Chapter 377

Hates Everyone

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In Some Future:

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Cameron's 'Special Unit' was quickly trained and readied for action. Bob drilled them and followed all of Cameron's instructions. They were sharp and looked very proficient. They were all armed the way she wanted them to be. They were also going to procure the materials necessary for the TDE. Cameron wanted one constructed, even if she needed to build it herself. The troops were highly motivated and planned to protect each other as much as possible as they carried out any attack.

Mrs. Weaver kept track of Cameron and what she was up to. She didn't want an insurrection on her hands from her own troops. It was always a possibility. She didn't find any trace of Cameron behind anything like it. She was impressed at the 'Special Unit' and how highly motivated the troops seemed. The entire atmosphere was different. She wasn't sure it was a good thing, even if it was.

Cameron was pleased with her newly trained troops. She wanted to set things into motion soon. She went to see Mrs. Weaver.

"General, your troops are ready to search out Skynet Central as soon as we have the information you desire." Cameron said. "We are ready to move out at a moment's notice."

Mrs. Weaver was aware of it. She liked the fact Cameron was true to her word. She actually expected nothing less until their goals began to differ. It might involve the girls.

"It's excellent news, Commander." Mrs. Weaver said. "How close are we to the information?"

Cameron didn't like to see the girls in harm's way. She understood the girls wanted to help and do their part. Now she could make sure they received a little assistance. This was where Mrs. Weaver could help better protect them.

"Our operatives are working on it." Cameron said. "They will require your assistance. Your specialized 'skills' may be necessary. It will speed matters up much quicker with your help."

Mrs. Weaver wanted a functioning TDE as much as Cameron did. She was content to let Cameron return to the past while she returned to her future. Her 'job' was currently much easier with all the assistance.

"You have my help anytime you need it, as do the girls." Mrs. Weaver said. "With you and Vanna assisting me, things are running very smoothly around here. It is much simpler now. I have time for other projects."

Mrs. Weaver was pleased with all the assistance from people she could actually trust. It meant something to her. She never felt any of them were trying to undermine her or grab power. They all did exactly what they said they were going to do. They were unlike the leeches and parasites who worked at her company. She understood it was how most humans tended to operate. She knew it carried over to some machines as well. There were often times when she wondered about some of the Restorators who worked for her. More than one of them was known to disappear or end up reprogrammed.

She couldn't help but think about Cameron and the girls who arrived with her. She knew they were all good people. Cameron somehow made them even better. She saw first hand everyone Cameron worked with became a better person, or a better machine. It was almost as if none of them wanted to personally disappoint her. She found it strange because Cameron never actually stressed it. It came naturally from her presence and leadership.

Cameron wanted to make her position clear. She wanted to go home and she hoped Mrs. Weaver would stay there. She needed to get back and stop John and Riley from getting together on the day they left for the future. The image of them standing side by side as they looked in the window to the TDE room constantly haunted her. She didn't want to get too explicit in her explanation to Mrs. Weaver.

"General, I need to get back to John." Cameron said. "If we can obtain the materials we need for the TDE, I can be out of your way. I don't want to cause you any problems here. I hope to leave your organization in better condition for you to use going forward."

Mrs. Weaver didn't like the apprehension she caused Cameron. It wasn't her intent. She appreciated Cameron and the girls. She was aware she could be a little abrasive at times. It was something she needed to continue to work on. Vanna mentioned it to her more than a few times in a very polite way.

"Cameron, you're not in my way." Mrs. Weaver said. "I know you're here to help and do what you feel is right. You've helped the Restorators greatly. They seem to have a new sense of purpose. It was something I was unable to do on my own. I lack the experience you possess in dealing with both humans and machines."

Mrs. Weaver could see the troops were now motivated in a way she was never able to achieve. It was amazing what Cameron could do to inspire them. She was just 'herself' and it's what everyone seemed to like, or even love. She witnessed the same thing before in the other future she was in as well.

Cameron wanted her personal goal clear. She wanted to make sure Mrs. Weaver understood she was not going to challenge her in the current future they were both in. It wasn't where she wanted to remain. She didn't need to have authoritative power. She didn't want it either. What she wanted, and needed to do, was very specific.

"I want to go home to my husband." Cameron said. "It's my only goal. I understand I need to work with you to help defeat the current threat as well as procure the materials we need to complete a working TDE. I will respect your decisions in regards to your plans, as well as the Restorators. I'm only trying to make things better before I leave."

Mrs. Weaver was reminded the desire of Cameron's is where the conflict could arise. There were several different things in play. She hoped to get a better answer out of Cameron about what she wanted specifically. She also wanted to know what Cameron's plans were for the girls.

"Have you decided on which John to return to?" Mrs. Weaver asked. "Are you sure any of the girls want to leave?"

Cameron didn't say anything at first. They were two questions she didn't want to hear.

'Here comes trouble.' Cameron thought.

Mrs. Weaver could see she hit a 'sore spot'. It wasn't entirely her intention. She wanted to try to clarify her position somewhat. She wasn't looking for a fight.

"You know I came to the past after you left…." Mrs. Weaver said.

Cameron saw the implication for what it was. It wasn't what she planned or needed to do. As much as she didn't want to ask the question, she felt she needed to. Perhaps there was some information she actually needed. It was still a very touchy and irritating subject for her to deal with.

"Are you saying I returned to OUR future, and Future John?" Cameron asked.

Mrs. Weaver knew events were changeable. She changed quite a few things herself. Maybe it was a different temporal arc at this point. There was still what she knew before she left her future. She wasn't sure if any other information she divulged would affect Cameron's decisions one way or the other. It might cause her to do the opposite of what she wanted to say or embrace it. It seems like it was a gamble. She wanted to leave the choice up to Cameron.

"Do you want to know?" Mrs. Weaver asked.

Cameron didn't want a rift created. It was best to drop the 'issue' and move on. Her plans were unchanged. To discuss it further was only going to create hard feelings. They were hard enough as it was currently. She didn't want to become a problem herself, or create one. She looked directly at Mrs. Weaver.

"No." Cameron said. "I would like to ask you to please never mention this to me, or anyone else again. The girls are going with me. I'm going home to my husband. It was my plan from the moment we arrived here. I've made it very clear all along. I don't know how long any of us will need to be here. I don't know what will happen to any of us going forward. The enemy still exists and must be terminated. You know what my plan is and it is unchanged. The future is never written in stone, even if it is."

'You will.' Mrs. Weaver thought. 'Eventually….'

Mrs. Weaver noticed Cameron's left hand seemed to malfunction. She thought it may have been damaged in the recent battle. She knew Cameron would wait until all the other Restorators were repaired before she would seek to repair herself. It also said something about Cameron. She put all others ahead of herself. Those were the qualities of a true leader. There was no doubt about it. Cameron was indeed special. She hoped to be able to be more like Cameron.

She also needed to consider it could have been changes which occurred, by either one of them, which created divergent timelines somewhere along the way. She did know Cameron was very adamant about returning back to the point in time when she left the past. It made her wonder if some other event occurred when they departed.

Allison decided it was time to tap her contacts again and see what was new or would happen. She didn't like having to deal with the anti-Metal faction, but her assistance was needed. She was ready to go.

Cameron II was even more apprehensive and worried than Allison was. She disliked dealing with the anti-Metal people at all. Termination seemed a better solution to her. If the problem was eliminated, there was no longer a problem.

Allison and Cameron II headed out. They were soon greeted by an 'old friend'.

"Look, it's JH." Allison said.

A large German Shepherd ran up to them. It sniffed Allison and licked her face. It was almost like a kiss. She was aware the last time she encountered JH, it was actually Mrs. Weaver. JH watched over her when she went out on patrols. She didn't know it at the time, but it was Mrs. Weaver who watched over her at John's request. She also did it because of Vanna.

Cameron II watched what just happened. She didn't like the 'action' either. She knew 'who' it was. It gave Allison better protection. It was what really mattered. She knew the anti-Metal faction was dangerous. Having Mrs. Weaver with them would give them an extreme advantage in any situation which developed. She also knew if Mrs. Weaver needed to show herself as a Liquid Metal Terminator, all of those present, other than them, would be terminated. She believed it would help solve the problem and remove Allison one step further from danger.

"I can see Cameron talked to the General." Cameron II said. "I'm glad you're now here with us, General."

The dog barked once.

The three of them walked along toward the haunts of the anti-Metal group. JH made sure any other dog yielded to their presence.

There was one dog which remained where they were headed. JH immediately ran toward it to attack it. Right before JH arrived, the other dog 'yipped' and ran off.

JH rejoined Allison and Cameron II.

Billy came out to speak with them. He was taken aback by the size and beauty of the dog with them. It looked very aggressive too.

"Hello." Billy said. "Your dog is beautiful. It looks pretty mean."

Allison smiled and patted JH on the head.

"Hello. JH hates everyone." Allison said. "Well, except for me, and my friends."

JH growled at Billy as soon as Allison made the remark.

Billy no longer approached them. He took a step back. He knew how protective some animals could be. One bite from the big German Shepherd could severely injure him. It could do a half dozen bites in a second or two. Once it locked onto a limb, it could exert enough force to crush the bone if it became angry enough. He wanted to make sure he wasn't in too much danger.

"Is he going to bite me?" Billy asked. "He looks vicious."

Allison wanted to issue a warning and make things clear. She also wanted to buy them some insurance.

"It will happen only if he needs to protect me." Allison said. "He really hates Metal, and especially other dogs. If you have any dogs, keep them away. JH will kill them. I'm not kidding, he will rip them to shreds. I don't want someone to lose a pet needlessly."

JH approached Billy.

Billy looked like he wanted to run, but stayed where he was at. He looked at Allison for a moment before he returned his attention to the dog.

"OK, no problem." Billy said.

JH sniffed Billy. His nose touched Billy's hand. JH immediately growled at him. Allison quickly pulled JH away as he snapped once at Billy.

Billy's eyes widened some at the close encounter. The dog looked even more aggressive now. He was amazed at how Allison could control it so easily too in its agitated state. He could see it was an amazing bond between a human and an animal, even if it was rather intimidating from his point of view. It also indicated to him neither Allison or her female friend were Metal.

If Mrs. Weaver needed to infiltrate this group, she now acquired the 'information' she needed to become 'Billy' and assume his form. She wouldn't necessarily need to terminate him if she posed as him. She could create even more chaos and confusion if she did something as 'him', and he couldn't explain how it was possible. It could even be the termination of another one of his group, which would leave him with a lot of explaining to do. His group might be the one who 'removed' him from the equation. Depending upon the situation and circumstances, it wouldn't point the finger at them, but his own associates.

Billy took a moment to look JH over.

"Is the dog part wolf or something?" Billy asked.

Billy thought the dog's teeth seemed to have actually gotten longer as it snapped at him.

Allison wanted to make it clear. Her safety was paramount to the animal.

"JH protects me from everything." Allison said. "And everyone…."

Billy took another few steps back. He didn't see a need to provoke the dog under the current circumstances.

"Indeed." Billy said.

Allison felt she was in charge of the conversation at this point. Billy may be the leader of a group, but right now, she was the one who pulled the strings.

"Did you speak with 'your people' about everything?" Allison asked.

Bill wasn't sure where to start. There was no good place to start from.

"I did, here's what we came up with…." Billy said.

Jesse and Cam headed back to the outlying area.

It was the 'bad part of town'.

Jesse lived in areas like it before. They were lawless and crude. Life was one step above a Scavenger. Anything could happen in one of these zones, and often did. The abuse was frequent, but went unreported. It was part of the lifestyle. The females who ended up in these areas felt they possessed no self worth, and weren't much good for anything else. Many escaped from Scavenger camps. Some were 'marked', or missing a few things. Others bore the scars in their minds. They were alive, but it was all they were. There was a difference between being alive and living.

Cam was not up for any games or hanky panky. She didn't like the area or any of the people who resided in it. She still believed mass termination was the solution to the mess it represented. It would solve a number of different problems simultaneously. She wanted to let Jesse know exactly how she felt.

"Anyone who looks at us the wrong way is getting terminated." Cam said. "This section of the camp needs to be eradicated. I won't allow anyone to touch you."

Jesse didn't like to see Cam so 'high strung'.

"Who all is included in 'anyone'?" Jesse asked.

Cam was aware of Cameron's plans for Jesse.

"I mean anyone new, except John." Cam said.

Jesse liked her answer. She pushed it a little.

"Will you be with John if I am?" Jesse asked.

Jesse replaced John in Cam's programming.

"No. Not unless Cameron Prime allows it." Cam said. "Cameron has made it clear we will be deactivated if we do, unless I'm the only clone left. If it's the case, I will become 'Cameron' for John."

Jesse knew it would change everything.

"What about me?" Jesse asked.

Cam tilted her head slightly. The future needed to be protected.

"Everyone sacrifices for John Connor." Cam said.

Jesse hoped for a better answer than what she heard. There wasn't one. It left her more than a little irritated.

"Nice." Jesse said.

They moved into an area where there were rundown buildings, or parts of buildings with scrap material which made up the rest of the structure. There was more debris and trash piled up. The stench of sewage filled the air.

Off in the distance there was an argument of some kind. It sounded like two people were in a physical altercation. They watched as a nude female was pushed from one hut to another one by three men. She didn't resist or call for help. She was resigned to her fate, and 'punishment' for being alive.

Cam started to go in the direction of the nude female.

Jesse reached out and stopped her.

"It's the way it is here." Jesse said. "She hasn't called out for help, screamed, or is even crying. She might be involved in some type of barter. It's best we ignore it for now."

Jesse was aware sometimes she needed to use her body as barter to receive food. There were times when she needed to rely on 'Natures Treasury' to get by. She didn't feel comfortable mentioning it, especially where they were at.

They moved off to a secluded area. They expected to find Snake there. He wasn't there yet.

Cam looked around as she scanned the area. She looked more than a little disgusted.

"I figured that scum wouldn't show up." Cam said. "Let's go. I'll hunt him down and terminate him later on."

Jesse knew timetables didn't really matter in this part of the camp.

"Let's give it some time." Jesse said. "Clocks seem to be in short supply around here. We can't all look at the sun and know what time it is."

Cam didn't want to get into an argument with Jesse over the issue. They waited in silence. There were other arguments they heard from time to time. There was a single gunshot once. Everything went quiet after it. They waited longer and the noise level resumed back to what it was.

"Here comes the 'low life' now. I see Snake." Cam said. "He's not alone either. There is a small group with him and they're armed."

Cam prepared for combat.

Jesse didn't want it to come down to this. She hoped for some cooperation. She didn't need to consider there might be other factors involved. She didn't want to find out on the short side of the stick.

"It looks like we're going to have to do this the hard way." Jesse said

Cam calculated targeting information.

"Apparently…." Cam said.

Vanna and Cammy went over all the information and data which was presented to them. There were a lot of small things and reports to go through.

Cammy quickly looked over everything and organized it into groups and categories.

Vanna told Cammy she wanted all the small details, and all the complaints as well. It would take her a while to go through everything. She wanted to see what she could resolve, and hopefully end some of the internal discord. Some people she would be able to satisfy. It was clear others would never be satisfied. They just liked to complain. She really appreciated Cammy's assistance and her understanding as to why she wanted to 'fix' things.

"I couldn't do this without you." Vanna said.

Cammy knew Vanna was very intelligent and a hard worker when she needed to be.

"Yes you could. It would just not be as efficient." Cammy said. "You're very capable."

Vanna could tell by the way Cammy organized things she understood what she was after.

"You're able to help me with everything the way I want it to be." Vanna said.

Cammy wanted things to run smoothly for Vanna and the Resistance.

"I can help keep track of what is most important and when something needs to be done." Cammy said.

Unit One arrived. None of the people from the past cared much for him. He was the General's flunky and all around 'yes man'.

"Here are some more items the General wishes to obtain." Unit One said.

Vanna could see he didn't look very enthusiastic about anything.

"Didn't you previously help with all of this?" Vanna asked.

Unit One wasn't sure what his new functions would be. He only knew he was less important to the General.

"Yes. I did most of this. I've been replaced." Unit One said.

Cammy didn't like his answer.

"Does it bother you?" Cammy asked.

Unit One was very insecure until Cameron spoke with him and indicated the future could offer him more if he 'played ball'.

"Yes." Unit One said. "I've spoken with the Commander about the future of our operation here."

Cammy wanted his cooperation. Cameron previously informed her and the other clones of the conversation. They were all to keep an eye on him as well.

"Then you know you will be busy again as soon as we can get the TDE finished." Cammy said. "Cameron will return home."

Cameron indicated to Unit One he could 'take over' once the General and her group were gone. She wasn't sure it would actually happen, but it was a possibility.

"The Commander has made the 'option' clear." Unit One said.

Vanna wanted to stress they didn't want to stay there if they could leave.

"Cameron NEEDS to get home to her husband." Vanna said.

Unit One's two closest associates were sent away by the General. He wanted to know what their treatment was like, or what their fate was. He didn't want to ask Cameron, but he wanted to find out.

"What happened to my two brothers, Unit Two and Unit Three?" Unit One asked.

Vanna wasn't sure why he asked the question. It did show a level of concern on his part. She didn't know if he would believe what they told him or not. He might already have some thoughts in his mind. She knew there was one way to convey to him what she spoke was the truth. She placed Unit One's hand on her neck. She wanted him to know she was being truthful.

"They serve alongside us daily. They are both good team members with our group." Vanna said. "They interact with all of us as one big family. We could use more Restorators like them."

Unit One scanned Vanna, she was truthful. His sensory network wasn't as advanced as the female Restorator's networks were.

"I'm pleased to hear it." Unit One said.

Vanna smiled at him.

"They've helped Cameron greatly. They are our trusted team members." Vanna said. "They have names now. They are Tom and Steve."

Unit One was aware Cameron assigned additional designations to some of the Restorators. They were given names like humans used. He knew what Vanna said was true. He didn't know if everything Cameron and her clones said was true.

"Are all of you being honest with me?" Unit One asked.

Cammy could understand his apprehension. Replacement usually led to termination.

"Yes." Cammy said. "We've no reason to deceive you. We only want to get Cameron home to her husband. It's our primary goal."

Unit One looked at Vanna. He wanted a specific answer.

"What about you?" Unit One asked.

Vanna looked at Cammy and let out her breath some. She made a big decision before about her future.

"I'm going with my mother wherever she goes, or I'll return to my future. It's the future you were constructed in. I don't belong in the past. I've disrupted the 'Natural Order'."

Cammy didn't want to hear the new development. She wanted Vanna in the past where it was safer.

"Does Cameron know this?" Cammy asked.

Vanna didn't want to discuss it.

"I'm pretty sure she's figured it out." Vanna said.

Unit One knew the General was a machine. She was not capable of childbirth.

"The General is not your 'mother'." Unit One said.

Vanna sighed and frowned.

"My real mother is dead. The General brought me back from Hell and provided for my younger self. She didn't have to do either of those things. She returned my lover Allison to me as soon as she could once she found out about her." Vanna said. "I owe her for those things. I'm indebted to her for them. Allison and I would most likely be dead by now without the General's assistance. I know her manner can rub some the wrong way at times. She did help when she didn't need to. It means something to me."

Cammy listened with her head tilted slightly.

"Thank you for explaining." Cammy said.

Unit One nodded. Vanna listed qualities humans valued.

"I understand as well." Unit One said. "It is about loyalty, honor, debt, and gratitude."

Vanna could think of a few more factors which were involved

"Maybe it is. It also needs to be about trust." Vanna said. "It's the right thing to do…."

Vanna knew she could never be with John and not hurt Cameron. It hurt her now just to think about how it would hurt Cameron. Besides, if any of them were ever really with John, it would be Allison. It would never be her alone.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Hates Everyone

Some people love
Some people hate
Some people hate to love
Some people love to hate

The only ones to truly hurt someone
Are the ones that person loves the most
Their betrayal or attacks strike home
Because they roast a heart into toast

Maybe it happens when they feel love
They know the pain that is sure to follow
The joy and the pleasure between
Is what becomes hard to swallow

How can one protect themselves
They only know the love will sour
They don't want another to have
That great controlling power

It is easier to run and to shun
Than wait for things to be done
Things are over before they've begun
It is all much simpler if one hates everyone

Nobody