Chapter 394

I Knew You Would Come

Savannah and the others returned from Australia. She asked them not to mention what Young Jesse and her did. She made everyone personally promise her. She was afraid Cammy and Camille would be deactivated by Cameron for what they facilitated. They all knew it was what Cameron wanted, or said she did. Maybe she really didn't. She wanted to see what happened. She was very worried she might fail too. Maybe it wasn't the future which wrecked Vanna's body. Maybe they were just defective. It caused her a lot of stress.

Cammy didn't want to lie about it. She didn't think it was a problem. She knew what Cameron wanted, even if it wasn't what she wanted. She knew certain things didn't need to be advertised. If it wasn't discussed, it wouldn't be a lie of omission. There were many things about individuals which were not specifically discussed. Becoming pregnant was actually very significant. If the issue didn't come up, it didn't come up.

"If we're asked specifically, we shouldn't lie. It won't be mentioned otherwise." Cammy said. "Due to its personal nature, I don't think it's a question anyone would ask out of the 'blue'.

Savannah wanted things to be handled the same way too. She told others before not to lie to her. If they couldn't speak about something, she would rather have them tell her it was something they couldn't discuss, than lie. All girls needed to have a few secrets.

All those 'involved' agreed. It seemed like a good issue to tiptoe around going forward.

Cammy knew Savannah and Young Jesse took a VERY big step into the unknown. It was the unknown for them anyway. It was what Cameron wanted for both of them, just not yet. She was sure she'd face deactivation once Cameron found out. It's what Savannah wanted. It was her function to make sure Savannah received what she wanted. She was expendable.

Savannah didn't fully understand the worry she caused Cammy. Cammy wanted her to have what she wanted. Cammy was willing to sacrifice her existence to make sure it happened. It was the true test of love, sacrifice.

Cameron made further calculations about her TDE. Testing was suspended for a few days while Savannah and the girls were away. She wanted to start the procedure again soon. There was one other project to work on for now.

She stayed busy by going over the drone. She wanted to pilot it and see what advantage she could gain with it. The new drone possessed the ability to operate with or without a pilot. John Henry and her team both set to work to improve and upgrade the large drone. They ripped out some systems and fabricated others. It was also rearmed with their weapons. When they were done, it was a vastly superior machine.

Cameron was ready to test it the day after the girls returned.

She also asked John Henry to review her TDE calculations. The latest computations looked like they should work. She was ready to test it as well.

Cameron could feel the 'push back'. It didn't matter. It was most likely she wouldn't return. She would turn her base and CamNet over to John Henry and the Resistance.

"I'll turn everything over to you, John Henry." Cameron said.

John Henry only could see Cameron's current desire as folly. They should let sleeping dogs lie. The implication was if Cameron did what she indicated, she was leaving and not expecting to return. He really didn't think there was much he could say, but he needed to say something anyway.

"I would rather you didn't." John Henry said.

It was a personal issue to Cameron as opposed to an operational one. It was her sense it was all her fault for the Duplicates being created, and then marooned in some future. There was also the unresolved issue of where Mrs. Weaver was at and what she was doing.

"Please, John Henry, I know you understand, even if you don't agree. It's something I must do. I may be able to find Mrs. Weaver as well. They need my help." Cameron said. "We both know it. I MUST try to help them in order to continue to function."

John Henry did understand, and didn't agree. He wanted a better contingency plan. It didn't appear there was one.

"You're correct as always." John Henry said. "If you are trapped as well, or terminated, then what's supposed to happen?"

Cameron felt she'd covered all the bases and set things into motion to 'fix' everything and make sure everyone was 'provided' for. John would have sexual comfort. Savannah was ready to step up as well. In her absence, she was sure Savannah would.

"Summer will take my place at John's side. She however will not be his wife. She isn't allowed to be married to John. Summer is to be deactivated, as well as any Terminator who tries to marry John." Cameron said. "John will no longer be married. He will be free to 'share' with the girls, ALL of them. He will be single. I expect every Terminator to assist me with it."

John Henry didn't want to argue the point. He doubted any of the humans would accept the new reality. They may or may not step up. There was a question as to who would become 'Cameron Prime' if there was a physical chip swap as Cameron indicated.

"Have you and Summer switched chips yet?" John Henry asked. "When you do, you will give up your position as 'Cameron Prime' to whom?"

Cameron was irritated at the very question. None of it mattered to her anymore. She already moved on. It was what she tried to tell herself anyway. It wasn't a done deal yet. She didn't think there should be any restrictions placed on anyone, even if she wasn't the same part of it.

"Any of the clones may claim it. I don't care." Cameron said. "There will be no 'Cameron Prime' any longer. John will be free. I will be free. Summer will be free to be with anyone she chooses. Everyone will be free to share and live an open lifestyle. There will be plenty of sexual comfort for everyone."

John Henry knew how John felt about Cameron. He was with John when they retrieved Cameron's poem book and made her rings. He didn't think John would feel any different towards Summer if she was really Cameron.

"Since you will really be Summer, what if John chooses to marry you anyway?" John Henry asked. "I think it's what he will desire. His wishes should be respected too."

Cameron wanted to get out of a committed love relationship. She felt it was already over before it really even started. She didn't want to go through all the emotional issues again. They were all too traumatic.

"I'll never get married to anyone as Summer." Cameron said. "Summer will be free willed and free spirited. She will remain independent. Bob will take over as John's primary protector."

Cameron didn't feel like carrying on the conversation anymore. There was no point to go over the same things again and again. Yesterday's news was yesterday's news. She left to check on her TDE with the new information from John Henry.

John Henry watched Cameron go. He felt he should say something more, or try something different. He wasn't really sure it would make a difference any longer. He was unsure of the latest insanity from Cameron.

He wondered if a machine could go 'insane'. As insane as Cameron's behavior and antics were, there was a certain amount of logic to them.

He was also aware when some of the Skynet's, or Sky-whatever's, computers were attacked and deactivated by Cameron, they seemed to go insane as well.

John and Bob emerged from the storage area as soon as Cameron left. They monitored the conversation in secret.

John Henry looked over at them.

"Did you hear everything?" John Henry asked.

John hoped to learn more of what Cameron's plans were. He was sorry he did now. They were his worst fears. He was about to lose Cameron for good, even if she did a chip swap.

"I did." John said. "Cameron is going to 'kill' herself again. I'm not going to stop her. I think it will only make things worse and make her take even more drastic or extreme measures. I know she will really be Summer. I guess Summer will have Cameron's original chip. Cameron said her chip is her. If Cameron tells me we're divorced before she switches chips, I'm going to honor her request. It's time to move on with life and let Cameron, now Summer, choose her own path, not one which was programmed into her by Future John. I owe her that much. If she wants to be a 'new person', or 'someone different', I'm not going to stop her anymore. I love her too much to keep hurting her. If you really love someone, sometimes you need to let them go…."

Bob thought about what everyone said in regards to John Connor.

"Everyone sacrifices for John Connor." Bob said.

John was aware sacrifice was the true test of love. He knew he wasn't any different from anyone else.

"Even John Connor must sacrifice sometimes." John said.

John didn't know where things were headed. He wondered what Cameron was after. There was no definitive proof there was really a second set of Duplicates. What was she really after? Was this just another way to commit suicide? Would it still be suicide if it was a copy of her chip, and her original chassis which went off on the mission and never returned? He didn't think there was anything wrong with her original chassis. If she wanted a different chassis, with a slightly different appearance, he really didn't think it was a big deal.

He liked the way Summer looked. He was open to the aspect of the change. There was Allison, Cam, Cammy, Camille, and Ally. He could be with 'Cameron' again anytime he wanted. None of the female Terminators could say 'no' to him if he asked them for sexual comfort. If Cameron was 'gone' the human girls should become active with him as well. It really seemed like a win-win for everyone. He moved behind some electrical equipment and adjusted his pants. 'Little Willie' was awakened with the thought of the new flow of females who would be available to him. He would be sure to go visit Allison and Holly first. He might even be able to work Allison's mother Claire into the mix, even if it wasn't a 'three way'.

Cameron left the Resistance base to return to her base. There were a lot of things to think about on the way. She contemplated stopping to take out some future Grays along the way. Maybe to spill a little blood would help calm her. Someone should 'pay' for the way she felt. Everything was the fault of Skynet from the destruction of the future, to her creation. Everything related to Skynet needed to be destroyed. She wasn't sure destruction was good enough. It needed to be punished first before it was destroyed.

She kept an eye out as she drove. If she spotted any type of criminal behavior or future Scavengers, she would stop and deal with them. She did apply the brakes at one point and started to move over. She saw an unsavory looking character enter a convenience store. She pulled over to the curb and waited a moment. She was still very upset about everything which needed to be done.

She was just about to exit her SUV when she saw the individual exit the convenience store with a small child in tow. It appeared to be his offspring. The child seemed very happy to see him. It held some type of crushed ice drink. It was blue.

It made her question what she was ready to do a few seconds ago. She was ready to terminate the individual based upon his appearance. She knew she jumped to conclusions too quickly. It was true, based on past events, similar looking individuals were usually involved in crime. Maybe the individual in question was as well. Right now there was a very happy looking child with him.

Cameron refastened her safety belt, and started the SUV. She continued on her journey. It gave her some pause to think about things. Not everything was always as it seemed, even if it actually was.

She went to her TDE room once she was at her base. Sheila was ready to conduct further testing. The earlier tests should have produced results. They didn't. They raised the prospect something went wrong in a catastrophic sense.

Sheila looked over the equipment one more time. CamNet masked the electrical grid as Sheila powered up the TDE.

"I'm ready, love." Sheila said.

Cameron knew her future was based on what happened next.

"Do it." Cameron said.

The aching and flashing started. An energy bubble formed. They both watched as the energy bubble came and went.

Sheila and Cameron looked at each other.

In seconds the arcing and flashing started again and rapidly progressed. There was a kneeling figure who instantly stood. They were seemingly unaffected by the very rapid time transfer.

Sheila and Cameron both took in the perfect nude figure.

It was River.

Cameron felt elated. There was a rush of joy within her.

"I knew you would come." Cameron said.

Cameron handed River a dress. She also held an extra set of her clothes for Duplicate Cameron if she came with River. She didn't. River was alone.

River and Cameron embraced. River slipped on the dress. It was the same dress she last wore when she was in the past with Duplicate Cameron.

"...'Cameron'...?" Cameron asked about Duplicate Cameron.

River could sense Cameron's apprehension. She was aware several years passed in the current timeline from when she was there before. It was only a few days for her in her timeline.

"She wanted to stay to watch over the girls." River said. "It's only been only a few days since we last saw each other to me. One of us will be with the girls at all times. Allison is fine…. They're all doing the same as when you last saw them a few days ago in my timeline."

For Cameron, many long months, which turned into years, slowly passed. She experienced many issues and problems personally during the time period. She hoped Duplicate Cameron and River could offer some assistance. She was grateful River was even there.

"Thank you for coming." Cameron said. "I need your help to find the other set of Duplicates. If there's a solution, I know you and 'Cameron' have found it. I haven't been able to do so on my own."

River felt she came up with a few things which would work. She didn't want Cameron to rush into them yet. She thought she could visit everyone first and give Cameron some more time to ponder her decision. She did know in the end it wouldn't matter. Cameron would still do it anyway. She could at least delay it.

"I believe we have." River said. "I know it's been years since I was here to everyone in this timeline. I would like to see them. I see there are some new ones also. I especially want to see Savannah."

River looked over at Sheila. She could tell she was a cyborg version of Jesse.

Cameron could see the way Sheila looked at River. She thought an introduction was in order.

"River, this is Sheila." Cameron said. "Sheila, this is River. She knows what you're thinking. Perhaps you went to tone it down."

River knew exactly what Sheila was thinking. It was the same thing everyone thought when they looked at her. It didn't matter if they were a machine or not.

"I'm pleased to meet you." River said.

Sheila already knew River would know what she was thinking. It was one of the reasons why she thought it. She didn't think it would hurt to get it out there.

"Not as much as I am to meet you." Sheila said. "I know a 'looker' when I see one."

Cameron wanted to redirect everyone's thoughts. She caught River up on everything.

River went over all the temporal information with Cameron and Sheila. They should be able to go to the future timeline Duplicate Cameron experienced. River and Duplicate Cameron went over all the information and 'temporal traces' left in Duplicate Cameron. She believed they could adjust the 'frequency' to enter a different timeline. The same method should allow the TDE to send someone to any of the timelines directly. The complicated procedure Cameron used before would be unnecessary.

Cameron listened to what was laid out and proposed. It seemed like it could work. She knew her time was limited from this point forward…. A sense of dread flooded her. It was the start of her termination.

River quickly looked at Cameron. She could 'feel' what Cameron believed. The revelation made her very worried. She needed to address the issue at once.

"Cameron…." River started.

Cameron cut her off. She knew what was coming. It didn't matter. She ran the calculations and the chances of success thousands of times. It was just something she needed to do.

"Please. I have to do this." Cameron said. "I have to try. I know you understand, even if you don't agree. It was my actions which created them and marooned them in time. I'm responsible for all of this. You know I did the same thing for 'your Cameron' and the other set of girls. There was no guarantee any of it would work. I still did it anyway."

A sense of guilt radiated from Cameron. It wasn't the first time her rash actions seemed to create even more problems than there were in the first place.

Summer walked up.

"This is Summer. She's my replacement." Cameron said. "I'm her. She is me."

River looked at Summer. She understood the situation immediately.

Summer looked back.

River knew the truth…. Summer was not 'Cameron'. Cameron was still 'Cameron'.

Cameron quickly remembered she couldn't lie to River. River would always know the truth. She knew River knew the procedure hadn't happened yet.

"We're switching chips today." Cameron said quickly. "I wanted to make sure you arrived first in case there were any problems. It was possible anything could have returned in the energy bubble. I didn't want my new chassis and sheath to be damaged."

River looked at Cameron for a long moment and nodded slightly. She could see how torn Cameron was about everything. She could tell Cameron wasn't in a good state of mind. Her past experience with Duplicate Cameron allowed her to know how serious and possibly terminal things could get.

Everything Cameron just told her was true to a certain extent. They were all ideas Cameron ran through her mind multiple times. If Cameron would actually enact everything she said, it would be a different story. Time would tell.

River went with Cameron and made the rounds and visited everyone. She wanted to see the other versions of the girls who were currently in her future. She also wanted to see the others she met before. They visited Palmdale first.

Allison was thrilled to see River. She heard a lot about her from Cameron and Savannah. She was just like they said she was.

"I'm Allison, this is my mother, Claire Young." Allison said.

Pleasantries were exchanged.

River touched Claire's mid section. She looked over at Allison.

"This is Allison's baby inside you." River said. "I can feel it. It feels just like 'my Allison's' baby."

Claire heard about River. She couldn't tell her physical appearance from Allison's. They looked nearly identical. It was amazing. It wasn't the same as how Cameron and her clones looked compared to Allison. They all looked 'better'. What River said about the baby inside her was equally amazing.

Cameron explained the trouble all the girls from Allison's future experienced in carrying a child to term. None of them could, so far.

River felt 'her Allison' may have an advantage. She also would be able to benefit from the future technology.

"I have my brother check Allison when Cameron or myself aren't available." River said. "She will deliver. He's an excellent doctor and a skilled surgeon. He's very gifted."

Claire still found the concept of the Duplicates very strange. Then again, was it any stranger than having the same person in more than one timeline?

"So I'll have two grandchildren?" Claire asked.

River didn't want to say Claire would be dead for nearly five hundred years when it happened. She also 'felt' what the future here would bring for Allison.

"One will not be born for a few hundred years yet." River reminded her. "You will carry one more child for Allison."

Claire touched her lower belly.

"I will?" Claire asked.

River was sure of it, but somehow there was a 'twist' to it she couldn't quite 'see'. It was clear to her Claire would be pregnant twice in this timeline with Allison children.

"Yes." River said. "Allison will have two children. You will give birth to both of them."

River was especially pleased to see Young Allison and then Young Summer. When she looked at Young Summer and touched her, she quickly looked at Cameron. She didn't say anything or comment on what she 'felt'. Cameron didn't appear to have any knowledge of what she just determined. There was no need to comment on it.

Young Summer and her looked into each other's eyes. Words were unnecessary between them.

Cameron and River left.

Claire watched them go. She was totally infatuated with River.

"I think River is like Cameron, but human." Claire said.

Allison frowned at the statement. River was subjected to the abuse of others because of her abilities. It was like another form of torture in reality. She really didn't think it was too much different than some of the things Skynet did. It was just a reminder not everyone could control their own destiny when others were determined to alter it.

"Yes." Allison said. "Both of them were made into weapons."

Claire thought their very being was special in every way. There may be others who looked like them, but none of them were Cameron or River.

"They're both so unique and so beautiful." Claire said.

There was a far off look in Allison's eyes.

"There are no others like them, especially River." Allison said.

Young Summer and Young Allison were in the next room. They looked at each other when Allison made the statement. They both knew her statement was incorrect. There was another….

Cameron brought River to the Resistance base. There were a lot of changes and several new faces. She saw all the ones she recognized from before. She also wanted to see the other versions of Vanna and Jesse. She could tell they were completely identical, as was Allison.

River stopped by and saw Savannah.

Cameron was called away.

River was very pleased to see Savannah again. She was much smaller the last time they saw each other.

"You've grown. You're a young woman now." River said.

They embraced. River started to release Savannah but held her a little longer.

River slowly backed up from Savannah.

"You really are a woman now." River said. "You're a mother too, well, you will be."

Savannah was afraid of being discovered. She tried not to think about it, but clearly River 'felt' the baby inside her. She would need River's cooperation to keep a lid on the new turn of events.

"Yes. I'm pregnant. Please don't say anything. Cameron and John don't know yet." Savannah said. "I don't need any problems right now. I did it without their knowledge. It's something I feel I need to do. It's very important to me. I don't care if you look further. I trust you. It'll be our secret."

Savannah didn't try to hide anything she did or why she did it right now. She knew River probed her mind. She felt nothing but knew it happened.

River did do it. She 'saw' a lot of things. She saw Savannah's love for Cameron was pure and honest. She understood Savannah believed she would 'protect' Cameron by her actions. It was a noble 'sacrifice' on Savannah's part. She felt a twinge of sadness, maybe it was guilt. It was what 'her Cameron' 'asked' her to do before. Now she regretted not doing it. She did go to John, but he wouldn't 'have' her. Her Cameron almost perished because she didn't have the anchor of love which would have been created. Savannah was the 'Chosen One' in more ways than one.

"And the other girl, well, the other young woman, is also." River said. "Jesse in Australia is pregnant too."

River understood the sacrifice involved in it as well. Young Jesse was going to sacrifice for Jesse.

Savannah wanted to know more about what Cameron was up to. She felt it was happening because she hadn't acted sooner. She believed she hesitated for too long when she shouldn't have. She knew what she needed to do, she just didn't do it.

River explained to Savannah what Cameron was going to do.

"Can I come with you?" Savannah asked. "I would like to be there when Cameron does the testing or goes…."

River saw many possibilities. Savannah was pure in her love for Cameron. It was something very unique. There was only one person who could truly protect Cameron from herself. It wasn't her. It was Savannah. She would like to have an additional safeguard as well. She was a little worried about Cameron's intentions and what would really happen.

"I'll inform Cameron." River said. "Now let's get caught up…."

Cameron decided to turn over testing of the drone to Summer. She removed herself from the program.

She needed to carry out HER mission. It was time to see John and tell him the news. She expected it to turn into an ugly scene and shouting match. It wasn't how she wanted to 'leave'.

She walked up to John.

"I know you already know." Cameron said.

Cameron handed John both of her rings.

John looked at the rings. He remembered when they sat on her poem book for fifteen months when he thought she was dead.

"That's it, just like that?" John asked.

Cameron tilted her head slightly. What else did there need to be? It seemed rather simple and straightforward to her. She didn't see the need to explain he was no longer obligated to a very scary robot from the future. She hoped he would be relieved the 'dead weight' was lifted from him. She no longer wanted to be a hindrance to his life and stop his personal development he would need for the future. He was supposed to be prepared for the future when it happened. The way things were headed right now all she did is make him a target.

"Yes." Cameron said. "We're divorced. You're free."

John looked at the rings again and at Cameron.

"Cameron…." John started and stopped.

Cameron wanted John to remember her on a happy note. She would allow him the use of her sheath one last time. She didn't think it would take very long. It usually didn't.

"You may have sex with me one more time if you desire." Cameron said. "I'm ready to share with you now."

John wanted to make a point, even if it wasn't entirely correct. It was the way it should have been all the time, even if sometimes it wasn't.

"I've only made love to my wife. It was never just sex." John said.

Cameron hoped for more. It was over. They were finished.

"Then we're done." Cameron said.

She turned to leave.

John needed to know one thing. He was sure the 'Cameron' in front of him was now a 'clone'.

"Are you Summer now?" John asked.

Cameron paused and turned.

"Summer is free and independent." Cameron said. "You may pursue a sexual relationship with her, but she will never marry you. Never call her 'Cameron'. You are free to have the girls now, John. Enjoy life and your freedom. Please let Summer have hers. Goodbye."

Cameron turned and left.

John opened the dresser drawer and dropped the rings on top of Cameron's poem book.

"Goodbye, Cameron." John said and closed the drawer.

John felt Cameron would be back…. He hoped she would anyway. This time he wasn't sure. Cameron seemed to have done too much planning on her current endeavor. The other times were more spur of the moment events. This time it was planned by a Terminator, many of them.

He looked forward to breaking Summer in, even if they would only be sexual partners at times. At least he would be her 'first'.

Cameron returned to her facility. Sheila wanted to go over a few last minute details. She was a little surprised at who arrived later on.

Summer brought River and Savannah with her to Cameron's base. She originally tried to get Savannah to stay at the Resistance base. River said she wanted Savannah to go with her. She needed to reluctantly agree.

River could feel Summer's apprehension during the exchange. It worried her greatly. She was even more determined to have Savannah there with her.

Summer excused herself to do the chip swap with Cameron.

They returned in a very short time.

Cameron was a little worried about the change in plans. A sense of fear gripped her. There were two people there now who could 'stop' her.

"You shouldn't be here." Summer said to Savannah.

River thought it was a non issue. Cameron's chip was now in Summer.

"She asked to come." River said. "You, Summer now, brought both of us."

River and Sheila went over the controls for the TDE. The settings were checked several times. They needed to be exact for the frequency modulation to work at the desired time and location in a specific future. Any changes would cause a malfunction and most likely a temporal error, or location error, if not both of them. They could even be blasted into a new timeline, or an unknown one.

Cameron stripped off her clothes.

Everyone took in her perfect nude figure. It was stunning.

Cameron moved onto the TDE pad.

River made some last minute adjustments.

"Do it." Cameron said.

River felt the sense of doom which radiated from 'Cameron'. It was clear Cameron believed it would most likely end in her termination. She didn't feel it was something she could do.

"I can not." River said as she stepped back. "I will not."

Cameron felt even more guilt at the apprehension and pain she just caused River. She looked at Sheila.

"Do it - NOW." Cameron said.

Sheila moved forward and pushed the button to start the TDE.

The TDE began to power up. The energy began to crackle and the flashing started.

River looked suddenly at Cameron, then at Summer, and then back to Cameron. It was all wrong. They deceived her. She checked for it several times and they pulled it off anyway.

"No…." River said. "Cameron…."

River went to move forward towards Cameron on the TDE pad. Both Sheila and Summer grabbed her. They both restrained her to prevent from injuring her. They caught her off guard. They knew she would try to stop it. She could have stopped it.

"Cameron…." River screamed.

The bubble began to form around Cameron. She would be gone in seconds.

"It's really Cameron." River screamed.

A sense of panic flooded Savannah.

She KNEW something wasn't right.

"Cameron…." Savannah screamed as she sprung into action. "No."

Savannah saw how Sheila and Summer prevented River from doing anything. Their real mistake was they hadn't been able to stop River from shouting the warning. She knew why she was there now. It was all on her.

Savannah jumped forward and into the energy bubble. She grabbed onto Cameron. She hoped to move Cameron off of the TDE pad before the transfer completed.

The arcing and flashing intensified.

There was a final bright flash.

Only Savannah's clothes remained.

They were gone….

Closing monologue by Cameron:

I Knew You Would Come

When it comes to the moment of truth
When we need them, who will be there
Who will hold tough and take the dare
Who will run, hide, cower or scare

It's all about honor
It's all about trust
Who will rust and turn to dust
Who will adapt and adjust

There are very few out there
On whom we can always count
Quality matters over the amount
Many challenges they must surmount

To reach out is always a risk
Why does the other reach back
Will they stand up to an attack
Will they stay on the right track

Perhaps it's with satisfaction
To see one over some
We can say as we beat our drum
I knew you would come

Nobody