Chapter 416

Something Is Happening

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Events continue from Chapter 410

Summer's Timeline:

Cameron's Base:

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River wanted to upgrade the Resistance TDE. She also wanted to buy a little more time. She continued to run calculations to include the variables Savannah would have created when she entered the energy bubble in the last few seconds before its departure.

Summer and Cammy obtained everything River asked for. They acted independently of each other with a few of Cameron's Terminators with them. It was to ensure there wouldn't be any 'trouble' as they procure the necessary items. If it was something they couldn't purchase immediately, or someone was reluctant to sell it, they simply took what they needed. They made sure adequate compensation was left. No terminations were necessary.

Everything was carefully fitted on the machinery in the TDE room. All of the improvements River designed were implemented as best they could with the past technology. They would need more time if they wanted to achieve the same level of technology as River was able to use on her TDE in her future. What they obtained would be sufficient for now. They wanted to get started.

Sheila and River made the final modifications to the TDE at Cameron's base.

River promised Vanna and Cam she would resolve the problem. They returned to the Resistance base. Some testing was planned to see how the machinery worked. They could help deflect questions away from what really happened and what else might be going on.

Vanna was still very upset about the whole affair. She was afraid of the panic, or negative reactions, some people might have. It was bound to be a very negative experience as each individual found out what occurred. It seemed to her it might be better to keep everything under wraps for a while. There was bound to be a lot of finger pointing.

"Do we let anyone else know about this or not?" Vanna asked. "I mean about Savannah being 'gone'."

Cam thought it over in detail. Maybe their part was more than about 'buying' some more time. It might be about keeping the peace. She was sure it would turn into a major episode at some point. She did need to remember there was one constant in all of the variables. There was no way Cameron would let Savannah be harmed or perish if she could prevent it. The more any of the others knew about what actually occurred, the more likely would be the level of panic.

"No. Summer's right. It will start a chain of events leading to everyone trying to go after Savannah and Cameron." Cam said. "Being here we can deflect any problems which start to arise over it for now. I can pose as Cameron if I need to. We need to cover this up for now."

Vanna thought about what Cam just said. It immediately raised an uncomfortable thought. If Cam posed as Cameron, how far would she go? The implications troubled her.

"What if John…?" Vanna asked.

Cam didn't see it as a big deal. She possessed all of Cameron's experiences with John. They were currently firewalled, but she could access them. It was one of her functions as Cameron's clone to be able to replace her in a moment's notice. There were various safeguards and firewalls put in place with Cameron's personal dealings with John. It was to prevent any of the clones and Cameron from fighting over him. all the information was there if an unknown situation developed. It turned out an unknown situation developed. She saw it as giving them some additional flexibility going forward. There were certain events she would be able to propagate and control on her own.

"If I have your permission, I'll do whatever is necessary." Cam said. "I'm still Cameron too. It would give us another opportunity to 'try'. It's if you still want to. I would have the 'genetic material' myself then. We could control what happens and when. We could keep trying and not tell anyone. Not at least until one sticks."

Vanna didn't want Cam soiled, but this wasn't about love or sex even. It was about hiding what happened. It would also be about having control of the genetic material going forward. It wouldn't be a bad thing. No one would need to know of her failures. They all made her feel less than a female. Cam was the only one who needed to know. She wouldn't need to worry about anyone looking over her shoulder and asking her how it was going. She wanted to avoid any unnecessary attention about what was sure to be another failure, or more. Right now the situation wasn't about her. It wasn't about Cam and her. It wasn't about Cam being with John. It was about Savannah.

"If Savannah's really ends up missing, I will try again." Vanna said. "As for John, do it only if he pushes it. Remember I love YOU, you're 'mine'."

Cam could see Vanna was still troubled at the thought of her being with a male, even if it was John. She wanted Vanna to know it wasn't personal. She could even erase or delete whatever occurred later on. For her it would be as if it never happened. She imagined it would be much the same as Cameron believed what occurred to her in her future with Future John.

"You've replaced John as my primary directive." Cam said. "It would be for US, not for me. I would merely be the receptacle. It would only be to collect the 'genetic material', not for pleasure. In fact, I'll shut down all feeling in the area during the event. It won't last very long."

Vanna needed to wonder about it. She thought back to the times she was being abused and did much the same thing. She shut out as much as possible. Even to the point of being unaware how many abused her, or how many times. They could take her body because she couldn't stop them. They couldn't take her mind. She thought Cam could try it a few times as 'herself' to see if she liked it. She didn't 'own' Cam. She didn't want it to be a negative experience. It wasn't in a negative setting. It was technically a husband with his 'wife'.

"No. If you do it, do it for real." Vanna said. "I think you can try it a few times. At least you'll know yourself then. I don't think it will last long either. It will be over before you know it. It should be a much more pleasant setting since nothing would be done by force."

Vanna was afraid Cam would feel bad about herself afterwards if she shut 'things' off, or wasn't an active participant. She didn't want Cam to feel like she was made to feel. She felt the bile start to rise in her throat but suppressed the feeling. It was in the past now. What was done was done. Still, she could never escape it.

Maybe the worst thing about it, even if it was in the past, was the worry it would happen again. It wasn't so much what she would need to face herself, it was more about what Savannah may need to deal with wherever she was at. There was no guarantee Cameron would be able to watch over her all of the time. Depending upon where they ended up at and whatever the circumstances were, Cameron herself could become a target. Savannah would be treated with distrust and hatred for her association with Cameron. There were a lot of haters out there.

It was less than twenty four hours since Cameron and Savannah 'left'. They hoped they would be back before now but they weren't. River worked with Sheila on all the improvements. The last few things were completed.

Sheila wiped the console down. It was time to do the testing.

"It's ready." Sheila said. "The modifications are complete."

Summer walked over to the TDE. She reached up and touched it with her hand. She understood the machinery was going to be very important going forward.

"I have my computations ready." Summer said.

River started on her calculations the moment Savannah entered the energy bubble. They were a long way from anything solid. They needed to start someplace. There were a lot of factors to consider.

"I've made my calculations as well." River said. "We'll start with yours first and then go to mine. There still are many variables."

Cammy and Summer looked at each other. There was a danger factor for sure. They could pick up and bring back anything. Anyone, or any 'thing', could enter the energy bubble. They were pretty sure the Liquid Metal 'thing' was brought back the same way before, even if it was under different circumstances. They picked up their weapons. Cammy held a Coltan loaded M60. Summer held a M79 with an acid round. She still possessed the Thermite grenade she brandished earlier.

Summer acted as 'Cameron'. She ran the most updated copy of Cameron's program. She was very worried what would transpire. She also needed to worry about River's safety.

"Sheila, you and River will operate the equipment. If we start to bring back anything other than Cameron or Savannah, you're to get River out of here." Summer said. "Return with more armed Terminators. River, if I say to leave, you must. We don't know what we'll pick up…."

River understood their apprehension. They were all worried what would happen, or worse, what might not happen. Earlier she spotted something Cameron made for her. She would use it if necessary.

"I will, Summer, but I won't go far. I saw the Coltan blade Cameron made for me." River said. "I'll use it only if I have to."

Summer wasn't sure of anything. There was no guarantee any of it would work.

"We don't know how far off the temporal calculations will be. It could be five minutes, five months, or five years." Summer said.

Summer also knew it could be fifty years or five hundred years. No one wanted to say it out loud, even if they all thought it.

Cammy was ready to go herself. She agreed to try the 'lifeboat' first. She was still going to go anyway if it didn't work. She needed to get Savannah back.

"We have to try." Cammy said. "We will try this for now, but I'll only wait for so long. I can't let anything happen to Savannah."

Sheila could see Cammy was dead set on going.

"I guess every 'Cameron' really is a Bitch." Sheila said.

River knew the thought was universal, except from her of course.

"They all thought the same thing." River said.

Her revelation broke the ice and everyone laughed. The mood was less toxic now. They were all there to help. They needed to invest some time first. They might be at the beginning of a procedure which could last for years. As each try ended in failure, it would make the chances of success even more grim going forward.

It was time.

Cammy was done waiting.

"Light the candle." Cammy said.

Sheila made the adjustment and pushed the start button.

The arcing and flashing started. The energy bubble formed very quickly. The Metal girls were impressed at River's improvements. They were much superior to what Cameron even previously modified based on River's earlier changes. They needed to remember it was only a few days in time for River since Cameron left from her future. The improvements were remarkable for just a few days of thought. The actual event for Cameron happened several years ago.

The first energy bubble was sent out. They hoped for some kind of temporal beacon to draw it in. It returned a few seconds later, it was empty.

The arching and flashing ended. The energy bubble was gone.

River looked at the Metal girls. She could feel they were all as anxious as she was. She didn't want them to get their hopes up, only to be dashed every time. They currently were in the realm of the unknown.

"It is going to take awhile." River said.

Summer spoke for the Metal girls, except one.

"I'll do this until my power cell runs out or I am terminated." Summer said.

Cammy was the dissenter. She needed to get Savannah back.

"You won't have to wait so long." Cammy said. "It's because I won't wait that long, I need you all to know it. I will need to act on my own at some point."

River knew Cammy would do what she said. She needed to have them try it her way first. She didn't want to 'lose' anyone else.

"Please, let's just do this for now." River said. "For Savannah, Cameron and me, we need to try it first this way. We're just getting started. We will probably need to make adjustments along the way."

River knew Cammy might turn into a problem, but she could understand her feelings, she could feel them too. They weren't too much different from her own feelings. She planned to do the same thing Cammy wanted to do. She knew they all did. The feeling was overwhelming.

John wasn't sure about the latest drama associated with Cameron. He wanted to get back to business. There were a few things he was specifically interested in.

"John Henry, what's the status of the drone Cameron was working on?" John asked.

John Henry was pleased with the progress of their refit and modifications to the captured manned drone.

"It's operational." John Henry said. "It can operate autonomously, or with a pilot."

John would like to try it out and take it for a spin.

"Can I fly it?" John asked.

John Henry thought John could ride in it, but not actually fly it. It was very complex.

"It would take some instruction and training first." John Henry said. "It wouldn't be advisable. There are some technical aspects to deal with."

John didn't want to have an accident.

"Can any of our Terminators fly it?" John asked.

John Henry found the cockpit somewhat cramped.

"Yes. It was designed for smaller personnel. The females would be a better fit." John Henry said. "All of the suspected Terminator pilots we encountered were females."

John was about to suggest something when he spotted 'Cameron'. He called out to her.

"I want to have…." John started. "Cameron, CAMERON."

Cam wore clothes identical to Cameron's before she left. In fact, they were the clothes Cameron left behind. Cam actually switched before they left Cameron's base earlier.

Cam looked over at him.

"Hi, John." Cam said.

John was pleased to see her.

"I thought you were gone." John said.

Cam didn't correct him as to her true identity. She was 'Cam', not 'Cameron'.

"I was just passing by." Cam said. "I'm on my way to see Vanna."

John Henry scanned her. He saw Cam glare at him so he remained silent. He knew Cameron wanted John to expand his 'selection' of females. He didn't think it would be this soon. Then again, Cam was 'Cameron', even if her program was out of date.

John looked at her with 'hungry eyes'.

"When will you be done?" John asked.

Cam could see the direction things were headed. She worried about an issue developing later on. It seemed as if they should know more about Cameron's fate before she took things too far. If she acted too soon there would be a problem. Maybe now wasn't the time to play the 'Cameron' card.

"I'm Cam." Cam said.

John looked at her from head to toe and back again. He couldn't see any difference. John Henry interrupted his thoughts.

"I'm getting a lot of power draw coming off of the electrical grid." John Henry said.

John felt a little bit of alarm.

"What is it?" John asked. "Is it Skynet?"

It seemed a little less sinister than Skynet, but perhaps as troublesome.

"I think it's Cameron's base." John Henry said. "It may be CamNet."

John looked at Cam and wondered about her timing. Every worst case scenario begin to flash before him.

"Is she becoming Skynet?" John asked.

Cam was there by 'chance' to answer some questions.

"Cameron wanted to do some testing." Cam said. "It's nothing to worry about. Nobody's becoming Skynet."

John looked at Cam. He was sure it was a 'set up'.

"I bet." John said. "It seems you were on your way to see Vanna at the right time."

Cam didn't want to cause any trouble. As long as John didn't start bad mouthing anyone, other than Cameron, she wasn't going to engage. She decided to change the subject to what John spoke of as she approached.

"I can fly the drone." Cam said. "What would you like to try?"

John was caught off guard. He did want to see more. He wanted to see the drone in action. He was a little concerned about her qualifications.

"Have you trained on it?" John asked.

Cam tilted her head slightly. She understood Cameron's concerns about John being a 'little slow' on some subjects. She wanted to make her position clear. She didn't think she would mention she could do some of the things he did with Cameron, but she would probably enjoy them more and reciprocate in a superior way.

"No. I haven't received any specific training. If Cameron can fly it, so can I." Cam said. "I can do anything she can do, probably even better. I'm not defective like she is."

John didn't take the bait. He would stick with the mission planned.

"Here is what I would like to try…." John started.

John Henry looked like he wanted to say something.

Cam glared at John Henry again.

John Henry decided not to bring up the 'testing' Cameron was conducting. He knew something went wrong. They were 'searching'….

He thought it only involved Cameron.

Cam and Vanna were going to run interference and deflect anything away for now about Savannah's involvement. It was what they hoped to do at least. It was known Savannah was 'missing' 'in some future', there was going to be panic from everyone.

Sheila and River worked very methodically at Cameron's base in the TDE room. They sent out a number of 'lifeboats'. They all returned empty. The energy usage began to put a demand on the equipment. They would need to stop soon to prevent a problem. The equipment wasn't designed to be used in a prolonged session like the current demand put on it.

"We're overheating all the equipment." River said. "We need to stop for a while."

Cammy understood the problem. She didn't want to acknowledge it. She knew everything could be 'pushed'. Everything could be pushed past the limit for a short duration. Everything needed to exceed its listed maximum capability to function reliably.

"NO. We can run it longer." Cammy said. "It can operate in the red for a while longer. Everything can operate in the red for a short time."

Summer was aware they were already pushing it. She didn't want to get into another argument with Cammy. They were currently under a truce requested by River. There were other considerations as well to take into account.

"We've been at this for hours." Summer said. "River might like to take a break, maybe we all should for a while."

River sensed Cammy frustration and disappointment.

"Cammy, I know how bad you want this to work, we all do." River said. "We're systematically covering each variable. We've been blasting a lot of energy through here. I don't want to damage the equipment and throw our testing back to the start."

Cammy could feel the temperature in the room was up significantly from the massive energy draw. She knew the search was systematic.

"I'm sorry, River." Cammy said.

River wanted Cammy to know they were trying. She checked over the TDE. It could take a little more punishment.

"OK, we'll run it five more times for now. Then we need to let it rest." River said. "We don't want to damage anything. We'll find them, Cammy."

Cammy wanted Savannah back. The future was bad for her in every way.

"I'm worried about Savannah." Cammy said. "We don't know how long it's been for her."

They all silently went back to work. None of them was overly optimistic.

On the third try after the conversation, something was different. There was a definite change in all of the readings.

"Something is happening!" River said.

When the energy bubble began to reappear, there was something in it this time.

Cammy picked up the M60 and released the safety. Summer did the same for the M79.

"River, get out." Summer said.

River was hesitant.

"I'm sure it's Cameron." River said.

Cammy didn't want to take any chances. She'd scanned a 'difference'.

"Sheila, get her out." Cammy said.

River could 'feel' everything. It was Cameron.

"No. It's Cameron. I can feel it." River said. "I know it's her."

Cammy and Summer both scanned the figure. The right breast was back to 'normal' on this 'Cameron'. It wasn't the same 'Cameron' who left. River seemed positive it was Cameron. They needed to know more.

"Are you sure?" Cammy asked. "My scans show otherwise."

Summer wasn't sure it was Cameron either.

"Mine too." Summer said. "Stand ready."

River moved around the control panel between them and Cameron.

"It's Cameron." River said. "I can see and feel more than skin deep."

The arcing and flashing stopped.

The figure straightened up.

Cameron stood there naked alone.

Cammy was worried. Savannah wasn't there.

"Where is she?" Cammy asked forcefully.

Cameron needed time to explain everything.

"I was alone when the energy bubble came." Cameron said. "I needed to go right then."

Cammy pictured Savannah alone in the future. It couldn't be.

"YOU left her there?" Cammy screamed.

Cameron tried to quell her fears.

"No, she's not alone. She's with Mrs. Weaver and the Duplicates and two other Cameron clones." Cameron said. "She's five months pregnant, we can't risk it."

Cammy couldn't believe how much time passed. It was too long.

"Five MONTHS? She's been the future for five months?" Cammy asked. "Her body is ruined by now."

Cameron didn't think so. They did everything to shield Savannah from the 'sins of the future'.

"No, it's not. We've limited her exposure to everything. It's a different timeline than any other. We defeated Skynet. It was very weak." Cameron said. "I'll go back now and return five months from now after the baby is born and everything is situated. You should be able to program it for soon after I leave."

Cammy looked irritated.

"I should go with you." Cammy said.

Cameron didn't think so.

"I'll return now." Cameron said. "Let me review everything with everyone here."

Cameron went over the calculations with River. She gave them a run down on the future.

"We need to wait for a while before we do this." River said. "We'll send Cameron back alone. How many people will we bring back right afterwards?"

Cameron didn't know who all would return for sure.

"It was supposed to be only Savannah and myself as of when I left." Cameron said. "It may be Duplicate Cameron too."

River sensed a room full of apprehension. Someone was missing. She tried to be diplomatic.

"Are you sure it's only three?" River asked.

Cammy wanted a better answer now. She didn't have time for Cameron's games.

"What about the baby?" Cammy asked. "Savannah needs her baby to come back with her."

Cameron knew it was going to be a problem. She didn't have a finite answer for the question either. She was pretty sure what Savannah was going to do.

"Savannah may decide to give the baby to 'herself'. She wants to give it to Vanna, Duplicate Vanna." Cameron said. "The time transfer is unsafe for an infant."

Cammy wasn't about to settle for such a major infraction. Maybe the other people didn't care about Savannah, but she did.

"It's unacceptable." Cammy said. "I'm going back too."

Cameron ignored her.

River knew her TDE was improved and less stressful on humans. Her calculations for an infant didn't end well.

"It's unsafe, Cammy." River said. "It's hard on grown humans. You may kill the baby if you try and bring it through. Do the calculations yourself so there's no confusion."

It was the same conclusion all the Terminators came to as well.

Cameron was ready to go back now. She didn't like to be the focus of anger. She avoided Cammy and looked at River.

"How much time do I need to wait right now before I can go back?" Cameron asked.

River looked back at her. Cameron indirectly asked her for time….

"I'd say a few hours at least. I could use a rest." River said. "The equipment is very hot. We don't want to lose what we have and where we're at. I don't want anything to get messed up. We can't lose the progress we've made."

It was the time Cameron wanted. She needed to return to the Resistance base.

"Let's make it four hours." Cameron said. "I need to do a few things real quick then."

Cammy and Summer reluctantly agreed.

Cameron silently thanked River.

River smiled at her. She knew what Cameron was really after….

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Something Is Happening

Everyone wants to reach out
They want someone to reach back
Seldom does the one wanted reciprocate
Maybe mistaking it all as an attack

People go and they try
They soon strike out
No one ever walks away
As long as they still can shout

It is never the path forward
It is only the path to doom
It is never going to spark
It was a mistake to even presume

But some don't give up
They stay and they try and try
Maybe through persistence
The can slowly a heart pry

Suddenly one day there's a crack
The unending resolve has paid off
Something is happening
The fuse is lit like a Molotov

Nobody