Chapter 642

Later On

Cammy drove Savannah to see the specialist. She was on her way to get impregnated. This time it was different. She would be implanted with an embryo from Vanna. It made her feel better this wasn't 'her' child this time. Having to give up her children in the two futures she visited still troubled to her. She understood it needed to be done this way this time for Vanna to accept the child once it was born.

On a prior occasion Vanna heard her crying one night and entered her room to find out what happened. It may have been a moment of weakness on her part. Maybe it was a moment of humanity or just motherhood. Vanna held her for hours and they cried together. Vanna told her she would never take her child from her.

Savannah called Allison on the way to see the specialist. She was worried about what Cameron said earlier about Allison. It was a very delicate web to weave. Then again her last name was Weaver. She thought she wove a pretty good net to help keep everything together. She tried to help everyone.

"Hello." Allison said.

Savannah felt comforted by Allison's voice. She should have called Young Allison but she didn't. She felt the need to share physical love. Young Allison told her she was ready for more. Allison and Claire both offered themselves instead. There was no way to turn either of them down.

"Hi." Savannah said. "I have a few things to do first but I can stop by later on."

Allison was depressed until she saw who the call was from. She'd hoped it was Vanna or Jesse but was even more pleased it was Savannah. It was mostly just sex with Vanna or Jesse anymore. With Savannah there was always love. She knew her mother craved that same love too.

"Can't you come sooner?" Allison asked.

Savannah needed to complete her 'mission' for Vanna.

"No." Savannah said. "I'm tied up."

Allison felt very lonely.

"I really need you." Allison said. "I want to be with you. I want you to be with me. I need your love."

Savannah felt a knot in her gut. She knew pain and anguish when she heard it.

"I want that too." Savannah said. "Let me call you back."

Allison looked at her phone. That wasn't what she'd needed to hear.

"What? OK, I guess." Allison said.

Savannah quickly hung up with Allison and called Vanna.

After Vanna answered, Savannah got down to business.

"Can you go to Palmdale and see Allison?" Savannah asked.

Vanna was taken by surprise.

"Do you mean right now?" Vanna asked.

Savannah knew it took time to get to Palmdale.

"Yes." Savannah said. "Allison needs you now."

Vanna felt a knot in her gut. Her everlasting love for Allison roared to life. She was very worried. She wanted her long time lover.

"Is something wrong?" Vanna asked. "I've grabbed Cam and we're on our way now. We're headed to the carpool as I speak."

In the background Savannah could hear Vanna tell Cam they could get dressed on the way. She pictured them running to the carpool naked.

"I'm currently tied up right now." Savannah said. "I really appreciate this."

Vanna wondered why Savannah was the one to set this up. Now wasn't the time to ask. There was some kind of a problem with Allison. She still loved Allison dearly, even if they were estranged most of the time.

"Can you tell me what's wrong?" Vanna asked.

Savannah didn't want to get into any specifics.

"Allison is really stressed out and depressed." Savannah said. "I don't want to lose her. She needs her true love."

Vanna felt a little guilty. She'd found comfort in Jesse and all the Metal girls. She was with two or three of them everyday. She learned to hide behind the endless sex. Sometimes she finished twenty or thirty times a day. She'd been with Claire two times as much as she'd been with Allison recently. Claire was a better partner for sex.

"I'll take care of her." Vanna said. "I don't know what I've been thinking."

Savannah knew what Allison needed.

"Allison needs your love, Vanna. Let me call her back and then you can talk to her on the way there." Savannah said. "Give me a few minutes."

Savannah called Allison back.

"I'm sorry about that, Allison." Savannah said. "I've asked Vanna to come see you since I'm tied up. She's on her way. I'll come as soon as I can."

Allison felt a little apprehensive about seeing Vanna. It was Savannah who made her feel she was 'good enough'.

"I wanted you to come now." Allison said. "I need you."

Savannah could feel Allison's pain.

"I'll come later on." Savannah said. "I promise, Allison. I'll be there when I'm finished."

There was a moment of silence as Allison realized why Savannah couldn't come right now. It was like a punch in the gut.

"Are you out on an operation?" Allison asked.

Savannah figured she would be soon enough. She needed to help Vanna as only she could and she needed to assist Cameron.

"Yes." Savannah said. "I may need to be involved in another one soon as well."

Allison knew Savannah was around too much combat recently.

"You're doing too much." Allison said. "I don't want you hurt."

Holly previously asked that the details of the last operation Savannah was on not be told to Allison in its entirety. Not at least until she felt better.

"I'm just doing my part." Savannah said. "You've all done yours…."

Allison could have done without a reminder to the future.

"Please be careful, Savannah…." Allison said. "I love you."

Savannah really wanted to be there for Allison. Cameron came first.

"Vanna will be there after a while. She's going to call you now." Savannah said. "Please don't worry, Allison. Everyone is here for you."

There was a long pause.

"OK." Allison said.

Savannah knew Allison needed her.

"Allison, I love you." Savannah said. "I'll be by when I can. I need to go now. I promise. I'll be there as soon as everything is concluded."

They exchanged goodbyes and hung up.

Savannah was now deeply worried about Allison. She knew she needed to be there for her when she hurt like this. When Vanna arrived, 'she' would be there in a sense.

She was sure that Young Allison was going to feel some grief over all of this as well. Things could get so complicated at times.

Allison didn't like that Savannah was back out on another operation already. She really wanted to see her. She could wait a little longer.

She knew Savannah always kept her promises. That made her smile. Now Vanna was on her way. She hadn't see Vanna for awhile so that would be nice too. Vanna would be the 'meat and potatoes'. When Savannah came over, that would be the 'dessert'.

Holly listened to the whole exchange. Allison talked to Vanna now. Things hadn't worked out as planned. That wasn't anything new. She'd called Cameron earlier and asked for Savannah to come see Allison. She didn't like to share but she knew Allison's well being came before her feelings. It was more important to her that Allison feel happy. She now understood love was about sacrifice. She was willing to sacrifice if it helped Allison. She tried to convince herself that she might be able to slip in some alone time with Claire. She usually traded two nights a week with Hanna. That was the most she could get out of Hanna. Hanna wanted to be with Claire more because she was better in bed.

Young Allison heard and saw most of what went on. She too wanted to see Savannah. She didn't like Savannah and Allison to spend time 'alone'. It made her feel jealous. She wanted to share whatever Allison shared. It didn't seem like a big deal. How hard could it be? She didn't need to worry about getting pregnant. She hoped to be with John soon enough for that. It was in her head often when she woke up in the morning.

Anna was aware of everything as well. She didn't like to see Young Allison upset. She could see she was jealous of 'herself'. It was all very strange. She went over to Young Allison.

"We can monitor the latest operation." Anna said. "It's just about to get underway."

Young Allison looked at Allison's room. She didn't care when anyone else was in there except Savannah. That seemed it would be soon enough. The operation would keep her mind off of 'second place'.

"I'd like that." Young Allison said.

Anna wanted to keep Young Allison focused. She didn't want any visitors. She didn't want Young Allison to spy on Vanna and Allison either. She knew she always did.

"I'm closing the bunker door as well." Anna said.

Young Allison would have preferred if she didn't.

"I understand…." Young Allison said.

Anna nodded.

'More than you know.' Young Allison thought.

Bob went out with Cameron. She'd requested his assistance. It was more of a recon mission at this point. He would've liked a little better info going in.

"We know the area but we don't have a specific target." Bob said. "It's not an ideal situation."

Cameron was glad they at least had a starting point.

"I've looked at the satellite photos and checked the county records for recent activity." Cameron said. "I have a few spots for further investigation. I'm ready to go in."

Bob looked in the back of the van. There were plenty of weapons there. What they needed was more help.

"When does our back up arrive?" Bob asked.

Cameron looked at the area she wanted to check out.

"We don't need back up." Cameron said.

Bob knew that John wanted plenty of assistance for Cameron. Now she didn't want to wait for it.

"This is getting better by the minute." Bob said.

Cameron picked up on Bob's discord.

"They're on the way." Cameron said. "I gave them a few extra stops to check out."

Bob felt he'd made his point. He looked around where they were at. There wasn't a lot of activity.

"The buildings look like abandoned factories around here." Bob said.

Cameron hoped it would make their job easier. It also might make them stand out more.

"The economy has its ups and downs." Cameron said. "There's activity at a few of them."

Bob hoped Cameron might have some better intel.

"Have you been here before?" Bob asked.

Cameron believed there was a good indication when she'd crossed paths with Skynet before.

"Do you see any burnt buildings?" Cameron asked.

Bob understood Cameron's policy.

"Not yet." Bob said.

Cameron liked to 'make a statement'.

"I guess that means 'no'." Cameron said.

Bob could see Cameron wanted to get started.

"I'm sure that will change before the day is done." Bob said.

Cameron looked over with a smile on her face. They had a starting point, even if it was vague.

"It happens." Cameron said. "This was where the first possible radar hit was. The radar contact came from the local municipal airport on the HK drones."

Bob looked over the area again.

"I see nothing." Bob said. "We may need to go building by building."

Cameron hoped to have a few leads. It was based on recent increased activity.

"I've sent a few of my Terminators around here before." Cameron said. "I have a few clues to look for. I'm going for the locations that have shown a major power usage increase in the last year."

Bob knew everything Skynet related used a lot of energy.

"That's a good start." Bob said. "Will we have to use any 'bait'?"

Cameron knew how to play Skynet's game.

"I'm here if any bait is needed." Cameron said. "I'd like to capture more resources for us."

Bob didn't want to get played.

"Remember some of the recent operations and how they went down." Bob said. "Since they only sent two drones to attack us, this could be the bait to draw us in."

Cameron thought that was a possibility. She also knew Skynet wanted to keep its presence as concealed as possible. Skynet needed to stay hidden until all of its pieces were in play.

"I've considered that." Cameron said. "We need a different set of wheels."

Bob looked in his side view mirror. He spotted a vehicle at the same time Cameron indicated they needed one.

"I see an old sedan coming." Bob said.

Cameron smiled.

"Is there a Hot female driving it?" Cameron asked.

"Affirmative…." Bob said. "There's a beat up pick-up truck with another one in it. Sheila and Ally have arrived."

Cameron wanted to get started.

"I'll ride with Sheila." Cameron said. "You can ride with Ally."

Bob looked at the back of the van.

"What about our weapons?" Bob asked.

Cameron saw this as her chance to go solo with a good excuse. She wouldn't admit she'd planned it like this, even if she did.

"We won't be far. This is supposed to be a recon mission." Cameron said. "You can stay here if you want. I'll drive the pick-up truck. Ally can ride with Sheila. If we get in a jam, the cavalry can bail us out."

Bob decided to stay with the weapons. He knew it was going to cause a problem later on because Cameron was by herself again. He wasn't sure if she'd orchestrated the whole thing or not. He also knew if they were being set up that the heavy weapons would make a difference.

Cameron took over the pick-up truck and Ally climbed in with Sheila. The girls headed off in a grid search pattern that would overlap each others from different directions.

She wondered about what Bob said. She'd considered that they were being set up but wasn't sure. She hoped to get a hold of more machinery to help establish her assembly lines. She already was able to get several locations set up with captured equipment and tooling.

The one location that worried her was the location they'd stolen the Coltan from that arrived at the port. They'd followed John to the High Desert. He was in the back of a truck. That was where she'd later driven the Coltan off a cliff in the box truck. She'd gone back later on and taken control of that facility. The Terminator there was able to escape but she tracked him down and terminated him. She waited to see who tried to take control of that location from her. That was where she was constructed. If she remained in control of it, she never would be built. She planned to make sure she never was either. She didn't share that information with anyone.

Something flashed by in her peripheral vision.

'What was that?' Cameron thought.

She hadn't been paying attention. She needed to stay focused.

"I have contact." Cameron reported.

Ally looked around.

"What is it?" Ally asked. "Where are you at?"

Cameron didn't get a good look.

"I don't know." Cameron said. "I'm in grid 'B-3'."

Sheila looked at Ally. She wondered if Cameron sent them away on purpose.

"We're five minutes away." Sheila said. "Wait for us."

Cameron felt several irradiation sensors activated. It was sure to be a bad thing.

"I don't know what it was." Cameron said. "I may have been 'painted'."

Bob saw that for the threat it was.

"Someone has you locked up with a laser?" Bob asked. "You need to get away from there."

Cameron wasn't sure what she'd detected. She didn't slow or stop but continued along at the same speed as if nothing happened. If it was bait, she wasn't going to fall for it.

"I'm not sure." Cameron said. "There's no vehicle traffic around here."

Bob moved into the back of the van. It could be an HK drone

"Drive away now without speeding." Bob said. "I have a Stinger hot. I detect nothing in the air."

Cameron wasn't sure it was even Skynet technology.

"It might be ground based." Cameron said. "They're trying to see if I'll run. I'm not taking the bait."

Ally could see the advantage of playing it cool, even as risky as it was.

"If you run, they know they have a target." Ally said. "This way they don't know what they have."

Cameron didn't want Sheila and Ally set up either.

"Sheila, break off your grid search." Cameron said. "We have a possible target."

Sheila didn't want to overplay their hand.

"We're disengaging." Sheila said.

Cameron hoped the Command Center might have something more.

"John Henry, what do you have?" Cameron asked.

John Henry wasn't sure about any of it.

"There's nothing detected in the air." John Henry said. "They may wait for darkness to use any HK drones."

Cameron waited for the rebuke from John about being alone. There was none. Another alarm bell went off in her head.

"Where's John at?" Cameron abruptly asked.

John Henry had remained silent so far for this very reason.

"He had a few things to take care of." John Henry said.

Cameron checked with CamNet as well.

She saw all the evidence showed that John went out on a mission. Everything reeked of a cover up.

"He's out in the field." Cameron said. "Why wasn't I notified at once?"

John Henry didn't want to face Cameron's wrath.

"I was ordered not to say anything." John Henry said.

Cameron calculated where John was at.

"Bob, I want Ally, Sheila and you to intercept John." Cameron said. "He's headed for the alternate site."

Ally looked at Sheila. They were supposed to back up Cameron.

"That will leave you alone." Ally said. "That's not good with a potential situation developing."

Cameron suppressed a glitch impulse.

"John must be protected." Cameron said. "I want all of you to go now."

Sheila wasn't sure about the reassignment.

"What about you?" Sheila asked. "We just can't leave you."

Cameron preferred to operate alone. It was nothing new.

"I'll finish up here." Cameron said. "It shouldn't be too hard."

John Henry knew this was all going to blow up in their faces.

"I must protest." John Henry said.

Cameron was upset with John Henry. He never should have let John slip out.

"It'll do no good." Cameron said. "I'll deal with you later."

The teams all pulled out to reinforce John.

Cameron was left with - Nobody….

In My Head

It is not about how often we fall
It is about how quick we get back up
For life itself in general
Is really one big pileup

The conflict rages in the mind
The battle rages within
It is about what is
Not what might have been

We take the hits
Stinging blow after blow
It never seems to get better
Who don't think so

To some it may seem
Everything is perfect
Fighting the struggle inside
To ourselves we are a reject

We are supposed to be content
It has often been said
What is happening is not
In my head

Nobody