Chapter 409

Emissary

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In Some Future: Duplicate Cameron

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Earlier:

Bob was made aware of the approaching Skynet reinforcements. There was a squad of the anti-aircraft unit which first spotted them. They wanted to know if they should engage the superior force immediately, or wait for his arrival with a larger force of Restorators.

He needed to think about the overall mission integrity. The Commander and the General were currently at Skynet Central. It needed to be protected against any Skynet aerial reinforcements which might arrive. He didn't want the anti-aircraft unit compromised.

"It will be best if you continue with your assigned mission." Bob said. "I'm on my way now to intercept the Skynet reinforcements. Continue to watch for any HK drones or transports, especially any headed towards the Skynet headquarters."

Bob was displeased when the General ordered him and the other Restorators away. He felt he could have done more to assist at the Skynet location. He understood the nature of the threat the General indicated. He was actually surprised when the General told him to leave and indicated the seriousness of the threat. He was sure it was some influence from the Commander which rubbed off on her.

He continued to receive information as to exactly where the Skynet reinforcements were, how many of them there were, and what type of equipment they possessed. He left one segment of the Special Unit to remain near Skynet Central in case they were needed. He left with the rest of the Special Unit to engage the only known Skynet threat currently in the area. He remembered the training the Commander gave to him and the others.

They were going to engage the enemy. They weren't going to do it head on in a frontal approach. They were going to set up an ambush. The purpose was to cause the least amount of damage to the Special Unit when they launched their attack. He knew it was different from the approach used by the General. He would have preferred if the Commander could have come with them. He wasn't sure if she actually wasn't with him, them.

He reached down and touched the chip in his pocket. He didn't know if the Commander was actually with him now or not. It was either Cameron or Cameron II which he carried with him. It was all the resolve he needed to bring the fight to the enemy. Skynet was responsible for the destruction a very special cyborg.

The anti-aircraft unit reported there were half a dozen HK Tracks with the group of Skynet reinforcements. They would pose the biggest threat to them. He was glad the Commander asked them to refurbish all of the M72 LAW weapons in their arsenal. It was a light anti-armor weapon. It would prove very effective against an HK Track.

Bob divided his command of the Special Unit into four elements. There were two LAW rockets with each element. He placed the four elements on both sides of the road behind dirt embankments. They were staggered on opposite sides of the road so none of them would fire directly across the road into another element. It was designed to prevent the enemy from attempting to reach cover themselves. There would be no place for them to run once the battle commenced.

The Restorators waited.

There were two HK Tracks in the front. There were half a dozen Skynet Terminators behind them. They were followed by another HK Track and several more Skynet Terminators. The setup was repeated until the end of the column where another HK Track brought up the rear. It was how the rest of the Skynet column was strung out.

The six HK Tracks were knocked out in the initial barrage. The Skynet Terminators were engaged at the same time. Fierce fighting broke out between the Restorators and the Terminators. It took some time before the Restorators were able to claim victory on the battlefield. The victory was short-lived. There was another column of Skynet reinforcements on their way.

Bob left one element of the Special Unit to police the area and make sure all Skynet Terminators were deactivated. All of the chassis were to be collected. There was still some sporadic gunfire as Bob moved the remainder of the Special Unit up the road to engage the second set of Skynet reinforcements on their way.

Cameron was inside the clean room. She could tell something was happening on the outside. She was sure the Restorators must have returned. She heard Mrs. Weaver order them away earlier. She also heard movement below them. Someone was down there and did something. She was willing to bet it was something to deactivate the Doomsday device.

It appeared either Cam or Cammy must have come for her and Allison. She was sure of it. They were both 'her' and it's what she would have done. They wouldn't 'obey' the General's orders. The strange part was, the voice modulation sounded identical to hers. There was normally a slight variation so they knew which clone was which. Only cyborgs could detect it.

Cameron knew she needed to buy as much time as possible. The longer she kept Skynet occupied, the less likely it would set off the Doomsday device if it wasn't already deactivated.

She kept the boastful machine talking. She tried to enrage it as much as possible to keep it off guard. It seemed to be working. Half of what Skynet said were threats and insults about what it was going to do to Allison and her. It was clear Skynet was frustrated by its inability to do anything.

Cameron also heard the battle in the distance. It sounded closer. The Restorators were in a fight with the Skynet Terminators. The outcome of the battle would most likely determine their fate.

She could hear one of her clones talk to Vanna. She was unsure why she referred to her as 'Savannah' instead of Vanna. She knew they attempted to thaw out Mrs. Weaver. It would take some time. She knew Vanna shouldn't be here. She did believe Vanna would come for her and Mrs. Weaver, but she knew most of all Vanna would come for Allison. It was true love.

Cameron kept her tale going with Skynet. She made it even more extreme with each new sentence. She pushed everything to keep Skynet off guard.

She needed to warn Allison of the impending attack on the door.

"You do realize help will be here soon for the Emissary." Cameron said. "It will happen VERY soon."

Cameron looked at Allison and then toward the furthest part of the room from the door.

Allison gestured and moved in the direction as if she was bored with the entire process of dealing with Skynet. When she turned her back to Skynet, it seemed to further enrage it.

Cameron wanted to drive the concept home to indicate Skynet's insignificance to the Emissary.

"The Emissary has stated you've signed your own death warrant." Cameron said. "She's giving you one last chance to surrender."

The Voice boomed out some forced laughter.

"The only surrender will be to nothingness." The Voice boomed. "You will all accompany me."

The Voice continued with the forced laughter.

The fighting in the distance could be clearly heard now. It was much closer.

The laughing stopped when Cameron heard her 'clone' warn her.

"Cameron, shield Allison. Get her away from the door. I'm going to blow it off." Her 'clone' said.

She heard the pin come out of the plasma grenade. She made her move to protect and shield Allison.

Cameron looked at the Skynet computer.

"Payback Time…." Cameron said.

It was all about to go down now.

It was Showtime.

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In Some Future: Cameron Prime

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Cameron was done with the groundwork. She placed the plasma grenade where it should do the most damage to the door. She pulled the pin and moved away as the spoon flew off and the grenade prepared to go off.

"Payback Time…." Duplicate Cameron said.

Cameron wanted to put some distance between her and the door once she armed the plasma grenade. She moved behind a cement wall for cover. Her plasma rifle was ready. The last Thermite grenade from the charred pack she found was at the ready.

It was Showtime.

The grenade exploded and tore the door away. Some of the deflected plasma started another small fire. It would further help thaw out Mrs. Weaver.

Cameron boldly strode into the room. Her plasma rifle was held at the ready.

She noted Allison in the far corner. Duplicate Cameron was next to her as she shielded her with her chassis.

"Are you OK, Allison?" Cameron asked.

Duplicate Cameron scanned Cameron. Other than the damage to her torso, the female cyborg was identical to her. She was identical down to the locket. It was the locket only she should have. It was her heart of gold. Something wasn't right. She moved between the new 'intruder' and Allison to shield her from the new 'threat'.

"Who the Hell are you?" Duplicate Cameron asked Cameron.

Cameron didn't think this was the place to try and explain everything. The story was too complex. She understood Duplicate Cameron's confusion and apprehension.

"Simply put, I'm YOU from the past." Cameron said. "I'll explain later. There were a few problems. Is there a TDE here?"

Duplicate Cameron began to think there was some 'temporal management' in play. Something bad must have happened and she was here now to prevent it or 'fix' it. It was what she would do too and apparently she did it right now.

"No." Duplicate Cameron said. "Part of our mission to this location was to gather materials to construct one."

Allison wasn't sure exactly what happened, but another 'Cameron' at the door must be a good thing. She just blasted off the door so they could get out. She wasn't sure why her Cameron was defensive. She spotted the Thermite grenade 'Cameron' held.

"Let me fry this piece of crap machine, myself." Allison said.

Skynet seemed stunned.

"You can speak?" The Voice boomed.

Allison wanted payback for the loss of her lover, Cameron II. She intended to get it too.

"Damn straight I can and you're history." Allison said. "You killed Cameron II and now I'm going to kill you."

Allison kicked the console and dented it.

Cameron moved forward and smashed the speaker with her fist. She didn't want to hear another Skynet threaten her and cry out as it went insane. She already needed to listen to it many times. She looked back toward the doorway.

"Savannah, you can come in." Cameron called.

Savannah entered the room. She looked at Duplicate Cameron and Duplicate Allison.

"Yes, Cameron?" Savannah said. "Hi, Cameron. Hi, Allison."

Duplicate Cameron could see things were different and this version of Savannah and Cameron were from further, in the future of the past she left from. It was still a little shocking for her. It was another Future Shock.

"Savannah?" Duplicate Cameron asked.

Duplicate Allison was even more stunned than Duplicate Cameron was.

"Savannah?" Allison asked. "You're a teenager. You're a young woman now."

To Allison, Savannah looked EXACTLY like the young teenage Savannah she first met so many years ago. She looked like the Savannah who saved her life, HER Savannah. She was so beautiful. She was flooded with a feeling of love to see the SAME teenager who saved her so many years ago when she was still a girl.

Cameron could see everyone would need a lot more explanations about everything. Now wasn't the time. There was still a battle going on not far away.

"We need to go." Cameron said. "It's a long story."

Savannah moved over to Duplicate Cameron and handed her a pack with more Thermite grenades and plasma grenades in it. It was Duplicate Cameron's other pack she dropped getting Allison away from the plasma cannon blast. She still held her plasma rifle.

"Let me go check on my Mother." Savannah said.

Mrs. Weaver started to move. Some of her mass moved closer to the red hot metal and then back into her body to warm it faster. There were silvery feelers warming in the flames and on the red hot metal. They would retract back and wrap around her body, as other ones shot forward to pick up the heat.

There was a 'gurgling' sound off to the side and in back of Savannah. She turned in the direction to look. There was a bloody figure who stopped moving when he lifted his head. He started to raise a plasma rifle. It wasn't pointed at her, but at her Mother.

There was an obstacle in Savannah's way. She needed to move to get a clean shot. She watched as the bloody Gray raised his weapon to shoot at her Mother. She had a choice to make. One would cost her an extra second of time. The other put her in front of the Gray's plasma rifle. There was nothing to think about. She moved to protect her Mother.

Savannah moved between Mrs. Weaver and the gunman. It was a matter of who fired first now. If he did, she would take the plasma blast. If she fired first, he would be the one to go down. She pulled the trigger and held it down.

The Gray was hit. He staggered and fell off to the side. His weapon fired but went wild. He fell to his knees as he began to burn.

Something flashed by her off to the side and struck the Gray's head. It was a long thin silvery mass. She turned to see where it came from. It retracted as she turned.

As Savannah watched, her 'Mother' appeared before her eyes. She looked like she remembered. She wore her white dress and high heels. She looked beautiful.

While Mrs. Weaver reformed herself, she saw Savannah could have moved away from where the Gray was at, but it would have taken her an extra second to take her shot. Savannah put her body between the Gray and her. If the Gray would have gotten a shot off, it would have damaged her, if Savannah hadn't moved to protect her with her body. It was bravery and it mattered to her. Her dealings with humans showed most of them lacked courage and bravery. Here was a girl, well, a young lady now who just faced down death for her.

Cameron came out of the clean room with her weapon ready to meet the new threat.

"We're good, Cameron." Savannah said. "It's just my Mother and me now."

Cameron could see it was about to be a private moment. She went back into the clean room.

Mrs. Weaver looked Savannah up and down. It was hard to believe. She thought Savannah looked beautiful.

"Savannah, I've missed you so much." Mrs. Weaver said. "Now you've come to save me. I love you, Savannah."

Savannah started to move forward but stopped. Cameron told her before her Mother would tell her when it was safe. She was too cold before. Maybe she was too hot now.

"I love you too, Mother." Savannah said. "Can I touch you?"

Mrs. Weaver's body shimmered a couple of times. She redistributed the heat buildup and normalized it throughout her entire structure. Her appearance reaffirmed as Mrs. Weaver in her white dress and high heels.

"Yes." Mrs. Weaver said. "You're really grown a lot. You're a young woman. You're gorgeous."

Savannah moved up and the two embraced.

Tears streamed down Savannah's face. There were a million things she wanted to say. She dreamed of this moment for years. She never stopped believing she would see her Mother again. It was the same faith she always held for Cameron. She wanted to finish what they started.

"Come on, Mom, let's go kill Skynet." Savannah said.

Mrs. Weaver resumed the form of Allison.

Savannah wasn't sure why she did it, but it was pretty cool to watch it happen. She never really saw her mother do things like it before. She may have seen a few things here and there, but never a change in her entire appearance.

Mrs. Weaver and Savannah entered the Clean Room. Cameron previously crushed the speaker to shut Skynet up. She did the same thing several times before on other occasions when she faced Skynet before its termination.

Duplicate Cameron and Allison placed the Thermite charges.

Mrs. Weaver didn't like being frozen and held captive by Skynet.

"Let me say 'Hello' to Skynet my way." Mrs. Weaver said.

Cameron and Allison moved back. Three different versions of 'Allison' stood before the doomed Skynet computer, even if it was four of them plus Savannah. There was a Human, a Cyborg, and a Liquid Metal Terminator.

Mrs. Weaver's arms shot forward and thrust into the metal framework of Skynet. She split it apart. A lot of sparks went flying.

Duplicate Cameron realized it was the point, if she attacked earlier, it would have knocked her offline. If she wouldn't have been able to knock out the connection to the Doomsday bomb, Skynet would have detonated it. She was glad she waited and bought more time.

She was very displeased at everything Skynet said it was going to do to Allison and her. Somehow the words coming from a computer, rather than an individual, actually made it more offensive.

Duplicate Cameron handed Savannah a Thermite grenade.

"Arm it and toss it inside the console." Duplicate Cameron said.

Savannah did, as Allison and Duplicate Cameron armed theirs and then placed them. They started to exit the room.

Allison stopped and turned. She was still angry about Cameron II.

"Remember, it was the Emissary who sent you to the cemetery." Allison said. "ALL of them. I'm from the future too, just not this version of the future."

Cameron was the last one out.

She faced the camera.

"I win again." Cameron said. "I always win. NEVER forget. It doesn't matter where or when. You will always lose."

Cameron armed a plasma grenade and tossed it in behind her as she left. The room was soon a raging inferno. Maybe she should have left the speaker undamaged so she could hear Skynet scream.

The Skynet computer did scream in rage as it was consumed. Nobody could hear it.

Cameron quickly went over the tactical situation.

There was some movement in front of them.

Cameron and Savannah already distributed the extra weapons. They all raised them at the new threat.

It was Cammy. She was a little confused. There were two of 'Cameron' somehow. She thought it was Cameron II at first but it wasn't.

"Cameron?" Cammy asked.

There was a force of Restorators behind Cammy.

"Yes." Cameron and Duplicate Cameron replied at the same time.

They looked at each other and then back to Cammy.

Cammy saw something else which was even more confusing. It was 'Vanna' but only younger somehow now.

"Vanna?" Cammy asked as she looked at Savannah.

Savannah could see she caused some confusion to what appeared to be a clone of Cameron.

"I am. I'll be the Vanna you know one day." Savannah said. "I'm Savannah from the past. I'm her younger self."

Cammy possessed all of Cameron's files. It all made sense now, even if it didn't.

"Savannah, you've grown." Cammy said. "I'm Cammy."

Savannah's heart filled with joy. It was Cammy!

"Cammy!" Savannah said.

She then remembered it was going to be a different 'Cammy'. Not HER Cammy.

Cammy explained the nearby battle which was being fought. It was the Restorators against an attacking Skynet force.

It was all Cameron needed to know. It was time for action. Skynet needed to pay for its transgressions. She faced Mrs. Weaver.

"I want you to take Savannah to safety." Cameron said. "Along with Allison too."

Duplicate Cameron could see Cameron was about to do the same thing she was. They really must be the same individual.

"General, I need you to protect Savannah and Allison." Duplicate Cameron said.

Savannah looked at Cameron and Duplicate Cameron.

"Where are you going, Cameron?" Savannah asked.

Cameron looked in the direction of the battle.

"There's a battle waging. I'm going to join it." Cameron said.

Allison could feel the Liquid Metal patch moving around on her torso. It wasn't her doing. She wasn't sure but it felt like the Liquid Metal 'copped a feel' as it moved around.

Mrs. Weaver could detect Cameron's damage.

"Cameron, Allison has something you need." Mrs. Weaver said.

Allison gave Cameron a big hug. The Liquid Metal patch transferred to Cameron.

Cameron wasn't sure what just happened. There was something moving on her sheath. She quickly lifted her shirt and everyone saw the horrendous damage.

Allison winced at the sight.

Mrs. Weaver could see Cameron needed more material.

"May I touch you?" Mrs. Weaver asked.

Cameron nodded.

Mrs. Weaver moved forward and touched her. More Liquid Metal transferred over.

"Just think about what you want to see 'fixed' or repaired." Mrs. Weaver said.

Cameron looked at the rumpled nub of her right breast and bullet holes. It disgusted her. She was going to flatten the area and have nothing there. She thought about what Mrs. Weaver said to do. The silvery Liquid Metal clung to her sheath. It would be nice to have her breast back and look like it did before.

The Liquid Metal shimmered and moved. It covered the holes and reformed her right breast. Cameron looked whole again.

Cameron looked down at herself. She couldn't believe it. She looked normal again. She reached down and touched the area. It felt just like the sheath material which was there previously. She could feel all of the same sensation as well. She was actually amazed at how the Liquid Metal could simulate her organic sheath material. She looked at Mrs. Weaver.

"Thank You." Cameron said. "I'll return the material to you as soon as I'm healed. Now please get Savannah and Allison out of here. This building isn't safe and it's a target.

She didn't mention the nuclear warhead she found and deactivated. She was new to this future and might need an 'ace' to play at some point.

"Cameron, what about you?" Savannah asked.

Cameron knew she was permanently damaged even if she was literally 'patched up' right now. She wanted there to be a 'whole' Cameron for John. She looked at Duplicate Cameron. She didn't want to see her damaged.

"I'll be fine. You go with them, Savannah. I need you to go with - Cameron." Cameron said. "Cammy and I will join the fight."

Duplicate Cameron started to protest.

Savannah knew she needed to trust Cameron on her decision right now. She figured Duplicate Cameron would be as stubborn as Cameron. There was a way to make Duplicate Cameron 'listen'. She took Duplicate Cameron's hand and touched it to her neck.

Cameron watched what Savannah did. Savannah always knew how to reach her and evidently Duplicate Cameron too.

"I need you to get Allison and Savannah to safety." Cameron said again.

Duplicate Cameron scanned Savannah and saw it really was Savannah and she was - pregnant. It hit her like a ton of bricks. She knew it was John's baby. She looked at Savannah again.

"I will at once." Duplicate Cameron said.

Duplicate Cameron directed the Restorators to collect the supplies which were needed for the TDE.

Mrs. Weaver assumed her appearance as the General. She wanted to let Savannah know what role she would need to assume going forward. She didn't think it would be a problem. She looked at Duplicate Cameron. She looked in the direction Cameron went with Cammy. She could see Cameron was quite resilient. Somehow there were two of her in the current future they were in. She needed to remember Cameron's clones as well. She focused her attention on Savannah. It was something she genuinely felt happy about.

"You will be my younger daughter Savannah, for now. Cameron here can explain everything as we go." Mrs. Weaver said. "Vanna will be your 'older' sister."

Savannah began to explain everything to Duplicate Cameron and her Mother as they departed. She filled them in on everything since the TDE incident. Duplicate Cameron did the same about their adventure.

Two of the Restorators who Cammy arrived with took them to the transport. A few others collected the materials Duplicate Cameron needed to construct the TDE.

The battle raged in the distance.

Cammy took the appearance of Allison with her Liquid Metal patch. The remaining Restorators she arrived with from the transport followed her.

"Come on, Cameron." Cammy said. "We have a battle to win."

Cameron wondered why Cammy wanted to look like Allison.

"Does the 'Legend of Allison Young' exist here?" Cameron asked.

Cammy thought it should.

"It will." Cammy said.

Cameron began to explain to Cammy the situation and events which transpired. Cammy brought her up to date on the situation there. Cammy was a copy of her program, it was easy to bring each other up to speed.

There was a lot which needed to be done….

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Emissary

Not every situation in life
Can be approached with force
Taking the wrong action
Can leave one filled with remorse

Every action has a reaction
Sometimes one needs to be diplomatic
The extension of that method
Can be quite problematic

It is better to reach out
To seek to negotiate
What was bent or warped
Can once again be made straight

To be the messenger
May not always bear fruit
To find the real problem
One must be attuned and astute

To bring peace and tranquility
One must do what is necessary
To create lasting serenity
Takes an honorable emissary

Nobody

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In Some Future:

Events continue in Chapter 411

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