Chapter 613

Derelict Condition

Cameron and Cammy moved from abandoned building to abandoned building. Everything was in derelict condition. The structures were literally falling apart. The structures appeared to have been abandoned for decades. Some appeared to be a century or more old.

Other than the fresh tire tracks from the barn, everything else looked like the place that time forgot.

The search seemed to narrow everything down to what was first suspected. They wanted to take the other buildings out of the equation. That left only one structure.

"The barn has to be the key." Cameron said.

Cammy was on the lookout for any security devices. She didn't know how she was 'made' earlier.

"I don't like it." Cammy said. "I haven't detected or spotted any surveillance equipment."

Cameron searched intently as well.

"I haven't either." Cameron said. "This all stems from the fresh tire tracks that were detected on the satellite photo."

Once Cameron and Cammy hiked in on foot they'd reentered the jamming zone. So far what seemed to cause that problem wasn't spotted yet either.

"There's electronic equipment here somewhere. That's what's jamming our communications." Cammy said. "That's why I looked around the area in the first place to follow up your lead."

They only ever encountered the jamming field at Skynet related targets previously. Normally the Resistance was the one doing the jamming. It was always something important to Skynet when it did the jamming.

Cammy only noticed the jamming field once she was pursued. Everything was normal up until that point. The Grays expected to catch her and terminate her before she could alert anyone. Things worked out a little different than the Grays planned.

Cameron felt justified in asking Cammy to do a 'drive by' earlier.

"My lead came from some of the captured phones that were processed. They showed hits in this area as well. That's when I checked the satellite photos. I spotted the recent tire activity on the dirt road." Cameron said. "The close proximity of the high tension electrical transmission lines sparked my interest further. There is a lot of power passing through them. If Skynet could tap in and use that power, no one would know."

Cameron knew it was an unlimited source of power. Skynet could build anything with all that power. Maybe even one of those giant power cells she'd encountered in her future. She knew that they could blow up with devastating results. If there was one here, she would help it blow up. She'd learned they were very unstable during the charging process.

Cameron and Cammy both cautiously moved around the barn. They used hand signals since their electronic communications were still jammed.

Cammy cautiously moved back away from part of the barn.

Cameron spotted her do so. That must mean she spotted something. She became extra alert. She moved to rejoin her.

"What is it?" Cameron asked quietly.

Cammy didn't like what she'd found. It reeked of Skynet or a sucker play.

"This barn is newly constructed." Cammy said. "It's designed and made to look like the other structures that were already here. It has been artificially aged and weathered."

Cameron moved forward. She saw some surveillance equipment hidden in the rafters and under the eves. She knew now she should have checked back a few years further with the historic satellite photos. Most likely the barn wasn't in them. Then again it could be and it was replaced to hide what was really there. If it replaced the original barn it was bound to be wired for more than the surveillance equipment. She understood the current threat for what it was.

"Whoever's monitoring these feeds knows their people all left in a hurry and never came back." Cameron said. "They probably have spotted us as well by now."

Cammy looked up at the sky. The threat could come from anywhere.

"Since nothing else has happened, I'd have to anticipate a drone strike on our location or reinforcements will soon arrive." Cammy said. "Or both of those things will happen."

Cameron figured they were burned already. Maybe it was time to stir up the ant hill and see what happened.

"We've already most likely been spotted. Let's take out these cameras." Cameron said. "It will blind them and hopefully provoke some type of reaction."

Cameron and Cammy moved around the barn. They tore down all the surveillance equipment. It also gave them a further detailed look at the barn.

"The side wall with the extension on it is right up against the hillside." Cammy said.

Cameron thought about some of her past outings in mines. They weren't usually a one entrance affair if they were a viable mine. Sometimes the area would be probed from several other spots to speed further discovery of whatever mineral they were after.

"I bet that's where the former main entrance to the mine is located." Cameron said. "At least one of the entrances is there. Some of the old large mines could have more than one entrance and several ventilation shafts. There could have been a dozen ways in or out when this mine was at full capacity."

Cameron and Cammy moved to the side wall and began to search. They soon found something of interest.

Cameron found a small hidden control panel behind the wood of the 'wall'. That was most likely the control to the way into the mine. This new discovery was a game changer and confirmed what they'd suspected. The rest of the team needed to know.

"One of us needs to go back and relay this information." Cameron said.

They both knew it wouldn't be Cameron.

Cammy didn't like the sudden turn of events. Cameron would be able to do what she'd wanted in the first place.

"If we can open it, you shouldn't go in alone." Cammy said.

They both knew Cameron would go in anyway.

Cameron scanned the 'wall' in detail.

"Since we have no communications we need to get this information out." Cameron said. "This whole section of the 'wall' is movable."

Cammy saw the threat for what it was. Since this all appeared to be part of the same group, it was known that they possessed HK equipment of various types. They already encountered some of them.

"It leads to the old mine and probably several shafts." Cammy said. "There may be HK Tracks waiting…."

Cameron reached for the control panel.

"There's only one way to find out." Cameron said.

Cammy was pretty sure that was the wrong way to find out. HK Tracks and HK drones weren't the only threat to consider. The recent episode with Savannah and Young Allison was proof of that.

"There may be Terminators as well." Cammy said. "I should say there may be more Terminators."

Cameron hoped to have an escape plan put into affect retroactively. It might have a few kinks to it.

"I'll watch for a time bubble." Cameron said. "Have it covered with weapons for my return if it's needed. I may have a few 'riders' who try and come with me."

Cammy knew a temporal extraction could be a dicey proposition. Things could happen or go wrong. Cameron was unable to transfer before because of damage. Savannah was the one who got her out. Future Allison and her were there as well.

"What if you're damaged?" Cammy asked.

Cameron looked around.

"I don't see any time bubble now." Cameron said. "I must make it."

They both knew if everyone there perished that there wouldn't be a time bubble.

Cammy needed to see what happened before she left to spread the word. She would also be able to assist Cameron to fight their way out if there was a 'reception committee' waiting for them.

"I'll stay until you enter." Cammy said. "Then I'll leave and go bring more help."

Cameron broke open the keypad and readjusted some wires. She pushed 'Enter' and a section of the 'barn wall' opened.

Cammy and Cameron separated from each other in case there was shooting. They both held weapons ready but there was no 'reception committee' waiting.

Cameron was a little worried there was no 'challenge' of any sort.

"Keep a lookout for hostile HK drones." Cameron said.

Cammy took one more look around. She needed to pass the word.

"I'll be back." Cammy said and departed.

Cammy took off running at her maximum speed.

Cammy knew this was a bad idea and Savannah wasn't going to be happy about this latest development.

Cameron took one last look around and then entered the unknown.

Down the rabbit hole she went.

Previously:

Savannah was in the SUV with Steve. It was going to take her longer to get back to the target area this way. She hoped that Cameron would wait like she said she would. She doubted that would happen. She took one last look back at the Young residence before they turned off of the street.

She really wondered if she would ever see the house or any of the girls again. There was a feeling of dread that nagged at her.

Savannah rode back towards the old mine location with Steve. She was aware that releasing the Blackhawk earlier allowed more Terminators to be quickly taken to the location. She wanted all the real help there that they could get. They needed to keep anyone else out or the area, clean up the mess and plan for an assault.

"I'm sorry to take you away from your duties." Savannah said.

Steve liked to do other things. 'Guard' duty could get boring. They always needed to be vigilant to protect Young Allison and Summer. They would try to protect Allison and Claire as well if they could. That wasn't their priority.

"I look forward to getting out." Steve said.

Savannah knew that Cameron wouldn't wait forever. They needed to hurry but they also needed to arrive safely. If they cut too many corners it could prove fatal to her. Accidents happened.

"We need to hurry but drive safe as well." Savannah said.

Savannah could tell he wanted to talk about something. She tried to 'trouble shoot' any problems that the Terminators experienced. It seemed to be something they all appreciated. They also seemed more willing to speak with her about a grievance. She always followed through on everything. She tried to resolve things to make everyone satisfied.

"Is there anything I can help you with?" Savannah asked. "If there's an issue I'll address it. I've told all our team members before if there's any problem to come to me. I'll try to resolve it."

Steve did know that. There were very few problems and Savannah always did resolve them.

"No, there is no problem." Steve said.

Savannah could sense some hesitation.

There was only silence.

She decided to prompt him.

"But...?" Savannah asked.

Much to her surprise he started to talk.

"I've seen what you've done for Cameron and Cammy." Steve said.

He paused and seemed still a little unsure how to go on.

Savannah wanted to set things straight.

"It's what I would do for anyone." Savannah said. "I've only done what I needed to do when it needed to be done. Young Allison did the same thing for me less an hour ago."

Steve looked over at her to see if she was joking. She wasn't. He was very proud to be a part of Young Allison's development. The statement from Savannah expanded his respect for the girls.

"I've watched her train. She's remarkable." Steve said. "Cameron's making a human version of herself with Young Allison."

Savannah knew that. There was little she could do about it. She knew Young Allison would be better protected this way if nothing else. She knew that there was no way to stop Cameron from completing her mission. It was programmed deep within her.

Steve looked at Savannah and then back to the road.

"You're even more skilled." Steve said.

Savannah saw herself as more of the prototype. Young Allison would be the refined finished product of Cameron's attempts to create the perfect human or a human version of herself. She knew the accidental discovery of River changed Cameron's trajectory some. It was a level of human perfection she couldn't do in the present or even her future. It would need to be done in River's future. Everyone prevented Cameron from doing that.

She wondered if Cameron didn't run an 'end game' around all of them and create Summer in River's future and have her implanted into Claire to carry as her own child. There was always speculation that Summer was River, River's offspring or River's sibling. It was possible Cameron was guilty of 'time napping' Summer. Cameron always maintained that she hadn't done anything like that – yet. That statement left open the possibility that Cameron could still do it in a further future. Another version of Cameron may have done it too. Duplicate Cameron and Metal Summer were both in River's future. Having two Terminators there in River's future left open a lot of possibilities. They both ran Cameron's program. She needed to refocus.

Savannah wanted to talk about a past event that involved Cameron. Steve was a part of it with Tom.

"I've reviewed all the reports from your temporal mission with Cameron into her future when she saved Future Allison." Savannah said. "You helped bring Cameron back to us."

Steve now understood Savannah's earlier explanation. He did what any Terminator would have done under the same circumstances.

"I understand." Steve said. "Thank you."

"You also watched and help transform Future Allison from a teenager into a much better trained and educated individual." Savannah said. "You assisted her to become a true Resistance fighter and leader."

Steve was impressed how Cameron was able to transform Future Allison.

"It was remarkable." Steve said. "Cameron helped her so much with everything. Future Allison exceeded all our expectations. As have you and Young Allison."

Savannah wanted him to understand they were all still developing and growing. It wasn't just Cameron and the girls she assisted.

"Haven't all our Terminators and Restorators grown beyond their basic programming?" Savannah asked. "Look how dynamic you've become. The point is, we're all 'growing and expanding' with each day. None of us has reached our full potential, not even Cameron."

They both wore their coms and received information from John Henry.

Cameron and Cammy went down to the target area to see what they could find or what was being hidden. It was supposed to be a recon on foot.

There hadn't been any additional enemy contact. No reinforcements or hostile HK drones were spotted.

Steve could see the look of concern on Savannah's face. He knew that Savannah risked her life for Cameron and would do so again. He hoped it wouldn't be today.

"We'll be there soon." Steve said. "I know you're worried about her."

Savannah worried about all of them. She just needed to worry about some more than others. There were a lot of things to worry about. The future was fluid. It could change quickly.

"I'm worried about her, Cammy AND everyone else too." Savannah said.

Steve wanted to assist Savannah. He didn't like her to be the only human there. It was very dangerous for her.

"I'll accompany you to join them in battle." Steve said.

Savannah appreciated the offer. There were others that needed to be attended to.

"Once we are there and you let me off, you need to return to protect Young Allison." Savannah said. "I do appreciate you looking out for me."

Savannah reached over and touched Steve's cheek.

It was a new sensation that he felt as she did it.

Steve knew Savannah was truly the 'Chosen One' if just her touch could spark such a reaction. He'd been touched many times but there was just something about that touch….

Steve remembered how Savannah, even as a girl, would always be kind and helpful to all his Terminator brethren. She treated everyone as equals and never looked down on any of them. He'd seen her calm and soothe Cameron and the other females with only her touch. He watched her body and mind transform from a small girl into a beautiful young woman. He did know beauty when he saw it. He also understood that not all beauty was physical appearance either.

"…Steve…?" Savannah asked.

Steve quickly replayed his files.

"Sorry, I was worried about Cameron and you and the upcoming operation." Steve said.

Savannah could tell she'd distracted him. She noticed that a lot, when she was around Terminators now. She wasn't quite sure why. Everything was the same about her as far as she knew. Maybe she would ask John Henry what she was doing 'wrong'. She'd asked Cammy before and was told it was because of everything that she did 'right'. She didn't understand. She was the product of all those who raised her and guided her as she grew, both human and Metal.

"We're approaching the outskirts of the operation now." Steve said.

Savannah didn't know what she was about to face. She was here now and the events would play out before her.

"Thank you for bringing me." Savannah said. "I appreciate it."

Steve didn't know what he 'felt'. He did know it was something.

"It was my pleasure." Steve said.

Savannah went to climb out, she turned and gave Steve a kiss on the cheek and gave his hand a squeeze.

"Please, watch over MY Allison for Cameron and me." Savannah said. "Oh, and John too…."

Steve knew something was different…. He watched Savannah check her weapons and ask for a situation report as she prepared for combat. The Terminators on station instantly rallied around her. It was impressive to watch. Savannah was impressive. She was truly the 'Chosen One'.

I Can't Fix It

Don't push me away
I'm still worthy within
Quit shoving me
Into the trash bin

I don't know how to reach you
I can only do what I know
My devotion is a sure thing
Unlike playing a game of lotto

I'm trying so hard
To fix what is broken
You know my love is there
Even if the words are unspoken

To what I feel and believe
I cling and desperately grasp
That will never change
To my very last gasp

Stop punishing me
Your heart must acquit
Until you can do that
I can't fix it

Nobody