Chapter 417

Rings

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Summer's Timeline:

Cameron Prime's Current Timeline:

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John wanted to check out the manned drone. He could tell John Henry didn't want him to, but it appeared Cam would be a little bit more willing to go with him. He could tell he upset her by questioning her ability.

Cam left after a short time. She said she'd get back to him. There were a few things she needed to take care of first. He watched he go. She turned back once before she went around the corner and disappeared.

John Henry didn't report any additional activity at Cameron's base with the testing of the TDE. CamNet suggested he drop any additional updates as to what they were doing, and not worry about it himself. It seemed like good advice to him.

John returned to his room a short time later. He looked around. All of Cameron's things were still there. It was a busy day and he was tired. When he spotted Cam earlier, he thought it was Cameron. Cameron made her point many times about how her chip, or her program, was her, versus the chassis.

He knew Cam was 'Cameron', but only a copy. She was a clone. He really wondered if everything would be the same or different. He was ready to find out. Cameron left him lonely too many times. What could it hurt? No, really, what could it hurt? What was the big deal? A few minutes of 'sack time' shouldn't be a problem, especially if it was just for sex. If it's all it was for everyone, it was just a physical act.

John frowned slightly as he thought about the past. He was painfully aware it was never just about the sex. There were always feelings and emotions which became involved. Soon everything revolved around some type of love. He knew love was a loaded four letter word. It didn't take much for him to remember hate was also a four letter word. Even though they were at opposite ends of the extreme, they always seemed to share a lot in common. More often than not, one was the destination of the other.

He lay on his bed. He looked over at Cameron's side. Nobody was there. He scoffed in disgust. He already decided there was going to be…. Why should he need to be the one who was all alone?

Maybe he would try it with the girls first once he got lonely. Wait, he was already lonely. He knew any of the Metal girls he asked would respond immediately. Cameron told him if he asked them specifically, they literally couldn't say 'no'. They would comply with his desires and wishes. Maybe he could have two or three of them in there at once. He could have Cam, Cammy, and Ally all there at the same time….

The other Metal girls were all just as hot. He wouldn't mind 'some alone' time with Holly. He thought things would be interesting with Sheila, Hanna, or Gail. His mind drifted back to Cammy, Cam, and Ally. Why did he think of those three? He knew why he thought of those three. They all look like Cameron. He couldn't tell Cam or Cammy apart from Cameron. He could usually tell Ally was Ally when he saw her. She always caught his attention. He tried to look at her when she didn't know he did. Often at some point she would turn around and wink at him and return back to whatever she was doing as if nothing occurred.

He didn't need to fool himself. He knew why he looked at Ally when she was around. It was because he wanted Allison. He wanted Allison ever since the first moment he saw her in the alternate future. He thought she was Cameron at first. The dog at her side quickly showed she wasn't a cyborg. It made her even more intriguing.

He was only ever provided with a brief description of what occurred with Cameron when she was at the market and went 'blank'. He questioned her several times about it until she finally gave him a brief explanation about the female she was patterned after in the future she came from. He realized when he saw Allison with the dog, it was the same person, even if it was a different timeline version of her.

He wanted Allison, but knew it would probably be Jesse or Vanna first. Allison was usually tucked away in Palmdale. He didn't think it was an accident either. He was sure Cameron was behind it to keep her away from him. Cameron wanted it to be the human girls who were with him instead of the Metal girls. They all were very close so many times. It should have happened long ago. The shame and guilt he felt about what he did to Cameron with Riley always seemed to get in the way. He couldn't blame Cameron for her 'feelings'. He could still see the look of HURT on Cameron's face the morning she caught him sneaking in after he spent the night with Riley. She confronted him. He smirked at her as he went up the stairs and rubbed it in her face.

John really wondered why Cameron didn't kill Riley. He knew she wanted to. It was his fault more than it was Riley's fault. His mother warned him he was 'playing' with Riley's life, but he disregarded her and scoffed at her. He wanted to have some 'fun' and he didn't care how it was done or who would actually pay the price. He wanted the same things all the other teenagers wanted at school. Everyone was hormone laden and more than willing to try out all their 'grown up parts'. He got what he wanted, and someone died along the way.

He was aware right now he let the little head do the thinking for the big head back then. Maybe it was doing the thinking now. Maybe he would just knock one off with 'Rosie'. He decided he would read Cameron's poem book again and remind himself about what a fool he was. It would remind him how he hurt Cameron so badly she could never get over it. It haunted her unmercifully. It stalked her without end. That was just the thing too, it was impossible for her to ever get over it. The sad fact was because every time she thought about it, it was like it just happened to her again.

John opened the drawer and took the poem book out.

MY STORY

(Art Of The Mind)

By

NOBODY

Something seemed off but he couldn't place it. He just knew something wasn't quite right.

He opened the poem book and read the first poem - 'Outsider'.

Outsider

When I look in the mirror
I don't like what I see
When I look inside of myself
I don't like what I can't be

I hate what I am
I hate what I'm not
I hate everything about myself
I guess it covers a lot

I feel so small
It is like I don't exist
Useless and worthless
Nothing on which to subsist

I'm an outsider
Always on the outside looking in
There's so much inside of me
To want to exist isn't a sin

From this eternal torment there's no escape
My mind, heart and soul are shredded and torn
If I had only one wish it would be
Never to have been born

Nobody

He remembered the first version of the poem. It sounded a little too 'Skynet related' to him originally. She signed it with her name 'Cameron' at the end. He told her she needed to revamp it and humanize it a little bit more. It upset her to do so, but she did. After she redid it, she signed it 'Nobody'. The name 'Nobody' in itself said a lot. None of it was good. He was the one who did it to her. Well, he did have help from his mother and Future Derek.

Wait.

Bam!

It hit him like a ton of bricks.

John suddenly sat up. He rushed back to the drawer.

Where were Cameron's rings?

He put them there himself. He put them on top of the poem book.

John frantically looked around the drawer. They weren't there. The only person who would dare touch them was Cameron. He checked again and still couldn't find them.

Someone took them.

There was a knock at the door.

John was angry right now. He didn't want to speak to anyone. Whatever else it was, it could wait.

"Go away." John said.

The knock came again. It was louder this time. It was clear they weren't about to go away.

He looked at the door with utter disgust.

Maybe there was something wrong. Now what? It was probably some mess Cameron created, or was at least associated with. She was usually involved in such disasters, one way or another.

"What?" John asked as he opened the door.

He took a step back. It was Cameron, or at least a 'Cameron.' He was glad he hadn't knocked one off yet with "Rosie'. He wondered if Cam was back. Whoever it was, he wasn't about to turn them down.

The two of them looked at each other for a long moment.

"Well?" Cameron asked.

John was a little confused. What was this about?

"Cameron?" John asked. "I thought you were gone."

'Cameron' looked at him with her big brown puppy dog eyes wide open.

"Well?" Cameron asked again as she moved her left hand in front of her.

John noticed she wore Cameron's rings. He was a little miffed one of the clones might have taken them to wear. He remembered his earlier interaction with Cam. Was it really Cam before? Was it Cam now? It made him wonder why Summer wasn't the one standing there. He thought it was supposed to be her 'job' to provide him with sexual comfort. He needed to refocus.

"You said you only made love to your wife." Cameron said. "She's here now."

John took another step back and off to the side. There was room for her to pass.

Cameron remained standing outside.

"Well?" Cameron asked again.

John quickly realized what she wanted. Was it Cameron, or did one of her clones want the same thing?

"Is it our wedding night again?" John asked.

Cameron looked a little indignant at the delay.

"Your wife is here." Cameron said.

John looked around. He looked out into the hall some. He really wondered about it. He wasn't sure if he was being set up or not. He wouldn't put it past anyone around there anymore. He didn't know if it would do any good to ask, but he did anyway.

"You're not someone else or a clone are you?" John asked.

He really didn't care at this point. He was aroused and 'Little Willie' was hungry.

Cameron didn't care for the question. She wondered exactly who he thought she was? Maybe there was more going on she didn't know about, yet. She was away for five months. John should be a little more appreciative to see her. He could show a little respect while he was at it.

Wait.

She was only gone from the Resistance base for a day as far as John was concerned. Their last meeting was a little contentious. It was old news.

"Would anyone else dare to wear these?" Cameron asked as she showed her rings. "I love you, John, and you love me."

John scooped Cameron up in his arms and carried her into the room. It sure seemed like it was Cameron. It would solve a couple of problems, in more ways than one. It was good enough for him.

Cameron pushed the door closed as they entered.

He set her down. They stood and faced each other.

"All my programming is off, John. It's just you and me now."

John swallowed hard.

"Cameron, I've waited so long for this moment."

"As have I, John."

"I love you, Cameron, and you love me."

"I love you, John, and you love me."

They kissed.

Cameron removed his shirt and pants.

John helped Cameron out of her top and pants.

Each removed the other's underwear.

"I am ready, John, make me a woman - AGAIN."

They embraced and slowly headed for the bed….

John pinched himself on the way to the bed to make sure it wasn't a dream. It was going to be way better than 'Rosie', and a lot less messy, well, for him anyway.

Back at Cameron's base they waited.

Cammy was ready to get the show on the road. She didn't like the delay.

"Everything is ready." Cammy said. "I'll go in Cameron's place. At least we'll have someone competent there."

River didn't want Cammy to jump the gun.

"We need to give her a little more time." River said. "She needed to do something."

Cammy made a face.

"I can guess." Cammy said.

Summer didn't see the delay as a problem.

"We don't have to guess. We would all do the same thing." Summer said. "We are all 'her'."

Cammy did understand the purpose. The Duplicate girls weren't going to return at this time. There was really no other way things could be done.

"I guess we do owe it to the Duplicate girls, they have to 'try'." Cammy said.

Sheila displayed a big grin on her face but remained silent.

River looked away and felt a little uncomfortable. She was glad she didn't need to be involved in the current situation.

Cameron came in the door.

Cammy took a little 'jab' at Cameron.

"Did you get everything you 'needed'?" Cammy asked.

Cameron looked a little irritated. She glanced at River. She knew River was aware of what she wanted to do and why.

River didn't 'spill the beans'. She didn't want to let Cameron think she 'sold her out'.

"I didn't say a word." River said. "They ARE all 'you'."

Cameron looked at Cammy and Summer. They were 'her'. She didn't think it was a big deal. They should understand better than anyone else what needed to be done and why.

"Yes." Cameron said. "I did."

Cammy wanted to get Savannah back. She was tired of the delays and waiting.

"Let's just get it over with." Cammy said.

Cameron started for the TDE pad but suddenly stopped.

The arcing and flashing started.

Cameron took a step back.

"What's happening?" Sheila asked. "I haven't touched anything."

River knew it was for her. It was her 'recall' home. She hadn't returned in the previously scheduled time frame. Either she needed to return, or someone else needed to go back in her place for now and explain the situation.

"It's my time bubble." River said. "Someone needs to go."

Cameron saw it as an opportunity. She hadn't planned on it, but what she planned to do for the girls 'in some future', she could do right now for the girls in River's future.

"Let me go. I can be there for your girls." Cameron said. "I should be right back."

Cameron looked at River and placed something in her hand.

River understood what Cameron wanted to do.

"OK." River said.

Cameron stepped into the time bubble just as it fully formed.

"I'll be back." Cameron said.

The arcing and flashing ended.

Cameron was gone.

River picked Cameron's clothes up.

Less than a minute passed.

The arcing and flashing started.

The time bubble appeared. Cameron's naked form was in it.

Cameron stood and looked around. She smiled at River. It was how the time transfers were supposed to work. It was clear River's future resources were still superior. She gave them a brief update.

"It's done. Your brother has 'everything'. To them, you just left." Cameron said. "I was there for five hours. Allison and her baby are fine."

For the girls in River's future it was still the same week for them since the 'Day Of Loss'. The years which passed for Cameron, hadn't for them, even though they were five hundred years in the future.

Sheila marveled at how well River's TDE worked. She thought the improvements to their TDE were good. River's TDE was clearly superior still.

"How does River's TDE work so well?" Sheila asked.

River didn't want to get into the details. There were advancements in technology and superior elements located on other worlds.

"It's a half millennium in the future." River said. "Things have advanced beyond Skynet's technology."

Cameron briefly considered visiting John again. She didn't think she needed to. She was a little worried Cammy might try to pull a fast one and go in her place. She didn't want to mess up her plans for the girls 'in some future'. She was still irritated about the way Cammy addressed her when she arrived earlier.

"I'm ready." Cameron said.

Summer didn't know the details.

"Do you still have 'enough'?" Summer asked.

River's brother was able to collect a very small sample. It was all which was required with the advanced technology.

"Yes, John hadn't seen me for a while, he made up for it…." Cameron said. "I made sure."

The girls all giggled.

Cammy looked irritated. She didn't want any more delays.

"This may not be so quick." Cameron said. "I want to be there when the baby is born. It was four more months from when I left. I want to give Savannah a month to recover. I want Vanna to take over the nursing of the baby if possible. If she can't take over, Savannah will need to stay longer."

Cammy wanted results. She wanted to be with Savannah if nothing else.

"I want to go with Cameron to get Savannah back, or at least be with her." Cammy said. "There's no reason I can't go to."

Cameron was still worried about unforeseen difficulties or a temporal error. Cammy was needed to prevent the whole thing from ever happening if her mission failed and she didn't return with Savannah.

"No." Cameron said. "If we don't return, you will go back in time and prevent Savannah from leaving with me."

River saw the true implication of it. Too much would have happened 'in some future' for things not to have been altered. She wanted to remind Cameron of the consequences.

"It would create a new timeline." River said.

Cameron was sure she created a few of those herself, even if she didn't have the specifics. The future where Savannah was currently at may be one of them. It didn't matter. Savannah wasn't going to pay for her 'sins'. Savannah safety came first.

"I don't care. Savannah won't perish because of me." Cameron said. "Let's do this."

Cammy wanted to go, but if Cameron didn't come back with Savannah soon, she was going back in time. She was done waiting. It would be better for Savannah anyway. She wouldn't have been exposed to the future and all its toxins. Cameron even told her to do it. Wait. She wondered if it was a warning about something. She didn't hear River say anything against it either, other than a new timeline would be created. Maybe something already happened to Savannah or the baby. She knew she was going to start to glitch if she kept thinking this way.

River sensed Cammy's distress. She didn't see any need for her to worry needlessly.

"Cammy, it will be OK." River said. "One way or the other it's going to work out."

Cammy nodded but said nothing. She trusted River, even if she didn't trust Cameron.

River already made the calculations.

Cameron stared intently at River.

River looked at Cameron and felt something.

"I'm sorry." River said.

Cameron nodded slightly.

"She may change her mind." Cameron said.

Cammy could see some unspoken conversation just occurred. It was just like Cameron.

"What's happening?" Cammy asked.

River was ready to send Cameron. The time for everything else was over. She wanted to make sure the next energy bubble would arrive when it was supposed to.

"I'll explain it after Cameron leaves." River said. "The time bubble for you to return should appear exactly five months after you go back to the future from now."

Cameron planned to make the rendezvous. If she didn't, it was up to Cammy.

"We'll be ready." Cameron said.

The time transfer should be much like it was for when Cameron just went to River's future.

"I'll see all of you back here soon." River said.

Cameron was still naked. She stepped onto the TDE pad.

"Do it." Cameron said. "I'll be back."

The arcing and flashing started.

The energy bubble formed.

The arcing and flashing ended. Cameron was gone.

Summer thought the 'lifeboat' would be sent back for Cameron and the others now.

"How long will it be until you send the lifeboat again?" Summer asked.

River wanted to give everything some time. They may need more power if more people were in the 'lifeboat'.

"A little bit." River said.

Cammy sensed a further difficulty. Cameron must be up to something.

"Spill it." Cammy said. "What's she up to?"

River was aware Cameron wasn't quite forthcoming with Savannah's plans. It was an 'oversight' was mainly to keep Cammy from making an issue of things. It appeared it was about to happen anyway.

"Savannah is going to give the baby to Duplicate Vanna." River said.

Cammy didn't want it to happen, even if she understood the reasoning.

"It's OUR baby." Cammy said. "She can't do it."

River knew it was more complicated than even Cameron told her. She understood the real story. She thought she would need to spell it out in a little more detail.

"Mrs. Weaver doesn't want to let Savannah leave. To have a 'grandchild', and Duplicate Vanna stay with Mrs. Weaver, will allow Savannah to return." River said. "The time transfer would be hard on the baby anyway. I honestly can't recommend it. It was hard on me and I recovered before all the girls did."

Summer was confused as to who would return at this point.

"So who is coming back then?" Summer asked.

River was sure it was only three of them. Her calculations were based on it.

"It should be Savannah, Duplicate Cameron, and Cameron." River said.

Sheila was there the whole time. She never heard any of the plans or changes. She wondered if she missed something. She quickly replayed her files. There was no such discussion.

"When did Cameron say all these things?" Sheila asked. "I didn't hear any of them."

River knew all of it since Cameron first arrived. It seemed it took Cameron some time to face the facts and accept everything herself.

"No, she thought it." River said.

River looked at Sheila.

Sheila looked embarrassed.

"Sorry, love, it's just you're a real 'looker'." Sheila said. "You're so 'different'."

River looked at Cammy and Summer.

"Don't feel bad, they're all thinking it too." River said.

Summer and Cammy looked away.

River picked up the same vibe a lot. It wasn't just in the past either.

"I've grown used to it." River said. "I filter it out. I don't mind."

Sheila wondered how things would play out in River's future. She wasn't sure if she should ask, but she really wanted to know.

"I'm curious about something, will Duplicate Cameron, your Cameron, share with the girls too once you start your relationship?" Sheila asked.

River knew it was something they all thought about a lot. She did now as well.

"I don't know." River said. "Anything is possible."

Sheila saw a big opportunity there.

"Would you consider any 'volunteers'?" Sheila asked. "Some extra 'protection' might be good in your future."

River didn't know for sure what Her Cameron would do. She was fixated solely on Her Cameron. She understood the true nature of Sheila's offer.

"Sorry, but I'll only be for Cameron, MY Cameron." River said.

Sheila tried to save the conversation. A foothold in the door could lead to other things over time. Her power cell lasted a long time too….

"I meant for the girls." Sheila said. "So they all could have 'someone'."

River knew the girls already had each other.

"Do you mean as Metal girlfriends?" River asked.

It still seemed like an opportunity to Sheila. She didn't want to close any doors too soon.

"Yes." Sheila said.

Summer thought it would be a choice assignment, as did Sheila.

River wanted everyone to stay focused for now. Until everyone was back she didn't want to get sidetracked anymore than they already were.

"We can talk about it when Cameron gets back." River said.

Cammy was done with the nonsense. She wanted Savannah back. Based on the nature of time travel, there was no need for them to wait any longer. All they needed to do was send the energy bubble five months into the future Cameron just left for and retrieve them.

"It's time." Cammy said. "There's no need to delay any more."

River checked over the equipment. She was satisfied they were good and there was plenty of power available if they needed more.

"I'm sending the lifeboat now." River said.

The arcing and flashing started. The energy bubble formed and disappeared.

Almost as soon as it was gone, the arcing and flashing started again.

Summer didn't want to take any chances.

"Get ready." Summer said as her and Cammy readied their weapons.

Sheila was aware anything could come back.

"River, go out." Sheila said.

River wanted to be sure who it actually was. She was attuned to what should be Cameron.

"No. Not yet." River said. "I feel something…."

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Rings

Is not what binds
Really in the mind
When the mind's door is opened
What will one actually find

Words are just words
Actions speak much louder
Good results from those
Will make one much prouder

What is the tie that binds
Is there really such a thing
It is more than a fling
To what one must cling

When two set out to share
What do they really seek
The spoils go to those who take
Nothing goes to the meek

Some seek ownership
Through various strings
Most often or not
It's through a set of rings

Nobody

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Events continue in Chapter 421

Summer's Timeline:

Cameron's Base:

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