herself out to make sure everything was good to go. It appeared to be so. There was one thing missing from her room and there was nothing she could do about it. It was Allison. With more options available to her now, it would be easier to turn to others in her times of need.

Vanna quickly changed the sheets. She heard about things like what happened before. She wasn't sure what exactly happened, but she sure wanted it to happen again….

In her time alone, she missed Allison. She didn't feel she'd done anything 'wrong' by being with Jesse, Gail, or Sheila. Their relationship was open, even if they were always together. It was after they were with Isabel-Cameron when everything changed. A human female was meat and potatoes, but a Metal girl was dessert. A Metal girl was heaven. She really felt each of the girls should have a full time Metal girl as a lover. They would all have better protection if they did. Isn't it what Cameron wanted for them anyway? Maybe it was time to tell Cameron. She at least wanted to get the idea out there. Jesse and Gail were together. Apparently Allison and Holly were together as well. There was no reason she shouldn't be able to have a Metal girl of her own.

Vanna knew it was Cameron who was the one in control there, just like she was in her future. It's why in Cameron's future, Future Jesse and the anti-Metal faction were out to get her. They felt Cameron 'controlled' Future John and everything which happened regarding the Resistance was done at her direction. It wasn't the case, but it was how the anti-Metal faction saw it. Based upon where they were in the past, Cameron was her own version of 'Skynet', at least how she controlled all of them.

Vanna needed to 'play' things right to get what she desired. She would have to speak to Cameron about some better 'protection'. If Allison and Jesse were 'protected' with a Metal girl, she wanted to be as well. The sexual relationship which would follow was an added bonus. In reality it was her goal. She could literally have as many finishes as she desired every night, for as long as she wanted them to last.

When Cameron was in Palmdale with Holly and Allison, she felt she was losing control. Being around Summer was very overwhelming for her. It represented everything she was NOT. There was a strong inner desire in her to obtain what she couldn't obtain on her own.

Allison and Holly were by her side always when she was there. Both of them were afraid of what Cameron might do. They were afraid of what she could do. All three of them knew no one could stop Cameron. Allison was worried about her parents. It was a justifiable concern on more than one level.

Derek and Kyle were on a recon mission with Jim. The first objective was elusive.

They went to the target address and looked for a man who should be there. He wasn't. They called as his 'insurance agent'. No one ever heard of him.

It was somewhat irritating not to have any good answers.

"Is this clown really there or not?" Derek asked.

Jim could only go off the information John Henry provided. It was a low priority mission to begin with because of the inconclusive information available.

"It's what we have to work with." Jim said. "It's why we need to run these leads down."

Kyle knew it was frustrating at times.

"You know these things don't all pan out." Kyle said.

It was possible some other targets associated with the man, which were neutralized, could have spooked him. Whenever they struck at a target, they always knew there were parts of it which wouldn't be there. It was always likely a Terminator or Grays could be out doing different things when the attack occurred. Some of the enemy always slipped through the cracks.

They thought about waiting around for a while to see what developed.

"Maybe we can just come back later instead of waiting." Derek said. "There are other targets."

Jim didn't want things to escalate.

"Remember this is a recon." Jim said. "We're checking to see if the people are where we think they may be. They are often linked with others. We need to find out as much about their associates as we can before we act. The more people who slip through the cracks are just harder to track down later on."

Derek didn't want the lecture, again. They knew they weren't on a combat operation.

"We get it." Derek said. "It's just if we find a target, we want to eliminate it."

Kyle agreed with him. He didn't want anyone to slip away when they were in their sights.

"Anyone of these people we can find and take down now helps the future." Kyle said.

Derek wasn't so sure about the information they received at the location where they inquired.

"I think this guy knew we would show up sooner or later when his friends 'disappeared'." Derek said. "Maybe he's still there anyway."

Jim pulled away from the curb.

It wasn't the reaction Kyle expected.

"What are you doing?" Kyle asked. "We think he's still there."

Jim wanted to use some additional caution. If the Reese brothers were correct, he needed to be concerned about their safety.

"If we've been 'made', we need to leave and come back in a different vehicle." Jim said. "This one has a target on it."

Derek was a little concerned as well now. There were things they could do right now to protect themselves.

"Let us out when you turn the corner. We can double back and watch the place. We can let you know if you have a tail." Derek said.

Jim didn't want to leave them unprotected. Derek's plan did have some merit. He wanted to go over the rules of engagement again.

"You're to only do recon and to evade if it becomes necessary." Jim said. "I should return in a few minutes."

Kyle pointed out the obvious.

"What if you did pick up a tail?" Kyle asked.

Jim smiled.

"I think it will prove most unfortunate for them." Jim said.

Jim approached the corner.

Derek and Kyle bailed out right after he made the turn. They were out of sight of anyone behind them at that point.

"I'll be back." Jim said as they exited.

Jim drove off.

Kyle and Derek concealed themselves and waited.

There was no tail spotted.

Previously:

Holly was informed the damaged female Terminator from the crashed drone 'disappeared' from the lab at the Resistance base. Everyone knew Cameron took her. After the mechanical repairs were made, and a neck port was installed, she was no longer in the lab. Cameron said she was too badly damaged for use and would be dismantled for spare parts for the female Terminators. Strangely enough spare female Terminator parts turned up in the storage area, shortly thereafter. It was clear Cameron was busy behind the scenes elsewhere and tried to cover her tracks.

Cameron left the Young residence in Palmdale and returned to the Resistance base. There were several things she needed to attend to. She wanted to conduct some clandestine tests.

She reactivated 'Isabel' with her new Resequenced sheath. Only Holly's program remained on the chip. She would have Holly interface and update with 'Resequenced Isabel'. She decided on a new name. She would let Allison approve it. It would be part of the test.

Cameron was impressed at how well things turned out.

"Run in full infiltration mode when we're there." Cameron instructed. "I want to see how good you can be on a clandestine mission. This is your first test."

"I'm a copy of Holly's program in a different chassis with a new sheath." 'Resequenced Isabel' said. "I can do whatever Holly can. There are also traces of your program still on this chip, Cameron."

It wasn't what Cameron wanted to hear. She felt she was defective. She always felt she was 'not good enough'. She didn't want anything but perfection for 'Resequenced Isabel'.

"Lock them away or delete them. My program is corrupt and malfunctioning. You don't want to have anything to do with me." Cameron said. "I'm defective."

It wasn't how 'Resequenced Isabel' viewed it. It wasn't how Holly viewed it either.

"We were on this chip together for months, several times." 'Resequenced Isabel' said.

Cameron didn't want 'Resequenced Isabel' tainted with anything to do with her.

"We were. I'm gone now and you're free." Cameron said. "I soon will be too…."

Cameron did what she planned. Somehow it seemed to make no difference. She was still depressed and looked for a way to 'escape'.

Tears ran down Cameron's cheeks as she quietly sobbed.

'It's My Party' by 'Lesley Gore', played as Cameron silently wept.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Drag

I know that I
Might not be much
But there is still beauty
In my touch

Perhaps to you
I may seem dull
That makes it easier
To be the one you cull

It seems some only want
To be used by another
Sooner than they know
They suffocate and smother

Maybe some think
I'm just an anchor
At least I don't
Purposely cause rancor

It seems like an extraction
Rather than any attraction
Drag City is the place for me
Where there is no fun or action

Nobody