Chapter 410

Our Bond

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Events continue from Chapter 403

Summer's Timeline:

Cameron's Base:

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The tension was still very high in the room. Everyone knew what needed to be done. There were plenty of hard feelings to go around now. Most of them were directed at Summer. The animosity wouldn't get anyone anywhere.

Cameron's Terminators returned to their tasks. They all wanted Savannah back too. There wasn't much they could do about it yet.

Things cooled down slightly. It was still a powder keg waiting to explode.

All it would take was one wrong word from someone.

River took Cammy aside. She felt an obligation to reach Cammy on a personal level. She understood Cameron's clones all shared her program. In reality, it made them all a version of 'Cameron', even if they were slightly modified.

"Cameron - Cammy, I know 'our bond' exists within you as well." River said. "I know you're 'Cameron'."

Cammy felt the bond. There was nothing to mask it. It was nothing other than the fact River wanted Duplicate Cameron because it was 'Her Cameron'. There was still a sting to the 'rejection'.

Rejection was something Cameron, or any of her clones, even if they were modified, didn't deal well with. Rejection itself was bad enough, what made it worse was 'replacement'. Rejection indicated someone wasn't good enough. Replacement made it clear someone wasn't good enough. It wasn't the issue to dwell on under the current circumstances.

"It does." Cammy said. "It will always be there until my power cell runs out or I'm terminated."

River wanted to refocus Cammy from her current chain of thought. The situation wasn't about her. There were certain realities which needed to be dealt with.

"For you, Savannah replaces John and me as your primary directive." River said. "I know."

Cammy thought River's statement made it clear why she was going to do what she was about to do. There shouldn't be any guesswork involved. The prime directive of the individual dictated the course of action, and what was necessary for their survival.

"It does." Cammy said. "It's why you know I'm going after Savannah." Cammy said. "No power in the Verse can stop me."

River looked at Cammy for a second when she said it. She didn't expect the reference from Cammy. Those were her words from a different time and place. She believed she was the one there who could get things straightened out. She was pretty sure any wild cards would only complicate matters even more.

"Cammy, I promise to help 'Cameron' - Summer, to fix this." River said. "I need you to believe in me. I know you do."

Cammy didn't care about the now as much as she did about the before. It all came down to Savannah and her safety. The future was unsafe for Savannah under any circumstances, especially if it was a Skynet future. There were certain things she planned to do based on the way events played out. She didn't intend for anything to stand in her way.

"I do, River, but I won't allow anything to happen to Savannah." Cammy said. "You know it as well. If Savannah is damaged or killed, I'll go back in time and prevent her from going. It doesn't matter if you encode the TDE. I will construct my own. I'll search for Savannah until I'm terminated, or my power cell runs out. I'm going to get Savannah back unhurt and undamaged."

River was afraid Cammy, Cam, and Summer would need to be deactivated until she could come up with a solution. She worried she may need to talk to John and have him send some Terminators to come to temporarily deactivate them. She knew she could never do it herself to any 'Cameron', even though it may need to be done. She hoped it wouldn't come to it. It seemed like it would create an even bigger rift in the long run. There was no guarantee any Terminators once they arrived, and learned the true situation, would follow John's 'orders'. They would all want Savannah back too. The surest way to make it happen was with 'temporal management'. The other was to send a large force of Terminators after her. She believed timing was what was needed now. It wasn't heavy handed brute force. It was going to need patience and finesse.

"Cammy, I promise to go myself to try to bring back Savannah. I promise you this. If I do, I'll take you with me." River said. "It will be Summer, you, and me. I need more time first. I know I can reach them, I just don't know when. I NEED more time to get it right. To get it right is the only sure way to make everything concise and end with a positive resolution. We don't want to create more timelines."

River didn't want to end up with anyone dead or terminated either. She thought it was best to let the thought remain unspoken.

Cammy saw things differently. It was all about Savannah's personal safety and the baby. The fact Savannah was pregnant changed everything. It threw all other thought out the window. Some things took precedence over others.

"I need to get Savannah back before the baby is damaged or terminated." Cammy said. "The environment she's in may be like the one which made the girls here incapable of reproduction. Every second she's there 'in some future', her body is being damaged."

River was aware of what Cameron wanted. It was the same thing Duplicate Cameron wanted. The younger versions of the 'girls from the future' would 'help'.

"Cameron has come up with some 'solutions' to it." River said.

Cammy felt it was her point.

"What if Savannah is damaged and becomes sterile?" Cammy asked. "Then what's supposed to happen?"

River was ready to step up. She would do so to prevent further temporal incursions and manipulation. Those events all led to additional consequences. There was an idea presented to her, almost as a demand from Duplicate Cameron as to one solution. it wasn't something she really wanted to do then. A lot of thought went into it over the subsequent amount of time. Perhaps if something would have been done then, events would have played out totally different going forward.

"If it's the case, I'll have the child for Cameron myself." River said.

Cammy liked the idea. It was what Cameron wanted. River should produce superior offspring. They should be as gifted as her. She wanted to make sure.

"You would do it for Cameron?" Cammy asked. "I can tell you've reconsidered."

River thought maybe it was time. She did reconsider. It would be an interesting experience. Cameron asked her before to 'help' her. Well, it was Duplicate Cameron but it was the same thing. She actually did go to 'visit' John, but he wouldn't have her. She wasn't so sure 'rejection' was such a bad feeling under the circumstances. She understood all the physical and biological aspects of what was involved, it was just doing it which troubled her. Her exposure to Duplicate Cameron and the Duplicate set of girls indicated there was a lot which could be shared in a very rewarding personal manner.

Her future was much more advanced than what the present, or Cameron's future, could possibly offer. There were many breakthroughs in medical technology over the years. Things which were once impossible during the current time period, were simple routine procedures which could be done by any medical intern in a very short period of time. What skilled doctors and surgeons could do was simply remarkable.

She also knew there was a negative aspect to it. Some medical professionals took things quite a few steps further and experimented on people. She was one of the people who were experimented on. It did a lot to mess with her brain and her thought process. Everything was still there, some of it was even more advanced as well as enhanced. It was a matter of controlling everything and putting it out in a rational order which took her some time to accomplish. Her brother helped her extensively gain control of herself and all of her faculties, as well as her abilities. She didn't want her mind to dwell in her future. It was the current situation which needed to be rectified.

"Yes I would. I'd do it for Savannah too." River said. "I can bring her to my future as well, my brother can help her. I need you to promise me you will wait for me to come up with a solution, even if it takes awhile. You too - Summer. You can enter the room if you're tired of standing out in the hall."

River was aware there was someone else listening to their conversation. She knew how long they were there as well. Since she knew who it was, she determined they needed to hear everything Cammy needed to hear. It would actually allow her to not need to go through it all again. It would be the same conversation, since it was the same program.

Summer didn't think she'd get caught listening. She wanted to know what Cammy and River were about to do so she could prevent it. She felt everything was on her back right now. There was one thing she just couldn't see. She wasn't part of the solution. She was part of the problem.

"I'm sorry. I couldn't help but overhear your conversation." Summer said as she appeared from around the corner. "I wanted to listen, but I don't want to be an unnecessary part of the problem. I know I am right now, I mean part of the problem as viewed by others."

River felt she needed to play the 'personal loyalty card'. She needed to play the 'love card' right now to hold everything together. She believed her feelings for 'Cameron' mattered.

"I need both of you to understand I will help you fix everything somehow." River said. "I don't know how long it will take. There is one thing I do need. I want your promise, as 'Cameron', from both of you to me. I know our mutual feelings are very real and mean something to all of us. It doesn't matter if one is a cyborg or a human."

Summer was 'Cameron'. Her feelings for River mattered. They were originally Duplicate Cameron's feelings, but they mattered to her as well. Since they all ran Cameron's program, there was no way she could not feel the same things. They were also her feelings now. They were part of her. She understood lying was part of what Cameron did to almost everyone. she didn't lie to River, because she couldn't. She didn't lie to Savannah because she didn't want to. Everyone else was probably not going to get all of the truth, all of the time, especially John. There was also a certain amount of personal honor which seemed to play a bigger and bigger factor as time elapsed.

"It's only because I love you, we love you, I will give it." Summer said. "I promise, River."

Cammy felt what Cameron did, even if it was from Duplicate Cameron. It was in her system. All the programs were combined. Cameron insisted she should be as 'complete' as possible. She couldn't say it was always a good thing. It was just the way things were. There were things and people she believed in.

"Yes. It's ONLY because I love you too, I will do it as well." Cammy said. "I promise, River."

River wanted everything resolved too. She could also detect there were other issues in play. She did think some of what was done was more than a little questionable. It wasn't an issue for her to decide. She wasn't the one who would need to answer for the actions of others. They would need to answer for their own actions. She wanted to give them as much reassurance as possible.

"I promise both of you and Cam, we will get them back one way or another." River said. "I also can feel none of you wants John to know what Cameron has 'done', and been doing behind his back revealed."

Summer thought she knew how John would react. It's why Cameron did everything in secret. She didn't want John on her case, especially since none of it panned out yet.

"Since most of it's failed…." Summer said. "There's no need to anger him needlessly. Things usually tend to become rather involved in a very negative manner rather quickly."

They all knew with Savannah stuck 'in some future', there was a good chance of another failure. The real issue was if Savannah would be damaged going forward. It was most likely a different future, but the toxins could be the same or worse. For all they knew humans were extinct 'in some future'. Maybe it's why none of them returned.

River looked a little deeper into Summer. She thought there was a different reason why 'Cameron' tried to hide what she really did. She did understand humans did some things for specific reasons. She didn't think the cyborgs were too much different when faced with similar circumstances. She believed it all went back to the individual.

"I feel it is more like you, well Cameron anyway, who is ashamed of what she's doing and doesn't want to face the consequences for her actions." River said. "Cameron wants to play the game, without the rule book."

Summer knew River found the true reason. She felt it was 'Cameron's' fault, even if she was 'Cameron' herself. What Cameron did, isn't what she did. It was why every second their programs were apart, the more individual each of them became. The apple didn't tend to fall far from the tree.

"Yes." Summer said. "I share the guilt as well. Cameron's shame is my shame too."

River felt it ran deeper than guilt and shame. She didn't think 'Cameron' would stop until she achieved her goals. It was a 'Terminator thing'. It was always about accomplishing the task. It was embedded too deep in their programming to get around, even if they tried.

"There are some realities everyone needs to deal with. What if Cameron is terminated?" River asked. "Tell me what happens going forward."

Cammy felt the responsibility within her to act.

"I'll become Cameron Prime and resume her 'work'." Cammy said. "Or Summer will. It's what Cameron wanted. You may also return Duplicate Cameron. She too will continue Cameron's wishes. I don't want to take 'your Cameron' away from you. We know she loves you as we do. Duplicate Cameron is Cameron. It's rightfully her place to take. She isn't a clone."

River was a little surprised when Cammy spoke before Summer. Cammy and Summer were almost the 'same' so it was understandable. She didn't want to lose 'Her Cameron'. She understood it was a distinct possibility if Cameron were terminated

She was at work on a solution since the moment Savannah made her move. The quickest fix was to do what she did to bring Cameron to her future.

"OK. I've been thinking about sending a 'temporal lifeboat'." River said. "I'll need to modify this TDE some more. I will upgrade it to the standards of my time. It will be like the one I sent for Cameron to come see me."

Cammy knew it was a risk. If things went bad, anything could show up from a dinosaur, to a zoo animal, to a hostile Terminator.

"Many different things could return in it." Cammy said.

Summer figured they were at a base full of Terminators. They should be able to contain whatever showed up. She planned to use some control. She did need to consider the possibility of a Liquid Metal Terminator. It would be able to do a lot of damage if it was hostile before they could terminate it. It didn't seem like a good idea to bring it up right now.

"We will need safeguards." Summer said.

River was sure animals, and even humans, would run from an energy bubble as it formed. It might be a different story for Terminators.

"I'm aware of it." River said. "I think you have it covered here."

Summer wanted it to be as 'safe' for River as possible.

"We'll be ready." Summer said. "We have everything to stop whatever may come through if needed. We will protect you."

River knew there was a problem before, and something 'dangerous' was brought back. She studied all the data involved with what occurred as well as what each individual believed they witnessed. There were files from Terminators which showed a video record of what occurred. She wasn't sure the being was dangerous, more than it tried to seek an identity. It was mostly 'Cameron'.

There were some contingency plans she went over with Cameron before she left to go back to the future, her future. There were some updates she made as well in the most recent endeavor.

"I spoke to Cameron before she left. If there was no TDE where she ended up at, she was to try to construct whatever she could to give the 'lifeboat' a lock, or place to go to." River said. "I know about the being you brought back once before while running your old TDE outside of its design parameters. It wasn't adjusted correctly, but no one knew it at the time. What was attempted, and what actually occurred, were two very different things."

Summer wanted the other TDE 'fixed' so it could give them more flexibility. It currently could only operate to send something into the future. It was unable to function into the past.

"I ask you to decrypt the TDE for us." Summer said.

River did what Cameron asked for. It was because something surfaced in Cameron's mind where she created another timeline at some point. It may be the very timeline the Duplicates were stuck in now. Cameron herself held the key to it. She just didn't know how to find it yet. She also felt there could be someone very much like her who would actually decrypt it on their own for them. It was a whole other can of worms….

"It was done by Cameron's request, not mine." River said. "Cameron will be able to decrypt it when it's necessary. I believe it's because of the timeline she MAY have created, if she sent everyone back more than a hundred years."

Summer checked her files. There was nothing conclusive she could find in regards to it. It was all speculation and a belief of Cameron's.

"Do we know she actually did it?" Summer asked. "I know she thought of it."

River knew of things Cameron 'wanted' to do for the people she cared about. Cameron knew what mattered to them. She knew what they 'missed'. She knew the events were all related to Terminators. Cameron felt personally responsible for the actions of others like her.

"Cameron may have created multiple timelines." River said. "I believe she also prevented Kyle, the original one, from being killed to let John have a life with both his parents. She may also have prevented Derek from being killed in another timeline."

Cammy could think of a few things as 'Cameron' she would 'fix'.

"What about Riley or Jesse?" Cammy asked. "I mean the other ones from Cameron's future."

River didn't say anything at first. She knew it was a very personal issue for Cameron.

Cammy and Summer knew what River's silence probably meant.

Summer doubted she would do it herself, but she needed to say something. She was a Terminator after all and so was Cameron.

"Are you saying Cameron let John have what and who he really wanted?" Summer asked. "Cameron sacrificed her heart, herself, for John?"

They knew sometimes when you love someone, you need to let them go. By 'keeping' them close, you actually 'hurt' them.

They all knew sacrifice was the ultimate expression of love.

Summer's hand now started to glitch.

River took it in hers and the glitch stopped but not the silent tears from both Summer and Cammy. They knew if Cameron actually did it, how much it must have hurt her.

She could see they were sidetracked and things were a little out of hand. It wasn't where the current situation needed to be. She wasn't a party to any of those events, at least not yet. Maybe none of those other timelines actually involved her.

"I don't know any of this for sure." River said. "This is what I can read in Cameron and every Cameron clone. None of it has happened for me yet. Maybe none of it ever does. There could be more than one of me depending on the timelines and whatever Cameron has done or will do. I may exist in multiple timelines at this point."

River hugged both Summer and Cammy. It seemed like they really needed it. Maybe she did too. It was all way too personal. She wanted to set the record straight and prevent any behind the scenes manipulation.

"I've never lied to you or deceived you 'Cameron'." River said as she took each of their hands in hers so they could scan her. "I promise if we can't get Cameron and Savannah back, and none of what Cameron is doing works out, I will have John's baby for her or whoever becomes Cameron Prime. I swear it."

Summer knew Cameron. She knew how manipulative she could be because she was 'Cameron. Maybe Cameron played a different end game on all of them.

"It's what Cameron would want the most." Summer said. "Is it why she did all of this?"

River didn't think so. Cameron didn't want Savannah sacrificed. She felt it was her fault for mentioning it. Savannah wouldn't have attempted to get Cameron off the TDE pad if she wouldn't have said anything out loud. It was further resolve for her to help 'fix' all of the current mess.

"Cameron never intended for Savannah to follow her." River said. "I know it. She wanted Savannah to replace her. You both know it."

Summer wanted to do what was right for Savannah.

"Yes, we do, I do. When we get Savannah back, I'll personally see she replaces Cameron at John's side no matter what I have to do." Summer said. "Savannah needs to be with the father of her child."

River could feel Summer's conviction. She believed the choice should belong to Savannah in the end.

"It scares me, Summer." River said. "I know you mean it."

Cammy didn't want to lose Savannah, but she did want what was best for her. They all knew the future. It could only be delayed for so long.

"Savannah was the 'Chosen One' in Cameron's future and by Cameron herself in this timeline." Cammy said. "The wedding dress fits. It's time for Savannah to wear it."

River was deeply troubled by what they said. They both believed it. She thought it should be Savannah's choice and not what 'some future' dictated. She didn't want to argue the issue right now. Things could get contentious too fast over it. The issue at hand was to send a 'lifeboat'. She wanted to keep Cammy and Summer occupied. It would keep them from fighting or trying a backroom play.

"I'll make a list of supplies." River said. "I want both of you to obtain them. I'll work with Sheila on the software modifications."

Summer knew there were still other variables in play regarding River.

"What if your 'time bubble' comes before you're finished?" Summer asked.

River thought another cyborg should return instead of her. Maybe one who looked like her would cause less panic on her end.

"Someone will need to return in my place and explain the situation." River said. "I think it would help if they looked like me."

Summer thought a little deeper.

"I think it should be John…." Summer said.

They all knew why she said it….

There was the Duplicate set of girls there, and a more advanced medical system….

Maybe the 'sins of the future' would not apply in River's future. John could have a 'good time' and a nice vacation.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Our Bond

When two end up together
What is the real connection
Can it be for protection
Or based purely on affection

What is the purpose of it all
Where does the path lead
Will something grow and breed
Or leave two hearts to bleed

That's just the gist of it
Everything is really a gamble
Awkwardly two will scramble
Will it all end in up in a shamble

It takes effort and commitment
To pass the ticking test of time
Feelings expressed in words and rhyme
The climb shared will be finer than prime

When someone waves a magic wand
It is the time to act and respond
Something beautiful has been spawned
Together we strengthen our bond

Nobody

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Summer's Timeline:

Cameron's Base:

Events continue in Chapter 416

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