Chapter 322

Options

Sarah finally got up the courage to speak with Kyle. It wasn't an easy subject for her to discuss. It still needed to be done. Riley asked for her help. She appreciated it because nothing was being done behind her back. She knew it hadn't been easy for Riley to even discuss it with her. She knew if it was her, she'd have trouble too, to discuss it.

"Riley came to me earlier and asked for my help." Sarah said. "It's actually our help."

Kyle could see Sarah looked very serious. He didn't understand the nature of her statement at first. He was a little hesitant to ask. He wasn't hesitant to help his brother or those in the Resistance.

"What kind of help?" Kyle asked. "You know I'd do anything to help them."

Sarah was still a little uncomfortable. She was also mindful of the possibilities it could open for both of them. She laid it all out.

Kyle's mouth dropped open a little bit as Sarah spoke. He pondered what Sarah just said. It was a lot to take in. It was a sensitive subject. He wasn't sure anything could get more personal than what she just indicated. Somehow it seemed like it was actually the beginning of a lot more. He knew toast could never be bread again.

"I don't know, Sarah." Kyle said. "Derek has never specifically asked me. I don't know if I could ask him if the roles were reversed. Would you want the same thing?"

Sarah wasn't really sure. Her circumstances were different. It was a valid question. She believed someone actually needed to be in the same situation before they could make a decision of such magnitude.

"I don't know. I've already given birth before, she has nothing. I think we were lucky. I've never used any birth control but we've only been blessed with one child since your return. I should've been pregnant several times over by now." Sarah said. "You may be affected as well to some degree. If I was pregnant, none of them 'stuck'. It could be me too. I'm older now."

Sarah cringed a little at the admonition of her age. She felt she owed Kyle the opportunity to experience someone 'younger' than she was. It was something which always bothered her from the start of their relationship.

Kyle knew there were a lot of factors involved. He was troubled by all of it.

"I think you're right. We were lucky." Kyle said. "What Cameron said about the future and childbirth is so true. I think it was worse in my future timeline than hers. Very few children were born. Most of those that were didn't live long."

Kyle witnessed females who are unable to feed their young. Everything was there, it just didn't work. A few drops couldn't keep an infant alive.

Sarah thought it was best if Derek and Kyle went over a few things alone. They were highly personal. It left her with a bigger 'problem' to deal with.

"I've been blessed with three gifts from the future, you and my - our two children." Sarah said. "You need to talk with Derek and both of you can decide what you need to do. I'll talk with John, but I need to talk to Cameron first."

Kyle was a little concerned how Cameron would take any of this. It seemed anything dealing with John and Riley might be taken the wrong way.

"Is it even a good idea?" Kyle asked. "I think it will cause an issue."

Sarah used a little reflection here. She didn't want to cause a problem for anyone. There were already enough skeletons in her closet, especially with Cameron. There were a lot of things she would like to do differently if she could. She couldn't. What was done was done.

"It will simply be an option open to Cameron." Sarah said. "I don't want to hide anything from her. I want her to have a choice. If she says 'no', I'll go no further. I don't want to hurt her ever again."

Kyle wanted to make the first move. It seemed it would create the least problems. He didn't want Sarah to get ahead of things.

"Let me talk with Derek before you say anything to anyone." Kyle said. "I don't want to hurt Cameron, she's the greatest."

Sarah couldn't agree with it more. She better understood Cameron now. Well, most of the time anyway.

"Yes, she is." Sarah said. "I don't always like the way she does things, but I do believe she believes she is doing everything for our son John."

Kyle may have questioned a few things or decisions Cameron made over the years. He couldn't fault the results he witnessed personally.

"Sometimes it makes you wonder, but in the end she is usually right." Kyle said.

Sarah nodded.

'Yes, she is.' Sarah thought.

Sarah was very aware John would be dead now if not for Cameron being there for him so many times. She knew if Cameron were not leading the raids, John would do it. She saw the way Cameron came back sometimes. John would be dead if he looked like she did.

The way Cameron looked after a big battle made Sarah feel bad about the things she said to her before. She knew Cameron was very worried about John seeing her with horrendous damage. She thought Cameron was afraid John would replace her again. Thankfully Cameron's beauty always returned.

She really didn't agree with John's actions in the past but tolerated them. John foolishly blew their cover with his misguided adventures with Future Riley. In retrospect, she wondered now if it would have been better off to provide John with sexual comfort herself at the time. She learned a long time ago to separate sex from love. They were really two different things. She used sex plenty of times to achieve her goals in life and for John. She needed to use 'Nature's Treasury' to help protect John. At the time, there wasn't any other choice. She put John's future before hers. Maybe she should have done more for him then to keep him safe. Life goes on.

Savannah returned with the fresh clothes. Cameron just finished drying off.

Cameron wrapped the towel around her waist and took her clothes.

Savannah looked over Cameron's mostly naked sheath. Much of it was clearly visible. She looked over the repairs from earlier.

"Your wounds are already healing." Savannah said. "You will be Tight again soon."

Cameron looked down at some of her damage. It was minor. She reached down and touched her right breast. She angled it slightly upward. She was pleased with its current appearance. It looked 'normal'.

"Since the use of body armor, there haven't been any 'parts' blown off." Cameron said. "It saves a lot of regeneration time."

Savannah remembered when Cameron was damaged and didn't have a nipple on one breast for a long time. She often looked in the mirror when she showered and wondered how she would look if she was the same way. She was glad when Cameron finally healed up properly.

Not in front of her, but where she could still see, Cameron dropped her towel and dressed. She watched without 'looking'. Cameron was so gorgeous to her, even with the damage. She wished she could look like her. How could anyone ever be more beautiful?

Savannah thought Cameron was the most beautiful female in the world. She knew her destiny. Every 'Allison' looked the same way, or would…. She thought maybe Cameron wanted to remind her of her 'destiny'. If she was, it worked. She looked forward to the future. Unfortunately, she knew it wouldn't arrive soon enough. She needed more now.

Cameron knew Savannah secretly watched her. She didn't care. Nudity didn't bother her. It was simply how people were. Everyone had the same parts, they just looked a little different. Savannah saw all of them change before when they went swimming. Savannah helped repair her damaged sheath before. She saw most of her during the process. She took a moment to look at herself in the mirror.

"I'm going to use some of your makeup to 'Tighten' up." Cameron said.

Savannah looked over at the things Cameron bought for her previously.

"It really is your makeup. You bought it all for me." Savannah said.

Cameron held out her arm. She wanted to share some 'girl time' with Savannah.

"Come and help me look Tight. I can fix you up too." Cameron said.

Savannah smiled and went over to Cameron.

Cameron always liked to instruct Savannah on getting the look 'just right'. John liked it when she looked Tight. She knew her appearance was very important to John. She would make sure Savannah could look the same. It only took time and effort. She also noted the razor Savannah kept in her shower. She would have Vanna go over some 'options' for Savannah…. She knew they would please John in the future too.

Derek hoped for a little action. He was in the Command Center. He was in the process of going over some possible targets with John Henry.

An alert came across John Henry's server and all the terminals around the base. It wasn't a good sign.

"We have a Terminator near the Reese brothers." John Henry said.

Derek became instantly combat alert. His level of concern jumped exponentially.

"Is it a hit?" Derek asked. "Are they protected?"

John Henry was glad he sent Al and Ed to back up the operation when Bob and Jim freed them up earlier.

"The Terminator was observed in the vicinity, but not actively stalking them." John Henry said. "Al and Ed are on it, Frank and Dan are with the boys."

Derek didn't plan to sit around and see what developed. He was worried about his parents, as well as Kyle's and his younger selves.

"I'm going to reinforce them." Derek said. "Let me get Kyle or John."

John Henry didn't think it was a good idea to get John involved. It was bound to create an issue with Cameron. He quietly redirected Bob and Jim away from their current operation.

"Bob and Jim are on the way already." John Henry said. "They were already out."

Vanna was at work in the lab. She monitored the feeds and alerted her girls. She wanted to reinforce the operation.

Cam and Sheila both advised her against it. It only seemed to make her more determined. The more the Metal girls tried to get her to stand down, the more she wanted to go.

Vanna didn't feel good about herself and what her body apparently couldn't do. She felt worthless and angry at herself. She didn't care what happened to her right now. She also needed to think about how both Derek and Kyle provided for and protected Allison and her over the years as best as they could. It was something they did out of kindness and compassion. There weren't any strings attached to it. It was something not to take lightly in the past, the future. She needed to act.

"Come on. Let's go." Vanna said. "I'm ready."

Cam frowned. It sounded worse than a bad idea to her.

"You're not thinking clearly." Cam said.

Vanna shrugged her shoulders. She could think clear enough. She knew right from wrong. She also knew about repaying her debts.

"I'm going." Vanna said.

Sheila thought they needed more information.

"This isn't a sound decision." Sheila said.

Vanna looked at both of them and frowned. She would have preferred their assistance. it didn't matter. She would do it on her own.

"I'm going with or without you." Vanna said.

Vanna put on her vest and checked her weapons.

Cam and Sheila looked at each other.

"I won't allow you to go." Cam said. "All females are on restricted duty."

Vanna laughed. She wondered exactly what the definition of 'female' was.

"It no longer applies to me." Vanna said.

Sheila tilted her head slightly. Vanna was a female. She verified the fact multiple times in a very close up and personal way. There was no doubt about it.

"Why wouldn't it?" Sheila asked.

Vanna was ready to go.

"I'm nothing more than another Resistance fighter." Vanna said. "Are you coming or not?"

Cam and Sheila quickly geared up.

They exited the lab.

"I don't think this is going to go over very well." Sheila said.

Vanna looked back at them. We were just some things a person needed to do sometimes.

"I really don't care." Vanna said. "It's happening."

They continued on their way and arrived in the Command Center a minute later. Vanna showed up with Cam and Sheila.

"Come on, Derek, let's go." Vanna said. "I'm ready."

John Henry and Derek looked up at the new arrivals.

Vanna was flanked by Cam and Sheila. All of them wore body armor and carried weapons.

John Henry could see it was going to be a problem. He would try to talk them down.

"You've been removed from combat duty." John Henry said. "All three of you are to stand down."

Vanna laughed.

"It was before they knew I couldn't have children." Vanna said. "Come on, Derek. It's time to go."

Derek looked at the three girls and back at John Henry. He didn't want to see Vanna put In harm's way any more than anyone else did.

"I don't want you to endanger yourself, Vanna." Derek said.

Vanna looked at Derek.

"You put your neck on the line plenty of times for Allison and me. Now it's my turn. Come on girls." Vanna said. "We're out of here."

The three females left. They weren't waiting around.

John Henry looked at Derek.

"Cameron isn't going to like this." John Henry said.

Derek saw it as his chance to get out too. It looked like a good excuse.

"I better go with them." Derek said. "There's a Terminator for each of us. We have it covered."

Derek hurried off after them. He stopped only long enough to grab his gear.

John Henry called Cameron and John. He knew they wouldn't be pleased with the new developments, any of them.

Cameron and Savannah playfully applied makeup to each other. They were sharing some 'girl time'.

It was times like this when Savannah felt Cameron was like any other female, even if she was a machine. She didn't seem like it at all. Everything was very natural for her.

It worried Cameron a lot because Savannah was seldom around other females of her own age. Sure Vanna, Allison, and Jesse were there, but they were older and their life experiences were all different. They weren't the typical teenage girls Savannah should be growing up with. Sarah was able to give Savannah more of a 'teenage experience' on many things better than any of them. It was probably because she was the only one to live a 'normal' teenage female experience. It was before all the trouble started.

Cameron's phone rang and she listened without saying a word. The smile slowly faded from her face. She put her phone away. She didn't look very happy.

"Savannah, come with me." Cameron said.

Savannah could tell something was wrong right away.

"Where are we going?" Savannah asked. "What's happening?"

Cameron didn't want to alarm or worry Savannah more than necessary. She decided to play it close to the vest.

"John Henry is putting the base on lock down and you are going to stay with Ally." Cameron said. "It will be like staying with me almost."

Savannah didn't like getting sidelined. She felt she was ready to assist in combat operations. She trained for half of her life already. She wanted to remain with Cameron.

"No it won't." Savannah said. "Ally can never look as good as you do. She isn't as pretty, even if you're both identical. You're not on her chip as yourself. It isn't the same. She's a completely different individual with a similar appearance, nothing more."

Cameron smiled as she led Savannah away.

"Cameron, I want to do more." Savannah said.

Cameron looked at Savannah. She knew she was more than ready. It would surely cause a major problem with John and Sarah if she allowed any combat to happen with Savannah.

"This is an unknown operation right now that's developing." Cameron said. "It's too risky."

Savannah didn't think it should make a difference. She was no different than anyone else when it came to combat. The enemy needed to be dealt with. It was the responsibility of all of them, not just some of them, all of the time.

"You're going." Savannah said. "You matter too. I want to be at your side. I'll protect you."

Cameron wanted the same thing more than anything right now. It just didn't need to be rushed. She hoped to have better control of the situation when Savannah first needed to enter battle. She knew it wasn't something easy to control. There were certain variables and situations which would be more favorable. The current event wasn't one of them.

"It will happen soon enough." Cameron said. "It won't be today."

Savannah knew it was a good first step even if it wasn't today. It showed progress in her evolution as a contributing member of the Resistance. She wanted a little more out of the current situation going forward.

"I want your promise I'll be able to go out with you the next time." Savannah said.

Cameron glanced over. She really wanted to have the right conditions going forward.

"It may not be the next time, or even soon, but I promise it will happen before too long." Cameron said. "I swear it."

Savannah felt her heart flutter a little. It was what she wanted to hear. It was something she was going to hold Cameron to. It was time to put her training to use. She also wanted the experience. The more experience she was able to obtain before Judgment Day would help ensure her survival going forward. She didn't want to think about some of the other things which would probably happen to her after Judgment Day. Vanna survived. It meant she survived.

"I'll stand down this time." Savannah said. "I'll hold you to your promise as well."

Cameron knew it was what the Metal girls just experienced with Vanna. They were the same person after all. It meant soon Savannah wouldn't be able to be contained, just as Vanna wasn't right now either.

They spotted Ally down the hall.

"I'm here." Ally said to Cameron.

Ally could see a soft smile on Savannah's face and a look of grim determination on Cameron's face.

"Stay with Savannah until I get back. I'm sending Jesse, Sarah, Riley, and Jan to join you." Cameron said. "Go to the 'safe room'. Gail and John Henry will assist you. John and Kyle will be around as well."

Savannah wondered what Cameron was about to face. It seemed very serious to her. She wanted to know more about the operation, even if she wasn't going. She would study the after action reports like she always did. She wanted to know more now.

"Where are you going?" Savannah asked.

Cameron gave Savannah a kiss on the cheek. She didn't have all the details or know which way things would turn. She didn't want to take any chances.

"I'm not sure yet." Cameron said.

Cameron turned and walked away.

Savannah felt the need to go with her, it was very overpowering. She started to go after Cameron. Ally reached out and gently stopped her.

"Cameron, I should be going with you." Savannah said.

Cameron was already gone.

Savannah was ready to step up and use her training. It was time she did her fair share. They were not going to keep her shackled much longer.

Ally didn't want to become a problem herself. She didn't want Savannah to become upset with her. The 'Allison' on her chip wanted her to protect Savannah.

"I'm sorry, Savannah." Ally said. "We have other duties right now."

Savannah knew Ally was doing her job. She didn't want to lash out at her. She needed to do her job as well.

"Let's get the rest of the girls and get everyone secured." Savannah said.

Ally could see Savannah was ready for more. She really hoped they didn't need to defend the base. It was a possibility.

"Sure, Savannah, we'll protect everyone." Ally said.

Savannah watched where Cameron went. She turned back to Ally.

"Let's go." Savannah said. "We have our job to do. There are people who will need to depend on us."

Cameron hurried back to her room. John was there. He already started to collect his gear. She knew there was going to be a new problem.

"I received the alert." John said. "Let's get ready and go."

Cameron didn't want a fight. She needed to do her job as well.

"No, John." Cameron said. "You're staying here."

John knew what was coming. It was always the same story. Cameron always tried to hold him back. He felt she didn't think he could do the job or something. He was the leader of the Resistance. It was time to make his position clear.

"Cameron, I'm going." John said.

Cameron tried to blow him off without making a scene. She was fed up with going through the same procedure every time there was an operation.

"No, you're not." Cameron said. "That's final. Keep everyone updated. Make sure Holly, Allison, and the Young Detail are safe. I don't like what's happening."

John hoped if he downplayed the danger Cameron would relent.

"All we know is they spotted a Terminator. It doesn't seem to be a threat or related to our group." John said. "It seems like overreacting."

Cameron knew what John was up to. She decided to use it against him and to her advantage. If it wasn't a big deal, there was no need for him to go.

"Good, then you are in charge of the base." Cameron said. "I'll neutralize the threat."

John watched Cameron gear up.

"I should be going with you." John protested.

Cameron faced John. She spoke with all honesty to him. She wanted him to act like a commander, not a foot soldier. It was his duty to organize and lead, not dodge bullets.

"NO, you should take care of your troops and make sure all of them are safe and secure. It's what a leader does." Cameron said. "Please start acting like one. You think about the ones here you need to look out for. All of them are very important, some of them are even more important."

She gave John a kiss and headed for the door.

John realized he could stay on top of the situation better from the Command Center.

"I'm sorry, Cameron, you're right." John said. "I have it covered."

Cameron was already gone.

John decided to go do his job.

Cameron knew any hostile Terminator was always a danger. They were there from somewhere and doing something. Anything related to Skynet was a threat.

Bob and Jim were out when they received the alert. They were needed and were recalled. There were still a few more places they wanted to check out. It would need to wait for now. The buildings weren't going anywhere. Not much could happen in them during their absence either.

"We can come back to this." Jim said.

Bob wanted to tie up all the loose ends.

"We will." Bob said. "Let's go."

John Henry vectored them towards the threat.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Options

One likes to think
That they're in control
No ride is ever free
There's always a toll

Are anyone's decisions
Ever all their own
Will they bear fruit
Or end up under a tombstone

Life is uncertain and in flux
There are many paths to choose
With so many choices to make
Will one win or lose

When is it time to play
When is it time to fold
Will one hit the gold
Or be left out in the cold

What are the options
When the goal is unknown
It's a pretty good bet
Most will end up alone

Nobody