Chapter 290

Are You Sure

John was very unsure as to what was happening with Cameron. She was hot and cold, possessive and indifferent. It was almost like she was two different people. Maybe that was it, she WAS two different cyborgs, and one was her clone.

'How do you know?' John wondered.

Everything seemed identical. He tried to see if anything was different, he never noticed if it was. Everything looked and felt the same. If the clone ran Cameron's program, and everything was identical, both internally and externally, why would things be different between them? It didn't make any sense.

What if it was all just 'Cameron'? She could have developed a split personality? If she did, did it mean she was crazy? Was she insane? Was one of them the personality which would become dominant and become Skynet? Which one, the hot or cold one? Maybe it was a Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde type scenario. What happened when the yin yang went out of balance? What would emerge?

John knew Cameron wasn't happy. Sometimes he could see her try so hard to please him and share with him. Sometimes she looked 'deactivated' as he tried to make love to her. The lights were on, but Nobody was home….

He did have to admit a few of those times when Cameron wasn't an active participant, he did think about Future Riley and their illicit coupling. It was the motivation he needed to 'finish'. It always worked too. He would close his eyes and Cameron's chassis became 'Future Riley'. He started to pull some 'wood' as he thought about it. He liked being with Future Riley. She was very different from Cameron in most regards.

John questioned his decision to marry Cameron. He was sure she would have provided him with a sexual relationship if he pushed it back then. She seemed like she would have anyway. It's how Future Riley behaved before they did…. He was sure Future Riley developed the same feelings for him as he did for her. He knew they both loved each other. It's what got her killed. It was her love for him. She died for it. She died for him. She died for nothing. They both loved and wanted each other. They did complete their love and union in the truck.

The same thing started to happen with this Riley. This time he was able to recognize it and deflect it. If this Riley loved him as Future Riley did, he knew Cameron would have killed her. He was actually surprised Cameron didn't kill Future Riley.

He knew the ultimate expression of love was sacrifice. He sacrificed a relationship with this Riley, for the love he felt for HIS Riley, Future Riley. The girl who died for him, She died for her love. She died because of him. It was hard to get past it sometimes. No, it wasn't sometimes it was all the time. Nobody needed to die for him, or because of him. It seemed to creep up in times of trouble.

He believed Cameron knew what could happen. It was why she 'took' Jesse away from Derek. It was so Derek and Riley would hook up. It would take Riley out of the equation. Cameron was always manipulating people's lives. He wondered if Cameron manipulated her own happiness away in the process. Did Cameron even know who she was anymore, or what she even really wanted? He doubted it. Cameron would either stay with him or run away. It was her choice. He wouldn't stop her in whatever she did. He knew sometimes you needed to let someone go if you really loved them. It was supposed to be about their happiness, not your own.

Cameron was headed to Palmdale. She decided to stop by the location of the future Gray where she encountered the two individuals in the car with a police radio. She checked into it further later on. She found out the car which was there disappeared from an airport parking lot.

She drove by the location once. She went by in the opposite direction she did the previous time when she was there. She didn't spot anything out of the ordinary. She parked a half mile away and moved into the brush. There was a hiking trail which ran through the back area where the houses were located.

Cameron left the hiking trail and crossed over the street. She went between the property of two houses and approached the target location from the rear. She quickly moved up to the rear of the house. She took a look around to make sure the area was clear. She checked the door handle of the rear door. It was locked.

She was mindful of what the two men indicated the other day. She was sure there was some type of booby trap inside of the door. It could be inside of one of the rooms as well. She took out a set of lock picks and quickly opened the door. She didn't want to force it.

Cameron opened the door enough to get her hand inside to run around the perimeter. there was nothing there. She opened it a little more and got her head inside. She didn't spot anything. She quickly went inside the door and closed it behind her. It was the first time she was inside of the house. She looked for any tripwires as she moved from room to room. None were spotted.

She could see nothing was out of place. Evidently the two men who were inside previously didn't want it to be known they were there. She wondered what the 'surprise' was they left behind. She looked for any type of surveillance device. She found one in the hallway between the bathroom and bedrooms. She contacted CamNet and asked her loop the feed.

Cameron conducted a thorough search of the house. There was dust build up on most of the surfaces, including everything in the kitchen. She doubted the Gray was still using the residence at all. It appeared as if everything was still in the closets and dressers. There was a good chance he was terminated elsewhere more than a month ago. It left everything a mystery. She didn't like the unknown. She didn't like surprises either.

She decided to leave a few surveillance devices of her own behind. She would check to see if the two men who were there previously returned. She instructed CamNet to unloop the feed on the surveillance device they left behind. If she found out some more about them, she would have a talk with them and see exactly what they're involvement was with the Gray before she terminated them.

Cameron slipped out the rear door of the house and went out to the street in front of it. She didn't want to go back the same way she came. She made sure no one paid any attention to her. She got back in her SUV and drove away.

There were a lot of things on her mind. She was about to make life altering decisions for others again. They would have a choice. She needed to know it was what they really wanted. She made the trip to Palmdale without any further interruptions. Holly stood by the curb.

Holly waited for her on her own. They talked on the street for several minutes. Holly assured her it was what everyone wanted. She still needed to make sure.

"Let me speak with Allison myself first." Cameron said.

Holly seemed a little rebuffed.

"It's OUR decision." Holly protested.

Cameron made sure Jesse and Gail were both on the same page at the same time.

"I want to make sure." Cameron said. "I did this for Jesse and Gail a few days ago…."

Holly tried to brush past it. She didn't think it was necessary.

"I know." Holly said "I spoke with Gail."

Cameron wanted to make sure Holly didn't try and sidestep the real issue.

"Jesse and Gail both agreed when the time comes, Jesse must be at John's side." Cameron said. "Allison must also agree to it."

Holly looked a little irritated at this point.

"You know she promised." Holly said.

Cameron cut to the chase. She believed Allison's promise was valid.

"It's not her I'm worried about…." Cameron said. "I know Allison knows 'her place'…."

Holly was even more offended at Cameron's insinuation than she was earlier.

"Everyone sacrifices for John Connor." Holly said. "I will as well, I promise."

Cameron handed her a small cooler.

"Let me talk to Allison and you may come in a few minutes later." Cameron said. "What happens next is something you two should do alone. If you keep scanning her, you will feel it happen…. Gail did for Jesse."

Cameron questioned what she was doing. It didn't seem to matter. She was still there doing it anyway. Nothing seemed to slow her down or stop her. Then again, it never did.

Allison looked a little uncertain as she approached.

"Hi, Cameron." Allison said. "I've been waiting for you."

Cameron looked at Allison for a moment and then smiled.

"Hello, Allison." Cameron said.

Allison gave her a long hug as Cameron scanned her. She knew what was about to happen. It was something she thought about more than a few times.

"Thanks, Cameron." Allison said. "I'm ready."

Cameron continued to scan her.

"Are you sure?" Cameron asked.

Allison spoke with Claire about her plans. She was very encouraging.

"Yes." Allison said. "It's what I want and am ready for. I told my mother, she supports me as well."

Cameron wondered how supportive Claire would actually be. Would she be willing to undergo the same procedure? Maybe she should offer to do it for Claire herself. She was pretty sure it would be motivation enough for Claire to do it. She needed to push those thoughts from her head. Right now it was about Allison. She viewed what was about to happen as a start. There was a deeper issue which was tied into everything.

"What about in the future?" Cameron asked. "What will it be?"

Allison took a deep breath and swallowed hard. There was a deeper commitment.

"I know my place and will honor my promise, I swear." Allison said. "The 'Natural Order' will be honored."

Cameron stopped scanning Allison and kissed her on the cheek.

"Good luck." Cameron said and left.

Holly entered the room. She and Allison went to her room. The container was with them.

Claire saw everyone talking, and then Holly and Allison leave. She wanted to speak with Cameron.

"Hi, Cameron." Claire said.

Cameron took Claire's hand as she greeted her. They sat and talked. She continued to hold her hand as they spoke. Both women knew what was happening as they spoke. She knew Claire was worried and apprehensive. It was her daughter and she was taking a 'big step' in life. It was a life altering decision.

She also scanned Claire. The more she did, the more she wondered if she should have put a little something aside for her. She KNEW Claire would do what she 'asked'. She needed to collect herself. She felt her mind drifting. Things were about Allison today.

Cameron reassured Claire everything would work out OK. Holly would never leave Allison's side. Holly was permanently removed from combat. Gail also was. They both would have a new function and someone important to protect.

Claire and Cameron played with Young Allison and Summer. Cameron spent the day there to help some. She took Claire and the two girls out. Two of the Detail followed them.

Cameron took the girls to the park to start out. She needed to be careful she didn't spin the 'merry go round' too fast for the girls. She pushed both girls and Claire on the swing set.

When it was her turn on the swing, she needed to have the girls and Claire stand back. In just a few pumps she was almost about to 'loop' the entire swig over the support bar at the top. Young Allison asked her to take it easy. She wasn't sure if she was showing off or not.

Claire really liked to spend time alone with Cameron. She was just the greatest at everything. She liked all of the girls including the Metal ones. She especially liked Vanna and Jesse. They were only a couple of years older than her. Allison was only a couple of years younger than her. It was just very strange. Here she was at the park and her Allison, Young Allison, was still a girl. She was growing fast.

After the park Cameron, With Claire's permission, gave Young Allison the choice of where she wanted to go. They stopped by a movie theater and watched a superhero movie.

Young Allison thought about some of the things she saw Cameron do. She knew and understood exactly what Cameron was. It was something Cameron always told her from an early age. She didn't have a problem with it. It was just the way Cameron was. She felt it was something wonderful.

"You're my superhero, Cameron." Young Allison said.

Cameron took Young Allison out 'camping' sometimes. It was really survival training Young Allison was being put through. She planned to make Young Allison as much like her as she could. She would be trained on survival skills as well as evasion and escape tactics. She would be given weapons training and even interrogation techniques.

She didn't want to 'push' Young Allison in front of Claire, but she was going to train and instruct her. Holly was assigned to work with her everyday. Holly thought it was a choice assignment to be able to work with both versions of Allison Young.

Cameron wasn't done supplying the Young residence with Terminators. There were long range plans which were put into motion in the background. She was unsure about the viability of the girls from the future, but she was sure Claire was viable. She was with two examples of Claire's offspring right now. Claire produced beautiful children. It was an asset she planned to use in the near future with John.

Young Allison was given the choice of restaurants to go to for supper. It was sort of a late lunch and early dinner.

Cameron and Claire figured she would pick a fast food place. It wasn't the case. She picked a Fifties and Sixties diner. She said she liked the ambience, the food, and especially the malts.

Claire was surprised as she was thrilled to go there. There was plenty of good music from a jukebox and the waitresses all dressed in period clothing, even if it was a little risqué. She wasn't really surprised to see all the looks Cameron drew. Cameron was very popular with the waitresses too. She planned to come there with Allison on her own and see if she drew the same response. If Holly came with them, everyone would be concentrated on her 'rack'. It seemed to be a magnet for guys and gals to look at. It was rather impressive. She peeked in on Allison and Holly more than a few times to get a better look. She really liked both of her daughter's lovers. The human and the Terminator ones.

Whenever Vanna visited, there was always a lot of eye contact between them. She didn't doubt for a moment if she could be alone with Vanna, things would happen. She understood Vanna felt an obligation to Allison. Allison also told her all the relationships were open in both the past, the future, and the present. She was still technically married to Paul, even though there was no sexual aspect to their relationship any longer. She made his meals, cleaned his clothes, and watched over his children. She actually believed she was the typical suburban housewife. She didn't just wear a bathrobe though. She always tried to look nice for Holly, and any of the girls who might stop by. There were always a lot of looks exchanged between them.

Cameron danced with both Claire and Young Allison. She noted when a slow song played, Claire was there to dance with her and hold her close. She could tell Claire was highly sexually aroused to be close to her as they danced. They shared a good time until they left. She found it very appealing as well. She preferred the way a female body and figure fit in her arms. It really made her wonder how Claire would compare to Allison. She was fairly certain Claire would be superior in everything from the kitchen, to the bedroom, as well as a friend and companion. She already knew Claire would be a good backup for Allison. She was sure John would be very pleased. She was sure she would be as well.

When they returned several hours later Allison was waiting and hugged her. Cameron held the hug as she scanned Allison. She kissed Allison on the cheek and looked into her eyes.

"Thank you." Cameron said and left.

Cameron nodded to Claire as she left.

Claire smiled and nodded back. She knew she was going to become a grandmother.

On the way back from Palmdale, Vanna was on Cameron's mind. She wanted to get some resolution taken care of with Vanna. She thought she could take care of some Resistance business to get her mind refocused. There were a few drug operations and sex trafficking operations which sprung back up. It seemed no matter how often she took those operations down, they always popped back up again in a few months. There was always some low level dealer who wanted to step up to the big time.

She would have thought common sense dictated every time there was a 'big shot', it wasn't long until they were terminated. It appeared as if the thirst for money outweighed one's sense of survival. She was sure they all used the products they sold and it clouded their judgment further. The substances weren't illegal because they were good for people.

It wasn't so much the operation which bothered her. It was the demand for the products they sold, whether they were chemical, or flesh, the demand was the problem. It was the people themselves who were addicted to the poisons they peddled. There was always someone on the wrong side of those operations.

Many of the girls who ended up in the sex trade were drug users. They got caught up in the poison and needed a way to support their habits. Most of the females used their body as barter for what they wanted. Their body, or parts of it, simply became a tool. More than likely numerous diseases were picked up along the way. They were further spread among their clientele without any concern or care. When Skynet unleashed its biological warfare, all of those with 'pre-existing' conditions would terminate. Those who were already infected with numerous viruses didn't know they were already 'dead'. Many of the males turned to crime in the form of robberies or burglaries.

She was on the 14 Freeway when she spotted a car coming up at high speed. It wasn't the police because CamNet and John Henry both redirected them away from where she was at. There was often gunfire and deaths associated where she roamed.

The vehicle passed her. It was a 'high end' Escalade. It was tricked out and looked like the owner probably put a hundred grand into it with all the extras.

Cameron picked up her pace to trail it. It looked like someone was after someone else, or they were running from someone. The driver was a female. Right away she figured there was an abusive male involved and the female was running from him. It could be the other way around too but unlikely.

Sure enough, she spotted a red car approaching from behind her. The Escalade and her were both going over a hundred miles an hour right now. The red car gained fast. It was a Ferrari. She wasn't impressed with European super machines. They were as unreliable as they were overrated. She was aware if someone wanted to own one, they needed to own two of them. They would be able to drive one, while the other was in the shop being repaired. She figured there was no reason she couldn't come into possession of it. The price would be right for her.

Cameron wanted the car for her collection. She planned to take it if it was an abusive situation with the female in the Escalade. She would call the Metal girls to come and assist her once she learned a little more.

She moved over to the right lane to let the Ferrari pass. She wanted a look at the driver.

The driver wore several layers of gold chains. His face looked enraged. What determined his fate was the gold plated revolver sitting on his lap. It looked like he intended to kill the female. He was certainly going to shoot at the Escalade. A tire blowout at the speeds they were traveling was sure to result in a wrecked vehicle which would probably end up rolling, if not flipping.

Cameron floored it to keep the distance close. She drew her Glock and fired left handed once out her side window. She stood on the brakes to slow her SUV down. She shot the right front tire of the Ferrari. The tire blew out. The Ferrari swerved to the right and rolled over a dozen rimes. The driver was ejected on the seventh roll. She saw his right arm was torn off somewhere. His body ended up bent at an impossible angle. She was going to run over it, but she might pick up some debris in her tires so she slowed more and passed by the scene on the right side in the dirt.

'What a waste of machinery.' Cameron thought.

It turned out he was a Drug Kingpin in the Antelope Valley. It was another figure on her endless list of targets. She would wait a few months and look up his successor. There was always someone else willing to step up for the money, drugs, and sex, usually in the same order. She was more than willing to give him the same treatment and appropriate his resources.

Vanna was on her mind now as she headed for her base.

There was one last 'problem'. It was a big one too.

Cameron was worried about Vanna. What was she going to do? She was torn on what steps to follow and why.

She returned to her base and updated the two chips which contained her program. She debated whether to activate Cameron II or not. If she did what she thought was necessary, she wouldn't be able to transfer information back from Cameron II. She was afraid Cameron II would want John as well. She knew she would, which meant Cameron II would also.

Cameron decided against activating Cameron II at this point. Instead she called Ally in and discussed the problem with her.

Ally agreed to have her chip copied and placed in Cameron II, IF it was copied to 'Cameron's duplicate chip', with 'Cameron' on it. In other words Ally wanted both of their programs on it. It would allow for the possibility to have each of them as separate programs, or a 'combined' program where everything would be merged and 'blended'.

Cameron was unsure about the direction everything seemed to take. She decided she better talk to Vanna first before she did any of this. She noted her hand began to glitch. It was always a bad sign.

She really didn't know what to do. Vanna was there from her first day as a shot up wreck, after she was abandoned by John. Vanna unquestionably followed her to her own 'doom' several times. She knew Vanna loved her and she loved Vanna. She knew Vanna 'died for her'. Vanna was always willing to sacrifice for her.

Cameron was very ashamed she destroyed Vanna's relationship with Allison. She was very aware she wrecked a true love like no other. What kind of a friend does that?

She was worried about John. What was he going to think about all this? She didn't think he would be happy with her decisions. She knew he didn't always like the way she did things….

Cameron felt that she knew what was best for everyone. They talked things over dozens of times. If nothing else, 'this' tied him to the girls forever.

She realized she was the one who was in the way.

Cameron started to overload again. She needed help….

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Are You Sure

Life offers many things
To want, seek and procure
Is it the right path to follow
Or only another needless detour

The desires from within
Are seldom the proper cure
Very few have good motives
Their actions are far from pure

There are no guarantees
Only meaningless words to reassure
The guaranteed path to become a target
Is to be timid, modest and demure

To get what one may desire
Depends on what they will endure
The fleeting hopes and dreams
Are what will become the lure

The goals in life soon obscure
It matters not as we mature
Very little can anyone ensure
Soon of nothing are you sure

Nobody