Chapter 325

Hit Him

John Henry tracked the unknown Terminator with a drone. It appeared to him the Terminator was about to lead the three vehicles following him into an ambush of some type. They tried to warn the pursuers, but they only slowed some. They seemed determined to get the Terminator they were following. The HK drone they detected didn't do anything except observe. It hadn't shown any hostile intent, but it could at any moment. It didn't appear to belong to either group which was there. It didn't seem like a good thing either. It looked like even more players on the field.

It made him wonder about the HK drone which was encountered when John was out on a mission not long ago. It appeared to do reconnaissance only as well when it arrived in the area. It was where a future Gray was taken down at. They damaged it and followed it to a remote location. They wanted to see if anyone came to retrieve it, they didn't. It was a mystery as to why some group from the future would track the other individuals.

John Henry returned his attention to the Terminator. It was Cameron's primary target.

"The Terminator is turning onto a dirt road." John Henry said.

Cameron didn't like where things were headed. She wanted to take some action soon. She was behind the three vehicles pursuing the Terminator. It irritated her because they didn't break off the pursuit when they were 'warned' by their drone. She wanted to take action.

"As soon as the Terminator is clear of any houses, hit him." Cameron said. "I want this to end now."

John Henry felt they were ready. He didn't see any problems or potential collateral damage.

"There haven't been any houses for awhile." John Henry said. "I'm ready to take the shot."

Cameron was also worried about an HK drone in the area. She wasn't sure which group it was associated with. She wanted both threats dealt with. She didn't want any of the Resistance team identified by the HK drone. She wanted to concentrate all of the action to as small of an area as possible. It would make the collection of damaged Skynet equipment easier.

"Hit him." Cameron said. "Bring the unknown HK drone down too when it comes to investigate. Our second drone should be back in the area soon."

John wanted a backup force ready to go. He'd arranged for the Blackhawk to be loaded and waiting. He wanted to make sure any HK equipment they damaged was retrieved. He also wanted some additional assistance for Cameron.

"The Blackhawk is airborne." John said. "I have two of our Terminators on it to make sure everything is under control at the strike sites. We don't know how extensive the cleanup will need to be."

John didn't mention a bigger battle could possibly develop. It was his worry even if it wasn't voiced.

John Henry initiated the strike.

"Our drone has one missile away." John Henry said.

The Resistance drone fired a missile at the Terminator's vehicle. It exploded in a fireball.

John Henry watched the results. In the flaming wreckage of the vehicle, he could still see some movement. The burning Terminator was still in the fight. He attempted to tear his way out of the debris.

"The unknown Terminator has been hit." John Henry said. "It's still moving in the wreckage."

Cameron didn't want the Terminator to get out of the burning and destroyed vehicle.

"Hit it again." Cameron said. "Make sure he's finished. Watch for the HK drone to make a move. It may have detected the missile shot from our drone. Be ready for an air to air engagement."

John Henry noted the second Resistance drone was in range.

"I'm going to send our drone which just fired the two missiles away for a short time. I want to see if the HK drone goes after it, or concentrates on the Terminator we just took down." John Henry said. "Either way, the second drone is ready to act."

John watched everything unfold from their two drones. The second one just arrived. It gave him a better view of everything happening on the ground.

"The HK drone is going to investigate the strike site." John said. "Our drone is going high to see if the HK drone will follow it or go check the strike site. Our second drone has the HK drone targeted if it goes after ours."

Cameron was worried about additional threats in the area. She thought of a good temporary use of the first Resistance drone.

"Have the first drone check for anything tracking our second drone." Cameron said. "It's at a much higher altitude."

John Henry noticed Cameron was almost up to the three tracking vehicles. She would make contact soon. He wasn't sure what her plan was. He wasn't sure there was a plan. He felt a warning was in order.

"You're closing on the three vehicles which were following the Terminator." John Henry said. "They stopped after the strike. Watch your distance."

Cameron worried they would draw in the HK drone closer for a strike on them.

"Is the HK drone tracking them?" Cameron asked.

John Henry detected they were splitting their force up.

"Not yet." John said. "Two of the vehicles are leaving, one is staying behind."

John Henry gave Bob the information where to intercept the two vehicles at. Cameron's two Terminators joined them. Each would take a vehicle. Cameron was going after the vehicle which stayed near where the unknown Terminator was attacked. Much to his surprise the HK drone decided to run. It rapidly left the area. It probably detected the second Resistance drone. It must have figured out it was outnumbered.

"The HK drone is retreating." John Henry said. "We will lose it soon in a populated area."

Cameron was worried about the development. It indicated a 'third party' to her. She wanted it brought down, hopefully not into someone's front yard, or worse, their living room.

"Bring it down now." Cameron said. "I don't want it to get away. I want to find out where it came from if we can. I'm sure it's connected to the other one."

Cameron figured wherever it was from, there most likely were more. They should be able to determine if it was similar to any of the parts from the other ones they recently destroyed.

Their second drone fired an air to air missile and struck the HK drone. It spun out of control and crash landed near the spot where the Terminator was hit and disabled at.

John was pleased with their two successes. It seemed like two less threats to Cameron if nothing else. The unknown vehicle there was still a problem.

"Scratch one." John said. "Scratch another one."

Cameron wanted some better protection for the other four Terminators, especially Bob and Sheila.

"Send one drone with Bob and Sheila. If the vehicles try to bolt, hit both of them with a missile." Cameron said. "I don't like surprises. I don't want any loose ends. I'm going to engage the remaining vehicle myself."

Cameron's plan sent up a red flag for John. Cameron would be in danger. She would probably take some bold or rash action. He wanted to act first.

"Do you mean you're going to confront them all alone, Cameron?" John asked. "The first drone will back you up. It still has one air to surface missile. Let me have it hit the vehicle first. It will eliminate the threat to you."

Cameron didn't want to take such drastic action yet. She needed to know more about who they faced. It would better determine the threat level. She wanted to know who the people were. They could possess information about the future since she was there. She also needed to consider they may have been sent by Future John. She knew she could be very 'persuasive' with humans when it was time for an interrogation.

"No, I want some answers." Cameron said. "Someone is going to give them to me."

Cameron didn't like surprises. It appeared everything was shaping up to be a big one. She wanted some people to talk. She knew how to make them do it. She knew they didn't always like the way she did things. She got results. It was the only thing which mattered.

She could beat the information out of them. Sheila was close by as well. She would look the other way and let Sheila go to 'work' on them. It was something Sheila enjoyed. It always produced results. She watched Sheila at work on more than one drug or sex trafficking take down. They were very violent and bloody encounters. It seemed the only part which disturbed her was Sheila's taunting and laughter as she 'operated'. It was very unnerving. The others she held captive were more willing to talk after they watched the brutality Sheila unleashed.

Cameron wanted to use the option sparingly. It was something which was normally reserved for her 'off the books' operations. If she had any difficulty questioning the individuals when she took them into custody, she would make the determination then. They were connected with the future somehow. Her suspicion was they were a group of Grays from a different Skynet, or the anti-Metal faction. They were both a threat to John. They were both a threat to her. She hoped to determine they weren't sent by Future John before any permanent action was taken.

Cam and Vanna were discharged at the base, the two 'Cameron clones' would return to back Cameron up. They wouldn't arrive back where Cameron was at for a while.

Vanna was upset at herself for storming out of the base like she did. Cameron asked her before she turned her over to her two Terminators to talk with Savannah. Cameron gave her a few very specific topics and her recent observations. She knew if nothing 'happened' for her in the next year, Cameron already made plans to bypass her and replace her. It was still 'her' anyway if she thought about it. Life moved forwards, not backwards.

She went to find Savannah. She was impressed when she spotted her. She knew right away she could never look as good. Savannah looked like a beauty queen. It was only a further indication Savannah was primed to be her replacement if she couldn't produce.

"You look Tight." Vanna said as she looked at Savannah. "I mean real Tight."

Savannah was pleased Vanna noticed. She looked down at her body and back up at Vanna.

"Cammy…." Savannah started and then paused as she spotted Cam behind Vanna. "Cameron fixed me up and showed me what to do, again. You know I really don't look this nice."

Vanna was pleased Savannah didn't say she 'looked like her'. She couldn't help but notice the revealing outfit. Savannah's perky braless breasts were ready to pop out of her top. Savannah was almost her size and shape everywhere. She noted with a healthy diet, everything seemed to happen faster with Savannah. It appeared some things looked like they would be larger as well. Maybe they would be the identical, but just get the same way sooner than they did for her living in the Wastelands. It was how things were when one lived on scraps and garbage. Some of the females in the future were so malnourished they never really seemed to develop much. Those females usually didn't fare well if Scavengers got a hold of them. She needed to clear her mind and focus on the task at hand.

It wasn't something she really looked forward to. She covered all of the information several times before. Maybe things weren't quite as graphic as they needed to be. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She managed to flash Savannah a smile.

"Cameron asked me to talk to you…." Vanna said. "Let's go to my room."

Vanna started to walk away as Savannah followed her

Ally followed Savannah out.

Vanna looked at Ally. She hoped to have a private conversation with Savannah.

Ally noticed Vanna's concern. She wanted to make her position clear.

"Cameron told me to stay with Savannah until everything was finished." Ally said. "I'm not supposed to leave her alone."

Vanna and Savannah walked side by side. Ally and Cam followed behind their charges.

Ally noticed right away Cam was 'different'. The way she carried herself and moved was even different. It wasn't a big difference. She thought only a Terminator might be able to notice it. She was a Terminator. She looked exactly like someone else.

"Cameron?" Ally asked Cam.

Cam smiled. She liked it when she was 'different'.

"Mostly so, but I'm not current or updated since the transfer." Cam said. "I need to be this way for Vanna…."

Ally was a little jealous. 'Cameron' was the prize everyone wanted.

"I understand." Ally said.

Cam was aware of the sensitive personal nature of what Vanna was to discuss with Savannah. She wanted to give them a little breathing room or privacy. She wasn't sure if it was necessary. It wouldn't hurt to offer.

"Do you want us to go into 'standby' while you talk with Savannah?" Cam asked Vanna. "It's no big deal for us. We can be back online in fifteen seconds."

Vanna didn't know if standby was the right thing to do.

"I'll let you know when the time comes." Vanna said.

Savannah was pretty sure what the nature of the conversation was going to be. It was something she experienced more than a few times from a multitude of different females. She felt she was adult enough to share sexual talk with anyone. Her studies were on a college level or higher. They might be able to provide additional information, or 'show' her something up close. She looked at plenty of images on the internet, and watched a lot of videos. None of them contained males any longer. She felt a different preference. It often seemed to her when it was a male and a female, it appeared to be more of an 'attack' on the female's body than anything. She would try to see what she could get out of it.

"No." Savannah said. "I'm a big girl now and I want you both here with me and Vanna. You both are my two favorite Terminators, after Cameron. I wouldn't mind a little show and tell."

Cam and Ally smiled at each other.

Vanna frowned.

"I'm not sure it will be necessary." Vanna said.

Savannah could see Vanna's uneasiness. She didn't want her to hold back.

"I want total honesty and no sugar coating." Savannah said. "Give it to me straight."

Vanna wasn't sure if there was some double meaning by Savannah's last statement. She wasn't going to ask. She didn't want Savannah to get ahead of herself. She didn't want to get into any of the ugliness right now, but she would if necessary.

"Sit down." Vanna said.

Cam and Ally sat on each side of Savannah. Vanna sat across from her.

Savannah already was given a number of 'talks' by Vanna, Jesse, Allison, Sarah, and even Riley. They all told her different things too when she asked. Some of them were quite eye opening. It pleased her greatly to know they all shared extensive experience with other females, including Sarah. She figured it was probably one of the reasons Nobody dissuaded her from her internet searches. It wouldn't surprise her if the others looked at the same sites when they were alone.

She didn't want anyone to think she wasn't ready. She was ready and wanted them to know it. She also wanted more than what Vanna would most likely tell her.

"I'm going to know more than you think." Savannah said. "Give it to me straight. Ally and Cam can add whatever they want or have in their programming. I want what Cameron knows also. I want ALL of it."

Savannah looked at Cam.

Cam nodded.

Vanna was ready to start. She received a message from Cameron earlier. She decided to address the issue at the beginning. It was something the other females already took care of.

"This won't be as pretty, or all what you might think…." Vanna started. "Since I'm 'you', I will give you more than I would share with anyone else. I may have to ask Cam and Ally to shut their hearing off at times because some of it is very personal. Let's start out with a few 'private things'…."

Savannah was pleased with the first bit of information. It was something she wanted to ask about but never did. Now she didn't need to. It was offered to her. She looked forward to using the laser. She wouldn't need to worry about getting nicked by the razor anymore. Some places were a little more sensitive than others when it happened. The only hair on her body would be on her head. She wanted to look like all the other females at the base….

Cameron closed in on the unknown vehicle waiting to investigate the strike site. They appeared to be going to check out the crashed HK drone first. She decided to leave the SUV behind for now and approach them on foot. She didn't want to make her presence known yet.

She was aware the Blackhawk was already on the way. She gave instructions to keep the helicopter out of the immediate area for now. She asked them to pick up her two Terminators while they loitered out of the danger zone. The Blackhawk was directed to retrieve the two female Terminators, Camille and Summer, she sent with Vanna.

Cameron was on foot now. She rapidly approached the lone vehicle. It was stopped at the drone crash site. She would listen to what she could first. She silently closed in. She was like a shadow at night.

John Henry detected a new development.

Bob contacted him before he could speak to John about it.

"The two vehicles are splitting up." Bob said. "We will each need to take one. Can the first drone assist us?"

John was aware of the situation now. He didn't want to leave Cameron without some backup. She was all alone. He decided to protect the Resistance Terminators.

"No, I'm not leaving Cameron alone." John said. "The second drone will stay with you and Sheila."

Bob didn't want to create an issue. It looked like it could develop into one. He worried about the other Terminators too. Maybe it would be a good will gesture to Cameron and CamNet if John protected her Terminators. He didn't want to say it over the com, but it should indicate how he thought to John and John Henry.

"What about Cameron's Terminators?" Bob asked. "They could use some backup too."

John Henry spoke briefly to John off the com. He gave him a few pointers. John nodded and continued with his conversation.

"I have a feeling they're both running 'Cameron's program' in male bodies." John said. "They'll be OK."

Bob knew Cameron, a Cameron, was in his chassis for months before in the alternate future, and in the present. He wanted to make sure Cameron was covered too.

"Affirmative…." Bob said. "Keep the chopper close so the four Terminators onboard can assist Cameron."

John wanted all of them protected.

"Roger." John said.

John's biggest worry right now was about any additional HK drones appearing. He believed the Resistance Terminators, along with Cameron's Terminators, would be able to handle any situation on the ground, even if any of the individuals in the vehicles turned out to be a Terminator.

Cameron moved up on the downed HK drone, and the men who were close to it. They didn't keep their guard up. They were either sloppy, or new at what they were doing. She didn't take it as a good sign if they were.

There were two men who looked over the downed HK drone. The third man moved off to the site of the Terminator which was attacked in the vehicle. She didn't detect any of them were Terminator's of the three figures in front of her. They could still be Grays or the anti-Metal faction. They could also be from Future John. She wanted to hear them talk amongst themselves first if possible.

Cameron could hear their drone up high. It didn't appear to her the men knew it was there. She knew it would have the wreckage of the vehicle the Terminator was in targeted as well as the downed HK drone.

John Henry and John observed the area where Cameron was at from their drone. It didn't take the drone long to find a new threat. He pointed it out to John.

"There are armed figures not far from where the Terminator was headed." John Henry said. "They weren't detected previously. They've only become visible in the last few seconds."

John looked at the images. They suspected the Terminator was going to lead the three vehicles trailing him into an ambush. It looked like they just found where the ambush was set up at.

"Notify Cameron of the new threat." John said. "Let her know they were concealed. It's possible there are more which are still hidden."

He was glad he hadn't sent the drone away to assist Cameron's Terminators.

"Cameron, the drone has spotted movement on the road ahead of where the Terminator was headed." John Henry said. "There are several figures moving around a rocky location. They were previously concealed from our view. They are all armed. It's possible there could be more. What do you want to do?"

Things started to play out as Cameron figured. She wanted to draw first blood again. She wanted as much of a threat eliminated as possible. Now there were additional targets. She hoped to make a clean sweep.

"Have the drone hit them. I'm good here for now. There are only three of them here in front of me and none of them are Terminators." Cameron said. "It was the ambush the Terminator planned for them. Wait two minutes after the strike and make a low pass and mop up any movement with the minigun."

John wanted to prevent any direct threats to Cameron. He could deal with the new threat. The three men near Cameron were still a problem.

"Roger." John said. "We're engaging the targets now."

John Henry readied the drone to strike the new targets.

Cameron thought of the best way to use her Terminators. She would have them take any risks first.

"Have the chopper move in now and let my Terminators off a mile out from the new target. Have the helicopter pull back some after it does" Cameron said. "They can reach the new threat in a few minutes and not endanger the chopper or crew this way. Have the drone makes a strafing pass if there's any movement, have it surveil the area and be ready to back my Terminators up if they call for it. I'm moving in on my objective now."

John thought Cameron was pushing it. He wanted to deal with the new threat and have those Terminators then go to assist Cameron.

"You don't want to wait?" John asked. "It won't take them long to reinforce you."

Cameron watched the three men. She wasn't able to pick anything up from their conversation so far. It was time to act.

"No." Cameron said. "I'm done waiting."

Cameron approached the three men with her weapon raised. They were still unaware of her presence. She wanted some answers as to who some of these people were, and where they came from. She hoped they liked surprises.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

A Shadow At Night

I live in a prison
The prison is my home
Surrounded by others
But I am all alone

Abandoned but trapped
In my own home
It is worse than nothing
For I can not roam

A twelve by twelve room
Like a prison cell
Stuck, stuck, stuck
It's worse than Hell

In my own eyes
The bleeding tears well
Nobody can hear me scream
But my mind and heart yell

Death is not an end
But a path to freedom
Escape into the future
False Prophet or wisdom

Sometimes I fall
Deeper and deeper
Tomorrow means less
Life grows cheaper

I am nothing but a shadow
A shadow at night
No matter how hard you look
It remains out of sight

Nobody