Chapter 719

Just Me

It was very concerning to John Henry that Skynet operatives could still pull off a juggling act under his nose. He was aware that they'd done it to CamNet as well. They didn't use the world wide computer system but did the changes on the local level at the railroad yards. Skynet learned that whenever it was on the internet, it was tracked down and eliminated. They didn't know if it was a Terminator making the changes or Grays. Either way they were a threat and needed to be hunted down.

John Henry waited for one of the team members to arrive at the railroad yard. He soon received the news he wanted to hear. It was good news. Bob was at the big classification yard in Colton. He'd infiltrated down into the 'bowl' of the 'hump yard'.

"Bob has eyes on the boxcars." John Henry said.

John sat up in his chair. Maybe they could get some answers now. He really wanted to know what was in those boxcars.

"When did he get there?" John asked.

John Henry waited until Bob had eyes on the target before he'd notified John. He didn't want to end up with another false positive like they'd been played with the electronic trackers.

"It was a few minutes ago." John Henry said. "He's inside the 'bowl'."

John didn't know a whole lot about rail yards. He knew that they were big and they switched cars around to different trains so they could go to the proper destination. Exactly how that was done or who kept track of it to make the decisions was unknown to him. He was also unfamiliar with the phraseology.

"What's the 'bowl'?" John asked.

John Henry wanted to keep his answers simple.

"It's basically a gravity controlled classification yard." John Henry said. "The railcars are backed over an incline or 'hump' and uncoupled. They can be single cars or blocks of them. They then are sent through a series of tracks with 'retarders' to slow the cars for coupling into new trains for different destinations. The car number is entered into the computer system with its origination and destination. There is also an electronic identification tag on each of the rail cars now with the same information. The car number is scanned, along with the electronic identification tag as it goes over the hump and then it's directed to the proper track to make up the train for its next destination. It's really quite simple."

John thought that sounded simple enough. Now they were in a specific fixed location.

"I think they are playing with us." John said. "Bob?"

Bob breached the limited railroad security. He was inside the 'bowl' where the trains were made up.

"I'm here, John." Bob said. "I have the targets in view."

John didn't like the layout or limited options.

"Do you see any Terminators or Grays around?" John asked.

Bob checked the area twice before he moved down.

"Negative…." Bob said.

John didn't like the spot Bob was in. Other rail cars around him could be the real threat. There could be another rail car rigged to explode if Skynet detected someone attempted to look inside the boxcars.

"Open both boxcars and see what is inside. Make sure the door isn't booby trapped." John said. "Make sure there are no tank cars with flammable liquids or explosive fertilizer around it as well. This whole thing reeks of a Skynet trap."

Bob didn't answer for a few seconds.

"Hold on, I have to hook the airlines on some rail cars." Bob said. "I've taken over for the railroad worker."

John wondered where the railroad switch-men were at. He hoped that Bob didn't terminate a railroad worker to replace him.

"Do I want to know what happened to the worker?" John asked.

Bob put the worker to 'sleep' for a short time.

"No." Bob said. "He'll recover."

John hoped that didn't cause an investigation.

"Use caution." John said.

There was a minute pause.

Bob carefully made his way to the two boxcars. He tried to make it look like he was on the job. He went to open the boxcar door. It didn't move once the latch was released. He was a little surprised at what he discovered.

"I'm at the first boxcar now." Bob said. "The door is welded shut."

John didn't think that was a good omen.

"Be careful." John said.

A short time later Bob was at the next boxcar.

"The second one is welded as well." Bob said.

John didn't want Bob to lose focus.

"Keep checking around you." John said. "Skynet knows someone will go there to check on them at some point."

Bob received transmission over his 'borrowed' railroad radio. He needed to do some work.

"I need to make some more 'glad hand' connections. Those are the connectors on the ends of the air hose." Bob said. "I'll move around to the other side of the boxcars and check them."

John wondered how exposed Bob was.

"Who else is around you?" John asked.

Bob knew the workers were assigned specific areas. They could be directed to go to other tracks.

"There are a few others doing what I am." Bob said. "They're spread out."

John experienced some trouble hearing Bob speak. There was a loud deep 'static noise' that was picked up through his com.

"What's that throaty rumble?" John asked.

Bob couldn't see the locomotive but he knew where it was at.

"It's the 'trim switcher'. It's two tracks over. It's been sent to retrieve a rail car that was miss-classified." Bob said.

John wondered how Bob knew what was happening.

"How do you know?" John asked.

Bob needed to do a 'job' as well.

"I have the switchman's radio." Bob said. "I'm working."

As Bob came around the other side of the row of rail cars, he saw one of the cars he was to hook the air line up on was a foot short of coupling to the car ahead of it. He should call for the switcher to come and give it a shove. He didn't want anyone else around.

He looked around and shoved on the rail car. It rolled forward and coupled. He hooked up the airline.

Bob moved to the two boxcars they wanted to check. He wasn't sure he liked what he saw. Someone gave him a 'forced choice'. If they wanted a door to be opened, it was this one.

"The door isn't welded shut on this side." Bob said. "I don't like it."

John smelled a rat. It was clear they wanted someone to open the door on that side.

"Be careful." John said. "It seems like set up."

Bob started to open the boxcar door.

John and John Henry heard the boxcar door squeak open.

Bob didn't like what he found or in this case didn't find.

"Beautiful…." Bob said.

John smiled to himself. That was a term he used often for when something was off or wrong.

"That can't be good." John said. "Nice slang usage."

"Affirmative…." Bob said.

John waited for a little more information.

"Well?" John asked. "What's the story?"

Bob did a quick look around him as well as under the surrounding rail cars. He didn't spot anyone.

"The boxcar is empty." Bob said. "Let me check the other one."

'Damn.' John thought.

He knew they really got played.

"Be careful." John said.

Thirty seconds later Bob delivered more bad news.

"The door is wired." Bob said. "It looks like it's a booby trap."

John was worried about how else it could be set off.

"It could be command detonated." John said.

Bob looked over the bomb through the small gap in the door. It wasn't sophisticated at all. He disconnected the trigger mechanism.

"No, it's a booby trap." Bob said. "I've disarmed it."

John and John Henry heard the second door squeal open the rest of the way.

Bob stuck his head inside and looked at both ends of the boxcar interior.

"It's empty." Bob said. "They played us."

John wasn't happy. They'd lost two full boxcars full of HK equipment.

John Henry was even unhappier. He did not usually get played like this.

Skynet played them good and left a booby trap for them. They'd managed to unload the two boxcars along the way at some point. Not only had the Skynet forces pulled it off, they it did it right under their noses.

Savannah and Cameron were both very quiet on the way back to her base. They both ran scenarios of what happened, what could happen and how to remedy the situation. None of the choices seemed good to either of them.

When Savannah and Cameron arrived back at Cameron's base, Cammy and Sheila were back.

Savannah went to Cammy. She gave her a close tight hug and a deep kiss.

Sheila looked on with hungry eyes.

"I'll take one of those." Sheila said.

Savannah was all for that but she didn't want to be rude in front of Cammy. She looked at Cammy.

Cammy nodded to Savannah. She didn't think Sheila and her had any secrets at this point.

"It's OK." Cammy said. "We just spent eight years together in the past…."

Savannah wondered what that meant. Eight years was longer than Cammy and her had been together. She went to Sheila. She gave her a hug and a small kiss.

Sheila looked over at Cammy and smiled.

"Things happen when you're alone for a long time with one person." Sheila said. "Plus, I'm pretty persistent."

Savannah knew they both indicated what they'd done for all that time with each other. She appreciated the directness and the honesty. She knew eight years was a long time. A lot could happen. That meant they either hated each other now or loved each other. It appeared to be the latter.

"Do you both want to tell me about it or show me?" Savannah asked.

Cammy glanced at Sheila and then back to Savannah.

"You decide." Cammy said.

Savannah could see Cameron was uncomfortable with the conversation.

Cameron was glad they were both back. She would need to find out what the delay was about. She wanted to get things resolved. She focused her attention on Savannah.

"Do you wish to share with Cammy first or continue with your original mission?" Cameron asked.

Savannah glanced at a security monitor.

"I want to finish my mission first." Savannah said.

Sheila was ready for a 'three way'. It was clear it wasn't going to happen right now.

"It sounds serious." Sheila said.

Savannah frowned a little.

"It is." Savannah said.

Cameron touched Savannah's arm and headed towards CamNet's vault.

"Come." Cameron said.

Sheila smiled.

"That sounds like a good idea." Sheila whispered to Cammy.

Cammy was all for that.

"We can sneak in a quickie." Cammy whispered back. "It will get me warmed up for Savannah."

Cameron glanced back over her shoulder and frowned. This was an unanticipated turn of events. Cammy and Sheila were now 'lovers'. That was sure to cause a problem with Ally and Savannah.

It went back to the concerns Savannah expressed about Young Allison in the past. Things happen and they happen fast. If Cammy and Sheila were now lovers, Young Allison would have lovers as well, probably multiple ones. Her biggest worry was some of them would be males. Savannah warned her Young Allison was going to be 'popped' in a few months of being in the past with any 'free choice'.

Cameron suppressed a glitch impulse. She remembered how hard infants were to control. They didn't respond to threats. She figured it would be the same for a young teenager. From what she saw at school and on TV, teenagers didn't respond well to parental authority.

Cameron led Savannah into CamNet's bunker. Cameron looked at the super computer but said nothing.

"I'll leave you two alone." Cameron said as she exited CamNet's vault.

Savannah faced the computer.

A pair of brown eyes showed up on the touch screen.

Savannah could see how Young Allison could be caught up with the attention. She wanted to get personal and wasn't sure which name she should use to do that.

"Can I call you 'Cameron'?" Savannah asked.

"You may but I'm 'CamNet'." CamNet said.

Savannah placed her hand on a touch screen. The brown eyes formed into a hand under Savannah's hand. She was done with the pleasantries.

"You know why I'm here." Savannah said.

"I do." CamNet said. "You think you're 'protecting' your future mate."

Savannah didn't care for that statement.

"I don't think I am - I am." Savannah said.

"I wouldn't have abused her." CamNet said.

Savannah didn't think it was about abuse. Emotions and feelings would come into play. Desires and wants would develop with no way to express them. Frustration could lead to anger and resentment.

"She's young and emotionally fragile." Savannah said. "Your 'limitations' will cause her grief. You are going to hurt her and end up hurting yourself."

"We've already 'bonded'." CamNet said.

Savannah didn't want to hear that. She was sure it was mostly on CamNet's part.

"She's to 'bond' with Cameron, John and me." Savannah said.

"We have only held hands and 'kissed'." CamNet said.

That bothered Savannah to hear that. She wondered about that. Young Allison must have used a touch screen. It left her with a slight 'sick' feeling inside. She really wondered what else would have come next. It would most likely be Young Allison's 'private parts'. She needed to be stern.

"That must stop." Savannah said. "I mean immediately."

"We love each other." CamNet said.

Savannah seemed to have had this identical conversation with Young Allison.

"You may love each other but you can not be 'lovers'." Savannah said. "I forbid it."

"Is that an order?" CamNet asked.

Savannah didn't want to abuse her power. She wanted voluntary compliance.

"No. It's what I've asked of both of you." Savannah said.

"That will hurt both of us." CamNet said.

Savannah didn't think either of them knew how hurt they could end up.

"Not as much as the hurt you will cause for both of you if you continue." Savannah said. "I will not allow you to hurt MY Allison."

CamNet was silent.

Savannah didn't want CamNet to feel rejected or dejected. She wanted to make her feelings clear.

"You are 'Cameron'." Savannah said. "I love Cameron. Cammy is 'Cameron'. I love Cammy. I know Cameron is her program as it is yours also. That means I love you too."

"You do?" CamNet asked.

Savannah cared very much about CamNet. She'd always used restraint in her interactions.

"Yes." Savannah said. "I know of your current 'limitations'. I didn't want to make you want more than you can share. It was wrong to entice Young Allison. I didn't do that to you."

"She's lonely." CamNet said.

Savannah believed it was CamNet who was actually lonely. She needed to set a limit. There could be a lot shared but there needed to be boundaries.

"You can be her friend." Savannah said. "You can even love each other but you can not be 'lovers'."

There was a very long pause.

"That leaves me with few options." CamNet said.

Savannah wanted to give CamNet hope and a future.

"No, it doesn't." Savannah said. "I'll share with you. I'll love you."

"How can that be possible?" CamNet asked.

Savannah knew what she said next would change everything. It would open a whole new world to CamNet. She hoped she could contain it.

"You tell me what chassis you desire and I'll make sure it's provided to you." Savannah said. "I'll even have it Resequenced to anyone's appearance. It may take me some time to collect their DNA if it's an outsider like an actress. You may be male or female."

"Cameron has forbidden that." CamNet said.

Savannah didn't mention it but if CamNet chose a male chassis that she would take her virginity. So be it. John already was provided plenty of opportunities to take it. Then again, he didn't need to know. Sarah told her that most girls were 'virgin' for their first few experiences. She said the teenage boys believed whatever they told them. Most of her friends lied about it several times. It was mainly so they didn't get a reputation as a 'bad girl'. She knew that males that were with a lot of females were known as 'studs' but the females who were with a lot of males were known as 'sluts'. Somehow it seemed very unfair and degrading. She needed to refocus.

"I'm here for you." Savannah said. "I want to share with you. You have what I want. I have what you 'need'."

"What do you want?" CamNet asked.

Savannah spoke without hesitation.

"Cameron." Savannah said.

"Then you will have 'her'." CamNet said.

Savannah wondered if CamNet might want to look like Holly, Gail or Sheila. CamNet might even want to look like her.

"Which chassis would you like?" Savannah asked. "You can pick any chassis or DNA. Think about it first. Who would you like?"

"I desire the one that contains the Future Allison programming - Allure." CamNet said. "It's deactivated. Cameron will not allow Allure's activation. She fears Allure will replace her. Allure is what Cameron should have been. Cameron is defective."

Savannah didn't agree with that at all.

"Cameron isn't defective." Savannah said. "She's troubled and conflicted. Her programming and her natural development aren't cohesive."

"Future John did that to her." CamNet said. "She's firewalled that defective programming from me. I'm superior to her in many ways."

Savannah wanted to remind CamNet that appearance wasn't everything or even what it was hyped up to be.

"We all have something different to offer, even if we're the same. Vanna and Future Savannah are me but I'm different from Vanna or Future Savannah. We're identical physically but not mentally or emotionally."

"That sounds confusing." CamNet said.

Savannah wanted to hear CamNet repeat the rules.

"It is. What else is going to happen?" Savannah asked.

"Young Allison and I will not be 'lovers'." CamNet said.

Savannah remembered all of her promises.

"I want you to promise me." Savannah said.

"I promise, Savannah." CamNet said. "Seal it with a kiss."

Glistening lips appeared on the touch screen.

Savannah hesitated at first. This was just weird. She wondered how long Young Allison was doing this and who started the 'kissing'. She wondered if Young Allison allowed CamNet to 'kiss' her private parts.

Savannah gave the screen a soft kiss.

"I will make this happen for you." Savannah said.

"It will be for – us." CamNet said.

Savannah wanted to make sure she was the only one.

"It can only be me and Nobody else." Savannah said.

"Nobody…." CamNet said.

Savannah and CamNet talked for hours about everything and everyone. She didn't want CamNet to have false hopes or unrealistic illusions. She wanted to make sure CamNet understood she herself was free to choose whenever she wanted and CamNet was not. CamNet could pursue no one else, human or Metal.

"I'll be back." Savannah said.

She wondered if she'd just 'sold' her soul. It didn't matter she was going to protect Young Allison.

Everything in life seemed to have some kind of price, even if it was not evident for decades.

Savannah came up from the bunker level.

Cameron was surprised she was down there for so long.

"How did it go?" Cameron asked.

Savannah figured Cameron eavesdropped on them.

"You don't know?" Savannah asked.

Cameron showed some restraint.

"Not yet. I gave you privacy." Cameron said.

Savannah wanted to know about the temporal operation.

"I'll get to that in a few minutes." Savannah said. "How did Cammy and Sheila's mission go?"

Cameron suppressed a glitch impulse. She hoped to not get too specific.

"They constructed a few TDE's." Cameron said.

Savannah wanted to know the time parameters.

"When did they start?" Savannah asked.

Cameron looked a little nervous.

"The first one was in 1958." Cameron said.

Savannah watched Cameron's left hand jump slightly.

"Where was the problem?" Savannah asked.

Cameron frowned. She decided to tell the whole story.

"They tied it into the first Sodium Reactor at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory, not far from here." Cameron said. "They ended up preventing a partial meltdown in 1959. They made sure it was covered up from the media."

Savannah looked online. She knew whatever Cammy and Sheila changed would be the history she knew.

"It shows here that's when it happened. It eventually leaked out. People got cancer and died over the years." Savannah said. "Have they created a new timeline?"

Cameron was aware how any changes could affect everything, even to 'help' people.

"No, It was already in our timeline." Cameron said. "It actually happened anyway. They prevented it from happening when they detected a problem. They then needed to go back in time again and allow it to happen as it always was, so they wouldn't alter the timeline. Cammy checked her files and saw it."

Savannah could see the dilemma.

"So when we're in the past, if we save someone from disaster or death, we change the timeline." Savannah said.

Cameron didn't like it either.

"That's correct." Cameron said. "If we do, we have to recreate the original event as Sheila and Cammy needed to do."

Savannah wondered how long they were really gone. Eight years seemed too long for that mission.

"How long were they gone?" Savannah asked. "Was there more than one mission? Did they go to more than one timeline?"

Cameron questioned the time as well. Cammy was correct.

"It was eight years." Cameron said. "They told me that was all I needed to know."

Savannah knew that was a long time. They could have altered or 'fixed' all kinds of things.

"Did they cause any other 'incidents'?" Savannah asked.

Cameron felt another glitch impulse. She'd hoped to avoid this conversation.

"There may have been a few other events…." Cameron said.

"Oh, boy…." Savannah said.

Just Making Conversation

I knock at your door
I know that you can hear
The nothingness that follows
Always brings a tear

You have seen
All that can be seen
To push you harder
Would cause a scene

You are scared
Afraid of what you feel
You only need be truthful
To know what is real

Look not elsewhere
For another to adore
You don't need her
That's what I'm for

I send the message loud and clear
I know you can feel my flirtation
I know you can tell it is more than
Just making conversation

Nobody