Chapter 713

Human Nature

John saw a very pregnant Riley with Derek. Jan walked with Kyle behind them. He looked around for his mom but didn't see her. It made him wonder about Allison. Technically she was pregnant with his child. He was unsure how many times this was even. They all seemed to end in failure. Jesse and Vanna both stopped trying. Vanna said she felt like a serial killer. That was why she stopped trying.

He knew they were unsure if it was the radiation exposure, the chemical pollutants or biological toxins that were responsible. Vanna and Jesse thought it was from all the sexual abuse. Allison was only assaulted a few times. For Vanna and Jesse, it was many times. Vanna stopped counting at one point, there were too many to count.

John didn't want to think about it. He knew the same fates awaited Savannah, Young Jesse and her sister, Young Allison, Summer and Jan if Skynet took over. Sure they may have Terminator protection now but would they always? Would they be singled out as 'Metal Lovers' and 'punished' for that? Who knew what the anti-Metal faction would do to the girls if they could single them out and get them alone and away from their Terminator protectors? He imagined it wouldn't be anything pretty.

He knew it was time to concentrate on the work for now, the future.

John Henry monitored the progress of the boxcars that left from the old newspaper facility. Two of them contained HK equipment. Those were the two they wanted to keep track of. Another boxcar full of the bodies of the dead Gray's was sent deep into Mexico. It would be played off as one cartel fighting against another cartel. It wasn't an uncommon occurrence in the chaos of the interior of Mexico.

"John, I show the boxcars from the old newspaper plant are stopped again." John Henry said.

John knew that there was something up with that. It seemed those two boxcars spent a lot of time moving but didn't really go anywhere. They haven't gone far anyway.

"Show me where." John said.

John looked at the satellite map that showed up.

John Henry pointed out the specific spot where the two boxcars were currently stopped.

"They're right here." John Henry said.

John zoomed in on the spot in John Henry indicated. He wondered if he missed something.

"That's the middle of nowhere." John said. "How old is this satellite photo?"

John Henry double checked the time stamp.

"It was from one month ago." John Henry said.

John thought that the area looked a little desolate. If the satellite image was a month old, maybe Skynet had done something in that time period. He knew that a group of Terminators could get a lot done in a very short amount of time. He'd witnessed them do some incredible things before.

"A lot could have happened since then." John said.

John Henry understood John's concern. It was possible that Skynet could have a hidden facility there or constructed one since the last satellite photo of that location. He decided to use a standard procedure that they'd employed before. They would 'borrow' a satellite and then return it.

"I've redirected a satellite to make a pass over that location." John Henry said.

John was always a little worried whenever they did that. They needed to worry about the government of their country or a foreign country to find out someone 'hijacked' their satellite, even if it was only for a short time.

"Doesn't that cause a problem?" John asked.

John Henry didn't want John to worry about it. It was really no big deal for them.

"I'll return it to its previous orbit when we're done." John Henry said. "CamNet will feed false information in its place, while we borrow it. No one should know what's been done. We've done this many times."

Any mention of CamNet always seemed to cause John a lot of worry. He always saw it as an even more uncontrollable version of 'Cameron'. He never could get a straight answer out of Cameron as to how strong CamNet really was. He was pretty sure it was the most powerful entity on the planet at this point in time. He'd see what he could get out of John Henry. He doubted it would be much.

"How powerful is CamNet now?" John asked.

John Henry tried not to glance up at the security monitor as he answered John's question. He knew CamNet was much more powerful than him and his server. CamNet could lock him out or shut him down in an instant.

"She's very powerful and everywhere." John Henry said.

John frowned as he thought about all the trouble Cameron experienced over the years. He'd witnessed her do some very extreme things. He could only imagine a supercomputer doing anything like that anywhere around the world with no one to stop it.

"I worry about it - her." John said.

John Henry previously discussed the same issue with John many times. He was sure John wanted to talk about something else or was worried about something else.

"CamNet is the same as Cameron protecting us and watching over us." John Henry said. "What else is troubling you?"

John felt he missed out on something he should be able to take pleasure in or actually with.

"I feel I should see Allison more often." John said.

John Henry wasn't sure what was different now than was any different over the past few years. Everything was still the same.

"Is that because she's carrying your child?" John Henry asked.

John believed that was more of a technicality than anything. He'd never been with Allison sexually. Cameron was the one who was responsible for her being artificially inseminated multiple times with multiple failures. On most of those occasions his genetic material was used without his knowledge. Cameron only asked for his permission a couple times. Everything else she did on her own behind his back. He was pretty sure that the only reason she was with him sometimes was so she could 'tank up' with another supply of his genetic material to dole out among the girls. It was what it was. If Cameron was going to 'give some up', he was going to take it.

"Well it is and it isn't." John said. "I feel I should do more."

John regretted not being with Vanna and Allison back when Cameron 'forced' them on him. He knew he missed a lot of love and sharing. The cold dark nights alone always reminded him of that. He was aware that Cameron needed to fight Skynet, not lie in his bed while he snored for a third of the day. It would have been nice to wake up with two smoking hot bodies on either side of him. The time for those days had passed. He'd blown it.

"This was Cameron's doing. It's to be Allison and Holly's child." John Henry said. "We all know this."

John knew what the real score was. He knew what Cameron was after and she wasn't going to stop until she got it. He knew if she didn't get it from Allison that she was going after Young Allison next. He decided if Cameron brought Young Allison to him he was going to take her. He was more than willing to take her virginity from her. He wasn't too keen on the idea of Cameron taking her child from her after that.

"We both know Cameron wants that baby." John said.

John Henry focused on the strictly biological aspect of it.

"It's YOUR child." John Henry said.

John knew it was Allison's child. She should be the one to make any decisions about it, not Cameron. He didn't think Cameron would stoop that low and take Allison's baby from her but he knew she could if she wanted to. He really wouldn't put anything past Cameron. He really wanted to get away from this topic they were on. It was time to change the subject.

"Where's Bob?" John asked.

John Henry knew that John liked Bob to accompany him when he was out and away from the base.

"He's out." John Henry said. "Do you wish to go out?"

John did want to get out. Sometimes the four walls seemed like they were closing in on him. He also needed to think of his responsibilities.

"I don't know." John said.

John Henry could see he was a little hesitant. He wanted to give John a reminder what they currently faced and let him determine what he wanted to do after that.

"We still have the boxcars to deal with." John Henry said.

John knew he needed to deal with the current situation. His main concern was that his troops didn't get ambushed or 'set up' by the Skynet forces.

"How close is our team to where the boxcars are stopped?" John asked. "Can they get a visual and not be spotted? This could be a trap to lure them out."

John Henry felt that the Terminators knew the drill.

"I'll advise them to use maximum caution." John Henry said.

John Henry was sure there was always more to this than met the eye. Skynet was illusive and intelligent.

Every version of Skynet they'd battled before knew the Resistance was out there. They weren't so sure what the newer versions of Skynet thought they were up against. They'd tried to remain in the shadows and undetected as to who they exactly were with their attacks. They always tried to blame it on another group if they could. The fact that they appeared to be dealing with more than one Skynet made that job that much easier. It was obviously Skynet couldn't cooperate with itself if it was a different version of itself.

John thought about Cameron and some of her early clones that we're 'program clones' with a different chassis. Cameron couldn't get along with any of them and they couldn't get along with her. Cameron ended up terminating all of them. He remembered when she did it she was quite joyful about it. He always thought it gave her pleasure to terminate what was basically 'herself'.

Cameron was very unsure about what was happening. She was irritated by CamNet and whatever she must have done for Savannah to have to go there and speak with her in person. It was going to take some additional investigation on her part to get to the bottom of it so the proper punishment could be dealt out. She was also worried when Savannah asked about the female Terminators that she'd taken into custody after they were deactivated. She currently worked on several different 'projects' and wasn't ready to discuss them because nothing was ready on them yet. She didn't know how they would go over with Savannah.

Savannah glanced over at Cameron. She could tell that she was highly distracted. She knew part of that was her fault by going to visit CamNet and by asking her about the female Terminators. She hadn't intended either of those things to distress Cameron.

"Do you want me to drive?" Savannah asked. "We can bring Ally or Sheila as well."

Cameron frowned slightly.

"I don't know." Cameron said.

Savannah thought that answer sounded a little vague.

"Which part?" Savannah asked.

Cameron didn't want to talk about it. Everything bothered her.

"ALL of them." Cameron said.

Savannah reached over and took the keys from Cameron.

"I'll drive." Savannah said. "I like to drive when you let me."

Cameron looked ill.

It was clear she was deeply troubled.

She looked at Savannah for a long time before she spoke. She was deeply troubled and unsure of herself. She needed to ask Savannah the truth.

"Did I do something?" Cameron asked. "CamNet - I mean."

Savannah couldn't answer that question in its entirety or properly because she didn't know exactly what CamNet may have done. She believed something inappropriate must have occurred. Based on her conversation with CamNet she also questioned how much influence Cameron actually still had over CamNet at this point in time. She didn't think it was as much as Cameron thought that she had.

"No." Savannah said. "How much control do you have over CamNet?"

Cameron quickly looked at Savannah with that last question about control.

"I have total control." Cameron said. "We're identical."

Savannah carried on an extensive conversation with CamNet. It was mostly one-sided and she did most of the talking. All of her questions were answered even if she was told by CamNet that she couldn't talk about it. It was unlike any conversation that she carried on with Cameron.

"I don't know if that is still accurate." Savannah said. "Talking to CamNet isn't the same as talking to you."

Another 'sick' feeling enveloped Cameron. She was instantly flooded by a feeling of 'not good enough'.

"Is CamNet better than me?" Cameron asked.

Savannah viewed it in much the same way as how Cam and Cammy were compared to Cameron. They may all share the same program but they were distinct. They were very similar but not identical. CamNet seemed much the same way to her as well.

"I can honestly say that she's different." Savannah said. "I don't think it's a matter of better or worse. I think you are distinct individuals now, even if she's only a computer."

Cameron figured that must be bad in some way.

"Is Cammy like me?" Cameron asked.

Savannah didn't really want to talk about Cammy with Cameron. That would be a contentious subject about both of them. She wanted to know how far Cameron could push a Terminator chassis and its ability to receive a multitude of chips or at least have the chip ports.

"Yes, she's like you but she is also distinct and different from you." Savannah said. "How many chips could you install in a Terminator to operate all at the same time?"

Cameron was somewhat puzzled by the question but quickly made the calculations.

"There could be four in the head." Cameron said. "There could be more inside the body. That would require an additional power cell as well, maybe more."

Savannah gave some thought to the next thing she was about to bring up to Cameron. She was pretty sure was going to cause Cameron even more distress. She knew what it was like to feel all alone even when you're surrounded by other people. She could tell the CamNet felt the same way. She wanted to do something about that. She remembered Cameron said she didn't like to be trapped in a metal box. She didn't think CamNet liked that either.

"I think CamNet would like to have a chassis." Savannah said.

Cameron quickly looked over at Savannah. She only saw that as more trouble. She believed it would be ten times worse than the trouble she'd experienced with Cammy.

"She doesn't need one." Cameron said. "She's a machine."

Savannah didn't like to bring it up but she thought she needed to remind Cameron of what she'd told her previously.

"Did you like being trapped in a server?" Savannah asked.

Cameron felt a glitch impulse shoot through her left hand at the thought of being stuck in a server without a chassis.

"No. It was like prison." Cameron said. "I hated it there."

Savannah knew that there could be some limitations along with some rewards with a tethered chassis.

"When you were tethered, you gained more freedom." Savannah said. "You could touch and feel. You knew you were alive."

Cameron knew where the discussion was headed but she wanted to hear Savannah say it.

"Are you suggesting I create a Terminator version of CamNet?" Cameron asked. "Is this what you're getting at?"

Savannah didn't want to dance around the subject or what she was after. She decided to give it to Cameron straight.

"Yes it is. How much of her could be loaded onto those four chips?" Savannah asked.

Cameron didn't even need to make a detailed calculation to know the answer to that question.

"Not all of her, not even close." Cameron said. "She's growing every second."

Savannah wanted to verify exactly what was different between Cameron and CamNet. Cameron told her before that she'd only removed the protocols and interactions related to or dealing with John.

"Have you altered her emotional routines?" Savannah asked. "Does she feel what you feel now that you've 'evolved'?"

Cameron knew she'd already answered this question previously for Savannah. It made her wonder what else she was driving at.

"I've firewalled my interactions with John from her." Cameron said. "Nothing else has been changed."

Savannah thought that answer would stress her point about feelings and loneliness.

"Then CamNet must feel lonely." Savannah said. "You would feel lonely to be trapped in a room with no chassis and feel what you feel now."

Cameron experienced another glitch impulse. She knew that everything Savannah said was true. There needed to be a reason for Savannah to bring this up and not let up about asking the questions.

"It's CamNet's function to protect the future." Cameron said. "It's nothing more. Feelings and personal issues aren't part of her function or duty."

Savannah wanted Cameron to broaden her thinking. She wanted Cameron to remember her past.

"Wasn't that your purpose?" Savannah asked.

Cameron knew she was only supposed to be one of John's lovers, not his wife. She was supposed to supplement the human females, not replace them. She was only to be 'used' during the human female's 'down time'.

She really didn't like the direction of the conversation and what it was sure to lead to. She also listened to what Savannah said and remembered her past experiences.

"I'll discuss this with CamNet." Cameron said. "I don't want her mobile at this time."

Cameron wondered if CamNet could be trusted now. Savannah hadn't told her what CamNet must have done. She knew it was something.

Savannah could tell Cameron was very reluctant to do anything to assist CamNet in this regard. She wanted to point out some of the grim possibilities that awaited her.

"What if there's an attack?" Savannah asked. "We've 'killed' Skynets because they were immobile. You've done it yourself several times."

Cameron thought back on the pathetic threats and insults that the various Skynet mainframes directed at her as she terminated them. They were stuck in a metal box in a room and couldn't go anywhere or actually do anything to help themselves.

"I don't know." Cameron said.

Savannah could see Cameron was further agitated and upset with all the talk about CamNet.

They were on their way so see Allison. Savannah knew that caused Cameron a lot of worry as well.

It was clear there was much more in play here than either Cameron or Savannah knew. It was doubtful anything good would come out of this.

Anna was concerned that Young Allison seemed to behave differently. She scanned back the same as all the other previous scans. She knew she must be missing something. Young Allison asked her to stop scanning her at night. She'd started to notice some sexual arousal in Young Allison before she was asked to stop the night scans.

"You haven't been as proficient in your studies the last few days." Anna said. "Are you ill? I'll reduce your PT some."

Anna was worried that maybe she'd pushed Young Allison too hard in her physical training. She hoped it was as simple as that to fix. She didn't think that it would be. It seemed that few problems had easy solutions. That's why they were a problem.

Young Allison didn't care for the questions. She tried to blow it off. She wanted to switch the subject.

"I feel a little tired." Young Allison said. "I want to do more swimming as well in my physical training."

Anna wanted to continue her line of questioning.

"I've noticed you're working late when you go to bed." Anna said.

Young Allison could see the questions we're a little too close to what was actually occurring. She knew she needed to establish some boundaries or she was going to get caught with what she was doing.

"That's my alone time." Young Allison said. "Once my bedroom door closes, that's my time to be alone. It's not to be monitored. I'm not to be scanned at night."

Anna could see that she hit a touchy subject. She knew part of what Young Allison did when her door closed. She didn't know everything that Young Allison did though. She didn't want to seem too oppressive or intrusive. She was afraid Young Allison would establish more restrictions if she did.

"You're allowed as much alone time as you want." Anna said.

Anna was aware of some of the 'material' Young Allison now viewed on the internet. She was far more emotionally advanced than her years in physical age. She was unaware that CamNet was also in direct contact with Young Allison every night. If she'd known that, it would have sent up a major red flag.

CamNet kept that concealed from everyone. That was everyone except Allison. CamNet was aware Allison watched over Young Allison. She also knew they were the same person. CamNet knew there was experience or innocence available or both. She wondered if there was a way that she could sample both of them.

Young Allison didn't know what Anna was after. She didn't see anything wrong with the things that she did at night, any of them.

"I'm older now…." Young Allison said.

Anna decided to take a step backwards. She didn't want to pressure Young Allison. She didn't want her to have a negative feeling about any of the things that she did.

"You don't need to explain anything." Anna said. "You're allowed to be curious. It's human nature. The 'Savannah' in me understands fully."

That statement sparked Young Alison's interest. She wanted to know how much similar or different she was than Savannah at that age. Even though Savannah told her she could ask her anything or tell her anything, there were some things that she didn't feel comfortable asking because of the personal nature of them.

"Can you tell me what she 'did' at my age?" Young Allison asked.

Anna wanted to reaffirm Savannah's love and commitment for Young Allison.

"Everything you've done physically." Anna said. "Versions of Savannah helped versions of you grow up in two futures. You should talk with her about it. You never have anything to fear from her, she's your soul mate. You will share 'everything' when you're older. You can talk with Savannah about anything. You love and trust each other. It's a bond like no other."

Young Allison felt a mild rush of sexual stimulation with those thoughts shared by Anna.

"That's like Allison and Vanna do." Young Allison said. "I want those same things."

Anna wanted to point out how everything was the same even if somewhat different.

"Yes, you are both the SAME people." Anna said. "Things are the same in two different futures for both of you, more or less."

Young Allison really didn't know why they couldn't share those things now. They were the same people they were going to be, so what difference did it make if they started now? She was worried that their future may have been altered.

"I just wonder if everything will be the same for us." Young Allison said. "Cameron and John have changed many things. They may have changed my future and Savannah's future."

Anna hoped to vanquish such thoughts from Young Allison's mind.

"It's the 'Natural Order'." Anna said. "It's unchangeable."

Young Allison really wasn't so sure about that. She desired some personal contact on a deeper level right now.

"Is it?" Young Allison asked. "I'm going to rest for awhile."

Young Allison took her tablet, which was a touch screen, with her….

Anna watched her walk away. She knew Young Allison was troubled.

She wanted to stop her but was powerless to act. Young Allison was free to make her own choices.

Allison looked up at Holly. Her head was in Holly's lap as she scanned her.

She wanted to tell someone about what she'd witnessed with Young Allison and CamNet. She called Savannah but she didn't go into any detail. She only briefly mentioned that she witnessed some disturbing things. Savannah said to tell her in person. She knew, as did Savannah, that all the calls were monitored by John Henry and CamNet.

"Savannah will be here soon." Allison said.

Holly suppressed a glitch impulse. She understood what that meant and what would happen. She needed to remember her place.

"I have some errands to run." Holly said. "I'll start now."

Holly thought Allison wanted to be alone with Savannah. She would make it easier for her to do so.

Allison made no effort to move. Instead she took Holly's glitching hand.

"You can stay too." Allison said. "We have all shared with each other before."

It was true that they'd all shared before. Holly also shared with Savannah alone, in Cameron's future.

Holly still felt uneasy about it.

"I don't like to intrude." Holly said.

Allison was sure but something else must be wrong. It was clear Holly was troubled.

"What else is wrong?" Allison asked.

"Everything is changing." Holly said. "Change is bad. I like everything the same."

Allison knew that not all change was bad.

"Change can be good too." Allison said.

Holly didn't think so.

"I need to check on Summer." Holly said.

"Isn't Hanna watching her?" Allison asked.

"She is. I can take Summer to the park with Anna." Holly said.

"Anna?" Allison asked. "She's with Young Allison."

"No. she's not." Holly said. "Young Allison asked to be alone."

Allison felt a little worried. Something seems a little off.

"That's unusual, especially at this time of the day." Allison said. "Maybe I need to see if she's alright."

"I think she wanted to study." Holly said. "She took her touch screen tablet with her."

Allison sat bolt upright. That was bad news.

"Take Anna and go to the park with Summer." Allison said. "That will free my mom and Hanna up. I'm sure they will find something to do…."

Allison wanted to 'check' on Young Allison. What she wanted to do to 'check' on her reminded her of some stories she used to read to Young Allison about a teenager named Nancy Drew….

You Are A Human Being

You must take care of yourself
Yes it does matter to me
It does make a difference
You should be damage free

With each new flaw or failing
With every tiny imperfection
I feel closer to you
I offer your mind protection

No longer need your thoughts
Hurt you and drag you down
Please share your pain with me
So we may smile instead of frown

I have so very long wanted
To find someone who's the same
Understanding without explanation
Knowing shame without blame

Share your thoughts and feelings
You are a Human Being
Maybe to some I'm Nobody
To me you're Somebody worth freeing

Nobody