Chapter 397

What She Represented

XXXXXXXXXXXX

In Some Future:

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Nobody was happy when Allison went with Cameron and Mrs. Weaver. It was risky. No one could understand why it was necessary. Maybe if they asked for a volunteer, one of the others may have gone in her place. Sacrifice was the true test of love. Allison chose to go. She was willing to make the sacrifice.

Ginger and Sandy were to remain with Jesse and Vanna. They felt they could be better used elsewhere. They didn't know future events would dictate their presence.

"We should go with the others." Ginger said. "We could provide extra protection for Allison on the battlefield."

Sandy felt a sense of duty to the Special Unit. She was rebodied before. Allison didn't have the luxury of the same option. Anything which occurred was unfixable.

"They need us with them." Sandy said. "I want to serve with Cameron. It's where the battle is to be fought. It's where the danger will be greatest."

Ginger felt a sense of obligation to Cameron for everything she did for them.

"We owe it to her." Ginger said. "We owe Cameron our loyalty."

Ginger and Sandy wanted to be where the action was. Every Restorator did. They were inspired to follow Cameron. They both wondered why Cameron didn't want them with her. It made them feel 'inadequate'. They thought they were going to go, then things changed.

Cammy knew she needed to refocus Ginger and Sandy. They weren't being 'punished'. Cameron chose them for the assignment. She wanted to get them straightened out.

"Cameron has assigned you to the most valued and trusted task." Cammy said. "It's to watch over her girlfriends, the girls she loves. There's nothing more special to Cameron here. The safety of the girls is what Cameron wants the most until she can return them 'home'. The girls are the most precious thing she has in this timeline. Nothing matters to her more than they do."

Vanna knew how to 'help' cyborgs. She did it many times at the Resistance base in the past. They tended to focus on one aspect of something at times, and miss the significance of the overall picture. She knew the same issue existed with humans. It was easy for anyone to get caught up in one detail and miss everything around it.

"We consider it an honor to have Cameron select you to protect us." Vanna said. "She wouldn't trust our lives and well being with just anyone. She picked who she thought was the best and most loyal to her. You represent her by being here. It's not something she would bestow on just anyone."

Sandy and Ginger looked at each other. It appeared Cameron did select them for an elite assignment. They needed to understand what was important to Cameron, not the General. It did make them feel better as they understood the role they now played for Cameron. It was really an honor. They could see the girls were special among other humans they encountered. They also were previously in two other timelines. They were with Cameron for years now. They were the ones who risked it all to go with Cameron on her mission. It wasn't other cyborgs who went with her. It was the three human girls. It was her friends. It said something about them as well. They watched Allison join the General and the Commander without a single complaint. She went off to do her duty as requested.

"Then we are honored as well to serve you." Ginger said. "We won't fail Cameron. We won't fail you."

Jesse wanted some clarification for them. A few years back in her future she never would have said what she was about to say. She never even would have thought it.

"You don't serve us, love." Jesse said. "We're all equals. We're all in this together. We need to help and rely on each other. There are times when everyone has their own strengths when others may need them the most. They won't always be physical either."

Vanna knew it was a good observation. It was also a valid point.

"We all share here. No one serves us." Vanna said. "We're all the same."

Sandy remembered a lot of opposition to the Restorators in the future she came from. This future didn't seem much different when she arrived. It actually seemed worse. It was this group of humans who were different. She wanted to make sure she understood everything as it was indicated.

"You don't disapprove of us?" Sandy asked. "Are we really equal?"

Vanna worked hard in the past to get around issues of the same nature. It was all about seeing each person as an individual and not as a group. She knew it was never good when someone tried to lump everyone together. It was impossible to always look at everyone the same. She met plenty of bad people growing up. Some were much worse than others. She was sure others were caught up in circumstances. Evil was evil, but there was always worse evil and less evil.

The Skynet Terminators were machines. They were victims of their programming. They weren't evil just because they were machines. They carried out Skynet's bidding because they didn't know any better. She knew some humans saw all machines as evil, even those which were never under the control of Skynet. It didn't matter, some individuals hated them just because they were machines.

"We all love Cameron too." Vanna said. "You're no different than her. We all have a Metal girl as a protector and a lover, as well as each other. None of us see the term 'Metal', as in a Metal girl, as a bad thing. It is just a nice way of saying Terminator."

The term 'Terminator' did seem to have a 'ring' of finality to it.

Sandy nodded. She started out as a Restorator and was rebodied with a Terminator chassis. It was still her same chip so the term 'Metal girl' did make it simpler to describe the nature of their construction, rather than their intended purpose.

Ginger watched all the girls 'interact'. It included both the human girls and their Metal girls. It was clear they were all sexually involved. Cameron was different. She didn't seem to be involved with anyone. Cameron did tell them she was married to a human male. It seemed like the ultimate expression of a union to take everything one step further and actually be married. It did seem it would lead to some complications further down the road.

"Cameron is married to male." Ginger said. "She doesn't share like you all do."

Jesse didn't see it as being something positive in every case. She was involved with males, females, and machines. Females knew how to please females better. They also knew to 'push' the finish so it could be multiple finishes. Males stopped after one. The female was even lucky to get there once by a male. It seldom happened. Males didn't have any stamina. She just didn't believe 'traditional marriage' was very great on any level. It seemed to be more of a restriction than anything else. It basically meant the end of being able to finish frequently with multiple partners who could get the job done.

"I guess even Cameron has her 'shortcomings'." Jesse joked.

Sandy needed to think about her statement.

"You're all females, and all only 'with' other females." Sandy said.

Vanna saw it as the only choice for her. Her life's circumstances dictated the path for her. When it came to males, she already decided John would be the only male allowed to touch her. Her past abuse by males haunted her daily. She knew she shouldn't lump everyone together, she just had no desire to ever be with a male other than John again.

"It's our choice." Vanna said. "We know what's better."

Ginger and Sandy looked at each other. Cameron suggested several times they should 'explore' with each other. She told them to do it with their programming off. They were hesitant to go too far. They encountered sensations they didn't know how to fully process. It happened when they touched certain areas on themselves. It seemed there could be an overload or malfunction if they continued. Cameron even told him it would be something similar and they needed to go a little further. They were still both worried they might damage themselves permanently. What they needed were 'instructors'. The girls there could teach them what to do. They wanted to know more. They also wanted to learn the right way.

"I wish to 'learn'." Sandy said. "WE want to learn."

Ginger looked at Sandy and smiled.

"Both of us want to know." Ginger said. "We are very unsure about everything."

Vanna was a little surprised to hear it. If the circumstances were a little different, she'd teach them now. The atmosphere was toxic because Allison was out where she didn't need to be.

"When Allison gets back we can help you 'learn'." Vanna said.

Jesse was pretty sure she saw and did it all. Her time with Cam proved otherwise.

"I'm a Hell of a teacher, love." Jesse said. "With a Metal girlfriend, I'm even still learning."

Jesse wasn't sure there was a limit on how far things could go. She briefly wondered if there could be so much pleasure, it could cause her body to overload and send her to the 'other side'. There were times she felt she was close. Cam always backed off, even if she told her to keep going.

Cam and Cammy looked uncomfortable. They feared 'replacement'. Ginger and Sandy were both much more 'well endowed' than they were. They knew it was an attraction to males and females.

Vanna could see how distressed Cammy looked right now. It wasn't her intent. Cammy didn't understand about 'sharing' yet. She suffered from 'target fixation'. There was a bigger world out there waiting for her to discover it. Now was clearly not the time to start the process.

"We can TELL you what we like and do. You can experiment on your own." Vanna said. "Everything is just like you think it will be, but better."

Cammy smiled at her.

Jesse noticed how Cam looked. It wasn't good. She heard what Vanna just said. It was to ease their Metal girl's fears.

"Sure, love, it will be like classroom instruction." Jesse said. "You get to do the homework on your own and together."

Cam smiled at her.

Jesse and Vanna didn't want to hurt their 'Cameron'. They were all worried to death about Allison and tried to think of other things. It didn't work. Even trying to joke or lighten the mood still left them all hurting. No matter what they did it always came back to the same place. It was the feeling of 'disaster'.

What seemed to trouble them the most was Allison's own feeling and belief she wouldn't return. Allison didn't think she was going to make it and it didn't seem to trouble her like they thought it should.

It was a sense of doom they all felt.

They needed to monitor the progress of everything as it developed. It wouldn't all happen at once when it started.

Cammy and Cam spoke quietly among themselves. They needed to ensure the success of the mission Cameron was on. They wanted to protect Cameron and Allison to the fullest extent. With Ginger and Sandy there to assist them, it would give them some additional freedom of movement. They weren't ready to do anything yet, but they decided what they would need to do at some point going forward. Cameron, Allison and Cameron II didn't need to take all the risk. They were both Cameron too.

Cameron was worried about Allison. Cameron II would be with her, but she wanted some additional 'protection'. Mrs. Weaver was able to offer some unique capabilities.

"General, I'd like you to be with Allison as much as possible." Cameron said. "I still have my reservations about her being with us. I don't like her being exposed to the danger."

Cameron still wasn't content about Allison being along on the mission into the heart of Skynet territory. It was a dangerous mission and it relied a lot on the disinformation the Gray sent out. It was what Skynet did with the information which would make their job either harder or easier. It was still going to be dangerous either way.

Mrs. Weaver liked the idea of being 'closer' to Allison. It was for Vanna as well as herself. She didn't want to seem too forward. She didn't want her real desires known.

"I'll protect her." Mrs. Weaver said. "She's Vanna's lover and mate. She also has a competent bodyguard who will be with her. I trust her abilities."

Cameron frowned. It didn't matter if Cameron II ran her program or not. She was very concerned about everything herself. Everything was risky.

"Cameron II will be with her continuously. I want some extra assurance." Cameron said. "This mission is too dangerous for her."

Mrs. Weaver could see Cameron was genuinely concerned for Allison. Cameron obviously didn't want Allison with them. It was something Cameron wanted to avoid from the start.

"I know she's here because I asked you to bring her." Mrs. Weaver said. "It will all work out. I want Skynet to know humans are responsible for its destruction as well as machines."

There were a lot of things which could go wrong. Allison would need to keep up with the Restorators on the trip there. They would need to move fast and keep up the fast pace to get into position unobserved.

"She may have trouble keeping up." Cameron said. "She doesn't possess the abilities of a cyborg. I'm very worried."

Mrs. Weaver hadn't considered it. It would be hard for a human to keep up. She could understand Cameron's concern better now. It was a valid point.

"If we need to assist her, one of the Restorators can carry her." Mrs. Weaver said. "It will be ALL of us who defeat the current version of Skynet as we did in the other future."

Cameron wanted some reassurances about Savannah. She didn't know how far she could trust Mrs. Weaver on her earlier assurances.

"I've spoken with Vanna…." Cameron said. "It was about Savannah."

Mrs. Weaver originally planned something different for Savannah. She wanted Savannah at her side. She grew fond of her. She liked how Savannah made her feel once they began to interact and share affection. She now understood the true nature of the 'Natural Order'. John Connor would need both human females and Metal girls as lovers to truly unite everyone. Vanna was very specific in what she would do if Savannah wasn't taken from her correct and current time period. She only needed to remember Vanna was Savannah Weaver. Vanna also showed her a level of affection. It pleased her immensely when she referred to her as her 'mother'.

"Savannah will stay with John in the past." Mrs. Weaver said. "I promise, Cameron. She'll be there for John once she's ready along with Young Allison. You've explained everything to me before, Vanna has reaffirmed it."

Cameron was sure the next part was going to be a problem. It was what she believed. It was her current purpose. She knew it was safer for the girls in the past. Sarah made her understand no place was safe. She did learn there were places which were safer than others. The past was much safer than any future she visited. Every future was a very dangerous place, including the current one they were in. Nobody belonged in the future.

"I don't want to leave Vanna and Allison here when I go back." Cameron said. "I'm responsible for their safety."

Mrs. Weaver noticed Cameron didn't mention Jesse. She didn't comment on it. She spent a lot of time as 'Jesse' when no one was around. She even used Jesse's figure from the neck down about half of the time anyway. She didn't change anything on it either. She really liked her figure. It was very trim and tight. Everything was a night and day difference between their bodies in all of the 'private areas', especially the pigmentation. She liked the differences. She did some interesting 'combinations' to compare things side by side. She needed to refocus. She wanted Cameron to remember her true place.

"You won't need to be." Mrs. Weaver said. "Your clones will be with them. Vanna has agreed to remain with me. Allison has chosen to remain with her. You need to go back to be with John."

Cameron paused as a conflict raged in her mind. She searched her files incessantly for any clues as to what was or would be. There were no answers.

Mrs. Weaver's earlier comments about Future John and Past John still troubled her. She wanted some clarification. She needed to know. She wanted to know what was going to happen. She wanted to know if it actually already did happen.

"Do you know which John it will be?" Cameron finally asked.

Cameron needed to know what her future was. Maybe there was no future for any of them and it all ended in the upcoming battle.

Mrs. Weaver knew what she saw before she left for the past. There was no need to upset Cameron further. She really didn't understand it herself at this point. Somehow it was all illogical. It was possible there were different timelines involved. She didn't want to create a problem, especially right now. There simply was no logical explanation for some things. To speculate was just as bad. It would simply be a guess if there was no actual proof. She wanted Cameron to find happiness. She could tell what Cameron wanted.

"Forget I ever said anything." Mrs. Weaver said. "I'm sorry I brought it up. You clearly love Past John. I believe you should follow your heart."

Cameron reached up and touched the locket near her left breast The locket inside of her contained images of John and the girls. She wasn't sure there was a simple explanation to any of it. She knew everything was deeper than it seemed. Her time in the future reminded her of everything. It was very hard for her to leave Future John and Future Allison behind when she left her future after rescuing Future Allison. She returned to the past and experienced much difficulty getting back to John.

"I love Future John and Future Allison as well." Cameron said.

Mrs. Weaver didn't see there was a problem. The solution was right in front of them.

"Take one of your clones with you…." Mrs. Weaver said. "Vanna and Allison can share one. It may be a better option going forward anyway. At some point it may come out how many of 'you' there really are. We can make more clones too. There are many options."

None of Cameron's questions were satisfactorily answered. She wanted to know where she ended up at. She needed some better type of explanation.

"So I stay with Past John and I send a clone into my future?" Cameron asked.

Mrs. Weaver was unsure why Cameron was so concerned about it, especially right now.

"It's an option." Mrs. Weaver said. "Your program is you. You have more than one clone chassis currently available…."

Cameron didn't want to make the choice for anybody else, let alone herself. Maybe if she let someone else choose first, she would take what was left. The decision could be made for her. Somehow it seemed like it would be easier. If the choice was left up to her, the results would be on her. If someone else were to choose, she would need to follow the path given to her. She didn't want to get ahead of herself. Currently they were still marooned 'in some future'.

"If we procure what we need for the TDE, I'll speak with my clones and the girls." Cameron said. "I'll seek their advice and any volunteers."

Cameron could have her choice too then if she chose first about which timeline to return to. She could go home to Future John and Future Allison, or return to the past and everyone else she left behind. In her future she could have Future John, Future Allison and Future Savannah. In the past she would only have John and the memory of him choosing Future Riley over her every time she saw him….

She thought about what she witnessed when she left the Resistance base. Riley was there again and she wasn't. It didn't seem to make a difference to John when she was there with Future Riley. He went ahead and did what he wanted anyway. The thought of it happening again was too much for her to accept. There was no doubt in her mind which John would choose her. She made up her mind. She was going - home….

The discussion gave Mrs. Weaver something new to think about. She could return to her future, Cameron's future, as 'Cameron', and have Future John, Future Allison and Future Savannah…. They would all love her from the start. Savannah and Vanna loved her for what she represented, a dead mother. EVERYBODY loved and wanted Cameron, even her….

Mrs. Weaver hoped Cameron chose the past. She wanted Cameron's future for herself. She would still be in a position of power and with three people who wanted 'her'. Maybe it was time she started to learn more about Cameron's behavior. She already tried to emulate Cameron's thought process. It was all very chaotic and confusing. She needed to revert back to her program to avoid an overload. She really needed to wonder how Cameron appeared to function so efficiently.

Bob led the Special Unit. They followed Cameron. There was nowhere she went they wouldn't follow. She was the perfect leader. She knew what she was doing and she cared about her troops. They all wondered why the General never seemed to care much before. They were sent into combat with little regard for their safety. They were used as tools only. Little was ever done to repair damaged units. Now Cameron allowed them to be individuals. Cameron changed everything for them.

Cameron made sure body armor was fabricated for ALL of them. They all carried the best weapons. They carried Thermite and plasma grenades. She checked over every one of them before they left. She made personal contact with each of them. It furthered the sense of personal loyalty all of the troops felt towards her. They were still Restorators, but NOW they also mattered, they mattered to her.

Bob was inspired by Cameron. His programming wasn't the same as hers, but there was something about her…. Her appearance was very infatuating. Her actions were motivating. The sum of what made her unique was captivating. There was clearly no other machine like her. Well, maybe her clones. They all ran the same program. Her clones were all 'Cameron' too. He believed it was an effective strategy to ensure her survival. It made her invincible as well as eternal.

Now they lead the human female Cameron was based on. He thought she really must be something special. The General chose her form in combat. She was the one chosen to pattern Cameron after. He could tell they loved each other. Cameron told him she risked everything to go on a rescue mission to save a version of the same girl from death in a different future. She was the one Cameron shared 'memories' with. He didn't know all the details. Cameron never spoke of them. He knew Cameron was there from the past. She fought in his future. Now she was here to fight in this one. Those who saw her in action never forgot her bravery and ferociousness. Cameron brought the fight to the enemy. She didn't wait for it to come to her. Cameron believed in victory.

Cameron made it clear the human female was to be protected at all costs. Even if it meant every one of them would fight to termination as Cameron said she would do herself. He heard the stories of 'Allison Young' from the other future. She was everywhere, she was invincible. Now she was going with them to face Skynet itself. There was a clone of Cameron at her side. There was also CAMERON at her side.

He was worried about Allison's safety earlier. He was still worried about it. What he noticed, along with everyone else, was she didn't seem worried about it. She was ready for battle. She stayed right with the Restorators. Females were supposed to be weaker than males. It may be true physically. Physical strength wasn't always the key factor in combat. The mind and ability of the person was what mattered. Allison was more competent and ready than most of the males he witnessed in combat. Cameron must have been patterned after her for a reason. In Cameron's future, Skynet chose Allison too.

Bob looked at Allison. He wouldn't let Cameron down. Cameron was created from this female. If they fell one by one, Allison would be the last one standing….

Every Restorator agreed.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

What She Represented

Everyone is not the same
Even if they all have the same things
Everyone is very different
Maybe that is why it stings

When one reaches for another
What is it their actions just 'said'
When the reality sinks in deep inside
It leaves the other feeling a little dead

It's not always physical attraction
That will be the draw
It certainly is a distraction
Away at one's insides it will gnaw

A smile goes a long way
When there is seldom one on a face
It reminds one there's more to life
When a pretty face becomes a disgrace

It all comes down to
The person that is within
It is more than about 'skin'
Change is a new place to begin

When one's ego becomes dented
Inside they feel conflicted and tormented
When they see a plain face presented
She slowly understands what she represented

Nobody