Chapter 729

All Your Fault

Sheila and Ally entered the structure through the roof. They were in the rafters now. They looked down into the work space below.

"That's different." Ally said.

Sheila pointed at something.

"So is that…." Sheila said.

There were four people lying on the floor. One of them was partially obscured. They were lined up in a row. They all appeared to be deceased. There was another one off to the side. They would need a closer look at that one.

Ally wasn't sure what they'd come across. It was a massacre of some type. Perhaps someone wanted to tie up some loose ends. Death seemed to have a way to do that.

"This looks like Grays have been here." Ally said.

Sheila could tell that these weren't random killings.

"Those people were executed." Sheila said.

Ally was worried about their safety. She was very pleased that they hadn't come in the front door.

"We better be careful and check for motion detectors." Ally said. "This place is probably wired for more than an alarm."

Cameron wasn't sure what they had come across other than a group of dead people. She needed to know more about what they saw inside the building.

"What else can you see?" Cameron asked. "What was done there?"

Ally could see that somebody cleaned the place out. That was except for the bodies that they'd left behind.

"Whatever it was is gone. There are five bodies. All of them look like they were executed." Ally said. "One is off to the side away from the others."

Cameron suspected that the location they were at was a front for Skynet activity. Most likely the decedents didn't know what they were involved with until they were executed. Recently they'd come across Skynet's use of 'patsies' to do their bidding.

"The Grays must not have a Terminator with them." Cameron said. "Is there any sign that there were computers there?"

Sheila could see that the place was stripped clean. Anything that appeared to have any value to anyone was gone.

"There are a lot of wires." Sheila said. "The equipment is gone."

Cameron was worried that they hadn't received this information soon enough. It appeared another group of Grays slipped through their fingers.

"How long does it look like they've been there?" Cameron asked. "I mean the dead people."

From their vantage point above the workroom floor it was hard to make out what was what in that regard. Ally didn't see anyone in an advanced state of decomposition.

"Not that long." Ally said. "We're still up in the rafters."

Cameron figured they were probably indirectly responsible for the untimely deaths of the individuals inside the building. She knew it did really make a difference because they probably would have needed to terminate them anyway themselves.

"It sounds like when we started looking for the hack, the Grays tied up any loose ends on their part." Cameron said. "What was it that Sheila saw?"

Sheila was glad at this point that she hadn't forced the door open.

"The place is wired to explode." Sheila said. "I'm glad that Ally stopped me earlier and suggested another way to enter."

Cameron didn't see them with much weaponry.

"What do you have with you?" Cameron asked.

The Metal girls couldn't carry too much with them since they'd walked down the street.

"We only have our pistols and Tasers." Ally said. "It's daylight still."

Gail had a selection of armaments in the van.

"I have explosives." Gail said. "I have some C-4 with timers. I can bring it to them."

Cameron wanted to rig the place to explode but not tip their hand yet.

"Send some up to them." Cameron said. "We'll set them to detonate tomorrow. I don't want to fool with anything else there. I want to remain in the shadows for as long as we can."

Gail wanted to have an extra option. They didn't know who else would show up at that location.

"I'll also use a command detonator as well as the timer. That's in case we're still watching this place and someone comes back to check on it." Gail said. "We can say 'hello'."

Cameron was ready to move on to the next location. There was nothing of value where they currently were.

"Rig it up and pull out." Cameron said. "It is a dead end, in more ways than one."

Sheila moved around the rafters to get a look at the fifth body. It was a female.

There was dried blood on and around her.

Ally joined Sheila. She didn't like what she looked at. They'd witnessed things like this before.

"I think she was abused." Ally said.

Ally was able to get a different view of the row of dead people. She pointed at something specific.

"I didn't see that before either." Ally said.

One of the males was in bad shape too.

Sheila could tell this was some very deviant behavior.

What Sheila saw here were some of the things Jesse did to others in the future. She knew Jesse was troubled by some of the things she'd done. She'd done all those same things too. All of the people that she'd 'worked on' deserved what they got. Most of them were involved in the sex trade. She wasn't troubled by any of them. She was only troubled by Savannah not approving of some of the things she'd done.

Sheila knew 'payback was a Bitch'. She was a Bitch and she was going to get some payback.

She already decided what she was going to do to this group Grays once they caught them. She could hardly wait. This operation seemed to have a lot to offer. She believed one fought fire with fire. That was just her speed.

John received a report from John Henry.

"Cameron's team has turned up a dead end but it looks like some of the computer activity was done there." John Henry said.

John Henry gave John a sanitized version of what Ally and Sheila found.

It was obvious to John that they'd rattled somebody's cage. It appeared that the Grays attempted to clean up after themselves to prevent more of their operation from being discovered. He looked forward to investigating the lead he was given.

"The leads are paying off." John said. "Maybe ours will have more to offer."

Al already knew the drill. It was their duty to make sure that John remained as safe as possible.

"Dan and I can take a look around." Al said. "We're already parked."

John was a little apprehensive based upon the description of the location Cameron's team took down.

"I want you to use extreme caution." John said. "You heard that the other place was wired. Look for any surveillance equipment."

Cameron was very worried about John at this point. She wanted to reconstitute the Terminators that came with him back into one team.

"John, I want the other two teams that came with you to rejoin you." Cameron said.

John liked the idea of having three teams. It would allow them to cover more of the target locations quicker.

"That will cut down on our recon ability." John said.

Cameron was aware she was a little harsh when she thought that Ally and Sheila took too long to get into the building. Once the bomb was discovered, Savannah looked at her but didn't say anything. She didn't have to; she knew that she'd been wrong by wanting to rush the operation. Now with John safety a factor, she wanted to use extreme caution going forward.

"It will also increase the safety factor." Cameron said. "Whoever was here already left one booby trap. They know someone is searching for them. We all need to be extra careful."

John knew that meant he was supposed to be extra careful. He was more concerned about something else.

It was the nuclear power plant that worried John. That was something very critical, now and in the future. In the future it would be a target to be controlled or destroyed by both sides. He wondered if anyone possessed some information they hadn't released yet about it

"What's the tie in with the nuclear power plant?" John asked.

Cameron was concerned about that lead as soon as she found out the location everything was that. So far nothing turned up. She was sure it meant that they hadn't found it yet. The location of the nuclear power plant was too coincidental not be involved somehow. More than likely it was bound to play some role before this adventure was finished.

"That's unknown at this time but I'm working on it." Cameron said. "I already know my way around there if I need to go back."

John would prefer Cameron not return there. He thought there might be some other possibilities they could substituted instead.

"Does Cammy know it as well?" John asked.

Cammy spoke up before Cameron could answer. It appeared she wanted to make her own point about several things.

"Yes, I know everything Cameron knows and then some." Cammy said. "I'm superior to her in every way."

John and Bob looked at each other. That sounded like a jab at Cameron in reference to Savannah.

Cameron didn't care for Cammy's outburst. She wanted to provide John with extra personnel to protect him anyway. She figured if Cammy wanted to 'mouth off' that she could do it with the General.

"John, Cammy will join your team as well." Cameron said. "It will be just like having me along for the ride."

John knew Cammy was being 'punished' for taking a verbal swing at Cameron.

It looked like another day at the office….

Cameron was still uneasy about having upset Savannah. There was enough trouble with CamNet and the related issues with Young Allison and Anna, now Cammy took a 'shot' at her. It seemed everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. John being there only added to it.

Savannah could see that Cameron was highly agitated right now. She knew it wasn't her place to say anything yet. She was going to if Cameron resorted to any more extreme measures against any of the Metal girls, especially Cammy. She was aware that Ally made the right call earlier about using caution to enter the building. It would have been the wrong call to barge in the front door like Cameron wanted them to do.

Cameron's phone rang in the ominous tone of 'trouble'. She already needed to deal with enough problems, she didn't need any more.

Savannah looked over at Cameron as she received the information. She saw Cameron send a message.

'THIS IS YOUR FAULT.' Cameron typed.

It looked as if Cameron was on the verge of having a breakdown.

Savannah went to ask Cameron what was wrong but Cameron stopped her.

Cameron needed to make a choice and she made it. If John wanted to be the 'General' he was more than welcome to run the operation. There were things more important to her that she needed to deal with right now.

"John, you're in charge of this operation and all personal." Cameron said. "Savannah and I are withdrawing from it."

John looked over at Bob.

Bob shrugged his shoulders. He didn't know any more than John did.

John wondered if he could get any more information out of Cameron. It was obvious she'd encounter another issue of some type. It seemed like a big one.

"Is there a problem?" John asked.

Cameron wasn't about to discuss the latest issue with anyone other than Savannah.

"When isn't there?" Cameron asked.

Savannah waited for Cameron to fill her in on the latest problem. She could only speculate what it was about. She was sure it revolved around the Young residence in Palmdale.

Cameron wanted to make sure that the Metal girls we're all taking care of. She would need to give Cammy a reprieve from her earlier insolence.

"Sheila and Ally will take over this vehicle. Cammy and Gail will stay together." Cameron said.

Savannah watched as Cameron attempted to calm herself.

Cameron shut off both of their coms.

Savannah's wasn't sure what this was going to be about but it sure looked serious.

Cameron looked at Savannah with the deepest concern on her face.

Savannah was worried something very bad may have occurred. She wondered if Allison 'lost' the baby again.

Cameron wasn't sure where to start so she just went ahead and said it.

"Young Allison is - gone." Cameron said.

Savannah was taken by surprise. She was aware that Cameron's words could mean several things. One of them could be catastrophic.

"Gone?" Savannah asked. "Gone where? Where did she go?"

Cameron didn't have any answers.

"She's just gone." Cameron said.

Savannah wondered if Young Allison was abducted. How could this happen with Terminators all around her?

"When was this?" Savannah asked. "How long has it been?"

Cameron didn't have much information to go on.

"It was approximately one hour ago. Young Allison sent CamNet an automatic message to turn the security back on and un-loop the feeds." Cameron said.

Savannah thought it sounded like Young Allison 'ran away'. That was better than being snatched. That still didn't put her in any less danger wherever she was at.

"Are you saying Young Allison has outsmarted the smartest computer in the world?" Savannah asked.

Cameron knew that this was something that they needed to act on as soon as possible.

"Apparently…." Cameron said. "She's gone and there is no trace of her. She left on her own. CamNet is still trying to find out how she did this and where she's at."

Savannah wanted to verify her earlier speculation.

"Are you saying she 'ran away from home'?" Savannah asked.

This was one scenario Cameron hadn't planned for.

"Yes." Cameron said. "We've trained her how to do this very thing, to escape and elude Terminators and avoid Skynet."

Savannah didn't think that Claire was going to take this news very well.

"Does Claire know yet?" Savannah asked.

Cameron looked a little disgusted.

"No. It's only the three of us so far." Cameron said.

Savannah understood that the third 'person' was CamNet.

"Shouldn't we tell everyone?" Savannah asked. "We need to get everyone in on this."

Cameron didn't want to disrupt the current operation or any of the other ones that were ongoing. She still thought that this could be contained.

"I don't know." Cameron said. "This is all CamNet's fault."

Savannah was sure Young Allison would realize the error of her ways very quickly.

"I don't think she'll go far." Savannah said. "She'll realize she's created a disturbance. We all feel this way at times. You have, I have."

Cameron thought the best course of action was for Savannah and her to return to the Palmdale area. It was more important to her to see Young Allison returned home than anything else at this current time. CamNet made the necessary arrangements to provide them with fast transportation.

"I know we all falter at times. As soon as Sheila and Ally are clear, we need to go to the airport." Cameron said. "We'll have transportation waiting for us."

Savannah was ready for another flight. She would have preferred different circumstances under which to have done it.

"What kind is it?" Savannah asked. "Is it a fixed wing or rotor?"

Cameron hadn't been provided that information yet.

"It will be whatever CamNet can get. We'll know when we get there." Cameron said.

Savannah was aware that the Antelope Valley was a very large area. They were under the assumption Young Allison may have had an hour's head start. It could actually be longer than that. The hour time frame could have been engineered to further throw them off of her trail. She didn't think the news was going to go over very well with Claire.

"Where do we start from to look for her?" Savannah asked. "We need to tell her mother. She is going to be worried to death when she finds out."

Cameron was aware that that was going to be hard on Claire. She decided to have one of the cyborgs there take care of the notification.

"I don't know where to look." Cameron said. "I'll have Hanna inform her mother."

Savannah felt the responsibility should fall to her to notify Claire.

"I'll do it." Savannah said. "Young Allison is MY responsibility."

Cameron quickly looked over at Savannah. She could see the seriousness on her face. She wanted to ease her burden slightly.

"Not yet she isn't." Cameron said. "She's my responsibility until you 'bond'."

Savannah saw differently. She wanted to tap more resources.

"She'll be MY responsibility. I need to look out for her." Savannah said. "I'll make the call to Claire. Get John Henry in on this too."

Cameron figured the call was going to be a tough one no matter who made it.

"Thanks." Cameron said. "This is one problem I didn't need."

Cameron continued to check with CamNet and John Henry.

Savannah felt very powerless as she watched Cameron check for any information.

"Has anyone found anything?" Savannah asked.

Cameron was as dismayed as she was proud with Young Allison's actions.

"Neither one of them has anything." Cameron said. "Young Allison has eluded them all."

Savannah was worried about Young Allison's safety. She knew she would come back sooner rather than later. That's what she hoped anyway. She didn't believe Skynet or Grays were currently the biggest threat Young Allison. She believed it was sexual predators and sex traffickers. She was aware that Young Allison would be highly prized by both groups.

It was clear to Young Allison that she could pull this vanishing act off. If a Terminator hadn't intercepted her yet, she believed that they didn't know where to look. It was time to make her next move. The commuter train was already boarding. It would pull away from the station within a minute. It was time to move.

Young Allison was ready to board the commuter train. She stopped before she entered the door. She knew that once she boarded that train and it reached its destination, she would be able to 'disappear'. Something nagged at her from deep inside of her being.

It began to weigh on her as to what she'd done and the problems it would cause. It would cause everyone to worry and put a drain on the Resistance resources. She knew that they would ALL come to look for her, every one of them. Cameron and Savannah as well as John were on an operation and she would draw away people at a critical time. It weighed heavily on her that she currently endangered John and Savannah right now.

She now began to realize that this was all a big mistake. She moved off the platform and headed for a pay phone. She chose which number to call that she believed would produce the least negative feedback towards her. She made a call to a 'drop number'. It was John Henry. She told him to stand everyone down and she would be home in a little while.

John Henry was surprised to receive the call. He instantly knew the location. He'd only been notified about the incident seconds ago by CamNet. It was all quite a surprise to him including the phone call he'd just received. He still had no visual indication Young Allison was there.

"I know where you're calling from but we haven't detected how you got there." John Henry said. "I'll have someone pick you up."

Young Allison didn't plan to be a bigger burden than she already was.

"I'll get home on my own." Young Allison said as she cut the connection.

She made her way back to the bus stop and got on. She entered the same way she'd done last time. She still wanted to avoid detection and see how close she could get to her house. Savannah made it all the way into the house with Cameron acting as a distraction. Now it was her turn. This could be turned into a test and learning experience for all of them.

She was sure she'd eluded everyone.

John Henry patched the call through to Cameron.

Cameron looked over and saw Savannah with her phone in her hand.

"Don't call Claire yet." Cameron said. "Young Alison is on her way back home."

Savannah was still concerned. She wanted to make a point.

"Is Young Allison home yet?" Savannah asked.

Cameron knew that she wasn't. She understood Savannah indicated that it wasn't over until it was over. She believed she knew what Young Allison would attempt to do next.

"No but she's still avoiding detection." Cameron said. "I think she is going to try to infiltrate back into the house."

Savannah thought of her earlier escapade where she'd made it inside the house before she was stopped by a very naked Hanna with a Glock and Taser in her hands.

"Are you going to alert them?" Savannah asked.

Cameron hope to turn this into a training exercise for everyone.

"No." Cameron said. "This will only add to her training, skill and ability."

Savannah was still worried because Young Allison didn't have Terminator protection.

"What about her safety?" Savannah asked.

Cameron didn't believe the Young Allison was the one who would need to worry.

"I pity the fool who stands in her way." Cameron said. "Let's see what she can do."

Savannah didn't like to leave Young Allison vulnerable.

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

Cameron always felt a sense of pride with Young Allison.

"She's only just started to become who she will be." Cameron said. "She will be as close to River and me as humanly possible without any physical modifications."

Savannah could have done without some of the implications in that statement by Cameron. It was clear that Cameron set some very high standards for Young Allison.

"Then I have some work to do to catch up." Savannah said.

Cameron felt a great sense of relief. She looked over at Savannah and smiled.

"You're perfect the way you are." Cameron said. "You're the 'Chosen One'."

Savannah didn't want to go there. She wondered if they would return to the operation.

"I don't know about that." Savannah said. "Is our flight canceled?"

Cameron hoped so. She would still try to get Savannah some additional flight time.

"For now it is." Cameron said. "We'll fly home when we're done here."

Savannah knew Young Allison would be better at her in everything if she wasn't already. She at least hoped her flying ability was still superior.

"That's one area I must still be better in than Young Allison." Savannah said.

Cameron flashed Savannah her sly smile.

"Are you sure?" Cameron asked.

Savannah's eyes widened.

"Oh - come on…." Savannah said.

Cameron laughed.

This Is Your Fault

It spreads like and infection
Through the mind it goes viral
The upward lift turns
Into a downward spiral

What was once grand
Magnificent and full of splendor
Becomes a shapeless mass
Run through life's blender

We grasp and we cling
There is nothing to grab
You can't adhere to emptiness
Only feel its endless stab

Rejecting what's before you
Leaving me befuddled
I try to make sense of it all
My thoughts bunched and huddled

See what you have done
Look at the result
You broke my heart
This is your fault

Nobody