Chapter 906

We Fight Harder

With the information from the two drones, it appeared that the tail was only on Cameron's vehicle. She'd already led them away from John's team and his two escorts. That was her immediate goal.

Cameron was more than willing to be the bait so John could get back to the Resistance base. It troubled her that Savannah was now in the crosshairs with her. Once John's team was clear she was going to act.

She directed John's team to head back to the airport. She sent Gail's team to reinforce them and watch for any additional tails on John's team.

"John, I want you and your two escort vehicles to return to the airport." Cameron said. "I've turned off the main street and the tail is still behind me."

John didn't like leaving Cameron high and dry. He also didn't like the fact that she'd sent away the rest of her help.

"What's the plan?" John asked. "You're light on Terminators now."

"The plan is to get some answers, conduct a few interrogations and have a few terminations." Cameron said. "I have sufficient help for what I need. Don't forget I also have drone support."

John Henry wanted to check for any other irregularities that there might be. There was always the possibility that something else might stand out as a red flag.

"I've checked with my server and CamNet. There's nothing else apparent." John Henry said.

Cameron already made that same assessment. That was why she took the action that she did. She needed John out of the area and back at the Resistance base. Once he was out of the theater of operations, it would free up additional Terminators.

"John, I need you back at the base." Cameron said. "I need to be able to operate with less worry."

John didn't see why he couldn't send the Metal girls back her way.

"I want to send Sheila, Ally and Gail back to where you're at." John said.

Cameron already made up her mind about that decision. She wanted John protected until he was wheels up and headed back towards the base.

"No. I've directed them to assist you." Cameron said.

John really didn't understand it. He didn't feel he needed to be protected when he was away from the Resistance base. There was no need for Cameron to shortchange herself and over protect him. He never felt he was in real danger when he was out in the field.

"You always send the help away you need." John said. "I don't want you to do that anymore. It's unnecessary and not needed."

Cameron was very irritated that John didn't understand the nature of her mission. It was to protect him.

"John, when you're in danger, I HAVE to." Cameron said. "I need to make sure you're protected."

John felt guilty again because he was out in the field. All he wanted to do was help. Well, and maybe have a little fun. The fun didn't happen in a casino but it did happen in the Honeymoon Suite with Cameron. The 'near miss' with Cammy and Savannah was rewarding as well. He did know that the drone would be able to give her a lot of back up if it was necessary.

"You still have a drone for assistance." John said.

Cameron was worried about John and the Metal girls that she'd sent to assist him. She'd decided to redirect the drone that was with her to watch over them and provide additional backup for John.

"I've directed CamNet to have both of the drones accompany you back to the Las Vegas airport and then back to Van Nuys Airport."

John couldn't believe what Cameron just did. He really didn't know what to say. He was sure it was all his 'fault' even if it wasn't. He needed to put his foot down and make sure that Cameron was better supported than she currently was.

"I can't allow that to happen. That's ALL of your help." John said. "That leaves you vulnerable."

Cameron always found the safety talks with John to be extremely irritating. This one was no different. She was tired of arguing with him. She didn't like to have to do it in front of Savannah either. Maybe she needed to give him something to think about. It might shut him up and do as she wanted him to do. She briefly glanced at Savannah and then at Cammy.

"I still have Savannah and Cammy." Cameron said. "You know, the ones that were all in your bed earlier…."

John was about to respond when he thought better of it. He looked over at John Henry.

John Henry shrugged his shoulders. He didn't feel anything that happened with Cammy or Savannah involved him. He didn't agree with either one of the encounters for different reasons. He believed that John should keep 'Little Willie' under control a little better. Just because 'Little Willie' was 'up for the occasion' didn't mean it needed to be used.

"I think you understand that anything else you say is just going to make everything worse." John Henry said.

John did know that. It made him wonder if Cameron set Cammy up just so she could hold that over his head going forward. He wouldn't put that past her. Then again, everything that happened with Cammy may have been totally organic and Cameron found a way to twist it around and use it against him anyway even if she didn't orchestrate it.

Cameron wanted to make sure that the Metal girls stayed with their new mission.

The new assignment didn't sit well with any of them.

"Cameron just sent us away." Ally said. "We're supposed to help protect John and go with him back to the airport."

Gail felt that left Cameron's team too vulnerable. She was worried about Savannah's safety.

"Savannah will be in danger." Gail said. "Cameron has directed the two drones to go with us and John."

Sheila was well aware from past experience that danger seemed to follow Cameron around. When it didn't follow her, she sought it out. By extension it meant anyone who was around her was in danger. That most often was now Savannah.

"Look, love, whenever Savannah is around Cameron, she's in danger." Sheila said.

Gail understood that John needed to be protected. She also believed that Savannah deserved to be protected as well.

"That's unacceptable." Gail said. "I need to fix this."

Gail took out her phone. She decided there was only one person that could help her. She wanted everyone to know the severity of the situation.

Cameron hoped that she would be able to lead the threat away from John and his team. Then again, she could be setting the three of them up for slaughter.

She led the vehicle tailing them towards the desert. She kept a careful eye on it. They'd taken the bait.

"The target vehicle is still following us." Cameron said.

Cammy was a little concerned about this situation now. She didn't like Savannah without sufficient assistance.

"We don't have any back up now." Cammy said. "You sent everyone away."

Cameron didn't think it was really a problem. She was pretty sure if it was 'The Enforcer' that he already would have acted. She was under the impression that it was probably some Syndicate thugs or Grays. She was sure they were associated with the casino that they took down earlier.

"I need to make sure John is protected." Cameron said. "Besides, we don't need back up."

Savannah was concerned about everything.

"I'm a little worried, it's still a big unknown." Savannah said. "If they're just Grays or the Syndicate, we should be OK."

Cammy felt they needed to worry about bigger problems.

"What if they're Terminators or they send hostile HK drones to attack us?" Cammy asked. "Then what's going to happen?"

Savannah didn't want Cammy to make a big deal about Cameron's decision.

"We fight harder." Savannah said. "You know the drill. It's what we always do."

Savannah understood Cameron's reasoning. If she were the one to make the decision, she would have done the same thing.

She wondered if Young Allison was involved, what she would do and how she would react. Would she still make the same choice that Cameron made?

It also made her wonder how Cameron would react if Young Allison was there in her place. Would Cameron do anything different? Would she skimp on John's safety to make sure Young Allison was secure and protected?

Young Allison quickly finished her food. She didn't like how things developed.

She watched everything unfold as CamNet showed it to her. She didn't like what she witnessed. It looked like Savannah was in danger again. She began to use her keypad.

"Cameron's sent all the help away." Young Allison said. "That leaves her team in greater danger."

Anna thought this could be a test for Young Allison. There were several options open to her including the option to do nothing.

"You have the ability to stop that." Anna said. "What are you going to do?"

Young Allison looked at Anna for a moment. She wasn't about to countermand Cameron's decision. She wasn't going to 'order' a change in Cameron's plans.

"Cameron made the decision to protect John." Young Allison said. "John needs to be protected. We all know that."

Anna wanted to push Young Allison a little. There were still more options available.

"What about Cameron and Savannah?" Anna asked. "Don't they matter too?"

Young Allison was aware of her training from the earliest days. There was one thing that was always stressed and came before everything else. That hadn't changed.

"John comes first." Young Allison said. "I don't like it but I know the rules."

Anna thought Young Allison was holding back. She didn't think that was the proper choice under the current circumstances.

"So you will do nothing but watch?" Anna asked. "You're more than a spectator."

Young Allison was a little worried that she may have overstepped her bounds in the last couple of days. She did a lot of things on her own. There was no way to correlate it with the Command Center because John and John Henry were away. She still worked within the framework of the system and consulted JH to work with Anna and CamNet.

"I shouldn't get directly involved." Young Allison said. "Am I being tested?"

Anna was pretty sure that every moment of every day was a test for Young Allison.

"Are you?" Anna asked.

Young Allison looked over the monitors and the drone footage.

"I don't know." Young Allison said.

Young Allison was sure she was being tested in everything she did all the time. Life was a test that Cameron seemed to manipulate for her to take action and make decisions.

Anna watched Young Allison go to work in earnest. She now acted on her own. She could see her use of the keyboard seemed to intensify.

"What are you doing?" Anna asked. "You've been typing since Cameron made the decision to send all her help away."

Young Allison acted, even if she didn't indicate it at first. She didn't plan to leave Cameron and Savannah without additional support.

"I'm not sitting on my hands." Young Allison said. "Check your screen."

Anna checked her screen and saw CamNet hadn't shown her everything that occurred. It was quite evident that Young Allison hadn't been sitting on her hands.

"I see some of the outlying drones used in the attack last night at the warehouse have been scrambled." Anna said. "That's except the two that rammed the doors down."

Young Allison was still a little concerned about the two drones that she'd asked to ram the doors. She didn't know how badly they were damaged. From what they indicated, the damage wasn't too severe but she wanted to personally check it out herself.

"I want them inspected and repaired first before they enter combat again." Young Allison said. "I need to personally see them and assist in their repairs."

That was still something that Young Allison intended to do.

Anna was also made aware of direct contact between Gail and Young Allison. That was something new as well.

"I see you're also in communication with Gail." Anna said.

Gail wanted to contact Young Allison directly. CamNet is the one who actually made the connection for her. It was a personal contact more than it was an operational one.

"Yes. She's very concerned for Savannah's safety." Young Allison said. "She wanted to make me aware of the situation."

Gail didn't ask for help but she wanted Young Allison to be aware of the danger Savannah, Cameron and Cammy were in.

Anna wondered how Young Allison would handle the situation. She could send Gail or the Metal girls back to back up Savannah and Cameron.

"What's Gail going to do?" Anna asked.

Young Allison wasn't going to undermine Cameron with her protection of John. She knew what was important to Cameron.

"Gail's going to follow orders." Young Allison said. "She needs to protect John."

Anna wondered what other tricks Young Allison would be able to do.

"So, it will only be the drones for now?" Anna asked.

Young Allison was aware that it would take some time for them to arrive still. They weren't there yet.

"Yes." Young Allison said. "They should be able to handle any current threat."

Anna wondered about additional ground troops. There were several options available to Young Allison in that regard.

"Do you wish to send more personnel?" Anna asked.

Young Allison believed that she had more flexibility with the drones. The drones were the ones controlled by Cameron through CamNet. Technically that wasn't a drain on any of the Resistance equipment or forces.

"I do but that's beyond what I should do." Young Allison said. "I feel that I've stepped on a lot of toes the last couple of days."

Anna didn't see a downside to Young Allison's involvement so far. All of her decisions and choices were proven to be the correct ones. Didn't think they were a detriment in any way and actually prevented damage to many of their personnel.

"When you've stepped in before, your decisions and contributions have ensured the survival of others." Anna said.

Young Allison wasn't sure if her input was really even required. The two supercomputers were capable of acting on their own and doing everything she could think of as well.

"CamNet's and John Henry's servers could have made those same decisions on their own." Young Allison said.

Anna understood that was true but she also needed to point out the obvious.

"They could have but they didn't. They were made by you." Anna said. "You're the one who made it safer and survivable for everyone last night. Everyone should know that."

Young Allison didn't want any recognition. She didn't feel that she'd done anything to deserve that level of attention. She was part of the team and that's how she acted.

"NO!" Young Allison said. "I want you and CamNet credited for anything I've done. It's actually been done by both of you anyway. People don't understand me. They'll only look at my age. They don't understand my mental development."

Anna felt the two individuals that mattered the most to Young Allison did understand her.

"Cameron does." Anna said. "Savannah has always treated you as her equal. They both love you."

Young Allison felt the same way about them as well. That was part of the reason why she wanted to make sure that they were as protected as they could be. Her contribution was still limited no matter what it was.

"I love them too." Young Allison said. "I'm trying to help them, how I can help them."

Young Allison looked at the other options available to her. They were limited without her really infringing on operations. The drone force she requested to be sent, should be able to make a difference.

Claire went to find Allison. She found her outside of Jesse's room.

"Allison." Claire said.

Allison was a little surprised to see her mother so soon.

"Hi, Mom." Allison said. "How did last night go?"

Claire thought things were a little rough but it was understandable.

"It went fine." Claire said. "We didn't get much sleep."

Allison's real concern was about her longtime lover.

"How did Vanna do?" Allison asked.

Claire was troubled by Vanna being upset at something she said. It wasn't so much as being 'upset' as it looked like deep pain. She felt there was only one person that could help her and it wasn't her.

"Vanna did everything herself." Claire said. "Can you go see her?"

Allison became concerned. Something must have happened or be wrong.

"Is there a problem?" Allison asked.

Claire felt the problem landed on her shoulders. It seems to be what she did that initiated the problem.

"I don't know." Claire said. "I think I said some things about the future that 'hurt' her."

Allison learned a long time ago that worrying about the future served no purpose. The future they grew up in was no longer a part of their lives. The only future that mattered was the one that they helped make now.

"I'll go to her now." Allison said. "Don't worry about whatever it was. You know the future sucks."

Claire was there before and she did know that. Cameron was there with her as well along with several other Terminators and Duplicate Cameron. They all made sure that both Savannah and her were protected at all times from all threats. She knew that growing up Allison, Vanna and Jesse didn't enjoy that luxury and paid the price with their bodies at the hands of others.

Claire wanted to ask Allison one more thing before she left.

"Is Jesse still in her room?" Claire asked.

Allison couldn't help but smile. She knew that her mother wanted to be with Jesse.

"That's one you're going to have to wait on a little bit." Alison said. "She went to check on Precious."

Claire felt a little disappointed. She really would've liked to have knocked off a quickie with Jesse. It didn't bother her at all that her daughter had just been with Jesse a few minutes ago. The thought of that actually turned her on a little more. She wanted Jesse to compare them back to back.

Derek looked at Riley. She didn't look like a total wreck today, at least so far. That would probably change fast. It seemed when she began to fall apart, it happened rather quickly.

"You look better today." Derek said.

Riley did feel better. She knew exactly why too. It was because she had help all night long.

"Thanks to Vanna and Claire." Riley said. "They helped me out a lot last night. I think I actually got more than an hour of restful sleep."

Derek looked at the two new doors in their room.

"I can't believe how fast they did that." Derek said. "I tried to help them but I felt I was in the way."

There was a knock at the door.

They were both a little surprised who was there when Riley opened the door.

"I'm reporting for duty." Jesse said. "I'll help you for a few hours this morning."

Jesse looked very serious and professional right now. It was clear she was there to actually help and watch over Precious.

Riley felt like she was disrupting people's lives.

"I feel like a burden." Riley said.

Jesse didn't see it that way at all. There were enough people willing to help that it would only take a little time out of any one person's day.

"There will be someone available to come whenever you need assistance or feel overburdened." Jesse said. "Other females or Terminators will help. Everyone wants to help. You need to say something before you have any issues. That's the whole point of all of this."

Precious started to make noise. Riley looked down at her breasts. She was very upset about their inability to produce. She could see Jesse looked like she was good to go.

"Do you want to see if you can nurse her?'" Riley asked. "I'm already out for now."

Jesse was more than ready for the task. She'd spent most of the night with Allison. When they shared, they were both careful not to get carried away so that she would be able to have plenty for Precious when it was her turn to assist.

"I thought you'd never ask…." Jesse said as she stripped her top off. "This isn't anything either of you hasn't seen or done yourself before."

Derek and Riley looked at each other and then all three of them laughed.

They'd both been Jesse's lovers in the past and they'd both done what she said. Neither one of them said anything but they both wished that they could do that again….

Derek and Riley were both aware that Jesse's breasts were now considerably larger than they'd been previously.

Claire was still troubled by what she'd made Vanna inadvertently feel. She wasn't sure exactly what it was, other than related to having children in general. She hoped that when Allison found her that things would get straightened out and back to normal.

Claire found Holly, Hanna and Cam with Jan and Summer.

"You girls are up early." Claire said.

Cam stated the obvious.

"We don't sleep." Cam said.

Claire looked at Cam for a moment.

"I meant Jan and Summer were up early." Claire said.

Hanna was Claire's Metal lover. She always watched out for her.

"She knew what you meant." Hanna said.

Claire wanted to make sure both girls ate breakfast.

Hanna. Holly or Anna always made sure the girls never missed a meal if Claire was 'busy' at times.

"Everything's already taken care of." Hanna said. "It's just like we do at home."

Holly wanted to know how to plan her day.

"Are we going to stay longer or go back?" Holly asked.

Claire was in no hurry to leave.

"I want to stay longer." Claire said. "I need to call Allison at home and see how she's doing."

Hanna knew that would be a concern for Claire. She monitored the situation continuously to make sure that everything was OK.

"She's fine." Hanna said. "I've communicated with Anna every fifteen minutes since we left. I knew you would be concerned for her."

Claire missed her daughter. She wanted to speak with her personally.

"Thanks, but I still want to talk to her." Claire said as she looked around. "I wanted to thank Bob. Where is he?"

Cam didn't want to get too specific about Bob.

"He's out." Cam said.

Claire hoped to get a little bit better of a time frame.

"Will he be back?" Claire asked.

Cam knew they all came back at some point.

"I think you can bet on that." Cam said.

Claire was still dissatisfied with the answer.

"I mean soon." Claire said.

Bob didn't explain all of his mission to Cam before he left.

"I don't know." Cam said.

Claire now began to wonder if they were in the way.

"I know you all have other duties and functions." Claire said. "Do we disrupt things by being here?"

Cam looked at Claire and smiled.

"No." Cam said. "We're all one big happy family."

Claire wasn't sure if that was a veiled jab at her because she'd spent the night with Vanna. Cam was Vanna's Metal lover after all.

John wasn't happy with Cameron's decisions regarding him. He couldn't understand why Cameron needed to send all her help to watch over him. He could fight if he needed to fight. What about Cameron? What about Savannah? What about Cammy?

Now John mulled over Cameron's jab at him and the 'three females' that were in 'his bed' statement that she'd made earlier. It was clear Cameron was aware of everything. Two thirds of that equation was Cameron's doing.

He needed to stop worrying about that. There was still the possibility of an attack.

"I want more resources here to assist Cameron." John said. "I don't think this is an isolated incident."

John Henry was in constant communication with JH. It was mainly to alert him of any changes or new developments.

"My server hasn't detected any other communications from the unknown vehicle." John Henry said.

There was a new idea that began to creep into John's head. Since no action had been taken, he wondered if there was another group that might be involved. It was a group that he didn't care to have personal dealings with. They usually ended badly.

"Is there any chance they are the police?" John asked. "Maybe they are law enforcement of some type?"

John Henry actually considered that possibility. The most likely scenario wasn't a good one either. They wouldn't be just police officers. There's a chance that they could be 'dirty cops'.

"They may be. The Syndicate is going to have people in the police force on its payroll." John Henry said. "It's standard practice. That's how they operate. They either outright bribe someone or they find a way to blackmail them. From what we've learned so far we know there was a lot of blackmail coming out of the casino that Skynet was involved with."

The whole idea of Skynet and Syndicate association bothered John.

"I don't like Skynet cozying up to the Syndicate." John said. "If their involvement is only associated here with this one casino, I think it is going to sour. Cameron's team removed a lot of cash from them."

'You mean stole it.' John Henry wanted to say but he didn't.

John Henry looked into the back of the van. He could see all the gunny sacks full of cash.

"We're driving around with most of it." John Henry said.

John glanced in the back and looked at all of the cash as well. It didn't give him a good feeling at all.

"We should be near the airport." John said.

John Henry knew they would arrive in just a few minutes.

"Yes, we're almost back to the airport." John Henry said.

John didn't want all of the Terminators that were part of his convoy to return with him back to Van Nuys.

"I want some of our Terminators to remain here to assist Cameron." John said.

John Henry looked at John and nodded.

"You're the General." John Henry said.

John wasn't sure what that meant or what it was actually worth at this point in time. It didn't seem to be very much.

To Understand Why

I try not to think of you
Because it always causes me pain
It re-shreds my bleeding heart
Filling me with such disdain

You were my everything
You've shoved me away far
You should no longer be the One
Yet you somehow always still are

I really don't comprehend
What else it is you seek
Have I not been available
Have I not let you peek

When lies become truth
And the truth becomes lies
Is that when it is over
Is that how it dies

Can you please tell me
So I won't need to cry
It would help me
To understand why

Nobody