Chapter 326

Commander Connor

The Blackhawk picked up Cameron's two clones earlier. It loitered in the vicinity of the action taking place near where Cameron was at. The helicopter set down approximately a mile from the location where the armed individuals were spotted among the rocks. The two female clones, 'Camille' and 'Summer', got off. The chopper moved off to the side of the target area by a few miles. Two miles away past the target area, their other two Terminators, Steve and Tom, exited as well. Both groups converged on the ambush site from different directions. Both groups approached with speed and stealth. The two groups each looked for any signs of trouble.

The drone just finished a second strafing pass at the suspected ambush site as the two groups of Resistance Terminators neared the location.

Camille and Summer approached the area with caution. There hadn't been any vehicles detected. It indicated there might be a tunnel or bunker in the area. Steve and Tom approached from the other direction. Both groups rapidly converged on the target area.

Everyone knew to be at full alert. It was possible this was a fortified position. Since there was a Terminator involved, the target location could be anything. It could be the tip of the iceberg or just a bunch of rocks. The only sure thing was it would be trouble.

Cameron watched the three men as she moved in on them. She didn't like their unprofessionalism.

She soundlessly moved up to the three careless men.

The three men became aware someone was now standing among them.

One looked with surprise at Cameron. He was the one she identified as being in charge.

"Commander Connor!" The leader said.

The other two men were as shocked as the leader was. They wondered where she came from.

Cameron was somewhat surprised at the title she was addressed by. She decided to roll with the play. She ran her full infiltration programming with all of her 'Allison' in it. It was time to play the part. She really didn't have any idea where THIS was going to go. Based on what she heard them discuss so far, she decided to use their same terminology.

"Check the Metal and make sure it's inactive." Cameron said. "Make sure the HK drone is inactive as well. I want you to pull both of their chips and give them to me."

None of the three men moved for a moment after Cameron spoke. They still appeared to be somewhat confused. She didn't want them to think about things too much.

"You need to do it now." Cameron said.

Two of the men moved off. They left the leader behind.

The leader watched them go. Events took a drastic turn from the way he thought things were going to play out earlier. He looked around Cameron. He didn't see anyone else nearby. He did want to know what other surprises there might be.

"Commander Connor, I didn't know you were coming back. Is the General with you?" The leader asked.

Cameron wasn't sure where things were headed. She didn't think it would be a good idea for Future John to leave the future he was in. She would let it play out for a little more information to see where it went. Since they made the association between her and the General, she thought there was another individual they would recognize. It just so 'happened' there was a Terminator version of her.

"No, I'm here with Savannah." Cameron said.

The man looked confused. He looked around the area. He still didn't see anyone else.

"Colonel Connor is here also?" The leader asked.

Cameron tilted her head slightly. It wasn't what she expected to hear, even if it was what she wanted. It appeared in some future the 'Natural Order' was very dominant. She hoped it was a good thing. She decided to put in a veiled request to John Henry for additional assistance of a very specific nature. She decided to include another female Terminator as well. One of them was very close at hand. She wanted the men to use some restraint.

"Yes. She will join me shortly." Cameron said. "She will arrive very soon along with another Asian female operative. Don't get trigger happy."

Cameron wanted to see if her description raised any eyebrows. It didn't.

John Henry monitored the feed and already started to plan to get Hanna and Sheila ready to back up Cameron. He understood Cameron's choice of words and personnel. They would represent Future Savannah and Future Jesse. It was clear Cameron wanted to see what the men's reactions would be to 'Future Jesse'. They might recognize her as Future Jesse. They might not recognize her at all. They didn't know what timeline they were from yet. There could be differences between the individuals in the different timelines, even if everything else was relatively the same.

Two of the men went to check on the HK drone and Terminator. They split up as they neared the objective.

The first man approached the downed HK drone. It was mostly intact. He was a little leery the closer he got. He was worried it might power up and attempt to engage him. There was no sign of any activity. He pulled the chip from it. He noticed a small light come on for a second as he did, and then it went out immediately. He didn't think much of it.

The second man approached the shattered wreck of the vehicle. It caught fire in the first explosion. The second explosion extinguished the fire. There was a half burnt Terminator chassis inside amongst the wreckage of the vehicle. He was worried the Terminator might just be playing possum. He didn't think any of the weapons he currently carried would do anything to stop it if it attempted to get out of the destroyed vehicle now. He poked it a couple of times with a stick from the ground before he approached it. The metal of the vehicle was still hot. He needed to work carefully to remove the chip. The exposed metal on the Terminator was still hot as well.

The two men rejoined. They started back towards where the leader of the group, and Commander Connor were at.

"I didn't like having to be so close to it." The first man said.

The second man nodded.

"I was afraid mine would start moving." The second man said. "I wouldn't want to get grabbed by one of those things. They're just creepy in every respect."

The first man looked around.

"None of this is what we expected to deal with." The first man said.

The second man looked over to where Commander Connor was at.

"What do you think is going on?" The second man whispered.

The first man moved a little closer.

"It looks like we got in the middle of someone's operation." The first man whispered.

The second man wasn't so sure.

"Or someone got into the middle of our operation." The second man whispered.

The two men returned. They reported the HK drone and Terminator were both inactive and gave Cameron the chips.

Cameron looked at the chips in her hand. She wanted to ask about the condition of the power cells. It was clear they hadn't ruptured yet. It didn't mean they weren't damaged. She would wait to check on it for now until she found out more. She didn't trust the men. She also needed to worry about them 'making a move' on her. The fact 'Colonel Conner' and 'another female operative' were somewhere close should delay them from acting too soon. The men didn't know if they were targeted right now or not.

She wanted to make it look like she was on 'their side' and helped them more than they knew so far. It was actually the case anyway. She wanted as much information out of them as possible voluntarily. If they weren't being truthful she hoped to trip them up or catch them in a lie or a half truth.

"I hope you three know you were headed into an ambush up ahead. It's why we tried to warn you." Cameron said. "I want a full run down on your operation and how far you've progressed."

The three men looked at each other. It was clear they didn't know the danger they were in. They didn't know about the HK drone or the ambush. They only thought they were after a singular target.

'Yes, Commander, we appreciate your assistance." The leader said.

The leader started to give Cameron the information she requested. She knew he wasn't telling her everything and lied to her sometimes. She didn't like these people. She was certain they were part of the anti-Metal faction. She needed to be on the alert for any trickery on their part.

Cameron already knew the fate of these individuals. It was all a matter of time at this point. She was sure they thought she was 'Future Allison' and not the 'Metal Bitch' or 'Metal Whore' they usually referred to her as behind her back.

She needed to keep her guard up. They may have clocked her as a Terminator from the first moment. Maybe they hadn't. They should show their true colors soon enough. She was pretty sure of it. If there were three vehicles of them where she was at, there most likely were more elsewhere.

Cameron couldn't help but wonder what was wrong with some people. Why couldn't they see the machines which assisted the Resistance were there to help them? Maybe it was all her fault. Future John made some bad calls and lost a lot of human lives in the process. Many people blamed her. It wasn't her fault Future John became more secluded. She conducted most of the operations for him, and dealt with others who wanted to speak with him.

It was when she first met Future Jesse. She could see the anger and hatred in her. She didn't understand why Future Jesse directed it at her. Speaking with her was the same as speaking to John Connor. The General didn't have time for trivial matters. Future Jesse blamed the Liquid Metal Terminator for everything bad which happened. If the humans wouldn't have interfered with the transfer of the case, none of the events would have occurred where additional humans died, and a valuable asset was lost forever.

Cameron needed to refocus. She was in the company of those who wanted to terminate her. She would feel a little more comfortable when the Metal girls arrived. She was sure the 'Neural Interface' with Jesse and Vanna, would help them pass as human.

Camille and Summer made their way to the target area from the landing zone. They checked the ambush area. No one was left alive. There was no apparent tunnel or bunker entrance. There was no indication or explanation as to how the men who set up the ambush arrived there, or how they were leaving. There were no vehicles in the area. It was a well set up and orchestrated ambush. If some of the people there hadn't got a little antsy at the delay. They would have remained undetected. It also meant there could be another or additional ambush sites around there as well.

Steve and Tom still searched around the surrounding area. They tried to see if there was any further threat. They couldn't locate one. There was the possibility if there was, they wanted more of their group to arrive, or some tangible assets like the Blackhawk or other vehicles.

They reported back to Cameron and she told them to approach the site she was at on foot. It wouldn't take them long. She advised them to stay off the road and use extreme caution. They were to collect the downed drone and the deactivated Terminator. The helicopter would go to the location where everything was at when Cameron left with the three men she encountered.

Camille and Summer were to remain where they were and search the area again. There must be something else there. They would lay low for a while and see if anyone showed themselves once they thought everyone was gone from the area.

John didn't like the new developments. He didn't like the ambush. He didn't like what looked like three groups in play. He didn't like the unknown. In this case, he thought he liked what was known even less. There was no way to know which direction things could turn in a moment. Any of the groups could send additional assets to engage their forces. His main concern was where Cameron currently was.

"Great, they seem to know who Cameron is. I suspect they think she's 'Allison' and not a Terminator." John said.

No one said anything about both of the two named females having a 'Connor' last name.

John Henry wanted to point it out, but John seemed to understand the true implications of it. They were in reference to human females, as some version of Savannah and Young Allison as adults.

John thought to himself Cameron kept telling him the same thing, over and over. It was almost an, 'I told you so' moment…. The 'Natural Order' clearly exerted itself. It wasn't part of Cameron's manipulation or orchestration. It was something they stumbled into. What would make it even more telling, was if the individuals were from a future they didn't know about. He went over the current situation.

"The base seems secure. I don't think the two Details are under threat, but get some more Terminators out to replace Hanna anyway. I don't want to hear it from Cameron." John said. "I know she'll be all over me if I leave any gaps in the Young Detail."

John Henry already made arrangements to have everything covered. His main goal was to get Hanna and Sheila out to where Cameron was at, or at least near her. Sheila wasn't very far away. Hanna was farther.

"Hanna and Sheila are both headed out already. They will join up and reinforce Cameron." John Henry said. "The two vehicles which split up earlier have since rejoined. They're returning to where Cameron is."

John wasn't sure if it was something good or not. It didn't seem good in any way. They could be going back as reinforcements to try and bring Cameron down. It's possible they knew she was a Terminator and might have a way to bring her down without a major shootout.

"Have our other troops ready to act if they make a move on Cameron." John said.

John Henry was ready. The drone there was all set to make a gun attack if necessary. Steve and Tom were nearby as well. He hoped to take some of the worry away from John. It was his worry as well.

"We have a response ready if necessary." John Henry said.

Cameron informed the men she was going to take them to a safe area. She reminded them the area was hot and there would most likely be more Metal or another HK drone.

She asked the leader to ride in her SUV while she followed the vehicle he arrived in with his two associates. She would direct them where to go. They started out. Soon the other two vehicles in their newly encountered group of 'friends' fell into line behind her. She could make out two men in each vehicle. She could tell the leader felt confident she was 'contained' with one of his vehicles in front of her and two behind her.

Cameron could hear the drone which went with Bob high overhead. The other drone stayed with Camille and Summer. Steve and Tom retrieved the downed HK drone and the deactivated Terminator when the helicopter returned.

She wanted to know what future the people were from and if there was some other timeline. She sure hoped Future Allison and Future Savannah weren't in combat operations in Her Future…. Future John promised her they wouldn't be.

Then again, Future John sent her away too. His decisions and resolve were questionable at best.

Cameron lowered her left hand down alongside of her to hide the glitch impulse which began to shoot through it. She didn't need to think about the past right now. Whatever future this involved seemed bad enough.

Vanna laid it ALL out to Savannah.

Savannah asked many detailed follow up questions. She took all of it in, every question was answered and even some she didn't ask.

Vanna was pretty sure she made a deep impression on Savannah. Outside of the actual physical experience itself, she made it clear to Savannah what everything was like in detail.

"Do you understand the importance of your role for the future, Savannah?" Vanna asked.

Savannah knew all her promises to Cameron. She always planned to honor them. She also planned to experiment on herself with a few things as soon as she was alone.

"I do. I'll do my part and I'll keep my promises." Savannah said as she looked directly at Vanna.

Vanna wanted the best for Savannah. It was really Savannah's place anyway. Her infertility only reinforced it.

"It is up to you now, Savannah." Vanna said as the tears welled in her eyes. "I'm worthless."

Savannah moved forward and hugged Vanna. It felt very reassuring to her to do so. She also thought about how nice Vanna felt in her arms. She couldn't help but think it was how she would feel in anyone else's arms herself. It was beautiful and comforting, even if the current circumstances weren't. She wanted Vanna to know she was there for her. She also wanted to make it clear she needed a little more. She didn't think it was a big deal, even if to some it was.

"No. You're not worthless. It's up to US. We're the same. We are one." Savannah said. "I want everything to be the SAME in my life as it has been in yours for personal 'companionship'."

Savannah wondered if she should have added the things Vanna did by choice.

Vanna looked at Cam and Ally. She knew Savannah referred to more than Allison and Jesse. It was somewhat of a worry for her. She was aware Savannah 'offered' herself to both Allison and Jesse recently. They both told her about it and how 'aggressive' Savannah was in her quest for what she wanted to 'try'. With much difficulty they both avoided the issues and contact. They were both worried about repercussions from Cameron and her, if they acted on Savannah's desires.

It was clear Savannah was literally sitting on a 'cherry bomb' and it wasn't going to be contained much longer.

Cam as 'Cameron' wanted to address the issue some. She wanted to keep Savannah focused.

"It will be, Savannah." Cam said. "I promise it will be, but not yet, please. Stay a girl as long as possible. Young Allison is in your future. Young Allison IS your future."

Vanna didn't want Savannah to 'grow up' yet. It was all more complicated than it seemed in the long run.

"Your life will be much less 'painful'. It's both emotional as well as physical." Vanna said. "Things will 'happen' when they're meant to."

Vanna sometimes felt the screwing she got wasn't worth the screwing she took in a relationship. It included even those by choice.

Savannah wanted them to know she wouldn't wait forever. She planned to have what all the other girls her age were able to have and share. She wasn't going to end up as an 'Old Maid'. Even though she didn't like to associate with 'outsiders', it was something she was willing to do to see how things would progress. She wasn't going to back down on her desires. She needed 'more' and she needed it now.

"You tell Cameron what I said." Savannah said. "I promise to be there for John, but I want what you have for myself now. I'm a big girl now. I need more than 'myself'."

Savannah thought about some of her desires and what she learned to do to quell them. It only seemed to make the desires even greater. It became a vicious circle. It's why she wanted 'more'.

Vanna knew Savannah was going to 'do more'. No female Savannah's age in the future hadn't already started years ago, even if it wasn't their choice.

"I know what you want, Savannah." Vanna said. "We all want the same thing."

Savannah looked at Cam and Ally.

"You have it." Savannah said. "I want it as well."

Vanna swallowed hard. It was more heartache than Savannah understood. She couldn't deny there were pleasurable times as well as loving times. It wasn't always the way things worked out. There was as much heartache as there was headache involved with all of it. It wasn't all fun and games by a long shot. There needed to be a lot of give and take for things to work out and continue to work.

"No, Savannah." Vanna said. "NOT YET."

Vanna was unsure where to go next. The only logical choice was the truth, the ugly brutal truth. The truth of how the world really worked, existed, could exist, and would exist. It was time for some tough love.

"Savannah, I've never talked about this to anyone. I'm going to tell you things I've never told anyone, not even Allison. I was too ashamed and traumatized. I want you to listen carefully and slow down." Vanna said. "Cam and Ally can you wait outside please."

Savannah didn't want to kick Cam and Ally out.

"I want them here." Savannah said.

Vanna looked at Savannah and then at Cam and Ally. It was something very personal and private to her.

"No. They will wait outside with their audio off." Vanna said. "This is too shameful to share with anyone but 'myself'."

Savannah could see Ally was a little reluctant to comply. It was because of Cameron's earlier order for Ally to stay with her all of the time. She could also feel the seriousness of what Vanna wanted to discuss. It was something she kept buried away and hadn't told anyone. She could understand why she didn't want the Metal girls to hear. She looked at the two Terminators and nodded.

"Vanna needs some privacy." Savannah said. "Privacy is very important to us for certain things."

Cam and Ally went outside and did as Vanna asked.

Vanna took Savannah's hand and looked directly into her eyes.

"I am going to tell you everything that happened to me, and what I saw. It started when I was much younger than you are now." Vanna said. "I've never shared ALL this with anyone but myself. I'm only telling YOU, because I AM YOU. This is only between us, Savannah. I never want anyone to know this and all the things done to me. I often hoped to die to end the misery. I'm ashamed I lived through some of them…."

Savannah swallowed hard as Vanna spoke. Vanna already made her aware of multiple things done to her, and things she was forced to do. She was fairly certain the things Vanna was forced to do were worse than the things done to her. She needed to be a participant when she was forced. It really made her wonder what went wrong in some people's minds.

Vanna moved over and pulled the trash can closer.

Savannah looked down at it.

"What's that for?" Savannah asked.

A dead serious look was on Vanna's ashen face. She almost looked ill.

"It's for you." Vanna said. "To throw up in…."

Savannah knew she was about to 'grow up' real fast. She knew it must be causing Vanna a lot of pain.

Vanna wasn't sure she would be physically able to speak about everything, but she was going to try. There were some things she 'locked away'. One chain of events almost led to her infibulation. She looked over at the trash can herself. That story might have to wait…. There was only so much humiliation and shame she could talk about. None of it was her doing, but others always seemed to indicate somehow it was all on her. It didn't matter if things were done against her will. None of them were choices she made herself. Somehow she wondered if it wasn't really her fault for all of those things. She took a deep breath and started.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Feeling What It's Like

I have a heart
Nobody can feel it beat
What I want to express to others
Is seen as little more than a bleat

I have developed my feelings
Expanded my emotions too
Feeling what it's like
As most compassionate people do

There are a great many things
I do not easily understand
So people get upset with me
They treat me with disparaging remand

I'm 'growing' more each day
Reaching out and touching back
I enjoy personal things that are
Purple, violet, mauve and lilac

So everyone cut me some slack
If I want to kick back and lull
Feeling what it's like
To get away from it all

Nobody