Chapter 331

Strike Force

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In Some Future:

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Events Pick up From Chapter 308

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Cameron was notified Mrs. Weaver just received new information about Skynet. She decided to head off in the direction it was located to find out what it was. She believed it was important if she got a first hand look at what was going on. Based upon the unprofessionalism of her early encounter with the Resistance forces, she didn't believe the reporting would be accurate. She wouldn't mind delivering a little 'hands on' reciprocation as well. The enemy was Skynet. It needed to be combated in every arena it was encountered. It was time to work with Mrs. Weaver.

"General Weaver, what are your latest plans?" Cameron asked.

Mrs. Weaver looked evenly at Cameron. She could see her words were genuine. It pleased her. She was aware Cameron was a powerful ally. She knew Cameron wanted to leave where they were at, as much as she did. There was no reason they couldn't work together. Well, at least for now.

"There's new Skynet activity starting to develop, Commander." Mrs. Weaver said.

Cameron hadn't liked what she witnessed and encountered so far. She knew action was needed. She didn't feel confident in the leadership or troops she experienced so far. She thought of the best way to deal with it. It was what she always did anyway.

"I will lead the assault to destroy it." Cameron said.

Mrs. Weaver was pleased at Cameron's level of commitment. She didn't feel so alone now. Her Restorators did their jobs. They often didn't do more than they were instructed to do. They weren't motivated. Cameron and the girls were different. She worked with both Vanna and Allison before. She believed they were several levels above all of the other humans she encountered. There were others there now she could trust. Trust wasn't easy on her part. Maybe it's because of the way she operated. Others didn't always trust her. There would be no hidden agenda on their part. Vanna was as good as her word on a personal level. She believed Vanna would always watch her back. She might back Cameron if there was some type of altercation, but she was sure she would express her feelings to Cameron first. She also wanted to deal with a few more things personally. There was an opportunity for her to do more as well. It didn't necessarily need to be as General Weaver. The situation would determine her appearance.

"I'll accompany you." Mrs. Weaver said. "Since Vanna and the girls are here with your clones, I can have more freedom to operate and change things the way I want them. I trust Colonel Weaver to carry out my orders."

Cameron was pleased to see Mrs. Weaver's trust in Vanna. She experienced the same trust herself in all of the girls. Each one of them was as good as their word. She worked with Mrs. Weaver before. They may have different agendas, but they also worked together for a common goal. It was something she could still do. Skynet was the enemy and threat in any timeline.

"I'll instruct the girls and my clones to do what you request in your our absence." Cameron said. "General, I want to cooperate with you and for us to trust each other. You also need to know Vanna will do the 'right thing' if it comes up. You need to accept it. If she has a problem with something, she will let you know and tell you why. It's my advice to always listen to her. The girls can see things differently than we can sometimes. Their assessment is often the better choice."

Mrs. Weaver looked around and then at Cameron. Events seemed to play out better than she ever anticipated. She wanted to defeat their common enemy as well. She still had a personal score to settle in her future with the Skynet there. She didn't believe every trace of it was destroyed. She turned her attention back to Cameron. She decided to make things a little more personal when they were alone.

"I want the same thing, Cameron." Mrs. Weaver said. "We can do a lot together. We have before, we will again."

Cameron took note of the fact Mrs. Weaver used her first name, not Mrs. Connor, or her new rank as 'Commander'. It looked like they could fight Skynet there together. There was one underlying goal Cameron wanted out of it all. She wanted to make sure Mrs. Weaver understood it completely.

"General, I want to smash Skynet and deal with the Scavengers as much as you do. I need to find a way home to my husband, John." Cameron said. "I won't let anything stop me from returning home with the girls. I will be with my husband again."

Mrs. Weaver's face remained expressionless.

"Which one?" Mrs. Weaver asked.

Cameron tilted her head slightly.

"Which one?" Cameron asked somewhat confused. "I'm talking about John in the past where I came from - MY husband."

Mrs. Weaver's face was still expressionless.

"What about your husband in the future?" Mrs. Weaver asked.

Cameron was stunned.

"What?" Cameron asked.

Mrs. Weaver was very direct.

"John Connor in your future, our future." Mrs. Weaver said.

Cameron didn't like the question or the implication.

"We were never married." Cameron said. "We were never even lovers."

Mrs. Weaver paused for a few seconds as she evaluated her own data.

"Are you sure about it?" Mrs. Weaver asked. "Do you know if your programming has been altered?"

Right now Cameron was NOT sure about anything….

She didn't believe Mrs. Weaver attempted to play with her mind. It was possible. It was also possible it could be a different timeline of some type. Since the future they were in was unknown, and many things were different, except for Skynet and the Scavenger problem, there could be things she didn't know. There was no way to verify any of it. Not as long as they were stuck 'in some future'.

Cameron spoke to the girls and her clones. She wanted them to offer total and honest cooperation. She also wanted them to keep their eyes open about everything going on. Her main concern was events occurring in the background. She believed it was where the real story of the state of the future they were in would be.

Vanna, now Colonel Weaver, would be 'in charge' while Mrs. Weaver was away with Cameron. She would consult with all three Cameron clones about everything happening around her to make the best decisions and plans. She would be the one who would make the final decision. She said she wouldn't throw anyone under the bus if an issue developed. She would only defer to Mrs. Weaver and Cameron.

Cameron understood things would work better when there was some type of hierarchy among their group. She spoke with Allison's clone. The clone was the first one she created. She put her in charge of the other two clones. She explained there needed to be some kind of order if an issue developed. She didn't know what it would be but she wanted to be ahead of it if it happened.

There was also a troubling event she wanted some assistance with. She took her clone aside and told her what Mrs. Weaver said about her and Future John. She asked her to do a detailed search of all of her files to see if anything turned up or appeared to have been erased. She would check herself too, but she wanted someone to devote more time to it. She wanted to check and recheck every file and then check them again. Even when things were deleted and erased, there were always 'fragments' left over.

The 'new' development was extremely troubling to her. Now she began to wonder if she was 'violated', and those files were erased. She started to glitch. What if she was a 'Metal Whore' like she heard them say behind her back? She felt even more worthless now than ever. It made her worry about how many men she was forced to service…. The thought of five at once revolted her. Wait. There was no proof of any of it either.

She needed to wonder if Mrs. Weaver said it to keep her off guard. If she did, it worked. What if it were true? She loved Future John, but he threw her way. He banished her and sent her away. He never said anything to her about it when she saw him again. He was given a chance to say it, but nothing was said. If it was true, Future John made a choice. It wasn't her. He chose Future Allison.

Now Cameron began to worry. She didn't actually give him a chance to choose. She left and heard Future John try to go after her. He did want to go after her and stop her from leaving. Future Allison stopped him. Maybe Future John was trying to keep her. Maybe Future John wanted her back. She was sure there was more to the story, her story. Maybe it was best not to know. Not knowing one way or the other was very troublesome on its own.

Cameron noted her left hand glitched even worse now.

What if Future John was her husband…?

Cameron didn't know which John she would choose now. She figured maybe the best choice would be decided for her. It could be beyond her control when it happened. It might come down to whichever timeline she could get to first. The same Allison and Savannah were in both timelines. She sadly reflected SHE was the variable. She knew she was an aberration to the 'Natural Order'.

Terrible thoughts begin to fill her mind. She remembered all the cruel and mean things people said to her, or behind her back which she heard anyway. She wondered if she was programmed as a 'Metal Whore'. Future John still loved her and wanted her if she was. She didn't think she could face John again with the 'new' information. It would be shameful to her to reveal she was with another. Maybe it would be better to try to return to Future John….

John would probably be happier with Riley anyway. It was his choice before. Why wouldn't it be again? What would be different? Why would it be different? She didn't think it could be. It was possible Future John may not actually want her either.

Cameron was ashamed of what she may have been programmed to do. She wasn't even sure why she thought of it in the first place. Maybe it never happened. Then again, maybe it did. Maybe those weren't rumors flying around behind her back. There was no proof of anything.

She thought if she was lucky, she would be terminated in combat. In fact, she decided to 'step it up' to increase the likelihood it would happen. Termination and the oblivion which followed was something to look forward to. Perhaps it was her fate.

Cameron needed to refocus. There was a job to do now. She was going to make sure it was done in the best way possible. She would personally terminate Skynet herself. It didn't matter what she needed to do, to do it.

General Weaver and Commander Connor assembled a Strike Force to carry out an attack on some recently detected Skynet activity. The force would be mostly Restorators. A few key members of the Resistance insisted on sending some human personnel. General Weaver only agreed if they were in the back up force at Cameron's urging. They were to follow her orders.

Cameron, as 'Commander Conner', explained to the Resistance leaders Restorators should take the brunt of the assault as they did in 'her part of the state'. She didn't want to say 'her future'. It was to keep human losses to a minimum. She didn't want General Weaver to repeat the same mistakes Future John did. She didn't want to either.

She explained to them machines could be rebuilt, or their programming installed in a new chassis. If humans were mangled or killed, there was no way to undo the damage.

Cameron explained in detail about events from her future, and the alternate future, but altered them to conform to her cover story, they always happened in 'another part of the state'.

Mrs. Weaver watched Cameron speak. Everyone seemed captivated as they listened to Cameron. Vanna backed up Cameron, along with everything she said and wanted.

Cameron and Mrs. Weaver departed with their force. They left Vanna and Cameron's clones in charge.

Cameron led the Strike Force with Mrs. Weaver. Most of the troops were Restorators. There were a few human officers from the Resistance.

Both Cameron and Mrs. Weaver passed themselves off as human. For Cameron it wasn't a problem. She possessed a lot of experience dealing with humans. She could emulate any of them. Mrs. Weaver's disposition made it a little harder for her, but as General Weaver, it was believable. A General always needed to be a little aloof from the troops.

Mrs. Weaver was pleased at how Cameron could interact with the Resistance leaders. It was something she found to be an annoyance. She could see it was more than Cameron's beauty which captivated the Resistance leaders. She was very personable through her years of exposure to humans. Her infiltration skills were next to none.

There were times when Mrs. Weaver assumed Cameron's form. She was able to look like Cameron, and even act like her for a few minutes. Her own personality soon crept back in and disrupted the overall effect. She did it mostly in the alternate future she first went to.

There were several objectives Mrs. Weaver wanted to accomplish. There were a few Skynet installations she wanted to enter. Cameron was with who she wanted with her. With some of the Resistance leaders along, she didn't want to get into a major battle. Cameron warned her more than once about creating human casualties, even inadvertently.

Mrs. Weaver used the main body of the Strike Force to keep any prying eyes of Skynet occupied. They would draw any Skynet attention. If Skynet sent any reinforcements it would be to where the Strike Force was currently at. It was the plan anyway.

Cameron reminded Mrs. Weaver there could be Grays, or Skynet operatives of some type, inside the Resistance base. It was something she encountered in every future she visited. It was an age old concept which went back to the beginning of time. She also understood when the enemy couldn't plant someone, they would attempt to 'buy' someone instead. It was also an age old concept which proved to be an effective strategy.

Even in the past there were other humans who worked for Skynet or Grays without knowing specifically who they worked for. They soon learned their work involved dubious ethics. They stayed on and did it anyway. It was their actions which determined their fate, not her. She merely carried out the sentence the perpetrators gave themselves by their own actions.

Scavengers were another problem. Skynet often left Scavengers untouched because they attacked the Resistance for supplies, and decimated the female population. When they got in the way of Skynet or Grays, they would be attacked and terminated.

Mrs. Weaver took out a map. She didn't need it. For any observing eyes, she wanted to make it look like it was something necessary.

"Commander, I want to go to this location." Mrs. Weaver said.

Cameron looked at the map. She understood the reason why.

"We can do it, General." Cameron said. "It isn't far."

Cameron didn't like leaving the main body of troops, but she wanted to check out every Skynet installation she could in search for materials to construct a TDE. It was paramount she returned to the past to be with John. The idea of going to Future John instead was in her mind now as well, because of what Mrs. Weaver mentioned earlier. She really wondered about it. Was it true or not? Was it an alternate future? Was it before Future John sent her away? She couldn't let herself be side tracked.

They left the main body of troops behind and were now several miles away from them. They were in 'no man's land'. It was an area disputed by the Resistance and Skynet. Skirmishes took place there from time to time. There was another danger in the area. It was Scavengers.

There was an audible 'click' noise.

Cameron and Mrs. Weaver stopped where they were.

"It wasn't me." Cameron said. "You may be on a mine."

Mrs. Weaver wasn't too worried. Explosions couldn't stop her.

"I won't be damaged." Mrs. Weaver said.

Cameron thought of the plasma mine she located before.

"It could be a plasma mine." Cameron said. "I used one earlier. It will cause some type of damage to you. The extent is unknown."

The new information was of a little more concern to Mrs. Weaver. Plasma burns could damage her since she was right on top of it.

Mrs. Weaver's other foot turned silver and went into the dirt. In a few seconds, the dirt surrounding her other foot was all moved away. The mine was exposed. Her other foot returned to normal.

"That's a big one." Mrs. Weaver said.

Cameron knelt down and looked at it. She was familiar with the type of mine. It should have exploded already.

"It's defective." Cameron said. "It was set to go off on contact, not on the release of the plunger. It's been modified by someone."

It wasn't good news for either of them.

Cameron and Mrs. Weaver deactivated the mine and opened it up. Things looked a little off.

"It was very crudely modified." Cameron said.

It did look sloppy and exhibited poor workmanship.

"You're correct." Mrs. Weaver said.

Cameron looked around in more detail. She didn't think it was the work of Skynet forces or the Resistance.

"Scavengers…." Cameron said.

They both intently searched the surrounding area with all of their Terminator abilities. They couldn't spot anything out of place.

Cameron wanted to change the playing field. She hoped to use it against whoever planted it.

"Let me reactivate it properly." Cameron said.

Mrs. Weaver was still uncomfortable about what almost happened. She wanted to verify they were alone. She knew the best way to do it. She took one more look around to make sure no one was present.

"Let me check the area real quick." Mrs. Weaver said.

Mrs. Weaver oozed into the shape of a giant snake and quickly took off.

Cameron watched her go. She then reactivated the mine.

She moved it off to the side over to the approach which seemed least likely for someone to enter the area. She wouldn't cover it over until Mrs. Weaver returned. She wanted to make sure she knew where it was and didn't trip it.

Mrs. Weaver was able to cover a lot of ground quickly as a serpent. The symbolic nature of her current form wasn't lost on her. She discussed the Bible with Mr. Ellison. She wanted his interpretation of the written words.

On the other side of the rise where she left Cameron, she spotted a concealed opening. She changed her shape to enter it.

She could hear the sound of snoring. She found it very offensive.

There were three men asleep in the darkness. There was a fourth figure as well. It was a female. She was deceased. She quickly drove her right index finger, as a spike projection, into each of the sleeping men's heads. They all died instantly.

She left the hovel and returned back to where Cameron was at. She quickly filled Cameron in on what she found. They decided to use the mine elsewhere.

They took the mine to the Scavenger's entrance and placed it inside the hidden opening. There was a strong possibility there were more of them. There were sleeping accommodations for six. She took a moment to look over the deceased female. It was evident she was terminated for more than a few days. It was also evident she was abused in the last few hours based upon what she could see.

They continued on their way and soon neared the area Mrs. Weaver wanted to check. Drone reconnaissance footage is what informed her of the remote location.

Cameron looked over the area when they arrived. She was very dissatisfied with her observation.

"There's nothing here." Cameron said.

Mrs. Weaver detected activity there previously.

"Someone did something here before." Mrs. Weaver said. "I saw an image."

The ground was eroded some after the last rain. There were footprints and work equipment marks on the ground.

"I think someone removed something from here." Cameron said.

There was a small structure there a few days ago. Now it was gone.

"The question is, was it the end of something, or the way into something underground?" Mrs. Weaver asked.

Cameron watched as Mrs. Weaver's arms turned into rods and shot into the ground like long spikes. She started a grid pattern. It was similar to what she did with a piece of rebar when she looked for Cromartie's chassis in Mr. Ellison's yard.

Mrs. Weaver's arms return to normal after a short search.

"I went down twenty five feet and could detect nothing but soil and rocks." Mrs. Weaver said.

They went back the way they came, but on a parallel route. If anyone was hidden and watching them, they could have an ambush setup, or place another mine.

There was one thing they wanted to check. It was because it was of a more personal nature. There was a crater at the Scavenger hideout, and what looked like the remains of two humans. There was a severed burnt arm, and the burnt bone of the top half of a skull. There was nothing else.

Mrs. Weaver was pleased justice was served.

"They got what they deserved." Mrs. Weaver said.

Cameron felt the same way.

"I'm positive there's going to be many more to deal with." Cameron said.

They soon rejoined with the troops. No one seemed to have missed them from the Resistance. The troops still seemed a little disorganized and sloppy. It was time to establish some order. The Strike Force headed to the second objective.

As time passed, the three Cameron clones would all assume the appearance of 'Allison/Cameron'. The girls all decided to wait until the Resequencing was complete before starting a deeper 'relationship'. It was what they all wanted including Cameron's clones. It was a further bonding experience, more like dating, but for twenty four hours a day. The question came about what to call the clones.

Vanna knew Savannah often referred to Cameron as Cammy when they were alone. It was a cute pet name only Savannah used. It was a special connection between Savannah and Cameron. She was Savannah Weaver too.

"It's easy." Vanna said. "I'm calling my girl, 'Cammy'."

Jesse sometimes referred to Cameron as Cam when they were out together. It seemed like a good choice for her now as well.

"I can call my girl, 'Cam'." Jesse said.

Allison wanted a different approach for her clone. She understood the deeper implications. Her clone was currently in charge of the other two when it came time for decision making.

"I'm going to call my girl, 'Cameron'." Allison said.

Vanna and Jesse looked confused.

Allison felt justified on several different levels. She thought an explanation was in order.

"Look, we all know Cameron is going into the past, or a different future, her future. Our clones can't go with her. They will end up fighting over John." Allison said. "If something 'happens' to Cameron, MY Cameron, or Cameron II, can be reset back to the original version of Cameron and take her place as she asked us to do. I can share with you two. I think we all understand it's going to happen anyway."

The girls could see the logic in her reasoning. Actively fighting Skynet in the future, a future, or any future, was deadly and anything could happen.

Jesse thought it sounded somewhat grim with not much of a future.

"So you don't think we're ever going home again?" Jesse asked.

Vanna wanted to point out they were the ones 'out of time'.

"We don't belong in the past. Maybe we can get back to our future. It's where we belong." Vanna said. "Savannah and Young Allison belong with John and Cameron, not us. We're disrupting the 'Natural Order' as well. We all KNOW it. We've all caused Cameron an immense amount of emotional stress because we won't do what she wants us to do, while she's still active."

Jesse would follow 'her Cameron' anyplace she went.

"As long as Cameron, I mean Cam, is my mate, I'll go anywhere or any when." Jesse said.

Allison planned to go with Vanna wherever she went. She never wanted to be separated from her true love again.

"We all will." Allison said. "I'll follow Vanna anywhere with Cammy or Cameron II."

Allison and Vanna shared a knowing look. They wanted to be together forever.

Vanna needed to point out some grim possibilities. The fact Mrs. Weaver hadn't been able to leave was in the forefront.

"We may never leave here." Vanna said. "There's still a war being fought here."

The girls were also aware there was no TDE.

Vanna and Cameron's three clones took the job of running the Resistance with the other leaders seriously.

Vanna hoped no one would challenge her or cause a problem. The Cameron clones assured her they would handle anything if it came up. She didn't doubt it at all.

They tried to make sure no more than two Terminator versions of 'Allison/Cameron' were ever seen at the same time. They always passed Cameron and her clones off as Allison's 'sister'….

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Do As You Say

Do what is necessary for your survival
It matters not if real or flirt
For what must be done
Will not damage or hurt

I am a realist
I am far away
I will do nothing
To stand in your way

I want you to be happy
To achieve a fulfilling life
Whether you are single
Or part of someone else's life

I am stuck and trapped
Prisoner of a promise
I will one day again fail
I wanted to be your goddess

Yes I may love
Care, worry, hope and feel
I do understand
You want what is real

I have what you want
You have what I need
So many applications
As through life we proceed

The only thing that HURT
Was when I was thrown away
Please do not abandon me
I will do as you say

Nobody