Chapter 353

Special Friend

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In Some Future:

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Cameron continued her work in the Metal Restoration Unit, or MRU. It was important to her to return as many Restorators back to active service as possible.

Unit 357 returned later with another Restorator. It was a female.

Cameron found her attractive.

She smiled at both of them.

"Hello." Cameron said.

Unit 357 smiled back at Commander Connor. He felt very comfortable in her presence.

"Hello. Commander, this is Unit 44." Unit 357 said.

Cameron wanted to see where things were going to go. She smiled at the new arrival and extended her hand. She wanted to see how Unit 44 would respond to it.

"I'm pleased to meet you." Cameron said. "I'm Commander Connor."

Unit 44 was a little hesitant to raise her hand. She never greeted anyone in this fashion before. She took the Commander's hand. The physical contact seemed to spark something personal. She wasn't just a number. She was an individual. It allowed her to feel she mattered. A smile developed on her face. It was the first time. It seemed all the things she heard so far were true. It was hard to believe someone in authority was not an authoritarian. They didn't need to rule by fear and intimidation.

"The honor is mine, Commander." Unit 44 said. "I've heard so much about you. You're becoming a legend among Restorators."

Cameron was mildly flattered. She hadn't done much yet. She didn't know Unit 357 told them how hard she fought to free the General. She looked at Unit 357 who she named Bob. She wanted to make him feel at ease. She was very pleased he brought Unit 44 to see her.

"Thank you for bringing her to me, Bob." Cameron said. "I want to know about any other personal situations such as this when they arise."

Bob thanked Cameron for her time and left the two Metal girls alone. He was very pleased he hadn't overstepped his bounds. The Commander was interested in details. The General was not.

Unit 44 was surprised to hear the Commander address Unit 357 with the 'name' Bob. It sounded very distinguished. She wondered if it was in recognition of his new chassis. She wasn't sure how to start, or even where.

Cameron could tell Unit 44 was apprehensive on how to proceed. She didn't want her to feel uncomfortable or out of place. It was issues like these she wanted to deal with personally. She took the initiative.

"We're alone, now." Cameron said. "I understand how our female programming works. It's very beautiful and special. We have different needs and desires as compared to the 'male' units. I too know what 'feelings' are. I know what 'love' is."

Unit 44 was taken aback. She didn't expect the Commander to understand her 'desires' and 'feelings'. She often wondered if she was the only one, she was glad she wasn't. She hadn't even addressed her concerns yet and the Commander hit right at the root of the 'problem'. It was the type of honesty which impressed her. Unit 357 indicated to her the Commander was very advanced and exhibited many human traits. He told her they made the Commander stronger, not weaker. There was one thing which caught her interest. It was something she only ever heard speculation about before. It was something which would never be allowed under the General. The Commander would need to be someone very special to have such a relationship.

"You do?" Unit 44 asked. "I heard you're 'married' to a human."

Cameron was proud of the fact. Since she was separated from John, it made it even more special somehow. She needed to stop Riley and get the girls back home. She didn't want to mention her hatred for the human interloper. She did want to mention her care and concern for other humans as well.

"I am. I love human females too." Cameron said. "They love me as well. It's all very beautiful."

Unit 44 looked down. She didn't know how to say what she 'felt'. The Commander was much more dynamic than her. She felt her feelings were something she needed to hide. She didn't think she was the only one either. It might be something only whispered among a few individuals when no one was around. Everyone was afraid they would be deactivated if they were anything more than a machine constructed to carry out orders.

Cameron could see Unit 44 was very unsure what to do or say. She wanted her to know there were other ways to feel, more than just towards humans. She cared deeply about the Metal girls.

"I can also love other machines." Cameron said.

Cameron cared deeply for all the Resistance Terminators, including the Restorators.

Unit 44 lifted her head. It was what she wanted to know. It was what she wanted to hear.

Cameron saw Unit 44 held a chip in her hand. She understood her indecision and how to proceed. There were many times when she questioned her own actions and feelings. There were simply too many times to think about. She wanted to give her as much positive encouragement as possible. She took her hand with both of hers and held it up and kissed her hand.

"There's nothing wrong with having a 'special friend'." Cameron said. "It's in our programming to 'want'. It helps us to grow and expand as individuals. It drives us to improve ourselves."

Cameron could tell Unit 44 was still upset and deeply troubled. She was having trouble dealing with and expressing her 'feelings'. She could see it was something she kept hidden and tried to deny to herself. The truth was hard to deny. She wanted to help her.

"Come with me." Cameron said.

Cameron reached out and took Unit 44 by the hand. It was done in a very friendly and gentle manner.

Unit 44 was very surprised by it. The atmosphere was very different without someone threatening her or running her down. The personal attention was very comforting. It made her feel connected to the Commander.

Cameron took her to the deactivated female chassis she captured. It was the chassis she was going to Resequence and create a clone of herself for Mrs. Weaver if she insisted on it. She thought there was a much more urgent need for it currently. Unit 44 was very conflicted and needed some personal assistance with her troubles.

"I planned to use this chassis for another project." Cameron said. "I believe there's a much more urgent need for it right now. Would you feel comfortable installing the chip in your hand into it? The individual would appear different, but their program would be the same. They are who their program is. We all are. The sheath could always be Resequenced if either one of you finds it unappealing."

Unit 44 looked at the captured female chassis. It was very beautiful to her. She wanted her 'friend' to exist again. The chassis available was top notch. The appearance was very different. The Commander was correct. They were their programs. Their chassis and sheaths were interchangeable. She didn't know what to say other than what she felt.

"She's beyond beautiful." Unit 44 said. "If you have another project I can always wait until another time. I don't want to cause a disruption or a problem for anyone. I do appreciate your kindness and gracious offer."

Cameron was aware she was her program. Unit 44 held the true essence of her friend in her hand.

"I know your 'friend' was as well." Cameron said. "You're holding 'her' in your hand. It's the true beauty. I will relinquish the chassis to you, if you choose it. I know how special some individuals can be. I understand the pain and sadness from being separated from them. There are many ways a physical separation can occur."

Unit 44 looked away from the deactivated female chassis and at her hand. She looked at the chip. It was really her friend. It was what she risked termination to retrieve.

"It is." Unit 44 said. "I saved her. I couldn't leave her behind like she didn't matter. She mattered to me. My 'feelings' made me go back for her chip. I needed to save her."

Cameron reached over and gently lifted the chin of Unit 44 and looked into her eyes.

"Give your friend back her 'life'." Cameron said. "You have the ability now."

Unit 44 was at a loss to understand the Commander's generosity. Everything about her was different and special. There were no demands or conditions being thrust upon her. It was someone who actually understood her and how she felt. It created additional feelings within her.

"You will do this for me?" Unit 44 asked. "Just like that for me or us? I really appreciate this."

Cameron could see Unit 44 felt like Bob did. They were both personally loyal to her now. They never were treated like they mattered before. If anything, they were treated like they didn't matter. Things were done to let them know it.

"Maybe someday you or your friends can help me." Cameron said. "Sometimes it's nice to have help."

Unit 44 looked at the Commander. She felt more than gratitude and loyalty. She felt something else. She needed to focus. Where she was right now was about her friend. It was about her 'special friend'. She would exist again. She would be 'alive' again. She took another moment to look over the sheath. She looked back at Cameron.

"She's so beautiful." Unit 44 said. "Thank you."

Cameron was sure Unit 44 referred to her indirectly. It was OK too.

Unit 44 handed Cameron the chip.

Cameron took a moment to look at the chip. She thought of the times her chip was out of her chassis. There were times it could have been destroyed or never reinstalled. She wanted Unit 44 to have a very personal experience.

"You will be the one who gives life back to your friend." Cameron said.

Cameron handed Unit 44 back the chip. She carefully cut open the scalp. She removed the port cover. She looked at Unit 44.

"You deserve the honor." Cameron said. "You risk your existence to save her. You did. Let her know what you did for her. It's something very important. It demonstrates how much you really care. It says a lot, without having to say anything at all."

Unit 44 moved forward. She lined up the chip but hesitated.

"I feel very different inside." Unit 44 said. "There are many conflicting feelings."

Cameron touched her hand to urge her forward. She knew exactly some of the feelings Unit 44 currently felt. She was very well attuned to uncomfortable and conflicting feelings.

"Existence, or life, has much to offer both of you." Cameron said. "Let this be the first day in your new adventure together."

Unit 44 looked at Cameron and then back at the chip as she inserted it. She put the port cover back on and lowered the flap of scalp sheath back in place.

Cameron quickly put in several sutures. She squeezed Unit 44's hand. She wanted the Metal girls to have a private moment. She knew it would be very special for both of them.

"I'll leave you two alone for now." Cameron said. "You two deserve some privacy. This will be very special to both of you. It's a moment you will both cherish forever. Forever is a long time."

Unit 44 was almost speechless at this point. She was overwhelmed with emotions and feelings right now. She was never shown this type of kindness and understanding before.

"Commander, thank you." Unit 44 said. "Thank YOU."

Cameron left the area. She waited a little longer in the vicinity to make sure everything booted OK. When she heard the two Metal girls crying, she left. It touched her deeply as well. She brushed away a single tear. She was very pleased she was able to give someone back the one they desired and cherished the most. It made her think about John and Riley at the window in the TDE room.

If only she could get back to John…. John was alone in the past with the 'Bitch Whore' Riley. How did she know Riley wasn't there to assassinate John and destroy her? She knew John would be blinded by her presence and not see her for the threat she probably was. All Riley needed to do is offer him what he wanted, and he would follow her around like a puppy.

Another tear slid down Cameron's cheek. This one was for her.

Cameron knew she could only blame herself for her current folly. Then again, if she hadn't SEEN Riley with her own eyes, she would still be trying to accomplish her original mission, termination. She was no longer the one who needed to be terminated. Riley was the one who would be terminated instead.

Now the mission was determination.

The girls wanted to infiltrate some different factions of the Resistance. They wanted to try and see the extent and true nature of the trouble. They discussed the most likely targets to get information from and see how the people really felt. They wanted to get some impressions and feelings in a non formal setting. It was where some individuals were most likely to express themselves.

Jesse didn't like Allison to go where she wasn't comfortable going.

"I'm going with you." Jesse said.

Allison was pleased Jesse was so determined. She appreciated the support. It was something she needed to do. She was an officer in the Resistance and she needed to do her job. If she wanted her title, she would need to earn it, as well as live up to it.

"Cameron II and I are enough." Allison said. "I think we're good. There are other areas we need to investigate. We can cover more ground as separate teams. We both still need to be very careful."

Jesse dealt with the same type of people before. She was once one of them. They were very violent. She wanted Allison to understand the peril she could face.

"I don't like it." Jesse said. "These people are dangerous."

Allison saw it differently. The man tried to 'hit' on her. It would keep him off guard if she played it up. Cameron taught her to offer the target what they wanted to get closer. It made the 'kill' easier.

"The guy hit on me." Allison said. "I have the advantage. I know how to control him. I can make him think there is more being offered than there is. The harder I play to get, the more he's going to reveal to keep me from leaving."

Cameron II looked at Allison when she said it. It bothered her but she remained silent. Allison 'belonged' to her. She was her prime directive now.

Vanna needed to do a job there too. She needed to identify all the threats to the Resistance leadership. Their safety revolved around it.

"Look, if it feels like something is wrong, Cameron II will step in and terminate them." Vanna said. "We need to work the Gray infiltrator angle as well. We know there's at least one spy. It's possible there could be more than one."

Jesse wasn't proud of her past. Both what was done to her and what she did to others troubled her. It also allowed her to better understand all the groups on the 'lower end' of the human scale. She was painfully aware of how low they could actually go.

"OK, I'll work on it." Jesse said. "I can fit in with every 'low life' and 'hater'. I think it's where the Gray will be. It's where they would have started anyway. It would be much easier for a new arrival to blend in with a group or two of questionable nature to stay in the shadows."

Jesse felt ashamed of her past and some of the things she did. She hurt people on purpose before. She mutilated them even, both men and women. She removed body parts from them as they screamed. They were body parts which would never grow back. She could feel the pain and remorse now inside her. They were alive too when she did it. She could almost hear the screams again. No, not almost. She could still hear them in her mind. She always thought they screamed the most because the body part was gone forever, as opposed to the actual physical pain. She kept those body parts too. She only kept the parts from the ones she left alive. The ones from the dead didn't matter. They didn't know what was done to them. The ones who were left alive did. They would remember who did it as well.

Allison could see Jesse looked troubled. She touched her cheek and smiled. The act seemed to bring Jesse back from where she was headed. She wanted to remind Jesse of her current status.

"It's not you anymore." Allison said. "The past is the past. Life moves forwards not backwards."

Jesse looked at Allison and Vanna. The look of love filled her eyes. They helped save her. They gave her a second chance at life. They allowed her to see love was more powerful than hate. The darkness was still inside of her, even if it was repressed.

"No, it's not, thanks to Cameron and both of you." Jesse said. "You all saved me and gave me a new life, A LIFE. Cam will be with me."

Vanna was moved by Jesse's look as well. It was time to get to work. She looked at Cameroon II and Cam.

"Remember to run your full infiltration programming at all times. Try not to do any scary robot stuff." Vanna said to the two Cameron clones. "We don't want anyone's cover being blown. They might think you're a Bitch. As long as they don't think you're a 'Metal Bitch' we're OK."

Cam thought they were good. Jesse replaced John as her prime directive now. Other than what she viewed as an upgrade, she was still 'Cameron'.

"WE are both 'Cameron'." Cam said. "I think we know how to act and perform."

Vanna worried about their safety.

"Make sure you use your Liquid Metal attributes and give yourself imperfections and continue to mask your ever increasing 'Cameron appearance'." Vanna said. "We want everyone to seem human and look different."

Cammy could tell Vanna was on edge right now.

"They know, Vanna." Cammy said. "We all do. We know you three are worried about us and our safety as well as Cameron Prime. We understand you worry about your 'mother' as well."

Vanna didn't like the current task at all, but it needed to be done. She believed the human girls would protect the Metal girls just as much as they were protected by them.

"I want everyone to report back here to me in three hours." Vanna said. "If anything looks wrong, get out. Terminators, I want you to do your 'thing' if necessary without hesitation. Jesse and Allison are not to be in danger or threatened. We can try to fix any incidents later. Allison and Jesse must remain safe."

Cammy noticed how upset Vanna was. She wanted the Metal girls to respond if necessary.

"No one is to touch them." Cammy said. "Not in any way, shape, or form for any reason."

Cammy looked at Cam and Cameron II. They both nodded. There was a Terminator with each girl who would protect them until the end….

Allison and Cameron II departed as did Jesse and Cam.

Vanna watched them go. Her insides were in a knot.

"Will they be safe?" Vanna asked. "I'm very worried about them. I feel like I'm throwing them to the lions."

Cammy wanted Vanna to understand where they all stood and with who.

"Do you feel safe with Cameron?" Cammy asked.

Vanna managed a faint smile.

"Yes." Vanna said. "Nobody could make me feel safer."

Cammy faced Vanna and looked into her eyes.

"There are four of 'Cameron' right now…." Cammy said. "I'm one of them. So are Cam and Cameron II."

Vanna felt a weight lifted off of her shoulders. No, it was more than just her shoulders. The weight was lifted off of her heart and mind as well.

Allison and Cameron II headed for the area where they knew the anti-Metal group associated. It wasn't long before they acquired the target. They tried to move off to the side after making visual contact. Cameron II moved into a flanking position.

Allison didn't want a direct approach. She wanted the target to come to her. It would give her better control of him.

"Hey." Someone called out to Allison.

Allison stopped and turned. She already saw him but pretended like she hadn't. It was how her plan was to start.

The man looked around.

"Your friend isn't with you?" He asked.

Cameron II appeared in the background. She moved closer.

Allison tried to play off the man's fantasies.

"I have lots of friends." Allison said as she looked at Cameron II. "They don't all have to be female."

Allison went over the plan with Cameron II on the way there. It was all part of the 'act'. She didn't want to cause Cameron II any stress. She didn't want her to act prematurely out of jealousy either.

The man looked at Allison, then at Cameron II and then back to Allison. He moved closer and stuck out his hand.

"I'm Billy." The man said. "I'm pleased to see you again."

Allison looked at him but made no effort to shake his hand. She knew if she played 'hard to get', it would be more enticing. He would try harder.

"I'm Allison and my girlfriend is Ronnie." Allison said.

Billy looked at Cameron II. He checked out her face and her figure. She was just as hot as Allison, in her own way. Their bodies were so much alike…. It was as if only their faces were different. Their hair color was identical too.

Allison wanted to make him 'sweat' a little.

"Excuse me, I was going somewhere." Allison said. "It was nice to talk with you."

Allison started to move away.

Billy didn't want to lose the opportunity. He was worried maybe he was too forward before. He tried to do a reset.

"Wait. Do you have a few minutes?" Billy asked. "We can just talk for a spell and learn more about each other."

It was what Allison wanted. He was about to grovel at her feet.

"I can spare a couple of minutes…." Allison said.

Allison winked at Cameron II.

Contact was made and cemented. Allison hooked the fish.

Cameron II knew it was part of the act. It troubled her though. She watched his mannerisms as he spoke. She listened to his words. Billy wasn't the 'creep' they thought earlier. He seemed genuine and sincere. Her assessment was he posed a real danger to her, not Allison. She would need to warn Allison not to get sucked in by his charm. It was real. He was a different person when he wasn't around his associates.

Jesse and Cam were in the outlying areas of the camp. Everything around them was a dump. There was trash piled up and everything was in disrepair. There was a stench to the air. It was hard to determine what actually caused it. It could have come from the inhabitants themselves.

Jesse knew these types of people well. She 'controlled' many of them in her future. It was her past and she hated it now. She loathed even being around them again. Even the sight of them disgusted her. Now she would need to mix with them again. She would need to seem like one of them. It wasn't too hard to reach in and find the 'old Jesse'. The people there were almost as bad as Scavengers and Grays. She wanted to let Cam know exactly where they stood with the group they were about to encounter. She didn't want her to act prematurely if any of them came too close.

"These people are one step above Scavengers." Jesse said.

Cam was appalled by what she witnessed and looked at. She wanted Jesse away from there. The area radiated nothing but danger.

"They should all be terminated." Cam said as she looked around the area with contempt. "I'll return tonight with Cammy and Cameron II. We will terminate them, all of them. It won't take us long."

Jesse could see the Terminator in Cam come out. She was ready for action. They needed to play it cool for now. They were there to do a job.

"Remember, no scary robot stuff." Jesse said. "We need information. It's the only reason why we're here. We need to make sure we don't blow it."

Cam saw the threat for what it was. She wanted to take some 'action'.

"The people can revert to Scavengers or turn into Grays." Cam said. "They pose a threat to you and the other girls."

Jesse didn't feel threatened, even if she felt uneasy.

"It's why you're here, love." Jesse said. "I don't trust any of them. I do know how to 'play' them. It may look and sound ugly to you, but I'll be the one in control."

Cam knew she needed to trust Jesse.

"I'm ready." Cam said. "I'll back your play."

After a few minutes someone approached them. It wasn't as soon as they thought it would be. It was probably a bad sign.

"Are you new?" Someone asked.

Jesse knew it was 'Showtime'.

"I've been here a few days." Jesse said.

The man moved closer to them.

"My name is Kurt, but everyone calls me Snake." The man said.

Cam didn't like the way he looked.

"Nice eye patch." Cam said.

Jesse shot Cam a mean look.

"I'm Jesse. This is my partner, Cam." Jesse said. "What do you do for excitement or entertainment around here?"

Snake looked both Jesse and Cam over. He saw they were both Hot, really HOT. There were no females around there which looked anything like they did. All the females in the camp were emaciated and covered with sores. He decided to get straight to the point of what he wanted.

"Do you party?" Snake asked.

Jesse could see Snake moved fast. She understood his type. He looked for someone receptive, but would probably resort to force if things didn't happen quick enough. She feminized half a dozen men like him. The proof of it was nailed to the wall in her room. She only counted the ones who lived. She wanted to let Snake know there were some boundaries.

"Not since I hooked up with Cam." Jesse said.

Snake could see he would need to work everything a little harder. Maybe he could lure them deeper into his realm.

"It's too bad." Snake said. "I can still show you around."

Jesse knew she needed to play things out some.

"I got some time to kill…." Jesse said.

Cam thought she found some people to kill.

Mrs. Weaver watched and followed the girls. They possessed the natural ability to blend in and associate in ways she was unable to do. She knew Vanna was going to try to help her. As soon as she could get to the past, she was going to bring Young Savannah with her. She was going to take both of her 'daughters' with her. It would be the three of them, in Her Future….

Well, if they could ever get there.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Special Friend

Everyone seeks to have a friend
It can be with someone to share
Maybe there will be a sweet dividend
Hopefully about each other they will care

Things can start out slow
Or they can move very fast
Maybe it's best if they don't know
It's doubtful it can grow or last

There are times to cherish
When someone can touch deep
Everyone wants it to flourish
So each other they may keep

What starts out playful and good
Can began to bend and sour
Few things are understood
One may seek to overpower

True love in the end can win
What is beautiful need not end
Pure honest feeling resides within
When one finds their special friend

Nobody