Chapter 570

Hope They Don't

Savannah and Gail were almost to the meeting spot that Cameron selected. They shared several meaningful conversations.

Gail was able to see there was much more to share with a person other than sex to get closer to each other, Jesse and her mostly shared sex.

Cameron directed them to enter the area from the dirt service road for the high tension power lines. This kept them off the paved highway leading to the destroyed facility. She also hoped it also kept them away from any surveillance or ambushes.

Savannah reached over and took Gail's hand and gave it a squeeze. She wanted to give her some reassurance.

"Gail, I watch out for everyone. I know it's been bothering you." Savannah said. "No matter what, you're the one who FOUGHT and deactivated those two Terminators. That's the only story. I'll never say anything different. That's what happened. I have your back. You have MY promise."

Gail still felt inadequate. She been faced with a challenge and failed. Savannah was the one who prevented her termination. Her head was about to be torn off of her chassis. She owed her existence to Savannah.

"But you saved me." Gail said. "Everyone should know."

Savannah didn't want any 'credit'. She'd only done what anyone would have done. It really was no big deal. She'd only fired her Taser. Gail was the one who needed to fight for her life.

"Nobody knows." Savannah said. "I'll never tell anyone the small part I played."

Gail was amazed to see the things Savannah did in the two futures she'd been too as well as the present. There were no other humans who'd done the things she'd done.

"It was the determining factor." Gail said. "Cameron and Cammy have both showed us, all of the Terminators, the things you've done, both from body cam footage and their own files. You've saved them. You've saved Cameron more than once. You were nearly terminated several times saving her."

Gail knew it was more than duty or bravery. It was pure love that drove Savannah to do those things.

It made Savannah feel self-conscious. She didn't want to be anyone special. She was a team player and she'd just done her job.

"I've never said a word about it to anyone." Savannah said. "I only have done what I needed to do, when I needed to do it. Please don't worry about it anymore. I ask this of you. It's done and over. You won. That's all that matters. Life moves forward, not backwards."

Gail tilted her head slightly. Savannah was correct. Life did move forwards. She planned to be there for Savannah going forward.

"OK, Savannah, for you I'll drop it." Gail said. "For you and for myself."

Savannah gave Gail a kiss on the cheek.

Gail couldn't believe the effect Savannah had on her. No wonder Cameron chose her. Everything about Savannah was 'magnetic'. It seemed to draw everyone in. She knew what Savannah wanted and she would make sure Jesse was available whenever Savannah wanted her. The least she could do is share her lover with Savannah. There was real beauty in that.

Savannah and Gail met up with Cammy.

Cammy said that Cameron was out.

Savannah was instantly worried Cameron wasn't there. Cameron should have waited for her.

"Where's Cameron?" Savannah asked.

Cameron assured Cammy before she'd left that it was just to take a look and make sure the path was clear and there weren't any ambushes.

"She went to take a quick look." Cammy said. "She'll be back."

Cammy gave Savannah a hug and a quick kiss.

Savannah thought that was for Gail's 'benefit'. Cammy understood she could share as she pleased but she wanted to make sure Gail remembered who she 'belonged' to.

Cammy looked at Gail and held the look.

Gail looked away. She knew Cammy was 'Cameron'. There was no need to push it. She would play the game on Savannah's terms. It was what Savannah wanted that mattered, not Cammy. Savannah would be with her when the time was right.

Savannah began to look around. She didn't like the current situation.

"How long has Cameron been gone?" Savannah asked.

It was clear Savannah wasn't happy with Cameron going off on her own.

Cammy didn't see it as a problem. Cameron wouldn't be alone.

"One of her Terminators is there to meet her." Cammy said. "They already scoped out the building."

Savannah knew that two of Cameron's Terminators were in the area. She wanted to know what else was happening.

"Where's the other one?" Savannah asked.

Cammy made sure she knew where all the players were at on their team. She knew it could still go hot at this location. She didn't want any friendly fire.

"They're at the junction of the highway and the road to this building to see if any vehicles head this way. This road is isolated and ten miles off the main highway." Cammy said. "There is little traffic on it anyway."

Savannah thought that the building was in a strange location to begin with. The main road wasn't the only road in. They'd taken a dirt road. The ride was rough but the dirt road was accessible to anyone.

"We came in the back way over the dirt access road for the power lines, someone else could too." Savannah said. "It is just not suitable for a big rig."

Gail noted Savannah's uneasiness and began to check everything in detail. She searched around them as she scanned for threats. She found one. What initially caught her attention was away from what she thought she saw. That didn't make sense to her.

"I saw movement towards us in the gully to our left." Gail said. "It may be Cameron."

That seemed off to Savannah. There were no communications at present. It could be anyone or anything. Maybe it was a coyote. Maybe it was a Gray. Maybe it was a Terminator.

"What if it isn't Cameron?" Savannah asked. "I want both of you scan all around us for any movement or anything out of place. We might be about to be ambushed. We're all late players to this game. They could be waiting for us."

Savannah quickly put her combat gear on. She laid some out for both Gail and Cammy as they scanned. She was going to make sure both of them were armored up.

Cammy couldn't spot anything

"I detect nothing." Cammy said.

Gail checked three times. Nothing else showed up. She knew she'd seen something. It was more than just some thing.

"I know I saw someone." Gail said. "It wasn't an animal."

Gail replayed her files and checked again. There'd been some movement of something. She couldn't tell what.

Cammy tried to contact Cameron again. There was still no answer.

Savannah was really worried now. She wasn't about to take any chances.

"I want both of you at full combat readiness." Savannah said.

The Metal girls put their armor on and they rearranged their defensive area.

Savannah was satisfied with the changes.

Everyone was armored up now. Gail backed both SUVs into a dry wash below the line of sight.

"How much gear did Cameron take?" Savannah asked.

Cammy was worried more now. It was just supposed to be a quick peek for Cameron to make sure the path into the area was clear.

"Not much, she only went for a quick look." Cammy said.

Savannah quickly looked over the satellite maps Cameron brought along. That was odd right off the bat. Cameron usually didn't need these. She didn't like it. Cameron brought these for her to see. Cameron knew she would be here. She got her com online.

"John Henry." Savannah said. "We may need help."

John Henry looked over at John who sat up in his chair.

"I'm here with John." John Henry said.

John figured as much. He had everyone ready to act.

"Is there a problem?" John asked.

Savannah didn't want any backtalk. She dove right into the issue.

"It's more than likely." Savannah said. "Cameron is missing and I can't contact her."

John had a 'MIKE Force' ready. The manned drone was ready to launch.

"Sheila is standing by with the manned drone." John said.

Savannah wanted some support available. Sheila could get there the quickest. She could orbit out of earshot if necessary but still respond quickly.

"Send her with two of our drones." Savannah said.

John Henry cleared the launch. They were off. There were other resources available. They'd added a few more drones to the fleet.

"I have four other drones available as well." John Henry said.

Savannah didn't want to overreact yet. She'd just arrived. Nothing felt right to her.

"Have two more ready and keep two in reserve." Savannah said. "This may be nothing. I've only been here for four minutes. I don't like what I'm seeing or feeling. We have possible contact coming up with an individual."

John and John Henry both hoped it wasn't a Terminator.

Cammy allowed Savannah to take charge and make the decisions. She was doing an excellent job with zero preparation. She knew Savannah liked to plan the operations out in advance. Now she would have to think on her feet and think fast. Savannah did it. The battlefield was fluid in the future. It was fluid right now.

Savannah wasn't above asking for assistance. She knew that everyone's safety came first.

"Cammy, I want you and Gail to say something if I'm making a mistake. Don't let me endanger anyone." Savannah said. "I want everyone safe and I don't want to mess up. We're here as a team."

Savannah was in contact with Cameron's Terminator at the highway junction. She told him the situation and to expect combat. She directed him to hold were he was in case any hostile force came to reinforce the target location.

He was pleased that the 'Chosen One' was there. He informed them he had several M72 LAW rocket launchers. He got them ready as he spoke with Savannah. He carried an M82A1 as well.

Savannah was pleased they would have a 'heads up' at the road that connected to the highway. That would give them a few minutes warning of enemy reinforcements. She figured they were 'blown' if someone was already headed for their position.

"We have to assume we've been spotted by whatever Gail saw." Savannah said. "We need to move away from this position and in the direction Cameron went. We're not leaving here without her. I can't reach her Terminator she was to meet with either."

Cammy and Gail were ready to move out.

Cammy wanted to see what else Savannah thought they should bring with them.

"What additional weapons do you want us to bring?" Cammy asked.

Savannah knew they would bring what they could carry and would want to use.

"I want each of you to bring what you think you'll need. If the target area was destroyed or heavily damaged, opposition should be minimal. It's a hidden force I'm worried most about or some reinforcements." Savannah said. "I don't think this is almost over. I think it yet to begin."

Gail kept watch where she'd spotted the movement earlier as she selected some additional weapons. She looked again and zoomed in.

"I may have spotted movement again." Gail said. "It's closer now. It's still headed our way."

Savannah didn't like this at all. They were moving up on their current position. The enemy may know their strength. They didn't know the enemies strength or even where all of them could be at. She needed to find Cameron.

"How far are we from the installation?" Savannah asked. "I make it three miles, maybe three and a quarter."

Cammy already looked and made the calculation. She was pleased that Savannah was very accurate.

"It is three miles as a drone flies." Cammy said. "If we follow the dry wash, it's three and a quarter."

Savannah knew that if they followed the dry wash it would give them some cover. She needed to know where the enemy was.

"Gail, where's the contact you made at now?" Savannah asked.

"It's a half a mile out in a gully parallel to the dry wash. It's a quarter mile to the west." Gail said.

Savannah looked at the satellite map. The gully was narrower and deeper than the dry wash. It afforded better cover. They could move undetected through that and set up an ambush point.

"There's a series of 'S' bends in it two hundred yards out." Savannah said. "I want to take them there."

Savannah figured the 'S' bends would mask their presence until the two groups were almost face to face.

Cammy wanted to know how Savannah wanted them deployed.

"Do you want all three of us to go?" Cammy asked.

Savannah knew that was a 'prompt'. She'd watched Gail put several anti-personnel mines in the back of their SUV.

"Yes." Savannah said. "Set a 'Claymore' on each approach to the vehicles."

Savannah was glad they added extra munitions to the SUV before they left. She wondered why Gail selected those but now was glad they possessed them.

Once that was done they headed into the gully. Cammy led and Gail brought up the rear. They were going to make contact and get some answers.

Cammy wondered if maybe she shouldn't have gone to check like she wanted to in the first place. Now Cameron was missing and it was going to come back on her. She wanted to be on 'point' to have the first crack at the enemy.

John listened to the com traffic. It sounded like there was going to be a battle any minute. There could be an ambush set up for the girls already. He wanted to hedge his bet.

"I don't like this." John said. "I want the Blackhawk up and headed that way. They can land and hold ten miles out. I want a force in closer for a quicker response. It's going to take them time to even get there."

John Henry was aware that the 'MIKE Force' was enroute.

"They're already headed that way." John Henry said.

John was pleased to hear John Henry was on the ball.

"You are always one step ahead of me." John said.

John Henry tilted his head slightly. He didn't send them.

"Actually Savannah requested them." John Henry said.

John was glad that Savannah was there.

"I missed that." John said. "She's really skilled at this."

John knew Savannah was a natural and could 'read' the battlefield in seconds. He only wished that Cameron would have waited for her arrival. She probably wouldn't be missing right now.

John Henry knew it was a lot of training and hard work. Savannah always stepped up to meet any challenge. The other girls were being trained the same way.

"Cameron and our Terminators have run Savannah through hundreds of drills." John Henry said. "They've started as well for Young Allison. Camille is also training Young Jesse."

That saddened John some to hear that. He knew his mother tried to give him a 'real life' the best she could. There were still a lot of limitations. It didn't look like the girls were every going to have any 'real life' at all. Savannah certainly never had one.

"None of these girls are ever going to have a life, a real life, are they?" John asked.

John Henry thought the safety of the girls came first. The future was ugly and they would need to be ready for it.

"No." John Henry said. "The future will depend on them. You'll depend on them. You haven't experienced much of a real life either."

John wanted to give Sarah some credit.

"My mom tried as best as she could." John said. "She did try every time we started over."

John knew that 'decision' led him to Future Riley. He knew everyone thought that was a mistake except him. He wanted to be with a real girl and he was with Future Riley. He wanted what all the other teenagers shared.

He knew because of Future Riley and him that Cameron wasn't going to take that 'chance' with the girls. They were isolated and strictly supervised whenever they went out. No wonder Savannah was so 'lonely'. Cameron finally fixed that too…. Just as Cameron did for Young Jesse and would for Young Allison as well. He understood Anna's purpose now. There was no better protection than a Metal 'friend'…. Cameron made sure they would all have a 'friend' that shared everything, twenty four hours a day. The girl's sexual needs would be fulfilled. They would have as much sex or love as they desired. There was no need to look further. Cameron made sure the girls could have plenty of variety if they wanted it. It seemed they all did.

John Henry was aware that Cameron was as efficient as she was ruthless. No males were allowed around those three girls - ever. Cameron 'saved' them for John. They would have female companionship for any of their sexual 'needs'. It would be as much and varied as they wanted. It was a sacrifice Cameron was willing to make for John.

"Sometimes things work out. Sometimes they don't." John Henry said.

John believed that depended on the players. Not all of them followed the rules either.

"Sometimes someone stacks the deck so they will work out better, no matter what." John said.

John Henry knew John was worried about Cameron now. There were other explanations that could be the cause of the 'silence'.

"They'll find her." John Henry said. "She may be in close with enemy Metal around her and has only gone 'silent'. We've run into jamming fields recently that even jam our communications. They are mostly very localized."

John wanted to know more. He figured that would be at Cameron's base.

"If you detect CamNet powering up their TDE we know it was too close." John said.

John Henry started doing that the moment Savannah and Gail left.

"I'm monitoring that as well." John Henry said.

John didn't know where this was headed but he knew it was headed for trouble.

"Let's hope they don't need it…." John said.

Hope They Don't

When a heart beats true
It will beat for only one
Once that is forgotten
One may end up with none

It is easy to forget
There can be many
From which to choose
Sometimes many turns into any

One may get greedy
They want to try them all
The higher and higher they climb
The greater will be the fall

One needs to refocus
They need to see what they have now
There is more to a person
Than what they can plow

Always remember
That can't means won't
Two can play the game
One needs to hope they don't

Nobody