Chapter 303

Strike Out

John was worried about Cameron being away. The incident with the unidentified HK drone didn't help any. Its origin was still a mystery and caused him a lot of worry. There were already too many unknowns and too many Skynet offshoots. As soon as anything could be identified, it was targeted and terminated.

"Is there anything new?" John asked.

John Henry didn't want to tell John things hadn't changed since he asked him a few minutes ago. It seemed to be something which occurred a lot. He understood it was because John hadn't forgotten, he just hoped there would be a further development. He believed it was a good thing when there was no new news. He also understood the threat was out there.

"There's nothing I can detect." John Henry said. "There's no further activity of any kind and nothing new on the net. It's impossible to know everything."

John figured there must be something. Some group was active. The HK drone came from someplace. There was someone behind it. There were other targets they could deal with in the meantime.

"What about any more Gray's which may have been identified?" John asked. "Are there any fresh targets?"

John Henry uncovered more leads. Some were already verified and tracked down. Bob was out in the field now dealing with some. Cameron asked him to be sure of everyone they were about to terminate. She didn't want to terminate anyone who hadn't committed crimes against mankind in the future. The fact they hadn't actually done it yet in the present meant nothing to Cameron. She was from the future and they already committed those crimes. Cameron's past was the future. The events already happened for her. Their actions dictated their fates, not her. She said she simply carried out the sentence they gave themselves.

He couldn't disagree with her logic. She was correct. It was better if the perpetrators atone for their actions, before they could be committed. What was the point in waiting? Skynet Terminators were sent back to eliminate Sarah as well as John. There was no reason they couldn't do the same thing to future operatives of Skynet. There were individuals they needed to deal with from two futures.

"I've been working on a few leads, one is from Cameron's future and one is from Allison's future." John Henry said. "I'm collecting information on both."

John looked at the photos, one was a middle aged man and the other was a teenage female. He wondered where everything would go wrong in either one of their lives where they chose to serve an evil master rather than help defend humanity. The image of the female bothered him. He wasn't really sure why. The enemy was the enemy. What else was there to know? It's what Cameron told him anyway.

"What a waste." John said as he looked at her photo.

John wondered if there was some way to change her direction but there didn't seem to be. Innocent people could be killed in the future if she wasn't terminated.

John Henry knew he needed to pass the new information along to Cameron, even though he thought it was unwise. Cameron asked him to do so. No one says 'no' to Cameron. No one wanted to face Cameron's wrath or fury. No one wanted to be deactivated.

John Henry knew it would not end well for the teenage female. Her actions in the future sealed her fate in the present. People suffered and died; now there was a price to pay.

He was sure Cameron was going to 'experiment' on the girl. She tried it one time already he was aware of. He was informed how it ended, it wasn't pretty. He looked at the photo of the girl again. He wondered if he was looking at a picture of 'Cameron', a human version of 'Cameron'. It very well could be the future human version of 'Cameron'.

John Henry could see no advantage for Cameron to create a human version of herself. It was illogical in every way. Humans were inferior to Terminators on almost every level. Humans could reproduce offspring biologically. Terminators could create offspring by building them. He believed it was a more efficient method to procreate.

Bob wondered if one of the Metal girls could assist him. He wasn't sure why they couldn't. Even if they took a little damage, it would regenerate rapidly. Most battle damage was gone in a day or two. Then again, some of Cameron's damage took months to properly regenerate. It was because the damage was to the same specific spot before it could regenerate the first time. He didn't think if the damage was an area normally covered by clothing, it should matter to anyone. Several of the human girls from the future bore scars on their bodies. The clothing always covered them.

CamNet indicated there were some targets she wanted taken down. He wasn't sure why she couldn't use her own Terminators. She didn't specify if they were Resistance targets or some of Cameron's 'off the books' targets. He figured if someone needed to be terminated, there must be a good reason.

Maybe it was some kind of a test. If it was, why was he being tested? Was anyone else being tested? He tried to think where all the Terminators were at. Steve and Tom were always close by. The fact they were seemed odd in itself, maybe they were being tested. They were Restorators from Mrs. Weaver. They were never under Skynet control and reprogrammed. He wondered about Gail and Holly. They were both Restorators too. Maybe it was why Cameron assigned her Metal girls to be with them. Hanna was with Holly and Ally was with Gail. Gail was with Cameron right now. Ally should be here to assist him.

Now he wondered if there was a problem with the Restorators. There was some speculation a Liquid Metal Terminator could be involved with the recent encounter. They still didn't know how the HK drone knew where and when to show up. They couldn't find any surveillance when they looked. He didn't think it was random luck of some version of Skynet for the HK drone to appear where they took down a future Gray.

They didn't know where Mrs. Weaver was or what she was up to. They did have four Restorators she sent them in the middle of their operation. There could be something hidden in their programming Mrs. Weaver could use to control them.

John Henry and Cameron checked all of their chips several times. Duplicate Cameron was even on Holly's chip for fifteen months. Cameron now possessed those files and there was nothing there to indicate anything hidden was found.

The four Restorators never exhibited any problems and served the Resistance faithfully. The only trouble he was aware of was when Gail wanted to self-terminate when they believed duplicate Jesse was terminated.

Bob shook his head. Without facts, everything was just a guess. Maybe he'd better stop speculating and get back to work.

CamNet contacted Bob again about a target she wanted taken down. He asked if one of the Metal girls was available. He was informed there would be. He wasn't given any additional information. He was directed to proceed to the target and hold.

Bob arrived at the location. He didn't care for the surroundings. He could see there were some street walkers around. Two of them approached his SUV. He felt very uncomfortable.

The first female moved forward. She was a blonde. He wasn't sure if it was a wig or not. She bent down slightly as she looked up into the window of the SUV. She wore a loose top so he could see everything clearly inside.

"Are you looking for a good time?" The first female asked.

He noticed the blonde at his door was about twenty years older than she was 'dressed'. She was well past her prime. He thought she was a little old for her profession. He figured there probably wasn't a good retirement plan for their line of work.

Bob wanted them to go away.

"Negative…." Bob said.

The second female wore a short skirt. He observed when she moved she didn't wear any undergarments either. She stood next to the other female and lifted the side of her skirt up. He was able to get a clear glimpse of everything.

"Do you party?" The second female asked.

The second female looked young enough to be the first one's daughter. He wondered what her age was. She didn't say much and she looked nervous. He figured her for a drug user.

Bob noted their clothing, or lack of it. It was obvious they didn't wear any undergarments. With their short skirts, someone could get to 'work' in a few seconds. He wondered if they worked with one 'client', and then immediately went to the next one. He didn't think there was any type of clean up procedure between 'jobs'.

There was some movement behind the two females at his window.

"Hey, baby." The newcomer said. "Long time no see."

The two females at his window looked offended someone would try to steal their trick. They normally sold the deal as a 'two for one price'. They could usually get the full amount by working on each other as the 'john' watched. It always seemed to sell. What the 'trick' didn't realize was, it was the only way they were satisfied when it came to sex. They actually were paid to enjoy themselves.

The first female was obviously angry.

"Beat it, tramp." The older female said.

The second one was upset as well.

"No skanks allowed." The younger female said.

It appeared there was going to be some type of confrontation.

"Move it or lose it, sister." The newcomer said.

Bob was surprised as the newcomer pushed past the other two and leaned down so he could see inside her top. There was no mistaking the nipple rings. It was Sheila.

The older female went to reach for something. Sheila pulled her knife and held it in front of her. It was a clear challenge to both of the females. Her knife was already in her hand. Neither of the other two females was able to produce a weapon before she acted.

"This one belongs to me." Sheila said. "Unless you want to be known as Scarface, clear out, now."

The other two females cursed at her and slowly withdrew. It looked as if the trouble might only be delayed. They were both dissatisfied with what happened. The older woman didn't care for the newcomer at all for more than one reason.

"When you want a real woman, you know where to find us." The older female called back. "At least I have a lot up top. It's more than I can say for her, among other things."

Sheila put her knife away. She scanned the area around her for any other threats. She was sure she would need to teach the two street walkers a lesson before she was done. She focused her attention on Bob.

"You make an easy mark." Sheila said.

Bob was very displeased. He would rather be running down Skynet targets.

"I don't like this kind of work." Bob said.

Sheila didn't care for all the losers she needed to deal with where she was at. She believed they all were losers. Why else would they be there? She was sure most of them were drug users. She figured the only difference between them was the extent of the narcotics they abused.

"I don't either but someone needs to do it." Sheila said.

Sheila gave him a brief rundown. There was a van which would arrive soon to make the weekly collection. The location they were near now was the last stop on the run. The implication was the van would have a full load of money.

Bob was a little surprised at the nature of the mission. What it actually was seemed rather straightforward to him.

"What is this?" Bob asked. "Is it a robbery?"

Sheila tilted her head slightly. She thought of it as 'punishment'.

"I guess it is if you put it like that." Sheila said. "We hurt the people involved the most by confiscating their funds. It's the only thing they care about. They don't care about the people. They're nothing to them. The money is what matters."

Bob still saw it as a robbery. He wanted to know a little bit more about her assignment.

"Were you already here?" Bob asked.

Sheila looked a little annoyed. She looked around to see if there were any changes.

"Yes." Sheila said. "Ally was supposed to back me up but she needed to do something else."

Bob didn't think the collectors operated on a set schedule.

"How do we know when the van will arrive?" Bob asked.

Sheila was aware CamNet knew where the van was at all times.

"CamNet can track it through its GPS transponder." Sheila said. "When it's two blocks out, we act."

Sheila went over the plan with Bob.

The van neared the last stop.

There was a driver, a guard, and a collector. The guard and collector would exit the van. The guard would remain near the van while the collector went inside. He would come back out thirty seconds later with a box full of cash.

The van stopped and the guard got out. The collector went in.

Sheila came around the corner in front of the van. Her top was half off. Both of her breasts were exposed. Her nipple rings were clearly visible. Her hair covered her face in a tangle. Her appearance drew the attention of the guard and the driver. She staggered and leaned up against the wall a few feet in front of the van. The guard went to help her.

Bob moved up alongside the van. The distracted driver who ogled Sheila never saw him coming. He reached in the window and snapped his neck. He unlocked the door and shoved the driver down on the passenger's side. He sat in the driver's seat of the running van.

The collector exited the building and saw the guard holding Sheila. He quickly looked around to see if it was a hit. He didn't want to stick around to chance it.

"Leave the Bitch and let's go." The collector said. "You know the sluts around here are all disease infested trash. I'd bust a cap in her back if there weren't others around. Let her land where she falls. We need to move, now."

Bob hit the unlock switch. The collector opened the side door. The guard went to follow him in.

Sheila was right behind him. She shoved the guard hard. He flew in the back of the van. He knocked the collector down inside. She went in on top of them and slid the door closed.

Bob drove away. It didn't appear anyone noticed what happened. There were no gunshots or alarms.

Sheila rabbit punched the guard and broke his spine. He was terminated instantly.

The collector realized what was happening and tried to draw a gun.

Sheila didn't like being called a Bitch. She twisted his arm back until it broke. Just to let him know how displeased she was, she broke the other arm and both of his legs. It was all done in just over a second.

"Who's the Bitch now?" Sheila asked.

Bob tried to see what happened as he drove.

He saw Sheila took his gun and moved it near his back.

"Let's see how you like it when someone 'busts a cap' in your back." Sheila said.

The shot she fired was very muffled. He figured the barrel was against the man's body.

The man stopped struggling.

Bob pulled in a narrow alley and stopped the van. Steve and Tom were there. They quickly unloaded the cash. Bob moved out of the van to help.

Steve looked at Bob when they were done.

"I'll drive." Steve said.

Bob got into the van.

"Affirmative…." Bob said.

Steve drove off with everyone inside.

Tom followed in the SUV with the cash.

Steve looked back at Sheila.

"Did you bust him up?" Steve asked.

Sheila smiled. She liked the way the Terminators in the van looked at her. She finally put her top all the way on.

"He offended me." Sheila said.

Sheila searched the three bodies. She collected their phones and weapons.

Steve let Bob off at his SUV and drove away with Sheila. Tom followed behind them.

Bob really wondered about why he was even there….

Ally went into Cameron's room. She really thought she could pull it off and pretend to be 'Cameron'. How hard could it be?

She borrowed Cameron's clothes, makeup and perfume. She tried her best to look Tight and appear the same as Cameron. She was satisfied with hear appearance.

She briefly wondered what would happen if John came into the room. He was bound to think she was Cameron. She would try to get him to ask her to be with him. If he did, she couldn't refuse him. She didn't believe he would stop once he started, even if he figured out she wasn't Cameron. The smile on her face broadened. No one showed up. She decided to head to Palmdale. Cameron told her to try to deceive Claire first.

Ally was a little surprised when she ran into Savannah on the way out.

Savannah knew who it was right away. She greeted Ally as she passed by.

"You look Tight, Ally." Savannah said. "I want to look Tight too. Can you help me later on?"

Ally didn't want to offer any further explanation why she was Tight.

"Sure, I will, honey." Ally said and left.

Ally did enjoy the extra 'once over' Savannah gave her. The 'Allison' in her made her give Savannah a 'once over' back. She was aware of Savannah's shapely figure and stunning beauty.

'Strike one'. Ally thought.

What a way to start out. Cameron warned her she wouldn't fool Savannah. What made it worse was, Savannah didn't even need to think about it. She knew who she was from the moment she saw her. She would have at least hoped someone would need to think about it first.

Cameron checked with her Terminator to see where Young Jesse was at now.

Young Jesse was out with her sister again. They were at a local mall. They'd looked in a few stores and stopped by the local arcade for a while. Then they stopped by the food court. It's where Cameron, Jesse, and Gail intercepted them.

Jesse wanted to get closer to them so she could hear their voices. She wanted to hear her sister's voice.

Gail and Cameron hung back.

Cameron was aware of her Terminator watching Young Jesse. She understood the optics of a male always observing a female was bound to raise some eyebrows at some point. He was able to watch Young Jesse from quite a distance. The only trouble was, if he was too far away, something could occur before he could reach her.

"I need more female Terminators for this job watching the girls." Cameron said.

It was, and wasn't, what Gail wanted to hear. She did see an opportunity there.

"I'll help you obtain more anytime you come across one. I can see this is an important assignment." Gail said. "I'll stay here if you want me too. Ally can watch and monitor Jesse until you find more female Terminators."

Cameron was afraid Gail would become infatuated with Young Jesse. It appeared it may have already happened to Gail. She was in love with every version of Jesse.

"I think we're good for now." Cameron said. "You'll be having 'motherly' duties soon. You must be prepared. Jesse will need assistance at first."

Cameron was afraid Jesse might need a lot of assistance for the duration. Then again, she may rise to the challenge. It was what Claire told Allison would happen with her. She told Allison she would learn and adapt from the start.

Gail felt she was at a major disadvantage when it came to small children. There were some events beyond her control, even if she was the one who initiated them.

"I have limited experience. I was 'inoperable' when Jan was born." Gail said. "I have little ability."

Cameron didn't see it as a problem. There were ways around it.

"I'll have Holly copy her files on Summer and Jan. I'll have them transferred to you. I would transfer mine, but I don't think I should be on your chip." Cameron said. "I'm defective. John Henry can provide all the information you'll need."

Gail noticed Cameron's hand started to glitch. She reached over and took it in hers.

"You're not defective." Gail said. "I love you so much for what you've done for Jesse. Cameron, you're the most special person on Earth."

Cameron knew she wasn't a 'person', and she remembered River wasn't on Earth. It was still a nice compliment. She could tell Gail was sincere.

"Thank you." Cameron said.

Gail looked up immediately and became combat ready.

"There's trouble." Gail said.

Cameron looked up. Her hand no longer glitched as she instantly prepared for combat herself.

Gail and Cameron moved to face the threat.

Jesse looked over at them and waived them off.

Five girls came over to bully Young Jesse and her sister.

Cameron saw Gail's eyes momentarily glow red. She was aware it was like an event Gail experienced earlier with Jesse. Gail briefed her on the event. Gail told her how proud she was of Jesse for the event and her actions. It was all for a stranger with a similar appearance to her. Now it was 'her' and her sister she moved to defend.

The reminder about helping a stranger made her remember something which bothered her. It was when she prevented John from helping someone once. She hurt John inside by stopping him. It ended before he could have made it up to the girl. It didn't matter. It was the fact SHE stopped John that hurt him. He blamed her.

Jesse walked over and put herself between the five girls and her younger self, who already moved her sister behind her.

"You 'Bitch Whores' have a problem?" Jesse asked. "Five skank 'sheilas' against two smaller girls doesn't seem very fair."

The mean girls noticed the extreme similarity of Jesse and the two girls.

"Who are you?" One asked. "Are you her older sister or something?"

Jesse moved closer to them and stared each one of them down.

"I'm your worst nightmare." Jesse said.

Cameron and Gail redeployed from their position of a frontal attack. They quickly moved in behind the five girls. If the mean girls tried anything, They would never see what was coming, quite literally.

Cameron saw her Terminator on the move as well.

Heated words were exchanged back and forth.

The girls were unsure of Jesse. It was obvious she was a threat to them. They could all feel it. Jesse showed no fear and seemed about to attack them, all of them. Five to one didn't seem to phase Jesse one bit. The girls were scared.

Cameron and Gail were within striking distance but held back.

Jesse wanted to let the events play out her way.

Cameron could see Gail was extremely agitated. In a low decibel tone, she quietly cautioned Gail not to use lethal force if things turned bad. They were in a public place. The event wouldn't go unnoticed. It would be difficult to deal with five bodies.

Ally went to Palmdale and the Young Residence.

She really hoped she could pull it off.

Allison met Ally at the door.

"I thought you were going to Australia?" Allison said as she eyed Ally.

Holly looked at Ally and walked away. She visually scanned her and decided to see how good Ally was.

"Hello, Cameron." Claire said.

Claire held Summer. Young Allison followed her.

"Allison, be nice and go say hello to Cameron." Claire said.

Young Allison looked at Ally. She then went over to Allison instead.

'Strike two.' Ally thought.

Allison was a little confused. Young Allison always wanted to see Cameron.

"That's a first." Allison said.

Allison began to eyeball Ally some more.

Claire went to put Summer down for her nap.

Allison looked over Ally a little longer. She quickly figured it out.

"You fooled me at first." Allison said.

'Strike three.' Ally was 'out'.

Ally decided to come clean.

"I guess I better not hit on John then." Ally said. "Cameron is in Australia."

Allison briefly thought about hitting on John herself for a few seconds and then wrote it off. She didn't think she could do it. If things started to happen, John would probably identify her as an imposter before anything good happened.

"I wouldn't recommend it." Allison said. "Cameron will deactivate you."

Ally went to find Claire. She wanted to come clean.

"Claire, I'm sorry. I'm Ally, not Cameron." Ally said.

Claire spent a few more seconds to give Ally a 'once over' from head to toe and back again.

"You sure look like her." Claire said.

Claire started to check Ally out further. She liked what she saw.

"We're both identical to Allison as is Cam." Ally said. "Only our programming is different."

Claire gave Ally another once over and nodded her head.

"I can see it now." Claire said. "You're almost identical."

'Strike four.' Ally thought. 'I'm really out.'

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Strike Out

Many events in life
Often turn into a bout
If one doesn't tread carefully
It can become a stinging rout

If the outcome isn't what one wanted
It can slowly fill them with doubt
One may end up despised and hated
As others treat them with flout

As things unwind and fall apart
It does no good to pout
There will always be more things
That one must worry about

Without any status or clout
It matters not one will spout
Words become noise as they shout
The message is lost as they tout

Even one that is sure and devout
May end up as a worthless sellout
They might as well checkout
When every time at life's bat is a strike out

Nobody