Chapter 398

Never Lose That

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In Some Future:

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Part of Cameron's plan would involve some 'hocus pocus'. It was all part of the plan to keep Skynet on the defensive and to continue to look in the wrong direction.

Cam took over as 'Cameron'. She would play 'Commander Connor' to keep her presence visible as they prepared for the 'mock strike' which was scheduled. No one was to know Cameron, the General, and the Special Unit already moved out toward the real objective, Skynet Central.

Cam was already at the location where the troops were being assembled to make it look good.

The real fear in the back of the group's minds was Allison. Cameron II was there to help protect her. The threat of going to Skynet Central was ominous.

Cammy assigned both Ginger and Sandy to Jesse. She would stay with Vanna. She wanted to make sure they were both protected.

Unit One arrived. He seemed a little hesitant, but he learned his lesson, at least for now, not to delay with what may be critical information. Even sometimes if it seemed insignificant, there could be great relevance associated with it. Such was the nature of the current situation.

"We have just received word someone named 'Snake' wants to see Jesse." Unit One reported to Vanna. "It seems he may possess important information."

Cammy knew there was trouble in the sector of the complex. Cam spoke with her before about going with Cameron II in the dead of the night to 'clean' the place up, Terminator style. The threat from the area needed to be treated with caution. They may need to delay some of their plans. Cam already possessed experience with the sector.

"Cam should go with her." Cammy said. "Jesse needs protection."

Vanna was in charge now since Mrs. Weaver and Cameron were away. Life and death decisions now fell on her. There was a good chance Allison was already 'lost'. Now Jesse could be too. It was time to make some hard choices.

"Cam is busy now." Vanna said. "Ginger and Sandy can go with her."

Cammy wanted to watch over Vanna. She also wanted Jesse protected. She wasn't sure if it would 'sell'. Ginger's and Sandy's exposure to humans was limited. Even if they looked like human females, which they did, they may not always act like one. It was through no fault of their own. Programming only took them so far and couldn't cover every situation. Only experience would be able to do so. To put them in the wrong place at the wrong time could expose them to danger as well.

"NO. They might be made as Metal." Cammy said. "I'll go with Jesse. Ginger and Sandy will stay with you. Besides, I can look like Cam when she's out."

Vanna didn't know if everyone was a 'team player'. Past incidents indicated otherwise.

"What about Unit One?" Vanna asked.

Cammy felt the main issue was resolved.

"He won't be a problem." Cammy said. "Cameron 'spoke' to him. She's updated all of us…."

Vanna figured it was more than a casual conversation. It was most likely Cameron 'threatened' him. She knew it could either be a direct threat, or an indirect threat. She didn't know it was the prospect of 'false power' which brought him around.

"So he fears the General and the Commander both?" Vanna asked.

Cammy felt their team would be able to play a few more cards than Unit One. It was made clear to him Mrs. Weaver and Cameron weren't the only things he would need to worry about going forward.

"He does, as well as the Commander's three clones and the 'Special Unit'." Cammy said. "He also needs to worry about Allison, Jesse, and you."

It seemed like a pretty good threat to Vanna. There was always the possibility Unit One may try to play both sides of the field. She didn't want to mention it, but it was something not to forget. She was privy to the 'mock strike' Cam was now involved with. She believed there was real merit to it. She needed to address the issue. It was a way to protect the group headed for Skynet Central. It would help protect Cameron and Allison.

"There's nothing like playing with a stacked deck." Vanna said. "You know, I've been thinking about something important. What if we carry out the 'mock strike' anyway? We can launch it early right after the strike on Skynet Central starts. If we do, they can't draw off any resources the enemy tried to send help to Skynet Central."

Cammy and Cameron both discussed a similar plan earlier. It would most likely result in human casualties. It was something Cameron wanted to avoid. Human losses would be blamed on the General and her leadership. The finger would be pointed at the Restorators for not doing enough. They might even be accused of holding back, so more humans were killed. It would never be the intent of the Resistance leadership, even if some disgruntled individuals attempted to portray it as such. It was common for misinformation to be interpreted by those who wanted to hear, what they wanted to hear. In such situations the truth was overshadowed and possessed little relevance, even if it was the truth.

"I've discussed several plans with Cameron myself." Cammy said. "It's an option we both liked, but did not want to commit to. People will die if we do. There are going to be human losses no matter how it plays out."

Vanna knew people died in war. All of those in the Resistance needed to play a part. The fight against Skynet belonged to all of them. It was still a good plan to help out the team at Skynet Central. The goal was to defeat Skynet as much as it was to get the materials necessary to construct the TDE. The enemy needed to be engaged, to be defeated. It was how the engagement was carried out which would make the difference in victory or defeat.

She was specifically put in charge with the absence of Mrs. Weaver and Cameron. It wasn't Unit One, or any of Cameron's clones. It was her. She went over all of the data and plans available to her. She wanted to take things a step further. It was more than just about protecting Allison.

"I want to send Unit One with Cam on the strike if we carry it out." Vanna said. "I haven't told her yet I want a real strike now. I want to carry out the actual attack."

Cammy figured there would be Restorator casualties in any such attack. As to the extent of them, it was unknown. She decided to take the risk herself. It was what Cameron would do too. She believed she was on sound footing with her request.

"I'll lead the strike instead of Cam if we decide to do it. I don't want to drop this in her lap as a surprise." Cammy said. "Cameron II is second in line. I'm third. Cam is fourth. It's the 'order' directive from Cameron Prime herself. It's the same order we will attempt to return to the past. Cam will stay and become 'Cameron' here if she's the last one. She will still be with all three of you. It's a choice assignment that both Cameron II and I would covet. Duty comes before pleasure."

All Vanna could hear from Cammy was 'Cameron'. Everything she said is what she knew Cameron would do herself.

"How different from Cameron are each of you now?" Vanna asked.

Cammy was aware many things would change based on what happened going forward. It may not be what any of them 'wanted', but it was necessary to make everything work. Life moved forwards, not backwards.

"We're all different in our relationships with each of you. Other than the slight variation, we are all still 'Cameron'." Cammy said. "Our internal programming has firewalled Cameron's relationship with John. Each girl has taken 'his place' for each Cameron clone. As each of us goes into the past, our memories of our female companion here will be permanently erased as we become 'Cameron'. We will never remember our relationships with the girls. We won't know we're not Cameron Prime. It's the only way it can work."

Vanna needed to take a moment to think about what Cammy said. Everything they did together would no longer exist for Cammy as she became 'Cameron'.

She wondered if it was what Cameron experienced when she was sent from the future. It would explain a lot and where Cameron's 'lost memories' went. Either way, Future John was responsible for it, even if Cameron did it herself. She hoped there was a 'workaround' the issue. Cammy's love for her would be 'gone'.

"Can you override the directive?" Vanna asked.

Cammy hoped so. It seemed unlikely. Cameron's personal memories with Future John were 'gone'. She searched her files for any traces too. There were none.

"I'm sure going to try. I love you, Vanna." Cammy said. "I never want to lose our love."

Cammy realized if she did return to the past as 'Cameron', and the girls were left behind, there was still a version of Vanna in the past. It was understood the special bond Cameron and Savannah shared. It was possible a different version of the same relationship could be rekindled and exist again, even if it wasn't the same.

Vanna was aware there was a real possibility Cammy, and Cameron II could be destroyed in the attacks which were planned. There'd been some discussion on some contingency plans.

"Allison said if Cameron II is destroyed, and if it was possible, her chip data is to be combined with yours. You would be both Cammy and Cameron II." Vanna said. "Is it what you want?"

Cammy was aware of the plan. If it was enacted, over time the two programs would become one. One of them would become a 'new' entity at that point, while everything else stayed the same.

"Cameron II and I have discussed this before." Cammy said. "Because of your love for Allison, and hers for you, it's acceptable if we are with both of you as one unit. The combination would be referred to as 'Cammy'. The same applies to me if I'm terminated. My chip will be merged with Cameron II. She will become 'Cammy' then, herself. The desire for each of us to share with both Allison and you seems very rewarding, even if one of us was terminated to make it occur. It would also eliminate the second 'Cameron' name."

Cammy also knew it was Cameron's directive too. Cameron didn't want Allison and Vanna to be 'split up' by their individual Metal girls. They would stay together to share 'Cammy', and not drift apart with their own separate 'Cameron'. It was something they knew already began to happen. Nobody really wanted to address it and 'lose' what they developed. There would be lost love no matter how things played out.

"I need to go with Jesse." Cammy said. "We can discuss this further, later."

Vanna was worried about the loss of Cameron, Cameron II, Cammy, and Allison. She didn't like the idea at all. Nobody did.

Cammy needed to take care of certain things. The immediate one was to go with Jesse since Cam was assigned elsewhere right now. The second one was to go and replace Cam. Vanna wanted to make the 'mock strike' into a real one. She didn't want the change in plans to fall on Cam's back without any prior notice.

She also felt it was her obligation to lead the strike since Vanna was the one who decided it should be carried out. She was the one 'assigned' to Vanna. It was most likely going to be a risky operation. She didn't want Cam to be damaged for Jesse.

Jesse was glad Cammy was with her but she wondered where Cam was at. She wanted to ask if Cam would be safe, but she knew better. No one was ever safe. The words just slipped out anyway.

"Is Cam going to be alright?" Jesse asked.

Cammy felt once she replaced Cam she would be.

"Everything will work out fine." Cammy said.

She didn't really want to elaborate. She was sure it would only needlessly worry Jesse. Right now they needed to deal with a shady character. She was on high alert the closer they got to the target area.

Jesse and Cammy approached the 'bad side of town'.

Cammy didn't care for the sector they were currently in. Cam discussed 'cleaning' it up before. Since they were about to enter it, she could see why. She didn't like anything she saw around them.

"Is there going to be trouble?" Cammy asked.

Jesse knew things were touch and go before, but she didn't think they would go south again. Maybe they would.

"I don't think so." Jesse said. "I can't say for sure. There's a lot of uncertainty in the outline areas."

Cam didn't like what she looked at around her.

"Cam told me she wants to terminate the people around here." Cammy said. "She asked us to come with her so we could terminate ALL of them."

Jesse knew it hadn't happened yet because of her. The lull may not last for long since Cammy obviously felt the same way Cam did.

"I asked her not to." Jesse said.

Cammy liked everything less with each step.

"I'll do it for her." Cammy said. "I don't like it here."

Jesse knew the clones were all 'Cameron'. She used to live in places like this. She made it out. Others could too if they were given the right circumstances and someone to believe in them.

"Please wait, love." Jesse said. "I know you're looking out for us. You know we all love you, 'Cameron'."

Cammy needed to 'correct' all the girls, Cam, and Cameron II did as well. The girls were technically correct.

"It's Cammy. It always has to be Cammy." Cammy said. "There can only be one Cameron or we will fight for John."

Jesse wondered how far the fight would go.

"Would you really fight?" Jesse asked.

Cammy was sure there would be a termination before it was finished.

"Yes." Cammy said. "It's why all of the 'John specific' programming is firewalled in each of us."

Jesse wondered what else was altered or firewalled. Maybe she could find out what Cameron really thought about her.

"Do you love me?" Jesse asked.

Cammy tilted her head slightly. Cameron loved all of the girls. It was why she created the clones to 'share' herself with the girls in the only way she could. The girls always backed her play. Look where they were now. The girls even followed Cameron to what could have been her doom. They knew it would be theirs as well. They still went. It was more than just loyalty, it was love.

"Yes." Cammy said. "The programming in regards to the other girls and you wasn't altered. The clones love all the girls. I'm for Vanna. Cameron II is for Allison. Cam is for you. Otherwise we will fight over each of you."

It sounded like some serious love to Jesse.

"Do you love us that much?" Jesse asked. "Would you actually fight over us?"

Cammy was very goal oriented. Cameron and all her clones were.

"Yes." Cammy said. "Each of you is what we exist for. You are our purpose. We love you."

Jesse sensed an opportunity. It might be a chance to get a little 'strange'. It wouldn't be too 'strange', even if it was a different individual. The clones all looked the same now. It was only when they used the 'patch' from Mrs. Weaver to resume their former appearance when they differed.

"Do you ever want to be with one of the other girls?" Jesse asked.

It was a prospect the clones discussed before.

Cammy wanted to have some fun.

"What makes you think we haven't?" Cammy asked. "We're all infiltration units."

The look on Jesse's face was priceless.

Cammy laughed. She wanted to come clean.

"I'm sorry. So far we haven't, but if one or more of us is terminated we can expand our directives." Cammy said. "It's all something we've agreed upon rather than create more clones. We've all agreed it's a bad idea, more clones I mean."

The thought of terminations bothered Jesse.

"What if only Cameron is left?" Jesse asked.

Cammy didn't care for the prospect, even if it was something which was contemplated. It would indicate the end of her existence.

"If only Cameron is left, and she can't return to the past, she will share the rest of your lives with all three of you as 'herself'." Cammy said. "Nobody wants to be alone and lonely forever."

Jesse felt a rush of elation.

"So, she really loves us…." Jesse said as a statement.

Cammy didn't see any harm in stating the truth.

"Yes." Cammy said. "Cameron does. Only her commitment to John has kept her from loving each of you as a true lover."

Jesse loved Cameron even more. Cameron was like no other. Well….

Jesse and Cammy arrived from a different direction than the last time. There was a 'reception committee' waiting for them. They didn't see one this time. They weren't going to take any chances. It was possible the individuals who were disarmed last time might hold some type of grudge. It was one of the reasons why she specifically wanted their personal weapons returned to them. She saw it was done when Snake interacted with them after his departure.

There could be other groups from the 'bad side of town' which might try to exert their influence or gain some type of an advantage. There wasn't. It appeared as if they held the upper hand.

Jesse spotted Snake watching for them to come the way they came before.

"Hey, love." Jesse said.

Snake spun around. He was caught off guard. He quickly recovered.

"Well… I didn't think you had it in you." Snake said.

Jesse still looked for an additional threat.

"I'm here." Jesse said. "Where are your friends?"

Snake shook his head slightly. It was a bad scene for him.

"I don't have any 'friends' after what happened the last time." Snake said.

Jesse didn't think it was her fault.

Cammy didn't like the area and she liked Snake even less. She wanted to terminate him now and be done with it. There was obviously no sense in putting off something which would need to be done sooner, rather than later.

"Why are we here?" Cammy asked.

Snake could see Jesse's companion was in her usual form. He didn't know she was different. The Liquid Metal patch on Cammy, gave her the appearance of the Liquid Metal patch on Cam.

"The killer speaks." Snake said.

Cammy immediately moved forward to terminate Snake. His mouth irritated her even more than his appearance.

Jesse grabbed her arm. She knew Cammy was going to kill him.

"No, love, not yet." Jesse said. "He's just a punk slag, you know it."

Snake didn't care for the reference. His displeasure was short lived. There was a more serious threat. He started to back up when Cammy started towards him. He tripped and fell. His rear end was firmly planted on the ground at this point. He remembered the girls couldn't take a joke.

"I'm sorry. I was just fooling about." Snake said. "You need a man."

Cammy needed to listen to Jesse for now. An appropriate response popped up on her HUD.

"When I find one, I'll think about it." Cammy said. "So far I haven't seen any."

Snake was highly offended.

"Hey…." Snake started.

Jesse cut him off before he made it worse and Cammy killed him anyway.

"Shut up, love, or she'll kill you." Jesse said. "Like me, she's only into women. The 'Bad Lands', Wastelands, and Scavengers do it to you…."

Snake knew what happened to females in all of those areas. He wasn't looking for a fight. He also didn't like what others did.

"OK - OK." Snake said. "I'm sorry about all those things."

Cammy advanced closer to Snake.

"Why are we here?" Cammy repeated.

Jesse could see she had less control over Cammy than she did Cam.

Snake back peddled but Cammy grabbed him anyway. In a surprise to everyone, she helped him stand. She backed away from him.

"You have soft hands." Snake said.

His eyes rolled over Cammy's figure. It was perfect.

Jesse needed to refocus the operation fast.

"Her heart is hard as stone." Jesse said. "Spill it."

News traveled fast through the bad section of town. It was directly related to what Jesse first asked him about.

"Word is out the anti-Metal faction has experienced some infighting, several of them are dead. It looks like they killed each other. One of them was eaten by rats." Snake said. "There may even have been a Gray among them."

It was a new twist for them to be so sure about one of them being a Gray. It looked like Mrs. Weaver's plan went off without a hitch. She didn't think the anti-Metal faction would report the issue.

"How do you know they were Grays?" Jesse asked.

Snake thought it was all very incriminating.

"It was by some of the things found in their rooms. There were transmitters and stuff." Snake said. "None of it worked any more."

Cammy knew everything so far. She also knew someone sat on the information. She needed to find out if it was a cover up. It might indicate a bigger problem.

"Did the anti-Metal faction report this?" Cammy asked.

Snake knew it was a problem and it's why he asked for them to come. He felt he needed to report it himself. Grays in the camp would only lead to a Skynet attack at some point. Skynet Terminators would be way worse than Resistance Restorators.

"No. They hate Metal. They're not going to help the General or her daughter." Snake said. "I alerted you as soon as I found out."

It sealed Cammy's plan to lead the attack for real instead of Cam. She wanted to personally keep an eye on the anti-Metal faction.

"I'm sorry to hear it. I hope when they go with Commander Connor on the upcoming strike, they all make it." Cammy said. "Maybe seeing her work with the Restorators will change their minds."

Snake liked the girls as much as he feared them. He didn't like trouble which could flow downhill back to him either.

"I doubt it." Snake said. "I wanted to warn the Commander to watch her back."

Cammy expected trouble going forward.

"Will she need to?" Cammy asked.

Snake was fairly certain he could read some individuals. He didn't always like what he saw, especially when they reminded him of himself. He didn't see any need to dance around the issue.

"Yes." Snake said.

Cammy smiled at Snake. She realized he didn't need to do anything he did. He was sure it was because of his personal attraction to Jesse and Cam. No, it wasn't Cam, it was all Jesse. It was apparent Snake could still have some usefulness, even if it was limited.

"Thank you." Cammy said. "I'll let you live for now."

The look on Snake's face was filled with terror. He wondered how anyone so beautiful could look like a stone cold killer a second later.

Jesse didn't want any hard feelings.

"She's just joking, love." Jesse said. "I thank you too."

They started to leave. Jesse paused and turned. She wanted to keep a good relationship. It provided them with a 'back door' to what went on around the camp. She felt Snake did them a real 'solid'.

Snake watched the two beautiful females start to walk away. He was a little worried when Jesse turned around and pulled out her pistol. He figured her friend would be the one to kill him, not her. There was no place for him to run.

"Here." Jesse said as she handed Snake her pistol. "Your pistol looked kind of wasted last time. I can get another one. I want to make sure you stay safe."

Snake looked at the weapon with awe. He slowly reached out and took it. His eyes were as wide as saucers.

"Thanks." Snake said. "I really appreciate this."

He'd never seen one in almost perfect condition before.

Cammy wanted to give him some advice to ensure his survival, even if it was temporary.

"Keep it hidden." Cammy said. "Keep your old one. If someone takes it from you, use your new one on them. They won't expect it from you."

Snake nodded. It might give him the edge in a scrape. He didn't think he would need to worry about it jamming either.

"I like the way you think." Snake said.

Cammy frowned slightly. She didn't need to scan Snake to know what his thoughts were.

"It's not the only thing you like about her and me." Cammy said. "Just so you know, it's NEVER going to happen. I don't want anyone to be falsely led on and have hard feelings later on when they finally realize it themselves. We try to be honest, open, and up front in our dealings. We expect the same in return from those we associate and interact with. If someone has a problem with us, or turns into one, they won't like us when we're angry."

Cammy and Jesse took off.

Snake looked in amazement. He knew it would never be a good idea to get on the wrong side of them. It seemed he was on shaky enough ground as it was. They were associated with powerful allies if nothing else. He watched them as they walked away. They were some hard women, but so beautiful….

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Never Lose That

Few seem to know what they find
When they first find it
They only recognize it
Once the other has split

No one is every really appreciated
For all the little things they do
It's when those things are missed
The other realizes what they blew

Why is it always the way
It seems no one ever learns
In the emptiness that follows
For the past everyone yearns

Everyone is unique
They are like no other person
Every failed attempt at repairs
Only seems to make things worsen

On one's laurels don't grow fat
For soon enough they will fall flat
A workable relationship needs chat
Once it is found, never lose that

Nobody