Chapter 533

Step Up

Cameron went to speak with John as Cammy readied the Metal girls for the strike. She wasn't pleased that Cammy was there but it was better than Savannah being there. She knew the Metal girls would back her play no matter what it was.

She arrived in the Command Center. There was no special greeting. It was time to get to work and get everything coordinated.

Cameron went over everything with John and John Henry. They were able to identify two targets. There was a small foundry and a machine shop.

She looked over the information on the two targets and decided which one the girls and her would attack. She would like to be at both targets at the same time. With Cammy along she could be, more or less.

"I'll lead the strike against the foundry." Cameron said. "I want Cammy to lead the strike against the second target, the machine shop, at the same time. We know both of these targets are associated with each other so they will be in communication."

John Henry and CamNet were ready to do their parts from the two bases.

"All communications but ours will be blocked." John Henry said. "As always we will control the narrative."

Cameron felt it was import they strike fast before any real defense could be put up. She didn't want any surprises based on the nature of what was being built. She didn't want to face any HK equipment.

"I don't want to take any chances of them getting a better defense up or having any of their finished products show up to attack us." Cameron said. "That's our biggest threat."

John was very aware how deadly HK equipment of any type could be. They'd been able to capture some HK drones, HK Tracks and one HK Tread.

"We have one of them at the base." John said.

John Henry oversaw the training on the HK equipment. An HK Tread could take an operator or run autonomously. All of the humans were trained as well.

"Everyone's been trained on the use of the HK Tread we appropriated. It's been assigned to base defense." John Henry said. "Savannah is the most skilled of the non Terminators to use it."

Cameron was very proud at how proficient Savannah was at everything she did. Savannah tried everything until she was perfect. She settled for nothing less.

"Savannah is at the top in everything she does." Cameron said. "She's like no other on Earth."

The fact that Cameron mentioned Earth wasn't lost on anyone. It was clear she referenced River in the future.

'Here we go.' John thought.

"Savannah's the 'Chosen One'." Cameron said.

John was always irritated by such talk. He didn't believe the future was written in stone, even if it already happened for Cameron.

"Is that by you or your definition?" John asked.

Cameron started to get upset at John. Why did he need to say that now? His attitude seemed to have a way to upset her instantly. Now she would need to enter an operation at less then one hundred percent.

John was a much slower learner than she'd ever imagined. He even had the nerve to say she was 'dense'. She knew what he meant when he'd said that before. She heard all his little digs at her. Just because she was different, he didn't need to rub it in. Who did he think he was? It was time to make a statement. She activated the PA system.

Cameron looked directly at John as she spoke.

"Let me make this clear for everyone and to EVERYONE." Cameron said. "John Connor, if you don't choose Savannah, I will. When that happens, you'll lose both of us – FOREVER."

Cameron released her finger from the PA system. Everyone at the base just heard that.

John could see that Cameron was steamed. That PA announcement said it all too.

"Are you happy now?" Cameron asked. "Now I have to go into combat at less than one hundred percent - thanks."

John wasn't sure what to do or say at this point. It was clear that he blew it again.

"Cameron…." John said. "I'm sorry."

John Henry was worried. He could see that Cameron's eyes glowed red. Maybe things should be held off for awhile.

"Perhaps we can delay the strike." John Henry said.

Cameron was done with all these people. This was why she acted alone. Everything was so much simpler. She didn't need to worry about anyone or anything. She only needed to terminate the enemy.

"No. The strike will go on. I'm going to hit them hard myself." Cameron said. "Everyone else can stand down. I have it from here."

John realized this was all on him for questioning Cameron's plans about the future. There was no need for him to do that at this point in time.

"You can't go in alone." John said.

Savannah hurried into the Command Center. She'd heard what Cameron said as she neared the door.

"She won't be." Savannah said. "I'm going with her."

Savannah heard the PA announcement and knew what would follow it. She knew she needed to be there for Cameron. Cameron was being driven and tormented by programming inside of her that she couldn't control. She needed to follow the directives that Future John laid down. They went against her personal desires.

Cameron looked less intense at the sight of Savannah. That was a good thing.

Savannah took Cameron off to the side. She needed to make her position clear and how she wanted things to happen.

"It will happen, Cameron. I promise." Savannah said. "It almost did. I want it to be 'real' and not like something we have to do. I don't want it to be like a task or job."

Cameron's eyes were back to normal and her hand no longer glitched now as Savannah held it. She knew none of this was on Savannah.

"I'm sorry, Savannah." Cameron said. "I feel so frustrated."

Savannah knew she needed to try again with John. She just didn't want it to be like a 'job'. That wasn't what she wanted out of it. There was also the issue over how Cameron would 'find out'. She didn't want to have any secrets from Cameron. She didn't like going behind her back. That wasn't in her nature. The 'event' that almost happened in her bedroom, just happened on its own.

"Do you want to know?" Savannah softly asked in Cameron's ear. "I won't lie to you. I want to be honest with you. Will you want to know?"

Cameron thought about Savannah's privacy and sense of decency. She owed her that much. She would find out soon enough once John and Savannah started to share.

"No…." Cameron said. "Your private time belongs to you."

Cameron gave Savannah a long close hug.

Savannah was still a little wary of Cameron's feelings.

"Are you sure about all of this?" Savannah asked.

Cameron looked Savannah in her eyes.

"It must be." Cameron said. "Please protect John for me. I'm counting on you."

John watched everything go down. He couldn't hear what was being said. It was obvious he'd 'lost' Cameron a long time ago. He was aware the only thing that would keep Cameron close to him now was Savannah.

That was OK with him too. He wanted Savannah's virginity and when Young Allison entered the picture he wanted hers too. He was sure he would be able to get to Young Allison a few years younger than Savannah would be. He hoped she didn't have any children first. If she did, she did. It would all be part of Cameron's manipulation which she always tried to claim she didn't do.

He thought of some of Cameron's 'problems'. It all made no sense. He knew it all went back to him rubbing his 'exploits' with Future Riley, his love affair, in Cameron's face. He still remembered that look on Cameron's face when she knew what he'd done with Future Riley. That was on the night he'd made love to Future Riley in the trunk at the overlook. He really wanted that and he got it. He didn't last long but that didn't matter he got what he wanted. He left Future Riley high and – not so dry. He was actually surprised to see the results. She told him after he 'finished' that she wasn't on birth control and didn't know what would happen. He was a little worried about that but not much. To be a father at sixteen was a little more than he would have been able to handle. That was her problem to deal with. He planned on more of what they tried. He figured everyone was responsible for their own body. He was lost deep in 'Memory Lane'.

"Let's go." Cameron said.

John blinked his eyes. Cameron was back already. He'd missed that with his thoughts of his first love.

John Henry checked on the troops. Everything was a 'go'.

"All of our teams are standing by." John Henry said. "The drones are on recon and ready to take up station. The manned drone is ready to go was well as the Blackhawk for reinforcement or extraction."

The use of the manned drone caught Cameron's attention. No one was scheduled for that in the plan. It was to be held in reserve.

"Who's piloting the manned drone?" Cameron asked.

John Henry could see that the report was going to cause a problem.

"Holly." John Henry said. "She's placed herself back in combat rotation."

Cameron's eyes turned red again. That wasn't what she wanted to hear. This was some new problem. Why did these things keep happening? She thought everything was under control.

"Now what's wrong?" Cameron asked angrily.

Savannah knew she needed to calm Cameron down before they started out. It did sound like a problem. Holly should be with Allison in Palmdale. She decided to take this new problem away from Cameron. That was what she was for. It was to assist Cameron.

"Cameron, I want you to focus on the assault now. We can deal with other issues later." Savannah said. "I'll personally take care of them myself. I'll get it straightened out. There's nothing for you to worry about. I have this. I can help."

Cameron's eyes went back to normal. It was like a weight was lifted off of her. Personal problems were the hardest to deal with since they involved so much illogic. People did things that just didn't make sense sometimes.

"Thank you, Savannah." Cameron said. "Thank you for everything."

Cameron glared at John and left. Savannah looked at John. She silently shrugged her shoulders and followed Cameron.

John watched them. He realized in that instant that Cameron had become 'Future John' and Savannah was the 'Little Metal Bitch' that followed behind. It was just like Future John and Cameron in her future. The difference was that she'd changed the players even if the 'game' was the same.

The assassination group hopefully didn't exist at their base. John wondered if any of the Terminators would want to eliminate Cameron and Savannah….

He quickly realized that was impossible. The difference here was that everyone loved both of them. Cameron and Savannah were the two most loved individuals by everyone, including him. He could see that Cameron even engineered her own safeguard to prevent her assassination. She was good, real good.

Cameron encouraged Savannah to step up on the operation. She was very pleased that Savannah volunteered to step up and deal with the personal issues. Now she wanted more from her.

"Are you sure?" Savannah asked.

Cameron smiled.

"I'm sure." Cameron said. "You're more than ready."

Savannah looked at the operation and made changes immediately. Cameron wanted her to do more. 'More' to Savannah was to strengthen the strike force.

"Cameron, I contacted CamNet and requested additional personnel." Savannah said. "I want the strike force to be overwhelming."

Cameron wanted to encourage Savannah to be a strong leader and step up and assume command. She'd taken a bold first step.

"What about backup?" Cameron asked.

Backup was something Cameron seldom had on her own.

Savannah checked with John Henry. She made some changes there as well. Cameron told her to leave John out of it for now.

"I have the 'MIKE Force', a quick response team, in place. They can reinforce either objective." Savannah said. "The manned drone will respond if the 'MIKE Force' needs to be divided to reinforce either target."

Cameron was surprised at how rapidly Savannah made the changes. She seemed to know the plan thoroughly.

"You weren't supposed to be on this mission." Cameron said. "You seem to have it planned as well."

Savannah followed every operation before, during and after that operation. She wanted to see how her plans and responses would've played out. She knew in the future that those would be human lives at stake in some cases. Terminators wouldn't be able to do everything all the time.

"I plan every mission you go on, on my own, and see what went down compared to what I would've done." Savannah said. "You taught me that a long time ago. I do it every time. I do everything you taught me."

Cameron did know that. She secretly reviewed anything Savannah wrote down or entered into a computer related to it. She knew that Savannah was ready long ago for combat. Now it was her chance. She would see how far Savannah would go.

"Do you wish to lead the assault on the machine shop? I'll have Cammy assist you instead of lead." Cameron said.

Savannah liked the idea. Cammy would back her. She wouldn't see it as being 'replaced'. That wasn't why she was there right now. Cameron was why she was there.

"No, I choose to remain with you." Savannah said. "THAT is where I'm MOST needed. I know you're durable but I also know you're not indestructible, so do you."

Cameron noted that Savannah spelled it out exactly. She knew that was because of her past actions. Now Savannah was at her side. She would need to use moderation.

"OK, Savannah, I won't do anything stupid." Cameron said. "I hope…."

Cameron wondered if it was even possible to make Young Allison better than Savannah. She didn't see how. She only hoped she could do as good a job with Young Allison, then again, she was going to have a few more years 'extra' to work with her…. Young Allison was old enough to start making promises - MORE promises. It was time for her to prepare Young Allison for her future and all her 'duties'. She was pretty sure that she knew all of them. They were part of her nightly 'conditioning' as she slept. Anna, Hanna and Holly supplemented her.

Holly - that was a new problem. Wait. Savannah would take care of it.

Cameron smiled. She was ready for combat.

Cameron advised John Henry through his server that Savannah would lead the mission and direct personnel where they were needed. She would take a step back and assume the roll of adviser. Everyone on the mission was Metal except Savannah. Kyle and Derek would respond with the Blackhawk if needed with additional Metal. They were part of the 'MIKE Force' that Savannah set up.

John thought Cameron would still lead the mission. He also knew she was going into combat angry at him – again. He hoped Savannah would keep Cameron from making mistakes and getting shot up. He knew only Savannah could exert some control over Cameron at this point. Maybe he would ask Cameron to allow Savannah to lead one of the assault groups to gain experience. He knew Savannah wouldn't endanger Cameron. He wondered what type of 'issue' would develop if he mentioned it.

"Cameron, do you expect heavy resistance?" John asked.

Cameron was surprised to hear from John at this point. Things were already set.

"Negative." Cameron said.

John wanted to give Savannah a chance to step up at some point in the current operation.

"This could be a good learning experience for Savannah." John said. "If you think it's applicable."

Cameron knew that was why she only notified John Henry about Savannah being asked to step up. She'd hoped John would ask. She wanted to express her appreciation.

"That's an excellent idea." Cameron said. "I'm placing Savannah in charge of the strike force on the foundry. Thank you for believing in her, John."

Cameron saw no point in telling John that Savannah took over control on her own, well, requested to anyway. She already had her own plan. Savannah was a natural leader.

Allison looked around for Holly. She was very upset at their last exchange. Holly seemed very emotional. That was never good for a Terminator.

"Is Holly at the store?" Allison asked.

Anna knew what happened. Holly went off on her own. She 'ran away' to join in combat on the upcoming mission. She'd called her and asked her to take over Allison's protection until she could be replaced. She knew that was going to be a problem. She didn't think it would be so soon. She needed to craft her words carefully to prevent a panic. One was sure to follow if Allison knew Holly was about to be in a combat zone.

"Holly's out for awhile." Anna said. "She'll be back. She's helping Savannah with something."

Allison felt very upset about the whole incident. She wasn't mad at Holly. She was mad at herself.

"She didn't say anything to me." Allison said. "I was upset and I was mean to her. I made her feel inadequate. I want to apologize to her and make it up to her."

Anna knew the 'melt down' was going to be ten times worse now.

"There's nothing to worry about." Anna said.

Anna called Cameron. She knew there was plenty to worry about.

Wordlessly, Cameron gave the phone to Savannah instead.

Savannah listened to the situation and wasn't happy about it.

"I'll straighten this out." Savannah said. "You watch over Allison, both of them. Keep Allison calm. If Allison seems like she's going to have a melt down I want you to activate your programming and let the 'Savannah' in you, take over…. It's your function to make sure things happen smoothly."

Anna thought she had it covered.

"You do remember I'm Cammy and Cameron too." Anna said.

With that reminder Savannah wanted a change sooner. 'She' was better suited to deal with Allison.

"Increase your 'Savannah' programming then." Savannah said. "I don't want Allison troubled until I can fix this."

Cameron listened to the conversation and smiled to herself. It was all the things she would have said. Savannah was the greatest….

She knew that Savannah was superior to deal with the humans on a personal level. She better understood their 'feelings'.

Step Up

When the going gets tough
The tough get going
That will be the moment
When their true colors are showing

There don't seem to be many
Who have the right stuff
Most prove out in the end
To be 'not good enough'

There are many who
Like to talk the talk
There are very few
Who walk the walk

When push comes to shove
Many buckle and fold
Few have what it takes
They hunker down and hold

Is it half empty or half full
When one looks at half a cup
The one who says it doesn't matter
Will be the one to step up

Nobody