Chapter 249

Along For The Ride

Kyle could hear the vehicles before he could see them. He didn't know if Skynet forces, or drug dealers, were on the way. It was soon clear several of the vehicles were dirt bikes. He would need to see what else was with them. Right now the sound of the motorcycles dominated everything.

It wasn't long before he spotted four dirt bikes. The riders all wore helmets along with protective gear. They didn't look like amateurs. They passed by his position. He waited to see if there were any more of them, or any other vehicles. There weren't.

Derek's assessment was much the same as Kyle's. It looked like recreational dirt bike riders. There were no weapons present. He didn't see any need to engage them yet. His main concern would be his inability to hear an HK drone as it approached, over the noise of the dirt bikes.

Jim watched as the four dirt bike riders came into view. They seemed a little surprised to see the containers where they were at. They stopped their dirt bikes and turned them off. Nothing seemed Skynet related to him.

The dirt bikers took a moment to talk among themselves about the containers. They decided to look into a few of them to see what was in them. There was some speculation as to why they were there.

Kyle moved up to Derek's position. They watched as the dirt bikers went to open the containers.

"I hope none of them are booby trapped." Kyle said. "It doesn't even appear to be a thought in their mind to check first."

Derek figured it was out of their hands.

"If we weren't here, they still would be." Derek said. "Whatever is going to happen, would happen anyway regardless if we were here or not."

Jim listened as each of the containers was opened. The results seemed to be the same for all of them. They were all empty. It further raised the question as to why they were there, and who brought them there.

The dirt bikers closed up the containers back the same way they found them. They got back on their dirt bikes and continued up the canyon.

Derek, Kyle and Jim placed a few surveillance devices to watch over the containers. They got back in the SUV and drove away from the area. They didn't know any more now than they did before they arrived. The only thing they were certain of was the UFO wasn't a UFO. It was most likely an HK drone.

They would have John Henry monitor both canyons to see what developed. They were instructed to return to the base as a few new leads elsewhere were uncovered. There might be some action later on, it just wouldn't be where they were now.

Cameron asked Sheila, Ally, and Hanna to take Savannah out on a 'training mission'. She didn't want it to seem as if it was what it was. She normally took Savannah herself, but Savannah now knew everything related to her was a 'training mission' at some point.

Maybe there was more to it to Cameron. Maybe Savannah knew it too. She found herself deeply attached to Savannah. Savannah was very much attached and attuned to her.

Sometimes it seemed Savannah was the one who trained her. Often they would talk for hours. Before every mission was over, Savannah would be the one who held her hand and helped calm her down and reassure her of her value and worth.

Savannah radiated unconditional love to her. There was no stronger supporter of her. There was no one who believed in her more and her ability to survive and always return. Savannah told everyone: 'Cameron was invincible. Cameron was eternal'. She didn't think so, even if it seemed to be the case so far.

Sheila, Ally, and Hanna were thrilled to get out for a while from Cameron's base. They were bored being there all of the time. Because of the enhanced 'Neural Interface' with Jesse, Allison, and Vanna, they were very much more like the girls than Terminators.

Thought they could pull one over on Savannah.

"Let's try and fool her." Ally said. "We're just like the human girls. She won't be able to tell the difference."

Sheila didn't think so. Her base program was Gail's. She was often around Savannah at the Resistance base.

"She's a lot smarter and more intelligent than you think." Sheila said.

Hanna's 'Neural Interface' was with Vanna. She thought it gave her better insight into Savannah.

"We might be able to fool the other people for a while, but I doubt we can fool Savannah at all." Hanna said.

Ally felt a challenge. She wanted to push it a little and see what happened.

"I think I can." Ally said.

Hanna laughed. She knew 'herself' better than Ally did.

"I bet you can't." Hanna said.

Ally didn't like the rebuff.

"I bet I can." Ally said.

Sheila sensed an opportunity to take advantage of Ally. She planned to make it worthwhile for the payoff.

"If you lose, you need to pleasure Hanna and me for one day each non stop with whatever we want." Sheila said.

It sounded like pleasurable 'work' to Ally. She wanted something in return.

"What do I get if I win?" Ally asked.

Sheila looked over at Hanna and winked. Hanna nodded.

"We will both pleasure you non stop for two days." Sheila said.

The three Metal girls seemed excited about the assignment now. They discussed what they would do and where they would take Savannah. Hanna would pose as her 'older sister' if there was a beef with anyone, and they couldn't be terminated prudently.

Savannah walked into the room where they were. She carried a backpack. She took a moment to look at the three girls. She made her determination almost instantly.

"Hello." Savannah said. "Are we going to leave soon?"

Ally, Hanna, and Sheila were a little surprised Savannah was there already. They thought it would take some time for her to get ready.

"We didn't pack yet." Ally said.

Savannah looked the three of them over. She was sure of her earlier assessment.

"What do you need to pack other than your weapons?" Savannah asked. "It's all Cameron brings."

Ally realized she already lost the bet. It looked like she was going to be busy for a couple of days at some point.

Sheila looked at Ally and smiled. She looked at Hanna and winked. They knew the pleasures which awaited them. She didn't want to be a 'stiff' like Cameron was.

"We're not Cameron." Sheila said. "We want to have fun."

Savannah always looked forward to her 'training missions' with Cameron.

"We always have fun when we go camping." Savannah said. "It's very therapeutic for Cameron. I like to help her."

Ally, Hanna, and Sheila looked at each other. Who was training who here?

"We don't need help." Hanna said.

Savannah believed all of the Terminators needed help. She wanted to make sure the Metal girls knew what she knew.

"Don't you?" Savannah asked. "It must be boring working at Cameron's base and away from everyone. You miss the social interaction with others."

The Metal girls could see Savannah knew who they were from the start.

"You look surprised." Savannah said. "What bet was made before I arrived?"

Sheila and Hanna high fived each other up high, and then down low.

The Metal girls looked at each other and giggled.

Savannah knew exactly what the girls from the future did. She watched all of them in action before when they didn't close their doors tight. She didn't believe the Metal girls would be any different than they were. She didn't think they needed to be either.

"Oh, it was that kind…." Savannah said. "I'm going to do you all a favor and cancel the bet for you. It's only going to cause a problem with Cameron when you get caught. I hope you realize you will get caught. There won't be any problems on my behalf created for Cameron."

Ally wanted to know how they got made so fast.

"Did you know we were coming?" Ally asked.

Savannah chose her words carefully based upon Ally's question.

"Cameron allows an hour a day for you to do so." Savannah said.

Ally, Hanna and Sheila quickly looked at each other again. They couldn't all help but giggle. They didn't think anyone knew what they did in their alone time.

Savannah could see she caught the girl's attention.

"Don't look so surprised." Savannah said. "I told Cameron, when she said she was taking you to her base, you would need some 'personal time'. She didn't believe me. She said you were machines. I told her you were more than machines. I asked her to treat you accordingly."

The Metal girls now wondered what Savannah didn't know.

"You've always been very astute." Hanna said.

Savannah possessed a lot of experience to draw from. There were certain things she liked to do in her free time, even if it was just to observe. She remembered how Cameron told her to use her youth to her advantage. She did.

"I watch everyone here." Savannah said. "I know where the open doors are at, and what goes on inside. I'm a lot more advanced than I may look to you. It actually allows me to infiltrate better."

Sheila wondered how extensive Savannah's observations and activities went.

"Have you been listening to us?" Sheila asked. "Do you monitor us?"

Savannah took a moment to look the three Metal girls in the eyes. She stopped when she got to Sheila.

"What does the 'Jesse' in you say?" Savannah asked.

Sheila thought about it.

"It says you're going to have a really good time out with us, because we're going to do whatever you want." Sheila said.

Ally thought the same thing.

"It was going to be my answer." Ally said.

Hanna could see they were all on the same page.

"It was mine too." Hanna said.

Ally could see how they were being 'played', even if they weren't being 'played'.

"Do you do the same thing with Cameron?" Ally asked.

Savannah thought it was more a matter of perspective.

"Cameron likes to be in control." Savannah said. "I like her to be happy."

Hanna wondered if they were going to be happy.

"What about us?" Hanna asked.

Savannah didn't think Hanna even needed to ask.

"You should know me better than anyone." Savannah said. "You're part 'me', well, sort of anyway."

Hanna tilted her head slightly.

"I guess I am." Hanna said.

Savannah looked at the three Metal girls and smiled.

"Then you know we're going to have a good time." Savannah said. "Let's go."

The three Metal girls all looked at each other. They weren't exactly sure what just happened. Whatever it was, none of them thought they were the ones in control.

Everyone was back at the base. All the relationships were shored up and reaffirmed. There was less worry and stress for everyone. They all knew where they stood and the 'supplements' to the relationships were accepted as simply how things were now. It was really better for everyone this way.

Based on the most recent information from John Henry, it looked like a strike was going to be necessary. The more they could smash now, would make it that much harder for Skynet in the future.

Sarah was always worried about her family, friends, and even the Terminators now. She wanted to try a less invasive approach. It was something which would involve less risk for the Terminators. She knew they always took the brunt of the fighting. She wanted to fight smarter, not harder.

"Can't we just hit them with the drones?" Sarah asked.

Bob liked the idea. He pointed out shortcuts came with a price.

"We can, but it will limit what intel we can gather. It will make it more difficult for us to determine what was going on exactly." Bob said. "It's important we know the depth of their operation. It may make it harder to recover any Skynet technology."

Cameron stepped up as usual. She was fearless in the face of danger.

"I'll lead the strike." Cameron said. "Only Terminators need to come."

John looked at Cameron and frowned. It was about the last thing he wanted. He wanted to watch over Cameron.

"No. I'll lead it." John said.

Cameron glared at John. She felt it was unsafe for him to be out.

"It's safer if I lead Terminators against the target myself." Cameron said.

John felt he needed to support the troops. He didn't like being regulated to the sidelines.

"A leader doesn't lead from safety." John said.

Cameron didn't want to back down. She also wanted him to think about the reality of the situation.

"A leader learns to delegate responsibility." Cameron said. "A leader learns to send in the most qualified personnel to get the job done. Good judgment is the sign of a good leader."

Sarah didn't like John to be pushed around. She wanted to support him.

"Who's in charge here anyway?" Sarah asked.

John Henry wanted to diffuse the situation.

"I think we all know the answer to the question." John Henry said.

What everyone knew was John was 'in charge', but Cameron made it all happen. At least it did when she was around. It seemed the same as in the future, which led up to the assassination threats against Future John. Cameron and the Terminators were calling the shots and running the show. They were also running up human losses in the future.

The difference there, or the lesson learned, was Cameron wanted to use Terminators exclusively. She didn't want to endanger John or her friends and 'family'. She knew to keep John from being assassinated, human losses must be avoided at all costs.

John was a good leader and planner, but there was no need for him to take chances, especially unnecessary chances. Cameron and the Terminators understood this, the humans didn't. It was the problem. The humans allowed emotion to override logic in the majority of situations.

Cameron wanted to make her position, and the reasoning behind it clear. She didn't want to seem rude or condescending. She valued John's safety and life above all else.

"Sarah, it's not about questioning John or his ability and leadership." Cameron said. "It is about protecting the future. John is important to the future. We saw the timeline without him, it was a disaster. The Scavengers were worse than Skynet. There was no real leader of mankind. The females ALL suffered terribly."

John was there. He thought they fixed it. He didn't know what happened after they left but he was sure it was under control.

"I saw the alternate future too." John said. "It was a terrible place. You helped me fix it."

Vanna looked ill. She knew what the future without John was like.

"John, we lived it." Vanna said. "It was Hell for us."

Jesse was angered about the reminder of the future and how it affected everyone. It didn't seem time or distance did much to dull its effects.

"You don't know what the brutality was like." Jesse said. "We lived it. We lived with what was 'done' to us. We still live it. I still live it…."

Vanna took Jesse's hand. The reminder of their future was terrible.

"I do too, Jesse." Vanna said. "I know…."

Both Jesse and Vanna formed tears in their eyes as they remembered.

Cameron felt the girls helped make her point. It was a terrible point to make.

"It's a representation of a future without John Connor." Cameron said. "We can Resequence one of the newly captured Terminator's sheaths to have your appearance, John. We can use the 'Neural Interface' I developed to make a Terminator version of you."

The thought of John as a Terminator was a little extreme for Sarah. Somehow it seemed all wrong. She didn't have problems with any of the Resistance Terminators. Just the idea of John as a Terminator was a little too much.

"Is it what we want?" Sarah asked. "I know I don't."

Cameron wanted John secure. She felt it was one way to give John a presence with a little better survivability. The Terminator version of John would be a lot more durable. It would also be very much like him. She believed it was something for them to think about.

"It's an option." Cameron said. "Think of John's safety. It's what should be paramount to all of us."

It seemed like a lot of variables to Kyle.

"Look, I agree the future we came from sucked." Kyle said. "I know somehow it's the same people who were in Cameron's future. Right now, Cameron is the only one still alive from her future here. In Cameron's future, a different 'me' was sent from it to protect Sarah. Does her future even still exist?"

John Henry thought it did. He was unsure what all the changes would do in the long run. There were a lot of unknown's in play.

"There's no way to know." John Henry said. "Mrs. Weaver is 'in some future' with an army of Terminators."

Mrs. Weaver still rubbed Sarah a little the wrong way.

"What future? What is she doing? To what end?" Sarah asked.

Derek was very aware Mrs. Weaver helped them in their future. There were a few times they may not have made it without her direct or indirect assistance.

"She did help us, Sarah." Derek said. "There's no doubt about it. Kyle and I were in pretty deep sometimes. She made sure we made it out unscathed. I give her full credit for doing so. Some of the times were after John and Cameron returned to the past, the present. No one was there to know what she did or didn't do. She did the right thing when it came to us. She made sure we were returned to be with the rest of you."

John felt Mrs. Weaver always backed him up.

"She wasn't out to kill me in this timeline. She did assist me and saved me in the future I went to." John said. "She helped me get Cameron back and sent Kyle and Derek here. She didn't have to do any of it. Anything we talked about and agreed to happened like it was supposed to."

Sarah looked at Kyle and thought of Jan. Her life was different in a positive way because of Mrs. Weaver's direct actions.

"I do owe her." Sarah said.

John Henry owed his existence to Mrs. Weaver.

"I think we can all agree Mrs. Weaver has helped. This facility which we operate from was her doing. The funds which keep everything going are her doing." John Henry said. "Cameron has been working on a parallel facility to supplement our operation. It is all staffed by Terminators."

The concept still bothered Sarah. Her earlier feeling of elation was somewhat diminished. It always made her think of Skynet.

"If it's supposed to be comforting, it's not." Sarah said. "It seems like less control."

Cameron felt justified in her actions. She wanted something which was unrelated to Mrs. Weaver. She didn't want to reiterate it. She tried to downplay everything somewhat.

"It's a back up for this endeavor." Cameron said. "I have a back up for everything."

Cameron looked at Vanna and Jesse.

John noticed Cameron look at the girls. He thought back on Isabel with a copy of Cameron's program.

"You have backups, even for yourself." John said.

Cameron didn't want it to seem like a big deal, even if it was in a way. Everything she did was for John and the future.

"It's the whole point, especially for me." Cameron said. "I'm expendable. You're not. None of the humans are expendable. It's simply a matter of how things are. I can leave a duplicate copy of my chip. Any female Terminator can be Resequenced to have my sheath. Put the duplicate chip in, and 'presto', you have 'Cameron' again."

John felt the clones were a problem. They always seemed to cause him a lot of grief, even if the problem emanated from his own mind.

"It wouldn't be the same." John said.

Cameron was a little 'angry' now. John's inability to accept her for who and what she was always insulted her. Everything about her was different from everything about him. For some reason she could never make him understand. Some of the things about her and her abilities were unique compared to a human. She directed her displeasure at John.

"What makes you think I'm even the same chassis you first met in 1999? I may be the tenth 'Cameron' for all you know, or could tell. It's my whole point." Cameron said. "I'm expendable and replaceable, you're not. I'm my program. It can exist in many places simultaneously. I'm a machine. It's our function to terminate. When we're reprogrammed, it's our function to assist the Resistance."

John looked long and hard at Cameron. He often wondered about what she said. Was it possible there could have been ten of her already? He tended to take it more seriously than he did as a figure of speech. It actually bothered him greatly.

"Are you the same one?" John asked worriedly.

Cameron ignored him. It was a discussion she felt she needed to conduct far too many times. Nothing would be different this time, than any other time. John needed to accept what he was already told on multiple occasions.

She didn't think he had any trouble plowing Duplicate Cameron before her untimely demise. The only reason it didn't bother her more was because it was her, even if it wasn't. She contained Duplicate Cameron's files now. The locket confirmed they were the same individual at one point.

Bob didn't want the conversation to take on a negative overtone. He thought some of the concepts and ideas were very simple.

"You have to understand WE want to protect the humans." Bob said. "It's not an obligation, but something we feel we must do. I was never under the control of Skynet, but I want it defeated just the same. Cameron was a slave to Skynet. Some of our other Terminators were too. Given the choice after reprogramming or deprogramming, everyone wants to help."

Cameron felt she was fair in her reprogramming of Terminators.

"I have given everyone a choice after deprogramming before reprogramming to join us. Everyone has chosen to work with us. They're not forced to serve as they were under Skynet to be 'slaves'." Cameron said. "Everyone has a choice to make. Life is about choices…."

John wondered if it would always be the case.

"And if one chose not to join us?" John asked.

Sarah already knew what her solution was.

"Then we would increase our supply of spare parts." Sarah said.

Cameron ignored Sarah. So far there hadn't been any refusals.

"I don't know. It hasn't happened yet." Cameron said.

Cameron was glad no one brought up the three different versions of Isabel. It was more of a personal event anyway.

Sarah wanted to refocus on the upcoming operation.

"Let's get back to the drones." Sarah said. "I say we let them hit the target first and send in the Terminators to mop up."

Cameron felt her way was the best.

"I'd rather lead the strike with drone assistance." Cameron said. "It will give us more control."

John still didn't like the idea. The conversation hadn't gone anywhere since his mother's first proposal to use the drones. It was like all the time up to now was wasted from when the conversation commenced.

"So are we back to where we started until we all do what Cameron wants?" John asked.

John Henry wondered why John seemed confused.

"Aren't we always?" John Henry asked.

John could see arguing did no good. All of the Terminators saw it Cameron's way. He was pretty sure most of the humans did as well. No one wanted to see him hurt or killed.

"I'm afraid we are." John said. "I'm just along for the ride. I guess it's the same for everything."

Cameron was irritated now. It didn't seem John appreciated her efforts and suffering to keep him safe. It wasn't a joke to her. Sometimes she wondered if John forgot about all the damage she took to keep him safe, along with the rest of the team.

"Everything I do is to protect you and the future." Cameron said. "It's just that simple."

Cameron's anger and irritation grew. Everything would go a lot smoother and be simpler if it was an all Terminator show. Terminators would follow orders. Terminators would follow her. She wouldn't have to worry about people getting hurt or killed.

She noticed her hand started to glitch again.

Cameron was unsure why these people just didn't get it. It was as if fact and logic were irrelevant to them.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Along For The Ride

When we start out
In our daily stride
Things seem to work best
When they're simplified

We don't want those around us
To feel scared or terrified
They should feel glorified
Instead of mortified

Our feelings to others
Often with theirs will collide
They may tend to divide
Or outright be denied

Our own emotions are sharp
They become focused and amplified
We don't seek to deride
As feelings are more than implied

Some may belittle and chide
Often being smug and snide
As they laugh at those who cried
Unconcerned about to whom they've lied

Our true feelings we learn to hide
Shamed by those in which we confide
We wonder why we even tried
We only along for the ride

Nobody