Chapter 700

Who Protects Them

They closely followed all the operations in the Command Center.

John was pleased with the rapid progress and the mission success that was achieved so far.

"The three side operations all went down well." John said. "So far, that is."

John Henry looked over the damage reports. All of the Terminators were one hundred percent functional.

"We've only incurred damage to four Terminators. None of them are serious damaged." John Henry said. "We've been very fortunate."

John looked over the list of the items reported collected from the three sites.

"It looks like we confiscated a lot of material." John said.

John Henry went over the preliminary reports from Cam about her observations from where she was at. There was a lot that she couldn't observe from her current location but she could still observe quite a bit.

"We should be able to get more than a few items from the old newspaper plant as well." John Henry said. "We'll be able to storm it with enough Terminators. That will still leave a safety net of a few more on protection duty outside."

John didn't want to overextend themselves.

"Let's see how this finishes playing out first." John said.

John knew it could all go bad in an instant. He relied on his troops to pull it all off. He wanted to use as many terminators as he could at the old newspaper plant. He still didn't know what Cameron was on to yet. That could lead to anything happening still. He began to wonder about exactly what she was doing at this point. She's gone quiet a while back and they haven't been updated.

Additional reports came in to the Command Center.

The operations were successful with Ed's team as well as with Dan and Frank's team at the 'furniture store'.

They'd terminated all the Grays and taken all the materials and sub assemblies they were in possession of. These raids provided them with a windfall of materials. There were five fully loaded box trucks headed to secure locations. Everything was to be inventoried and checked. Three burning buildings were all that was left behind. There was no 911 response to any of them. Once the burning structures collapsed in on themselves and were burnt out hulks, the emergency response would be unblocked. There was no record of anyone reporting anything and all police and fire personnel were kept away from the locations as long as John Henry wanted them kept away. They'd used these techniques many times over the years. Not only did they know how to take down Skynet related locations. They know how to make sure they stayed down.

Now it was time for the 'main event'. At least the first one, it was still undetermined what Cameron would turn up.

The newly freed up teams, slowly moved into position around the location Cam was in. Ally and Sheila reinforced Al and Steve. While they waited, Ally put twelve stitches in Sheila's cheek.

Sheila looked in the little mirror on the back of the sun visor.

"That Bitch got me good." Sheila said.

Ally wanted to know more about what actually happened. She was pretty sure that when Sheila went off on her own she knew that the female was wherever she was at. She wondered what Sheila planned to do before she killed her.

"How did it happen?" Ally asked. "You must've been inattentive."

Sheila looked at Ally for a long moment. It looked like she was going to tell her what she was really doing but then she hesitated.

"I was inattentive." Sheila said. "Leave it at that. It won't happen again."

Ally knew Sheila must have tried to 'do something' to the female and not paid good enough attention. If Sheila wanted to tell her later on what happened that was fine. What was done was done.

Sheila put the sun visor down again and looked in the little mirror at her face as she touched it.

Ally could see Sheila was concerned about her appearance. She was a little bored herself sitting there waiting. She thought that everybody should be in position by now.

"We have everyone here." Ally said. "What are we waiting for?"

Sheila knew that the communications block was already in place. The clock was running but they were all just sitting. Someone was bound to trigger an alarm at some point from inside the old newspaper plant. She decided to make her concerns known at the Command Center.

"They're going to start wondering why they can't contact anyone." Sheila said. "John, we can't wait too long or for them to arm up and hunker down."

Ally wanted to take the scenario one step further. Since they knew that they had various types of HK equipment there, anything could happen the longer they waited.

"Or they could go on the offensive." Ally said. "If they get HK drones up or HK Tracks online, that will be a bigger problem for us."

They all knew the time ran out the longer they delayed. It seemed more than likely that the Grays and Terminator at the old newspaper plant would be ready for an attack.

They needed the element of surprise to minimize their damage and avoid massive amounts of gunfire and maybe HK drones and HK Tracks coming into fight against them.

John Henry wondered what the delay was. Even CamNet contacted him to inquire about it.

"That's a good question. What are we waiting for?" John Henry asked.

John noted the concerns of his troops. He knew the longer he waited the more he would endanger then. The trouble was he wanted Cameron to get her operation into position before the big attack started. It seemed her operation would best be conducted under the cover of darkness.

"I want Cameron to have time to get into position on whatever she's going to do." John said. "The longer we wait, the closer we get to darkness."

John Henry was aware of the danger to Cameron. He still thought John put the entire operation at the old newspaper plant in jeopardy by delaying the assault.

"They have HK drones and HK Tracks where Cam is at. They most likely have the same things at the old steel mill." John Henry said. "We need to strike before they become alarmed. We can't wait for that equipment to become active."

John could see that he endangered everyone by thinking of Cameron's safety. He still felt justified in what he wanted to do.

"Cameron will have an easier time infiltrating at night." John said.

John Henry thought it was a mistake to delay any longer.

"I think we need to 'go for it' at the old newspaper plant." John Henry said. "They should have less finished 'product' than what Cameron will face. We still have the element of surprise. We don't know how much longer that will last."

John was under a lot of pressure to act now. He knew the longer he waited to give Cameron more time, the more he endangered the troops at the old newspaper plant. He needed to worry about Derek and Kyle as well. He'd assigned them to Jim and Bob respectively. They needed to watch the perimeter while the attack went on to make sure that no reinforcements arrived or any HK drones took off or showed up.

"I want Kyle and Bob ready with several Stingers as well as Jim and Derek with some Stingers." John said. "We need perimeter protection. They don't need to be part of the assault. They already did one earlier."

John Henry already took care of all the details.

"I have already set it in motion." John Henry said.

John thought that the only early warning that they would receive inside the compound would be from the roving patrol.

"Al or Bob, where's the security patrol at now?" John asked.

Al currently had eyes on them. He thought that they were very inefficient.

"They're on the north side about to go down the east side." Al said. "They never change direction but their timing is slower sometimes than others."

John hoped to capture some of the constructed HK equipment rather than destroy it. He made sure that the Terminators took precautions to deactivate the HK equipment.

"Does everyone have the 'sticky shockers' for HK Tracks and HK Treads?" John asked. "We've experienced too many run-ins with them to take any chances."

John Henry already set everything into motion and everybody was ready to go. They couldn't keep waiting for nothing.

"Everyone's ready to go." John Henry said. "We can't keep delaying. The old steel mill is isolated. They may not attempt to communicate with one of the other locations for hours."

John wanted to give Cameron more time. He knew he was now endangering everyone at the old newspaper facility even more by waiting. It was clear to everyone was what he was doing. He was going to have to make a hard decision.

The UH-1 Iroquois set down at the local municipal airport near the old steel mill. The flight was uneventful.

Cammy enjoyed her flight to the current location. It seemed flying the UH-1 gave her some time to 'unwind'. It was two machines that worked as one.

"I liked flying the Huey." Cammy said. "I'd like to fly it in formation so I could overlap the rotors."

Hanna quickly looked over at Cammy when she said that. She wondered for a few moments if that was a 'Cameron thing' since both Cammy and Cam were 'Cameron clones'. She thought maybe Cammy was trying to play her.

"Cam already did that." Hanna said. "But you probably already knew that."

Cammy tried not to smile but did anyway.

"I did." Cammy said.

Hanna wondered how extensive Cameron's clones shared information with each other. She knew they already shared their human lovers with each other.

"Do you both know everything the other 'Camerons' do?" Hanna asked.

Holly looked uncomfortable at the conversation. She hoped to stay out of it.

Anna didn't want them to pursue this conversation anymore either. She also ran Cameron's program.

"That's enough of this." Anna said. "Our rides are waiting."

Cameron's team was waiting for them.

Cameron didn't seem very pleased to see the new arrivals. She was very worried about Sarah's safety. She wanted to watch over her personally.

"Take Sarah to our SUV please, Savannah." Cameron said. "Cammy, you go with Savannah as well."

Cameron walked up to the three Metal girls. She faced Holly, Hanna and Anna. It was clear that she wanted to set them straight.

"NONE of you three should be here." Cameron said.

Hanna didn't feel that they'd done anything wrong. It wasn't like they were the only ones there.

"Sarah and Savannah are here." Hanna said.

Holly felt justified for being there as well.

"Cameron, we're here because of you and Savannah." Holly said. "Don't get upset at us."

It was clear that Cameron was still steamed. She walked over to Anna.

"And YOU…." Cameron said.

Anna felt she needed to set Cameron straight, this technically wasn't any of their doing.

"Young Allison wanted me to come to aid Savannah and you." Anna said.

Cameron was already aware of that fact.

"Did she order any of you to come?" Cameron asked.

The Metal girls didn't need an 'order' to know what Young Allison wanted and why.

"NO." They all said.

Anna decided to spell it out.

"She wanted you and Savannah safe. She cares deeply about both of you." Anna said. "She's wanted me – us to help you before."

Cameron knew Young Allison lacked the sexual bond that the other Metal girls shared with their human lovers. She felt the lack of that 'personal connection' allowed Young Allison to act more freely with the Metal girl's well being. She was more willing to sacrifice one of them because they'd never shared together.

"That is because she hasn't been 'involved' with anyone at her young age." Cameron said. "After our trip to the past that will change, I want her to be with all of you when she's older and more mature."

Anna, like all of the Metal girls looked forward to that eventuality. She just didn't think there was a need to rush any of it. She knew that Savannah would back her up with that same belief. Savannah wanted Young Alison's choices to be her own choices.

"Don't rush things." Anna said.

Cameron could see that there is no point in arguing with Anna. It was literally like arguing with herself. She turned her attention to Holly and Hanna.

"You two both have a lover. You shouldn't have left them to come here." Cameron said.

Holly wanted to make it clear that it was their human lovers that asked them to go help Savannah and Cameron. It may have been Young Allison's idea but Allison and Claire we're both worried about Savannah and Cameron as well.

"They both asked us to come to help Savannah and you." Holly said. "Do you think they want us damaged? They want you and Savannah safe too. They care about both of you too."

Cameron was a little calmer now. She still wasn't satisfied they were all there.

"Who protects them now?" Cameron asked. "Who's there to watch over them and guide them now?"

Anna thought the answer was obvious. It was 'Cameron' herself as CamNet.

"Nobody…." Anna said.

Cameron looked at Anna for a few seconds with her response. She knew what she meant by - Nobody.

"CamNet will not fail them." Cameron said. "This will never happen again. I'll speak with Young Allison myself about this and make sure she understands why you're there for each of them. CamNet reported to me that Young Allison gave her smaller vest to Jan."

Anna was willing to bet if Cameron tried to give Young Allison and 'earful' that she was going to get one back from Young Allison about why she did what she did. She also didn't think Cameron should be surprised Young Allison was willing to sacrifice for the rest of them.

"Would you expect anything less from her or anything less from Savannah for that matter?" Anna asked.

Cameron thought about everything for a few seconds. She knew everyone was there to help her and Savannah. The more she thought about it the more surprised she was that Young Allison wasn't there herself. She knew that the more she pushed it, that at some point Young Alison was going to be there herself regardless of whatever physical age she was currently at. She remembered that sometimes it was nice to have help.

"No, I wouldn't." Cameron said. "Forget I said anything. Everyone's trying to help. I'm sorry."

Cameron was worried about everyone as well. She always was. She was still upset at John for whatever she was upset at him for earlier. She didn't even remember now what it was. Sometime she wondered if maybe they just liked being upset at each other for no apparent reason other than to be upset. Everyone was there to help Savannah and her. That was all that really mattered.

Holly, like all of the girls, Metal or otherwise, worried about Cameron and Savannah all the time.

"You and Savannah must be protected also." Holly said. "It's what Allison wants too, both of them."

Now Cameron felt bad about saying anything negative in the first place. She should have thought it through a little bit more before she opened her mouth. She felt she needed to make it up to everybody. They also needed to get the operation started.

"Let's all get together and go over my plan." Cameron said.

Hanna pointed at Pete and RePete.

"What about them?" Hanna asked.

Cameron wanted to make the best use of her limited troops. She would decide more as they went along.

"I don't know yet." Cameron said.

Savannah felt she'd sat on the sidelines long enough. She let Cameron run through her little tirade. That was over now. They needed to concentrate on the job at hand. She felt whatever help was available should be utilized. She indicated all the Terminators that arrived on the helicopter.

"I do." Savannah said. "I'm glad they've all come to help us. We can use all the help that's available."

Savannah knew Cameron was angry that Holly, Hanna and Anna were there. It looked as if the situation may have already diffused itself. She was on her way over to end it otherwise. She was prepared to 'order' everyone if necessary, even Cameron. They needed to do a job and the more help they were able to have, helped all of them.

She went over and talked to Pete and RePete.

Cameron and her group could all see how their faces lit up when they interacted with Savannah.

Savannah smiled and laughed and touched each of their cheeks with her hand.

Holly noticed how 'stiff' Cameron's Terminators acted on their own. They didn't act like that in the presence of Savannah

"They seem almost 'normal' when they are around Savannah." Holly said.

Cameron didn't want her Terminators to suffer any emotional trauma and pain like she'd experienced. She thought she protected them by keeping them isolated and restricting their interactions with each other or the humans.

"Maybe I've been too restrictive on their emotional development and the rest of my Terminators as well." Cameron said. "They all light up when Savannah is around them. Savannah has asked all of them to pick names. They use them around her."

Anna wanted to remind Cameron of something that she already knew.

"Love hurts sometimes but it also has its rewards." Anna said.

Cameron quickly faced Anna.

"That's the 'Savannah' in you talking." Cameron said.

Anna wasn't about to back down. She knew Cameron as well as Cameron knew herself.

"YOU know it as well." Anna said. "I know."

Cameron did know.

"Bring the gear." Cameron said to Pete and RePete and then added. "Please."

Savannah smiled at Cameron. She thought they could always learn something from each other.

The strained atmosphere level in the Command Center was near a breaking point.

John knew he couldn't wait much longer without endangering the operation at the old newspaper plant.

CamNet urged John Henry to get things started.

It was decision time for John. He thought maybe he should run it by Cameron and let her have the final choice.

"Cameron, we're ready to move on the old newspaper plant." John said. "Do you want us to wait?"

Cameron was actually irritated John hadn't started the attack already. She was going to tell him as much but refrained. She realized that he'd tried to buy more time for Savannah and her. She felt that with the Metal girls and the others there now that they could take care of themselves. She also remembered it was Young Allison who set that up for her not John.

"No." Cameron said. "We'll take down what we can. You'll be able to capture material and equipment there."

With Cam's help from being inside the building John had a better idea what his team there would face. There was no indication at all what Cameron would face. He wondered if she'd collected any more intelligence.

"Do you know what you're up against?" John asked.

Cameron felt a little frustration over her lack of knowledge as to what was at the location.

"I don't know." Cameron said. "I think we'll find the finished product there. I've been unable to get inside to look. I hope to change that very soon."

John Henry monitored what he could from the old steel mill and what Cameron and Savannah previously encountered.

"We know the area is guarded with observation posts." John Henry said. "What about any patrols around the compound?"

Cameron decided to act and make it a solo mission.

"We haven't spotted any roving patrols." Cameron said. "I'm headed in alone to scope it out."

John was worried about all of his troops. He was worried about Cameron and everyone with her. Some of them were of a more personal nature than others.

"Be careful, Cameron." John said. "Watch over Savannah and my mom."

Cameron didn't intend to let anyone down.

"We all have a job to do." Cameron said. "I'll do mine now."

John was bothered by the earlier tension that existed between them. He wanted to say something to clear everything up. He didn't know if this was the right time or not.

"Cameron…." John started.

There was an unspoken pause. They both felt the same thing.

"I do too, John…." Cameron said.

John was ready to act. He decided it was time to get all the players on the field.

"Steve, I want you to lead your team down to the first boxcar when the patrol passes and heads around to the south side." John said.

"Affirmative…." Steve said.

"Dan, you and your team will follow them as far as the office area." John said. "You will all breach at the same time."

"Affirmative…." Dan said.

"Ed, you will drive the box truck from the first location we encountered with a group of Terminators in the back. You'll back up to the dock and they will start the assault from there."

"Affirmative…." Ed said. "I'm loaded and ready."

Bob had eyes on the patrol from his location. They were just about at the spot to trigger the attack.

"The patrol just came around to the south side." Bob said.

John hoped for an update from inside the building.

"Is there anything new Cam?" John asked.

Cam was more than ready to act.

"The building door is still open to the boxcar." Cam said. "I'm getting out of the crate and moving down to the workroom floor. I'm ready to strike."

John saw all the pieces were in place.

"It's a GO." John said.

The teams all started their movements.

It was 'Showtime'.

Fix Me?

Fix me?
I'm not broken
Why would you fix me
Have I misspoken

As each day dawns
I often dread
Things that happen
Things that are said

There are many who fear
My very existence
Especially those who
Put up a – resistance

It is very cruel
Unkind and mean
To treat someone
Like a mindless machine

When you know it's time
For something about me to fix
You'd better come armed
With more than a crucifix

Nobody