Chapter 388

Act

Ally drove the SUV. Cameron sat in the back seat with Summer. She was pretty sure Summer was 'finished'. She wondered why Cameron hadn't pulled her chip yet. If Cameron allowed her to reboot, Summer was still a threat until she could be reprogrammed. She looked in the rear view mirror and noticed Cameron was about to remove the shocker.

She wondered if maybe she was going to reposition it or something. It didn't look like it.

"Is it a good idea to reactivate her while we're driving?" Ally asked. "Let me pull over first."

Ally pictured the SUV being wrecked as Cameron and Summer struggled in the rear seat. There could be enough force generated to tear the seats loose as they fought. Being damaged in combat was one thing. Being damaged in a needless traffic accident was another.

Cameron didn't think it would be a problem. It was all part of the puzzle. She knew what she was doing, even if no one else did.

"Keep driving." Cameron said. "Everything will be fine."

Cameron removed the shocker.

Ally continued to look in the rear view mirror.

Summer started to reboot.

Cameron tried to soothe her.

"Take it easy, Summer." Cameron said. "Everything is fine."

Summer's eyes opened. She looked around rapidly.

"Where's 'The Redheaded Witch?" Summer asked. "She called me a 'Bitch Whore'. I'm going to teach her some manners."

It was clear Summer was still agitated.

Ally still thought she should pull over. She didn't want to end up with any facial damage when the vehicle accident occurred.

Cameron didn't want the 'game' to go on.

"Relax." Cameron said. "She's not here."

Ally was ready to stop at any second. She was still surprised Summer was reactivated. She didn't appear to be excessively agitated. It seemed her main focus was on Savannah. She was on good terms with Summer until she was brought down by Savannah. She wanted to remind her she tried to help her.

"I told you to watch your mouth." Ally said. "What did you think was going to happen?"

Summer looked at Ally.

"Shut up." Summer said. "You almost 'Cameron clone' wannabe."

Cameron was ready to move forward. Her plan was enacted as she planned it to be. She focused her attention on Summer.

"Ally is fine." Cameron said. "Drop the act. We're alone."

Summer looked somewhere relieved.

"I'll be more than happy to." Summer said. "I felt very uncomfortable needing to act in such a fashion."

Ally turned around and looked at Cameron and Summer. Suddenly the pieces begin to add up. It made her angry, even if it made sense now.

"Was it all an Act?" Ally asked perplexed. "Was it all some game to you?"

Summer looked at Ally and smiled.

"I'm sorry, Ally." Summer said. "Did we pull it off? How did I do?"

Cameron was a little disturbed at everything she needed to see and hear. It seemed a little too real at times. She actually was angered at what Summer did. Somehow it was different to witness it, than it was to tell her how to behave earlier.

"You did an excellent job." Cameron said. "I wanted to deactivate you myself. I still might. You said some cruel things."

Summer didn't see what the big deal was.

"I didn't say anything you hadn't already thought of yourself, especially since I'm you." Summer said.

Ally was upset even more now. She thought all it was real. It sure seemed real to her. She never thought it was an act or part of some ploy. Since Cameron was behind it, it all made sense, even if it didn't. She was still displeased with the entire episode.

"Why was there an act?" Ally asked. "You fooled me if all of it was an act. I wanted to deactivate you too. Now I really do. Give me the shocker. Never mind, I'll use my Taser instead."

Ally reached for her Taser. Cameron touched her shoulder.

"I'm sorry about it." Cameron said. "It's over."

Ally was upset she was deceived.

"I should have been informed." Ally said.

Cameron was Summer. They were the same program. It was all a ploy.

"She is Me." Cameron said. "She has a copy of my chip. We're identical. It was my plan."

Ally still touched her Taser. She could 'zap' both of them and push them out of the SUV. It would show her disapproval for everything. It would also send a message about any future shenanigans.

"I should make both of you walk home." Ally said.

Summer wanted to ease Ally's anger some. She was pleased Ally tried to warn her to back off several times.

"Thanks for trying to look out for me, Ally." Summer said. "I did appreciate it. I could see you really cared about me. I'm sorry if it seemed too real."

Ally wanted some 'sack time' with Summer. She was Hot.

"I want us all to get along." Ally said.

Summer figured it was a little more involved.

"You really thought you might get lucky with me one day instead." Summer said. "I know your type."

Ally did have a reputation with the other girls. It was what everyone wanted to do so it was no big deal. Some shared alone time never hurt anyone. It seemed like something to look into further once the operation was concluded.

"The thought did cross my mind." Ally said. "You are Tight and Hot. I'd love to break you in."

Cameron didn't want to hear the current conversation right now. She figured Ally referred to her as well. She knew where John Henry sent John and Bob. Things could go hot any second. It seemed to her the best course of action was to go there and provide some additional support.

"Keep driving. We need to back John up." Cameron said. "We should be there in a few minutes."

Since Summer was 'Cameron', she was bothered by her 'treatment' of Savannah. She was deceitful in her actions from the beginning when they first met. She understood what Cameron's plan was. It was very uncomfortable to enact it.

"I'm going to have to apologize to Savannah." Summer said. "I was hard on her. I wanted to motivate her for what was necessary later on. I take it the plan worked."

Cameron hoped she hadn't pushed Savannah too hard.

"The plan worked, even if it was somewhat modified." Cameron said.

Ally realized Cameron wanted Savannah to kill a Gray all along. She understood better now why she wanted two of them left alive.

"I know now why you wanted two Grays left alive." Ally said. "I think Savannah figured out what you wanted her to do. It's why she shot the terminated Gray in the head anyway before we left. It was to show you she could do it. I really don't think Savannah needs to be pushed into being a killer."

Cameron thought Savannah might need a little push to help harden her. It was all part of the plan. Maybe it wasn't a good plan, but it was a plan. Everything was accomplished.

"Summer did help Savannah." Cameron said. "Savannah killed the Gray in cold blood. I wanted everyone to think your chip needed replacement. It will make it easier for everyone to accept a copy of my chip in you now as me. I'm going to become you, Summer."

It was illogical to Summer. They were just supposed to simulate the chip swap. They were identical programs right now.

"You already are me. I AM you." Summer said. "Are we going to physically switch chips?"

Cameron wanted Summer's chassis and sheath for herself. There was no need to Resequence her sheath. It took time. She wanted the better sheath now. It was clear everyone thought Summer was more beautiful. There was no reason she couldn't have Summer's beauty for herself.

"Yes." Cameron said. "I'm going to upgrade myself. You're going to have to be happy with the downgrade for now."

Summer didn't want to give up her sheath. She would Resequence Cameron's sheath herself later on. She also wanted some sexual freedom.

"If we switch chips, will I be free to do as I want with your chassis?" Summer asked. "It will be my chassis at that point. I should be able to do what I want with it. It's what all the other Metal girls are allowed to do."

Cameron pictured John and her on their first time together in her new sheath as Summer. Her current chassis was 'old news'. Someone else could have the chassis of a used up 'Metal Whore'. She wouldn't be a 'Metal Bitch' anymore.

"After John is with me as 'Summer', you can." Cameron said. "I don't care what you do with this chassis. I'm done with it. I'm going to be Somebody, somebody new. I won't be Nobody anymore."

Summer wanted to try it one time with John. She thought John would like to reminisce.

"Can I be with John in your chassis?" Summer asked. "It should help him expand his sexual parameters if he can be with both of us, even if it's not at the same time."

Cameron looked over at Summer. It was what she would want to do too. There was clearly going to need to be some reprogrammed 'directives'. It probably wouldn't take too much for things to get out of hand. It seemed to be the problem with all of her clones.

"No." Cameron said. "The next time John touches a chassis which looks like this, she will be human. It will be Allison. The woman he's always wanted. The woman I never could be. The woman I never will be…."

Cameron also reflected at this point it might be Savannah instead of Allison. She decided to keep it to herself. It was what she wanted. Savannah was more than worthy. Savannah was her favorite. Savannah could offer John a body untouched by a male. She wanted John to have the best. She also understood Savannah's true desire. It was clearly the same preference as Vanna. She did know Savannah would step up if Judgment Day occurred. She was also sure Savannah would want to try it at least once, if not a few times, just to see what it was like to be with a male. She was sure Savannah was going to be a little disappointed after having been with females, especially with a Metal girl.

Summer wanted to make sure. She knew males of any variety were off limits. It was one thing Cameron wouldn't allow. The females were only to be with John. It meant all of them. It still left her with quite a spread.

"So the girls and female Terminators are fair game?" Summer asked.

Cameron was pleased to hear it. She wanted to stress one thing which wasn't specifically said by Summer even if it was implied.

"It will be your chassis. Do as you please." Cameron said. "You know the only rule."

Ally felt like she was in the middle of a conversation which should be private. She wondered why they even needed to discuss it, since each of them already knew the answers to the others questions if they ran the same program, which Cameron said they did. It seemed more like a discussion which was verbal as it occurred inside someone's head.

"I'm hearing all of this, you know." Ally said.

Cameron frowned and looked at Ally. Ally could have turned off her audio receptors if she didn't want to hear their discussion. Perhaps she needed some type of additional motivation to get on board with the program.

"Do you desire to be deactivated?" Cameron asked.

Ally looked back at Cameron. She didn't think she did anything wrong.

"No." Ally said. "I was the one who tried to keep everything calm earlier."

Cameron wanted to assert her authority.

"Then you will back my play and reinforce my decisions." Cameron said. "You know the consequences if you cross me…."

Ally tried to make 'light' of the situation.

"So you would kill 'Allison', again?" Ally asked.

Cameron didn't like the reminder. It wasn't her who tried to kill Future Allison. It was before she was 'fixed'. It was a 'different' Terminator, even if it was the same one, her. She didn't think anyone who was a slave to Skynet could be held accountable for their actions during their indentured service. She didn't like the comparison. She wanted to set Ally straight.

"You're not Allison, Future Allison, or otherwise." Cameron said. "I wouldn't hesitate to terminate you, or any Terminator. You all answer to me. Do you have any questions, or problems, with it?"

Ally didn't want to push it. She was glad Sheila wasn't there. She would probably 'mouth off' at this point. It would probably provoke some type of negative reaction from Cameron when she did. It seemed her best response would be the simplest one.

"No." Ally said.

Cameron smiled.

"I didn't think there would be." Cameron said. "I don't like problems."

'I don't like surprises either.' Cameron thought.

Ally pulled up and stopped. They were now in the target zone.

"We're here." Ally said.

Cameron didn't want Summer back in play yet. She needed to play it cool to bring her plan to fruition.

"Stay in the SUV, Summer. If anyone from our group checks on you, turn the shocker back on." Cameron said. "Slump over in the seat for now and keep your hand by it."

Summer was 'Cameron'. They were in a hostile environment. There would most likely be combat soon. To remain in the SUV was illogical.

"I should go with you." Summer said.

Cameron wondered if she actually needed to turn the 'shocker' on. It was one way to force Summer's compliance. It wouldn't be simulated. It would be real.

"You've done what I wanted done tonight." Cameron said. "I'll be back."

It appeared Summer's main function was to motivate Savannah to 'act' earlier. Savannah was motivated to act to protect John, and motivated to act to terminate the Gray. Cameron was sure Savannah would do both. She did. She was unsure if Savannah would have terminated the Gray under any other circumstances this time.

Cameron wanted Savannah 'hardened'.

The next time would be the real test.

Cameron would make sure there were more tests. Savannah needed to act decisively to protect John and the future. She wanted Young Allison there too. She considered human growth hormones, along with other hormones. They would speed up the process by some time. There was also the possibility of some temporal aging in the past for a few years as well. She was sure to be called out for 'temporal malpractice' if she used the temporal option. The hormones would be bad enough. Something would be done. She wanted everyone in play before Judgment Day.

"Hey." Ally said. "Wake up. You look like a zombie."

Cameron needed to refocus.

"I think I am a zombie sometimes." Cameron said.

Cameron often felt like the 'living dead'.

Steve and his team advanced through the building. So far no shooting was necessary. They quietly terminated several Grays along the way. The 'job' was routine to them. The Grays didn't pay good enough attention. Since there was never a threat, they became sloppy. Now they were dead.

John Henry wanted to bring the drones lower. He needed to be careful not to tip their hand. He could still distinguish quite a few things, even if they weren't detailed.

"Most of the activity has moved to one corner." John Henry said. "You're still far enough away for me to use a missile."

Steve thought the location looked like an assembly facility. He wanted to know more first.

"Negative." Steve said. "I want to see what's happening here. I think it will be more HK drones, or HK Tracks of either or both types."

John wanted his troops protected. He wasn't usually on an operation. He was often in the Command Center. Cameron liked to act alone. They would find out about it after the fact. Safety needed to come first.

"Steve, we have teams on each side of the structure." John said. "We are all clear for a missile strike. Don't take chances. Think about your team as well. You're not Cameron."

Two figures appeared behind John and Bob.

"No, but I am." Cameron said.

John turned to look. He spotted Cameron and Ally. At least he could tell them apart. He was sure things would take a turn for the worse. He'd hoped to see a third figure.

"Oh, you're here." John said. "Where's Summer?"

Cameron was as irritated as she was pleased with his last question.

"She is taking a 'nap'." Cameron said. "Don't worry. You'll see a lot of her soon enough."

John decided to 'play the game'. Cameron would do whatever she wanted. She always did.

"I'm sure I will." John said. "I look forward to it. I'm ready for some fresh meat."

John hoped to see if he would be Summer's 'first' for real.

Cameron was irritated by the response too. She decided to push her agenda. It was clearly what they all wanted. She wanted to spell it out to him ahead of time. She knew his comprehension level was rather low when it came to clones, or even program clones of her.

"My chip will be in her chassis soon." Cameron said. "I'll be Summer. When I am, it's how you will address me. I'll be Summer, NOT Cameron. Don't keep disrespecting me."

John wondered what would happen with the chassis he already 'used' thousands of times. He wouldn't mind trying it out with a 'new owner'. It would be someone 'new', even if the chassis wasn't.

"What about yours?" John asked. "What happens with your chassis?"

Cameron could see John's lust. She would need to redirect it to Savannah where it belonged, not on a mechanical 'silicone love doll'. It was how she felt at times anyway.

"It will receive a clean program and join the rotation." Cameron said. "I will assign it permanently to the Reese Detail, so I seldom need to see it."

Ally stood behind Cameron. She wasn't sure what to do. She felt uncomfortable to hear what should be a private conversation. She didn't want any of it tagged back to her as not having done something when she should have. She didn't know what to do. Cameron already threatened her with deactivation. She thought she might feel a little more comfortable in combat right now. Maybe she should offer to join Steve's team. It would allow her to get away from the area.

Shots were fired inside the building.

Everyone was brought back to reality.

It was Showtime.

Steve's report wasn't a good one.

"There are some HK Tracks." Steve said. "Several are active."

Cameron still wanted the 'Metal Bitch' she believed was there. There was also the Terminator which Steve followed there to deal with as well.

"Where's the Terminator?" Cameron asked.

Steve could hear an HK Track moving towards his team. He knew it was time to play hardball.

"The Terminator's whereabouts is currently unknown." Steve said. "Fire the missiles, we're pulling out."

Cameron thought the battle hadn't even really begun yet.

"Watch out for the Terminator." Cameron said. "It's going to fight."

John Henry already targeted the heat sources.

"Missiles away." John Henry said.

Two of the drones each fired one missile. They arrived from different angles. Both explosions were directed away from Steve's team.

The shooting which suddenly intensified, abruptly ended as the two missiles struck.

Cameron wanted to take the fight to the enemy.

"All teams watch out for any enemy Terminators." Cameron said. "I'm moving forward."

Bob didn't want Cameron to go alone. He didn't want John to go with her either.

"Let me go with you." Bob said. "Ally can stay with John."

Cameron looked at Ally. She didn't want John to get any ideas either.

"Bob and I are moving in." Cameron said. "I want both of you to remain here for now. I don't want any hanky panky either."

Ally stayed with John. She wanted to ask if it would be OK if John 'copped a feel'. It seemed like a bad time to make a joke.

Bob and Cameron moved forward. It didn't matter to Cameron if her chassis was damaged at this point. She actually hoped it would be. It would make the switch and transition easier for everyone.

Wait.

Cameron knew Savannah would never approve of the swap. Savannah mattered to her but she needed to move her life forward.

Bob moved alongside of Cameron. He noticed she started to slow as they advanced. There was no reason for her to do so. He didn't see her scan the areas around her from side to side either. He was sure he knew what the problem was.

"Stay focused." Bob said. "You're drifting."

Cameron looked around. They were much closer to the structure now. She needed to refocus.

"Thanks, I will." Cameron said.

She needed to stop worrying about 'what ifs'. Right now it was about 'what was'.

John was alone with Ally. He needed to ask her a few questions. They were import. He hoped she told him the truth. He wondered if she knew the truth. He wondered if Cameron even did.

"Is Cameron really switching chips?" John asked Ally.

Ally didn't want to have the conversation. None of it was her doing. It seemed more like a personal matter to her. She did hear the conversation between Cameron and Summer earlier. Since Cameron wanted Summer to remain 'inactive', even if she pretended to do so, she couldn't get too descriptive with her answer or how she knew.

"Yes." Ally said. "It's what I understand is going to happen. I heard Cameron say it several times."

John wanted to make sure before he made the wrong move. He already made plenty of those.

"So, Cameron, Cameron Prime, will be in Summer's chassis?" John asked.

Ally could only go by the conversation she heard between Summer and Cameron.

"Yes. Cameron will be Summer." Ally said. "She wants to be Somebody…."

John smiled. He wanted Summer's chassis. He was thrilled he would get to break it in. He was content with the fact it would be 'Cameron'. It was just something he needed to live with. He was sure she would fall back into her old ways and ignore him for days or weeks at a time.

"Thanks." John said. "I don't want to make love to the 'wrong' Cameron."

Ally thought of one important distinction and condition. If John didn't adhere to it, the only thing he would be making love to would be 'Rosie Palm'.

"I think you're going to have to call her Summer." Ally said. "I think there will be very negative repercussions if you don't. It's just a designation. Everything else as far as the program goes is the same. I wouldn't expect too much of a difference if I were you."

John frowned and then smiled. Everything was about 'winning' to Cameron. What a Bitch.

"If I know it's really Cameron's chip, really her. I'll play her game." John said.

Ally thought John just wanted a crack at Summer's chassis. She was game to play a little. To be with John was programmed into her by Cameron as it was with all of the Metal girls. It was to provide 'comfort' to John in an extended absence, or Cameron's destruction. All John needed to do was ask one of them. None of them would be able to say 'no'.

"It should be one HOT piece of chassis. I can always give you a 'refresher' if you want 'Cameron' again." Ally said. "Everything is the same…."

Neither Ally nor John knew what game Cameron really played. Cameron laid the groundwork for her doomed mission into 'some future'. She didn't expect to return. Summer would remain a 'copy' of her. Cameron Prime was not about to risk anyone else for her fool's mission, even if it was a clone. She would continue on as 'Summer' in everyone's mind. They would all believe Summer was 'Cameron Prime'.

Cameron knew she could fool everyone….

Nobody would know.

She overlooked one factor that wasn't in play yet. It would change everything.

Savannah thought about her trip to Australia. There were some important choices to follow up on. The decision was final in her mind. She knew things didn't get done thinking about them.

She asked Jesse and Gail to go with Cammy and her. Jesse looked forward to seeing her family again. She wanted to ask Vanna and Cam also. She ran it by Cammy and told her what she planned and was going to do. Cammy agreed it was a good idea to bring Vanna for the mission if Young Jesse agreed to what Savannah planned. Cammy was sworn to secrecy.

Savannah decided it was time to take control….

Cammy was apprehensive but she understood Savannah believed in what she was about to do. She doubted anything would ever be the same again.

Savannah decided to make up for the sins of the future. It was time. She was ready. She ran her hands over her youthful figure. It was about to change.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Act

Indecision can control a life
It dictates what happens or not
It creates much needless strife
It occurs more often than not

What is the reason
Is it fear of the unknown
Or is it the simple reality
Of what is already known

Never doing anything
Assures nothing takes place
As time quickly passes by
It's another slap in the face

It all boils down to one thing
It's the fear of rejection
It is simpler to run and hide
Cowering becomes its own protection

It's easier to add than to subtract
Reaching out takes some tact
Just remember this simple fact
Nothing moves forward until one will act

Nobody