Chapter 493

Incursions

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Resistance Base - Current Timeline:

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John was in the Command Center with John Henry. He wanted to plan their next set of objectives and targets with John Henry. He was more determined than ever to prevent Judgment Day. He knew he needed to stay ahead of Skynet to keep from losing Cameron to it. If they could keep Skynet beaten down then Cameron wouldn't need to become Skynet. He wanted to spread the burden and risk of fighting Skynet and its illegitimate offshoots around the rest of the Resistance. He knew the girls now spent most of their time with each other. It was what Cameron wanted to keep them safe. He didn't have a problem with the human females doing that but the other Metal girls needed to step up. He was aware that Cameron restricted them too along with the male Terminators. He didn't like Cameron taking most of the risks and most of the damage.

John Henry was aware of Cameron's and Cammy's reports as to what happened in the future. He'd reviewed both of their files. He knew of the role that Savannah played and Future Allison too. He knew specifically what to search for.

"CamNet as well as I have detected what may be several temporal incursions." John Henry said. "Cameron and Cammy reported Skynet sending out Terminators and Grays on missions before they terminated it. Cammy and Savannah were even drawn to the Skynet location because there was so much TDE activity during their temporal transfer. It appears as their energy bubble arrived that Skynet was in the process of a TDE transfer and the energy bubble was attracted to the location."

John didn't know tech stuff. He wasn't sure how that all worked but he believed John Henry that it was possible. He was just glad that Cammy and Savannah didn't arrive inside the Skynet TDE pad. That would have taken some explaining and not ended well. He needed to think about now.

"Do we have anything specific?" John asked. "Do we have any targets? I want to hit them."

John Henry coordinated his efforts with CamNet. He figured CamNet would hold anything specific for Cameron but if they found anything he wanted to hit it.

"Yes, I have teams on it as well as the drones." John Henry said. "I'm checking everything. Something will turn up."

John was a little worried. He didn't want to upset Cameron and make her act sooner.

"Are they all Metal?" John asked. "I mean the teams that you've have dispatched, are they all Terminators?"

John Henry knew that Cameron wanted the humans protected. They couldn't be replaced.

"Yes, it's what Cameron has requested." John Henry said. "I didn't want to cause a problem or endanger anyone."

John Henry also didn't want to be deactivated. Cameron told him 'METAL only'. He wanted to ask Cameron why she kept dragging Savannah around with her but knew Savannah went on her own. It was still highly dangerous for Savannah. He'd witnessed what happened in the future. Savannah could have been terminated several times.

John was worried about what all Cameron 'controlled'. He knew with CamNet and her own action that she could reach pretty far and take what she wanted.

"Has Cameron taken control yet?" John asked. "I mean taken control of anything out there, any weapons or other things?"

John Henry tried to monitor that very thing. CamNet could block him if he looked too deep into anything. He knew that CamNet controlled the 'back door' program that a Gray operative named Fisher installed in the cyber-sphere. The program was everywhere and in every computer system hooked up to the net.

"No, CamNet is always in the background." John Henry said. "Cameron doesn't wish to exert control. She insists she is a shadow, waiting to protect."

John wondered how long that would last. He knew if CamNet was 'Cameron' that it would seek more and more control. He wondered at what point CamNet would grow away from Cameron. It was bound to happen. He knew that Dr. Frankenstein could only control his 'monster' for so long. It was likely that Cameron would face the same thing.

"What happens if she does take control?" John asked. "Or if CamNet decides to do the same thing?"

John Henry knew he couldn't stop CamNet or Cameron if they decided to 'take over'.

"Then she takes control." John Henry said.

John was well aware of how ruthless Cameron could be. CamNet was probably even worse if it existed only as a computer program. That would pretty much spell the end of everything.

"Game Over." John said.

John Henry was very troubled with this conversation. It made him think about what recently happened. He didn't know if he should tell John but he did think he should know since Cameron was his wife.

"John, Cameron was almost terminated on this last mission." John Henry said.

A sick feeling welled up inside of John. He knew that something catastrophic must have happened. There was major sheath damage that Cameron didn't want to talk about.

"How close was it?" John asked.

John Henry knew this was thin ice he was on. He didn't want to betray Cameron's trust. He also didn't want her terminated or anyone else.

"It was very close, twice, maybe a third time as well. Savannah stayed with her and faced certain death rather than leave Cameron. Savannah forfeited her own safety so Cameron wouldn't die alone." John Henry said. "Savannah's quick thinking is what saved Cameron and allowed her to survive. It was a very unique approach I must add. I don't believe it has ever been used before."

John's mouth went dry. The sick feeling stayed with him. He wanted John Henry to tell him the full story.

John Henry went on to explain the events he'd witnessed from Cameron's and Cammy's files. Cameron allowed him to see it all.

John was grateful to Savannah. He would have to thank her. He didn't know if he should say anything to Cameron. It was bound to create a bigger issue.

"Savannah has become everything Cameron wanted her to be." John said. "At some point Savannah will evolve beyond Cameron's influence."

They both knew that meant 'beyond Cameron's control'.

"Savannah is the 'Chosen One'." John Henry said. "She still has one more 'mission' to accomplish."

They both knew what that meant.

"Don't start." John said. "PLEASE."

John Henry didn't understand why John was reluctant to accept his fate. It seemed like something a human male should desire.

"It's inevitable." John Henry said. "We both know it."

John didn't want to address this issue. He didn't think he really had any control over it either.

"The ball is in Cameron's court." John said. "I'm just a spectator to my own life."

John Henry saw things the way Cameron did. The future already happened and she was determined to make sure John experienced the same things that Future John did.

"No, you're a victim of the future." John Henry said. "Your future has already been written."

John wondered if it really was. He knew that they'd changed things. People died. Skynet was held in check. A lot of things happened. Not everything was the same. He'd created an alternate future. Nothing was written in stone. Cameron did a lot of things behind his back. She'd spread his genetic material through three futures that he knew of and the present.

"I don't even know how many kids I have at this point." John said. "I don't think I want to know."

John Henry tilted his head slightly. The actual answer to that question was easy.

"Technically it's zero." John Henry said. "Everything that has 'happened' is still in the future or a future and yet to happen in reality, even if it already - has."

John knew that didn't make any sense since Savannah actually delivered two babies and Young Jesse and Claire each delivered another. One of the Duplicate Allison's did have a baby and the other Duplicate Allison was pregnant. Allison here was pregnant on and off again several times. He wasn't sure what her current status was. Cameron did that always on her own. That was just what he knew about. It was probably more involved than that.

"Stop, I don't want to hear any more." John said. "I don't want to know. I know Cameron is doing what she feels she must and I know the future girls all need 'help'. That's Skynet's doing not Cameron's. Cameron is trying to help them. I can't fault her for that."

John actually thought it was admirable how the younger girls stepped up once they could reproduce and carried the ball for their other selves. That was a risk for everyone on several different levels.

John Henry knew that not everything was done by Cameron or even with her knowledge. He knew that Savannah acted on her own the first time to get pregnant. She was still very young too.

"Cameron always gives everyone a choice." John Henry said. "She's never forced anyone or demanded they do something. She was even surprised and taken off guard by some of the things that have been done."

John Henry was aware that Claire was being manipulated to do what Cameron wanted. He didn't believe Cameron would take the Young girls on her own even if she indirectly implied it. He wondered if he should speak directly to Claire about it or have Savannah get involved. He knew Savannah would protect Young Allison. It didn't seem to be an issue any longer so maybe it was best left dropped.

John was very uncomfortable with this entire situation. He really wanted to change the subject. They needed to worry about Skynet, not Cameron.

"Let's get back to the new targets." John said.

John Henry updated on the current information.

"No team has reported contact yet." John Henry said. "Cameron is out as well with some Terminators and her Metal girls."

John was worried about the enemy 'bit players' but he was more worried about any version of Skynet. He knew it would attract Cameron and present the greatest danger.

"Is there any version of Skynet out there you can detect?" John asked. "That's where Cameron will be."

John Henry found the 'Skynet' name not to be popular and many variations of the name were used. The coding was mostly the same so it was easy to identify. It was the level of 'self control' that it developed that made it dangerous.

"There are several." John Henry said. "The newest version is Skyboss. This version is billed as an anti-missile defense system."

John didn't think that sounded like a threat yet.

"That seems defensive instead of offensive." John said.

John Henry knew that Cameron viewed anything related to Skynet as 'offensive' in more ways than one. Each 'new' part was just another head on the Hydra.

"When Skynet launches its attacks, Skyboss won't respond and will allow it to happen." John Henry said. "It will probably turn the defensive missiles into offensive ones in the process."

John was disgusted with the new information. Everything was an uphill climb in some way with no sure resolution.

"This never ends does it?" John asked.

John Henry was aware that Cameron struck out at Skynet and its offshoots in the present and different futures.

"No." John Henry said. "It doesn't seem to conclude no matter how many times Cameron has terminated Skynet and its illegitimate offspring."

John knew Skynet truly was a Hydra.

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Cameron's Base - Current Timeline:

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Cameron was with Sheila and Ally.

Savannah insisted on coming but Cameron refused. She assigned Savannah and Cammy to another less dangerous task. It needed to be done anyway.

It was a 'hard sell' and Cammy needed to convince Savannah their task was important too.

Savannah didn't like being sidelined and was concerned for Cameron's safety. It was a legitimate concern.

Cameron assured Savannah she would be careful and not to worry about her. She also wanted Savannah to see the 'big picture' and not concentrate on her. To become the true leader she needed to be, Savannah would have to accept losses at times.

Once she understood the nature of what happened to Savannah and Cammy with their time transfer. She believed the same thing occurred in their timeline from Skynet. They drew in the Skynet transfers that occurred when their equipment was in operation.

"I don't know what we're looking for." Cameron said. "We have been using my TDE a lot and I think we have drawn several of Skynet's temporal missions to our time and surrounding area. I believe there were others we have already encountered in the past."

Ally with her 'new' Future Allison programming wasn't convinced. She didn't mind mouthing off either.

"And we know any of this - how?" Ally asked. "What facts do we have?"

Cameron felt she understood the issue better than the others since she was a part of it.

"I believe it is the same way Savannah and Cammy were drawn to Skynet in my future." Cameron said.

Cameron looked at Ally, she was Tight. Ally was changed and 'improved' since the Neural Interface with Future Allison. Ally was 'Future Allison' at this point for all practical purposes. She thought that should be her and not Ally.

Sheila noticed it too. Ally was much more desirable now and much more promiscuous as well. She was more like Cameron in appearance but like Future Allison in attitude. Ally NOW, was what Cameron was supposed to have been. It seemed they inadvertently perfected Skynet's work.

Cameron relied on John Henry and CamNet to assist them in 'public relations' and cover-ups.

"We've monitored and scrubbed all reports of 'energy bubbles' appearing with naked women that were seen in the area." Cameron said. "There have been several. John Henry monitors all 911 traffic and scrubs anything related to our operations. Anything anyone gets on a cell phone soon gets a terminal virus and anything uploaded to social media never makes it."

Ally knew without evidence that people would end up like Sarah did if they talked about what they 'saw'.

"That leaves anyone who saw anything sounding like a nut job." Ally said. "Without any proof or evidence to back them up it's a one way ticket to the nut house."

Sheila knew that some people didn't take 'no' for an answer or let it go when they should.

"Not everyone backs off." Sheila said.

Cameron didn't like troublemakers. There were ways to deal with them.

"Yes." Cameron said. "If they're persistent, John Henry has files ready with their name that shows they were in a mental intuition for a part of their life to discredit them."

Sheila double checked any of the known troublemakers herself.

"No story has gone very far." Sheila said. "I've checked."

Ally knew reporters could persist sometimes.

"What if some reporter gets wind of something and won't let it go?" Ally asked. "Then what next, a termination?"

Cameron needed to play hardball more than once. Some people just didn't get it. They paid a price. It may have been worse than a termination in reality.

"There would be if it's necessary." Cameron said. "Usually they are found with child pornography on their cell phone or a large amount of drugs in their possession. I don't like to terminate anyone over these issues unless I have to."

Sheila took out her knife and brandished it. She liked to carve someone up first.

"I do." Sheila said.

Cameron was dissatisfied with some of the things she'd witnessed Sheila do and other stories she'd heard about. Sheila seemed to get worse in this regard, not better. It seemed the more she did, the more she enjoyed it. Maybe there was a way to tame it some.

"I want you to use the Neural Interface with Young Jesse when she's back in town." Cameron said. "Some of the things I've seen you do bother me."

Sheila thought Scavengers in any timeline needed to atone for their transgressions. It also turned her on with some of the things she did, especially to females involved with the sex trade as enablers.

"I never did anything to anyone who didn't deserve it." Sheila said. "I enjoy doing it too, it excites me."

Cameron wanted Sheila to mellow out.

"I think Young Jesse with have a positive influence on you." Cameron said. "It will make you a better person."

Sheila looked at Ally. She was very dissatisfied as to who Ally was now. She didn't intend to end up like that herself.

"I like who I am and I like who Ally was." Sheila said. "I won't do it."

Cameron didn't like anyone to refuse her or her demands. This insubordination would require some from of retribution.

Ally was offended by that remark and let Sheila know.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Ally asked. "I'm Hotter now and Tight."

Sheila looked at Ally with all honesty.

"I liked you how you were." Sheila said. "I want the old version of you back. That's the Ally I loved."

Cameron liked Ally the way she'd been too. She now knew what she was going to do with one of her Terminators she Resequenced…. She'd already created the 'perfect women', now it was time to create the 'perfect Terminator'.

Ally took out her player. It was like the one Allison used to have. No one saw her with it before.

"You ain't seen nothing yet." Ally said.

'Tear It Up' by the 'Happy Drivers', blasted through the room.

Incursions

How far into one's being
May one actually go
That may depend on
If they go fast or slow

When one opens the door
They don't expect aggression
They want to share a good time
Not one laced with depression

Things need to be mutual
No one wants unwanted intrusions
When reality begins to cloud
It can leave one filled with delusions

Maybe things are best for all
When everyone will hear and listen
That's what's really needed
To make everything shine and glisten

Play the game without perversions
Don't take unnecessary excursions
Everyone's story has different versions
Watch out or the untruthful incursions

Nobody