Chapter 328

Claire

The operation appeared to be concluded for the day. Cameron let Sheila off at the Resistance base. She decided to drive Hanna back to Palmdale. She questioned Hanna in detail about everything happening at the Young residence. She wanted to know about Allison and Holly specifically.

The 'Vanna' in Hanna was a little jealous. She could see the deep bond between Allison and Holly. It was like the bond Allison once shared with Vanna.

"They're deeply in love, Cameron, both of them." Hanna said.

Cameron could sense Hanna's jealousy. She was worried it might become an issue.

"What about you?" Cameron asked. "What's your story?"

Cameron was sure Hanna would seek a closer relationship with Allison or maybe even Claire. She was a little concerned about the former but not about the latter. She was aware Paul Young might become a problem if it happened. His usefulness ended the moment he deposited his essence when Young Allison and Summer were conceived.

She experienced a glitch impulse when she thought about it. There was some question about Summer's creation. The story Claire told her was very disturbing. Claire was scheduled to visit a doctor she was unfamiliar with for an invasive 'exam'. It was approximately nine months before Summer's birth. Claire was surprised when she found out she was pregnant. She hadn't experienced any intercourse with Paul for several months.

Hanna relayed some information to Cameron which she already knew most of. Claire needed to please her husband in other ways with no reciprocation on his part. It was very dissatisfying for her no matter what technique was used. No male ever delivered for her in her life. The only ones who ever did were other females. It was her true desire anyway. Her parents were the ones who forced her to 'get married' and be 'normal'. It was a mistake except for her daughters. Well, somehow there were more of her oldest daughter in multiple timelines as strange as it seemed to her.

Cameron tried not to think about Claire's story and concerns. She experienced another glitch impulse when she knew they were going to point the finger at her about Summer's creation. It sounded to her like there was some manipulation involved. She was worried it was temporal manipulation, and it was some version of her who was involved.

Hanna tried to stay out of the way. She didn't want to raise Cameron's ire and end up deactivated. She was very pleased where she was currently assigned. She saw there was a lot of opportunity there for some personal interaction with both Claire and Allison. The biggest obstacle to get to Allison would be Holly. She definitely wasn't going to bring the issue up.

"I spend most of the time in the Detail house unless Allison and Holly want to be alone." Hanna said. "I personally watch Young Allison and Summer myself then. Sometimes I go for walks with Claire. She always wants to talk about you. Cameron, she's in love with you."

Hanna would scan Claire when she saw her eyes light up as she talked about Cameron. The scans were very pleasurable to her to receive. It was a very strong reading on all levels both visibly and physically.

Cameron couldn't understand it. What could anyone see in her? Why couldn't she love herself or even care about herself? Why did Future John, John, and River all reject her? They were the people she loved and wanted. She needed to refocus on the current subject. It was Claire.

"What do you tell her?" Cameron asked.

Hanna was afraid it was going to be a new problem.

"I tell her what you told me to tell her, the truth." Hanna said. "She wants to divorce Paul and move to our base with her THREE girls for better protection. They no longer have sex of any type."

Cameron didn't want to hear it. The divorce was going to be blamed on her by everyone. They were going to say it was because of her interference and manipulation. She was worried there would be a bigger complication involved at some point.

"Great." Cameron said disgustedly. "I'm ruining more people's lives. I need to fix this. It will hurt Allison if it happens. It might cause her to lose the baby."

Hanna didn't think it was fixable. The real 'fix' may be for both individuals to move on. Once a relationship cooled, it seldom rewarmed. She did know Allison and Vanna were an exception to the rule. Whenever they got together, the fire heated up and burnt brightly, at least for a while. As far as Claire and Paul went, she believed the decision was up to them. Why should anyone be forced to be miserable?

"How do you fix it?" Hanna asked. "People make choices, not all of them are good. Humans are irrational."

Just the thought of tearing apart another relationship, made Cameron hate herself even more. Why did these things always happen to her? She tried to help people, not hurt them. It was all very confusing to her. She didn't have any answers either.

"I don't know." Cameron said. "I don't know anything anymore."

Cameron didn't want to hurt the people she cared about. She didn't want to be responsible for them being hurt by each other either. She was painfully aware they didn't look at each other when she was involved. They all looked at her instead. Why? She was Nobody.

The two male 'Cameron program' clones dumped the anti–Metal leader Cameron took into custody into the holding cell at her base.

His eyes opened slowly.

It was dark.

It was total darkness.

The floor was slick and sticky.

There was someone in the room with him.

The leader touched the figure. It was cold. They were dead.

He quickly searched the drying blood soaked figure. He determined it was a female. He found a pack of matches in one of her pockets. It contained a single match in it.

He struck the match and saw her blood covered face and figure. There was something in her hand. He wasn't sure what it was.

The match was about to burn out. He saw the metal socket in her skull, her staring eyes, and open empty mouth bored into him.

'There's something about her face.' He thought.

Just before the match extinguished itself, he realized she was interrogated by a Terminator. She waited for salvation, or help, which never came. It was help that would never come. There was only one way out. The only escape was death. The female was free.

He knew a Terminator held him now. He wondered how he was fooled so easily. He really thought it was Commander Connor. He should have known better. The machines probably replace them at some point. It was what they did. It is what they do.

The leader knew he would die there.

The darkness around him was total. It was more than just the lack of Illumination.

John felt they were left with more questions than anything after the recent battle. It actually seemed like they knew less. A chance encounter turned into a major episode involving at least two, if not three or more unknown parties.

"We still don't know any more than we did before any of this started." John said. "We need answers."

John Henry thought they may have a good foundation to work from. They at least were able to get a few pointers.

"We have the downed drone and the deactivated Terminator. We have both of the chips. We will glean whatever information we can get from both of those." John Henry said. "Cameron has the leader of the anti-Metal group in custody after apprehending him alive. The others were terminated and disposed of."

John listened to the report. Everything sounded so neat and concise. He knew it wasn't as simple as it sounded. There was a sticking point for him. He didn't like prisoners. He didn't like how Cameron dealt with them either.

"What's Cameron going to do with him?" John asked.

John Henry was unsure as to the exact details, but knew in general how it would play out. He certainly knew how it would end.

"I think we both know the answer." John Henry said. "He will be interrogated and terminated."

John thought about all the things someone could do to a male human body. It was all very violent. He checked earlier and was glad to see Sheila returned to the Resistance base. Jesse was there also. He was aware Sheila 'inherited' all of the 'darkness' from Jesse through the 'Neural Interface'. Most of her cruelty was directed towards sex traffickers and drug dealers.

"I don't think it will be pretty." John said. "I know Cameron can be ruthless and cruel now. I thought Terminators weren't supposed to be like that."

John Henry was well aware Cameron progressed further than anything Skynet envisioned for an infiltration unit. The cruelty was as far beyond the programming, as was the ability to love.

"Cameron isn't a 'Terminator' any longer. She's advanced beyond it long ago." John Henry said. "She's more 'human' now. We all know how cruel humans can be, especially to each other. History has proven it time and time again."

John did know how cruel humans could be.

"It's what I'm afraid of." John said.

John Henry saw it as a trade-off. There was no 'Easy Street'.

"You want answers and to protect our group, right?" John Henry asked.

John swallowed hard and looked away for a few seconds. He looked back at John Henry.

"Yes." John said.

John Henry nodded. Cameron and her team were good at what they did.

"Cameron will get them for us." John Henry said. "It's best if we leave it alone."

John hated to discuss the events with Cameron. They were always contentious. Cameron would often try to avoid the confrontation and be less than truthful.

"I think you're right." John said. "I don't want to hear Cameron lie to me, again…."

John wondered if Cameron took pleasure in her interrogations. Maybe she liked to see the pain she could produce in others. Perhaps seeing others suffer gave her comfort she wasn't alone in her personal suffering. He really didn't think the suffering of one could alleviate the suffering of another, especially when it was of a mental nature.

Sheila sought Vanna out as soon as she returned to the base. Cam instructed her to go to Savannah's room and relieve Ally instead. It was so Ally could return to Jesse. Cam instructed her not to leave Savannah's side until Cameron returned.

Cam also reminded her to not do anything she wasn't willing to be deactivated and terminated over.

Sheila left with a frown on her face. She knew exactly what Cam meant. Cameron would probably go berserk, well, even more berserk, if she shared any 'personal interaction' with Savannah. She entered the room.

Ally looked over at her.

Savannah stirred and looked in her direction.

Sheila thought she should give them an explanation before they thought something was wrong.

"I'm taking over for Ally so she can return to Jesse." Sheila said.

Ally got up to leave. Savannah didn't let go of her hand.

Sheila and Ally looked at each other.

Ally bent down and kissed Savannah on the cheek.

Savannah released her hand.

Sheila took Savannah's hand and lay next to her. She told her to go back to sleep.

Savannah experienced a few nightmares, but Ally and later Sheila, both reassured her until she fell back asleep each time.

Sheila noticed Savannah 'check her out'. She made sure Savannah saw plenty. It wasn't hard to do and she was used to it. Nudity didn't bother her or any of the Terminators.

Savannah awoke often. She took in Sheila's tight and trim figure. She was able to see her left breast with the nipple ring. She wanted to touch both of them very much but she refrained. She thought it felt very comforting to not be 'alone'. It was nice to have someone in the bed with her, even if they were just there. Nothing needed to happen. It was just two individuals close to each other. It reminded her of all the times Cameron would come to her room and lay down next to her until she fell asleep. She always remembered the smile on Cameron's face right before she drifted off.

There was a lot on Cameron's mind as she neared the Young residence. Many of the thoughts made her question everything. It was too late to change some of the things. Maybe she could still direct others. Maybe she couldn't.

Cameron parked in front. Hanna opened the door for them to enter. Claire was right there when the front door opened.

"Cameron!" Claire said as a smile exploded across her face.

Cameron was a little surprised to see her inside the house still.

"Yes. Hello, Claire" Cameron said. "I've come to check on OUR three girls."

Claire looked in the direction of the Detail house next door.

"They're all in the bunker next door." Claire said. "I didn't even know it was there."

Cameron tilted her head slightly. She didn't like the fact Claire was all alone. What if something happened?

"Why aren't you there as well?" Cameron asked. "I want you there."

Claire learned about the future from Allison. It bothered her somewhat to know she didn't survive long after Judgment Day. It sickened her to know what happened to Allison in her 'absence'. It was every mother's worst nightmare for their daughter.

"They're the ones who matter." Claire said. "I understand the future. I know I'm not in it."

Claire's statement disturbed Cameron more than a little. She wanted to make her position clear. Her new plans included Claire. Claire was important for the future.

"Allison wants you in it." Cameron said. "I want you in it."

Claire brought her right hand up and placed it between her neck and her breasts as she drew in her breath slightly.

"You do?" Claire asked.

Cameron smiled at Claire.

"Yes." Cameron said. "You're important to everyone, including me."

Claire felt something surge inside of her.

"I am?" Claire asked.

Cameron gently touched Claire's cheek.

"Yes." Cameron said.

It meant a lot to Claire to hear. She didn't want to ask about something else, but she needed to.

"Is it only in case Allison can't have a child?" Claire asked. "I heard about Vanna's loss and Jesse wasn't doing very well."

Cameron felt she was known for having a heavy hand. She didn't think she did and wanted to make her position clear to Claire.

"I can't ask you to do anything you don't want to do." Cameron said. "You have three daughters to raise and protect. Any choices to be made will be made by you, not by me."

Cameron saw the look on Claire's face. She knew what it meant. Claire was worried about something else. She knew Claire was still worried she would take Young Allison and Summer away from her. It was true she thought about doing it more than a few times. She also knew Savannah and Sarah would never stand for it.

"I won't take any of them away from you, Claire, ever." Cameron said. "I promise. I won't take your children away from you."

Claire was sorry she thought so. She watched Cameron before, it looked like Cameron was going to take them more than once. She might even be killed to allow it to happen. She wanted to offer Cameron something else and the use of her body.

"Cameron, I can carry a child for Allison if she needs me to, or..." Claire started and then paused. "I can have another one of my 'own', not with Paul. I will give it to you as your own."

Cameron knew what she meant. It would be John's baby for HER. She didn't say anything at first. She couldn't say anything at first.

The two held a long look.

Cameron knew what Claire really said. Claire was willing to mate with John and give her the baby as her own child. It was everything she wanted. She wanted them to use the traditional method too when they did. Claire would become an additional 'backup' for John to protect him from the anti-Metal group. They were out there. She dealt with them earlier. They hated her for no reason. She didn't do anything to them. Why would they take it out on John? He was trying to help all of them. She needed to refocus.

She moved close and held Claire in a long embrace. It was an option she could exploit at any time. She didn't want to rush the breakup of Claire's marriage yet. She needed to think about Allison, both of them, and Summer.

"Thank You, Claire." Cameron said. "PLEASE live your life for now as you have. Your daughter's need both of their parents."

Claire understood what Cameron meant. She felt her marriage was on shaky ground. Paul never once was able to make her 'finish' when they shared. She always needed to wait until he fell asleep and then 'finish' herself off. It was very dissatisfying to her. She wanted to make sure Cameron understood how far she was willing to go.

"If Judgment Day comes, Cameron…." Claire said and paused. "I'll do what you want as well to protect John, the future, and my daughters. I'm still a young woman myself. I have a lot to give. I'm not afraid to embrace the future with YOU."

Cameron was exhilarated. She also didn't want to hasten a breakup, or worse, a divorce.

"PLEASE." Cameron said. "Keep the life you have for now. I appreciate what you're saying to me. It means a great deal to me. Now let's go join OUR girls and see how everyone is doing. Next time I want you protected as well. You are important to me"

Claire kissed Cameron on the cheek. Her eyes were wide and teary. There were a million emotions running through her mind.

"I'll do as you ask or instruct me, Cameron." Claire said. "I'll do anything you want me to do and how you want it done."

It was everything Cameron wanted to hear.

"Thank You." Cameron said and returned a kiss to Claire's cheek.

Cameron took Claire to the bunker in the Detail house.

Claire just offered Cameron everything she wanted and then some…. The best part was, Claire was ready to act now, or at any point going forward. It was something the others seemed reluctant to do. She figured it was because Claire actually possessed more 'hands on' experience than the other ones did when it came to dealing with a male. She sure hoped when the time came, John would be able to deliver. If he didn't, she would. She wasn't about to lose such a valuable asset.

Earlier:

Camille and Summer headed back to Cameron's base after the operation was over.

Both of them were in the process of Resequencing their sheaths. Camille would look like Allison. Summer would look like a teenage Summer. Human Summer was young still.

"I know what my assignment will be." Camille said.

Summer was a little unsure about hers.

"I'm not sure what will happen." Summer said.

They both ran Cameron's program. They both knew as 'Cameron' she was very conflicted about what to do and when sometimes.

"Nobody knows what she'll do." Camille said. "Not even us, and we're her."

"I think…." Summer started.

'Boom!'

There was a loud explosive type noise.

Camille was driving. The vehicle swerved a little.

"We just experienced a 'blowout' on the left front tire." Camille said.

She pulled over to the curb.

They got out to look at it. The sidewall was blown out.

"We can change the tire or acquire a new vehicle." Summer said.

There was no vehicle close by. There was little traffic on the street.

A pickup truck passed by them. It slowed and then stopped. It began to back up.

"It looks like our vehicle problem may be solved." Camille said.

Summer didn't think so. She was able to catch a glimpse of its occupants as it passed.

"It will be someone who wants to 'help' two females in distress." Summer said. "They will most likely 'hit' on us and hope to use our sheaths for sex. We both know how it works out for Cameron."

Camille didn't like the idea.

"I plan to remain a virgin until John needs to use my chassis as 'Cameron'." Camille said.

Summer was programmed the same way.

"It's my choice as well." Summer said. "We're to be untouched by a male until John needs us. He is to have our purity."

Camille knew there was no restriction for female encounters.

"We may be with as many females as we desire." Camille said. "I think it will be beautiful."

Summer smiled.

"It's something to look forward to." Summer said. "I don't want to violate Cameron's directives with males."

The truck stopped right in front of their SUV.

Two men got out. They were both a little seedy looking. They each swayed a little and held a can of beer. They both took a few sips. It was clear they were inebriated.

"Do you gals need a little help?" The first man asked.

Camille and Summer didn't like the way the men looked at them. It made them feel very uncomfortable.

Summer didn't want to escalate the situation.

"We're fine thank you." Summer said. "You may continue with your affairs."

The two men looked at each other. They drank a little more beer.

"You don't need to be rude about it." The second man said.

Camille and Summer looked at each other. How was the answer rude? It was very cordial, and reminded them what they could do instead.

"We can fix your tire. Then we can all go for a few drinks." The first man said. "Maybe we can have a good time later on."

Summer didn't like the forwardness. She wanted to make her position perfectly clear.

"I do not wish to have relations with a male." Summer said. "I will remain pure. We're fine."

The two men looked at each other.

"Does it mean you never have?" The second man asked.

Summer didn't see it as a problem. She was only recently activated.

"Yes." Summer said.

Her answer seemed to excite the men more.

"Is it 'yes' you have, or 'yes' you never have been with anyone?" The first man asked.

It looked like it was going to turn into a problem for the girls. They wanted the men to leave.

"We have everything under control." Camille said. "Thank you for your assistance. You may leave now."

Summer brought out the spare tire from the back of the SUV.

The men looked at them.

"You need a jack and a lug wrench to change a tire." The first man said.

Camille reached down and started to unscrew the lug nuts by hand. She removed three of them and loosened two more by a few turns.

The second man couldn't believe what he saw.

"What?" The second man asked. "Those are way too loose. You're lucky you didn't have an accident."

Summer reached down and put her hand under the side of the SUV. She lifted the entire left side off of the ground by several inches.

Both men took a step back. What they looked at was impossible.

"How can you lift it?" The first man asked. "The SUV weighs two tons."

Summer glared at them.

"I can do it with style." Summer said.

Camille finished removing the last two lug nuts by hand and pulled off the flat tire. She put the spare on and quickly put the lug nuts back on. Once they were snug, Summer set the side of the SUV down and Camille tightened them all the way down. There was a loud squeak as each one tightened.

The men were speechless.

They both looked at the can of beer they held.

"I need to lay off this stuff." The second man said.

He threw the can of beer in the bushes alongside the road.

The first man did the same thing.

"Maybe you'd better drive." The first man said.

Summer and Camille got back in the SUV.

"Thanks anyway." Summer said as they pulled away from the curb and left the men behind.

They could see the two men still standing in the street as they left the area. It seemed as if they were unsure if either of them should drive at this point. They continued back towards Cameron's base.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

You Have To Practice Every Day

Each day starts anew
Life has many paths to follow
Some are clearly marked
Many others turn out hollow

There are many directions
From which to choose
Sometimes we win
More often we lose

To better ourselves
Is for what we must strive
There is much more to life
Than simply being alive

Use inner strength and try harder
Be the one that is the best
One should be proud of what they do
For each day in life is an endless test

Time has seemed to prove
What many people have come to say
If you want to be good at anything
You have to practice every day

Nobody