Chapter 419

Field Trip

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In Some Future: Duplicate Cameron

In Some Future: Cameron Prime

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Cameron and Savannah sought out the girls. There were a few things they wanted to run by them. One of them was going to be very personal.

The girls were elated to hear Cameron returned to the past and came back to their current future, while making a stop in another further future first. The most surprising part of it all was she was only gone from the current time period for approximately a minute.

Cameron and Savannah both told them about River previously. Everything still seemed impossible to them, especially the fact they were Duplicates. They all felt the same as before. It wasn't too much of a stretch in reality. All they needed to do is look at Savannah and Young Allison and see themselves anyway, even if it's when they were younger. It seemed pretty impossible too until they actually touched their younger self. It made it real very quickly.

The girls were all caught up on how everyone was doing. It included the other set of Duplicate girls as well.

Cameron wanted to get to the current issue. She brought up the idea of the girls getting pregnant. It was if they wanted to.

"Do you want to try it, any of you?" Cameron asked. "I have what's needed from John."

Allison tried to be funny with Cameron, but she was worried about the future they were in. There were some harsh realities which were unpleasant to address.

"No wonder you look so happy. I don't know, Cameron." Allison said. "Few people have kids here any more. I don't think it can happen."

The idea to become a mother intrigued Jesse somewhat. There were a lot of doubts and fears in her mind. She questioned her value and worth as a mother and a human. She wondered if somehow it would give her life validation and seem to justify her continued existence. She wondered what it would be like to create a life instead of end one. She ended plenty of them in her timeline. There were a few males she dealt with who would never be able to have offspring after what she did to them. Their punishment was actually for the abuse of females. They were side effects which went with it. Her past often troubled her.

"It would be a lot of work. I don't think I'd make a good mother." Jesse said. "A lot of things have happened. Very few of which I'm proud of. I've done a lot of terrible things…."

Savannah didn't like to hear Jesse question herself. She dealt with Jesse in her own timeline about the same issues. She really reached out to Jesse after sharing with Young Jesse. The Jesse here was no different.

"You are who you are now, Jesse." Savannah said. "I know you better than you think. Who you are now, and still will be, isn't the same girl from your future. You're better now, all of you are. You will all only get better still."

Cameron previously assigned Cam to watch over Savannah. It took Cam away from Jesse most of the time. She would be freed up by the time the girls were as far along in their pregnancies as Savannah was now. There were going to be a few changes when Duplicate Cameron and her both left the future they were currently in.

"Cam would be there to help all three of you twenty four hours a day. She can take care of and change the infants at night for all of you." Cameron said. "Cammy can too, when she isn't being 'Commander Connor'."

Vanna was very intrigued with Savannah's pregnancy. It was something she thought she could do too. Previously there was no good way for her to try it where they currently were. Now there was. She wouldn't need to be with a male either. It was actually a big relief to her. She was willing to try it. She didn't think it would work, but she didn't see there was anything to lose.

"I'll try it." Vanna said. "I'm not getting any younger. I don't think it will work. What do we have to lose for trying? I won't have to let a male touch me either."

Vanna felt there was a big difference between allowing a male to touch her, and being forced to submit through whatever means was used for compliance.

Savannah wanted to offer them hope. Mrs. Weaver found the best doctors who were around and set up a medical program. New doctors and nurses were trained from them with hands on experience right from the start. It was part of the overall effort to help the people. She knew the girls would be looked after as well as she was.

"Mother has the best doctors working in the infirmary." Savannah said. "They've made sure, along with all the 'Camerons', that I'm in the best health and so is my baby."

Vanna came over and touched Savannah's belly. A lot of thoughts crossed her mind. The main one was Savannah was 'protected' in the current future. She never wanted what was done to her to happen to Savannah, or any female again. She was very appreciative of what the Restorators, along Mrs. Weaver, did to clean up as much of the Scavenger problem and abusive individuals as possible. There hadn't been any females 'disappear' since the 'no tolerance' policy was enacted. She was very pleased at what Savannah was willing to do.

"I'm you, and you're me, but so much is different." Vanna said. "Sometimes none of it seems real."

Every morning when Savannah woke up, it seemed 'real' fast. She could feel and see the changes to her body. They were 'real' alright. The changes created a series of different issues.

"When your clothes stop fitting like they used to, it seems pretty real." Savannah said. "The three of you are in the best health you've been in for years, at least until you ended up here."

Cameron felt a glitch impulse with the reminder. The girls were in this future because of her. She was going to leave in a few months and so was Duplicate Cameron. They would be gone to elsewhere, and the girls would still be there. Conditions were much better than they were upon their arrival. They should continue to get better as time passed. Mrs. Weaver was as good as her word when it came to helping the people there. She tried to make a difference and she did.

Allison wondered if there was hope for her based on what Cameron said previously. She looked at Vanna and Jesse. It seemed both of them were going to give it a try. She didn't see any reason she couldn't join them. It was still a little unnerving to think about. She felt the same way Jesse did. She didn't think she would be able to make a good mother. Cam would be there to help them and so would Cammy when she could. Even with the assistance it would still be a big responsibility. She took a deep breath and looked at Cameron.

"OK, Cameron, I'll try it. You said the other Duplicate Allison got pregnant and still is." Allison said. "I should be able to do the same thing. I don't know what will happen, but I'm willing to give it a go."

Cameron was just in River's future right before she returned to the past and then back to this future. She spoke with River's brother about it. It looked very promising.

"Yes, she is." Cameron said. "I just saw her a few minutes ago. I saw all of 'you', your other Duplicate selves. It was complex but everything worked perfectly."

Allison wondered what it was like being blasted around time, quite literally. She wondered how it would affect humans to do the same thing. Her recollection of the last time transfer was very rough. Cameron indicated it was better now with the improvements of the girl from the further future. The girl who looked like her. It seemed doubtful she would ever actually meet River.

"It just sounds weird." Allison said. "You're a real 'time tripper'. You returned to the past, went to a further future, then to the past, and then back to here, another future, all in a short while."

Jesse thought the reason why they were having the discussion was worth mentioning. It was all possible because of some specific events.

"Don't forget the part about her giving up a 'piece of chassis' too." Jesse joked.

Her cyborg related statement brought a round of giggles from all the girls.

Cameron believed she could 'help' everyone. She was able to see all of the girls from the future who she created Duplicates of. It pleased her to know all of them were alive and well. It would have been a very negative experience for her if any of them would have ended up terminated. She would have done her best to reverse such an event, regardless of what it did to any timeline.

"I did what I thought was best." Cameron said.

Cameron knew they didn't always like the way she did things. She still felt the shame for getting the other set of Duplicates all 'killed', even though she since rescued them. Knowing she rescued them before they actually died didn't seem to help much. They all almost terminated because of her. It didn't matter if it was actually Duplicate Cameron they tried to rescue or not. IT was still her. She knew she needed to stay with the current conversation before she started to glitch.

Jesse still questioned her ability to be a 'good mother'. There was a good support group there with the other girls and the Metal girls. Maybe it was worth a go.

"I thought about it. I'm sure I want to do it." Jesse said. "I don't think it will turn out well. My body has seen a lot of 'abuse'. I'm going to try anyway. It's better to know one way or the other than forever wonder as I get older and older."

Cameron scanned all of the girls when she returned.

"Cam and Cammy will assist each of you. Ginger and Sandy will be available too." Cameron said. "Allison and Jesse are ready now."

Allison looked at the other girls and then at Savannah. She felt very unsure of herself.

"I guess it never hurts to try." Allison said.

Jesse looked at Cameron and knew it was what she wanted for them.

"Sure, love, let's give it a go." Jesse said.

Vanna looked a little sad. It wasn't her time yet.

Savannah noticed the sadness Vanna displayed. There was no need for her to worry.

"I'm here for you, Vanna." Savannah said. "I am you."

Savannah walked over to Vanna and hugged her.

Vanna felt very inadequate for multiple reasons.

"I hope so." Vanna said. "I really do."

Vanna, like Cameron, felt a female who was barren was 'worthless', especially in a Skynet decimated future. Where they currently were was such a future.

All the conflicting thoughts soon caused her to relive the memories of something which was done to her. It was so terrible she never even told Allison. She thought about doing it now, but still couldn't. What was done to her and how she was treated still sickened her.

Vanna shoved it back down in her memory. The other girls were excited, even if somewhat apprehensive. She wanted them to have a positive experience. They didn't need to hear about what was done long ago and best left forgotten at this point. The only trouble was, none of it was ever forgotten. How could she forget the things which were done to her? She lived through them once and apparently would again and again. They seemed to frequent her dreams, no, not dreams, nightmares.

Cameron returned to Headquarters. She really didn't want to discuss it with Mrs. Weaver, but she wanted control of the narrative. Mrs. Weaver seemed to be waiting for her.

"I just heard about your 'field trip'." Mrs. Weaver said.

Cameron detected some accusatory inflection in Mrs. Weaver's tone. She wanted to stick to the facts. It was a completely unplanned event on her part.

"I did. I wasn't expecting to leave. I just happened to be on watch when it happened. It could have been anyone." Cameron said. "It's been so long since we started the test, I honestly didn't think it was going to work."

Mrs. Weaver was worried about one person in particular. She remembered what Cameron said about what would happen. it didn't seem like the right time to make a big deal about it, even if it was.

"Savannah…." Mrs. Weaver started.

Cameron didn't want to seem like she was about to pull a 'fast one'. She wasn't. There was another underlying issue which needed to be addressed.

"Unless there was some emergency, I wouldn't let Savannah try the time transfer. I plan for her to have her child here. She still plans to give it to Vanna. You will still have your 'daughter' and your 'grandchild' here with you." Cameron said. "I plan to honor what I said. The girls have to make their own choice about 'you'. I know you understand this. It wouldn't be real but meaningless if it wasn't their choice."

Mrs. Weaver didn't want to cause a problem. She was still who she was at the end of the day. She was a ruthless Terminator. She experienced some 'evolution' in her programming. It didn't hurt to talk a good game. She might even live it. She did possess a unique 'natural ability' based upon her composition.

"Thank you. I do understand. To be a true relationship, it must be done freely and both of the people must want it." Mrs. Weaver said. "I have much to offer as both myself and whoever they 'desire'. THAT feature is part of who and what I am…."

Cameron knew there was no 'magic bullet'. It all depended on the people involved. John's previous transgressions weighed on her. She was the one who seemed to 'foot the bill' for his actions.

"Relationships can take days, weeks, months or even years to develop. Sometimes they never do." Cameron said. "Mine took a long time."

Mrs. Weaver wasn't sure which John it was Cameron referred to. She wanted some clarification.

"Which one did?" Mrs. Weaver asked.

Cameron felt a tinge of anger. Duplicate Cameron warned her of the same line of thought from Mrs. Weaver.

"Not this again. 'Cameron' told me about this." Cameron said. "I have no files showing I was in a romantic or sexual relationship with Future John. I don't want to have this conversation."

Mrs. Weaver felt she possessed more information than either version of Cameron did. She wasn't the one who was uninformed or living in denial.

"Whatever…." Mrs. Weaver said. "Which John are you going to choose?"

Cameron didn't want to have this discussion either. The very question still bothered her. She was sure of her answer, even if she didn't need to give it.

"I'm going back to MY John." Cameron said. "The one I love and who is my husband."

Mrs. Weaver could see Cameron was still confused. She didn't want to press the issue as to which husband John was.

"When will you leave?" Mrs. Weaver asked.

Cameron could see Mrs. Weaver was clearly worried she would take Savannah back before she delivered the baby for Vanna and her. She didn't plan to double cross Mrs. Weaver, or alter the plan as to how things were to work going forward.

"We won't leave until after Savannah gives birth." Cameron said. "Not before. I'm not here to deceive you. I've been good on my word in all of my dealings with you. As you have seen firsthand, it includes more than one of me. How is 'Cameron' doing?"

Mrs. Weaver was pleased at how things progressed so far. All of the pressure and 'headaches' were gone for now. There was little friction or animosity at this point.

"Cammy and her are busy all the time running everything. Cammy will become 'Commander Connor' when Duplicate Cameron leaves with you." Mrs. Weaver said. "With them, as well as Vanna and the girls helping out, everything is running smoothly for now."

Cameron knew it was the hard work of Duplicate Cameron and Cammy which made it all work. The girls played a big part in public relations the Terminators weren't always able to deal with as successfully. She thought Mrs. Weaver achieved what she wanted.

"The people have voted you as their leader." Cameron said. "It's what you wanted. It was something you earned. You didn't take it. They gave it to you. They asked you and voted for you. It should mean something to you."

It did mean something to Mrs. Weaver. She could see it was all very much the same way Cameron described a personal relationship and how it needed to be treated to make it work. Her past dealings with everyone always seemed to leave her feeling a little short of the credit she deserved for her efforts.

"Yes, I feel appreciated for once." Mrs. Weaver said. "I'm doing my best to help everyone and be fair. I'm relying heavily on Duplicate Cameron and the girls to keep me from making 'mistakes'. If I'm about to make a mistake, I need to know before I do. I'm relying on those closest to me to make sure I don't."

Cameron knew the future there all depended on what Mrs. Weaver's actions would be.

"As long as you listen to them and work with them, you will do fine." Cameron said. "You need to listen to the people too. Things can't be left to fester. When there are several parties with a disagreement, it's not always possible to settle the issue so everyone is content. Sometimes the right choice is the hard choice."

Mrs. Weaver liked the 'power'. It was power she could take. The power was sweeter when it was 'given' to her. She thought humans were somewhat chaotic anyway. She wanted to help guide their existence for a better goal. She may not always adhere to the principles, but she understood right from wrong.

"I want their help." Mrs. Weaver said. "I want to try and do what is just."

Cameron was sure at this point Mrs. Weaver meant it. Exactly what would happen going forward was another story.

"We have all done our part to assist you." Cameron said. "Some of us have risked ourselves to make sure you remained unharmed. Duplicate Cameron and myself have always been good on our word. It's something you need to remember going forward. Sometimes it's about honor."

Cameron was satisfied Mrs. Weaver understood she didn't attempt to go back on her word or cause a problem. There was one potential rift which may develop. Savannah might not want to give up her child after it was born. Savannah was going back to the past with her. She didn't know what would happen if things changed.

Cameron was still troubled by Ginger's sacrifice. She sought Bob out. It was something she should have followed up on earlier. Sandy and Ginger both told her everything was 'fine'.

It wasn't 'fine' enough for her. She knew what 'fine' really meant.

"Bob, are any of the facilities which turned out Terminators able to function again?" Cameron asked. "I know most of them were damaged or destroyed. I need to know what's available."

Bob was under strict orders from the General. He understood Cameron wanted something off the books. He learned from Cameron there were certain ways to work around various issues when they arose.

"Yes, but the General has ordered we not use them for their old purpose." Bob said. "I think some of the equipment could be 'tested' to see what their capabilities are."

Cameron nodded. She knew Bob would come through.

"I understand. The people are not looking forward to more machines they don't operate." Cameron said. "After what has happened it's understandable. I never ask for much but this is something I'm asking for. It's not for me but it is very personal. It's needed to right a wrong. Let me tell you what I need…."

Bob was willing to do whatever Cameron asked of him. She never asked much of anyone. If she did, it was never for herself. He wanted to help the Metal girls who helped restore so many other Restorators back to service. What was done to help Cameron, at the sacrifice of one of them, would be corrected.

Cameron didn't know how her future would react with the return of the 'Little Metal Bitch that followed Connor around everywhere'. She hadn't been on the most popular terms with the anti-Metal faction when she was 'sent away'. She wasn't sure too much changed. Maybe with Future Allison's return, things would be smoothed over some.

It wouldn't be her choice to go there again. She already went there once when she saved Future Allison. She also saved Future John from himself. She blocked the hammer from dropping when he attempted to put a bullet through the side of his head because she was gone, well, she wasn't gone. She told him she would be back and she was. it turned out it was when he needed her the most.

"How do you think they will accept you, Cameron?" Cameron asked Duplicate Cameron.

Duplicate Cameron didn't see any difference in their thought process.

"My answer is the same as yours." Duplicate Cameron said.

Cameron ran through the scenario hundreds of times herself. It always played out the same way. There was another issue dealing with John which concerned her.

"Future Allison will accept you and love you. Future John loves you, even if he won't admit it. Future Savannah will soon love you." Cameron said. "Are you going to be with 'My John' when we go back? I know you're me, and I would want to. He's your husband too, our husband. You were with him before for months."

Duplicate Cameron was with John in the past as 'Cameron'. Now she was told she was 'Duplicate Cameron'. Nothing was actually different for her. She wanted to be with John. She was afraid she would crumble before him or the others. If she was going to start a new life, the old one needed to be left behind her. She couldn't go back to it and not have it turn into a 'black hole' which would suck everything into it.

"I do want it, Cameron. He's MY Husband too. I know how it would hurt you, as it would me. I better not even see him or any of them for that matter. I may not want to leave if I do." Duplicate Cameron said. "I'm not strong enough. You know how flawed I am, we are."

Cameron thought of all of her adventures. Maybe creating the Duplicates was the biggest folly of them all. Perhaps it all came down to a new way to 'hurt' herself.

"I do understand." Cameron said. "I couldn't leave them either. In all the foolish attempts I've made, I'm always still back to where I started."

Cameron was aware where she was now was the result of her foolishness.

Duplicate Cameron could foresee the same threat Mrs. Weaver was bound to pose.

"Mrs. Weaver is going to try to come." Duplicate Cameron said. "I know you know it."

Cameron did see it for the threat it was. The threat would end up in Future John's lap at some point. It put him in further danger.

"I do. She's obtained what she wanted in this future and the other one, the alternate future. She wants the same thing in her future as well, our future. It's not going to happen with Future John there." Cameron said. "We must protect Future John."

Duplicate Cameron believed the threat wasn't only in the future.

"She may seek it in the past as well with my, your, John." Duplicate Cameron said. "You can't allow it."

Cameron was troubled by all the implications. John would need to be protected. She didn't want to hurt Vanna and Savannah by fighting their 'mother'. She was sure the girls would be able to understand the logic of what needed to be done if it came down to some type of confrontation. It was bound to leave some 'bad blood' somewhere along the way.

"Yes, I'm very aware of it as well." Cameron said. "I don't want to have to fight Mrs. Weaver for Savannah and Vanna's sake."

Duplicate Cameron knew there was one way to keep Mrs. Weaver in the current timeline. It wasn't a good choice either.

"If you leave Savannah…." Duplicate Cameron said.

It wasn't something Cameron would allow under any circumstance.

"It's NOT going to happen. Savannah will be at John's side as she will be with you in our future as Future Savannah." Cameron said. "I'm taking her home. No power in the Verse can stop me."

Duplicate Cameron was Cameron.

"You mean stop US." Duplicate Cameron said.

There were two loud thunderous sounds.

The two Camerons high fived each other up high, and then down low.

"Here's what's going to happen over the next few months…." Cameron said.

Cameron carefully laid out all she wanted done, when, and how.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

I'm Looking At You

'Never trust anyone'
You said it to my face
It was your easy out
To hide your own disgrace

'Not in front of me'
You said it to me
Then it was YOU
Who did it to me

Everything you said to me
Was what you already did
It was you who was doing
The things to me you forbid

You have no honor
You're just another liar
It was OUR future
You sacrificed on a pyre

It is you I'm looking at
I know what you do
I want you to know
I'm looking at you

Nobody