Chapter 371

I Promise Cameron

John Henry investigated the information related to Cameron's unknown adventure. She followed up on some of the leads and it's where they took her. There was still a lot missing. The new information he did discover was quite disturbing.

"It seems some Skynet offshoot was using the old atomic proving grounds to set up shop." John Henry said. "They figured the fear of radiation levels would keep people away."

John thought the risk of cancer was a pretty good deterrent. Then again, he saw videos of people hanging out around a reactor which melted down in an Eastern European country. He also saw the videos of people heading into the exclusion zone in an Asian island country where there was also another meltdown of a reactor. It was caused by a massive earthquake and resulting tsunami which followed.

He wondered if Cameron hit some group with a knockout blow. She could have done something to increase the radiation level dramatically in any area.

"Did Cameron use one of her nukes?" John asked.

It was the first concern John Henry checked into.

"I haven't detected their use yet." John Henry said. "The only recent nuclear activity has been in Southwest Asia and Northeast Asia."

John knew one area was motivated by theology, and the other was a maniacal dictator.

"I don't think any of those were Cameron." John said. "Were they?"

John Henry saw those areas as 'ground zero'. By their very nature, both of those regions were unstable. He believed Skynet actually used a very effective strategy.

"No." John Henry said. "Those will be some of the first networks Skynet will attack, control, and use. When the rest of the world amps up in response bringing everything online, Skynet takes control and wrecks the planet. It's a brilliant plan."

John shook his head in disgust. It was a future he hoped to prevent. There is no guarantee they would be able to do so. He wanted to keep their efforts a little closer to home.

"Nice." John said. "Let's get back to Cameron."

John Henry wanted to reassure John but also caution him on other possibilities.

"She hasn't used her four nukes yet." John Henry said. "She may have acquired more by now as well."

John sat up in his chair and faced John Henry directly. His revelation was a new major concern.

"Where would she get them?" John asked. "Why do you even say it?"

John Henry monitored what went on throughout the nation as well as the world. He was sure CamNet did as well. It would give them a heads up on various events happening through the military. Weapons systems were continually upgraded. It usually meant decommissioning the older weapons. Depending upon what those weapons were, would determine how they were dealt with and dismantled. They would usually leave a military base and end up at some type of depot. The depot was usually less heavily guarded than a military base was. It made acquisition of the weapon much easier. It may be older, but it still was functional.

"I've recently noted several nuclear weapons which were scheduled to be decommissioned, seemed to have disappeared." John Henry said. "I think Cameron may have sent her Terminators in to obtain them."

It sounded a lot like history repeating itself to John. It was a little too much like it. Somehow the idea of Cameron acquiring more nuclear weapons was disturbing. When faced with the prospect of it being Skynet, he would have preferred it was Cameron instead. It was strange how a simple matter of perspective could change the same event in a matter of seconds.

"It was what Skynet tried to do with the Nike warheads." John said. "Maybe it's Skynet. Try to get a hold of Ally or Sheila and see what they know. We don't need some rogue Skynet affiliate jumping the gun."

John was troubled by the implication of John Henry's report. He hoped it was Cameron who obtained control of the weapons. He knew the more Cameron controlled, the less Skynet could control. It was what Cameron tried to tell him all along. He just didn't want to hear it.

He needed to remember Duplicate Cameron sent Bob and Jim to a military base to retrieve a backpack nuke before. It was something Cameron could do herself at any time if she wanted to. It was probably easier just to take them from the depot. Skynet, or any illegitimate offshoot, could do the same thing.

The more John Henry looked at things, the more worrisome it became. It looked like Cameron took down something Skynet related. The way it was done actually would matter. It could have been done as Cameron, or as 'Future Allison'. He wasn't sure it was something 'Future Allison' would have attempted.

"I think Cameron may have attacked the Skynet offshoot in New Mexico." John Henry said. "I don't believe she did it as 'Allison' if she did. It could have been."

They both knew something must have happened to Cameron which made her glitch out.

"I want a team of Terminators sent there to check it out." John said. "Maybe I should go myself."

It sounded like a bad idea which just got worse to John Henry. John going there himself was bound to cause an even bigger problem. It didn't matter if there was a group of Terminators with him or not. The threat level was unknown.

"There may be high radiation levels." John Henry said. "It won't affect the Terminators. They were constructed to withstand a limited amount of very high exposure."

It wasn't something John considered before. He was worried about his mother, Cameron, and everyone else at this point. Radiation and humans didn't mix well. There could be very high radiation being spread around by Cameron everywhere she went.

"Was Cameron contaminated?" John asked. "Has she set off any alarms? What's the threat level to everyone else?"

John Henry quickly checked all the scanning devices again. There were alarms which should have sounded if the radiation levels increased. It was possible they could have been tampered with so they didn't function as intended. A quick check showed everything was operational and functioning as designed.

"No. We haven't picked up anything out of the ordinary around here." John Henry said. "We're good."

'Cameron' walked up.

John looked at her. He wasn't sure if it was Cam or Cammy or Cameron.

There was an uncomfortable silence as he contemplated the possibilities.

"Sheila said you wanted to ask me some questions." She said.

John looked at her a little further and remembered what he asked for either Ally or Sheila to do. He wanted to verify exactly who it was.

"Ally?" John asked.

Ally hoped to last a little longer as 'Cameron'. She never seemed to be able to pull it off.

"Yes, you seem surprised." Ally said. "I don't always have to look like Allison. I can look like Cameron too."

It was Ally's function to be able to replace Allison in a moment's notice. It was why she always looked like Allison, instead of Cameron. She didn't like some of the flak she received over it. She didn't think her appearance should be a big deal to anyone. Even if she looked like Allison, Allison was very beautiful just the way she was without needing to be fixed up, or need all the makeup. Her natural beauty was unmatched by most.

John couldn't help but steal a few extra glances at her. If she wanted to play 'Cameron' and show up in his room, he'd be more than glad to be 'fooled' by her. The prospect of someone 'new' in his bed excited him greatly.

Ally could see the way John looked at her. She was pretty sure what he was thinking. She doubted she would be turned away from his bed if she showed up there during one of Cameron's absences. All John needed to do was ask her. She couldn't say 'no' if he did.

John and John Henry proceeded to question her about any new nukes. She didn't know of any but would ask Cameron.

Ally was aware of the time. Her visit to the Command Center was an unintended stop. She didn't want to seem rude, but she did need to stay on schedule.

"I need to go soon." Ally said.

John wondered why Ally might try to pass herself off as 'Cameron', even if she wasn't. He wanted a further explanation. He was sure something was up. If it involved Cameron in some way, even indirectly, who knew what it could turn into?

"Where?" John asked. "Why?"

Ally couldn't answer what she didn't know. She simply followed the instructions given to her by Cameron.

"I'm going out with Cameron." Ally said. "She only told me what to wear and said to look Tight."

John was sure she was off to do some mischief of some kind.

"Do I even want to know?" John asked.

Ally wanted to shift the 'blame' back to where it belonged. It wasn't on her.

"I doubt it." Ally said. "Your best option is to forget about it, unless you LIKE to fight with Cameron."

John and John Henry questioned her about what she knew about any additional activities by Cameron. She didn't know anything.

Ally left and took off with Cammy, Vanna, and Cam in one SUV. They followed Cameron and Savannah in another one.

Earlier:

Cameron arrived back at the base after her latest adventure. She was dissatisfied with the whole encounter and the Grays who tried to ambush her. There were even more questions now than ever about the operation.

She thought about going to see John, but figured it would turn into a hassle. He always gave her a hard time about going out alone. He just couldn't understand she did it to protect everyone else. She didn't want anyone to take the risk when she could. She really didn't care for his negative attitude most of the time. She went to her room and changed. She made sure she looked Tight. She planned to spend some quality time with Savannah today.

Cameron always liked to spend time alone with Savannah. It didn't matter what they did, or if they didn't do anything at all. Just to be around Savannah was very comforting and reassuring. It usually tended to make her feel good about herself. She believed Savannah was one of the finest individuals there were, especially when it came to humans.

Cammy wasn't too happy about Cameron coming around to see Savannah. She knew Cameron would put pressure on Savannah to become pregnant. She was aware Cameron made Savannah promise her to do so since she was young. It was something she found very disturbing. She currently ran an outdated program of Cameron's, but Savannah was her top priority to take care of. Savannah replaced John in her 'Cameron' programming. Protecting Savannah meant her not getting pregnant at an early age, by ANY means. It was also why it repulsed her because Cameron placed such a burden on Savannah in the first place. She believed it was an abuse of Savannah's love and trust for Cameron.

The only one who didn't see anything wrong with what Cameron did was Cameron - Cameron Prime.

Cammy was instructed to wait with Cam, Ally, and Vanna.

Savannah wanted Cammy to help her get ready and look Tight.

Cammy received a call and needed to leave. She went out the door.

Savannah was a little worried by the sudden departure.

The door opened back up twenty seconds later. 'Cammy' was back again already.

"That was fast." Savannah said.

'Cammy' didn't say anything.

Savannah looked closer. Her face lit up and she went over to 'Cammy'.

"Hello, Cameron." Savannah said as she hugged her.

Savannah took a moment to 'feel' Cameron in her arms. It was different now since she was with Cammy. She knew exactly what it was like to hold 'Cameron' in her arms and do everything else as well. She knew exactly what everything on Cameron looked like. It also included Allison and Young Allison by extension.

Savannah's response pleased Cameron. She worried 'giving' Cammy to Savannah would lessen her love for her. Based on the reaction it hadn't. Savannah still looked at her with love in her eyes, and hopefully in her heart. All of her scans came back the same. She actually believed it increased Savannah's love for her

"I'm here to assist you." Cameron said.

Savannah liked when Cameron did. Cameron always assisted her since she was at the base, when she was around. Cameron chose all of her attire for her to wear. She told Cameron she didn't like the thong underwear. Skimpy low cut underwear replaced it. It was a good thing she used the laser or she would need to shave a lot. It didn't really matter at this point. The only hair on her body was on her head. She believed it should be the same for all females.

She wanted to play it up for Cameron. She stripped all of her clothes off until she was naked.

"Tell me where to start." Savannah said. "A fresh start is always good."

Cameron took in Savannah's natural beauty. She moistened her lips lightly. She loved Savannah dearly. To see Savannah naked with her perfect shapely form excited her greatly. Her desire to touch it was almost overpowering. Savannah was very appealing. Savannah naked was very alluring. She really liked the way Savannah's private pigmentation differed from hers.

She kept her hands to herself and went to Savannah's dresser, and then her closet. She laid out what she wanted her to wear.

Cameron watched as Savannah dressed. It was all done very sensually and with style. Savannah could be very seductive. She was sure the 'show' was for her. It made her want Savannah even more. When she thought about all of her negative interaction with John over the years, and all of her positive interaction with Savannah during the same time period, it made her desire Savannah even more.

Once Savannah was Tight they left. When they reached the carpool area, Cammy came over to join them, even though Cameron told her not to earlier.

Cameron and Cammy faced each other for a few moments. They looked identical.

"You have your assignment." Cameron said.

Cammy didn't move for a few seconds. She looked at Savannah. She silently turned and walked away.

The encounter left Savannah with a very uncomfortable feeling. She wasn't sure what exactly she just witnessed, but she knew what it looked like.

"Why couldn't Cammy ride with us?" Savannah asked. "I wanted her to."

Cameron smiled and touched Savannah's cheek. She wanted Savannah for herself. Cammy was a necessary distraction so Savannah didn't feel so alone.

"I wanted some alone time with you." Cameron said. "Just us two."

Savannah looked back once and shared a stare with Cammy before they each got into a separate SUV.

Cammy was very upset until she heard what Savannah told Cameron. Savannah wanted her to go with them. It was Cameron who was the Bitch.

Cameron drove in silence with Savannah. The mood was a little solemn.

Savannah knew Cameron was going to pressure her again. It seemed to happen a lot lately. Maybe it would be about Cammy. It was clear Cameron was jealous. Maybe she wanted to know about her sex life. She didn't want to discuss it. It would make her feel 'guilty' in front of Cameron. Every time she was with Cammy, it was 'Cameron' in her mind. Technically it actually was since Cammy ran Cameron's program, even if it was out of date.

''You know I'm not going to talk about what we do." Savannah said. "It's private."

Cameron did want to know what they did. She listened outside the room more than a few times. She decided to downplay the issue. She would put Savannah on the defensive instead.

"If I wanted to know the specifics, I'd ask Cammy." Cameron said. "I know she's still 'me' and hasn't integrated yet with her other programs."

Savannah knew it was a sensitive issue. She wanted to get ahead of it. It was her doing and she would take the heat for it. She didn't want there to be any negative repercussions, or punishment, for Cammy.

"I asked her to delay it." Savannah said. "I don't want any problems over it. It's what I want. I don't ever ask for much."

Cameron felt she made her point. She just wanted to stress it a little more.

"You know it isn't what you really have." Cameron said. "I'm right here."

Cameron and Savannah looked at each other for a long moment. Savannah wondered how Cameron could stay on the road. She then noticed her left eye looked forward and not at her.

Savannah knew Cameron was right. Cammy was her clone in every way anyway. She knew what Cameron was really after. The whole discussion was to manipulate her. She wanted to get out ahead of it.

"I can't be with John, Cameron." Savannah said. "Even if you're really there 'yourself', I won't do it to you. I can't. I can't hurt you like that. I'll have children for you, Cameron, but I will not take John from you. I refuse to do it."

Savannah felt the SUV swerve slightly and Cameron lowered her left hand from the steering wheel. She started to glitch. She looked at Savannah with both eyes now.

"You promised." Cameron said.

Savannah reached over and touched Cameron's cheek. She took her right hand and moved it off of the steering wheel. The move forced Cameron to regain her composure and use her left hand again. The glitch was gone.

"I still do. I promise to be with John and at his side, when it's necessary." Savannah said. "You are his wife. START acting like it. I will do everything I need to protect him when the time comes. I'm also going to do everything to protect you before such an event occurs."

Cameron and Savannah exchanged a long glance.

Savannah knew few people could talk to Cameron like she just did. She also knew, Cameron knew, she spoke with total honesty. Cameron could scan her if she wanted to.

Cameron smiled as the apprehension faded from her face. She knew she could count on Savannah for everything. She really appreciated the way Savannah looked out for her as well.

"Thank You, Savannah." Cameron said.

Savannah squeezed her hand and Cameron looked at her again. She wanted to reaffirm her commitment to Cameron and the future. The events would need to play out first to make it all happen. When it was time, it would happen.

"I promise, Cameron." Savannah said.

Cameron held her gaze a little longer before she returned her eyes back to the road.

As Cameron held Savannah's hand she scanned her and calculated the next 'window'.

Savannah knew what Cameron was doing right now. She held Cameron's hand even tighter and never took her eyes off of Cameron.

Savannah was ready to do anything for Cameron, except HURT her. If Cameron wanted to use her body ability, then she could. Her body could do what Cameron's couldn't. She may have been young when she made the promise to Cameron originally. She wasn't young anymore. She reaffirmed her promise many times to Cameron as she just did again. She knew exactly what it would entail. She intended to do it regardless of what anyone else thought or said. She wanted Cameron protected too.

The second SUV followed the first.

Cammy kept a constant watch on Cameron and Savannah. She thought Cameron needed to pay better attention to the road.

Ally thought the atmosphere was a little stiff. Maybe it was because Cammy looked so glum. She decided to lighten the mood.

"We look like triplets." Ally said as she looked at Cam and Cammy.

Vanna checked all of them out nonstop. It was like Heaven to her.

"You don't hear me complaining." Vanna said.

Ally looked over at Vanna. She wanted some of 'her'.

"Maybe one of you should drive." Ally said. "I don't have any Cameron on my chip."

Cammy was a little insulted by her statement. She wasn't sure what it meant.

"Why?" Cammy asked.

Ally decided to push it.

"So I can have some fun in the back seat with one of you and Vanna." Ally said.

Cam felt a little defensive now. Vanna 'belonged' to her. She didn't like interlopers.

"It's why you're driving." Cam said. "You need to focus on the task and not fantasize about some untimely sexual encounter. Maybe we should have brought Sheila along so you could have someone to interact with in such a manner."

Ally tried to hide a sly smile. She'd wanted to ask a few personal questions before, so now seemed as good a time as any.

"Cam, do you and Cammy ever switch?" Ally asked.

Vanna looked at Cam and then at Ally. She thought it was a very personal question.

"I'm right here you know." Vanna said.

Ally could see she hit a nerve. She pushed it some more.

"So…." Ally said. "It's a valid question. I would if I was one of them."

Cammy didn't want to have the current discussion. She was even more upset because she couldn't ride with Savannah.

"Savannah knows who is who." Cammy said.

Ally could read a lot into her statement.

"So…. You've discussed it." Ally said.

Vanna wondered how involved it actually was.

"Have you?" Vanna asked as she looked at Cam.

Cam and Cammy looked at each other. Both of them remained silent.

Ally could see there was some thought, if not action taken. Vanna and Savannah were the same person.

"It's still YOU either way, Vanna." Ally said.

Vanna knew it was a technicality, but it's not how she perceived it. She never wanted Savannah to be her.

"No, it's not." Vanna said. "I'm 'me'."

Ally decided to roll the dice.

"If you ever want a 'five way'…." Ally said. "I'm in."

Vanna didn't like Savannah being degraded. She didn't want Savannah involved in such raunchy behavior.

"Shut up and drive." Vanna said.

Vanna would take the 'five way' if it was Allison instead of Savannah - herself. She didn't want Savannah tainted. She was worried enough about everything which already started.

The Metal girls all looked at each other. It was something they wanted to try.

Vanna could see everyone was aroused some now. She thought a 'four way' with her and the three machines would work too….

Ally looked over at Vanna and winked, her hand started to snake over towards Vanna.

There was a loud 'crack' which startled Vanna.

Cam leaned over the seat and slapped Ally's hand, HARD.

"Keep your hands to yourself and drive." Cam said. "And shut up."

Ally didn't like the rebuke.

"What a 'Kill Joy'." Ally said.

Now all the girls were upset at each other.

Vanna still wondered if Cam and Cammy may have switched. She knew if it was her, she would have. She didn't have a problem with it, but she would like to know which one of them it really was. It would make it more exciting to her to be with Cammy and know it was Cammy. It would be someone 'new'. It would be someone different. It didn't matter if they were the same, they weren't, even if they were.

John was very concerned with the new aspect of radiation and what happened in New Mexico.

"I want Bob, Dan, and two others to check out New Mexico." John said.

John Henry wanted to remind John of Cameron's protocols.

"Bob and Jim are to remain with you and the Reese family whenever Cameron is out." John Henry said.

John was sure his statement was to remind him to stay at the base.

"Even if I say otherwise?" John asked.

There is some motion by the door to the Command Center.

"Affirmative…." Bob said.

Bob arrived and entered the Command Center.

John was pleased to see Bob.

"Hi, Bob." John said.

Bob didn't want the discussion to turn ugly. He wanted to remind John why the rules were in place.

"Hello. They're Cameron's orders." Bob said. "When she's protecting the future, I'm to protect you. You know this."

John didn't think Cameron spent enough time with him.

"I spend more time with you than her." John said.

Bob knew it was true. He decided to offer John a few options.

"I can have her install her program back on my chip…." Bob said.

John Henry and John looked at each other, and then back to Bob.

"Was that a joke?" John asked.

John wasn't sure if it was. The idea somewhat intrigued him, he wasn't sure why….

Bob decided to point out the past.

"This chassis, with Cameron's program, has been at your command before…." Bob said.

John swallowed hard.

Bob looked at both of them and burst out laughing.

"Gotcha…." Bob said.

John laughed too.

"Yes you did." John said. "You've been hanging around the girls too much."

Bob liked to be around the girls. They intrigued him. The more he was around them, the more he wanted to be around them.

"Affirmative…." Bob said.

It made John laugh harder.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

A Promise Is A Promise

I promised
I would never leave
So now to eternity
Forever I will grieve

Never ending, everlasting
Forever is a long time
But to have feelings
Is not a crime

Like an animal's foot
Caught in a trap like glue
Through the bone and flesh
I gnaw and chew

Escape is elusive - almost
Or an endless story
A promise is a promise
Do you remember Richard Cory?

Nobody