Chapter 420

Hasta La Vista

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In Some Future: Duplicate Cameron

In Some Future: Cameron Prime

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As the weeks went by, a few small uprisings broke out. Some people wanted more than someone else, or some felt they needed to settle an 'old score'. Duplicate Cameron or Cameron went to settle the disputes as 'Commander Connor'. Their presence seemed to have a way of calming everyone. 'Commander Connor's' reputation always preceded her and her beauty was greater than people expected. Either 'Cameron' always looked Tight.

Mrs. Weaver handled the persistent troublemakers in her own special manner….

They seemed to have a way of disappearing….

When there was a group of troublemakers, Mrs. Weaver found a way for them to 'kill each other'. It was of course with a lot of assistance from her. She didn't want questions raised and terminal disputes were best left as if there was nothing else to look into. So far it worked well.

Mrs. Weaver especially searched for any Grays who may have hidden and tried to infiltrate the Resistance after the fall of Skynet. There was always the worry they would try to revive their fallen master, Skynet. A few dissenters could cause a lot of trouble. She made sure it didn't happen either.

Cameron offered to update Duplicate Cameron on 'everything'. They were both unsure they wanted it. Cameron carried a lot more baggage than Duplicate Cameron did. It was because she was in existence longer and experienced more things because of it. Not all of them were something good either. In fact, it seemed quite a bit of the information would be of a negative nature.

Duplicate Cameron seemed even less sure than Cameron did about it all. The 'warning' from Cameron didn't help any. She could understand the consequences of questionable activity. She was no stranger to any of it either.

"The files, your memories of John and you will make me want him. I'll know of the other Duplicate Cameron's love for River. I'll love her too then." Duplicate Cameron said. "I've never even actually seen her. I'll love both of them and not be able to see them or be with them."

Cameron wanted all the 'Cameron' files. She wanted all of herself. The Duplicates weren't clones. They were all the same individual. It meant something to her.

"There are other painful memories as well. I think I would want them if I didn't have them." Cameron said. "The other Duplicate Cameron asked me for them. I told her everything first and she still wanted them as her own. She wanted to be 'Cameron' as 'Cameron' still, even in her new timeline. I gave her the files but firewalled them. I also took my missing two days from her when she faced termination. She did it with such determination and bravery. She did it for John to protect him. She terminated Skynet. I don't know if I could make the same decision, but I guess I did, we did."

Duplicate Cameron knew it was touch and go at the end of her Skynet episode. She faced a fifty percent chance of termination if she would have attacked the console. Skynet most likely would have set off the Doomsday device and terminated all of them. Cameron's arrival changed all of it. It changed everything.

"We terminated this Skynet." Duplicate Cameron said. "It's thanks to you and Savannah. I don't think I would have done much better than the other Duplicate Cameron did. You fixed it for her."

Cameron would have done the same thing there if Duplicate Cameron and Duplicate Allison were terminated. She would also have done it to rescue Mrs. Weaver too. It may have taken her longer to figure it all out, but she would have. She just happened to arrive at the right moment. It was as if time directed her to be where she needed to be when she needed to be there. She wanted this Duplicate Cameron to be the same as her.

"No, we're the same." Cameron said. "Cam and Cammy aren't, they're clones. It's the only way I could share with the girls in the past. You made the same decision here. I want to share myself with them. I know now I will in the future. I look forward to when it will happen. You will be in our future soon. You will all share as it was meant to be in the true 'Natural Order' of time, the four of you."

Duplicate Cameron understood Cameron wanted the other Duplicate Cameron and her to be the same as her. She wanted additional backups for John. She would need to leave Future John to be with Past John if Cameron was destroyed. The other Duplicate Cameron would need to leave River to do the same. It made sense. It was what she knew deep down needed to be done.

It was possible either version of Duplicate Cameron, or both of them, would attempt to rescue Cameron if she ever was terminated. Cameron prevented both of them from what appeared to be certain termination, both could have ended with a nuclear explosion with them right next to the bomb.

"We both have a neck port…." Duplicate Cameron said. "I want us to be the same when we part."

They could plug in with each other and update in a very short period of time. Duplicate Cameron would be afforded the same protection Duplicate Cameron in River's future was given. The files which viewed as 'questionable' would be firewalled. it would take some effort to view them. they wouldn't appear as 'flashbacks', or cause trauma, as long as they were firewalled.

Cameron wanted to set up 'meeting times' they would both know about in advance in case they needed to communicate privately in her future, or the past.

"We can still set up a time bubble schedule." Cameron said.

There was an unspoken question. Duplicate Cameron wanted to address it.

"Will you want the files if I'm with Future John, Future Allison, and Future Savannah?" Duplicate Cameron asked.

Cameron did want the files as much as she didn't want them. The issue caused her a lot of uncertainty.

"I don't know." Cameron said. "I have the files of my clones with the girls, but I've never uploaded them. I'm afraid to."

Duplicate Cameron tilted her head slightly.

"Why?" Duplicate Cameron asked. "You're afraid of what?"

Cameron was afraid she'd compromise her mission among other things.

"I'm afraid I'll want 'more'." Cameron said. "I already do. I have for years since I met Vanna and the girls, you know this."

It was one of the things Duplicate Cameron planned on.

"I do." Duplicate Cameron said. "It's why I'm happy you're letting me have OUR future back. Thank You, Cameron."

Cameron was worried about her existence. There were two Duplicates of her and there were five clones of her with the same sheath appearance. Two of them existed in the current future. Maybe there should be some 'insurance' for John.

"Since Cammy is going to become 'Cameron' here after we leave, I think we should update her as well." Cameron said. "Maybe we should do Cam too."

Duplicate Cameron thought the same things Cameron did for the same reasons.

"I think so. We can give them the choice anyway." Duplicate Cameron said. "I know you want them as backups for John. We both do. Either one of us could fall in the future. We want those we love and protect to still have 'us'."

Cameron was a little concerned about some of the events she went through. She experienced some additional emotional trauma on several different levels which Duplicate Cameron didn't need to face. She warned Duplicate Cameron she was probably more mentally unstable since she existed longer and experienced more.

Duplicate Cameron said she felt the same way. She knew she would get a few more years worth of it from Cameron. It was who they were.

Over the next few months Cameron directed Cam and Cammy to use John's 'genetic material' on the girls. Conception was successful in all three, but the problems started within the first trimester. It all happened like it did the same way to the 'original girls' in the past.

Vanna was the first one to have problems. She took it real hard. She saw Allison and Cammy waiting for her. They both looked glum. Then Cameron and Duplicate Cameron both arrived. She knew what was wrong before a word was said. It was too ominous.

"NO! NO! I don't want it to be like this." Vanna said.

Allison and Cammy tried to calm her, along with both Camerons as well.

She wanted to be alone. Everyone left her but waited nearby.

Savannah held back from the initial encounter.

"Vanna." Savannah said.

Vanna didn't want to see anyone.

"Go away." Vanna said. "I want to be alone."

Savannah's mind was made up already as to what she planned to do. She wanted to make it clear to Vanna and why.

"I won't do it and you're not alone." Savannah said. "Vanna, I'm giving you the baby, our baby, when it's born."

Vanna knew there was talk about it, but nothing was concrete. It was clear Cameron wanted options left open for Savannah. It seemed there were going to be some 'conditions' based around whatever occurred. She didn't want Savannah to do something so extreme. She felt it would hurt Savannah too much and she didn't feel worthy.

"You can't do it." Vanna said. "It's YOUR baby."

Savannah felt it was the right thing on several levels. The way events played out only reaffirmed her decision.

"Vanna, I'm you. It's OUR baby." Savannah said. "I already told Cameron my plans several months ago. We talked about it too. It's for real now. I only have about another month. I can't take the baby back. It's too dangerous. There's a good chance the time transfer would be fatal to it. It's not a chance I'm going to take. I didn't know it when I made my decision, but it reaffirms it. It was meant to be this way. This was all meant to be. I need to go back to my time period."

Vanna was still a little shocked. She didn't see how she could take care of it once Savannah left.

"I won't be able to feed it." Vanna said. "Look at you. Your breasts are so big now."

Savannah knew Cameron already planned ahead.

"The doctors can give you hormones, they have them. Cameron made sure. She helped them. Your body has already started producing them. You will be able to feed the baby yourself. It will be YOUR baby. You just won't have any stretch marks…."

Savannah was actually a little concerned about what else might be 'stretched' on her. She knew it didn't really matter. However she was going forward, is how she was. There were certain things in life she needed to do. Everyone else seemed to manage with whatever occurred. She would be no different. She knew one thing was for sure, when it really was her 'first time', things should go a lot smoother for her. She didn't think there were probably too many virgin births, especially in the time period they were currently in.

Cameron listened to the conversation from outside. She knew she needed to go into the room where Vanna and Savannah were. The way events played out weren't the way she wanted them to be. Savannah became pregnant so she could give the baby to her. It was something Savannah promised her over and over as she grew up. It always gave her hope about the future and going forward. As much as she wanted what Savannah offered and actually created for her, she didn't think she would be able to take Savannah's baby from her. In the time period they left, it should probably go to Vanna.

It might have been the way things played out if they remained in the past. They weren't in the past, they were 'in some future'. She needed to remind herself none of what happened was about her. It was about the girls. It was about Savannah. The failures Vanna here experienced was the proof Savannah needed to know her decision was correct from the beginning. Vanna was Savannah. Well, she once was Savannah before the future ruined everything. No. It wasn't the future which ruined everything, it was Skynet. Skynet needed to atone for what it did to the girls and their reproductive tracks. She would need to make sure every vestige of it was destroyed in the current future before she left. Right now she needed to deal with Vanna and her situation.

Cameron came in, she took Vanna's hand. She knew Vanna was hesitant to accept what Savannah offered. She understood why because she felt the same way.

"Please, Vanna, we need you to do this for us so we can go back. I need to get Savannah back." Cameron said. "You know this. It was her decision. She can't stay here and the baby can't go back with us. We need your help. Savannah is you. You are Savannah."

Savannah was young and still healthy. She needed to return to the past to stay the same way. She knew the longer she stayed there, the greater the risk of her becoming contaminated was. They managed to keep her isolated from the environment. Her body already proved what it was capable of. She didn't see it as a problem going forward.

"If I get back to the past, I can have another one." Savannah said. "I don't think it will be anytime soon…."

Savannah could feel the toll the pregnancy put on her body. She knew it wasn't something to worry about since it's what every mother experienced. She also felt she was a little young to take on the responsibility of a mother. It was never her intent to keep the baby for herself when Young Jesse and her impregnated each other. Their babies were both intended for Cameron or their older selves.

Vanna looked at Cameron and then at Savannah. There were a million thoughts in her mind. As much as she didn't want to do it, she knew she needed to. She needed help. Her body was worthless on its own. She rushed into Savannah's arms. Cameron silently slipped out.

Savannah felt totally justified in what she planned to do on multiple levels. The further along she progressed in her pregnancy, the more her maternal instincts seem to grow. It wasn't something she wanted to happen, but it did. She already made the decision. She was going to return to the past. There was nowhere else to turn other than to Vanna for her assistance to make it possible. Her baby wouldn't go to just anyone, it would go to her. Vanna was her.

"If I were you, I would want someone to do the same thing for me." Savannah said. "I am you. It's your baby as much as it's mine. This is a very rare opportunity for you to actually have your own child, without having to actually carry it. I'm sure you'll appreciate not having to deliver it either. I'm a little worried about it."

Vanna held Savannah and cried. She wanted what Savannah offered but she was ashamed to 'take' it. She was a little worried about the delivery part as well. In the future she was from, she witnessed more than one mother die during childbirth. She didn't think anything would happen to Savannah since there were doctors available where they were. Her 'mother', Mrs Weaver, saw to it. She still couldn't bring herself to take Savannah's baby away from her.

"I just can't." Vanna said.

Vanna didn't know if there would be some type of 'seller's remorse'. What would happen if Savannah wanted her baby back later on? Could she deny returning it to her? It was something she didn't want to think about, even if she did.

Savannah wanted Vanna to look deeper. She wanted to use a realistic analogy.

"If I was damaged in the past, and you could help me the same way, what would you do then?" Savannah asked. "You would sacrifice and try to help me because I'm you. You would do exactly the same thing. Do you know why? It's because it's the right thing to do."

Vanna collected herself. She remembered when she first saw Savannah with Mrs. Weaver. It was her before everything happened. She wanted to keep Savannah the same little girl forever, free from the horrors of life. There was no way to stop time. If anyone attempted to stand in the way of time, it simply bypassed them and continued on.

"I never dreamed this from the first time I set eyes on you. I saw myself as a girl again. I still see you the same way, even though you're a young woman now. You're about to be a mother…." Vanna said. "I still can't believe half of the things I've seen, even though I've lived it."

Savannah was sure it wasn't all chance. There must be a deeper purpose to all of it. There just needed to be. Too many things couldn't just be chance.

"You will accept our child and raise it as your own since it is your child." Savannah said. "I just want you to be the best mother you can be."

The two girls held each other and cried. What else was there to do? It was the way everything must be.

It was soon the repeat story of disappointment. In a few more weeks Jesse experienced the same problem. It appeared their bodies were too badly damaged by their future. Jesse asked for the hormone treatments too so she could help nurse the baby as well. She knew the mothers of her future didn't have enough to feed their young. She would be pleased if her body could do one of the functions it was designed to do. It would make her feel a little less worthless.

Allison still hung on. They used all the medical technology there was 'in some future' to help her. Only time would tell.

Soon it was time for Savannah. Everyone was worried. The girls all saw females die during childbirth in their future. There was no way to help them when things went wrong. They were all terrified for Savannah.

Mrs. Weaver made sure Savannah would have the best medical help.

Vanna stood by in case a transfusion was needed for Savannah. She made Cammy promise to make sure Savannah got enough blood if there was a problem. She told Cammy to make sure they took it all if Savannah needed it. It meant if she needed to die to do it, it would be done. She knew Allison and Jesse would take care of the baby going forward if she didn't make it. The important thing was for Savannah to make it.

Savannah gave birth uneventfully and delivered a healthy baby girl. She shared the same red hair as well. Vanna and Jesse were there during the labor and delivery and saw how painful it was. Cam took Allison away for the duration. Cameron never left Savannah's side.

Cameron was appalled by the pain Savannah seemed to experience. It seemed like a physical manifestation of the emotional pain she felt herself. Claire hadn't been in as much pain, but it was her second time around. She truly understood the sacrifices the human females were willing to endure for those they loved.

Mrs. Weaver came as well. She was deeply troubled at the pain Savannah went through too. She was relieved to see her grand-daughter. Savannah let Vanna pick the name.

Vanna named her - Hope.

Savannah started nursing Hope and Vanna took over in a few days. Jesse was still not ready. It was clear she would be. There was already a lot of development visible.

A few weeks later Savannah was ready to leave. She was worried she was going to start experiencing emotional problems. They already started to manifest themselves no matter how much she attempted to suppress them.

"Cameron, I want to go back." Savannah said. "I need to let Vanna bond with the baby. I can't get too attached. I already am. I need to leave here. Please. It's hurting me to be here still."

Cameron felt ashamed Savannah needed to 'suffer'. It was never her intent. She scheduled the extra time to make sure there would be someone to nurse the newborn. Things worked out smoother than she figured.

"OK, Savannah." Cameron said. "I'll do as you ask. We have to wait twelve more days. It's the scheduled time bubble I made with River. We should arrive back in the past minutes after I left. Only two days will have passed since we both left there."

Savannah thought a lot of things happened in two day's time. She didn't want there to be any complications for anyone. She knew it would create some new problems. She looked down at her breasts. They were much larger now. How would they explain it? What would people think of her when they found out what really happened? There would be no way to cover it up.

"I won't be able to hide these breasts from anyone. Look at them. I feel like I'm twice the size I was." Savannah said. "Sarah is going to know they're nursing breasts when she sees them. Maybe I can go to Australia to see My Jesse and catch up. I think I just need to get away from it all for a while."

Cameron understood the feeling of wanting to get away from it all for a while. It was something she wanted to do for a long time. She knew right away what Savannah really wanted to do. None of it was for Savannah. Savannah wanted to 'protect' her from the wrath of everyone. Savannah was just the greatest.

"I know you're trying to protect me." Cameron said. "John doesn't know what I've done. I'll have to face him sooner or later. Claire is going to have Allison's baby. It's all going to come out. When Young Jesse gives her baby to Jesse, it will be a further complication. There will need to be some type of explanation…."

Savannah saw Cameron's hand start to glitch. She took it in her hand and it stopped. She'd learned how to cover things up by watching Cameron. She thought of a few explanations.

"Please, Cameron." Savannah said. "We don't have to tell John about how Claire got pregnant. Young Jesse can say it happened with her 'boyfriend' and they broke up."

Cameron was still distraught looking. She didn't want Savannah to further compromise herself for her. It just made her love Savannah more.

Savannah knew what Cameron wanted. She actually tried to make it happen. The current situation happened instead. She couldn't help but think maybe it was something which needed to happen for Vanna. It didn't matter if she was a Duplicate or not.

"Cameron, I know I promised to have YOUR baby for you. I still plan to." Savannah said. "This was to be it. I'll do it again for you."

Cameron was surprised to hear it. She didn't think any female would want to go through the pain and suffering again for 'someone else', especially a second time. She couldn't help but feel very inadequate since there was no way to help Savannah with her pain. As a Terminator she could do a lot of things a human couldn't. None of her abilities allowed her to help Savannah during the process.

"Even after all the pain you experienced?" Cameron said. "You would do it again for me? I felt so sorry for you in labor. I was helpless to help you. I feel ashamed…."

Savannah touched Cameron's arm and looked at her.

"Yes. I promise, Cammy - Cameron." Savannah said.

Cameron held Savannah and they both cried.

Cameron always came to the same conclusion. It always seemed to be reaffirmed, over and over. Savannah was the 'Chosen One'. Everything Savannah did made her love Savannah more.

Cameron set up some scheduled rendezvous times to keep track of what was happening in this future. She only told Cammy and Cam when they would be.

Twelve days later Duplicate Cameron, Cameron, and Savannah were ready and waiting. Everyone was there to send them off. Mrs. Weaver was there also. Savannah looked at Vanna and then at their 'mother'. Vanna handed her 'mother' the baby to remind her of her promise.

Right on schedule the 'lifeboat' appeared with the arcing and flashing. The three females entered the time bubble and were gone in seconds.

Mrs. Weaver felt a profound sadness. It was one like she never felt before to watch them go. Only the fact she held Hope, her 'grand-daughter', made the 'pain' bearable.

They all knew the emotional pain Savannah must have suffered and would continue to suffer. Maybe it showed them Savannah was the bravest of them all. They all understood better what Cameron meant about Savannah being the 'Chosen One'. She gave them all inspiration. She gave them Hope. The sadness was intense.

Everyone cried.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Hasta La Vista

All good things
Must come to and end
There are those on who
One can not depend

It always takes two
To make things work
Not one who is steady
While another is berserk

Everyone is different
There are always issues
It seems the dreams
End in a pile of tissues

Who is to blame
When it all falls apart
It seems to happen
Before things even start

Hasta La Vista
Is a way to say goodbye
But words are never enough
As a lonely heart will cry

Nobody