Chapter 260

Earthquake

The Resistance team continued to look around the facility. It was a filthy mess inside from the build up of dust and water damage from the bad roof.

Bob looked at the walls and floor. He noticed all the unrepaired damage. There were a lot of cracks in the concrete. It looked as if an inferior grade of cement was used. It appeared someone cut corners in the building's construction. The damage seemed consistent with seismic damage.

"This structure was damaged in an earthquake." Bob said.

Sheila inspected a few of the joints where the walls connected together.

"It has cracks in the cement walls. Some of the bolts which hold the walls together have snapped." Sheila said. "This building is unsafe. It may collapse if it's ever in another major earthquake."

John Henry looked up the most recent earthquakes in the vicinity with a heavy magnitude.

"Records indicate the last two earthquakes in a twenty mile radius which could cause significant damage were in 1971 and 1994." John Henry said.

The first date caught Cameron's attention. It seemed to be around the time some of the records they found indicated.

"When was it in 1971?" Cameron asked. "What was the date?"

"It was February 9th 1971." John Henry said. "It's around the time of the last non automatic activity."

The dates seemed obvious to John. He didn't think it was a coincidence.

"Do you think what they were doing was interrupted by the earthquake in 1971?" John asked.

Cameron thought the building itself was a dead end. There was nothing for them to find inside. Whatever was really happening, was happening elsewhere. The mountain was the key.

"It's most likely. Since this building looks vacant, and it's right next to the mountain, the logical deduction is whatever happened here was inside the mountain." Cameron said. "Evidently it was done to shield it from future Skynet nuclear attacks. Perhaps the earthquake upset their plans, or terminated whoever was involved."

John started to look around. He didn't know what he could find on his own, but it never hurt to look. He was aware Savannah was the one who uncovered the location by finding a visual key. Sometimes a 'human touch' could add or see something different than a Terminator could. He didn't like Cameron to baby him so much either. He liked to get out in the field. Where he was currently at seemed about as low risk as was possible. He did understand her concerns, but he didn't like to be stuck at the base all of the time.

Cameron watched John look around the building. It irritated her because John was out of the office area again. She didn't want him to trip a booby trap. If something happened to him, it would be 'her fault'. She couldn't let anything happen to him.

John really understood Derek's and Kyle's efforts to do as much recon as possible. It was nice to be out in the fresh air sometimes. He understood where they grew up, there wasn't much fresh air at all. Everything was wrecked and ruined in a Skynet future. He would try to make sure he would give them as many low risk operations as he could. He decided he was going to accompany them as well. He wanted the experience. He wanted to feel like he was doing something. It was only so much he could do behind a computer screen in the Command Center. It was time to get to work.

"Let's find the entrance." John said.

Cameron noted when they entered the building, it was locked from the inside. The doors were all secured by barricade bars. It was probably one of the reasons why it hadn't been vandalized. It was constructed to prevent anyone from easily entering the building. Bob needed to make entry through the roof. It would seem to indicate whoever locked it, never left. She looked at John.

"Whoever was here, is still here." Cameron said. "You need to stay with a Terminator at all times, John."

Not only did Cameron think whoever set things up was still there, it also reaffirmed her worries about the interior of the building they were in. Since the building appeared undisturbed since it was locked from the inside, it would also indicate vandals or 'partiers' hadn't been inside the building either. It alone would raise the possibility there could still be booby traps in there somewhere.

"Everyone needs to be careful of anything they touch." Cameron said. "If someone is still here, they would probably like to have some type of advanced warning there were intruders. We don't want to trigger an alarm or an explosion."

John understood the warning for what it was. Based upon the evidence, he didn't think Cameron was too far off the mark. He looked at the Terminators.

"Double check everything before you move it." John said. "We may have been lucky so far."

They started their search. Ally stayed close to John. She found him very difficult to manage. Cameron wanted her to stay with him, but it took away her ability to search for things on her own. She wondered why he always looked at her when she looked away.

John couldn't help but look at Ally. It reminded him of when he was first around Allison in the future. He always needed to look at her. He tried not to let her see, but she always did. Now he did the same thing with Ally. She just looked more vibrant and 'alive' than Cameron. Ally really reminded him of Allison.

When he first met Ally and Hanna, they deceived him into believing they were Allison and Vanna. He didn't think Ally was acting now. He believed she really was like Allison without having to try. He would really like to see Cameron a little more like Ally as part of her natural demeanor. He didn't think it was going to happen. He took another look at Ally when she turned away.

Ally noticed John continued to stare at her, and 'check her out' a lot. She pretended she didn't notice. He seemed to do it more and more. Maybe she needed to say something. She didn't know if she should or not. She wanted to. The 'Allison' in her influenced her decision making process. She looked around to make sure Cameron wasn't listening. She moved close to John and the words just slipped out.

"I have everything Cameron AND Allison have." Ally whispered to him. "It's the best of both worlds. I'm good to go twenty-four seven. I'm ready when you are…."

John was a little stunned by what she said. He knew she said it because he kept looking at her. He felt he needed to offer some type of explanation. Everything he thought of sounded extremely lame. He decided to go with the truth.

"What? I'm sorry." John said. "You remind me so much of Allison. You're not like Cameron at all."

John's statement excited Ally. She wanted to hear more. She didn't care for the way Cameron told her previously she needed a lot of 'work'. She didn't think she did. The 'Allison' in her didn't think so either. Natural beauty didn't need much of an enhancement.

"Is it a good thing or a bad thing?" Ally asked.

Ally and John really started to check each other out. There were ideas in both of their heads about where things could go.

Cameron suddenly appeared between them. She glared at Ally.

"It's a bad thing." Cameron said. "Just like this conversation is."

Ally hoped Cameron wouldn't deactivate her now. She was aware Cameron deactivated several versions of herself already. Since there was a spare copy of Cameron's chip, it might end up in her chassis sooner than she ever anticipated.

John quickly looked away and went to a different part of the building. Cameron continued to glare at him. He didn't feel he did anything wrong. It wasn't like he touched Ally or anything. Maybe he should have copped a feel. If he was going to get blamed for something, he might as well have actually done it.

He stole another glance at Ally. The next time they were alone together, and Cameron was nowhere near where they were, he was going to do it. He was going to cop a feel and steal a kiss. Isn't it exactly what Cameron told him all along?

Vanna was very upset. Allison was going to start her own family with Holly. She didn't feel she was going to be part of it. It appeared she was excluded. It didn't seem fair. She always thought Allison and her would have their own family. It was why she tolerated Allison's breeding sex. It was just something she couldn't do on her own. She didn't like to be looked at by males. She had no desire to be touched by one either. John was the first male she thought she could be with voluntarily. She didn't want to hurt Cameron. Right now she needed someone. She sought out Jesse for comfort. Jesse could always make her feel 'nice'.

Jesse noticed Vanna was headed towards her. She could see by the look on her face she was extremely distressed. She held open her arms as Vanna neared.

Vanna was very pleased to see Jesse wanted her. She took her in a deep embrace. She felt it returned in kind. It felt so good to be held in the arms of another.

Jesse gently soothed Vanna's cheek with her hand. She planned to soothe other areas soon enough. She knew at times like this, Vanna needed to start out slow. Once things started to happen, the pace picked up considerably. She backed up a little and looked into Vanna's eyes. She knew Vanna liked eye contact. She liked it too.

"It is OK, love." Jesse said.

Vanna was sure her relationship with Allison was dead. She didn't know what exactly to tell Jesse. The feelings inside of her needed to escape.

"I've really lost her." Vanna said. "Allison's moved on without me."

Jesse held Vanna tightly. She wanted to comfort her.

"It's OK, love." Jesse said. "You have me now. I'm here for you."

Vanna clung tightly to Jesse. It gave her some reassurance. Jesse was warm. Her body was firm and tight. Every curve was so smooth and distinct. Jesse always knew just how to touch her. She always made her feel so good. They're usually wasn't any drama with Jesse. Things usually turned into wild sex within a matter of seconds. She did like how more recently, Jesse could return love as well. She knew Jesse was afraid to open the door. She couldn't blame her. Love hurt.

Jesse gently stroked Vanna's hair now. There was a slight smile on her face. It was how she liked her women. They would become very compliant with her wishes and her demands. A rush of excitement flooded her body at some of the prospects. She was sorry for Vanna's pain. She couldn't help but feel some guilt. She needed to be honest with herself. She was excited Vanna was now 'hers' at the same time. The new turn of events gave her even more 'control' of Vanna. She liked control. She also needed to express compassion. It was something the girls and Cameron taught her.

"Jesse's here now, love." Jesse said. "We can work through everything together."

Vanna looked desperate. She didn't think there was any way to stop the chain of events.

"Allison is going to have John's child." Vanna said. "There's no stopping her or changing her mind. She's going to do it."

Jesse saw it as a little deeper. What Allison wanted was life changing. It was a big decision and commitment. She didn't think it was done lightly. She needed to give Allison credit if it was something she was really going to do. Allison didn't think she would be a good mother. She felt the same concerns as Allison did. She didn't believe she would either. The direction her life took in the Wastelands never indicated motherhood. She knew people changed. What would happen if Vanna tried? What would happen if she tried? Was she ready?

"If it's what she wants, it's her choice." Jesse said. "We could too, you know. We could both try to have children."

Vanna was a little shocked to hear Jesse mentioned they could both become mothers. She decided if Jesse tried, she would too. She didn't think it was Allison's choice. She was sure she was brainwashed into doing it. It seemed Cameron leaned on her because she wanted Allison's baby for herself.

"But is it her choice?" Vanna asked. "Is Cameron manipulating her to do it?"

Jesse felt Allison would do what she wanted to do. Different ideas passed through people's minds at different times and stages of their lives. Often what one thought would happen, never did. Sometimes something did happen which was a surprise. The urge to try something different, or do something different, was always in the back of everyone's mind

"She's been around her younger self, and baby sister Summer a lot now." Jesse said. "I think she feels comfortable enough to become a mother. She's received plenty of on the job training…."

Vanna could see Allison was going to move her life forward and she wasn't going to be a part of it. She understood why Cameron felt the way she did sometimes better now. Allison didn't need her anymore. She'd been replaced.

"I wasn't good enough". Vanna said.

Vanna sobbed as Jesse tried to soothe her.

Jesse didn't believe it. It was the circumstances which were different, not the people. She wanted to give Vanna the security she sought.

"Easy there, love. Jesse's here for you now. I'll help you with all your troubles. No worries, love. You're mine now. I'll take care of you…."

Vanna looked at Jesse with wide tear filled eyes. She found comfort in the broad lips with the faint comforting smile. The beautiful dark eyes seemed to look right through her into her soul. She wanted Jesse to 'take' her. She felt captivated in Jesse's presence. She slightly sucked in her breath.

Jesse wanted Vanna bad. Things were different now. She also wanted to help her.

Vanna looked at her with pleading eyes.

Jesse slowly stripped Vanna….

Vanna felt the sadness slowly lift as it was replaced by desire. She couldn't lose Jesse either. She felt the loss of one lover, as she found comfort in the arms of another lover. She would do whatever Jesse wanted her to do. She didn't want Jesse to reject her either. She was open to anything.

"I'm yours." Vanna whispered. "Whatever you want, or want to do…."

Jesse was very content. Today she would try some 'new things' with Vanna. Things she wouldn't have tried before. Vanna would be more willing to 'learn' now. She was going to teach Vanna. She would soon see how far Vanna would go to earn and keep her love. What would Vanna do to prove her love for her?

The smile broadened on her face as she soothed Vanna. Right now she would do everything and give Vanna the comfort she needed. She would be able to teach Vanna how to love her now. It was going to be different and more involved than her relationship with Allison was. Her girls always needed to put out a lot more and then prove their love to her. Some of them were very willing. Some of them she needed to 'help'. She was highly sexually stimulated now just thinking of past events. The 'old Jesse' tried to break out.

Cameron and the team continued to search the building. Something was bound to turn up. It did. It was in the floor itself.

"I found it." Hanna said.

There was a large metal door in the floor. It was covered with fallen ceiling debris from the roof damage. They cleaned it off. The door was originally controlled electronically.

Bob took a closer look at it and pushed on it with some Terminator force. Nothing happened. There was water damage to it as well.

"There's no electricity to activate it." Bob said. "The door is jammed and it's rusted closed."

John looked at the group of Terminators there. He was sure they could generate a lot of pushing force together. He watched what one of them could do alone with heavy objects.

"We have twelve strong arms and six strong backs." John said. "I think we can make it happen."

The six Terminators moved into position. They slowly slid the hatch back. There was a loud screech of resistant metal on metal as the rusted steel was forced to move. Once it was back an inch, Bob and Steve used some pipe to pry it open more. Now the Terminators really could push.

There was a sloped ramp down into the ground towards the mountain. The six Terminators were able to shove the hatch open enough to walk down. It looked as if a forklift, or even a small truck, could venture down the ramp into the unknown. It was total darkness below.

Cameron faced John. Things were serious now. Anything could be down there waiting for them. She feared there were Terminators in 'standby'. It wouldn't be the first time.

"You will wait here with Ally and Hanna while we check out the tunnel." Cameron said. "You can look for any additional intel around the building. Keep an eye open for anyone who might show up to investigate. We may have tipped someone off."

John knew when not to push Cameron. It was one of those times. She was worried about his safety and the current situation was unknown for sure.

"It sounds like a plan." John said. "I want you to be careful and use caution too. Make sure of everything before you act."

Cameron smiled at him and touched his cheek. She didn't want another argument in public. They already seemed to have enough of those. They didn't look good for John's leadership or hers.

John checked with John Henry to see if the drone spotted anything unusual around where they were. He reported back he hadn't. They didn't want to get surprised and attacked there.

John Henry updated their information before they went down. They were currently only a few miles from the epicenter of the 1971 earthquake. It could explain the extensive damage. The 1971 earthquake was sudden and struck without warning. There hadn't been any build up of smaller earthquakes. His implication was it may not have been a 'natural earthquake'. It may have been triggered by something. The implication itself left a lot of questions.

Cameron wanted to find out what Skynet was up to. It didn't matter if it was half a century ago or not. Something was set in motion. She didn't believe the task was completed.

The four Terminators advanced into the darkness. Their weapons were ready, but not up. The place was like a tomb. After advancing into what would have been the side of the mountain, they came across another steel door. The new door slid. The four Terminators managed to pry it open. The other side was damp with spots of slimy water pooled on the floor. They came across several rodent skeletons. It appeared the last one survived on the bodies of its brethren by the bone scatter. It didn't appear anything moved down there in years, maybe decades.

Cameron spotted something with one of the walls.

"I'm turning on my light." Cameron said. "I want a closer look at the wall over there."

She didn't want to startle the others' night vision.

They could see everything was in total disrepair.

Bob looked at the wall and touched it. Bits of concrete crumbled and fell to the floor.

"These walls are damaged." Bob said. "They have many cracks in them."

The underground cavern looked very unsafe.

"This is very poor construction." Steve added. "They didn't take earthquakes into account when this was built."

Cameron was unaware of the location in her future.

"The question is, who built it, and why?" Cameron asked. "Someone went to a lot of work, time, and effort to do this. It was all done for some specific purpose."

They still used the utmost caution as they moved around. If one of them triggered a booby trap, the whole place might collapse. They all wondered what was next. The next discovery was sooner than they thought.

"Cameron, you better take a look at this…." Sheila said.

Jesse was touched and disturbed by Vanna's grief. She wanted to give her some options. She was willing to work with Vanna for what would comfort her the most. Cameron showed her a new path in life and she wanted to follow it. She didn't want to revert to the 'old ways'. The 'old Jesse' was buried right now. She didn't want to 'dig her up again'. She didn't want to be her old self. She wanted to do the right thing, because it was the right thing. Cameron and the girls showed her the path. It was time to follow it. Vanna's needs came first.

"You can move in with me, or I can move in with you, love." Jesse said. "I'll do whatever you want and feel comfortable with. You tell me what you need, and I'll make it happen."

Vanna appreciated Jesse's offer greatly. She was the one with the power to choose now. She also needed to think of Jesse's prior obligations. Those mattered too.

"I don't want to mess up anything with you and Gail." Vanna said. "You love each other."

Jesse smiled. There were several 'workarounds' to everything to keep everyone happy and from feeling unwanted. She was willing to sacrifice a little for Vanna. Their rooms were fairly close anyway.

"Gail is on rotation a lot." Jesse said. "I can move in here with you. When Gail is at the base, I can go back to my room. We can try it if it's acceptable to you. I don't want you to feel you're being used. Gail will share with you too anytime you need her. She loves you as well."

Vanna wanted the comfort of Jesse. She wanted to feel loved. She wanted the human touch. She also enjoyed being with Gail. The finishes were always quick and multiple.

"It's fine with me. I don't like to be alone." Vanna said. "I'll share with anyone if they'll have me. I know you would never use me or anyone."

Jesse hoped not, but she knew she did so in the past, the future. She made some of her subservient female lovers 'prove' their love to her. She shuddered at the memories. Cameron 'fixed' her. Now she was a better person. She hoped to remain as one. Vanna always showed her love. The girls were always there for her. They changed her life, along with Cameron.

"Let me get some of my things real quick." Jesse said. "I'll be right back."

Vanna was aware Cameron was responsible for taking Allison away from her. She loved Cameron so much she couldn't be angry at her. She understood when Jesse moved into her room with her, it signified the end of her relationship with Allison. It was over. It appeared she couldn't outrun the future after all.

'Mountain Of Love' by 'Johnny Rivers', played as Vanna cried.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Knock Knock

Hold me
Touch me
Feel me
See me

Tickle me I laugh
Hurt me I cry
Cut me I bleed
Abandon me I die

Hold me
Touch me
Feel me
See me

I broke my shackles
I shed my chain
The prison still exists
It's all within my brain

Hold me
Touch me
Feel me
See me

Is it too much to ask
To share your lonely mind
Open your sad heart
There's much to find

Hold me
Touch me
Feel me
See me

Nobody