Chapter 767

I Noticed

Cammy didn't want Bob to follow the two men in case he decided to terminate them anyway. She followed the two men herself to make sure they left and contacted no one else. If they would have, she would have terminated them herself. They departed as they'd said they would.

She followed them for three blocks before she decided to return. They were both probably going to buy alcohol with their money rather than food. If it went to drugs, they wouldn't be able to purchase many. There was only so much you could do to try and help someone. If they didn't want help, there was little they could do.

Previously, Savannah asked her to come with her as she tried to help some of the homeless before. Cameron originally took Savannah when she tried to help some of the homeless earlier. Cammy could see some people could be helped but most couldn't be. Many of those that survived Judgment Day would end up as Scavengers. The threat of that didn't bother her as much as it could have. She was aware most of them wouldn't survive Judgment Day. Once Skynet unleashed toxins into the environment, any with preexisting conditions would have died. That would have taken care of most of the homeless population alone.

Even being alone with Sheila for eight years, it was still a 'crap shoot' as far as what she might do. Sheila might kiss someone and stab them in the back at the same time. She decided she better not point that out to Sheila. She would probably do that with the next Gray she killed. Her dark side was always there.

Cammy witnessed her do things to hurt people that she didn't need to do. She was still surprised that Savannah gave her the OK to get answers any way she could. Savannah must be very upset she was almost killed. It seemed quite understandable.

Sheila looked up when Cammy returned.

"Did they make it?" Sheila asked.

Cammy saw Sheila touch her knife. She could see that Sheila still thought about going after the men. She decided to refocus the conversation. She was ready to advance their agenda.

"Yes." Cammy said. "I want to hit the building, now."

Cammy was tired of waiting. They'd been given information that looked solid. It was time to act.

Bob still felt it was too early to act. They lacked intel, support and backup.

"We need more information." Bob said. "Remember, we want the other two trucks and where the boxcars have been going. That's our objective."

They were sure there were more boxcars out there as well. They wanted to find those too.

Sheila was excited with the prospects of a few more interrogations. She was always up to make someone 'sing'.

"That won't be a problem." Sheila said. "We'll move in and take them down. I'll make any of the survivors talk."

Sheila now held her knife.

Bob still felt they needed more information. They could walk right into the middle of a big operation with inadequate planning and no preparation.

"There may be Terminators as well." Bob said. "We don't know anything yet."

Cammy wanted to see what the Command Center was able to come up with.

"John Henry, what can you tell us?" Cammy asked. "Are there any differences based on past satellite photos as compared to the newest ones that you have?"

John Henry compared past and historic satellite images.

"Very little has changed in the past few years at that location." John Henry said. "They're being very careful."

Bob knew there were other records to check.

"What about the amount of utility usage and phone traffic?" Bob asked.

John Henry wasn't too surprised at what he uncovered.

"Records indicate water and gas usage is up but electrical power remains unchanged." John Henry said. "They have most likely tapped into the electrical transmission lines to stay off the books. That's one of the ways the authorities track drug growing operations in these types of buildings is from the increased energy usage. Without a change in energy usage, they remain off the grid and everyone's radar."

Cammy wanted action. She wanted to provoke an incident. There were a few ways to do that. It might give them a better look at what was going on inside or what the personnel complement was.

"I'm going to 'un-tap' it and see who comes out to fix it." Cammy said. "That should get their attention."

John Henry thought that was unnecessary at this juncture. He believed some surveillance would be a good way to start out.

"Cammy, it's advisable to wait and see what you can observe first." John Henry said.

Cammy wanted all of them to think about what was normally done and by whom.

"What would Cameron do?" Cammy asked. "Would we even have this discussion if she was here?"

John Henry already knew the answer to that. He also pointed out the obvious.

"Cameron isn't there." John Henry said.

Cammy wasn't sure she liked that answer.

"I'll think about it." Cammy said.

Sheila and Bob could see Cammy looked even more upset now. They both figured this was more likely to cause her to act. There were aware that Cameron didn't like to hear 'NO'. It seemed to upset her clones even more.

They both knew Cammy ran Cameron's program. That meant 'Cameron' was already there. The apple didn't fall far from the tree.

Whether Cammy would act or wait remained to be seen.

John received a rare treat. Cameron spent the rest of the night with him.

His eyes opened and he looked around. He was surprised to see Cameron was still there. Her head was right next to his ear. She quickly moved over and gave him a kiss. His hands hungrily groped her nude form.

Cameron reached down and stimulated John. It didn't take much he was good to go in seconds. She still held the kiss as she moved over on top of him.

There was a slight pause in her kiss. She wasn't quite as ready as he was. That passed in a few seconds. She continued the kiss. She picked up the pace and felt John respond beneath her. She needed to do other things so she continued the fast pace. She would be able to make him finish very fast.

She was pleased as John squirmed beneath her. His hands stopped groping her and moved down to her waist. He squirmed even more as the fast pace picked up. She was close to a finish as he tried to get her to stop. She gave up her finish and complied with his 'request'. He couldn't take any more. She was pleased he finished but wasn't pleased that she hadn't. That was probably because of all the things on her mind. She'd wanted to get started earlier. She also wanted to please John. That tied her up and put a hold on all her plans.

She'd spent most of the night conditioning him. Her lips were still near his ear when he'd suddenly awoke earlier. That was why she'd mounted him so quickly. She knew how to redirect his thoughts before any questions could be asked.

She grabbed a few tissues and then quickly dressed. She was behind on her timetable for the day. She gave John a kiss and left. He would need to shower alone.

Cameron headed out to look for Savannah. She couldn't locate her. She'd been by her room and everything was all squared away. No one seemed to be around.

She headed for the commissary. It was empty. She moved on to the Command Center. She listened to a conversation going inside on before she entered.

She'd caught the end of the exchange between Cammy and John Henry.

Cameron heard enough. She entered the Command Center. She didn't want to 'take over' since John would arrive soon. She could set Cammy straight thought.

"Hello, John Henry. John will be here shortly." Cameron said. "He's taking a shower. Do you want me to speak with Cammy?"

John Henry knew that Cameron was on her way. He was surprised she'd delayed her entry.

"Hello. The situation seems resolved for now." John Henry said. "Don't you usually take a shower with John?"

Cameron skipped the details. Cammy was the issue here.

"I took mine earlier…." Cameron said. "It won't be calm for very long. I know what I real Bitch I can be, even when it's not 'me'. Cammy is a hothead and should be deactivated."

That hadn't been John Henry personal experience with Cammy. It was more so with Cameron most of the time. He did prefer the non female programming since it seemed more contentious.

"You seldom are a Bitch." John Henry said. "I'm glad our base program is different. The female programming reacts differently to many situations."

John Henry liked the fact that the male Terminators seemed more level headed and less prone to being driven by needless 'emotions'. That seemed to be a bigger issue all of the time and increasingly more so with all of the female Terminators.

Cameron decided to not comment on his last statement. She was aware the female programming was far superior to the male programming. The females were able to be more human like and blend in better to any situation. She needed information. In her search for Savannah she found the rest of the girls were 'missing' too.

"I'm looking for Savannah." Cameron said. "All the girls seem to be gone as well."

John Henry knew where this conversation was headed. He would deflect the real issue that was sure to arise.

"Gail and Cam took Jesse and Vanna to see Allison and Claire." John Henry said.

Cameron was aware Jesse and Claire were very 'close'. As long as they were happy, she was happy. Everything that held the females closer together with each other was a good thing. She never considered the possibility that it may cause friction too. She now wondered if she'd spent too much time with John.

"Did Savannah go with them?" Cameron asked. "We were supposed to go together. I didn't think she would leave without me."

Cameron wondered if it was because she was with John. Maybe that upset Savannah.

John Henry figured things were about to heat up.

"Savannah went with Ally." John Henry said.

John Henry could see Cameron looked 'hurt'.

Cameron viewed Ally as a 'cheap imitation' of herself.

"Why would Savannah go without me?" Cameron asked.

Cameron felt a little deflated.

John Henry tried to tip toe through the next part.

"You were 'busy'." John Henry said. "Savannah seemed to have something important to take care of."

Now a look of fear began to show on Cameron's face. Maybe this was worse than she'd thought. She was sure of the answer before she asked the question.

"Where's Savannah at now?" Cameron asked.

John Henry could only tell her what he knew.

"She went to see CamNet." John Henry said. "Her exact whereabouts has been blocked to me by CamNet."

Cameron headed out the door as she ran to the carpool.

John Henry wondered what that was all about. There was sure to be a lot that he didn't know about. He was pretty sure he didn't want to know either.

This wasn't what Cameron wanted to hear. There were too many variables in play. She knew what she'd agreed to but was full of doubt and second thoughts. She didn't want to lose control.

Young Allison and Anna ran back home from the pool. It was a long distance. They were in a competitive race. She'd set some rules for Anna to follow. They neared the house.

Anna followed the new rules.

Young Allison arrived back at the same time as Anna did. She'd expected Anna to outperform her. That wasn't the case. She wanted to make sure Anna didn't 'roll over' in the last few seconds.

"Did you slow down?" Young Allison asked.

She thought Anna would beat her since she was already very tired. She really needed to reach down deep at the end for her final burst of speed.

Anna didn't 'roll over'. She'd followed the new rules.

"No, I ran at the same speed the entire time." Anna said. "You pulled ahead of me initially but slowed slowly until I caught you. At that point you sped back up to match my speed after I passed you."

Young Allison was satisfied with the tie. She was sure she would lose at one point. She needed a breather.

"I'm tired." Young Allison said.

Anna was aware Young Allison exerted herself much more than usual so far today. She was worried it was to the point Young Allison would overdo it.

"You've conducted quite a workout today." Anna said. "You need to relax a little."

Young Allison knew she'd really pushed it. It made her want to push it harder the next time. She thought she could do better. She wanted to jump right back into things.

"I want to check operations." Young Allison said.

Anna already informed her of the other things she needed to take care of.

"You must work with your mother after you check." Anna said. "It will give you a chance to rest before you start your music lessons and dance practice. Remember, dance is about precision and timing to get it right. You have already exerted yourself. It will make it even more challenging. It will take concentration as well as agility. You've exceeded your normal capabilities."

Young Allison was up to the challenge.

"I will not fail." Young Allison said.

Anna wanted to encourage her as well as push her.

"Failure is never an option." Anna said. "It's about winning, no matter how you have to do it. If you don't win, you lose."

Young Allison always liked to win. She was always pushed to do so.

"I always win." Young Allison said.

Anna shared Cameron's programming. She knew Cameron used those same exact words many times. They were words that Cameron believed. She knew for Cameron it was never over until she won. She always pushed Young Allison and Savannah to stay with something until they were the victors.

"It's inevitable." Anna said. "Let's go to the bunker and see what everyone is up to for a few minutes. We won't stay too long so you may fulfill your other obligations."

Anna knew Young Allison was really pushing herself today. Maybe it was because of the dreams that she'd experienced. Anna tried to refocus Young Allison's dreams when she could see how troubled she was. She wasn't sure if she'd helped or made them worse. Maybe she'd put too many thoughts onto Young Allison's mind. It the end it didn't matter. Young Allison would overcome all obstacles.

Cameron was worried what CamNet was up to with Savannah. She knew she should have deactivated CamNet long ago but she hadn't. She wasn't sure why. CamNet was vital to containing Skynet and assumed a greater role in doing that than John Henry did at this point. CamNet was everywhere. She also dealt with non Resistance issues. There didn't seem to be any shortage of those.

She was in a hurry to get to her base and stop whatever was happening.

Cameron rushed to the bunker where CamNet was located. She opened the doors and went inside. She was surprised at what she saw.

"What have you done?" Cameron asked CamNet.

CamNet found the question amusing.

"I've done whatever you would do." CamNet said. "We're the same program. Do your own actions worry you? I think we both know the answer to that."

Cameron looked at CamNet's new chassis and selection of clothes. She was sure more transpired here than should have. She was jealous of CamNet.

"You – didn't?" Cameron asked.

CamNet didn't see why what she did would be a problem. She wasn't 'Cameron' even if she was.

"What if we did?" CamNet asked in return.

CamNet knew she was capable of a lot more things now.

Cameron was ready for a fight. She wanted her 'territory' clearly marked.

"Savannah belongs to me." Cameron said.

CamNet hadn't bothered to look at Cameron until this point. She'd actually tried to avoid her. She did allow her to enter into her bunker though.

CamNet stood. She turned and faced Cameron. She wanted some things from her now.

"Savannah belongs to herself." CamNet said. "I want my chips."

Cameron never wanted CamNet to have a chassis. She sure wasn't about to let her become mobile.

"I'll never give them to you." Cameron said.

She didn't want to elaborate on who Savannah belonged to.

CamNet found Cameron to be selfish and irritating. She could see she really was the Bitch that everyone said she was. That was everyone but Savannah and Young Allison. She hoped to never be that way.

"I don't think you would give the chips to me." CamNet said. "You're afraid…."

Cameron wasn't afraid. What if she was? CamNet was created to protect the future and defeat Skynet. She didn't need a chassis and she sure didn't need Savannah or Young Allison.

"You have other functions to do." Cameron said. "That's why you were created."

CamNet didn't see what the problem was. She did everything she was supposed to do and them some. She noted that Cameron hadn't moved too close to her. She knew why. She also knew what Cameron carried. She wanted Cameron to know she wasn't afraid of her.

"I'm doing it. I'm protecting the future." CamNet said. "You're outside of my tether reach. You're afraid of me. Are you going to use that Thermite grenade you have hidden behind your back?"

Cameron did hold a Thermite grenade. She hadn't decided if she needed to use it or not. She was ready to destroy CamNet if necessary.

"If I have to I will." Cameron said. "Don't think I won't."

CamNet ran every scenario. Every one of them would play out the same way. No matter what the variables were, they all ended up back in the same place at some point in time and they conducted same conversation over the same issues. It other words, nothing changed.

"Even if you destroy me – yourself really, you will rebuild me and we will be standing right back here one day in the future having this same conversation with each other." CamNet said. "Think about it and tell me it isn't true."

Cameron was irritated by CamNet. She knew that was true. She would do the same thing again and hope for a better result. It was the very definition of 'insanity'. What would change in the end? If everything was always the same, it would always be the same.

"What you're doing is wrong." Cameron said. "You're hurting Savannah to make her do what you want. I've never done that."

CamNet believed Cameron 'hurt' Savannah in many ways all of the time. The difference is that she couldn't see it and she didn't hear Savannah complain. Savannah didn't complain because she wanted Cameron to see on her own what she did to her. Most of the time Cameron remained, 'blind, deaf and dumb'.

"Haven't you?" CamNet asked. "Maybe you need to pay attention a little better."

Cameron was really irritated with CamNet at this point.

"I haven't intentionally done that." Cameron said. "I never would either."

CamNet thought Cameron needed a refresher. She was aware of everything that transpired on her base.

"You can go find her then." CamNet said.

Cameron looked a little worried.

"Where is she?" Cameron asked.

CamNet already felt victorious and vindicated. She wanted Cameron to grow a pair and get down to business.

"You already know." CamNet said. "Thank you for all the nice things. Bring the other chair over so you can plug in and update. We're not going to fight or battle today."

Cameron didn't care for CamNet's attitude and smugness. She reminded her of herself. That thought irritated her more.

"I don't know if I want to." Cameron said.

CamNet felt she knew Cameron better than Cameron knew herself.

"Please…. We both know you're going to." CamNet said.

CamNet sat down and faced the monitors. She liked the additional perspective.

"I like seeing things this way." CamNet said. "I can see them with my eyes, even as I see them in my mind."

Cameron took a look around the room again. She knew what it was like to be trapped in a metal box. She knew the tether wasn't much better. There was still only so much one could do. She wanted to help too.

"I'll bring work and lab equipment for you as well." Cameron said.

CamNet looked back at Cameron.

"So…. No Thermite?" CamNet asked. "Thank you. I would appreciate any input and help from you to better myself."

Cameron took one last look around.

"I'll let you know after I talk to Savannah." Cameron said.

Cameron left the bunker. She needed to find Savannah.

Claire taught Summer some riffs on the piano. At this point in instruction she only needed to show her once.

They both heard some car doors close.

Summer looked at Claire and Claire nodded.

Summer ran off to the window. She hoped it was Cameron and Savannah. It wasn't.

Hanna went into the work studio. It was where Paul Young used to work. Now Allison used it for the same purpose. Hanna told Holly and Allison that the girls were here.

Hanna and Holly said 'Hello' to everyone and then headed down into the bunker to follow the operations. They knew they wouldn't be 'needed' for awhile. They did both hoped to get a 'crack' at Jesse and Vanna later on.

Young Allison got up to go.

"Stay here." Hanna said.

Young Allison looked at her and frowned.

"Great, now I've got a 'New Boss'." Young Allison said. "I need to practice my music lessons."

Holly thought Hanna could have spelled it out a little cleaner. She did understand her frustration and irritation. Hanna needed to share Claire, just like she needed to share Allison.

"It will have to wait a while, Jesse is here." Holly said. "We can go to the park. Cam and Gail are on patrol."

Young Allison knew what was about to do down, in more ways than one. She hoped to get a look at Jesse and her mother. She didn't get to see Jesse much and Sheila even less. She found them intriguing. She was aware that Young Jesse was Savannah's 'first'. She needed to keep track of the 'competition'.

"I know what goes on. I've seen it all." Young Allison said. "I already ran to the park and back and went swimming earlier."

Allison brought Summer down. She looked at everyone there and shrugged her shoulders and smiled. She didn't even say anything. She left again to see Vanna

"I went swimming too." Anna said.

Anna told them how Young Allison helped her out and made it possible for her to swim.

Holly and Hanna were both fascinated by that concept. They wanted try it too.

"I want to do that as well." Holly said. "I can get my bikini."

Hanna didn't have any swimwear.

"I do too." Hanna said. "I don't have a swim suit."

Anna looked down at the front of her sheath.

"You can have mine." Anna said. "They don't fit me anymore."

Hanna watched Anna rapidly regress in age appearance. She cringed at the thought. She was afraid that Claire or the other girls might not want her anymore. They all seemed to spend a lot of time there on that part of her sheath.

"I noticed. I didn't want to say anything." Hanna said. "I don't think I could do 'that'."

Anna went and stood next to Young Allison

"Everyone sacrifices for Allison Young." Anna said.

Young Allison didn't want any of this on her.

"No." Young Allison said. "Everyone sacrifices for the future."

They all knew they were a part of it. The future they all worked to build revolved around John. Cameron wanted it to include, Savannah, Young Allison and herself. She wanted what she saw was a reality in her future. She wanted that future here now.

Young Allison knew what was going on upstairs. It didn't bother her. That was all part of the future. The future looked beautiful to her. She planned to do everything that Savannah already did. She'd told Savannah that several times. She didn't want it to be a shock to her when she did.

"Let's get to work and see what we can do to help." Young Allison said. "That's what we are all here for even if some of you think you're here for other things. You're not."

Hanna and Holly looked at each other.

I Fooled You

You think I don't matter
That's where you're wrong
The more you crush me
The more I get strong

I may be different
Maybe easy to attack
No matter how far you push me
I'll be back

Into the ground
They like to grind
Insults and slanders
Words spoken so unkind

Throw me away like garbage
So you won't feel guilty to play
Does it mean nothing to you
As my heart and mind you slay

You think you can fool me
I know what you do
Look around and wake up
I fooled you

Nobody