Chapter 423

You Can Check - Again

Jim and Steve loaded the two deceased Grays back into their car. Jim drove it to one of the local canyon roads and stopped near a small cliff on a sharp curve. He got out with his foot still on the brake. He was satisfied with where the car would go and released the brake. The car was in 'Drive'. It started forward. He closed the door and watched it go over the side in slow motion almost. He went to the edge of the cliff side and watched the car bounce several times before it impacted the canyon floor. It wasn't very far of a drop. It was only several hundred feet. The car didn't explode. It was in heavy brush. It might not even be found until the next wildfire raged through the canyon. It reminded him of the story of Rupert Chandler and his associate Fred Jeffers. The car the Terminator, with a temporal error, sent Jeffers down the side of a canyon road remained undetected for fifty years.

Cameron was 'all over' John on the way back to the base. Bob and Derek needed to refrain from looking back to see what all was going on.

Bob was pretty sure Cameron didn't want John to ask too many questions about Savannah, or even her. He remained silent. He knew Cameron wanted John back to a safer location.

Everyone returned to the Resistance base.

John wondered at what point Cameron would start in on him about being out in the field. It always came up. He only wanted to do his part as did Derek and Kyle. They all wanted to protect their families now and in the future itself. They felt a responsibility to do so. They didn't like the burden to always fall on Cameron's back. She didn't need to take all the risks.

John arrived in the Command Center after he used the restroom. He didn't see Cameron in there with them. He thought it was odd. He figured she would be there already.

John Henry, Bob, and Steve both went through the phone logs of the Gray's phones. They were able to glean quite a bit of information.

"This is very interesting." John Henry said.

John hoped for some definitive answers and a few leads they could run down. First he needed to see who exactly they dealt with. Grays weren't the only problem.

"Were they Grays or the anti-Metal faction?" John asked.

John Henry rechecked a few things. He found it more than a little surprising.

"It seems we have one of each of them." John Henry said.

It seemed a little confusing to John. The two groups hated each other. There could only be one possible explanation.

"Do you mean an anti-Metal faction member was working with the Grays, or he infiltrated them?" John asked.

All John Henry could determine so far was one of the groups infiltrated the other. They encountered it before. It was the only way the groups could ever track each other and find out what they were up to.

"There's no way to tell." John Henry said. "It could be the other way around. We will need to investigate all the leads further."

John was ready to say he would head out again with a few teams and check it out himself. If Cameron wouldn't have become involved earlier, he would still be out in the field.

Cameron strode boldly into the room.

John wondered if she might have been lurking outside the Command Center and listening. He wouldn't put anything past her. He was sure she would chastise him about being out earlier. He knew she wouldn't hesitate doing it in front of others either.

Cameron ignored everyone. She faced John. With her stint 'in some future' she hadn't been with him for five months. She wanted to make up for the missing time. He didn't know she was gone for such a long time since he saw her yesterday. She looked at those gathered around the room and then focused her attention on John.

"When will you be done here?" Cameron asked.

John didn't think there was enough data to work with. Unless something came up quick, he was done for now.

"Soon, there's not much more we can do until they get all the information processed." John said. "I think they're going to turn up more than a few leads."

John didn't want to get into an argument about him going out on a mission. He figured it was the next thing which would happen.

Cameron faced John Henry and Bob who looked at her. They worked next to Steve who didn't look, he concentrated on the job. She slowly turned from side to side nonchalantly. She turned back to John.

"I need to take a shower." Cameron said. "When I crushed the Gray's face, it got blood on my knee. I could use someone to wash my back too."

Cameron started to walk away before she paused, turned her head, and winked at John. She gave him her sly little smile and left.

Everyone sat in silence. They all wondered what the little show was all about.

John never received the rebuke he was sure would come about him being out in the field. With her more amicable behavior, and extreme playfulness, he questioned who it actually was. He looked at the other Terminators in the Command Center.

"Was it really Cameron?" John asked. "She seems 'different'."

John Henry did conduct some scans of Cameron. Some things didn't add up. He could only report his observations.

"The last physical scans I did on Cameron were different. The individual I just scanned has the same sheath dimensions of Cameron from when she was rebuilt. Not the Cameron I scanned several days ago."

It left a few options in John's mind. He started to contemplate the choices.

"Is she a clone or a Duplicate?" John asked.

Since the known facts didn't add up. All John Henry could do was speculate as to what was what. Not all of the scenarios he came up with were favorable. As long as the exam was visual, there was no way to come to an accurate conclusion.

"It's unknown at this time." John Henry said. "Cameron may have been terminated and it's her 'replacement'. There's no way to tell. I'd need to see her chip to tell if it is the same chip I was on."

They all knew of the extensive 'testing' going on with Cameron's TDE over the last two days. It left a lot of unexplained questions in itself.

"Beautiful." John said. "Now what do we do?"

None of them 'saw' Cameron as a threat to John. There wasn't a whole lot they could do at this juncture.

Bob thought John should make the most of it. It didn't seem opportunity knocked very often with Cameron, or some version of her, most of the time.

"Play the game to see where it goes." Bob said. "It looks like a 'Happy Ending' either way."

John was aware Bob made a joke but he wasn't in a joking mood. He still wanted to know for sure what was different than before. There needed to be something specific the Terminators could see which he couldn't. He did note the pleasant change in behavior.

"Let me get this straight." John said. "You're saying this 'Cameron' doesn't have the damaged right breast Cameron told me she has, but I can't tell. I've looked many times. Both of them seem, look, and feel the same to me. Nothing ever seems any different to me."

John Henry looked at John. It seemed like an overly complex evaluation of his earlier statement.

"Yes, it's what I said." John Henry said. "She made a point of letting me scan her from side to side and back again. She wanted me to scan her."

It seemed like something Cameron would do to 'show off'. It didn't matter if she wore clothes or not.

"So basically she just 'flashed' you?" John asked.

John Henry was sure of it. It was clearly an orchestrated event.

"Yes." John Henry said. "She wanted me to see she was 'perfect'."

John frowned some and shook his head. He thought the word 'perfect' was open to interpretation, especially when it came to Cameron. It seemed to him most of her problems were internal.

"She may be perfect physically, but I don't know about elsewhere." John said.

John Henry, Bob, and Steve didn't take the bait to John's statement. They didn't want to deal with Cameron later if they commented about her 'mental' condition. As far as they knew, she was monitoring them now. Even if Cameron wasn't, CamNet was.

There was a second issue which bothered John. It seemed Cameron tried to redirect him away from it several times as well. He was sure of what he saw, even if he didn't have a good explanation. There was no doubt in his mind about Cameron's intervention when he tried to find out more, even if he just looked.

"There's something else which caught my attention. Have you seen Savannah today?" John asked.

John only saw her from a distance, but it sure looked like she got breast implants. It never crossed his mind she gave birth to his child 'in some future'. Technically since it was in the future, it hadn't actually happened yet, even if it did.

John Henry was a little concerned about anything dealing with Savannah himself. He viewed Savannah as his sister. Well, he used to view Savannah as his 'sister'. His interest in her seemed to expand as she aged. Now it was in a different way. He briefly wondered if they could be Hillbillies going forward. A lot more things would be possible between a 'brother' and a 'sister' if they were. Somehow it made his concerns even more important.

"No. I can call up the security feeds." John Henry said. "I know her and Cammy are back from Australia. Savannah went to see Young Jesse recently."

Now John felt like he invaded Savannah's personal space. What she did was her own affair. She was entitled to some happiness and love. He understood her desires were probably different from what Cameron wanted exclusively for her with him. He didn't necessarily think it was a bad thing either. He was sure once things 'started', it would probably be better for him in the long run if there wasn't someone there all the time to look over his shoulder. If they were busy with someone else, and they were female as well, he actually believed it would be to his benefit. There would probably be occasions when there could be a 'three way'.

"Forget I asked about it." John said. "It's probably nothing. I don't want to intrude or seem rude."

John really didn't want to seem like he was hitting on Savannah, when he was about to be with Cameron, or some Cameron clone who may have replaced Cameron. She always told him she was her program. If her program was copied into another chassis, or if there was a chip swap, by her definition it would still be her. If he was about to get lucky, there was no reason to mince words.

He finished up with the three Terminators and headed for his room. He wasn't sure what was waiting for him or who. As long as they were there, what else was there to wonder about? One piece of chassis should be as good as another piece of chassis.

On the way he decided he didn't care. He would play whatever game Cameron planned. Like she said, her program was her…. He planned to make the most of it. Why shouldn't he?

John knew he was often a spectator to his own life. It seemed others often controlled his destiny and wrote his future for him. There was no reason he shouldn't be able to take a little enjoyment along the way.

He thought about Bob's joke from earlier. He NEEDED a 'Happy Ending' right now. He really didn't care 'who' it happened with. His love could only be abused so much before it affected him in a negative way. He really didn't see what the big deal would be to knock off a quickie here and there. Maybe it was time to ask some of the Metal girls for a little 'alone time' as well. Cameron told him they were all programmed to respond to him if he asked. Maybe he should try it one time and see what happened.

John thought about the female Terminators around the base. Cam and Cammy would be physically the same as Cameron. Ally would be as well. Maybe he should try for something different. Sheila seemed like she was always ready to go for anything sexual. Gail was there as well. She really packed a pair of knockers which just wouldn't quit.

He planned to check out everything really well to see if he could see or feel anything 'different'. He actually hoped he could. He'd like to know for sure if he really was the 'first', and not go by what someone 'said'. 'Seeing is believing', nothing he observed with Cameron backed up her claim he really was the 'first'. Maybe with a different chassis, or a clone, he really would be.

John smiled. Maybe today would be a good day after all.

Earlier:

Savannah and Cammy left the scene behind with the two Grays and the rest of the team. They already knew how the story would end. There was actually only one ending possible when it came to dealing with the enemy.

"Do you think we should remain in the area in case something develops?" Savannah asked. "John is still out, even if he's with Derek and several Terminators."

Cammy thought Cameron could deal with things on her own, including John. Savannah just arrived in the past, the present, from the future only a short time ago. Their original intention was to return to the Resistance base, not go on a field trip to engage the enemy.

"They'll do fine without us." Cammy said. "I want to make sure you get a good scrub down and a thorough cleaning."

Savannah looked playfully at Cammy.

"Is it all you want to do?" Savannah asked.

Cammy moistened her lips slightly as she looked over at Savannah.

"I can think of a few other things." Cammy said with a smile.

Savannah didn't feel like making the rounds to see everyone. For them, they saw her just a day and a half ago. For her it was ten months. She would see them all soon enough.

Cammy stripped off her clothes, as Savannah stripped off hers. They spent a moment to look at each other before they hugged. They made their way to the shower and got started right away. It was something Savannah really looked forward to.

Savannah got the water warm before she got into it. She continued to increase the temperature until it was warmer and warmer. She didn't want to overdo it, but she wanted to feel the hot water. There was plenty of touching as Cammy scrubbed her down three times and washed her hair for her twice.

Cammy scanned and checked Savannah herself. The radiation levels were slightly elevated, but not by much. It appeared Cameron kept her from most of the toxins of the future like she claimed. It was a good thing.

Savannah and Cammy exited out of the shower.

"I think you took off the outer layer of skin." Savannah said.

Cammy wanted to make sure all the pollutants of the future were washed off of Savannah.

"You're free of the future." Cammy said. "Stay away from the future."

Savannah was glad to have a lot of hot running water again. Cameron did hook some up for her before 'in some future', but it failed sometimes and the clean water was limited. She understood what Duplicate Allison and Duplicate Vanna meant when they told her she would get used to hard nipples soon enough. She still preferred the warm water and to keep everything soft.

"It is nice to have all the comforts of home again." Savannah said.

Cammy could both see and detect from her scans Savannah seemed troubled.

"What else is wrong?" Cammy asked. "We can talk about it."

Savannah didn't really want to get into it for fear it would make things worse. She loved Cammy so maybe she would understand.

"I'm worried about Hope." Savannah said.

Cammy suspected as much. She was still upset with Cameron over the whole episode, and for 'trapping' Savannah 'in some future' for almost a year. She did understand the support group Savannah left behind.

"The Cammy and Cam there, as well as your mother, will protect her." Cammy said. "The Duplicate versions of Vanna and Jesse both will be able to feed her and maybe Allison too. Your mother will make sure she has everything she needs, even if she has to take it from someone else to obtain it. You know she will to protect Hope and the girls."

Savannah knew her 'mother' was ruthless. In this instance she didn't care. She wanted the best for her offspring. The part which seemed ridiculous was she was just there a few hours ago. Since it was all in the future, none of it happened yet, even if it already did. It just took a quick look down at her bulging nursing breasts to remind her.

"I do, Cammy." Savannah said. "I already miss Hope. I've only been away from her for three hours."

Savannah made a face which showed a slight look of discomfort.

Cammy became a little more concerned.

"Are you alright?" Cammy asked.

Savannah didn't want to say, but she involuntarily looked down at her breasts for a second. It was where the discomfort was at.

"I have a lot of pressure built up in 'these'." Savannah said.

Savannah indicated her bulging breasts.

Cammy knew Savannah could use a little 'relief' to get the pressure down. She moved forward, stooped, looked up with her big brown puppy dog eyes, and then took a 'pull'. She was almost instantly rewarded with results. Her head backed away for a moment.

"It has a slight sweet taste. I can relieve the pressure for you, until we can get your hormone levels under control." Cammy said. "There will need to be some pressure to make your body cut back on production. It's just how it works."

Savannah was excited by what Cammy did. She wanted more. She dropped her towel.

"It's not the only thing I need relieved…." Savannah said. "I've only had 'myself' for a while."

It wasn't exactly true. There was actually a little more to the story. She didn't want to get into it yet. She would tell Cammy later on about everything. She was away for ten months. There was a lot that happened. Maybe exactly what some of it was, she was unaware of herself….

Cammy knew Savannah was very sexual. She doubted Savannah was celibate, but it wasn't her concern. Savannah's well being was what was important. She wanted Savannah to feel good about herself and be happy.

"It looks like we'll be able to fix all those problems." Cammy said. "I have to say those 'jugs' look hot. None of the girls, or Cameron, or the other Metal girls there would 'accommodate' you?"

A further explanation of what actually occurred might be sooner than Savannah thought. It was very complicated, even if it wasn't. She just felt a little uncomfortable to talk about it, especially right now.

"We can talk about it some other time. When your 'mother' is a protective Liquid Metal Terminator, 'things' are more difficult." Savannah said. "I hope I don't end up with stretch marks."

Savannah still wasn't ready to talk about anything that 'happened' there of a personal nature.

Cammy didn't think the visible stretch marks were anything Savannah needed to worry about. She was sure there were other areas which Savannah should probably show a little more concern. For them, it didn't matter at all. It would probably make some things easier.

"Who cares?" Cammy asked as the two headed for the bed. "I don't. You are however you are. I love you no matter what."

Cammy relieved the pressure in no time….

It was Savannah's blood pressure which was up now.

Savannah's body reacted to her excitement level in the usual manner. It seemed especially more so than normal since Cammy worked on her quite vigorously along with a lot of love.

It was good to be back home.

She understood what the girls from the future meant when they said life was good in Paradise. She couldn't agree more.

John Henry waited until Steve and Bob departed and checked the security feeds on Savannah. The scans showed some disturbing 'changes'. It was a troubling development. So many things were 'different' since she left on her trip to Australia. Even her radiation levels were slightly elevated. It might be the most worrisome part of it all. There were only a few ways it could happen and some of them were worse than others.

Cameron and Savannah both scanned as two 'altered' individuals from what they were only two days ago.

It would call for further investigation….

John Henry hoped neither of them was now some type of Liquid Metal Terminator. If they were, the Resistance may have been infiltrated. He was afraid they all may be in danger. If this was an infiltration mission they could all be terminated and the Resistance exterminated.

He didn't like to 'make waves' but protocol demanded he take some action. It was his job. He was sure he was going to become very unpopular as he did his required duties.

John entered his room. Cameron's clothes were strewn across the floor. He heard the water running in the shower. He peeked around the corner.

"Take your clothes off and join me." Cameron said.

John checked in the drawer for her rings.

"I'm wearing them." Cameron called from the shower.

'Great'. John thought. 'She's 'on to' me, 'on to' her.'

John dropped his clothes in a pile and headed for the shower. Only Cameron would dare wear her own rings…. It was what he hoped anyway. If this 'Cameron' was a replacement, maybe she would as well.

Cameron opened the shower door for John as he approached. The water cascaded off her naked body in rivulets. She was glad for all the comforts of home and it didn't just apply to the infrastructure. She took in John's naked form. She planned to change his 'slack' condition soon enough. She really believed the human male body was poorly designed for certain things. It just couldn't keep 'up' with a female.

John thought Cameron looked Hot as she stood there with nothing but a smile on her face.

'What the Hell.' John thought and entered the shower.

He planned to play it for all it was worth. What would it hurt really?

John looked at her, everything seemed the same. He never could see anything different anyway.

They playfully washed each other and got out. He didn't know she thoroughly scrubbed herself down multiple times as well as washed her hair several times before his arrival.

John thought everything felt the same so far too. Cameron's breasts felt no different to him. She seemed to kiss and touch him in the same way.

John started to dry Cameron off.

She quickly dried him off. She was anxious to get started.

John stood there and looked at her. He took in her naked beauty.

Cameron could see him check her out 'everywhere'. It irritated her a little bit. For him, she was with him a day ago.

"Haven't you ever seen a naked female before?" Cameron asked.

John wanted his suspicions to be known. Maybe he could get a little more out of her. He'd really like to know who she was.

"I'm not sure I've seen THIS naked female before." John said.

John's statement irritated Cameron a little more. She knew he didn't believe her. It was just like he didn't believe her before about something else. It was another thing she found insulting as well as degrading.

"Let's find out. You can check again this time in case I'm 'new'. You can see." Cameron said. "It's what you want anyway."

John knew he hit a sore spot again. He didn't want to spoil the mood.

"Cameron, stop." John said.

Cameron thought maybe she owed him an explanation. She thought it was personal too. She didn't want him to look at her with suspicion. Maybe she really didn't want him to be with her and think she was someone else. She was sure she was multiple females over the years when the lights were off as John pounded away. She actually thought Mrs. Weaver did have something to offer someone since she could literally be any of those individuals herself. She'd be further upset if he would seem to enjoy her company more if it was the case.

"I repaired my sheath, John, it's all I did." Cameron said. "It bothered me the way it looked before. I didn't like being smaller on one side than I was originally. It's a 'girl' thing. I'm as good as new now. It's a confidence builder for me to be like I was originally constructed."

Cameron scooped John up in her arms and carried him to the bed. She was done waiting.

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

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

"Prove it, mister." Cameron said.

John did prove it. He also checked out everything else as well. Nothing looked or seemed any different to him. It never did. Somehow it seemed like it was a good thing.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

You Can Check Again

There is what someone says
There is what one will believe
Some are out to lie or deceive
Lying is another way to thieve

Maybe it all comes down to trust
It is often nothing but a bust
Words are little more than dust
When some are guided only by lust

People hear what they want to hear
Even if they know it's not true
Everything becomes crooked and askew
When one cares about nothing but two

Some may blame it on instinct
It's really nothing more than greed
They want it all at a fast speed
They don't care whose heart will bleed

Many question what they're told
There are very few wise men
It may not be very Zen
You can check again

Nobody