Chapter 418

Really

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Events continue from Chapter 415

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In Some Future: Duplicate Cameron

In Some Future: Cameron Prime

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Moments ago:

The arcing and flashing started.

It was unexpected when it happened.

Cameron was on watch in the TDE room. She just made an adjustment to the frequency the TDE squawked when the arcing and flashing started. The beacon must have worked. An energy bubble began to form. The 'lifeboat' was here. She quickly left a message which noted the time and frequency. In case she didn't make it back, for whatever reason, she wanted them to know what the frequency was which carried her away. If she didn't return, it was probably a frequency to be concerned about going forward.

The arcing and flashing intensified.

The energy bubble appeared.

Cameron stepped into the energy bubble.

The arcing and flashing ended.

The TDE pad was empty.

Cameron was gone.

Only her clothes remained.

Ginger was on her way to relieve Cameron. She heard the 'electrical' sounds coming from the TDE room. She hurried into the room and looked around. She instantly became alarmed because there was no one there. She searched the area. Nobody was there. Cameron was the one scheduled to be there.

She checked around further and spotted clothes lying on the TDE pad itself. She knew they were Cameron's clothes. She picked them up and searched the area further. There should be a clue.

There was a note with the time and frequency Cameron quickly logged in before she left. It was the agreed upon procedure in case something happened. The time was just seconds ago. It must have been the 'electrical' sounds she heard.

She could feel a slight change in the surroundings.

There was some arcing and flashing.

It was less than thirty seconds from when she first heard the electric sounds. It was happening again now. She wondered if something was wrong. They told her what would happen. To witness it actually occur was different than expected. It was a little concerning to see all the energy forming.

The arcing and flashing intensified.

Ginger backed up. She held her plasma rifle ready. She was unsure what was actually going to happen. She was told to watch for any threats. Her instructions were to enter the energy bubble if it was empty. She was a little worried about the consequences if she did. It was what Cameron asked her to do so she would do it without question. It didn't appear the energy bubble was empty as it formed.

There was a nude form inside of it.

The arcing and flashing ended.

Cameron stood.

"Nice day for a trip." Ginger said.

Ginger still held her plasma rifle. It was pointed in Cameron's direction. She scanned who she hoped was Cameron. She knew there were others identical to her. Cameron originally worked for Skynet. It could be a trick.

Cameron could see Ginger was wary. It was what she should have been too. She knew something only Ginger, Sandy, and Savannah knew.

"It is." Cameron said. "I thank you for your personal 'gift'."

Ginger lowered the plasma rifle. The 'gift' was only known to a few individuals. She did a double take of Cameron's nude form. It was so beautiful and 'complete'.

Cameron noticed Ginger looked her over in detail. She felt a sense of grief for Ginger. She never would have allowed Ginger to give up her breast sheath material for her if she knew in advance what was planned.

Ginger handed Cameron her clothes.

Cameron started to get dressed.

Before she put her top on she faced Ginger. She needed to say something. She never would have faced John how she looked before. She would rather have terminated than have him see her like she was. She felt John only valued her 'beauty' or appearance. She thought of the times he rejected her in a different sheath and chassis. It wasn't what she wanted to think about right now.

"I don't know how to thank you, Ginger." Cameron said. "I was with my husband when I was away. Thank You. I never would've let him see me again how I was before you 'fixed' me and made me 'complete'. I was very worried he would reject me and replace me in my previous condition. I was very pleased I could share with him again."

Ginger looked down at the front of herself. The sheath material she 'exchanged' with Cameron was hidden underneath her top. She didn't want to comment on it. Things didn't quite work out as anticipated. The sheath material was too badly damaged to properly regenerate, even on her. She felt it was worth the sacrifice if Cameron was able to be with her husband again. It was the whole point in her opinion. She knew Cameron wasn't gone for more than a minute from their current timeline.

"You were only gone for a short while. I just came to relieve you and found your clothes lying here and your note." Ginger said. "I see your breast is perfect and a complete match for the other one now. You're very pretty."

Cameron wanted to thank Ginger again. How could she not? How many 'females' would have done it for someone else? It made her think about the pigmentation. She speculated Ginger was probably the same lower down as she was up on top.

"Thank You." Cameron said. "It has Resequenced perfectly. I still feel bad about what you did for me. I really wish I could have kept the bright pink pigmentation and made both of them look the same. I found it very attractive."

Ginger resisted the urge to look down at her right breast again. Maybe she did for a fraction of a second. She didn't like to look at it. She never looked at her reflection. She would do it all again for Cameron.

"I would do anything for you." Ginger said "I would do anything for any 'Cameron'."

Cameron noticed Ginger look down at herself twice. It was probably not a good sign. She wanted to know the truth. Maybe now wasn't a good time to ask. Maybe no time would ever be a good time to ask. They were alone right now. It didn't seem like there would be a better time based upon the current situation.

"I hate to ask, but how did yours turn out?" Cameron asked.

Ginger knew what every detail of it was. She didn't want to say anything. She didn't want to lie to Cameron either. It didn't really matter. Things were how they were.

"The pock marks on the abdomen went away and the breast regenerated to almost my full size…." Ginger said.

Cameron could see there was a plump breast on both sides of Ginger. She noticed there was one important part not mentioned. She remembered what happened to her before. It must have been the same thing with Ginger.

"Do you mean everything which should be there isn't there?" Cameron asked. "It must not have regenerated properly on you either."

Ginger looked around to make sure they were alone. Sandy was the only one to ever see her sheath since the procedure. It was after she was 'healed'. There was no need to dance around the issue. It was what it was. She saw how pleased Cameron was she could share with her husband again. Somehow it seemed to reaffirm her original decision.

"No, it did not. It's just rounded with the same skin tone as the rest of my sheath. The sheath material was too badly damaged, even for my chassis to regenerate it or Resequence it." Ginger said. "It's a reminder of what every Cameron has done for everyone here. I see it as a badge of honor, your honor."

Ginger lifted her shirt as she spoke.

Cameron winced a little. It was the same plump size almost as the left side so it was a plus. The missing nipple was the bad part. The other side was bright pink. She would find some way to resolve the problem for Ginger. She wasn't going to let it stand. She would find out first what could be done before she said anything. She didn't want to create any false hope. It reminded her of her former appearance before she was able to reinfuse her DNA with a fresh sample from Allison. To think of it again caused her a lot of distress. She knew it must be exactly what Ginger felt as well. It might even be worse for her since she never experienced any combat damage. When damage starts out as simple bullet wounds it's a little worrisome at first. They heal quickly. The damage tends to get worse and worse until it becomes horrific at times.

"I don't feel I'm worthy, but I was able to be with my husband." Cameron said. "I thank you again."

Ginger took another look at the right side. She understood why Cameron wouldn't want to be viewed by someone she cared about in such a condition, especially the way the sheath material was on Cameron before the transfer to her.

Cameron finished dressing. There was important business she needed to take care of.

"I need to find the girls and get to the infirmary." Cameron said.

Ginger pulled her top back down and made sure it fit loose so no details, or lack of them, could be noticed. The infirmary was for the sick. It was something which shouldn't afflict Cameron.

"Is someone ill?" Ginger asked.

Cameron smiled at Ginger.

"I'm hoping they will be." Cameron said. "With morning sickness…."

Ginger tilted her head slightly.

Cameron didn't want to get into the details.

"I have some genetic material I need to transfer to them." Cameron said. "They may be able to become pregnant."

Ginger could see Cameron didn't carry anything. She understood how she transported the material. She smiled and nodded. She was even prouder of her sacrifice for Cameron. It helped Cameron, her husband, and maybe the girls too.

Cameron thanked Ginger again and headed out to find the girls.

Ginger watched Cameron leave. She was very pleased with her previous decision. She looked over the TDE equipment and made sure everything was at the same operating parameters it was previously. There were times when she questioned exactly what it was they attempted to do with the equipment there. Since nothing ever happened for so many months, it seemed unlikely it ever would.

Cameron, both of them, believed something would happen. She witnessed it herself when it actually did occur. It made her wonder what it would be like to go to a different time period in the past. She understood many things were different than they were in either future she was in. She checked over everything one more time and remained alert with her plasma rifle in case anything new developed. She was a little concerned since Cameron was successfully able to depart and return, something else might as well. It might not be something from the future a half a millennium ahead or from the past where Cameron just visited. It could be something from some version of Skynet which locked on to the signal as well.

There were many threats which they may need to face going forward. She remained vigilant as she continued her watch. Her plasma rifle was at the ready next to her. Her left hand reached up inside of her shirt and touched her left breast. Her hand moved over to the right one. She couldn't help but frown. She withdrew her hand and returned it to her plasma rifle. If anything Skynet related showed itself, she would personally deal with it. Skynet was directly responsible, even if it was indirectly so, for her current incomplete condition. She was more than ready to make them pay for what they did to her.

Savannah ran into Cameron as she exited the infirmary. It wasn't a place where she normally expected to find a cyborg. She wanted to know a little bit more and decided to do it in a clandestine and joking manner.

"That's different." Savannah said. "Are you sick?"

'Not physically anyway, my sickness is deeper.' Cameron thought.

Cameron didn't want to dwell there.

"No." Cameron said. "Savannah, how is everything?"

Savannah could tell Cameron didn't want to discuss it. She would wait and try again later. She was glad to see Cameron's concern for her. She lifted Cameron's hand to her neck so she could scan her. She knew Cameron would want to do it anyway.

"It's about the same as it was four hours ago when you asked me the last time." Savannah said.

Cameron wanted to tell Savannah the news. She looked around the area to see if anyone else was listening.

"I just got back from the past." Cameron said. "River sent an energy bubble. We've only been gone for a day there. A day from when we left. I was only gone from here for a little over a minute, even though I spent a few hours in the past. I made a trip to River's future and saw all the Duplicates there. Everyone was fine. It was only a few days since I left there the last time. Allison's pregnancy was still the same with no problems."

Savannah looked down at her belly. She thought about her current condition based upon what she looked like when she arrived.

"I'm glad the other set of Duplicate girls is the same." Savannah said. "Look at me, I'm getting fat. It's a lot of size for one day. How is everyone? How is Cammy? She must be going wild about all of this. I feel sorry for her."

Cameron didn't care for Cammy's attitude and remarks. She did understand Cammy's concern. Cammy felt the same about Savannah as she felt about John.

"Cammy is going crazy because you're gone. They almost ended up in a fight about trying to follow us." Cameron said. "Thankfully River was there. Cammy and Summer were really going to fight. Cam, Cammy, and River were going to follow us. Summer convinced River to give her some time. River stopped Cam and Cammy. Vanna wanted to come as well. Those were just the ones who know about it."

Savannah could see Cameron was right about all of them. They would come one by one or in pairs to find her. It wouldn't have been a good thing for any of them if they would have come. There was a bigger 'problem' to think about.

"Did you tell Cammy about the baby?" Savannah asked. "I mean about MY decision?"

Cameron didn't live up to her obligation as she should have. Cammy was already a big enough problem as it was. She was still upset about the way Cammy 'attacked' her about 'leaving' Savannah in the future. She didn't even give her time to explain. It was the main reason why she didn't tell Cammy about Savannah's decision. She 'dumped' the burden on River. She shouldn't have done it either.

"I left it to River to explain." Cameron said. "I didn't want to get into it with Cammy. We would have fought about it and created a bigger problem. I'm a total Bitch."

Savannah knew she was a little less cordial recently. She didn't feel as good some days as she did others.

"We all can be. I know I've been one lately." Savannah said.

Cameron thought Savannah could blame her hormones as they changed. She didn't have the same luxury of an excuse. It was actually a good one for humans. She was a cyborg.

"You have an excuse." Cameron said. "I don't."

Savannah knew Allison could be a little troublesome at times. It wasn't just a monthly thing either. She was a real firecracker sometimes.

"It's the 'Allison' in you." Savannah said. "She can be a Bitch too."

Cameron didn't think so. She felt she was defective. She decided to change the subject.

"I brought back some 'genetic material' to try and impregnate the girls here. I don't think it will work, but I need to try at least once. It will have to be their choice." Cameron said. "I need to get them in the exact window. There are only so many times I can try."

Savannah wanted to help the girls. She wondered if her mother could assist in some manner. She wondered exactly what her mother could do.

"Is there any way some Liquid Metal from my Mother could help them from inside them?" Savannah asked. "Could any Liquid Metal in my brain make me more like River?"

Cameron wondered about the former, but was appalled by the latter. She didn't want any Liquid Metal inside Savannah's head.

"I can tell you right now the last one we're NOT going to find out. Not on you anyway. Didn't you tell me there would be 'no more experiments'?" Cameron asked. "As for the girls, I don't know. If we see the pregnancies start to fail for them we could try it. It would have to be their choice at that point. It's a possibility. If it could work for them, Mrs. Weaver might be able to help many of the women here. There are almost no children anywhere."

Savannah was very aware of the last fact. She was the only one who was actually pregnant anyone could see. It made her very self conscious. It wasn't a comfortable feeling. She didn't like to go out. She was indoors most of the time to avoid exposure to the environment anyway. There were still a lot of pollutants in the air. There were many more in the ground.

"Cammy and Cam both have told me they haven't seen a pregnant woman or girl. There are a lot of young girls trying. Most are younger than me. I guess they start trying as soon as they can. The age factor doesn't seem to be as big of a hang up for some people as it did in the past." Savannah said. "I know you test all my food and water twice before I consume it. The other people here don't have the same luxury. I'd like to change it."

Cameron worked towards the same end. She sent a number of projects in motion.

"You know I've worked on it myself." Cameron said. "I have the Restorators trying to clean up what they can to help these people. I've pushed for the purification of all water as well. I'm trying to help fix some of the things Skynet has ruined."

Savannah could tell she upset Cameron some. It wasn't her intent. None of the current situation was Cameron's fault, unless it was a future she inadvertently created. She didn't know River was certain it was a future created by Cameron's manipulation of the past. It was time to change the conversation. She wanted to have some fun.

"Let me go with you so I can tell each of the girls it's their turn to get 'knocked up'." Savannah said.

Cameron was worried about it too. She was sure everyone blamed Savannah being pregnant on her. She didn't want any more finger pointing.

"It has to be their choice when they're ready." Cameron said. "I don't want to pressure anyone. I feel I pressured you too much, now look at you."

Savannah looked at her belly. She felt it was for a noble cause. She didn't want Cameron to feel responsible for what she did by her own actions. If she was older, and couldn't have a child, she would want a younger version of her to do the same thing.

"I did this on my own, Cameron. Look where we are. Maybe this was supposed to be." Savannah said. "It may be the only way Vanna can have a baby. I mean if I have it for her. It might be true in any timeline. Vanna is me. How could I not do this for her? It is really for 'me' if you think about it."

Savannah couldn't help but cringe a little at the abuse Vanna needed to endure. It really happened to her in reality.

Cameron felt a glitch impulse shoot through her hand. What if it were true? What if every adult 'Savannah Weaver' was sterile? Maybe there was some hope for one of them.

"Duplicate Vanna in River's future might be able to." Cameron said. "They have more advanced medical techniques available."

Savannah knew it could be true. There was only one big problem.

"But John isn't there." Savannah said. "It's unsafe for him to risk going there."

Cameron thought she better explain all her actions in the past.

"There was a reason I went to River's future, right before I returned here." Cameron said. "Her brother is a doctor. The girls have what they need there too now."

Savannah was surprised to hear it. She wondered what else Cameron was up to. She never even knew she was gone. She seemed to do quite a bit in a minute.

"You have been busy." Savannah said. "Your new breast has given you a lot of 'confidence'."

Cameron hung her head slightly. It was a reminder she could have done without. Ginger shouldn't have to 'suffer' in her place. She vowed she was going to do something about it.

"I feel so bad about Ginger…." Cameron said. "She's disfigured now instead of me. The sheath material was too badly damaged."

Savannah didn't know it. Ginger never said a word. It was never obvious by looking at her. It always looked like she was able to regain a plump pair of breasts again.

"I'm sorry to hear it. It was a sacrifice few females would make." Savannah said. "She's an honorable individual."

Cameron didn't think she could make the same sacrifice. She could always trade with Ginger again. There needed to be a better solution.

"I need to fix it before we go somehow." Cameron said.

Savannah knew there was a quick fix which would be able to take care of it. She saw first hand how it worked before with Cameron.

"My mother could fix it for her…." Savannah said.

Cameron knew the damage was as much mental as it was physical. Even with her 'patch' from Mrs. Weaver, it wasn't good enough. The damage was still there. Ginger needed a permanent solution.

"No, I want to fix it for real." Cameron said. "I'm going to go into some of those Skynet facilities and see what I can come up with. Bob has Restorators in all of them. He's trying to convert them into peaceful use. A lot of Skynet equipment was destroyed. A lot of what's left has been repurposed."

Savannah didn't like where Cameron was headed right now. She was going to blame herself for Ginger. She needed a more festive activity for them.

"Let's go find the girls so I can tell them the good news." Savannah said. "I really hope one of them can make it this time. I think Allison has the best chance because she's the youngest. She is younger in this timeline than she is in the one we came from."

Cameron knew it was true. Allison spent less time in her future too. She never suffered as bad as Vanna and Jesse did…. She was spared a lot of the physical abuse, including the beatings.

"The age factor is because of the temporal displacement." Cameron said. "They are only a few months older than when they left our timeline while you have aged years."

Savannah patted her belly.

"I'll say." Savannah said.

Cameron knew Allison was the youngest of the three girls, but she also experienced problems in the past when she tried breeding sex. Claire carried Allison's baby now because of it. She knew she could bring Claire there if she needed too for this Allison. It was still her daughter. She knew Claire would do it for her if she asked her. She also knew she could motivate Claire in other ways….

Wait.

She hated herself for thinking it almost immediately. ALL of the people were trying to help her. She needed to give them more consideration in her 'schemes'. She didn't need to manipulate or control them.

Cameron needed to talk with the girls, check on what she could do for Ginger, and make sure Savannah stayed healthy and safe. There was no guarantee on any of those things. There was still a lot which could go wrong. She needed Savannah to be in this future for five more months. Maybe she could shave a few weeks off of it if Vanna, Allison, or Jesse could be induced to lactate.

Wait.

She already established a timetable with River and her base. Any deviations were going to cause anxiety and problems. It still may be necessary.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Really

There is what one knows
There is what one thinks they know
There is what one really knows
The extent of it will often show

Just because something is known
Doesn't mean it's correct
Things based on false facts
Are not always easy to detect

When one reaches out to another
What is it they actually find
The true extent of that person
Is hidden deep in their mind

Few are who or what they seem
The baggage often runs deep
The more truth that is known
Makes them less worth to keep

It takes a lot more homework
Than something just touchy and feely
The real person hidden inside
Is not what one thinks - really

Nobody