Chapter 663

Don't Tell

Savannah lost sight of the sports car as it sped up the mountain road. It still drove in an unsafe and reckless manner. She looked in her side view mirror behind them. She didn't want to turn around and look in case there was a Terminator in the van. They might notice her do that. She didn't want to blow their cover before the operation even got started, at least their part of it.

Bob noticed that Savannah looked in the mirror instead of looking back over her shoulder to see what was behind them. He was pleased with her caution.

"The van is still behind us." Bob said.

Savannah was a little worried about their cover being blown if they parked too close to the other vehicle when they stopped. They'd been informed as to the nature of the tiered parking lots.

"Let's make sure we park away from them." Savannah said. "I don't want them to notice us as anything 'different'."

Bob wondered if she referred to him specifically with that statement. He picked a spot he could get out of quickly to park in. He would normally back in but the occupants of the van might look at them more closely if they passed by them. He didn't want to take any chances this early in the game. He was actually a little surprised where the van ended up at.

"They didn't park by either of the other two vans." Bob said.

Savannah thought that she would be a little more inconspicuous than Bob. She thought it would be best if she acted alone for the first part of the operation. The basis behind her suggestion would be two fold.

"Let me go in first. I'll buy the tickets. You check out the vans after they go in." Savannah said. "I don't want any additional surprises behind us."

Bob didn't want Savannah to go in alone but there were other people out and around. There were quite a few people at the base station. They should have no reason to suspect her, even if they noticed her among the crowd. He was a little leery but it seemed like an effective strategy to get things going and cover their six.

"Please use extreme caution." Bob said.

Savannah didn't want Bob to worry.

"I'm not going to look for any trouble until we link up with Cammy and Steve. We need to get up to them first to assist them."

Savannah took her Glock and Taser with her. She stuffed her hair up into a tan cap and took off. She made it inside ahead of the three men from the van. They'd stopped and taken something out of another one of the vans. It clearly showed that they were all from the same group. That's if there'd been any questions, which there weren't.

She looked up at the mountain where the cable car would go. She saw the patches of snow around the header station and heavier snow on the mountainside above it. She entered the base station and bought the tickets and then she hit the gift shop. She bought two long coats. Both of them were a light tan color. She also picked up two sets of light gray sweatpants, two backpacks and a cream colored scarf. Cammy previously left word on what was available in the shops at the base station and what they might need.

The three Grays entered the terminal. Savannah watched to see if any of them kept a watch on the vans, they didn't. They never even looked around. She quickly slipped back outside and headed back to their SUV. She carried a bulky package with her.

They both put their vests on inside the back seat of the SUV so no one could see what they were doing and then put on the bulky long coats over them which hid everything.

Bob felt that they were going up a little light handed for the amount of Gray's that they knew were already on station up at the top of the mountain. He broke down an M4 for each of them. He hit the two push pins on the lower receivers and they were apart in seconds. He stowed everything in the two backpacks. He also took some extra items that he decided that he would carry. He didn't want Savannah to have too big of a burden.

"I'll carry the extra magazines and grenades." Bob said. "The air will be thinner at the top."

Savannah was aware that the higher altitude would have an effect on her, especially if she carried any extra weight. They'd need to climb in the cold and snow as well. Cammy reported the trails were good. They may need to move off the trails. That necessity would make the going even harder.

She covered her head with the 'off white' scarf and put the cap back on. No trace of her red hair showed.

Bob and Savannah entered the building. Bob wore a cap and sunglasses. They looked like most the other tourists and hikers. Most of the patrons held their coats rather than wear them like they were. The difference was what was under their coats.

Savannah watched the cable car come down and slow for the docking procedure. They'd been given a ticket with a 'group number' as there were a lot of people waiting. They would be called for boarding by the number. There were quite a few people that waited to go up.

"We still have one more cable car to wait for. Our number is after this one." Savannah said.

The Grays who entered after Savannah moved up to the front of the line. It appeared that they were going to board the next cable car ahead of the rest of the patrons.

"Where are the Grays going?" Savannah asked.

The three Grays moved up alongside the front of the cable car line that started to load. They showed something to the attendant and went out onto the boarding platform.

Bob zoomed in his vision to see what they'd flashed at the attendant.

"They have some kind of pass." Bob said. "They get priority service."

Savannah quickly saw that there was going to be a dilemma. It appeared that Cammy's and Steve's safety was going to rest on her back. She wasn't going to have that.

"They'll be up there forty minutes before us." Savannah said. "I'll slow you down to track and catch up with them. You'll have to go without me."

Bob looked at Savannah. She wanted him to leave her behind. He wasn't going to do that unless she 'ordered' him to do it.

"I can't leave you alone." Bob said.

Savannah didn't feel threatened in the base station surrounded by dozens of other patrons. She didn't think the header station would be any different. The safety of the team came first.

"You will. I want Cammy protected as well as Steve." Savannah said.

John and John Henry monitored the situation that began to develop at the base station from the Command Center.

John was appalled at the idea of leaving Savannah alone with known Gray's in the area at either station.

"That's a firm negative on Savannah being left alone with hostiles around." John said as he came over their coms.

Savannah told Bob not to acknowledge the transmission.

John was irritated when neither one of them responded.

"I know you both can hear me." John said.

'Damn….' Savannah thought.

She didn't want this to turn into an issue. She quickly thought of an excuse. It seemed like a pretty good one.

"There were people right next to us." Savannah said. "I'm sorry for the delay."

John wasn't sure about that but he decided to take her at her word.

"That's understandable based upon the situation." John said.

The next voice that came over the com system was a little surprise to everyone even if it wasn't a surprise based upon who it was.

"We're twenty minutes out from the aerial tramway." Gail said. "Bob can go after the Grays and we'll meet up with Savannah and follow him up. That will take additional firepower up to Cammy and Steve quicker."

John was glad that Gail went to backup Savannah on her own again but it didn't seem like she was alone.

"We?" John asked. "Who else is with you?"

"I'm with her, love."

John was a little surprised but he recognized the accent.

"Sheila?" John asked.

There was a playful giggle.

"No, love, I'm the real deal." Jesse said.

That caught John off guard. He hadn't expected that Jesse would be out in the field.

"Jesse?" John asked.

Jesse knew that she wasn't the only one of 'herself'.

"I'm one of five that we know about." Jesse said. "There are plenty of me to 'go around'. I think I do a pretty good job by myself though."

John found that idea somewhat stimulating. It sounded like a bounty of booty.

"The surplus is noted." John said. "Savannah, I want you protected."

Savannah didn't want to cause a problem. She did want extra protection for Cammy and Steve.

"I'll wait at the header station for them at the top." Savannah said. "Bob will go after the Grays."

John still saw it is a risk to Savannah. There were an undetermined number of Gray's up at the top of the mountain already.

"I don't like it." John said.

Savannah really didn't think it would be a problem for the limited time she'd be alone. She thought maybe she should offer John a choice and let him decide.

"I'll be fine for a half hour on my own." Savannah said. "That's unless you want me to acquire transportation and meet up with Cameron."

Savannah wasn't surprised that Gail came to back her up but she was surprised that Jesse was with her. She knew the girls from the alternate future all wanted to do more.

John mulled over the choices. He didn't like any of them. He was sure that if Savannah went to where Cameron was at that it would actually put her in more danger.

"Savannah can ride up with Bob as planned." John said. "He'll take a look around to make sure you're secure and then head out after the Grays."

Savannah thought about the various options available to her. She knew it was going to cause a problem with those in the Command Center if she went up to the header station and waited for Gail and Jesse to arrive. She could take some preemptive action and have everything ready for them to go when they arrived.

"I have a new idea." Savannah said. "I'll exchange my ticket and buy two more. I'll get the coats and packs for Gail and Jesse. I stand a better chance of evasion or escape, if it's needed, on the lowest level with multiple vehicles to acquire or even carjack one if it's necessary to get away. We already know this area is relatively secure."

John liked that idea even better. It did give Savannah more options for evasion and escape.

"Roger on the change." John said. "Hold for Gail and Jesse and get the supplies ready."

Bob preferred that course of action as well for Savannah.

"The Grays are already gone." Bob said. "I'll be on the next cable car up. Savannah will be secure in this location."

Savannah didn't want John to worry. She didn't want anyone to worry about her.

"John, we have it covered." Savannah said.

Savannah knew this was low risk. She also knew more Grays or Terminators could arrive. If there were any Terminators, one of them could make a 'lucky spot' and she would be targeted. She checked her Taser and it was ready to go, just in case she needed it

Cameron was on the move. She was about ready to enter one of the packing sheds. She'd listened to the exchange between Savannah and the Command Center and didn't care for the decisions that were made. This development wasn't to her liking. She decided to abort her current mission and return when it was dark. It would be easier for her to take a look around then. She placed some explosive charges. The timers were set to go off in the early hours of the next morning. The charges could be 'command detonated' earlier or turned off to not to detonate at all. If the situation changed, she had more control this way.

She made her way back out and headed for her SUV. She'd left it parked several miles away. She was going to go backup Savannah herself. She knew that Bob would only leave Savannah behind because she'd told him to do so. It was clear that Savannah put the mission before her own safety. That didn't surprise her in the slightest. It did make her feel guilty about not allowing Cammy to communicate with Savannah earlier. She could see that Savannah was willing to risk her own safety to make sure that Cammy and Steve were protected better with Bob's assistance.

Cameron communicated with her Terminators before she took off and warned them of the 'fireworks' display that would happen later. They could also activate the explosives if necessary before then or change the times. They can also enter the structure and change the placement as needed. They could all be 'command detonated' immediately if the need arose.

Cameron headed for the aerial tramway. She didn't feel comfortable with Savannah by herself. She hoped to arrive before Gail and Jesse. It bothered her as well that Jesse would be there too.

Anna kept a close eye on Young Allison as the decisions were made at the aerial tramway.

"What's your call on Savannah's move?" Anna asked.

Young Allison didn't like the call but it appeared to be the correct choice under the current circumstances.

"I think that it's risky but within acceptable limits." Young Allison said. "She wants to make sure that the mission is protected and provide Cammy and Steve with additional support. They're all alone facing an unknown force that is larger than theirs."

Anna wanted to point out that there could be complications.

"What if Savannah is attacked?" Anna asked.

Young Allison saw that there was only one choice that would guarantee success.

"She will need to fight her way out." Young Allison said.

Anna wanted to point out that the situation was different from the realm that they normally operated in as there were a lot of innocent bystanders in the area.

"There are a lot of unaware people around her." Anna said. "What about them, then what?"

Young Allison thought that this would be a good time for Savannah's marksmanship to be tested and proven to be true.

"She'll need to shoot straight and not miss." Young Allison said.

Anna wanted to remind Young Allison that Savannah wasn't the only player on the field. Savannah might play by the rules but what about the other players?

"What about the Grays?" Anna asked. "Will they care?"

Young Allison didn't care for the choices that Anna provided her with.

"Savannah will need to be faster and shoot first." Young Allison said. "She'll need to hit them and then evade. Her best course of action would be to draw them out into the open away from the other people."

Anna pointed out that there could be casualties.

"How many wounded Grays will be left behind?" Anna asked.

Young Allison thought that the nature of the combat spoke for itself.

"None." Young Allison said. "They'll all be fatalities…."

Claire listened from the doorway to the bunker. She held her hands over Summer's ears as Young Allison and Anna talked.

That was her daughter down there. She spoke like a battle hardened adult or one of them. She sounded like a Terminator. They made her daughter think like a stone cold killer.

Hanna noticed what was going on with Claire. It was time for her to step in and do her job.

"Claire." Hanna interrupted her. "It's time I start Summer's lessons for the day. Her education is very important."

Claire reluctantly released Summer to Hanna.

"I'll assist her." Cam said.

Claire looked back down into the bunker.

"Who decides what she's taught or to be learned?" Claire asked.

"Cameron." They both answered.

Claire watched as they took Summer away. There was a deep inner fear that gripped her and squeezed her insides. She could see that she was losing control of all of her daughters.

Cammy moved past the Grays and was in front of them again. She knew where they were going from the description the backpackers provided her with. She asked the backpackers what the 'UFO' let off. They told her that they didn't know. They hid when the UFO took off and when they thought about checking before they came down in the morning, they'd smoked the rest of their narcotics instead. That seemed safer to them.

Cammy knew Savannah and Bob were on the way up along with more Grays. She was glad Savannah was on her way to back her up. She hadn't heard the conversation where Savannah wanted to back up Cameron instead at one point.

CamNet chose to not let her hear that. She too felt guilty about how Cammy was 'punished' earlier. Both Cameron and CamNet knew that it caused a lot of personal discomfort and stress for Cammy.

Cammy hadn't heard from Steve for a while. She wanted an update.

"Steve, do you have anything new to report?" Cammy asked.

They both updated each other.

Steve's report was very disturbing.

"I have the communication arrays under observation." Steve said. "All of them have been compromised."

Cammy could see that this was going to be a bigger problem than she'd anticipated

"Where are the Grays that are already there at?" Cammy asked

Steve was able to observe them and got a good fix on their location.

"There's some type of concealed bunker." Steve said. "They were moving supplies into it. That must be what the HK drone left off early this morning."

Cammy didn't want to walk into an ambush or a roving patrol.

"How many guards or patrols do they have?" Cammy asked.

"There are two guards that I've identified. No patrols have been spotted." Steve said. "I've also found two barely buried bodies."

Cammy felt her anger build. She was sure that her eyes glowed dull red right now.

"Don't tell me, both of them are female." Cammy said.

There was silence.

"Steve?" Cammy asked.

"You said don't tell you…." Steve said.

Cammy faintly smiled. She would explain it to him later that it was a figure of speech.

Steve spotted in new development.

"I think they are doing a shift change." Steve said.

Cammy thought that only compounded their situation in a negative manner.

"Great, so now we have doubled the personnel to deal with." Cammy said.

Steve saw it as an opportunity to take down more targets. The more of them that were concentrated together would make the kill ratio higher and easier to deal with the bodies.

"The bunker will make a nice tomb for all of them." Steve said.

Cammy liked that idea. She would make one slight modification to it though.

"The 'Metal Bitch' and the female will leave with us." Cammy said. "The rest can stay forever. It appears that they've already dug their own grave."

Don't Tell

It seems to some
Secrets are a way of life
The bottom line proves to be
That they cause a lot of strife

Why they can't always
Say what's true
That remains a mystery
It taints all that they do

Who will be reliable
Who will be true
Maybe that's the question
They should ask of you

Sometimes it all comes down
To who one can trust
The bridge built between two
Is easy to combust

Upon past events in life
Are where many choose to dwell
Who will actually listen
When the other says don't tell

Nobody