Chapter 321

First Choice

John Henry went over the information Cameron brought back from the raid she conducted. It was the same raid where Cameron collected two more female Terminators and was shot up on, along with Gail and some of their other Terminators. He was glad Gail called in for assistance rather than letting Cameron get shot up even worse. Bob and Jim were currently out to run down a few leads on some Coltan which may or may not be directly related to where the last raid took place.

"John, with this data Cameron has gathered, I think we have some new targets now identified." John Henry said. "We need to follow up on them soon."

John was irritated to be reminded of Cameron's ill advised adventure. He was certain there was more involved with it all.

"It was a risky mission Cameron conducted. It was done without thorough planning. It was reckless." John said. "I know Cameron rushed it for something else she pulled off."

John Henry didn't think John should 'push it'. It would only lead to a bigger problem.

"If Cameron wants us to know what her motives are, she'll tell us. If not, it's best we use the information we have and move forward." John Henry said. "I've sent two drones out for recon. I wanted to check several sites and I'm pulling up all the satellite data as well."

John was worried about more HK drones becoming active. He thought they could pose as great of a threat as a Terminator. They could show up at any time and attack indiscriminately. He watched them operate in the future. He knew how deadly they were.

"If you see anything with more HK drones I want you to hit it now before they can regroup." John said. "I don't want to risk anyone on the ground yet until we know more. If any non Terminator was on the raid Cameron conducted, they would be dead."

John Henry didn't think now was a good time to point out John said he wanted to be on the raid. He was very upset he wasn't along.

"Cameron knows Terminators can take more 'punishment'." John Henry said. "Everyone will be fine soon enough, if they aren't already.

John was angry Cameron seemed to be totally uncaring about herself and damaged some of their Terminators on the raid. Gail wasn't even supposed to be in combat now. Cameron must have needed her for something specific. He didn't know how to make Cameron understand he cared about her and loved her. It appeared the inner demons still existed within her. He doubted she was ever going to be able to slay them on her own. She hadn't been able to do it so far. He was sure they were worse than they were before, even if they were better for a while.

John Henry thought he could handle things on his own. He didn't know if John would want to become involved or not.

"I will keep you advised and if I have a target. I will deal with it, unless you want to approve it first." John Henry said. "I can do it whatever way you want it done."

John was worried Cameron would go again, or go alone. It wasn't something he wanted her to do. He would like to know what was happening though. There were certain sacrifices he was willing to make.

"You can notify me first, unless you need to strike immediately." John said. "I trust your judgment."

John Henry could see John was still troubled by Cameron's actions.

"John, Cameron is trying to protect you and 'our family'." John Henry said. "She's trying to protect ALL of us."

John let out a long breath. There was no way around the subject which was satisfactory to him. He didn't think it was all Cameron's fault. He did understand how things needed to work, even if he didn't like them. He still didn't like everything falling on Cameron's shoulders the majority of the time. He couldn't help but feel responsible for some of the issues.

"I know, I know." John said. "I know everything she's doing or has done is what she feels is necessary to protect me now and in the future. I also know it's killing her. It makes me sick. She's trying to do a job she was programmed to do, while trying to live a life she wasn't programmed to do. She was never programmed for 'love' let alone marriage."

John Henry didn't think Cameron's evolution was anywhere near complete yet.

"John, she expanded beyond all her programming parameters long ago." John Henry said. "Cameron is ready to become 'Skynet' and try to control the world. Her love for you and the girls is the only thing keeping her from doing it."

John really wished there was someone who could have some 'control' over Cameron, even if it was through love.

"I hope her love for the girls is stronger than it is for me then." John said.

John Henry knew there was one of them who was. It was at least equal to John if not stronger…. No, he was sure it was stronger in a different way since it was currently non-sexual. He wasn't sure how long it would stay platonic. Something told him it wasn't for long.

The fate of the world may one day rest in the hands of the 'Chosen One'.

Riley talked to Sarah about her 'problem'. It was very frustrating to her. It was also embarrassing and humiliating. She didn't feel any of it was her fault.

"Sarah, I don't know what to do." Riley said.

It seemed like a medical issue to Sarah.

"I know you've been to the doctor about this." Sarah said. "There should be a solution there somewhere."

Riley frowned. As soon as a medical worker started to examine her, there were a lot of questions as to her 'physical condition'. It made her feel very uncomfortable. There was no way to answer their questions and stay anywhere near the truth.

"Yes, I have." Riley said. "Even though they're paid not to ask questions, they still want to."

Sarah wondered if maybe she should go with Riley. She was sure she could dissuade any unnecessary questions, even without needing to pull her Glock. She wouldn't hesitate to do so either. She was a little concerned they might start to take a little longer look at her. There were a lot of scars which would be hard to explain. Maybe she would need to pull her Glock.

Riley thought about the cover story she was given by John Henry to use.

"John Henry made it clear to them I was involved with classified development and testing of weapons by the 'government'. It's to try and explain my medical readings." Riley said. "He's taken me to the top doctors, and Derek as well. Every time they demand better answers, John Henry doubles their fee."

Sarah wondered how deep the problem truly was. It sounded extremely severe to her. She was hesitant to ask, even if she wanted to know.

"So both of you are 'sterile'?" Sarah asked.

Riley felt some tears rise up, but she suppressed them. It appeared to be more than just a problem with her.

"Derek may be worse off than me." Riley said. "This is why none of the girls here from my future have been able to have children before, they can't. We all should have ended up pregnant several times over, especially Jesse."

Riley was uneasy to remember all the men who left their 'seed' inside of her and the other girls. She wasn't even sure how many different men used her over the years. She just knew it wasn't as bad as what Jesse and Vanna went through. It seemed Allison was the luckiest of the four of them from their future. She never needed to encounter more than one assailant at a time.

Sarah thought maybe there was some hope. She was aware of what happened before. It involved but became the Duplicate set of girls along with the Duplicate Cameron.

"Allison was pregnant." Sarah said. "Duplicate Allison was anyway. Then again we don't know if she carried the child to full term. We'll all be dead a few hundred years before it happens…."

It didn't sound very promising to Riley. She wanted to try a few things on her own first. She really didn't know how to ask. They would be of an extremely personal nature.

"Sarah…." Riley started to ask but stopped.

Sarah was pretty sure she knew what Riley was going to ask.

"Yes?" Sarah asked as she waited.

Riley teared up and couldn't say anything right now.

Sarah knew the pain Riley was in. She stepped up. She didn't know what Riley's preference would be, but there were two of them available. She was sure she could talk to both of them. She wondered if Derek would have a preference or not. She decided not to ask. If it was going to be Riley, she should choose who she wanted to be with.

"I'll ask Kyle." Sarah said. There was a long pause. "I'll ask John too. Do you have first choice?"

Riley felt very uncertain, but she was desperate. If Judgment Day happened again, she would never have children. She didn't know how the task would be accomplished. She would prefer the 'traditional method' in any way the male wanted to deliver the goods. She hoped it wouldn't be breeding sex. She would take what she could get. She understood everyone needed to think about everyone else.

"No." Riley said. "Thank you."

Sarah gave Riley a long hug.

"Something will work out." Sarah said.

They both doubted it, but neither said it.

"I'm sorry, Sarah." Riley said. "I don't know what else to do."

Sarah needed to consider the choices. It was when Kyle was first back from the future when they got together. She didn't use any type of birth control, it took a long time for her to become pregnant with Jan. She never used birth control since then either. Nothing ever happened again. There were a few times she thought it might have happened, but within a couple of months it was clear it didn't. She didn't think Kyle would probably be the best choice. She wasn't really sure she would want him with a female much younger than her. Maybe it was something she owed him. It was something which bothered her at the beginning of the relationship. She didn't like being older than he was by a number of years. She was aware men preferred younger females, not older. She would let him try. She believed their love was strong enough to accommodate a little experimentation.

There was something in the back of her mind, which was usually in the front of it, when she was around the girls. Vanna made it very clear to her without words, as to what was 'available' if she wanted to share. It was before Allison and Jesse's arrival. Both of them seem to indicate if she wanted a little more, they were available as well. It was very tempting to her on more than a few occasions. She would be more than happy to let Kyle be with Riley a few times, if she could be with one of the girls, more than a few times. It was something she missed from her high school days. It didn't take long for the girls to figure out they could satisfy each other, which the boys couldn't do, and they didn't need to worry about getting pregnant. It was like a win-win situation. None of the parents paid much attention when they had 'sleepovers'.

Sarah wondered how Derek would figure into all of this. She briefly wondered if he would try to broker some type of a 'trade'. It wasn't something she looked forward to. It also was something she thought about more than a few times, starting with Future Derek.

Cameron returned to the Resistance base. She needed to get away from the Gray 'crybaby'. She was fed up with everything.

Normally she wasn't around after being 'damaged'. She didn't like John to see her less than Tight. It always upset John to see her wounds. It never mattered if she explained they were cosmetic. The body armor at least kept her from any more major breast damage. She was sure anything traumatic like it again would be permanent. She was shot hundreds of times over the years. All the damage took a toll, even on a Terminator. It seemed to have a cumulative effect on the regeneration process.

Cameron knew the real wounds which did permanent damage could never be seen. They existed on her chip and within her mind. The wounds which hurt the most, were the wounds the people she loved inflicted on her.

Savannah saw Cameron and was instantly worried. She noticed Cameron's hands right away, 'both' of them. Something was wrong.

"Cammy." Savannah said as she walked up to Cameron.

Cameron was pleased to see Savannah. Her earlier troubles seemed to drift to the back of her mind instead of the forefront. They were still there though.

"Yes?" Cameron asked.

It was clear to Savannah that Cameron was a little out of it. She needed to find out what went wrong.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Savannah asked.

Cameron knew Savannah could tell she was experiencing a few problems. There was no use lying to her, nor did she want to lie to Savannah. She couldn't lie to River. She didn't want to lie to Savannah or Young Allison. She lied to John quite frequently. It was mainly so he wouldn't ridicule her and berate her for doing her job.

"Can we go to your room?" Cameron asked. "I'm not one hundred percent. I don't want to upset anyone else."

Savannah took Cameron's left hand and the glitch stopped. She led her away. She was determined to help Cameron any way she could. Cameron was under a lot of pressure and glitched a lot. She wanted to help solve the problem and the problems which caused it.

She ushered Cameron into her room. She took one look back in both directions down the hall and closed the door. There was an issue which needed some type of answer.

"Cameron, why is there blood on your right hand and clothing?" Savannah asked.

Cameron looked at her right hand. It was as if she noticed the blood for the first time. She remembered there was a problem. She tried to think what it was.

"I may have done something terrible to someone." Cameron said. "I don't remember. I was angry and I wanted the noise to stop. I didn't like what I was doing."

Cameron could see the concern, not fear, on Savannah's face.

"I'm sure it was someone who did something wrong." Savannah said.

Cameron remembered a little more. It actually gave her a sense of relief.

"It was a Gray." Cameron said. "They were targeted for termination. They would become a future Gray."

Savannah understood the sins of the future.

"Those who have, or will turn against mankind, must atone for their transgressions." Savannah said. "It's their own actions which have determined their fate. You merely carried out the sentence."

Cameron was pleased Savannah understood everything. It wasn't really a big deal when I came down to it.

"Yes, I'm simply the executioner." Cameron said.

Cameron still seemed a little bit 'out of it' to Savannah.

"Let's get you cleaned up. You can use my shower while I go get your spare clothes from the lab. I know you have several sets there." Savannah said. " If I get them from there, I won't bother John."

Being around Savannah soothed and pleased Cameron immensely. Why couldn't John be like this to her? He would be all over her giving her the third degree. Like what she did didn't really matter. He tried to make it seem like it was an excuse for her to stay away from him. Savannah was the greatest.

"Thank you, Savannah." Cameron said. "I know I can always count on you for everything."

Savannah understood her role and function in the future.

"The future rests in our hands." Savannah said as she left. "We will protect John together."

Savannah was already gone.

"I want that, Savannah." Cameron said. "It's what I want for you and John."

Bob stood and moved back to the younger sister. They were ready to make their play. He coordinated everything with John Henry to give them the advantage.

"Get on the floor three seconds after we leave and stay there." Bob whispered.

"My sister…." The younger sister whispered.

Bob didn't want her to worry.

"My friend will go there first." Bob whispered. "The lights will go off at the same time."

Bob and Jim both exited the room. Jim went back down the hall. Bob went to the room marked 'No Admittance'.

The power went off.

It was Showtime.

Bob turned the handle. The door marked 'No Admittance' opened.

There were five men and one female in the room. It was the three men the younger sister told him about, and the two who arrived with the female in the sedan. They were confused by the sudden darkness.

He grabbed the first two who held the female and slammed their heads together. The other three were unsure what was happening in the darkness. He grabbed the next two and slammed their heads together too. The last man began to realize something was wrong. He managed to get his phone out and get the light on. He saw the girl was still tied and gagged. He also saw his four associates laid out on the ground. His world went dark one second later.

Jim moved down the hall and entered the room with the closed door. There was a man choking a female for some reason. He punched the man on the back of the head. He fell off the female and onto the floor. He was out cold or worse.

The female gasped for breath.

The lights came back on. They were only to be off for a short while to create confusion initially and give the Terminators an advantage. They didn't want the girls to panic.

The female was startled to see Jim there and the other man on the floor.

"Come with me if you want to live." Jim said. "We're getting out of here."

The female looked at the man sprawled on the floor. It wasn't her concern right now.

"My sister…." The older sister gasped.

He didn't want her to worry needlessly.

"We have her. She's protected." Jim said. "Get dressed."

Jim turned to leave. He paused and took out his knife.

"It's up to you if you want justice." Jim said. "I don't know if he's terminated or not."

The older sister threw on some clothes.

"This guy was going to strangle me." The older sister said. "He told me he paid extra so he could. He said he was going to be a 'double veteran'."

Jim knew what it meant.

"Do what you want." Jim said. "He was going to terminate you."

The older sister kicked the man in the side. He didn't move.

"I want the men who took my sister." The older sister said.

Jim could hear it was quiet.

"We have them." Jim said. "Some may still be alive."

Jim collected two more scared females. They didn't speak English, but they understood he was there to help them.

The older sister joined them a short time later.

Jim saw the knife was unused.

Bob came out of the end room with the female. The younger sister was with him.

The two sisters embraced.

Jim looked in the 'office'. There were four men lined up on the floor. The fifth one was dead.

"Those are the men." The younger sister said. "Are they dead?"

Bob scanned the four survivors seconds ago.

"Not yet." Bob said.

The younger sister looked at them with fire in her eyes.

"I want them punished for what they did to me." The younger sister said.

The older sister stepped forward.

"I'll take care of them." The older sister said. "Go out with the others."

Bob looked at Jim.

"Bring the older sister out when she's done." Bob said.

Bob took the other three females and the younger sister out to the sedan.

"Get in the back." Bob said to the three females.

He opened the front passenger door for the younger sister.

"Your sister will be out in a minute." Bob said.

Two minutes later the older sister came out. There was some more fresh blood on her. He could see she wiped most of the blood off of her hands. He opened the car door for her. She got behind the wheel of the sedan.

He handed the younger sister a strong box he busted open.

"Divide up the money." Bob said. "You can go to the police or a hospital. They will take the money if you do. The men here are all dead."

The older sister looked up.

"I don't know if they were still alive when I left." The older sister said.

Bob knew there wouldn't be any survivors.

"Trust me." Bob said. "They won't be if they are."

She nodded and looked over at her sister.

"I took care of them." The older sister said. "All of them."

The younger sister sobbed a little with relief.

"Let's go then." The younger sister said.

The older sister started the car and drove away. None of the females wanted the authorities or medical treatment. Similar treatment was nothing new to any of them, except the one female.

Bob went back inside.

The four men didn't move. There was a lot of blood around on the floor now. They were bleeding out. They were all gagged and their hands were tied behind their backs. It looked as if their pelvis was shattered. None of them could stand.

"I'm not even going to ask what happened." Bob said.

Jim was surprised at the violence she was able to unleash.

"The sister did it." Jim said. "I put the gags on. This is how they were."

Bob tossed a Thermite grenade in front of the men as they exited the office. They moved back up to the front.

Jim stopped and looked at the man who tried to strangle the sister before he could abuse her.

"He's terminated." Jim said.

They exited back into the front of the building.

The receptionist looked at the clock.

"That was fast." The receptionist said. "You must be 'minute men'. She was new so I can see how it would go."

Bob and Jim knew the receptionist was in on it and 'dirty' too. He wanted to find out a little more.

"How often do they get new females here?" Bob asked.

The receptionist scratched their head.

"I really don't know." The receptionist said. "This was my first day."

Bob and Jim looked at each other.

"It's your last day too." Jim said.

At that point, smoke began to drift out of the back area.

"I suggest you take the money from the register, and the drawer underneath it, and go." Bob said. "Consider it as severance pay."

Jim wanted to give her some advice. If they ran into her again under similar circumstances she wouldn't have any more chances to use.

"I recommend you seek employment at a different type of establishment." Jim said.

The receptionist looked at the smoke.

"Is there a fire?" The receptionist asked.

Bob pointed towards the rear.

"Yes." Bob said. "Everyone else went out the back."

The receptionist looked through the little window in the door. She could see the raging inferno in the back. She became alarmed.

"I need to dial 911." The receptionist said.

Jim wanted her to leave.

"The phones don't work." Jim said.

The receptionist tried the phone on the desk and then her cell phone.

"Take the cash and go." Bob said.

They both left. If she stayed inside, it was on her. She was 'dirty', even if it was her first day. She was aware of what went on in the rooms behind the door.

They made it to the SUV and got in. They waited but never saw the receptionist leave as the building burnt. It was possible she made her way out the rear. It seemed doubtful. There was no emergency response.

"I think this place is wrapped up." Jim said. "Who was the girl we saw in the sedan?"

Bob was able to get the story from her.

"She was from the place Al and Ed took down. She was hiding in the bushes where the truck was left at. Someone spotted her when they collected the truck. They sent part of the crew from this place to find her, they did."

Jim thought it narrowed down who actually took the truck. It wasn't some random punks.

"It means we need to find where they took the truck." Jim said.

They drove away. They went to check on the machine shop and the other location where there were some sub assemblies being constructed.

John Henry informed them they may be needed soon for another operation. He'd let them know.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

First Choice

If there is a first
Then there is a last
The difference between them
May be small or vast

Does it all come down to
Someone else's decision
It can cause an internal collision
Ending up with a major division

It does make a difference
To the one that is in limbo
Nobody wants to be seen
As some kind of bimbo

It will be remembered as a mistake
If one is there only to take
They don't really care
Whose heart they'll break

One must speak up clearly
They need to use their voice
Time waits for nobody
If one wants first choice

Nobody