Chapter 246

Let's Dance

Derek, Kyle, and Jim tried to put it all together. If there was an HK drone being tested, where did it come from? Where did it go?

"It seems like we're missing something." Derek said.

John Henry went over the past satellite images of the surrounding area. He attempted to find something more recent in the area which wasn't there a few months ago. Even something which wasn't there a year ago could send up a red flag. There were several locations located a few miles away which seemed to show signs of recent activity.

"There's a group of shipping containers located on the other side of the hill in the next canyon over." John Henry said. "They weren't there seven months ago."

John Henry sent the satellite images to the team.

Jim looked over the images.

"There doesn't appear to be anything else around them." Jim said.

Kyle and Derek looked at the satellite photos.

"Why would anyone bring them there?" Kyle asked.

Derek wondered the same thing.

"I think we should go over and take a look." Derek said. "We can drive over to the next canyon and see what's happening."

Jim wanted to try a different approach. He didn't want to leave the Reese brothers unprotected. He would run it by them and see what they thought.

"I can go up over the side of the mountain and come from the back way." Jim said. "I don't like leaving you two without backup though."

Derek thought it was a better idea.

"We can take care of ourselves." Derek said. "It seems unlikely the HK Drone will make an appearance in daylight."

Kyle wanted to try to make light of the situation.

"I doubt a UFO will either." Kyle said. "I believe most of the sightings of those are during the darkness as well. I know not all of them are. We can always go with Jim."

Derek knew they would have some trouble in the rough terrain.

"We'll end up slowing Jim down." Derek said. "He can move much faster than we can. He can also detect much more than we can if there's anything to be detected."

The team decided not to run their idea through the Command Center. It was sure to receive a veto.

Jim started up the side of the hill.

Derek and Kyle made their way back towards the SUV.

Jim made his way towards the objective. He didn't think he would find any type of surveillance equipment until he at least crested the top of the hill. The seven containers were several miles to the north of his current location. He would parallel the other canyon while remaining inside the canyon he was in.

He moved along at a rapid speed but not at his full Terminator capability. He didn't want to be spotted by anyone and catch their attention. He remained in contact with the Reese brothers.

Derek and Kyle approached their SUV. They set several small trip wires around it in various locations when they left it earlier. There weren't any explosives hooked to them. None of them were disturbed.

"It doesn't appear anyone's been here." Kyle said.

Derek climbed in behind the wheel and started the SUV. He signaled Kyle to make sure his com was off.

"What do you think this is?" Derek asked.

Kyle didn't have a good answer.

"We know it's not a UFO." Kyle said. "What we don't know is if it's Skynet related or not. Unfortunately we don't have a better description of what the individual actually saw or heard."

Derek knew how intimidating HK drones were, especially close up.

"They heard and saw enough to spook them to report it." Derek said.

Derek made a three point turn and started back down the canyon road.

Kyle checked his weapons.

"We may need to use these before we're done with whatever this is." Kyle said. "It's possible it's some type of drug operation. We know the potential for an explosion is great with some of the types of drugs which are manufactured. Someone may have wanted an out of the way location."

Derek thought the location was pretty out of the way.

"Check the satellite images again and see if it looks like anything is being grown around the area." Derek said. "We know there are several types of plants which can be turned into illegal drugs as well."

Derek's assessment raised another worry with Kyle.

"Operations involving drugs usually involve firearms as well." Kyle said. "We've also encountered Skynet groups dealing in drugs to raise funds. I think we're going to find trouble with whatever we encounter. Let's stay in contact with Jim."

Derek and Kyle both reactivated their coms. They checked in with Jim. So far he hadn't encountered anything out of the ordinary.

Bob and John were on the way to Palmdale. They checked out the Reese Detail on the way there. Both Kyle and Derek asked for a 'hands off' approach for their younger selves. Cameron reluctantly agreed to it. There were still Terminators in the background 'just in case'. The brothers were to pursue their own lives and not even know about the Resistance unless Judgment Day happened or was about to happen.

John asked to take Sierra Highway via Soledad Canyon Road to Palmdale. On this route they paralleled the Santa Clara River and the old Southern Pacific railroad tracks. Metrolink ran most of the trains on the route now. They passed the spot near Lang where a 'golden spike' was driven in 1876 upon the completion of the line between Northern California and Los Angeles. The line included the famed Tehachapi Loop further to the north.

Bob hoped to cheer John up a little.

"Did you want to stop by the historic site?" Bob asked

John was lost in thought.

"Isn't there just a monument there now?" John asked.

Bob knew there was at one point in time. He didn't know if it was still there or not.

"There may be." Bob said. "LA-98 was located nearby."

John needed to think about the reference Bob made.

"Wasn't it a missile base at one time?" John asked.

Bob was aware there was a group of them which protected the Greater Los Angeles area until the mid Seventies.

"It was a Nike missile base." Bob said. "It was one of the first in the Los Angeles area which was shut down. It was never upgraded to launch the Nike Hercules missile. Those were topped with a nuclear warhead."

John couldn't imagine people in the Los Angeles area putting up with nuclear tipped missiles around them now. They were anti-aircraft missiles. They weren't an ICBM.

"I think the Nike Ajax was the first Nike missile." John said. "It used a conventional warhead. I don't think shutting down the Nike bases had any impact on the defense of the country. If anything, it prevented Skynet from getting its hands on more missiles. Most of the later ones were the Nike Hercules."

Bob needed to agree. Since the Nike missiles were radar guided, and command detonated, they weren't very accurate against enemy aircraft approaching from over the water or land. They were even less effective against combating enemy missiles of any type.

"Weapons come and go." Bob said.

John hoped they would have spotted a train passing through Soledad Canyon. They didn't see any.

Soledad Canyon Road reconnected to Sierra Highway and they took it the rest of the way to their destination of Palmdale.

Bob and John arrived in Palmdale. Bob didn't push John too hard about what he planned to do. He felt John needed to make his own choices and live with the consequences. He was aware it was part of the future, a future anyway. He understood it was their duty to facilitate the 'Natural Order' in any way possible for Cameron.

They didn't inform the protection Detail they were going to visit. They wanted to check their proficiency. They wanted to see how quickly they would be detected and intercepted.

Bob exited the vehicle early. He was a block away from the Young residence and advanced on foot. John drove alone. He went once around the block. Bob made it no closer than one house to the Young residence before he was intercepted by Dan of the protection Detail. They were on their toes. Dan spoke briefly with Bob about some recent developments.

John pulled up and congratulated the Detail for being so vigilant. He wondered if they tracked his progress with a LAW rocket. He decided not to ask. He knew they would use whatever force was necessary to protect Young Allison.

The Detail operated on Cameron's rules. They tried to always shadow Young Allison. She extended the protection to Allison and Summer as well. She also saw Claire as a 'stand in' for any of her daughters if they failed to 'act'. Claire was still young. She was very adept at domestic affairs. The homemaking skills she knew would need to be taught to the females and males who survived Judgment Day. She would be able to instruct them on how to do things the 'old school' way. She watched Claire make clothes. It impressed her more when she used her grandmother's treadle sewing machine. No electricity was required. Her musical ability and dance skills were very creative as well.

John wanted to check over the Detail house location. Bob quickly told him he would take care of it. He suggested he attend to what they were there 'for'. He smiled at Bob and headed for the Young residence. He was there for something. He intended to collect on a long overdue desire of two people.

Holly answered the door. The smile evaporated from her face when she saw John. There could be only one thing he was here for. It was for her human lover.

They greeted each other.

Holly knew the rules, even if she didn't like them.

"Come in, John." Holly said. "I'll find Allison."

Holly looked extremely distressed. She didn't like what was about to happen. She knew what would happen next. She couldn't stand in the way of the 'Natural Order'. If she did, Cameron would deactivate her.

John heard someone approach from behind him.

"John?" Claire asked.

John turned to see a beautiful young woman. She looked a lot like Allison. It excited him somewhat. No, it actually excited him a lot.

"Yes. I'm pleased to see you again, Mrs. Young." John said.

John only briefly saw her once before. It was the day Isabel was attacked. Claire and Young Allison were in the SUV.

Claire smiled and touched his cheek. It was the first time she was so close to him. Cameron showed her many pictures of him.

"Call me, Claire, please. I've heard so much about you. Cameron worships you." Claire said. "You're lucky to have her for your wife."

John felt uncomfortable after her statement. He wasn't there for Cameron. He was there for Allison. He tried to keep it civil.

"Yeah, she's really unique." John said.

John wondered if Claire knew why he was here. He was here to make love to her daughter. He wondered how it was going to go over at this point. He actually liked what he saw in Claire. Her appearance, demeanor, and attitude were very appealing to him. It was clear she didn't carry the same 'baggage' as the girls from the future did. He wondered if she knew how much baggage the girls actually carried. He couldn't imagine Allison telling her mother everything about the future and what it was like. Maybe she did.

He couldn't help but think Claire looked more like Allison's sister than he pictured what her mother would look like. They were almost the same age.

John and Claire checked each other out, while they tried not to. There was an instant attraction between them. It remained unspoken.

Claire decided in that moment if Allison wouldn't be at John's side, she would, and be in his bed…. Cameron never said it directly, but she understood what Cameron wanted from her for John. Now with him standing there, it was actually something she desired. It was the least she could do for Cameron to help 'protect' John. She would do anything to get closer to Cameron.

Holly returned with Allison. She gave both of them an angry look. She looked very unhappy.

Everyone ignored her.

There was a lot of sexual tension which built up in a very short while.

"I look forward to being a grandmother at such a young age." Claire whispered in John's ear and then winked at him.

John swallowed hard.

'She does KNOW.' John thought.

"I don't know…." John said.

Claire wanted to whisper one other thing but she didn't. It wasn't time yet. She was pretty sure it would be soon enough.

'Or a mother again….' Claire thought.

Claire would need to make sure her daughter took care of things first so she could get her turn. She knew what needed to be done, even if John didn't. She decided to make it clear.

"I do." Claire said. "I need to go check on Summer."

Claire departed after she gave him a final 'once over' look.

John wasn't sure what just happened. He was sure Claire and him both indicated they were willing to 'share' with each other. He hadn't come there with the thought on his mind, but it was on his mind now. He could feel when someone wanted him. He certainly felt it from Claire. He went over her figure and looks again in his mind. He was more than willing to 'dance' with her.

Holly was with Allison who stood at her side.

"Hey, John." Allison said.

John shook his head to clear it. He needed to get Claire off his mind. He was there for someone else this time. He needed to refocus on Allison. The more he tried to do it, the more he thought of Claire.

Holly moved in front of Allison. It was her natural instinct to 'protect' Allison.

"Hey, Allison." John said as he looked around Holly to see her.

Holly made no effort to move. She didn't want to.

Allison noticed and tried to defuse the situation.

"Holly, can you go to the store and pick up the things we need for Summer?" Allison asked. "I'm going to be 'busy' for a while."

Holly didn't respond.

Allison moved up and took her hand. She kissed her on the cheek.

"I know you understand…." Allison said. "It's what I want."

Holly glared at John and walked away. A short time later a vehicle could be heard starting, and then it drove off.

Allison took John's hand. It was clear she understood why he was there. It was also clear she wanted the same thing.

John looked around and followed her. He hoped Holly would have stayed, maybe NEXT time. He took a quick glance at where Claire was earlier. He thought how Hot a 'mother and daughter' fling would be with Claire and Allison. They were both young and beautiful. He could feel his body start to respond to the thought.

Man, did he want to try it right now.

Wait.

He was there for Allison. His hormones were out of control.

Allison moved up to John. It was clear she was on board for what was about to happen. She took the lead.

"John, are you ready for 'this'?" Allison asked.

John swallowed hard. He looked at Allison. He did sneak a look at where Claire went though. He didn't see her.

"I think I am." John said. "No, not think, I am. I want this, Allison. I want it to be with you."

She wondered 'who else' was there. Did he just refer to someone else? She was the one standing there now, not Claire or Holly.

"It's about time." Allison said. "I'm not getting any younger."

The sexual tension in the air was thick. John tried to lighten the mood.

"You will always be Young, at least until you're married." John joked.

Allison giggled.

John felt she was very playful and seductive. She turned him on.

Allison took him by the hand and led him to her room….

This is the Allison who John fell in love with. It was the same girl he met on his first day in school so long ago. Allison was the ONE for him. He knew it. It was always Allison who he loved and wanted. Now it was about to happen….

Earlier:

Cameron entered Vanna's room.

It was something she was compelled to do.

Cameron didn't know why she was there, even if she did. She just wanted to be. She wanted more than what she currently was dealing with. It was an opportunity to 'explore'. It wasn't like it was with another male or something. It would be just a couple of loving friends sharing. It really didn't seem like a big deal to her. It's not like they could get each other pregnant or anything. She sadly reflected she couldn't get pregnant from anyone anyway.

Vanna was listening to music when Cameron arrived.

Cameron was unsure what to do next. She wanted to take Vanna in her arms and kiss her, touch her, and hold her…. She was hesitant to do anything. She didn't want to do the wrong thing.

Vanna moved closer to Cameron. She waited for Cameron to make a move. She would respond instantly if she did. She decided Cameron MUST make the first move. If Cameron didn't do it, it meant she wasn't ready. She wasn't going to push her or make her…. She wanted it to be pure sweet love and not lust or greed.

Cameron seemed nervous. She wanted some guidance.

Vanna sensed Cameron's uneasiness. She could tell Cameron started to have 'second thoughts'.

Cameron did have second thoughts. She just heard John walk by and stop. He listened to them and then moved on. He hadn't gone into Jesse's room after all. He blinked, she thought. Now she was about to blink. She wanted to be with Vanna, Allison, and Jesse. It was something she wanted to do. Isabel-Cameron was with them before her deactivation. In a way she already did this before, even though it wasn't actually her or even her chassis. It was all on the drive. She considered asking Vanna for it back and downloading the information instead. Maybe it would be simpler and less stressful. It would at least give her an idea what to expect.

Vanna was afraid Cameron would 'bolt'. She tried to think fast. She wanted to make Cameron feel comfortable. She didn't want her to feel nervous. She didn't want Cameron to feel 'afraid'.

"Sit." Vanna said. "We can talk first. There's no hurry for anything here. What's natural will happen naturally."

Cameron sat and Vanna sat next to her as she faced her. She was ready to respond at Cameron's slightest overture.

Vanna still waited for Cameron to make the first move. Now she thought she would have to move first to prevent Cameron from 'running'. If Cameron left now, it was never going to happen.

Cameron faced her as well. She looked so 'innocent' to Vanna. It increased her excitement level. She remembered Allison looked much the same way the night she 'took' her. Allison used to watch her with other females from the shadows. One night Allison was there herself. It was very much like what she experienced with Cameron right now. She wanted to play, but was unsure how to start.

Allison wasn't the only one she 'took'. There were others too. She provided a 'first female' experience to dozens of females over the years of all age ranges from teens to more mature females. Some were hesitant at first to be with another female. Once she began to soothe them and comfort them, they became more receptive. Once she pleasured them, they became addicted. For most of them it was the first time they finished with someone other than themselves. It really meant something to them.

Vanna saw Cameron's beauty. Cameron was Tight as always, hotter than hot. It was a dream come true. She remembered the times she pretended Allison was 'Cameron'. She did it many times. The more she did it, the more Allison was 'Cameron'. Jesse confessed she did it also. Jesse felt bad about it, she didn't. In fact she couldn't even remember when the last time Allison was 'Allison' and not 'Cameron' to her. It was a long, long time ago….

"Vanna, I want to be here with YOU. It's why I'm here. I wouldn't be here unless I wanted to do this with you. I'm so confused now. I thought I loved John but I don't know anymore. I think that 'I think' I love him, but I really don't."

Vanna wanted Cameron with a clear mind. The confusion bothered her.

"Do you love me?" Vanna asked.

Cameron gave a faint smile.

"I do." Cameron said. "I think I do."

It wasn't really the answer Vanna wanted to hear. Cameron should feel it in her heart and her mind. They were really in the same place on Cameron as they were on anyone. It was all in the mind.

"Are you unsure of what you want?" Vanna asked.

Cameron thought it was an understatement. Everything was so confusing anymore.

"Yes, I'm unsure about everything, Vanna - EVERYTHING." Cameron said.

Vanna looked hurt.

Cameron took her hand. Vanna smiled. She wanted to be honest.

"I know I feel things, Vanna. I don't know if they're 'real'. I don't even think I'm real. I'm not a real person." Cameron said. "Vanna, I'm a machine. I want to make sure you remember it. I'm not a human female and I can never be one. My responses will always lack a human touch."

Vanna felt they just hit a 'dead end'. It sure seemed like it anyway. She would do what Cameron wanted. She wasn't there to traumatize anyone.

"What do you want?" Vanna asked.

Cameron wanted to be someone else. She wanted to be someone different. She wanted a clean slate and a fresh start. She needed to tell Vanna how she really felt. It seemed it was the only way she could escape from herself.

"I want to be reprogrammed." Cameron said. "I want to start over."

Cameron looked at Vanna with her big brown puppy dog eyes. She was dead serious.

Vanna let out her breath slowly. She 'wanted' Cameron, but she wanted to help her more. It's what a true friend would do. The true test of love was sacrifice.

"Cameron, we all want the same thing. It's not how life works. We take our beatings and keep moving forward. Stop reliving the past or trying to change it. This is about NOW and the future, not yesterday. Yesterday is gone."

Cameron felt her whole life was the same way. Nothing ever changed the way she wanted it to. Each day was the same as the last. It was all very mundane and boring. Everything she did was predictable.

"Tomorrow IS yesterday." Cameron said. "For me it's how they all play out."

Vanna wanted Cameron to break the cycle. If she focused on this moment in time she could do it.

"Let this be about right 'now' and us…." Vanna said.

Vanna knew it was time to 'take' Cameron, just as she'd 'taken' Allison so many years ago….

'Let's Dance' by 'Chris Montez', played as Vanna – advanced….

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Tomorrow Is Yesterday

Each new day always comes
Will it be like the day before
We're all along for the ride
Will it be the same or offer more

We go through each hour
As part of the daily grind
Like the blind leading the blind
We hope something better we will find

It soon becomes clear
The future is the past
Each new day that arrives
Is no different than the last

The invisible wall of life
Holds us where we are
There's no way forward
Any direction doesn't go far

Tomorrow is yesterday
They're all cliché
We can't escape or runaway
We are here to forever stay

Nobody