Chapter 916

Put Her In Charge

John was irritated. He didn't like how things seemed to develop. It appeared things were about to get worse. The prospect of a Liquid Metal Terminator was a game changer. Maybe it was time to get some additional resources to the area with a lot more firepower.

"Where's Bob at?" John asked.

John Henry could see John was bothered by the turn of events.

"He's working in the armory." John Henry said. "You look upset."

John Henry's server called Bob as he spoke with John.

John was more worried than upset.

"I'm concerned. I want the girls out of there." John said. "This could turn into a nightmare."

John Henry knew that Savannah's 'desire' for them to pull out would be honored. Without that motivation from her, it was doubtful that all of them would leave.

"They're going to withdraw." John Henry said. "They will follow Savannah's directive."

John felt for them to even go back to the casino was a mistake. He did understand they wanted to be there before 'The Enforcer' arrived. He could see how it would raise less suspicion. He just didn't know if all of them needed to be there in the first place.

"I think we're pushing our luck." John said. "Luck only goes so far."

John Henry didn't think that 'luck' was involved with anything. Maybe it would be best if he tried to calm John's worries some.

"We're searching everywhere for 'The Enforcer'." John Henry said. "We will find him."

John was worried about the entire operation. It was something that they'd stumbled onto yesterday. They really didn't have a lot of information to go on. He was sure there must be a bigger operation than what they'd found so far.

"There is more to this than we know." John said. "I don't think we're seeing everything."

John Henry felt otherwise. His server and CamNet were able to glean a lot of information from the Syndicate casino's computers.

"We've seen a lot." John Henry said. "We've accomplished a lot. We've thwarted Skynet's plans for control of a large number of people in key places."

John wondered to what extent some of the individuals that were being blackmailed had cooperated with Skynet. They'd used the Syndicate's operation for blackmail to gain control of selected people who'd visited the Syndicate casino and hotel. He wanted to take action against them but he wasn't sure exactly how best to do that yet.

"Are you looking into the files of the people that were being 'leaned on' by the Grays from the casino?" John asked. "We need to take some action on that."

John Henry believed once an individual was compromised that they were untrustworthy. He didn't think there was any redemption for them.

"Yes." John Henry said. "They're little more than collaborators at this point. They were willing to turn against their company or even their country to protect their own self interest. At best, they are 'sellouts'. I think the best thing to do is expose all of them."

John didn't think so, not yet anyway. They needed to find out what was done by whom and how to 'fix' what they could first. The terminations could come later.

"We need to 'fix' whatever it was that they did for Skynet first." John said. "We need to know the extent of what we're facing."

Bob walked into the Command Center and heard the tail end of the conversation. He agreed with John Henry on what needed to be done. He was available.

"I will start the termination process immediately." Bob said.

John thought it was too early to do anything. He didn't want the Terminators to get ahead of themselves.

"It may come to that." John said. "Once we take down 'The Enforcer' we can show these people they are 'free'. We can have them 'correct' whatever they've done. If they don't want to cooperate with us, then maybe we'll let whatever the Syndicate pinned on them, stick."

Bob didn't think any of them could be relied on. They may not want to reveal the extent of what they did to assist Skynet. He doubted they'd want to compromise themselves further.

"They are collaborators." Bob said. "Termination is the only way to be sure. They've gone bad once to protect themselves. They knew what they did was wrong. They can't be trusted."

John knew that sometimes people did things because they felt that they needed to do them. It depended a lot upon circumstances and what was happening. No one wanted to admit failures or shortcomings on their part. He'd been guilty of that as well.

"Sometimes we do 'wrong' things because they seem 'right' at the time." John said. "It happens."

Bob and John Henry both knew John spoke about Riley, the dead one. A lot of things seemed to revolve around that whole 'affair'. Most of them ended up as a negative impact upon Cameron. Many of her problems stemmed from John's inappropriate action.

John Henry wanted to remind John in a subtle fashion what he did with Future Riley was wrong at the time and he knew it. It was a slap in the face to Cameron after she made herself 'available' to John numerous times.

"Deep down, they still know it's wrong when they do it." John Henry said. "They know it's wrong when they flaunt it."

John couldn't help but think about the smirk on his face as he went up the stairs after Cameron caught him when he was out with Riley - Future Riley. He was very pleased at the time that he'd just scored with a female. He wasn't sure at the time if it was because she was a 'human female' too. He'd been so caught up in his hormones that he thought it was love on both of their parts. At the time he didn't know that he was getting played. When he actually was with Riley - Future Riley he believed that she loved him as much as he loved her. He didn't think it was part of her 'assignment' to entice him with her female charms. Maybe it was. Sometimes he wondered if what happened between Future Derek and Future Jesse was really any different than what happened with Future Riley and him. Maybe both of them got played. Who knows?

"I guess they do." John said. "It has a certain amount of greed and selfishness to it."

Bob really didn't want to relive the past. Since he'd been summoned, he thought there was a more pressing need.

"Did you need me to do something?" Bob asked.

John wanted to get more firepower to the girls. He didn't think they were equipped to deal with the new situation that developed.

"The girls are under armed for an encounter with a Liquid Metal Terminator." John said. "There's been some speculation that's what they may need to face."

Bob personally gave them some additional firepower before they left.

"I sent an M32A1 and several M203 units for them to put on their M4 carbines." Bob said. "I also sent the Thermite grenades that were requested along with the acid rounds for the grenade launchers. It all went out with Cam's team."

John was surprised to hear that. He wondered when that happened.

"Did one of the teams there request it?" John asked.

Bob was personally contacted by CamNet. He found that very unusual in the way that it was done.

"The request came directly from CamNet." Bob said.

John Henry was unaware any of that occurred. His server had never been contacted and he didn't know. He knew where requests and suggestions like that actually came from.

"I bet it came from the Young bunker first." John Henry said.

John Henry's statement instantly caught John's attention.

"Do you mean that it was Young Allison again?" John asked.

John Henry was aware that a lot of the things John and he came up short on that Young Allison didn't.

"It's my theory." John Henry said.

Cameron specifically asked Bob to train with Young Allison when she was unavailable. He believed the real reason was because Summer liked to be around him. It appeared that she wanted him as her mentor. That all needed to be kept clandestine so that her mother didn't find out. Claire didn't want Summer exposed to Resistance matters. She didn't know how extensive Summer's training actually was. That wasn't the issue right now, Young Allison was.

"I've seen her train." Bob said. "She plans and thinks through several possibilities and solutions all at the same time. It's impressive for a human to do that, let alone one so young. She's able to do multiple things at one time without difficulty."

Bob didn't want to mention that he'd also seen Summer in action. It was evident that she was probably more intelligent than any other human that he'd encountered. Maybe there was one human who was exactly like her. She was five hundred years in the future still. It was River.

John Henry was aware there were many times when Young Allison acted on her own through CamNet. So far every time she'd done that through the back channels, it always paid off. She'd been able to make the right call when he hadn't. Well, it wasn't just him; it was everyone in the Command Center.

"She's been one step ahead of us every step of the way on this operation." John Henry said. "That's a fact."

John was aware that she'd come up with some very original solutions to solve some of their problems in a very short period of time.

"Maybe we should put her in charge then." John said.

John thought about it and about what Cameron wanted to do with Young Allison. He knew Cameron tried to make a 'human version' of herself with Young Allison. He found that very appealing. If she turned out anything like Future Allison, he was in. At least he hoped he would be. The thought was very alluring…. There was one thing in particular that he really wanted from her. It was her virginity. He didn't see the need to wait for her to be 'older' when she seemed to be as advanced as a 'twenty something' or even a 'thirty something' year old female.

Maybe it was time to capitalize on the bounty of booty that Cameron always told him was 'available'. He'd been close with both Cammy and Savannah earlier in the morning and yesterday.

That was all just a few hours ago. It seemed like it was already days. With a lot of things happening, time seemed to fly. He needed to remind himself that this entire operation started yesterday when they got a chance hit on the two box cars full of HK equipment.

Now that he thought about it again, he couldn't get Savannah and now Young Allison out of his mind. He didn't know that was because Cameron 'conditioned' him every time she was together with him and he fell asleep. He didn't know that she'd 'whispered' in his ear thousands of times about his desire for Savannah and Young Allison.

John felt an intense desire to watch 'Pretty Baby' again.

Gail, Sheila and Ally parked their vehicle two casinos down from the Syndicate casino. They'd decided to ride the tram in so they didn't enter at the same time as Cameron, Cammy and Savannah. When they left their initial stop they'd been tailed by a man who turned out to be a common pervert. They'd dealt with him and were now about to enter the lion's den, the Syndicate casino.

The tram car was almost at the next station. That was the Metal girl's destination. They were all still a little on edge from the tail they'd picked up. It turned out the tail was really chasing 'tail'.

Gail was uneasy about the previous encounter with the perv.

"I still think I should have terminated him." Gail said. "I didn't like him."

Ally could think of quite a few individuals who fit that bill.

"I don't like a lot of people I see." Ally said. "We can't terminate all of them."

Gail viewed it as preemptive action and a way to protect the future.

"Why not?" Gail asked. "We'll still need to do it in the future when they end up as Grays or Scavengers."

The tram arrived at the target casino and came to a stop. The doors opened. The three Metal girls were about to depart the tram car when they received the warning and order to withdraw from the Command Center.

The Metal girls all looked at each other.

"Stand down?" Ally asked. "We just got here."

Sheila looked out towards the casino area. She wanted to get down there and make a 'statement'. Based upon what happened last night, she felt her business wasn't concluded with the casino.

"We haven't even gambled yet." Sheila said. "I want to hit this place again. I'm not done with them yet."

Once they were informed what the possible threat was, Gail felt they should heed the warning. They didn't have the proper weapons to deal with the threat. She didn't want Sheila to go off on a tangent and lose sight of the goal.

"That's unnecessary. We may be dealing with Liquid Metal." Gail said. "We need to make sure Savannah gets out. This could be a serious threat to her or any of us."

Sheila didn't want Gail to get upset at her again. It seemed that she still was from the last casino. She was in no hurry to run into a Liquid Metal Terminator without the proper equipment to fight it.

"Relax." Sheila said. "Everyone's leaving. It's a precaution. There's nothing firm yet."

The Metal girls could stay on the tram and ride it to the casino and hotel where they had rooms at earlier in the day or exit the tram and pass through the casino and link up with the other team.

Gail wanted to protect Savannah. She made the decision for the three of them. They would get off now.

"We'll exit the tram and join up with Cameron's team." Gail said. "She has our vests and heavier weapons in her SUV."

Ally knew they were going to need more than bullets.

"What we need are some acid rounds." Ally said.

Sheila remembered something she saw earlier.

"There are a few Thermite grenades in Cameron's SUV." Sheila said. "That will have to do."

Gail wanted to back up Savannah. In order to do that she needed to be where Savannah was at.

"Let's go." Gail said as they exited the tram car.

Savannah wanted to make it clear to Cameron that they were going to fallback and regroup for now. She wanted to make sure there wasn't going to be an 'issue' about it.

"Cameron, we're withdrawing." Savannah said.

Cameron received the order to withdraw from the Command Center. It was only because she knew that Savannah asked John to issue the order that she would follow it. She normally tried to avoid dealing with John when she was on a mission. That's why she preferred to work alone. There was no one to 'second guess' her.

"I received the word from John." Cameron said.

The girls received word that the other team was about to arrive.

"Gail's team should be here any minute." Cammy said. "They experienced an 'incident' on the way over."

Savannah was instantly alarmed. She wondered what new threat had arisen.

"What kind of incident?" Savannah asked. "Was it related to this operation?"

Cameron quickly checked over the data. She shook her head in disgust.

"No. They were being followed." Cameron said. "It turned out to be a perv."

Savannah was pleased that they were about to be reinforced. She wanted to put some distance between their group and the Syndicate casino.

"I'll feel better when we join up and are out of here." Savannah said.

Cameron was still displeased they were going to pull out. That wasn't how she liked to conduct an operation.

"Let's meet them at the tram stop and then head for the SUV." Cameron said. "I don't like having to leave so early."

Savannah wanted to remind Cameron it was a precautionary move. There was no proof or evidence of what they suspected but it was a real possibility. The entire issue arose over the fact that they'd been unable to locate 'The Enforcer' in the Las Vegas area since all the incidents occurred. He should have been back by now.

"Until we spot 'The Enforcer' we need to worry about him being Liquid Metal." Savannah said. "We need weapons better suited to deal with that threat."

Cameron only had to think back to when she operated with Mrs. Weaver in the alternate future and 'in some future'. She understood the true nature of the threat. It was a serious one. Savannah's prudence was justified.

"You're right, Savannah." Cameron said. "Even with nine Terminators and you, without the right weapons a Liquid Metal Terminator would be able to damage us. If it decided to elude us, it would be able to escape."

Cammy was worried about the new arrivals in Las Vegas. She was aware that they landed a short time ago. Two of them were on the way there.

"Holly and Hanna will be here soon as well. We need to stop them from arriving." Cammy said. "They need to return to Cam and the 'Metal Bitch' and form a stronger team."

Cameron was updated by CamNet about the 'Metal Bitch'.

"The 'Metal Bitch' has a name now." Cameron said. "She no longer wishes to be referred to as a 'Metal Bitch'."

Savannah could understand someone wanting to be referred to by a less offensive name. She was now on the Resistance team after all.

"What is it?" Savannah asked as they headed for the tram stop.

Cameron didn't care for the name that the 'Metal Bitch' chose for herself.

"She wants to be called 'Vegas'." Cameron said. "Her previous name was Samantha."

Savannah liked her original name. She thought it sounded very dignified.

"Samantha…. That's a beautiful name." Savannah said. "I really like it."

Cameron led the girls towards the tram stop. She looked back over her shoulder and indicated the casino.

"She was known as 'Sammy' around here." Cameron said.

Savannah really didn't care for the name 'Sammy'. It was better than 'Vegas' but not by much.

"I like Samantha better." Savannah said. "I don't like 'Vegas', Sammy is OK."

Cammy looked up to the tram stop platform.

"I see Gail's team. They're on the escalator now." Cammy said.

Savannah didn't want to waste any extra time. She also didn't want Ally to join up with Cameron and Cammy until they were outside.

"Let's lead them out to the SUV." Savannah said. "As soon as they see us, head in the direction towards the parking structure. We won't all be bunched together then."

Cammy knew that wasn't a problem. She saw Sheila wink at her when she looked up in their direction.

"They saw us as soon as we saw them." Cammy said.

Cameron wanted to wait till they were outside to join up. She understood Savannah's reasoning.

"Savannah's right." Cameron said as they headed for the parking structure. "Everyone needs to listen to her."

The seriousness of the threat of Liquid Metal being here was very sobering to all of them. They'd been lucky so far that they'd only encountered three Liquid Metal Terminators. One was working on their side and one was destroyed by the Resistance team. There was also the one that John and Sarah faced previously.

There was always the prospect they would run into more. It was actually somewhat strange that they hadn't yet. Maybe it was time.

None of the girls looked forward to the challenge. None of them would back away from it either if the situation arose. They were there to do a job and that job didn't get done by hiding.

Moments ago:

The three Metal girls exited the tram platform and started down the escalator.

"There they are." Ally said as she spotted Cameron's team.

Sheila looked down into the casino where they were at. She caught Cammy's eye and winked at her. Cammy winked back at her.

Gail was relieved to see Cammy and Cameron with Savannah. They would both fight until termination to protect Savannah, as would she.

"They've spotted us and are headed to the parking structure." Gail said. "They want us to follow them."

Sheila looked out longingly at the casino as they descended on the escalator. She knew she wouldn't be able to play there right now. She decided to make light of the situation instead.

"It looks like we are 'bringing up the rear'." Sheila said.

Ally was glad they'd spotted the other team. She wanted to mess with Sheila.

"You always wanted to be a 'rear guard'." Ally said.

Sheila was ready for the challenge by Ally. She was well aware of where there were no pleasure receptors in that area on a Terminator's sheath.

"You're lucky I'm a female Terminator or you would need to guard your rear." Sheila said.

Ally thought back on some of the stunts Sheila pulled on her.

"I wish I would have known that before you obtained those 'martial aid' devices." Ally said. "They were quite an eye opener."

Sheila was very pleased with the look of surprise on Ally's face as she started in on her with some of the 'marital aids'.

"They 'opened' a few things." Sheila said. "I think I got your attention with them."

Ally decided she could do without a repeat performance.

"I should have read the instructions first." Ally said.

Sheila wanted to use them again on Ally. It wasn't excruciating pain. It allowed her to feel very dominant.

"You can do that next time." Sheila said.

Ally didn't think so. Once was enough.

"There won't be a 'next time'." Ally said.

Gail became irritated at the unnecessary banter.

"Pay attention." Gail said. "We need to make sure they're not being followed. Keep track of what is happening around Savannah."

Sheila continued to scan the casino as they moved towards the exit.

"We are watching." Sheila said. "That's how we spotted that perv."

Ally was the one who spotted the man earlier as they headed for the tram in the other casino. They could do without a repeat performance of that.

"We need to make sure we aren't watched or followed either." Ally said. "We could be targeted again."

Sheila hoped someone recognized her. She would really like to have a 'chat' with them. She doubted anyone from the earlier shift was still on duty. They were dressed a little more thoroughly now as well. It was doubtful anybody looked at their faces with the bikinis that they had on when they were there earlier. Everything was on display.

Gail led Sheila and Ally after Cameron, Savannah and Cammy. There were no threats spotted and no one seemed to recognize any of them, yet. That could change.

John Henry sent out the request from Savannah for Hanna and Holly to return and reinforce Cam and Samantha.

Hanna was a little surprised when she received the message. They were almost to the Syndicate casino.

"We're to return to Cam and 'Sammy'." Hanna said.

Holly was a little worried about the rest of the team. They were at the Syndicate casino.

"I received the message as well." Holly said. "It's a good thing we brought along an M32A1 and several M203 grenade launchers."

Now that they were alerted to the possible threat of a Liquid Metal Terminator, Hanna was more pleased with the acid rounds that they'd brought along for them. It would give them a fighting chance if pandemonium broke out.

"We can thank Bob for that." Hanna said. "He insisted we do."

They didn't know that Bob received the order from CamNet who in turn received a request from Young Allison.

Holly wished that they would have taken some of those weapons with them.

"It's too bad we left them with Cam and 'Vegas'." Holly said.

Hanna didn't like that the new female Terminator had three names. Well, actually it was four if they would still refer to her as the 'Metal Bitch'.

"We need to see what name she's going to use." Hanna said. "It's going to get confusing at some point."

Holly agreed with her in that regard. She also wanted to get her hands on the more lethal weapons.

"Let's head back and bring up some firepower." Holly said. "We will be better able to deal with Liquid Metal now."

Cam and Samantha received the alert about Liquid Metal Terminator and that Holly and Hanna were on their way back to reinforce them.

"Sammy, you heard the alert." Cam said. "We have the grenade launchers and acid rounds here."

Vegas didn't see the need to be referred to as 'Sammy' if they weren't going to the Syndicate casino.

"Call me 'Vegas'. I don't think I want to be 'Sammy'." Vegas said. "You know I'm mostly 'Cameron'."

Cam didn't think it was a big deal one way or the other.

"Whatever." Cam said. "We need to get everything ready."

Vegas looked over at the grenade launchers and acid rounds.

"We don't know that we'll need those." Vegas said.

Cam believed there were a lot of unanswered questions

"Who knows what we will need?" Cam asked. "How about Samantha then?"

Vegas looked over at Cam with a sour look.

"What's the deal with my 'name'?" Vegas asked.

Cam felt she was a little more concerned for her safety than Vegas was.

"I don't know." Cam said. "If we put you in the casino as 'Sammy' and 'The Enforcer' is Liquid Metal, you'll be terminated once he 'makes' you."

Vegas understood that her existence was 'short lived' under any circumstances.

"None of the files I have from 'Sammy' show that 'The Enforcer' is Liquid Metal." Vegas said. "I don't care if this program is terminated. It will be erased anyway."

Cam didn't want to hear any complaints. She waited for their team to be reinforced.

"Hanna and Holly should be back soon." Cam said.

Vegas felt a compelling need to carry out her assignment. It emanated deep from within her.

"We will have everything ready to go." Vegas said. "I'm tired of sitting around here anyway. I'm ready for action. I should be at the casino right now."

Cam didn't want anyone to get ahead of themselves. They'd only been wheels down a short time anyway.

"We've only been here for fifteen minutes…." Cam said. "That's the 'Cameron' in you talking."

Vegas felt the need for action in her programming.

"Cameron likes action and so do I." Vegas said.

It bothered Young Allison that she'd needed to become more involved in the operations. It wasn't what she was doing that bothered her but how it would be perceived by others. Everything she did needed to be done when it was done and how it was done. It was all 'instinct' to her from her years of training and conditioning by Cameron and the Metal Girls.

"I'm worried about getting too involved." Young Allison said.

Anna didn't think it was a problem.

"You're doing what you were trained to do." Anna said.

She still felt uneasy about it all.

"It's not my place or time yet." Young Allison said.

Anna looked over from her monitor directly at Young Allison.

"Isn't it?" Anna asked.

Young Allison wanted her future now. She wanted to look the part so she would be better accepted. She was ready now for everything. They just didn't understand her.

"I'm ready to 'go'." Young Allison said. "When I get back, I can take MY place."

Anna actually liked things the way they were. She also understood Young Allison's true desire.

"I know…." Anna said.

I Am Looking At YOU

What are you looking at
I am looking at YOU
Back away from me
There's much damage I can do

Stab me with an insult
Slap my unsmiling face
You can't really hurt me
Or make me feel disgrace

When I'm angry
You won't like my gig
Your neck can be snapped
Like a dry rotten twig

If you lie to me
You won't like how I respond
It will be even worse
To one who is blonde

You say you won't help me
You've already done so
Payment was one's very being
I guess it was quid pro quo

Nobody