Chapter 687

Lights On – Lights Off

The latest news arrived at the Command Center of the action as it developed and unfolded. Like many of the operations, this one rapidly expanded. Soon it would take on a life of its own. The unfolding events would guide the actions that followed.

"They're on the move." John Henry said. "The box truck with the HK drone subassemblies has just left."

John hoped this gave them the break they needed to deal Skynet a decisive blow.

"Let's cross our fingers and see if it leads us somewhere where we can do some damage and make a difference." John said.

John Henry always worried about low hanging fruit. Upon reflection, this seemed like a pretty easy find.

"Let's hope it's not a trap." John Henry said. "Skynet and the Grays must really want to get a hold of us. We've hurt them badly."

John felt based on the various groups they'd encountered that none of them may actually know who it was that attacked them. He hoped that they all thought they were attacked by each other. That was the goal that they set and tried to make happen.

"If we're dealing with different and disjointed groups, we may not seem as big of a threat as we are." John said. "They may not know we're the Resistance and think we're part of another Skynet group or the anti-Metal faction."

John Henry tried to make sure that they left a vehicle or sometimes even a dead body from one of the other groups they'd previously attacked at the location of another group that they'd just attacked. Maybe it helped mask their true nature, maybe it didn't.

"There's no way we can get everyone we're after in every operation that's involved with it." John Henry said. "We have to miss people from time to time. We have to miss machines too. They won't let a setback deter their mission."

John knew that Cameron didn't like loose ends. She tried to clean them up whenever she could.

"Cameron hunts down any she can ever identify." John said. "She's good at cleaning up any loose ends."

John Henry wasn't so sure that was a good idea for Cameron to pursue, especially on her own. He didn't think things always worked out quite the way that she'd thought they would.

"Look where that's led her." John Henry said. "She's gotten shot up pretty badly at times."

John knew that was true. He thought of the many lonely nights without Cameron due to her sheath damage from her battles. He thought that maybe she didn't want to be with him and used that as an excuse to avoid him. He did know when she was around she always looked perfect for him. Maybe it really was because she was shot up and not one hundred percent that she avoided him. He often spent the lonely nights thinking about the other females or Metal girls. Sometimes he reflected on his 'adventure' with Future Riley. He would think back on the night they made love in the truck as he pleasured himself in his bed. He didn't regret what he'd done with Future Riley since she was his 'first'. It was Future Riley that allowed him to become a 'man'. Then he'd remember the next morning Cameron busted him. To tell the truth, he didn't really care what she'd thought at that time. He got what he wanted and that's all that mattered to him. He figured he'd 'have' Cameron soon enough and he did. That was all in the past. Cameron, was his concern now.

"Now you have me worried." John said.

John Henry didn't think that was anything new for any of them.

"We all need to worry." John Henry said. "I worry too."

John decided to contact Cameron immediately. Maybe he could get her to use more caution or restraint. He also knew he ran the risk of angering or agitating her which in turn might make her more outgoing and reckless. He wanted to give it a try anyway.

"Cameron, I want you to watch out for any traps." John said. "Make sure you stay aware of everything happening around you."

Cameron was a little concerned with John's call. It sounded like he thought that she was going to get 'target fixation'. She wondered if there was some additional information that she should have.

"Is there anything I need to know?" Cameron asked.

John tried to be honest about what he thought. He was aware they couldn't be lucky forever.

"We're worried Skynet and the Grays will try to pull something." John said. "They'll try and draw us out at some point."

Cameron felt contempt for Skynet. They'd tried to get to her before. Every time they failed.

"They already have, several times." Cameron said. "They lost."

John could tell that the conversation would probably turn contentious if he pursued it.

"Be vigilant and careful." John said. "That applies to both of you."

Cameron glanced at Savannah. She thought John's message could be better directed at the support teams. She felt she had everything under control.

"I will." Cameron said. "Alert Sheila's and Bob's teams."

John didn't want any trouble.

"I'm on it." John said.

John looked at John Henry.

"Now I'm really worried." John said. "Cameron doesn't see any of this as a threat. She only sees targets."

John Henry didn't see that as anything new. It's what Cameron did.

"She's a Terminator." John Henry said. "The objective is the goal."

They both knew termination of Skynet was Cameron's goal along with protecting the future and making sure John - Future John was able to get what he wanted. Cameron was ever vigilant at ALL of those things.

Savannah could see the conversation with John seemed to irritate Cameron.

"Was there any trouble?" Savannah asked.

Cameron only saw it as more of John's micromanaging. She didn't need a 'Chairborne Warrior' to tell her how to do things.

"John's worried." Cameron said. "He wants us to watch out for any traps or ambushes."

That seemed like sound advice to Savannah. She was unsure why that would irritate Cameron. She was a little concerned about their 'lucky streak' as well.

"That's been on my mind." Savannah said. "We can't keep hitting these groups and not get tripped up. We're good but we won't be lucky forever."

Cameron was glad that Savannah was with her. She would rely on her advice and insight.

"We've been successful to thwart their attempts to trick us." Cameron said. "If you 'feel' something is off, I want you to tell me at once. I want the input without hesitation from you."

Savannah didn't want to take any more bullets to her vest or elsewhere. She tried to call it like she saw it.

"I have and I will." Savannah said.

Savannah knew something may look 'right' but 'feel' off. The fact that everything wasn't always as it seemed was a common deception. The Resistance used plenty of deception to further its goals.

Cameron thought back to one time in particular.

"I know how valuable that 'feeling' was when Kyle was almost terminated." Cameron said.

They both knew that was a close one for Kyle. He was the one that said something was off and alerted the team just in time.

Savannah thought the credit for that went to Cameron for being in the right place with a Stinger missile.

"You're the one who saved him." Savannah said. "You anticipated that attack."

Cameron wanted to point out that she trusted Savannah more than she trusted herself.

"You know I trust your judgment over mine." Cameron said.

Savannah never wanted to misuse that ability.

"I'll never abuse that privilege." Savannah said.

Cameron believed Savannah one hundred percent.

"I know you won't." Cameron said. "I trust you more than anyone."

Savannah felt that that was a two-way street. She knew she wasn't perfect. She knew that she could make a mistake just like anyone and she'd made mistakes before. She thought things would work out better if they talked things through if there was a question about anything.

"I know that and I appreciate your trust." Savannah said. "I'm also only human and I can make mistakes. If you have something to say to me about anything, say it. It's better we discuss what we're thinking. We must always be honest and trust each other. We must trust our love."

Savannah didn't want for anyone not to say something to her because they didn't want to cause her any 'hard feelings'. It was better to face the beast head on.

Cameron didn't like problems.

"I try." Cameron said.

Savannah smiled at Cameron and lifted Cameron's hand to scan her neck. She knew Cameron wanted to scan her. It was past the normal time interval for Cameron to do so.

"It's fine." Savannah said. "I know you want to."

Cameron smiled. She was very pleased and relieved that she could get the scan in. She liked how Savannah knew what she wanted and when she wanted it. It made her feel good that Savannah understood her. It also made her wonder why some others never seemed to.

"I don't like to intrude." Cameron said. "I want to make sure Vanna's baby is doing OK."

Savannah felt it was way too early to know what was going to happen one way or the other. It never hurt to check.

"Is it?" Savannah asked.

Cameron was there for both of Savannah's other pregnancies. This one seemed to be progressing at the same rate with the same readings. She thought that was a good thing.

"It is the same as your others were at this time." Cameron said.

The SUV swerved slightly. Cameron removed her hand from Savannah's neck and placed it on the steering wheel as she lowered her left hand.

Savannah hoped that she hadn't created a problem. There were ways to fix it or work around it.

"I can drive." Savannah said quickly. "I need the practice."

Cameron felt she was still in control. Then again she always felt that way.

"I'll be fine." Cameron said.

Savannah wondered if there was an update from the Young residence.

"How's Allison doing?" Savannah asked.

Cameron wasn't pleased to receive the report. It was one of the reasons why she's been so upset at the Metal girls. She was afraid she'd taken her frustrations out on them needlessly.

"It's not good." Cameron said. "Holly gave me a report earlier. I need to apologize to Ally and Sheila. I took it out on them."

Savannah wanted to give Cameron some positive things to think about.

"I'm ready to do our temporal mission any time you're ready." Savannah said.

Cameron wanted events to happen in a specific order as she'd already predetermined them.

"I want Claire to go first." Cameron said.

That was actually a concern of Savannah's. She felt Cameron was going to use Claire as a 'test subject'. That was probably to determine how Claire and the baby would fare during the time transfer right before delivery. She wanted the 'buck' to stop with her.

"Are you 'testing' to see what happens with Claire?" Savannah asked. "If you are, I'm going first. I'll take the risk, not someone else's mother. I don't want Claire to be a Guinea Pig."

Cameron was actually worried about more than one thing going wrong with the entire procedure. She didn't want to rely on the time bubble itself arriving at the right time. She knew that there could always be an emergency where they needed to leave immediately. She planned to hedge her bet and have the Metal girls get to work in the past ahead of them.

"I don't know what will happen." Cameron said. "I'm going to have Ally and Sheila construct a TDE in the past before we go into that time period. I will probably have them build a few. I want to be able to get Claire or you back in a hurry if you go into early labor. I don't want those children being born in the past. They're for Allison and Vanna now in this timeline. I don't want them as old as their grandparents."

Savannah could tell by Cameron's demeanor that she was very troubled by everything that she wanted to do.

"I think I better drive." Savannah said. "You're getting worked up."

Cameron's hand began to glitch worse.

Savannah came up with a better solution than her driving. She called Gail. With a separate driver, she'd be able to console Cameron in the rear seat as they pursued their objective.

"Gail, the next time you leapfrog us, I want you to drive for Cameron and me." Savannah said.

Gail was thrilled by the prospect and then it immediately hit her that maybe there was a problem.

"It would be my pleasure." Gail said. "Is everything alright?"

Savannah didn't want to mince words.

"No." Savannah said. "It's not."

"Is it Cameron?" Gail asked.

"Yes." Savannah said.

Gail already asked Bob to close the distance on Cameron's vehicle. It was currently in sight.

"I'm coming right now, have Cameron pull over." Gail said.

Savannah looked at Cameron.

Cameron knew to trust Savannah's judgment right now. There were a lot of things that weighed on her mind currently.

"I heard." Cameron said as she pulled over. "I don't want to 'Allison out' right now."

Bob stopped in front of them and Gail ran back and climbed in the driver's seat as Cameron and Savannah moved into the back seat.

Savannah took Cameron's glitching hand and it instantly stopped.

Cameron smiled at Savannah.

Savannah smiled back at Cameron and she also smiled at Gail.

"Thank you, Gail." Savannah said as she reached up and squeezed Gail's shoulder gently with her other hand.

They continued their journey in silence as they played leapfrog with the Resistance vehicles following the truck. The enemy gave no indication that they were being tailed and drove in a regular manner.

Savannah wanted Cameron as close to one hundred percent as possible if combat broke out. She knew the more Cameron was 'off her game', the bigger the chances and risks she would take. That endangered not only Cameron but all of them.

Savannah knew she would be at Cameron's side as those risks were taken. Cameron needed her and she was going to be there for her, just like she'd always promised.

Sarah wanted to go to Palmdale to visit with Claire and so that Jan and Summer could interact with each other. She didn't think that either of the two girls got out enough or socialized with any other individuals around their own age.

She also liked being around Claire. Claire was like the ultimate 'housewife' who knew how to do everything for homemaking and do it perfectly. It almost seemed like Claire was the complete opposite of her in what were viewed as traditional female activities and duties. She felt that she would burn water when she tried to boil it, while Claire could make a fancy dish out of a few ingredients in a very short time. She actually found it amazing to watch her work in the kitchen. She hoped that she could learn something so that one day she would be able to impress Kyle with something that she made that wasn't burnt or looked like it came out of a homeless encampment.

Sarah was the one who drove. Cammy was at her side, Jan was in the back, she'd fallen asleep on the drive almost immediately. That was probably a good thing because she wouldn't have to hear the question about how much longer was going to be repeated a bunch of times in a row.

She glanced at Cammy periodically as they drove. There was no way for her to tell that it wasn't Cameron that sat next to her. They looked identical. Maybe there was some difference in her demeanor or in the way she presented herself. Cammy didn't seem to have the same blank look to her face and the negative attitude. Not that she could fault Cameron for having a negative attitude because she thought hers was about as negative as one could be. It seemed to her that Cammy was 'happy' or at least content.

"Thank you for coming with me." Sarah said.

Cammy looked at Sarah and flashed her beautiful smile.

In that moment Sarah was reminded how beautiful Cameron and by extension her clones really were.

Cammy was pleased that she had a positive effect on Sarah. Sarah didn't smile a whole lot but she did smile back at her. She liked it when people were happy, in this case, especially Sarah. She also wanted to make sure the rules of engagement were clear and what they would do in an attack upon them or the vehicle.

"You and Jan may need protection." Cammy said. "If there's a problem, you take her and run. I'll engage any threat."

Sarah heard exactly the same thing from Cameron before. It was reassuring even if the reason why it would need to be reassuring happened. It wasn't a pleasant thought to think about.

"Let's hope not." Sarah said.

Cammy saw Sarah look at her. She felt that Sarah wanted to ask her something personal. She smiled at Sarah again to reassure her.

"Go ahead and ask it." Cammy said.

Sarah glanced at Jan to make sure she was asleep. She felt a little on shaky ground and that it was something that might not actually be her business. It did involve her son so she thought as a mother that it was appropriate for her to ask.

"What's going to happen with John and Savannah?" Sarah asked.

Cammy was pleased that she'd anticipated the question. She was displeased at what the question was about. It was something that didn't sit well with her. She decided to tow the standard line and Cameron's personal agenda.

"You already know the 'Natural Order'." Cammy said.

Sarah wanted to ask Cammy on a personal level how she felt about that. If it was her that that it was going to happen to and someone was going to take Kyle away from her, she wouldn't take it sitting down.

"Are you going to go along with that?" Sarah asked. "Where does that leave you?"

Cammy knew that this was a battle that she could never win no matter what she did or how she tried to do it. It was going to end badly for her one way or another.

"When John and Cameron accept their destiny with Savannah and Allison. I'll seek chip extraction and deactivation." Cammy said.

Sarah understood Cammy just basically told her that she was going to commit suicide.

"Will you really go out just like that?" Sarah asked.

Cammy didn't wish to exist with the trauma of loss and the humiliation of how it was done. The nothingness of termination appealed greatly to her.

"Yes." Cammy said. "It will be lights on, lights off. I don't wish to suffer like Cameron has."

Sarah heard Cammy say 'Allison'. She wanted to make sure which 'Allison' it was specifically.

"You're talking about – Young Allison?" Sarah asked.

Cammy tilted her head slightly. She wondered why Sarah seemed confused. Everything was always as it had been and always would be.

"Yes." Cammy said.

Sarah still viewed Young Allison as needing more than a few years to be of the proper age. They weren't in a Third World country after all or the inner city.

"That's still a few years away." Sarah said.

Cammy didn't think so.

"She's ready now." Cammy said.

Sarah felt a tinge of anger. She wasn't going to allow John to be with such a young girl. It didn't matter how much he wanted it to be either. She was aware that he watched Pretty Baby often. It was clear what he wanted.

"WHAT?" Sarah asked.

Cammy thought she needed to clarify her answer somewhat. Sarah seemed agitated by her response.

"Young Allison is ready to accelerate the process." Cammy said. "She's made it very clear."

Sarah wasn't on board with that procedure either.

"I'll have to talk with Claire about this." Sarah said. "How can she agree to this?"

Cammy thought that the answer was obvious. Claire may not be enthusiastic about what needed to be done but she did see that it was going to happen. She could either be a part of the process or be left behind.

"She's seen the future. She's lived in it." Cammy said. "I was there too."

Sarah didn't believe the future was written in stone.

"It doesn't have to be that way." Sarah said.

Cammy wanted Sarah to clearly understand her next statement.

"That's what your son - Future John programmed into Cameron." Cammy said. "She's carrying out his wishes and desires."

Sarah felt the anger flare up inside of her even more. She wondered how selfish some people could be.

"What a Jackass." Sarah said. "What was he thinking?"

Cammy thought the answer was obvious.

"I'm sure that he thought that he didn't want to be lonely and wanted to be surrounded by beautiful women." Cammy said. "The same women he already has."

Cammy decided to leave out the part about Savannah and Young Allison being virgins as well.

Sarah heard all the stories and knew what Cameron risked to go back and make sure Future John received what he wanted.

"They're the same women Cameron gave back to him." Sarah said.

Cammy thought she needed to remind Sarah about how the events unfolded.

"Who sent Cameron back to do everything?" Cammy asked.

Sarah swallowed hard. They were still the taste of disgust in her mouth. She also had to acknowledge the facts.

"John – Future John was the one who did it." Sarah said.

Sarah knew all the females were in jeopardy if Judgment Day arrived. She glanced back at Jan and knew what would happen to her sooner or later. She'd heard all the stories from Derek and Kyle as well as Jessie, Riley, Vanna and Allison. She knew that no female was safe including herself. They told her that age or physical appearance didn't matter. People took what they wanted and didn't care what they left behind.

Derek didn't like being sidelined. They were still in it but not really.

"I think we got left with the short stick." Derek said.

Ed could tell that the Reese brothers expressed a certain amount of discord due to their current assignment.

"It's important we supplement the surveillance in case we need to act quickly." Ed said.

Derek wasn't sold on that idea. It seemed pretty remote to him.

"What are the chances of that?" Derek asked.

Ed tilted his head slightly. There wasn't enough information to make a calculation.

"That's unknown." Ed said. "Or we wouldn't be here."

Derek shook his head slightly from side to side.

"I can always count on you for a straight answer." Derek said.

Ed was pleased that he could be of assistance.

"Affirmative…." Ed said.

Derek contacted Kyle on the other side of the building with Jim.

"What do you have over there?" Derek asked.

"There's nothing so far." Kyle said. "You know that can change in an instant."

Derek contacted the Command Center. He wanted to know what else was happening.

"Are there any updates, John Henry?" Derek asked. "How's the tail doing?"

"They're leapfrogging." John Henry said. "They're still moving. The target is moving."

John would like to get Derek and Kyle out of the danger zone and back to the base. He thought that he'd give it a shot and see what happened.

"Derek, do you want to return?" John asked. "We have the surveillance in place."

Now Derek wished he wouldn't have said anything.

"I'm good." Derek said.

John wanted to make a few things clear with Derek. He also wanted his take on what was happening around them and how he felt the operation was progressing. In other words he wanted some human input as to what was happening on the ground.

"This is a secure line." John said. "It's just us, ask Ed to turn his hearing off."

"I heard." Ed said. "Tell me when to reactivate my audio."

"Do you feel something is off?" John asked.

The operation wasn't Derek's main concern. What he felt was out of whack wasn't where he was at but the back at the Resistance base. Normally he would never say anything but somehow John's question made him say what he felt.

"I'm worried about Riley." Derek said.

That statement cut John off guard. That hadn't been the question he was asking. For Derek to say something though it seemed to indicate that there was some type of a serious issue.

"Is there a problem?" John asked "Is it a physical or emotional one? If it's personal, I don't need to know."

Derek wasn't sure he could properly answer the question.

"I'm not sure." Derek said.

John checked over the Terminator positions on the satellite map. He didn't see a problem to recall Derek and Kyle along with Jim.

"You and Kyle can return with Jim." John said. "Have Ed move to a new position."

"Thanks." Derek said. "I'll set it up."

Derek broke the connection. He then told Kyle of the change in plans. Jim picked him up, while Ed moved his position to a new one.

John felt very uneasy after his conversation with Derek. He looked at John Henry for a moment and then he excused himself and headed for Derek's room to check on Riley. If Derek thought something was this serious, there must be a bigger problem. It wasn't just that it was Riley, 'a Riley' that peaked his concern. It would affect Cameron in some negative way and everyone else too. He always felt that Riley drew the short end of the stick from everyone. He thought that was bad enough. He knew that it was his fault. That concept bothered him even more.

He needed to worry about all his troops and Riley was no different, she was one of them. She was part of the team. He felt responsible as well.

Those Are The Kind

What is love
You ask your very self
What is loving
You ponder within yourself

Where do these feeling come from
Where do they eventually go
Both seem to remain a mystery
In life's changing daily show

From out of nowhere they arrive
Your heart beats hard and fast
You feel loves feeling grow
Wanting more, hoping it will last

As you search your heart
Not knowing what you will find
You are flooded with emotions
Reality and fantasy now intertwined

You question what they are
In the depths of your mind
You find the feelings of love
Those are the kind

Nobody