Chapter 836

What About You

Claire was in the kitchen as she worked on lunch. She noticed a heart shaped smiley face on a piece of paper stuck on the refrigerator with a magnet. Underneath the heart it said, 'I love you, Mom'. It was signed by Allison. Right away she knew it was from Young Allison. She always made a little heart to 'dot' the 'I' in her name when she wanted to be sincere.

She thought about all the training that Young Allison received. She wondered if it was all necessary. Maybe it was. She'd been to Cameron's future and she saw what an ugly place the future was. She was really pleased to meet Future Allison, 'a third version' of her daughter. As strange as that was, she knew where there were others as well. One was 'in some future', the other one was five hundred years into the future.

With John Connor – Future John, in the future, Cameron's future, things went better for the Resistance and the Scavenger problem that Allison faced in her future was greatly diminished. She watched Future Allison give advice and comfort to Future John. That would be her Allison that would soon do the same thing.

It was a little hard for her to imagine that her 'little girl' wasn't so little anymore. She would be doing 'big girl' things soon enough, if she hadn't already started. She didn't want to pry into her daughter's sex life. One thing was more than clear as to what her future held. She knew without a doubt that her daughter would be with Savannah Weaver in the future, no matter what happened. That was one thing that she would never have a problem with. She knew true love when she saw it. She saw it in the present with Allison and Vanna and she saw it in the future with Future Allison and Future Savannah. She was very pleased that she'd been able to share with three different versions of Savannah. Sometimes she felt a little guilty about being with her daughter's future lover but usually not for very long. Savannah was very special to be with.

She touched her belly as she worked in the kitchen. Right now Allison's baby was inside of her. She planned to carry another one for Cameron. When she was done with that she planned to have another child herself. She wanted John to be the father of that baby. Cameron assured her that it would be conceived in the traditional manner. She desperately wanted that experience with John. It did worry her a little bit that when she was with him she would have already delivered five babies. She hoped 'things' down there didn't get stretched out too much from all the childbirths. She'd read in Cosmo where some husbands complained after childbirth that it didn't feel like anything 'down there' anymore when they were with their wife. She knew that wasn't the case for most women but she did know it was for some. It was a sobering thought to think about. What she wondered the most was when she was with John if she would be able to 'finish' with a male. So far that never happened with any male that she'd been with. It did however happen with every female that she'd been with. Sometimes she wondered if there was something wrong with her. She read in Cosmo that nine out of ten times females never finished with only sexual intercourse itself, that was usually what the males were after. The ones that did finish usually required some other type of stimulation even if they needed to provide it for themselves. That'd always been the case for her when she was with Paul. He would take two or three minutes to do 'his business' and then he was done with her. She was always displeased with the mess that he left behind that she needed to deal with. She needed to wait until he fell asleep and then she would finish herself off.

She realized that she'd been sidetracked and lost in her thoughts. She needed to refocus. It was her daughter that she was worried about. Maybe all the training would help her and John for the future.

Hanna worked next to Claire in the kitchen.

"You seem troubled." Hanna said.

Claire wondered if she froze up for a while as she was lost deep in her own thoughts. She believed that those were all legitimate thoughts.

"I'm worried about the future and everything that comes with it." Claire said.

Hanna wasn't sure if that was the real issue or not. If nothing else, it was probably part of it. She'd been to the future with Claire on Holly's chip and in Holly's chassis.

"We're working to try and prevent what you saw." Hanna said.

Claire remembered all the devastation that she'd witnessed and how almost everything was destroyed or ruined to some extent. She remembered all of the sick people that were there as well. She remembered how many females were sterile because of Skynet.

"Can we stop it?" Claire asked. "Will we succeed?"

Hanna tilted her head slightly. There was no real answer for that question.

"I don't know." Hanna said. "Nobody knows."

Hanna was aware that some version of Skynet could still take control anytime. If it was in one of the nuclear capable countries that existed as little more than third world countries, that would be the catalyst to get things started to create a worldwide nuclear event and the rise of Skynet.

There were several loud 'clangs' as the crane shoved the rail cars back a few feet as slack was created in the drawbars. Cameron started to hook up the 'rear end device' when the train let out a loud hiss of air along its length. She continued to hook up the rear end device. After a series of 'clang' noises, the train started to move. She hurried after it as she quickly finished up. She got everything hooked up as the train pulled away from her. She watched it depart for a few seconds. It didn't appear that the head end crew knew that one quarter of their train was still sitting on the mainline.

"John Henry, in a few minutes once the train is clear, I want you to fly the drones out." Cameron said. "You can discontinue the looped telemetry on the 'rear end device'. That way all of the safety devices will work as intended for the train crew."

Cameron didn't know what would happen for sure with the rest of the train but she wanted the train's crew to have all their safety features. She knew for sure it was what Savannah would want. She figured that John probably would as well but she didn't really care what he wanted or not.

John Henry controlled the CTC and dispatch elements of the rail operation.

"The control of the rear end device is back to normal." John Henry said.

Cameron wanted to get as many things done as possible as quickly as possible. If multiple things could be done at one time, she wanted to do that.

"How much time do we have before the helper locomotives arrive?" Cameron asked.

John Henry checked the CTC board for the locomotive's progress.

"The 'borrowed' locomotives should arrive soon at the rear of what's left of the train." John Henry said.

Cameron's goal was to capture all of the HK equipment and attempt to rejoin the back portion of the train with the rest of the train that was currently moving. She didn't want whoever would check the train at its next stop to know that the load had been tampered with. In this case, not only was the load tampered with, it would be gone as well. There were several thoughts in her mind on how to do that and mask everything.

"We'll try to unload everything from both boxcars so you can get the back half of the train moving." Cameron said. "Start giving the front half of the train yellow lights in two signals. As soon as we get everything unloaded, I'll ride on the front of the first boxcar of the second half of the train and try to couple them back up to the moving train."

John instantly disliked Cameron's plan.

"That sounds very risky." John said.

Cameron didn't need anyone else's opinion.

"I'll manage." Cameron said.

John Henry thought things would get a little complicated for Cameron once she reconnected the train.

"What about the rear end device?" John Henry asked. "You need to take that to the rear of the train and reconnect it."

Cameron didn't think it would be too big of a problem. It would just take a little time.

"I'll carry it across the top of the train to the back. I will hook it up and get on the helper locomotives." Cameron said. "I'll then uncouple them and you can return them."

John wondered how Cameron was supposed to get back at that point.

"What about you?" John asked.

Cameron felt that she knew her way around.

"I think I can find my way back." Cameron said.

Cameron really understood why she liked to work alone.

Savannah and Young Allison watched the road grader approach on the dirt service road.

Dan lifted the blade. He came out onto the street. He turned the road grader around and parked it.

"Hi, Dan." Both girls greeted him.

They each gave him a hug, which seemed to make him 'happy'.

"I'm to remain here with you until we need to depart." Dan said.

Young Allison didn't think that she needed a babysitter.

"You can fly with Savannah." Young Allison said. "I have the Cessna under control."

Dan looked at Savannah. It was clear he didn't think that was a good idea.

Savannah decided to sweeten the deal she was going to make for Young Allison. She wanted to give her a little incentive to go back home.

"Dan was going to let you have some 'stick time' in the Beechcraft on the way back." Savannah said. "It was a surprise I wanted to save for you."

Young Allison's eyes widened.

"Really?" Young Allison asked.

Dan picked up right away what Savannah's end game was.

"Of course." Dan said as he winked at Savannah. "I'll take off and you can get some 'stick time' in during the flight home."

Savannah wanted to get young Allison out of the danger zone. She wanted to enhance the deal a little bit more to further entice her.

"Since you're at Bingo fuel, maybe you should get started, Dan" Savannah said. "If you tank up along the way, Allison will be able to get a few hours flight time in."

That sounded like a great deal to Young Allison. There must be more to it than that. Then it hit her.

"Wait. You are trying to get me out of harm's way." Young Allison said. "What about you?"

Savannah looked at Young Allison and spoke with total honesty.

"I'm asking you to do this for me." Savannah said. "Your mother is going to be worried if you're out too long. I promised her you wouldn't be in harm's way."

Young Allison could see that it was going to develop into a less than favorable situation if she didn't cooperate with what Savannah wanted. She spotted something on the dirt road.

"What's that?" Young Allison asked.

Young Allison pointed to where the railcars were parked.

Dan looked over and in typical Terminator fashion told her what it was.

"That's Anna running down the dirt road." Dan said.

Anna arrived a couple of minutes later.

"I'm sorry it took so long." Anna said. "Cameron wants me to stay with you two."

Savannah figured there was a little more to the story and she wanted to hear it.

"Anna, what's up?" Savannah asked. "Is there a problem?"

Anna just decided to lay it out rather than dance around the issue.

"Cameron sent me to reinforce your team." Anna said. "She wants both of you out of here."

Savannah saw things a little differently. She wasn't impressed with the conversation that she heard between Cameron and the Command Center.

"I won't withdraw until Cameron is clear." Savannah said. "I heard that stunt she wants to pull. I'll speak to her about it. It's very risky and unsafe."

Dan thought it was risky as well. He decided that he would do it.

"I can do it in her place." Dan said. "That will free her up to leave with both of you."

Savannah was sure that wouldn't happen. She didn't want anybody else to engage in risky behavior either.

"You know Cameron won't endanger anyone else." Savannah said. "It's unsafe for you too."

Young Allison didn't believe that statement was correct. At least not in its entirety.

"Cameron endangers you all the time." Young Allison said. "I've seen it. You know I follow all the operations."

Savannah wanted to stand up for Cameron in her defense.

"Allison, they're events that 'just happen'." Savannah said. "She isn't doing it on purpose."

Young Allison compared it to the current situation and what was sure to follow.

"Like this one 'just happened'." Young Allison said. "We all know this thing is going hot at some point."

Dan and Anna both heard a sound they didn't care for. They looked back toward the train.

"Drones." Dan said.

Savannah and Young Allison both moved away from the airplanes. Savannah moved next to Young Allison. She would shield her with her body if she needed to.

They saw two drones rise up from the train and take off almost straight up. The front of the train was no longer in sight. The unmanned helper locomotives could be seen and heard as they arrived.

Savannah wanted to make sure there was a little better control over the events that we're about to unfold.

"I want Frank to be in the locomotives when Cameron is on the front boxcar of the back half of the train." Savannah said.

Anna didn't think that was necessary.

"John Henry can operate them." Anna said.

Savannah wanted to make sure her position was clear. She wanted someone in direct control of the train.

"I want Frank in the cab." Savannah said. "I mean, when they leave with Cameron on the front of the boxcars."

Anna wasn't sure if it was going to cause a problem or not.

"I'll inform her." Anna said.

Savannah wanted to take some control of the situation

"Anna, you'll return Allison home in the Beechcraft." Savannah said. "She'll get some 'stick time' in under your direction on the flight home."

The smile faded from Anna's face.

"What about you?" Anna asked. "I need to watch over you too."

Savannah knew that she needed to be with Cameron or at least close to her for the events that we're about to occur.

"You already know the answer." Savannah said. "I'll need you to do as I have requested, PLEASE."

Young Allison started to protest.

Savannah calmed her down and reassured her she would come by later. She again reminded them to watch their fuel.

Anna and Young Allison climbed into the Beechcraft after giving it a once over. Anna instructed Young Allison on the engine start up procedure. Anna taxied out and took off on the road. They returned and 'cut the grass' as they flew past Savannah and Dan, everyone waved.

Savannah watched them fly off into the distance. She sure hoped they listened. Young Allison could be a real wild card at times. She was pretty sure Young Allison wasn't done with this operation yet either.

Dan could see that Savannah changed all the duty assignments.

"Are you going to send me away as well?" Dan asked.

Savannah already knew what she wanted Dan to do and why.

"You can return the road grader." Savannah said. "I think the road would be even better with a second pass. It will be very even then."

Dan looked worried.

"Is that a problem?" Savannah asked.

Dan was certain that it was going to cause a problem.

"That will cause a problem with Cameron if you're left unattended." Dan said. "If I leave you unattended, Cameron will be angry at me."

Savannah needed to think of a 'workaround' that would be acceptable to everyone.

"I understand that. Let me think of a solution." Savannah said. "Let me check in with John Henry and CamNet."

Dan looked surprised.

"Do you speak directly with CamNet?" Dan asked.

Savannah wondered why Dan was so surprised. Maybe it was because he was a Resistance Terminator as opposed to one of Cameron's Terminators.

"Yes." Savannah said. "I'm going to see her later on as well."

Dan looked at Savannah with new awe.

"You've been in the 'Clean Room'?" Dan asked. "You've been in CamNet's 'Clean Room'?"

Savannah didn't think it was a big deal.

"Yes." Savannah said.

Dan was still under the impression that any contact with CamNet was forbidden by any of the Terminators. Those restrictions had been relaxed some, especially with the female Terminators.

"You truly are the 'Chosen One'." Dan said. "Nobody is allowed near there, let alone to go in there or even 'speak' to CamNet."

Savannah wondered what Dan would say about all the things she'd already 'done' with CamNet and the 'things' she still needed to do…. She needed to make sure that Young Allison was protected from herself more than anything. She would offer CamNet whatever it was that she desired as long as Young Allison was no longer pursued with an unhealthy emotional relationship.

She also, on her own, wanted to offer CamNet a better existence than she previously existed under. She honestly didn't think that any intelligence should be trapped in a metal box with no way out and nowhere to go. She believed that a chassis gave them a real world perspective. It was a way to turn theory into a real life and real time application.

Cameron sent Anna to take the girls away. She doubted Savannah would leave but at least Young Allison would be returned home. She knew that Savannah would see to that.

As soon as Cameron sent the drones out, Frank and her started to unload the HK Tracks from both boxcars. They used the burro crane to do it. The HK Treads were going to be more difficult. They may overload the burro crane's capacity. She could have used Anna's help. She did see the Beechcraft take off and come back and make a low pass. She figured at least Young Allison was away for whatever events were about to unfold at their location. She didn't know if Savannah was with them or not.

Cameron heard a rumbling sound and quickly looked between the two boxcars.

What The Hell?

The road grader was on its way back. That wasn't part of her specific instructions to Dan.

She'd told Dan to remain with Savannah at all times. Cameron jumped up on the couplers and was going to go find out why he disobeyed her. She tried to see where he'd left Savannah. There was going to have to be some punishment for disobeying her.

Cameron now wondered if Savannah 'ordered' him to come back. If she did 'order' him, then he didn't have a choice. She would need to find out more before she acted. She didn't want to put him in a predicament.

What she saw next solved any problems related to that.

With the extra height of being on top of the couplers, she saw the Cessna following behind the road grader. With two passes on the dirt service road by the road grader, the dirt was smooth and level enough for the Cessna to take off of now as well. That was good thinking on Savannah's part. Savannah always managed to impress her even further. This put them all in the same area and freed Dan up to assist with the unloading procedure.

John wanted to know a little more about what was going on at the work site. He was specifically worried about Young Allison and Savannah.

"What's happening with the girls?" John asked.

John Henry hoped that some of the information would ease John's mind a little.

"Young Allison is away from the target area." John Henry said. "She's flown away with Anna. Savannah has elected to remain with Cameron."

John was relieved that Young Allison was out of danger. The fact that Savannah remained didn't surprise him at all.

"One gone is better than both of them being there still." John said. "With the destruction of the 'four by four', that might bring more Grays or even HK drones."

John Henry was sure what happened to the occupants of the truck would be self evident to anyone who viewed the wreckage.

"Well, it was a 'railroad accident'." John Henry said. "They were on the track where they shouldn't have been. Anyone who finds them will be able to see what happened."

John hoped so. It also reminded him of a saying that he'd heard ever since he was a kid.

"Now you know why when they say it's a 'tie' between a car and a train at a railroad crossing that the train always 'wins'." John said.

John Henry was still impressed with the quickness that the Grays were run down and terminated.

"The collision was quite spectacular." John Henry said.

John checked his monitors along with the satellite overlay maps and team positions.

"Tom appears to be the closest one to that location." John said. "He needs to make sure the men are both dead and none of them was a Terminator. Maybe he can find some intel."

John Henry knew there was still going to be more time involved before there could be an actual inspection.

"Tom is almost to the dirt service road." John Henry said. "He is turning onto it now. It will still take him some time to get there."

John listened to what was happening at the work site. There was one thing that still concerned him about some of the equipment that was inside of the boxcars.

"I'm concerned about the HK Treads." John said. "Did they get a second flatbed?"

John Henry knew that the teams of Terminators on the way would make sure that everything was covered.

"Yes." John Henry said. "We have two on the way."

John thought about the unnecessary procedure that Cameron wanted to do.

"I still don't like Cameron's plan." John said.

John Henry didn't think that was anything new. He wondered if John really understood why Cameron operated on her own and in the dark most of the time.

"Do you ever?" John Henry asked. "There are three teams of Terminators about to arrive as well."

Cameron moved the HK Treads up to the door on each boxcar.

Dan parked the road grader back where he'd 'borrowed' it from. Before he did, he made a little flat area for Savannah to park the Cessna out of the way of the dirt road the trucks would need to use to haul the HK equipment away.

Savannah followed him back and spun the Cessna around in her new parking spot. It was ready to instantly return to the smooth dirt road for a takeoff.

She came up to Cameron and gave her a hug.

Dan followed behind Savannah. He was very pleased to hear her explanation to Cameron.

"I wanted Dan to smooth the road again." Savannah said. "I taxied behind him so he would be able to help me if I needed it."

Cameron understood Savannah 'cleared' what Dan did against her wishes. It was the right call.

"That's fine and good thinking." Cameron said. "Here comes the first big truck."

Everyone wanted to get to work as fast as possible to get the HK equipment out of there.

What About You

Often one is confused
About their final destination
Where that might actually be
Offers a certain amount of fascination

Even headed in one direction
Doesn't mean it's the right place
More often than not it seems
One will do an about face

When one arrives anywhere
It's different than they thought
It will most likely end up
As where the next battle is fought

The grass is seldom greener
On the other side of the hill
Things will soon enough sour
With what once was a thrill

Think twice before leaving
Don't be quick to bid adieu
They can find something better
What about you

Nobody