Chapter 338

I Swear It

Over the years, Cameron conducted extensive training and simulated combat with Savannah. She wanted to make sure Savannah was ready and protected. She wanted Savannah to learn and be able to take care of herself and be able to protect John better as well. It all protected the future.

Cameron knew what the future was for Savannah and John. It was to be what it was in her future. History was to repeat itself the same way. She set it all back into motion in her future. Everything was returned to the way it was before her arrival. The 'Natural Order' was restored. She knew she needed to establish the 'Natural Order' there as well. It may be the past for her, but it was the future for Savannah and John.

Savannah trained to become a Resistance fighter. In a very short while, under real conditions, her training was about to be tested.

Cameron knew there was no substitute for experience. She was going to make sure the experience was gained as safely as possible. The bullets would be real. They could hurt, maim, or kill.

She arrived back at the Resistance base. Everyone was geared up. It was time for action. The time for planning was over. She spotted John and headed for him.

"Hi, John." Cameron said.

John watched as Cameron approached. He really hoped to be out in the field before she found out about the mission. It appeared the cat was out of the bag. He didn't like how Cameron crimped his style and 'babied' him. He wanted to lead his troops when he could. He didn't want to listen to another sermon about how his place was behind a computer terminal sitting on his butt. He didn't agree with it. He was the General. He wanted to make his displeasure known to Cameron. He frowned as she got closer.

"Oh, you're here." John said.

Cameron didn't like John's attitude. Her disposition immediately soured. She was unable to make him understand his importance in the future. Needless risks were just needless risks. There was simply no other way to interpret it. She wondered if maybe he suffered from a mild learning disability. She wanted to make her annoyance known.

"It's not all fun and games." Cameron said. "There's serious work to do. People can get hurt. People can die."

John smirked at her. It was the same smirk he used on her when he went up the stairs after she caught him when he spent the night with Future Riley.

Cameron really didn't know what John's problem was. It seemed he always found something to pick a fight with her about. It was more about the tension in their personal relationship, rather than about actual operations. It was all very rude and unnecessary.

Tonight was supposed to be about Savannah. Cameron wasn't going to let John spoil it. She was also not going to let John endanger Savannah. Maybe John wanted to 'pop' Savannah before she got 'popped' in a different way with an enemy bullet. She would allow the former because it was John's destiny. She would not allow the latter, or for Savannah to be harmed. She would much rather take John and Savannah by the hand and lead them back to her room. She would walk them up to the bed. Give each one of them a kiss, smile at them, and leave. She didn't know how she could make anything clearer as to what needed to be done. If Savannah was going to have any blood on her, she didn't want it from a bullet hole.

Cameron took Savannah aside and went over all of her gear with her. She made sure everything was as she wanted it to be. It was. Savannah didn't miss a thing. She was still very worried about Savannah. She really would rather have them share a bed than either of them go out. If Savannah was a young mother, she would be less likely to risk her life. If Savannah was killed or severely injured protecting John on a needless operation like this, she would never forgive him. She needed to say something. Even though there were some things she wanted to happen. She still wanted it to be Savannah's choice. It was one thing Vanna always asked of her. She still needed to make her feelings known, even if it wasn't all of them.

"I don't like you doing this, Savannah." Cameron said.

Savannah was drilled and grilled on her future and all of her 'functions'. She understood the use of her body was one of them. She was ready to try it too. She looked into Cameron's eyes.

"I know, Cameron." Savannah said. "There are going to be a lot of things I NEED to do you're not going to 'like'. I'm sorry. They still need to be done. I'm going to do them. It's what you 'trained' me for. I'm ready, willing and able for everything."

Cameron and Savannah exchanged and held a long glance. They both knew she was ready for everything.

She wanted John protected. She wanted Savannah protected too. A sexual relationship with John based on love was the way to do it. Children would give both of them more pause and caution going forward. It would prevent both of them from dodging bullets needlessly.

"They MUST be done to protect John and the future." Cameron said.

Savannah noticed Cameron's hand started to glitch. She took Cameron's left hand and the glitch stopped immediately. She loved Cameron with all her heart. She would do anything for her.

"I will protect BOTH of you, Cameron." Savannah said. "I swear it."

Cameron took Savannah in her arms and held her tight.

They both wished they could be alone 'together' at least one time. They both wanted to consummate their love.

Cameron knew true love was about sacrifice. She would sacrifice her love for Savannah to have John protected. John came first. She needed to protect the future.

"Thank you, Savannah." Cameron said. "I'll protect both of you as well. We'll all protect the future 'together'…."

Savannah really wondered about it. She saw how relationships worked. It was more than just inside the Resistance base. She was pretty sure once they were together, Cameron and her would spend most of their time together, John would be worked in as an afterthought. She would still need to allow John the use of her body. It was her future function.

She promised Cameron a child of her 'own'. She intended to deliver her promise, quite literally, for Cameron. She wasn't ready to be a mother herself, but she believed Cameron was. It was a promise she made from the time when she was young. She may not have quite understood exactly how everything would work at the time. She learned soon enough. It didn't dissuade her promise in the slightest. If anything, it actually intensified it.

John watched Cameron and Savannah from a distance. He was unable to hear what was being said, but their body language said it all. There was no stopping Cameron, no matter what it cost her personally. She was going to put Savannah in his bed. He wouldn't turn her away anymore either. It was time to teach Cameron another lesson. He smiled to himself at the thought. He also adjusted his pants when no one could see him. It would be much safer for Savannah to be in his bed, than it would be to face Skynet Terminators, Grays, or the anti-Metal faction.

Bob and John Henry heard it all. They both knew Savannah would do whatever Cameron asked of her. They also both knew it was their job to facilitate it as well, and not hinder it. Cameron made it clear to everyone Savannah was the 'Chosen One'.

John Henry couldn't help but wonder if Savannah wasn't actually the one Cameron chose. He didn't believe she was the 'Chosen One' for John. He believed Savannah was the 'Chosen One' for Cameron. He didn't believe Cameron understood it yet. Maybe he didn't either. He didn't believe John would have any trouble being surrounded by human females. He did believe Cameron would never find anyone who cared for her and loved her as much as Savannah did. Well, there was Young Allison too. It was another one of Cameron's 'projects'. It wasn't his place to judge anyone. He believed the choice belonged to Savannah.

Cameron looked at Bob and John Henry. She was aware both of them were able to hear her speak with Savannah. They both nodded. She smiled at them. She walked over to where they were at. She spoke quietly but intently with both of them.

"John Henry, you are to remain with Savannah at all times, as Bob is to do with John. I'll cover both of you as needed." Cameron said. "Your chassis are their shields. Don't be afraid to use them as such. You will take whatever punishment there is and not fail. I have copies of your programs."

Bob and John Henry both stood tall. They didn't look forward to destruction but they wouldn't fail their missions. They were both assigned a very important task. Cameron actually didn't need to remind them. It is what either of them would do on any mission, and did so in the past.

"Affirmative…." Bob said.

John Henry nodded.

"We know what's important and why." John Henry said.

Both of the big Terminators knew Cameron previously took rounds for all of them. She took the damage for both humans and Terminators. She was fearless.

Since Cameron orchestrated the creation of several 'alternate' chassis identical to hers, and a spare chip, she would be even more driven in combat. She made herself invincible and eternal. It was just like Savannah always said. Duplicate Cameron even existed in the distant future if she were ever needed. There might be another Duplicate 'In some future' as well. They weren't clones or from an alternate timeline either. They were 'Cameron'.

Cameron told the others to start out and she would catch up with them soon. She wanted to talk to Vanna and Jesse before she left. It was an issue which still bothered her. She gave Vanna a clone of herself to help her. She would need to prove her love to Jesse somehow as well. She wasn't about to leave 'John's girls' in pain. They may be needed at his side one day.

If she could get them there sooner, rather than later. She wouldn't need to lean on Savannah so much. She wanted Savannah to have a choice. She wanted the decision to be made by Savannah. She knew what choice she wanted Savannah to make….

Cameron went to see Vanna first. She only hesitated a moment before she knocked and then entered the room. She knew if she waited too long, Cam would come out to see her. She spent a short time with Vanna. She was going to be OK.

She moved on to Jesse's room. She did pause before she knocked.

Gail heard Cameron outside the door in the hall. She slipped out to talk with her.

Cameron could see Gail was troubled.

"How's Jesse doing?" Cameron asked.

Gail looked back at the door to the room.

"She's not doing well." Gail said. "She blames herself for the loss. She feels responsible because her body is flawed. It's Skynet's fault, not hers. The things which happened to her, we're done by others."

Cameron was pretty sure the abuse and beatings which went with them didn't help any. Her time as a victim in several Scavenger camps was also a big negative factor. Both Vanna and Jesse were abused nonstop for days at a time when they were younger.

"What can I do to help?" Cameron asked.

Gail didn't say anything for a long moment. She looked intently at Cameron. Her eyes 'begged' her.

Cameron could tell what Gail wanted for Jesse. Gail was willing to sacrifice for the betterment of Jesse. It was the true test of love. Gail wanted her to be with Jesse.

"You know I can't do it." Cameron finally spoke. "Even if I want to share with her."

Cameron's response wasn't what Gail wanted to hear for Jesse's benefit. It was why she didn't verbalize her desire.

"I didn't say anything." Gail said.

They both knew what Gail was thinking.

Cameron did think of it herself before too. She shared with the girls before with a surrogate through Isabel. Isabel was a different sheath, with a copy of her program. Isabel shared with Vanna, Allison, and Jesse one time before her deactivation. She still possessed a copy of the encounter and events. It was something she never uploaded.

"Let's give it some time and I will think of something to help her." Cameron said. "Maybe she can return to Australia when Camille goes there."

Gail thought Camille was the next best thing. Camille only ran Cameron's program currently. Camille was a one hundred percent clone and copy of Cameron. Camille was 'Cameron'. Based upon what Cameron did previously with Isabel, she didn't think she would reject her next proposal. She wondered if maybe she could offer to allow Cameron to borrow her chassis to be with John for a few days or weeks. Somehow it seemed like the wrong time to make the offer.

"Cameron, maybe my program doesn't need to be loaded into Camille - right away…." Gail said.

Cameron and Gail shared a long look.

Cameron already considered the option. She purposely hadn't pursued it. She was afraid it would damage Gail's and Jesse's relationship. She wanted to make her concerns known. She believed it was an important issue.

"I thought about it. I don't wish to hurt you." Cameron said.

Gail loved Jesse so much she would take any 'risk' to help her 'get better'. Jesse came first to her.

"I will sacrifice anything to make Jesse well." Gail said. "I love her. I want her to heal mentally as well. There are a lot of broken parts inside of her, besides the physical ones."

Cameron was ready with a contingency for just this occasion. It just needed some refinement. Gail's willingness to sacrifice moved her. She appreciated Gail's honesty and sincerity. She hoped to keep things under wraps.

"What you've expressed is true love." Cameron said. "I need to go. You have a little more time to decide and think about it. Please keep this subject to yourself for now."

Cameron was aware Gail was the most 'Terminator like' of all the female Terminators. She technically wasn't a Terminator. She was created as a Restorator. It touched her deeply when Gail hugged her closely. She really packed a pair of breasts which just didn't quit. She wondered if maybe she could ask Gail to borrow her chassis for a few days. She would need to allow Gail to be with John one time first before she did. She didn't want to take her purity from her for her own personal benefit later on. None of the Metal girls were allowed to have relations with a male, unless it was John. They were all programmed to respond to him if he asked them to be with him. John was to be their first. There was no restriction on female encounters. Anything the girls did with each other didn't count.

Gail was pleased with everything Cameron would do for Jesse. She wanted to let her know she would do anything for her in return. It didn't matter what it was. When the time was right she would offer her chassis to Cameron. To show her appreciation to Cameron for allowing Jesse to have what she wanted, she would decline to be with John first before Cameron borrowed her chassis. She believed it would show her appreciation to Cameron more than anything else possibly could.

"Thank you, Cameron." Gail said. "You're a true friend. I'll do anything for you as well. You tell me what you want, I'll do it. It doesn't matter what it is. Please help Jesse."

Cameron left. She smiled as she went to join the operation already underway. She planned to have Camille 'do it' anyway before Gail's program was loaded in. Camille's sheath just needed a little more time to be a complete and identical copy of hers. She wanted the best for Jesse. She personally checked Camille earlier. Not everything was identical yet. She wanted to make sure Jesse got all of 'her'.

Cameron loved it when a plan came together.

Earlier:

Derek and Kyle reported for duty to go on the new mission. They were primed and ready to go.

John told them they weren't going on this mission. It was to be more of a training mission for Savannah.

When Sarah heard what it was, she wanted to go instead. She knew Savannah was trained, but being trained, and trading bullets were two different things. She felt more than obligated to go with Savannah.

"I'm going with her." Sarah said.

John didn't want it to be an issue. He felt everything was covered and arranged. He didn't like it because Cameron already barged her way into the operation. He felt very insignificant at this moment.

"Cameron, John Henry, and Bob will all be there, Mom." John said. "I'll be there too, if it matters. It doesn't seem anyone has much confidence in me anymore. I've turned out to be a real good leader."

Sarah felt very protective of Savannah. She didn't even want to think of Cameron's 'personal' plans for Savannah. Combat seemed worse because it was worse. Getting pregnant was one thing. Being shot, wounded or killed was another.

"I want her protected, John." Sarah said.

Sarah knew it was a big step for Savannah.

John was sure Cameron would 'take over' the mission.

"She will be, Mom. Cameron won't let anything happen to her or me." John said. "You know it."

Sarah was very aware Cameron took on the brunt of the fighting and combat to protect everyone. It was often at a great cost and sacrifice for Cameron. There was no doubt about Cameron's accomplishments and how far she was willing to go to protect John and the future.

"I know Cameron has kept you safe so far. It's something you should think about and appreciate." Sarah said. "You know as well as I do things could have played out differently multiple times. Even in her 'absences' she made sure there were plenty of Terminators to protect you."

John knew what Cameron planned for Savannah and him. He really didn't want to 'go there' with it right now. He was aware of 'what else' Cameron made available to him in her absences.

"I get it, Mom." John said. "I know by protecting Savannah, we're protecting more than Savannah. We are protecting the future and me. Cameron has made it clear to all of us. I don't need to hear it from you as well."

It took Sarah a long time to figure it out and accept it for the reality it was. She was sorry she ever doubted her. She wanted to remind John too.

"Cameron is right, John." Sarah said. "She's always right, never forget it. Remember, she may have done this before…."

John looked at Sarah and walked away without saying anything else. He knew they were all on Cameron's side, even his mother. He didn't disagree with them. He just wanted everyone to wait a little longer, for Savannah's sake. He at least got to experience life for a while as a teenager. His mother sacrificed greatly to allow him to do so. Savannah never got to experience it at all. It didn't make him feel good at all to think about it. She should get a little more out of life like everyone else did. He just didn't see how.

Cameron joined the operation already in progress. She took a few extra precautions since Savannah would be with them. She sent her four 'program clones' to assist. It consisted of the two male and two female Terminator clones. They were ready to back her up. With five of 'her' on an operation, things should go a little smoother. If nothing else, there would be one heck of a firefight.

Cam, currently an older program version of 'her', but still a full clone, would take John Henry's place at the server in the Command Center. Sheila was there with her.

Ally would be with Vanna in their absence. If Vanna wanted Ally to be Allison or even her, it would happen.

Cam sent two drones up and kept two ready to go. She made sure the Blackhawk was on standby and ready to respond on short notice. Nobody was going to take any chances.

They all knew Savannah was out for the first time. Everyone wanted her safe. They wanted John safe too.

The team reached the outskirts of the target area. They all silently moved into place. Everything was prearranged and they all knew where to go for the start of the operation. There were several contingency plans if it started to fall apart. If things turned bad, Cameron and her clones would hold the line at any cost. John and Savannah would get out.

Savannah was excited to be out. She was also anxious, not scared. She felt her heart beat rapidly. She trained for this. She wore full body armor and carried loaded weapons. She knew she may be shot at, shot, or have to shoot someone and kill them. She knew her training would kick in and she would do whatever was required to get the job done. Cameron and Sarah prepared her well, she hoped. No. She was sure.

Savannah currently observed everything with John Henry. She tried to keep track of everything going on and where everyone was at. There was additional information to process. There was also what the drones picked up and there were updates from Cam and Sheila which came through the com. It was additional information to factor in. A lot was happening. She thought she took it all in and was aware of everything around her.

"How's it going?"

Savannah jumped. The question took her by complete surprise. She was unaware there was now an additional person with John Henry and her.

It was Cameron.

"Where did you come from?" Savannah asked as she looked around again.

Cameron smiled at her.

"I've been here for a while." Cameron said.

Savannah wasn't as combat aware as she thought she was. She thought she should've detected Cameron at some point on her own. Then again, Cameron was the best of the best.

"You have?" Savannah asked.

Cameron nodded at John Henry.

"Yes." Cameron said. "John Henry noticed me a few minutes ago."

Cameron never ceased to awe her.

"You're like a shadow, a shadow at night." Savannah said.

Cameron thought about it. She wrote a poem about it with those same words…. It was about a different 'subject'. It was a subject she didn't want to think about right now. She let it slide and concentrated on Savannah and the job ahead.

Tonight was about Savannah experiencing the real deal. Cameron knew Savannah would do fine and her training would guide her. She never expected Savannah's combat 'cherry' to be the one 'popped' first. She really hoped it would've been the other way around. If it would have been, she probably wouldn't be where she was at right now. She couldn't let anything happen to Savannah, well, or John either.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

I Swear It

Esteem, honor, pride and worth
All make up one's character inside
The true nature of it in the end
Isn't what one can forever hide

People can fool most
For some of the time
But not everyone for long
Before it's a personal crime

When one lies to another
They steal their trust
It's the worst kind of theft
It leaves behind ashes and dust

If one can't be
Who they really are
The words of love
Will never go far

Trust in the love
Don't buckle or quit
Be honest and say
I swear it

Nobody

A Shadow At Night

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

Abandoned but trapped
In my own home
It's worse than nothing
For I can't roam

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

In my sad eyes
The bleeding tears well
Nobody can hear me scream
As 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