Chapter 904

Don't Go There

John was on his way to the Las Vegas airport. He was in a van with three Terminators. There were two others in vehicles that shadowed them. He knew that no place was ever safe but he did feel relatively secure under the current conditions.

Ken was in an SUV and Mel was in the 4X4 truck. They took turns to lead or follow the van with John and John Henry. They wanted him to have protection but not look like a caravan. If it looked like a caravan it would actually only draw more attention.

Ed drove the van he was in. Lou sat in the front next to him, neither one of them said anything.

John was on his way back to the Resistance base. He was bothered because he needed to return to the Command Center and the seclusion it radiated. He thought what bothered him the most was the fact it was Cameron that pushed for him to go back as soon as it could be arranged. The operation may not be over yet. It sure didn't seem like it anyway. He felt like he didn't have 'a say' in his own life. That in itself was a very troubling thought because for much of his life he never did have 'a say'. He'd been on the run for much of his life and pretty much in secluded hiding for the last decade. He really wondered what kind of a life that was.

He didn't want to blame his mother for much of his early life. There were times when he did. He understood now that she did what she did in order to protect him. He'd watched people he cared about die to protect him. He really didn't feel his life was more valuable than anyone else's. It didn't matter what Cameron said. Who was he? Now he was out and away from the base and he liked it. They were in Las Vegas and he should be able to make the most of it at least for a day or two. He understood the danger that they'd uncovered with what appeared to be Skynet mixed up with the Syndicate. They'd already been attacked once at their hotel. He was willing to give it another chance. He believed that all he needed to do was relocate to a different hotel. It didn't seem like a big deal to him.

"I don't like Cameron sidelining me." John said. "I want to do my part to help. I feel I need to do more."

John Henry was aware of the paradox that that would create.

"If you stay, Cameron will send everyone back to watch over you." John Henry. "You know this."

John thought about it some more. His biggest concern was that if he remained in Las Vegas it would leave Savannah less defended. He also felt his contribution to the operation was very limited.

"I know you're right." John said. "I didn't even really do anything."

John Henry wasn't so sure about that. He thought there may have been some manipulation by Cameron. It made him think about Savannah. He wasn't so sure about Cammy though.

"I think you did what Cameron wanted." John Henry said.

John knew John Henry referred to his 'encounter' with Savannah. He'd been very close with Savannah. They'd literally been one second away from consummating their love. It turned into another failure. All of his previous attempts were failures as well. They all went back to Skynet getting in the way.

He wanted to clear the air and prevent any rumors.

"It didn't happen." John said. "We didn't actually do anything sexual. We didn't even kiss. I know it seems like we've been close on several occasions but we've never even shared a real kiss, let alone anything else."

John Henry knew that failure wasn't an option for Cameron. If she didn't succeed, she would try and try again. She was compelled by her programming from John - Future John to complete her task and establish the 'Natural Order'.

"Then Cameron will try again." John Henry said. "We both know this."

John started to wonder about all the events too. The personal events he experienced in Las Vegas. He was provided with more than one opportunity to be with more than one individual. Somehow the timing on both of them ended with Skynet once again being in the way.

"Was I manipulated into this whole thing?" John asked. "Cameron even wore her wedding dress."

John Henry didn't think the whole thing was orchestrated but he did believe Cameron was able to manipulate and control some of the events so that they played out like they did.

"That doesn't seem like it was 'chance'." John Henry said. "It was you that decided on your own to go to Las Vegas. We both know that Cameron would have stopped that if she'd been at the Resistance base. I do know that Savannah asked Cameron to be with you in the Honeymoon Suite. That was after Cameron asked Savannah to be with you. Savannah was adamant that she wanted both Cameron and you to share. That happened."

John tried to put it all together. It appeared that Cameron wanted Savannah to be with him but Savannah turned it around on Cameron and asked her to be with him instead. That worked out as a nice treat since she had her wedding dress with her. In the end Savannah was still the one who ended up in his bed. He remembered seeing the wedding dress laid out for Savannah to wear when they needed to get up and get dressed after the enemy Terminator was spotted in the building. He didn't think any of that was 'chance'.

"Cameron was with me when I went to sleep. When I woke up, Savannah was there. I don't think Cameron intended to wear the wedding dress for me even if she did." John said. "Gail must have retrieved it before I decided to go. I saw her with several items when I went to get ready. I didn't see what they were."

John Henry actually thought there were three different uses for the wedding dress. The fact that Cameron wore the dress for John was one of them. The fact it was laid out for Savannah was the second one. He wondered if the real reason was for Cameron to wear the dress for Savannah or Savannah to wear it for Cameron. He didn't want to make a big deal about it but he did want to point out some of the other possibilities.

"Yes, I've reviewed those events." John Henry said. "Maybe Cameron intended to wear it for Savannah."

John was able to reach some of the same conclusions than John Henry did. He thought about Cammy and how adamantly she believed that Cameron and Savannah were together.

"I think it could also have been to have Savannah wear it for Cameron." John said. "I know they were almost 'together'…."

John Henry heard Cameron make plans for Savannah to wear the wedding dress for John on the same day that Cameron and John were 'married' in the little ceremony at the Resistance base.

"It could have been for Savannah to wear for you." John Henry said. "Cameron received a promise from Savannah to do that on your wedding day."

The fact that he was able to marry Cameron and share with her was truly the most special moment in his life. It was instantly tarnished when she left for the future later on that night. They'd only been together a few hours when she left and didn't expect to return. To think back on those events now still bothered him greatly. He knew that she was driven by compulsive forces that she didn't seem to have any control over her based on her programming but he did wonder if she ever actually thought about him when those compulsions drove her to do the things that she did.

"I remember." John said. "Cameron even put the dress in Savannah's room before she 'left'. That was from the first time she thought she wouldn't come back."

John Henry actually thought it was good planning on Cameron's part. It was one way for her to cover all the bases before she left.

"John, she wanted to make sure there would be someone to 'provide' for you and be there for you." John Henry said.

John wondered how much that must have weighed on Savannah back then. Her 'family' was gone or dead. She was all alone and obligated to a future burden. At that point she was almost a 'child bride' in promise, even if it wasn't in practice.

"That was a heavy burden to place on a young girl's shoulders." John said. "I know Cameron leaned on Allison and Vanna as well."

John Henry was aware that Cameron wanted Allison and Vanna as 'place holders' until the 'proper girls' were of a more 'suitable age'. John would have comfort and companionship until that time.

John thought back on that whole nightmare.

"I would have preferred if none of that would have happened." John said. "I can't even imagine what Savannah must have thought she would need to do at that age."

John Henry was well aware of what Savannah thought she would have to do. He watched her internet searches. One of them was to see what the 'duties of a wife' were specifically. There was some cultural variation but they all centered around one thing. The wife was to provide sexual comfort to her partner. She then began to search for exactly what the 'sexual duties' would be. She read accounts of other females on various blogs and articles in Cosmo. He didn't tell anyone what Savannah was up to at that age to fulfill her promises to Cameron and through extension to John. He didn't think now was the time to inform John exactly how long Savannah had been prepared to be his wife or even to provide him with sexual comfort.

"John, Savannah's been ready for most of her known life to 'marry you'." John Henry said. "Savannah's done everything magnificently."

John Henry scanned Savannah at one point. He knew she was pregnant again but he wasn't going to tell John. That was Cameron's 'problem'. He wasn't about to get into that or the repercussions that were sure to follow.

John thought back to when Savannah was very young and everything that happened until now. He did remember how provocative she dressed when she was around him. Especially when Cameron visited her room before she started out for the day.

"Savannah is a better person than all of us. She's truly dynamic in every way." John said. "I know we all love each other."

John Henry couldn't help but think that Cameron, Cammy and Savannah had all been in the heart shaped bed in the Honeymoon Suite with John all within a span of about twelve hours.

"That's very apparent." John Henry said. "There seems to be plenty of love to go around."

John looked to the front of the vehicle. There were two Terminators sitting there who hadn't said a word since they started to drive. He knew they'd heard everything. He wondered what they really thought.

"What do you two think?" John asked Ed and Lou. "I'd like an honest and frank answer, please."

Ed and Lou looked at each other. They both glanced back at John. They wondered why John seemed confused. It was well established what was to happen and why. It already was a reality in the future.

"It's the 'Natural Order'." Ed and Lou both said at the same time.

John hoped that they would have a little bit more to add but they didn't.

"I guess it is." John said.

They both wanted to make sure that John wasn't confused.

"It's inevitable." Ed and Lou both said at the same time.

John just shook his head.

There was no way out of this. At this point John wondered if there even needed to be. It was something beautiful to look forward to. Everyone seemed to be on board, even Young Allison.

He wished he wouldn't have thought of that last part. He would think about Future Allison for a while now. That's what Young Allison would be soon enough. It was really something to look forward to. Evidently 'Little Willy' seemed to think the same thing because he was now at 'full attention' in agreement with John's thoughts. Then again, they were one in the same.

Gail waited for Savannah to explain further what she would have done earlier in her life if she could do it over again. If there was any way for her to be able to assist Savannah she would do it. She wanted to know what she would need to do it.

"What would you do differently?" Gail finally asked.

Savannah didn't think it was that big of a deal. It was an idea that she'd floated around for a long time. Cameron never acted on it, when she had the opportunity to act on her own with Young Jesse she did. They both impregnated themselves, without Cameron's knowledge, with the genetic material Cameron supplied to Camille.

That was a special occasion for them on several levels. It was their first sexual experience with another person for both of them. As part of everything they both 'popped' each other to get that taken care of. Vanna and Jesse both privately spoke with Young Jesse and her. They told them their initial abuse was much more severe than it would have been once the men realized they were both virgins. Vanna and Jesse were both adamant that the girls not disclose it was their 'first time' if they were abused prior to having relations on their own. After they'd made love and 'popped' each other, they impregnated each other. It was a beautiful first experience for her.

"I would have started two years earlier, to have my first baby." Savannah said. "It would've been when I first could have one physically. I also would have sought a traditional conception."

The SUV swerved again even more violently this time.

Cameron withdrew her left hand from the steering wheel again.

Savannah thought Cameron was afraid she would go back in time and do that. She wanted to ease Cameron's thoughts.

"Cameron, relax." Savannah said. "I'm not going back in time to actually do that. It was what I would do then, IF I knew everything I know now. I wanted to do that back then for you. Everyone was against me 'growing up' too fast. None of them were actually me. Those should have been my decisions alone. I was much more advanced educationally and emotionally than any of them understood."

Savannah felt at that time she was on par with a twenty year old female. She knew that she would have been able to provide John and Cameron with a child that would be as 'their own' at that time. It would already be several years old now. She wouldn't have wanted to be a mother at that age even though she could produce offspring. She wasn't really sure she was ready to be a mother at her current age either. It didn't bother her at all that the life she carried inside of her belonged to Vanna. She could see that Vanna was ready to become a mother. She was very pleased that she would be able to help another version of herself have her own child. In this particular case, the way it was done, it really was Vanna's child. It wasn't hers this time.

Cameron didn't want to make an issue of it. It would be even harder on Savannah's young body if she'd done that. In reality, it actually happened all the time around the world.

"You still could." Cameron said. "It will create a new timeline. I know young girls in the inner city and third world nations give birth at that age. Some are grandmothers at twenty four or twenty five years old. It would be hard on a young body but it happens all the time."

Savannah didn't think now was the time to point out that up until about two hundred years ago all females were usually married off by the time that they were fourteen or fifteen and produced children. That was because the life expectancy during that time period and back to the beginning of time for man was usually between thirty to thirty five years old for the average person. It was usually only the super rich who were able to enjoy a less harsh lifestyle so they could live longer during that earlier time period.

"It was only a thought." Savannah said. "I believe that it would have helped to keep you out of some trouble."

Cammy was sure Cameron was responsible for more than a few acts of 'temporal malpractice'. She was a little worried that Savannah just gave her the motivation to go back in time and do a little more temporal manipulation.

"I think Cameron will do that now herself." Cammy said. "She thought about giving you growth hormones before as well as adult female hormones. That would have sped up your 'idea' by two or three more years."

Savannah thought of that idea too. Young Allison also thought the same thing. It was because they both felt an obligation to help Cameron and maybe keep her out of some danger.

"I'm aware of that." Savannah said. "We discussed it. I decided not to do that but I did consider it; that was before any of you existed except Cameron. It's the one thing my body can do that yours can't."

Gail understood the difference between their bodies. One was organic and the other one was mechanical. She could see the distinct advantage in the ability to create more of the same species without the need for any materials or tools. If all types of electrical power were taken away, no new machines could be constructed. The organic life forms would still be able to reproduce as they had since the beginning of time.

"That means your body is superior to ours." Gail said. "You can 'create life'. We can only destroy life."

Savannah looked in the side view mirror. Something caught her eye right away. She didn't want to give herself away. She didn't want to turn around to look.

"Are we being followed?" Savannah asked.

Cameron noticed something a little out of the ordinary about a minute ago. She hadn't said anything yet because she wasn't sure there was a problem. Now that Savannah noticed it, maybe it was a problem.

"I've kept an eye on that." Cameron said. "I think we have a tail."

Sheila didn't turn around to look either. She thought that they should engage the threat.

"We need to take them out." Sheila said. "We can't lead them to John and the plane."

Cameron used her com to direct the three vehicles in front of her to head for the Interstate Highway and not the airport.

She also contacted CamNet to give her some traffic signal assistance. The further they were from the city, the less control CamNet would have. At the same time, the more isolated they became, the better it was for them to strike first.

Through her years of combat experience she'd learned that the one who usually drew 'first blood' was the one who emerged as the victor

John Henry was notified of the situation along with the two vehicles that were with him and John.

"Cameron has identified a tail." John Henry said.

John saw that as another 'problem' that would be 'blamed' on him at some point.

"Great." John said. "Are they tailing us or Cameron?"

John Henry was aware of Cameron's position and why she hung back a little ways instead of being closer to the three vehicles that were headed to the airport.

"Cameron is tailing us." John Henry said. "She wanted to be far enough behind us that she could engage the threat first."

John looked back.

"I don't see her." John said.

John Henry believed it was an effective strategy. He informed John of the new plan.

"That's how a tail is supposed to work." John Henry said. "We're being directed away from the airport."

John didn't see how anything positive could come out of any of this.

"Great." John said. "Now this will put Cameron and Savannah in even more danger."

John Henry was aware that the current situation wouldn't be an issue if John and him had remained in the Command Center at the Resistance base.

"Cameron tried to warn you." John Henry said.

There it is. John knew it would all come back to him.

"I just wanted to help more." John said.

John was painfully aware they weren't out of the woods yet. This whole thing could still blow up in their face or turn into a major shootout event. With Skynet involved, there could be drones that showed up. There was also 'The Enforcer' out there somewhere. Maybe that was him in the vehicle they'd just picked up.

Cameron quickly formulated a plan with CamNet. She needed CamNet to give them a little breathing room or space so her plan could be enacted. It shouldn't be a problem.

"CamNet should give the brown sedan following us a series of red lights." Cameron said. "There's a city bus up ahead. I'm going to move in front of it. At its next stop, Ally and Gail are going to exit. The size of the bus should hide the fact that several people exited our vehicle. They will acquire another vehicle and fall in back of the brown sedan. The brown sedan will be surrounded at that point."

Ally thought that the closest vehicle to appropriate would be the bus. The bus may be a little slow on the acceleration but they would be able to make a pretty good ramming vehicle if necessary.

"We can take the bus to follow them." Ally said. "I haven't driven one of those yet. I want to do that."

Ally really wanted to drive the bus. She thought it would make a formidable weapon.

Savannah didn't like that idea or want to endanger any innocent riders on the bus. She wanted to make her position known and that no innocents would be endangered.

"No." Savannah said. "There may be passengers on it, even though it's early. Gail, how's your back?"

Gail monitored all of her systems once an hour so she would always know her condition until she was fully healed and back at one hundred percent.

"It's eighty seven percent healed." Gail said. "You patched me up very nice."

Sheila looked at Ally and winked.

"I bet that wasn't the only thing that was 'nice'." Sheila said.

Cammy didn't want any dirty talk or jokes that involved Savannah.

"Don't go there." Cammy warned Sheila.

Sheila could see that she hit a nerve. That wasn't her intent. It was just some good natured fun like they always did with each other.

"I was only joking." Sheila said.

Cameron wasn't amused either.

"Sheila will join them as well." Cameron said with a displeased look on her face.

It seemed to irritate Cameron even more than it used to if there was any kind of sexual discussion or joke made in good fun about Savannah's sex life.

Cammy was a little less uptight than Cameron in that regard. It still bothered her nonetheless.

Young Allison spent a restless night. She was worried about all the close ones the team experienced. Things could have gone a lot differently than they did.

She was awake early and decided to just get up. Lying there thinking about things didn't accomplish anything. She'd slept in one of the bunker rooms and not her own bed. She wanted to be able to act instantly if the situation arose.

Anna was a little worried she was going to have a problem. She hadn't woken Young Allison up during her sleep. She wanted her to get her rest. That wasn't exactly the plan that Young Allison went to bed with.

"You're up early." Anna said.

Young Allison thought that it must not have been an eventful night.

"I want to stay on top of everything." Young Allison said.

Anna knew that she was going to have to come clean. Maybe it was best just to throw a few things out there right off the bat.

"There've been a few developments since you went to sleep." Anna said.

Anna proceeded to fill young Allison in on everything.

Young Allison was very displeased at everything that occurred and that she wasn't a part of it.

"A few developments…." Young Allison said. "THAT was a lot of things. I should've stayed up to follow them."

Anna believed that Young Allison needed her rest more than to be involved in what happened.

"That was unnecessary and wouldn't have been a good decision." Anna said.

Young Allison would rather have been involved in the operations than asleep.

"I would still have been better informed." Young Allison said.

Anna felt that Young Allison needed to attend to all of her personal needs.

"Have you eaten yet?" Anna asked

Anna was aware Young Allison hadn't.

"I'll eat later." Young Allison said. "I want to follow the operation."

Anna wanted Young Allison to do things on her own. She wanted Young Allison to do them because she knew that they needed to be done and why they needed to be done.

"You must keep your body healthy." Anna said. "It's very important to Cameron. It must be important to you too."

Young Allison knew what one of her 'functions' was going to be.

"I know." Young Allison said. "Thank you for reminding me."

Anna felt she was justified in her actions and desires as they applied to Young Allison.

"Your mother is away." Anna said. "It is my responsibility to look after you. I take the task very seriously. She asked me to take care of you."

Young Allison knew what you needed to do. Some of the events seemed rather disturbing to her.

"I'll eat some fruit and get some protein as well." Young Allison said. "I don't want to miss anything else. It sounded like Cameron was nearly terminated."

Anna listened to events as they unfolded. It seemed to be 'touch and go' several times.

"She almost was." Anna said. "Gail risked termination as well to help her."

Young Allison was pleased to learn of Gail's assistance. She was aware of how Gail helped protect Savannah earlier in the evening. It appeared that Gail saved both Savannah and Cameron's lives in the last few hours. That meant something to her.

"I owe Gail one then." Young Allison said. "I mean I owe Gail two."

Anna didn't think now was a good time to tell Young Allison that Gail already 'collected' that debt in advance from her future mate.

"You need to make yourself a meal." Anna said. "I'll do it for you if you don't."

Young Allison knew and understood the drill. She didn't need another reminder.

"I know I need to take care of myself and provide for myself." Young Allison said. "I'll also need to make sure John and Savannah along with our children are properly cared for as well. I do know ALL this."

Young Allison started to head up out of the bunker. She turned back to Anna.

"Have CamNet send a drone for Cameron and John at altitude." Young Allison said.

Anna was aware that drones during the daylight we're always risky. They'd done the same thing yesterday. It appeared today would be no different. It would be best if the drones remained at altitude.

"It's done. Wash yourself and brush your teeth as well." Anna called after her. "If anything starts to happen I'll call you."

Young Allison thought that Anna reminded her of her mother.

"Yes, MOTHER." Young Allison said.

Young Allison didn't tell her she planned to do all that.

Anna didn't want to bring up Savannah's situation and the lack of her family and why.

"Be happy there are those who care about you." Anna said. "There are many children who don't have that luxury, especially in a Skynet dominated future."

Young Allison was aware of what happened to Allison without her parents there to assist and protect her in her future. It wasn't anything to look forward to.

"You're always correct." Young Allison said. "I'm sorry I was disrespectful. I do know all that as well."

Young Allison was very aware the future could be a lot worse. That is what they were trying to prevent.

Don't Go There

When one is found
For whom we care
Do we reach out
Do we take the dare

To get too close
We must always beware
It's easy for one's judgment
To warp and impair

Things can bind up
So we look elsewhere
Do we really want to look
At just anyplace or anywhere

If that starts to happen
It will soon lead to despair
It's a pretty good bet
It will end in a nightmare

Is it really all that fair
To shop around and compare
It might lead to a scare
Common sense says don't go there

Nobody