Chapter 743
I Hate Him
Bob and John drove towards the location where the power plant property manager lived. Gail, Sheila and Ally followed them. They spoke of some personal things along the way.
John wanted to talk about what happened in the motel but knew he couldn't, not yet anyway. He knew Savannah was correct in her reasoning. Maybe it would take some of the pressure from Cameron off of them about 'mating'. If Cameron was to start having some kind of meltdown or acting strange, they could tell her the truth. If not, when they did actually make love, it wouldn't be as big a blow to Cameron. She would only think it was a continuation. They wouldn't tell her it was really the first time.
He didn't want to think about what he saw Savannah do with Cameron assisting her with the female Gray. Cameron actually prevented Savannah from stopping or letting go. Cameron made Savannah keep her hand on the woman's throat until she died. He saw it.
Bob's voice brought John back to the present.
"We're getting close." Bob said.
Bob was a little concerned about John. He seemed to be lost deep in thought at times. He didn't think now was the time to let personal issues interfere with operational issues.
John quickly refocused. He looked around at the homes where they were at.
"This is a nice neighborhood." John said. "It looks like he was well paid."
John Henry was able to provide them with some additional information. He thought maybe it was something he should have detected before but hadn't. He was pretty sure at some point the finger would be pointed at him for missing all of this.
"I've traced his financial records." John Henry said. "He made millions on the side dealing with the Grays. The money was hidden in offshore accounts. CamNet has already taken control of the accounts and drained them."
John knew that Cameron could be ruthless at times.
"Cameron doesn't like to fool around." John said.
John Henry wanted to make John aware who was responsible.
"It was actually CamNet." John Henry said.
John looked over at Bob with John Henry's statement.
"What's the difference?" John asked. "Isn't it the same as you and your server?"
John Henry knew it was much more complicated than how he interacted with his server. Cameron created the most powerful supercomputer on earth with the creation of CamNet. It was based on her program but since then the program had grown immensely. Some of the interactions reminded him of Cameron and Cammy when they butted heads.
"CamNet has become its own 'identity'." John Henry said. "Cameron seems to have less 'control' of her."
John was aware of some of the problems that Cameron experienced over the years. He could only picture the problems being worse with CamNet.
"Nice…." John said. "What's next, CamNet becomes Skynet?"
John Henry wasn't sure what exactly would set CamNet off. It could be a singular event or a combination of them or a group one after another.
"If she becomes angry or feels threatened she might." John Henry said.
That didn't sound very encouraging to John. It made him think about John Henry and his server. What was to prevent any supercomputer from going rogue? It didn't seem like much, especially if it felt threatened.
"Would your server do that as well?" John asked.
John Henry thought he should use some moderation with his response. He did say there was a significant difference between Cameron and CamNet in their association as compared to his computer and his server.
"It's always a possibility." John Henry said. "I'm in control almost every hour of every day. Cameron is not. I share a lot of interaction with my server all the time. Cameron is seldom plugged in."
John was in charge of the Resistance. He wondered what his status as General would have over Cameron's supercomputer. He was painfully aware that he had little control over Cameron. He figured it would only be worse with a disassociated computer located in a bunker somewhere.
"Would I have any control over CamNet?" John asked. "I mean in a positive way."
John Henry thought about John's inability to control Cameron in any way.
"It's doubtful." John Henry said.
John was a little perplexed. If Cameron couldn't control it and he couldn't control it, he wondered if there was anybody that could.
"Would anybody have any control over it?" John asked.
John Henry was a little hesitant to give John an answer. He was aware of a number of factors that probably shouldn't be discussed.
"I believe so." John Henry said.
John waited for John Henry to elaborate on his answer. No more information was forthcoming. He decided to prompt him.
"Who?" John asked. "Would it be Savannah?"
John Henry was aware that CamNet responded in a positive manner to Savannah.
"She would, I'm sure to some extent." John Henry said.
John was still dissatisfied with John Henry's answer. He felt he held back. He wanted a better answer.
"Then who would it listen to?" John asked.
This was a discussion that John Henry would prefer not to have.
"Allison." John Henry said.
John was a little surprised to hear that. Allison was seldom involved in Resistance operations anymore.
"Why her?" John asked. "I need to see how she's doing and check on her pregnancy."
John Henry tried to break it to the John in a more roundabout manner.
"Allison is too young for safe conception." John Henry said.
John Henry wondered if Cameron would use hormones on her to speed up the process. Upon further reflection he knew it was something that Cameron would do.
John sat in silence for a few moments as he contemplated what John Henry just revealed. He tried to run it through his head but always seemed to come up with a brick wall.
"Are you talking about – YOUNG ALLISON?" John asked.
John Henry was aware that every Allison needed to start from some place. In this timeline there was technically only one Allison Young, even if there was another version of her in this timeline from another timeline.
"Yes. That's the 'true Allison'." John Henry said.
John listened to everything John Henry said. It was still hard to wrap his head around it. He wanted to verify his conclusion with what John Henry indicated.
"So the most powerful computer in the world, can only be controlled from destroying the world, by an adolescent girl?" John asked.
John Henry didn't want to get into any of the details of some of the things that he was aware of regarding Young Allison and CamNet. He didn't know all of the specifics of what Savannah was up to yet. He knew she was on it to refocus CamNet away from Young Allison.
"That's my observation." John Henry said. "Savannah is the next one closest that might control or calm it. Savannah seems to have gained more influence recently."
John Henry was unaware that Savannah exerted more control over CamNet on her own. In fact, Savannah now was the one to have the greatest influence over CamNet. Savannah did that to 'protect' Young Allison.
John really wondered what Cameron was up to with her creation of CamNet.
"What has Cameron created?" John asked.
John Henry believed that Cameron created what was necessary to defeat Skynet no matter where it hid or dwelt.
"Something capable to destroy Skynet on its own terms and in every arena or battlefield." John Henry said. "Cameron's only done what you programmed her to do, Future John anyway."
John could have done without hearing about Future John. Just a short while ago he could see some beauty in what Future John wanted. Now he was confronted with an apocalyptic scenario.
"It seems the more I find out about him, the more I hate him and never want to be him." John said.
John Henry didn't think John needed to look any further than what was in front of him a very short time ago. There was a reason for that. Future John wanted to make sure John was provided with a safety net specifically to prevent him from becoming him - Future John.
"I think that's why he sent Cameron." John Henry said. "To prevent that very thing and make you a better person."
John thought about what almost happened in the motel room with Savannah. There was also the beautiful experience in the restaurant.
"I need to start listening to Cameron more." John said.
John Henry thought that was sound advice. He was aware there could possibly be a reason for that as well.
"Remember, Cameron may have done this more than once." John Henry said.
John sadly reflected on some of Cameron's trials and tribulations. There was a lot of sacrifice on her part to carry out her mission as directed by Future John.
"Maybe she has." John said. "She believes in what she's doing, no matter how much it must hurt her."
John Henry felt that Cameron's options were limited. He spent time on her chip and reviewed much of her programming.
"It's in her programming." John Henry said. "She doesn't have a choice."
John wondered about that. Could he ever program Cameron to do everything that he apparently did in the future as Future John? There were multiple life changing events that occurred to numerous people.
Bob listened to the entire conversation as he drove. He chose not to become a part of it. There was never anything good that came out of these types of discussions, nor was there ever anything that was actually changed either. He wanted to get John refocused before any action started.
"John, we're approaching the target's house." Bob said.
John looked back. He didn't see the van anymore.
"Where did the girls go?" John asked. "All I see in back of us is an 'Escalade'."
Bob watched the girls switch vehicles earlier. They'd also contacted John Henry to make sure but there would be no APB put out for their new ride.
"The girls have 'upgraded' to a vehicle more suitable for the neighborhood." Bob said.
John wondered if he'd been too caught up in his conversation with John Henry. He'd tried to monitor where they were at as they approached the target area.
"When did they do that?" John asked.
Bob didn't see the need to get too specific. He was aware that the Metal girls we're going to take the lead and act on their own. He was supposed to make sure that John didn't end up in a combat zone.
"Somewhere along the way." Bob said. "Ally's driving now, Sheila is next to her. This is where you need to use your head a little bit, John."
John thought about what Bob just indicated. He wanted to be part of the main operation. He knew that if he put himself in too much danger that Cameron would channel even more of their resources to come and protect him. Now it was time to take a step back and be the support group. His main worry was that they would act too soon before they gathered all the information that they could. He felt that was Cameron's biggest drawback but then again, she always got the job done.
"I think we should let them take the lead then and we can hang back to reinforce them if needed." John said. "Ladies, this is a RECON. Don't forget."
John was a little worried as to how much influence he would actually have over any of the events that we're about to occur.
Ally liked their new ride. Sheila liked it as well. Cameron already told them to take the lead on the assault that was sure to follow the current operation. They were a little surprised at John's last transmission to them.
Ally and Sheila looked at each other.
"Who's he talking to?" Sheila asked. "What ladies?"
Ally was a little surprised at the wording herself. There were often other terms used to refer to them as they interacted with each other.
"I think he means us." Ally said. "Nobody refers to us as 'ladies'."
Sheila thought of some of her heated conversations with Ally.
"I've been called a lot of names but never dignified as a 'lady'." Sheila said.
Ally wanted to rub it in on Sheila a little bit.
"I think 'hussy' or 'tramp' might be suitable to describe you." Ally said.
Sheila didn't like being categorized by those terms. She was actually more used to being referred to as a 'Metal Bitch' or a 'Metal Whore'.
"Hey!" Sheila said.
John started talking which prevented Sheila from responding further.
He went over everything he wanted done and how. He didn't want them going 'Cameron' on him and taking out a residential block.
When John was done laying out the plan, Sheila finished her thought to Ally.
"Girls or skirts, seems more appropriate." Sheila said. "Ladies, makes us sound 'old'."
Ally quickly looked at herself in the rear view mirror. She decided she was going to take some preemptive action.
"I'm going to reset my sheath Resequencing to a younger age now, so I LOOK younger." Ally said. "Anna was asked to do that by Cameron, she is going to look like a young teenager."
Sheila quickly calculated what Ally and Anna would look like. She was instantly stimulated by her calculations and the images she created.
"Would you really do that?" Sheila asked. "Now I want to see that too."
Ally thought it was an interesting assignment.
"It's for when Cameron takes Young Allison into the past." Ally said. "She was going to ask you first."
Sheila looked down at the front of her sheath. She thought she would be required to make a few changes that she really wasn't willing to make.
"Why me?" Sheila asked. "I wouldn't be able to wear my jewelry."
Ally was pretty sure it would be a bad idea for Sheila to wear any of it on that assignment.
"Your size and build would blend in better." Ally said. "You would be like a young, Young Jesse at that point."
Sheila was pretty sure that size didn't matter for what would be the main obstacle during that time.
"My 'ethnicity' wouldn't blend in." Sheila said. "I felt a lot of 'negativity' when I was in the past with Cammy. My accent seemed to make it go a little smoother. I'm not really sure why."
Ally was aware a lot of things were different in the past.
"Things were different then." Ally said. "I bet you and Cammy couldn't be seen as being 'lovers' either."
Sheila didn't care for some of the looks and comments that were directed at them when things got carried a little too far away at times.
"We needed to be careful." Sheila said. "Everything was 'in the closet' then."
Sheila knew a lot of the details of what Cammy and she did in the past were blocked and locked up. It was so they could not tell anyone the specifics of what happened and if there was any interaction. CamNet did that to them upon their return. They were unsure what files were removed or locked even. All the personal files were there. At least they thought they were. If any were removed, they wouldn't know.
John Henry wasn't sure that Ally and Sheila paid enough attention to what was about to happen. He wanted to make sure that they were combat ready.
"John wants you to take the lead." John Henry said as he interrupted them. "I've been and am suppressing your conversation from everyone."
Sheila wanted to mess with John Henry a little. She didn't really care what anyone thought about her or anything that she did. Well, that wasn't quite true. She did worry about what Savannah thought of her.
"I'm out of the closet, love." Sheila said. "Deal with it. That's your hang up, not mine."
Actually it wasn't a hang up for John Henry. It was something he enjoyed following. It was the talk of the time mission that could be a problem. He knew that if he heard it that CamNet heard it as well. That's where the problem would arise from. He wanted to make sure that they understood the nature of where the problem would arise from.
"Young Allison's 'time mission' shouldn't be discussed." John Henry said. "It will cause a problem."
The 'Allison' on Ally's chip didn't agree with some of the decisions that Cameron was going to make for Young Allison.
"We all know what Cameron has planned for her when she gets back." Ally said. "Everybody knows what is going to happen. She will be treated as prized 'livestock' for breeding."
They all thought Cameron would breed her and take Young Allison's baby from her and keep it as her own. No one decided to comment on that aspect. It would surely only bring trouble.
John Henry was aware of the earlier trouble that the girls experienced with Cameron. He really didn't think that they should push it and reopen what was already closed.
"I'll let you deal with Cameron then." John Henry said. "I don't think you want to push her any further tonight."
Ally didn't look forward to chip extraction and then having her chip crushed.
"No, we don't." Ally said.
Ally and Sheila were aware they pushed Cameron to the edge. Later Cameron apologized to them. They both knew if Cameron would have crushed their chips in a rage, the apology later on wouldn't have mattered. They would have both been terminated.
"John wants to speak to you now." John Henry said.
Moments ago:
John attempted to contact Ally and Sheila but was unable to get a response.
"Are you there?" John asked. "Their coms must be off."
Bob figured he knew why but said little.
"Maybe…." Bob said.
Ally figured they'd better become a little more responsive so they didn't create a problem.
"John, we're here." Ally said. "We were taking care of a few other matters."
John hadn't heard much from Gail.
"Is Gail with you?" John asked.
Sheila thought the extra vehicle gave them a little more flexibility.
"No, she still has the van." Sheila said.
Gail would have preferred to have gone with Savannah and Cameron. She knew that she needed to yield to Cammy. Right now she was there to protect John and serve as the backup force
"John, I'm on the side streets a few blocks over." Gail said.
John wanted the Metal girls to do a recon first before they tried anything.
"I want Ally and Sheila to do a drive by in one direction and Gail to follow it up a few minutes later from the other direction." John said.
Ally felt the recon needed to be done on foot.
"We're not going to see much that way." Ally said.
John really wanted the Metal girls to use some restraint.
"Remember we suspect there's a Terminator involved now." John said. "It will escalate into a shootout in this fancy neighborhood, if we are not careful. I don't want that."
Sheila felt John's caution was unwarranted. She'd conducted plenty of off the books operations with Cameron to know how to get things done.
"Let me recon on foot past it also." Sheila said. "Ally or Gail can warn me if it looks like a problem. I have my Taser."
John didn't want things to get carried away before they could have a better plan in place.
"Don't engage unless you're confronted." John said.
Sheila had dealt with more than one hostile Terminator before. She was always able to make them think they were about to face a human instead of another Terminator.
"Please, do you think Cameron is the only one who worries about her sheath?" Sheila asked. "If I see a Terminator and can act, I'll bring him down. He won't make me as a Terminator at first. My jewelry will cause him hesitation that I'm a Terminator as well. That's the whole point. All I need is that fraction of a second jump."
John wanted to make sure that Sheila understood that there would be help nearby.
"We'll be one minute out, Ally and Gail should be about the same, maybe less." John said.
Sheila knew that she needed to act right away.
"If the fight goes on that long, you'll hear gunfire first." Sheila said.
John wanted to give Sheila some additional support. He needed to do it in a way that wouldn't cause everyone to have a problem.
"I can ride with Ally or Gail, and Bob can accompany you." John said.
Ally felt they were all getting ahead of themselves. They didn't know anything yet.
"Let's do the 'drive-bys' first." Ally said. "This all may be nothing."
Sheila saw all of this as a 'non issue'.
"I think I'm better alone on foot." Sheila said. "We can all do whatever Cameron can…."
John was sure there was a sexual connotation to that statement.
He decided to ask how far they would go. He knew Cameron was willing to blow herself up with a nuclear weapon to stop Skynet.
"Even with what she's done?" John asked. "She's gone to extreme lengths several times. You would do that as well?"
Ally wondered if he understood Savannah would do the same thing. She thought about pointing that out but decided not to. They all knew Savannah stayed with Cameron when it looked like Cameron was trapped and unable to do the time transfer. Savannah could have stepped into the time bubble and escaped. She never even looked at it. She remained with Cameron. It looked like they were going to perish together.
"If it comes to protecting you or the group, we all will." Ally said. "Cameron has all of our programs copied, at the most, we lose a few weeks, a new chassis and we're good to go. John, she's taken all the big risks herself, to protect all of us, even the Terminators. She's willing to sacrifice herself for all the rest of us, human and Metal."
Sheila believed they operated from a good foundation.
"Cameron has it covered for all of us and herself." Sheila said. "Remember we're our program, not our chassis or sheath."
John thought about some of his past experiences with Isabelle-Cameron and Metal Summer.
"I've been reminded of that multiple times." John said.
"Maybe you should start listening then…." The voice sounded like Cameron's voice.
John didn't ask but he was sure Cameron was the one who made the last statement. If not, it was CamNet.
I'm Not Your Enemy
You've seen me fall
Viewed my very fragility
Now I'm treated
With anger and hostility
I've seen your feelings devolve
I now experience animosity
Having evolved into
What you see as a monstrosity
Where there once was harmony
There's now discord
Where are the feelings
For the one once adored
Between us there was
Always a feeling of contentment
Now tragically replaced
With growing resentment
You treat me with disrespect
View me with enmity
Can't you understand
I'm not your enemy
Nobody