Chapter 805

Sucker Punch

John went over all the data. He wondered how the Grays or Terminators behind them were able to pull this off so fast. It reminded him that Terminators didn't waste time or fool around. When it was time for action, they were always ready, on both sides.

The ambush was very elaborate and thought out. It was clear it was set up specifically for the Resistance. This appeared to have been planned for several days, with extensive preparation.

John wasn't exactly sure what it was that they were about to face.

"So is this an ambush or a trap?" John asked.

John Henry tried to assess that question himself. He wasn't sure exactly when this plan was put into effect but the goal seemed to be to attempt to capture some of them rather than terminate all of them. The actual goal was probably to try to capture Cameron. Skynet wanted the 'Metal Bitch' that seemed to haunt its operations and thwart it at every turn.

"This looks like it's both." John Henry said. "We weren't scanning for hidden HK equipment like this before. This must have been in the works before the events of earlier today. I think they planned to draw us out here because it's so remote. Cammy's team just got lucky at the other site."

John thought Cammy's team was lucky. They were lucky none of them were terminated. He watched much of the body cam footage as the events unfolded. There was a lot of non stop action going on both inside and outside the building. He needed to think about the warning Savannah gave him on the Grays that came to check out the location where Cammy's team took action.

"What's the status of the Grays you're following from the other location?" John asked.

John Henry began to wonder if it was part of another sucker play. Savannah's warning wasn't lost on him either.

"They're still on the move." John Henry said. "Savannah's warning may be true as well about them."

John thought about Savannah a lot. For some reason whenever he was with Cameron, he always thought about Savannah in the morning when he woke up. He didn't think that he dreamt about her but there were images and ideas in his head as if he had. He often wondered if he would go to bed with Cameron one night and wake up with Savannah next to him. He always thought that Cameron would switch with Savannah during the night so that in the darkness he wouldn't know the difference right away. He was OK with that concept. If he was going to 'mount' Savannah, he'd like to know ahead of time, especially when it was her first time. He really wanted to watch her face as she experienced something new.

"Savannah is amazing…." John said.

John Henry believed that both of the 'Chosen Ones' were amazing.

"Allison will be too - Young Allison." John Henry said.

John looked around and a frown appeared on his face. He didn't want to think too much about that. He thought about Young Allison way more than he should. He was pretty sure that he actually thought about Young Allison even more than he did Savannah in the mornings, especially after he'd been with Cameron. He secretly hoped that if Cameron was going to switch out with someone that would actually be Young Allison. He knew that he shouldn't dwell on her but he did. What he didn't know was it was all part of his 'conditioning' that Cameron conducted on him as he slept. She always pushed the 'Natural Order' whenever she was with him intimately.

"Let's not talk about that." John said.

John Henry believed the 'Natural Order' was unchangeable. Cameron made that very clear to him numerous times. She backed it up with files from her future if anyone ever questioned her about it.

"It's your destiny…." John Henry said.

John didn't want to go there right now. He didn't want to be distracted with the operation about to unfold. He wanted to keep his mind clear and not have it drift.

"Let's not talk about that either." John said.

John was aware of his future and what Future John shared with Duplicate Cameron, Future Savannah and Future Allison. He wanted all of that too. He just wasn't sure if Cameron would be able to deal with all of it. Maybe if Savannah and Young Allison shared their children with Cameron as a co-parent that would be what she needed to truly accept everything and everyone. The thought of Young Allison looking like Future Allison was very enticing to him. He didn't like to admit it but he was very enticed by the way Young Allison looked currently. He didn't know most of that was from Cameron's secret 'conditioning' procedure on him.

Cameron's words brought John back to the real danger they were about to face now.

"John, we're ready to move into position." Cameron reported.

Now John felt guilty because he'd been thinking about Savannah and a teenage version of Young Allison. It was really something to look forward to, even if this wasn't the right time to think about it. He still didn't know the reason why he thought of it all so often was because of the 'conditioning' he received from Cameron whenever she was around. He didn't know it but it might actually be a good thing for him that she wasn't there every night all night long. Who knows what she would have been able to 'convince' him to do by now if she was.

Savannah liked the plan that she'd come up with. She'd formulated it with Cameron and John. She just wasn't sure if it would work. She was still worried they didn't have a big enough advantage. She wanted a distinct advantage and she wanted to deliver a 'Sunday Punch' to do it. She believed that she needed to let Cameron know she wasn't satisfied with how things developed.

"Cameron, this still feels 'off' to me." Savannah said.

Cameron wanted everyone to pause until she could discuss this further with Savannah.

"I need everyone to hold." Cameron said.

Savannah called Cameron off to the side.

They shut off their coms.

Savannah came up with a few ideas based upon her encounter near the nuclear power plant. She didn't want to discuss them with anyone else other than Cameron. That would only be when no one else could hear them. She'd previously discussed them with CamNet. She was sure that she'd come up with a way to disable all types of Skynet equipment on the battlefield. If the technique worked it could also be used against the Resistance machines of all types. The weapon was a double edged sword.

"I think we should use an EMP." Savannah said. "I want to use two of them in conjunction with each other."

Cameron was very worried about how she'd been afflicted at Serrano Point. With all the unknown energy that was in the 'air' at times.

"You saw what happened to us at Serrano Point. YOU saved us and stayed behind." Cameron said. "You know those can damage us."

Savannah was able to witness the effect and danger first hand. It actually disturbed her very much as she saw how all the Terminators and drones were affected. She believed that there were certain ways around it if it was known in advance what was going to happen.

"I do." Savannah said. "But if you all shut down for a certain length of time first. There should be no damage."

Cameron thought about that. If they all went into a timed shutdown first, ahead of the EMP, they could reboot quicker after the EMP actually detonated. That would give them a distinct advantage. It appeared to be an effective strategy. She wondered what the second EMP was for.

"Why would we need two EMP bursts?" Cameron asked.

Savannah had given this idea a lot of thought. She believed it could be very devastating if it was used as she thought that it could be.

"The first one is to shut down the Skynet equipment. The second one is to go off when they start to reboot. They won't be in 'safe' mode then." Savannah said. "I've been working on this idea. It's a theory."

Cameron quickly saw the severity of this plan and far reaching implications. To suffer the effects of an EMP blast and not be able to be in any form of safe mode would most likely prove terminal. There would be no reboot at that point. There would be nothing left to reboot. Every electrical system would probably be fried.

She quickly looked around to see if anyone may have listened to them. She wanted to try this plan out but under her conditions.

"That would fry all of them." Cameron said. "Tell this plan to no one. This could compromise all of us. We're going to use it in a clandestine manner."

Savannah wondered how they were going to carry it out if nobody else knew.

"How do we execute it then?" Savannah asked.

Cameron was aware of a few things Savannah wasn't aware of.

"Your Guardian Angel will help us." Cameron said.

Savannah wasn't exactly sure who Cameron referenced.

"Do you mean CamNet?" Savannah asked.

Cameron knew that they would need her help as well. She wasn't the only one.

"CamNet will help too, she already has." Cameron said. "Your other Guardian Angel will also assist in this project."

Savannah was pretty sure what the reference meant now. She wanted to make sure.

"Do you mean Gail?" Savannah asked.

Savannah was a taken aback by the rapidity of what Cameron indicated.

Cameron could see that Savannah was a little confused. She actually was as well. It was CamNet who informed her on what was about to happen.

"Gail is bringing the 'packages' - YOUR 'packages', with the manned drone." Cameron said. "I'm getting the information from CamNet now."

Savannah was worried her theory hadn't been tested to see what it would actually do. She was actually surprised there was something already assembled. When she was alone with CamNet it was one of the things that she'd confidentially discussed with her.

"It hasn't been tested yet." Savannah said. "I worked with CamNet on it. We know the EMP units you designed and built work. The concept of the double blast itself hasn't been tested. That was my idea alone and it's unproven."

Cameron thought some real life testing would be the real test.

"Can you think of a better test?" Cameron asked.

Actually Savannah could think of better ways to test it.

"Yeah, one where we don't all risk ending up terminated." Savannah said.

Savannah didn't want their Terminators damaged by something she did. It still seemed like a good plan, at least in theory anyway. Since CamNet was sending Gail with two EMP devices, it appeared she believed in it. Then again, CamNet wasn't there but most of her 'competition' was…. It was something she didn't want to think about but couldn't help but think about it anyway.

Claire reentered the bunker. She was about to start down the stairs. She figured that she'd been gone long enough and everything should be wrapped up by now.

"I'm back." Claire said. "Are they coming home now?"

Young Allison understood the potential of the current operation could be much worse then what her mother already witnessed with Cammy's team. What the team had been able to uncover so far indicated the Skynet forces wanted to fight. It appeared that they wanted to fight because they thought they were going to hold the upper hand. They didn't know that the Resistance already determined what they were up to and would be able to combat it.

"Keep her away." Young Allison whispered to Allison. "This is just getting started. Anything can happen still."

Allison got up and stopped Claire at the entrance to the bunker.

"Mom, I need your help with a few things." Allison said as she led Claire away.

Allison turned and gave Young Allison a thumbs up as she disappeared with Claire.

'We can talk.' It was the message that flashed on Young Allison's screen. 'I asked Anna to obtain a headset for you, only you will hear me.'

Young Allison wasn't so sure about this.

'Where is it?' Young Allison typed.

CamNet gave Young Allison the location.

It appeared CamNet put some thought and planning into it.

'I don't know about 'this'.' Young Allison typed.

'I want to talk.' It was the message that flashed on Young Allison's screen.

Young Allison was worried about her promises.

'I promised Savannah….' Young Allison typed.

'You care about her very much.' It was the message that flashed on Young Allison's screen.

Young Allison wanted CamNet to know how she felt.

'I care deeply for her.' Young Allison typed. 'I love Savannah.'

'I understand you love her. Do you love – love her?' It was the message that flashed on Young Allison's screen.

Young Allison wasn't ashamed of her feelings at all.

'Ye….' Young Allison started to type.

Allison returned to the bunker entrance.

Young Allison cleared her screen. It appeared that the clandestine and seemingly personal discussion with CamNet was over.

Allison paused for a moment as she looked at Young Allison.

"What happened?" Allison asked. "You look very nervous."

Young Allison decided to dodge the issue.

"Savannah and Cameron are formulating a new plan." Young Allison said.

Allison thought they'd just come up with a plan.

"Again?" Allison asked.

Young Allison was aware that things could change in an instant. She'd witness that more than once.

"The situation is fluid." Young Allison said.

Allison knew from firsthand experience how that worked.

"Aren't they all?" Allison asked.

Young Allison glanced at the security camera.

"Yes." Young Allison said. "Everything is always changing…."

Young Allison wanted to talk to CamNet. She knew they weren't supposed to pursue any type of 'relationship'. She was sure CamNet was going to. This was one area her education and training failed to cover. It was how to deal with personal relationships. She knew from observation they were very involved and sometimes turned messy. The 'Natural Order' always put her with Savannah, Cameron and John. There was no need for any other training. That was how CamNet seduced her before. She was lonely and isolated and so was CamNet. She knew that if she let her guard down that it could happen again.

Savannah wondered if Cameron knew why she wanted two EMP devices when she first requested them. She honestly didn't expect something that was only discussed to actually be something that was on the way to their location at this point in time.

"Did you know why I wanted two of the EMP units?" Savannah asked.

Cameron tilted her head slightly. The answer seemed obvious.

"I knew that you wanted them to use." Cameron said. "I didn't know how you intended to use them. CamNet instructed Gail to install them on two missiles and she's bringing them to us."

Savannah was still a little confused as to how all this is put together. Maybe Cameron knew more than she thought. She wouldn't doubt that at all.

"Did you know about this?" Savannah asked.

Cameron frowned slightly.

"No." Cameron said. "CamNet keeps many things from me. I only learned a short while ago that Gail was on her way. It was only after you spoke of your plan that I was made aware of the EMP armed missiles. CamNet only informed me then."

Savannah wondered how CamNet would have used them if she hadn't informed anyone. She understood the need for secrets but there were way too many secrets among the key players. That isn't the atmosphere that she wanted to operate in going forward.

"I want that changed." Savannah said. "I ask that both you and CamNet work together and never fight, especially over me. It's very degrading to me to see the ones I love fight over me. I won't tolerate that again. I'm not 'property' and I've never treated anyone in that manner. You know how much that hurt me when you and Cammy fought. It still HURTS me to even think of it. I'm not a possession. My love is given freely to those who have earned it. If anyone wants to be a part of my life, they need to respect me and my values as well as the things I've asked for that are about fairness and love. I don't ask for very much from anyone. I never have. The things I do ask for, I expect for them to be honored and respected."

Cameron didn't know what to say at first. She still remembered the sound of Savannah crying and how she must have felt inside. It was the deepest sadness and sorrow. It was the kind of pain that NEVER goes away. She needed to suppress a glitch impulse. She didn't want to hurt Savannah inadvertently ever again.

"I'm deeply sorry for that." Cameron said. "Why aren't you communicating with CamNet now?"

Savannah wanted to make her point.

"I am." Savannah said. "I'm talking to you…."

Savannah knew that would force Cameron and CamNet to communicate better. That's what she wanted. She wanted cohesiveness, not competition. If they wanted to share with her, if they wanted to share her, they needed to respect her. If anyone wanted to objectify her or 'own' her, then they didn't understand her at all and they were focused on the wrong individual.

Cameron went over the plan to fire the EMP device with the rest of her Terminator troops that were on site with her. She needed to be clandestine as to the exact nature of what was about to happen. She explained it was a new type of EMP and very powerful. Everyone would need to be shut down for a few minutes. It would need to be longer than a normal time span. She didn't tell them there would be two devices and not just one. She wanted to keep that a secret.

Everyone looked a little concerned as to exactly what was going to happen and how it would affect them.

Savannah could see there was a lot of apprehension. She wanted to address that herself.

"I want everyone to know this is something I worked on myself." Savannah said. "I don't want anyone to worry about what's going to happen as long as they follow the instructions."

Savannah's statement seems to cut the tension from the air.

They may have all been a little worried if only Cameron was behind it. She was known for being a little reckless at times. The 'Chosen One' wasn't.

CamNet would control the launch sequence of the two missiles from the manned drone. Gail was instructed to land near Sheila and back her up.

Cameron said it was unknown if the manned drone would be far enough away not to crash.

The manned drone would remain unmanned for the duration of the assault.

Cameron didn't want anyone to know what really happened. They still didn't know if it would work.

She thought it was safe for the manned drone from the distance CamNet would initiate the two launches. She didn't want anyone to know what they really did if it worked. It may turn out as a way to destroy a mass group of Terminators, including their group.

They planned to use some bait to get the Skynet forces powered up and ready to fight. They wanted to make sure none of the Skynet forces were in standby at the time the EMP attack was launched.

It was decided to have the drone on reconnaissance make a high speed pass at the building and fire its minigun at as many of the concealed targets as possible. That was to make sure they were online. They would power up to defend themselves. The three hidden HK drones would be specifically targeted on the pass. Those would be the biggest threat to them once the attack was started.

They would send the truck that Steve's team arrived in towards the structure first. If they were 'led' there, the truck was compromised anyway. There would be no one inside it. It was to further make sure the Skynet equipment was powered up to fight the 'assault'. The path of the truck would be between two of the HK Tracks, as it headed straight for the building. That maneuver should insure those were powered up and online as well

The team members would come back online twenty seconds after the second EMP fired. They would have time to reach the hidden targets before any of the Skynet equipment rebooted again. That was if they were even able to reboot. There was still a chance their Terminators would be damaged. It was a small chance. They could be operable but lethargic. This was an unproven concept and there was going to be a lot of EMP energy blasted through the atmosphere in the area around them.

Gail set the manned drone down near the Iroquois and got out. The now unmanned drone took off. It was a pure drone at this point.

Gail was a little upset she needed to give up the manned drone.

"I wanted to be able to help protect Savannah." Gail said.

Sheila wanted Savannah protected too. She wanted Gail to know what Savannah did for her.

"Savannah protected me today." Sheila said. "Cameron was going to punish me."

Gail understood why Cameron would punish Sheila.

"I saw that stunt you performed." Gail said. "I know Cameron wouldn't want the younger girls to see that. Summer and Jan may have seen that."

Sheila knew it was her fault.

"I wasn't thinking." Sheila said. "Ally dared me and it went crazy from there."

"What was your punishment to be?" Gail asked.

Sheila was still bothered by what Savannah was willing to do for her.

"Savannah said, she would take the punishment in my place herself."

Gail was very upset at the thought of it all. She knew how far she would go to protect Savannah. It was all the way.

"I wouldn't have allowed that to happen to Savannah." Gail said. "I would have prevented it, even if I needed to submit to chip extraction afterwards."

Sheila saw the other Metal girls rally behind Cammy to come to Savannah's assistance. Sheila decided she would do it to herself first, before Savannah faced such harsh punishment. She could see Gail was sincere as to what she was willing to do

"You really love her." Sheila said.

"I do." Gail said.

Sheila wondered how much Gail loved Savannah over her other lovers.

"Do you love her more than Jesse or Duplicate Jesse?" Sheila asked. "Remember, YOU are my base program."

Gail wasn't really sure how to explain it.

"It's different." Gail said. "Our programming keeps expanding and we're all experiencing 'feelings' and 'emotions' that no one ever foresaw. I doubt any version of Skynet ever realized this would happen to its 'perfect' creations."

Based on her own actions, Sheila was aware that Terminators of any type could end up very far from where they started out.

"Look at the Liquids…." Sheila said. "I don't think any of us is perfect anymore, if we ever were. Maybe Anna is. I don't know."

Gail believed Anna was very special.

"Anna has 'Cameron's' and 'Savannah's' programming on her chip." Gail said.

Sheila was mindful of the time. This was one instance where she didn't want to be caught with 'her pants down'.

"We need to get ready to follow Cameron's instructions." Sheila said.

Gail was warned about the dangers specifically by CamNet.

"Make sure you follow them exactly." Gail said. "The weapon is very destructive."

Sheila was afraid Cameron wasn't done with her yet….

"Maybe I'll be lucky and never reboot." Sheila said.

She was sure there was going to be a 'run in' when they were alone. She knew it was better to do what Cameron wanted and keep Savannah out of it.

The Usual Rules Don't Always Apply

Things aren't always
As they may seem
Especially if it's part
Of some ill gotten scheme

We can hope and pray
Or even try and wish
But often in the end
We're still trying to fish

What can be constructed
Can as easily be demolished
Something that should be polished
Is now simply nullified or abolished

Back to the drawing board
To give it another try
To recover from being floored
We reach back into the sky

What's carefully planned
Doesn't take much to go awry
When what should be is not
The usual rules don't always apply

Nobody