Chapter 942

What You Want Most

Cameron rebooted. All of her systems started to come back online. She scanned for radiation. She felt the Metal girls below her start to move as well. Cameron jumped off and soon all the other Metal girls did too.

Gail was the last one. When Gail opened her eyes, Savannah looked at her and smiled. She smiled back as the pile of bodies on her hopped off, one by one.

Cameron indicated that Savannah and Young Allison should wait where they were inside the protection of the manned drone. Cam ran to the top of the ridge for a visual look and radiation reading. She signaled it was all clear.

The canopy opened. Young Allison and Savannah climbed out. Young Allison reached back to help Savannah out. Savannah jumped off of the manned drone and then reached up to help Young Allison down.

Cameron watched everything with satisfaction. This is what she wanted to see. It was real and organic. It was love. It was pure sweet love that was unadulterated by any physical aspect. She figured that would happen soon enough. She would prefer it happened sooner rather than later.

The Metal girls checked all the drones for damage. They were all in good order.

Gail inspected the three nuclear weapons that were strapped to the two drones.

"Are you both OK?" Cameron asked Savannah and Young Allison. "I think you blacked out for a short time. If not, you were close to it."

Savannah moved her arms back and forth and turned her head from side to side.

"I feel fine." Savannah said.

Young Allison did the same thing.

"I do too." Young Allison said.

Savannah knew their speed was pretty intense. As long as they traveled in a straight line it wasn't too big of a problem. It was only when the manned drone needed to change directions where the G-force seemed to multiply.

"I think it was that last sharp turn that did it." Savannah said. "My vision had narrowed substantially before that turn."

Cameron went over the events that occurred and showed them the results on her phone. They were able to view everything that the drones took in before and after the underground explosion.

Savannah and Young Allison checked with each of the Metal girls to make sure they were undamaged, they started with Cameron.

Savannah or Young Allison touched the cheek of each one, while the other held a hand as they talked to them. This gave them both physical contact as well as emotional contact with each of the Metal girls.

Cameron watched as Savannah and Young Allison further strengthened their bond with each other and all the Metal girls. It was everything she wanted for them. To watch all the Metal girls shield Savannah and Young Allison on their own accord, showed how much they all cared. They would all care even more now. It would insure the girl's protection even more so for the future. Savannah showed Cameron before that love was a stronger motivation than duty alone. Both Savannah and Young Allison earned that love from everyone by their actions.

Savannah told Young Allison to go and be with Cameron and see what things looked like from the top of the ridge.

Young Allison ran over and took Cameron's hand as they started up the side of the ridge. It wasn't an easy climb.

Savannah wanted to speak with Gail away from Cameron. It was clear that Gail was in charge of the nuclear weapons.

"Hi, Gail." Savannah said. "I appreciate what you did."

Gail smiled at Savannah. She was pleased that she came back to talk with her.

"I wanted to make sure you were as safe as could be." Gail said.

Savannah looked at the three nukes. She was aware that they posed a great threat to everyone. They posed the biggest threat to Cameron. She would be the one most likely to use them. She wanted to know where the weapons were headed. She wanted to know their specific destination and where they would be stored. She wanted to know how to get to them and she wanted to be able to keep track of them.

"Where are these weapons going?" Savannah asked.

Gail finished her inspection of the nuclear weapons. She didn't think she could give Savannah much information yet.

"Cameron hasn't given me a location to take them to yet." Gail said. "I know nothing more than where they are now here with us."

Savannah looked at how the nuclear weapons were secured to the two drones. She was worried about the weight on the drones. She wanted a better arrangement. She wanted things to be a little safer for Gail as well.

"I want the second bomb off the one drone with two and another drone used for it. You'll take the manned drone when you accompany them." Savannah said. "I don't want you riding on top of a drone, especially one with a nuclear weapon on it."

Savannah's first thought was much the same as John's first thought when Cameron discovered the Nike warheads. She wanted to return them back to the military. She needed to rethink that some. She'd just witnessed one used to stop Skynet a few minutes ago. She watched Cameron use another one before to destroy Skynet in her future. Duplicate Cameron used one too. It was clear they were dangerous but they also could eradicate any version of Skynet that they encountered.

It was the method of detonation that mattered. She was aware Young Allison used adequate precautions to make sure that the H-bomb that just exploded was set up to do it automatically with a timer. She thought it was very innovative that she used a Terminator power cell for the timer's power source.

Savannah decided to make a hard choice. It may be needed to protect the future and the others. The prospect of having to do it manually didn't excite her. She'd stood next to Cameron as they waited for the Nike warhead to explode in Cameron's future. She figured if she did it once, she could do it again if she needed to.

"I wish to know where these go, how to access them and how to detonate one." Savannah said.

Gail thought about what Savannah just said. It was very terminal for Savannah if she needed to use one. She didn't think that was a wise idea. It wasn't her place to question the 'Chosen One'. She needed to find out more about what Savannah planned. She could do it in her place. She wondered if Savannah already had a specific target.

"Do you wish to use one?" Gail asked.

Gail was more than a little worried.

"I hope I never have to." Savannah said. "I just want to know where they end up at and what to do myself. I need to know how to detonate one."

Gail looked up at Young Allison with Cameron behind her as they went up to the top of the ridge. It was clear that Savannah asked her to do this so Cameron and Young Allison didn't know what she planned to do.

"You don't want Young Allison to know." Gail said.

Savannah looked up at the ridge where Young Allison and Cameron were at.

"No." Savannah said. "I don't want Cameron to know either."

Savannah felt if they knew, they might try to stop her as she would them. It would be the natural reaction for anyone who loved the others.

Gail wanted to try to make herself a part of Savannah's plans. If Savannah wanted to deploy and use one of the weapons she would try to be by her side.

"I'll let you know the location and operational procedures." Gail said. "I'll show you how to build a timer."

Savannah didn't want anyone else to know. She knew that if anybody knew they would try to stop her. She felt she'd used her personal closeness with Gail to do this confidentially. She didn't want Gail to feel like she was being used.

"I really appreciate this." Savannah said. "It'll be our secret."

Savannah winked at Gail and gently touched her cheek.

"If you wish to deploy one or more to an alternate location, I'll transport it for you. They are very heavy." Gail said. "You won't be able to move one on your own."

Savannah knew that she would need help from a Terminator. She thought there may be a way around that if the weapons were left on the drones where they were stored. She would look into that when Gail showed her how to manually detonate one at the location where they were stored.

"I also want to know the manual detonation procedure in case the timer we fabricate doesn't work." Savannah said. "I need to make sure that if the weapon is to be used, it explodes as intended. I wouldn't want the enemy to get their hands on it."

Gail's earlier suspicions were confirmed.

"That would mean…." Gail started.

Savannah looked up to the ridge line where Cameron and Young Allison were.

Gail followed her gaze.

"I'll do anything to protect them." Savannah said. "I want to make that clear - anything."

Gail suppressed a glitch impulse.

"I understand…." Gail said. "You truly are the 'Chosen One'."

Gail would detonate one of the bombs herself in Savannah's place if she could. She didn't plan to allow Savannah to do that if she could prevent it. She decided that once she knew what the target destination was for the weapon that she would take care of it herself. There is no need for Savannah to terminate needlessly. She would make sure that her program was copied before she did the task. She would allow Savannah to choose a new chassis for her. It would please her greatly to have the 'Chosen One' choose her new appearance.

The climb was steep for Young Allison but she forged ahead on her own until she reached the top of the ridge. Cameron followed behind her in case she slipped, which she didn't. Cameron saw that Young Allison was very sure footed with extreme agility. It appeared that all of her training paid off.

Cameron glanced back and saw Savannah talking to Gail. She smiled to herself. She knew Savannah was covering all the bases. It was clear to her now that Savannah would use a nuclear weapon as well, especially since Young Allison already had. It may be necessary in the future to protect John or destroy Skynet and maybe use one or more. She would make sure Savannah and Young Allison both knew where the nuclear weapons she controlled were and how to operate them with a timer. It would be done much in the same way as Young Allison had Cammy and Sheila do for the H-bomb. She didn't know Savannah wanted to learn how to detonate one manually.

Young Allison reached the ridge top. She'd already looked at the drone footage. This was different. To see it, was to believe it. She could see that the H-bomb really did a number on the mountain. She understood the effect was magnified by the giant power cell that most likely exploded at the same time.

"Wow!" Young Allison said. "I did that?"

Cameron joined her at her side. The landscape was noticeably altered.

"Yes." Cameron said. "That was either the largest H-bomb or several other nuclear weapons or a giant power cell as well. Maybe it was all of them combined."

Young Allison could see the effect. She was worried about what she couldn't see.

"Is there any increase in any radiation?" Young Allison asked. "Is there any trace of Cobalt radiation? I believe the whole purpose of this endeavor was to prevent that from happening. What actually happened to the mine?"

Cameron was aware how an underground nuclear explosion worked. Not many miles from where they stood there were many circular depressions in the landscape where nuclear weapons were previously tested below ground. The bomb that was used was used in much of the same way as the underground tests were conducted.

"When the H-bomb exploded, a gigantic cavern was created below the surface when the blast occurred and the mountain collapsed in on itself." Cameron said. "This in turn destroyed everything between the underground crater and the surface. The rest of the mountain collapsed on top of everything. Anything that was in there would be crushed flat. I don't believe that the Terminator that was in there would have been able to survive. That would be my only worry about the mine. If there were any other weapons or Cobalt in the mine, it's buried forever now."

Young Allison knew that her actions there killed people. It wasn't the first time that her actions killed people. She was responsible for the termination of Grays previously as well as the biker gang who accosted Ally. She didn't feel any remorse or regret with the termination of those individuals. It was their own actions that resulted in their terminations. She did need to acknowledge the consequences of her actions though.

"I killed people today." Young Allison said.

Cameron knew it wasn't the first time.

"That's very likely." Cameron said. "Does that bother you?"

Young Allison's biggest worry was if any innocent people were terminated by her actions. She knew that that was a strong possibility. So far she hadn't heard what the collateral damage was for any other location yet.

"If they were Skynet related - no." Young Allison said. "If they were innocent - yes."

Cameron personally didn't think it was a big deal. If Skynet needed to be terminated, it needed to be terminated. They would try to avoid any innocents from being killed but that wasn't always possible. She knew in the future that Future John became somewhat reckless with his actions. That was one of the things that turned the anti-Metal group against him. They felt that he'd gotten 'good people' killed that didn't need to die.

"Sometimes innocent people will need to be sacrificed for the greater good so more may live." Cameron said. "It is called 'collateral damage'. It's an occurrence of modern warfare and can happen on a large battlefield. I know that you've seen on the news that it happens."

Young Allison looked at the dust in the air where the mountain previously was. She was trained to hit hard if she was going to hit. That was exactly what she'd done at this location. She knew that everything in life was about choices. Some of them were easy, others were hard. To protect the ones she loved and cared about she would do whatever she had to do to protect them. She believed this was an example of that.

"I've been taught that." Young Allison said. "That's called 'making the hard choice'."

Cameron knew there was a big difference between using a weapon like Young Allison used in the desert as opposed to an urban area. There was the potential for a lot of casualties in an urban setting.

"Do you believe it?" Cameron asked. "You know thousands of people could be terminated in some situations."

Young Allison looked at the remains of the mountain. She could only imagine what would happen in the city if that were to occur. She did understand that all her actions had the potential to kill a lot of people.

"Yes." Young Allison said. "I may not like it but I do understand it."

Cameron didn't think that Young Allison was affected in a negative manner about what she'd done there. She did want to make sure what would happen the next time if it were necessary.

"Would you do it again?" Cameron asked.

Young Allison didn't even need to think about it any further. She's already done it. What happened where they were was proof that she was willing to do it.

"Yes. I'll protect John, Savannah and you however I need to." Young Allison said. "I'll protect the future. As far as I know I may have already done it again and set events like this onto motion."

Cameron tilted her head slightly. That was an interesting thought. She didn't think Young Allison would hesitate to do it again or do what was necessary even if there was going to be collateral damage. She wanted to remind her of her future responsibilities.

"John will have to make those choices in the future." Cameron said. "He must not falter."

Young Allison was aware of what her various functions would be in the future. She would ensure that the future was protected.

"I'm aware of that." Young Allison said. "I know and understand what my duties are."

Cameron wanted to make sure John wouldn't falter.

"You and Savannah MUST provide John with the strength and guidance he will need when hard choices need to be made." Cameron said. "He is hesitant to act sometimes, even when he knows that he needs to."

Young Allison knew very well what her duties and responsibilities were. Every morning when she woke up they were fresh in her mind. Everything she needed to do was fresh in her mind. She was more than ready to start on all of them. She glanced back down where Savannah was at. She was ready for everything.

"I know this, Cameron." Young Allison said. "I know everything I'm supposed to do. Everything…."

Cameron reached down and hugged Young Allison.

"Thank you." Cameron said.

Young Allison looked into Cameron's eyes.

"I promise to do everything you want." Young Allison said. "I promise you what you want most."

Young Allison could see the tears form in Cameron's eyes and run down her cheeks. She wiped them away for Cameron.

"Thank you." Cameron whispered in her ear.

Young Allison knew she was hopelessly in love with Cameron and Savannah. She really wondered what was going to happen when her hormones started to kick in. She was pretty sure they were surging through her veins right now.

"I want to start now. Please don't make me wait." Young Allison said. "I'm ready for more."

There was some noise below them.

Savannah, Cammy and Anna were on their way up to join them.

As she neared the top, Savannah could see Cameron looked upset. She wondered what she was going to see when she reached the top of the ridge.

"Is it that bad?" Savannah asked.

Savannah was unsure what she was about to see.

Young Allison looked to where the mountain was before and the dust cloud that still hung in the air. She was aware that she's literally wiped the enemy off the face of the map and as far as that went, it was the face of the Earth too.

"Nope." Young Allison said. "We won and they lost."

Savannah thought the Grays picked the wrong day to be a Gray.

"All's well that ends well for us." Savannah said.

Anna went and stood next to Young Allison and Cammy stood next to Savannah.

Cameron looked over at the collapsed mountain. She knew that their work wasn't done yet.

"We'll need to inspect the mountain debris for any Skynet related 'products'." Cameron said.

Savannah wanted to set a few parameters. She knew they were Terminators away from their 'normal assignments'. She wanted everyone back where they belonged.

"The Metal girls need to return to their previous assignments and Allison needs to get home." Savannah said. "Where she should be."

Young Allison frowned at Savannah.

Cameron didn't need all the Metal girls for the job.

"I'll have Sheila and Ally accompany me." Cameron said. "Samantha will come as well."

Young Allison was dissatisfied with Cameron's plan. She wanted to clarify what Savannah meant.

"Savannah meant ALL the Metal girls who have a prior obligation." Young Allison said as she looked at Cameron.

Savannah was very pleased with Young Allison's intervention.

"Yes I did." Savannah said. "Thank you, Allison."

Cameron now understood. Savannah included her with that statement. Savannah wanted to look out for her. Cameron wondered what Savannah and Young Allison would do in the future with her.

"Is this what I can expect in the future?" Cameron asked.

Young Allison shrugged her shoulders slightly.

"Someone has to make the hard choices." Young Allison said. "All we need to do is look over where the mountain was at to know that I will. Even though I haven't actually made that choice yet, it appears that I already have. Even if I hadn't, I still would."

Savannah looked at Young Allison with a slight frown. She thought there needed to be order and control.

"Sometimes there needs to be an adult in the room." Savannah said. "It's easy for some people to get lost without proper guidance."

Cameron looked at the two girls and tried not to smile when she spoke.

"Everyone knows there's only chaos when - Nobody is in charge." Cameron said.

Savannah and Young Allison both giggled.

"Yup." Savannah and Young Allison said at the same time.

They were all pleased that they would all protect each other. They all looked over where the mountain used to be and knew that they would all do the same thing without hesitation to protect the others.

John looked at the image from a drone on the big screen.

It was focused on Cameron and then widened to show Savannah standing on her right side and Young Allison on her left. It then widened a little further to show Cammy on Savannah's right side and Anna on Young Allison's left.

He wondered if someone was being a little over dramatic with the images.

"Look at that…." John said.

John thought he would really like to have that 'line up' of females in his bedroom.

There was some movement behind John.

"Oh, there's Allison." Claire said.

John's head snapped around. He saw Claire, Jesse and Summer standing there. He watched as Summer's eyes went from screen to screen. He watched her look at every one in the Command Center in a second.

Claire looked at the three Metal girls with Savannah and Young Allison as they stood on the ridge top.

"I thought Cameron was on a mission." Claire said.

John Henry quickly changed all the other screens in a flash. He also noted that Summer looked at everything in just a second's time. Since the mine was destroyed, he felt the current operation was over.

"It concluded." John Henry quickly said.

John wanted to come up with a plausible explanation. He'd watch the drone footage of the girls as they climbed up to the ridge top. It took some effort on each of their parts.

"Yeah…. Hi, Claire, Summer, Jesse." John said. "They're hiking…."

Jesse saw enough of the screens to know that Claire probably shouldn't be in there and ask too many more questions. She could see there was a lot more going on than they wanted to talk about.

"Hi, John." Jesse said as she winked at John before she turned to Claire. "Come on, love, we'll be late."

John understood that Jesse wanted to help prevent a problem for him. Even though he had nothing to do with Young Allison being where she was at, it would still come back on him.

"Hey, Jesse." John said.

Jesse smiled at him.

Claire nodded and headed for the door.

"Gotta go." Claire said.

John looked at Jesse and winked.

Jesse smiled and moved in front of Claire as they exited.

Claire walked out after Jesse. Summer started after her mother and then stopped. She turned her body halfway back with her head at a slight downward angle and looked at John. She raised her right index finger in front of her face and moved it back and forth three times. She smiled and hurried after Claire and Jesse.

John realized that not only did Jesse know there was more going on, it appeared that Summer did as well. He had the feeling that Summer knew exactly what was going on.

"Did you see that?" John asked. "Summer knows the truth. She saw it all in a second. I saw her."

John Henry believed that Summer was the most dynamic individual in the Resistance.

"Perhaps you have just experienced your worst nightmare." John Henry said. "In the future…."

John didn't know what the future held.

He couldn't help but think of the way Summer looked. He was sure he needed to watch his favorite scenes from 'Pretty Baby' again.

What You Want Most

Many seem to never
Give up the hunt
Do they really know
What it is they want

That seems to be the root
Of much of the trouble
It appears to compound
It soon becomes double

Maybe it's by nature
That people are greedy
There always seems to be those
Who are more than needy

Every person is different
They all have their own way
One needs to take the time
To listen to what they say

There are those
Who like to boast
Everyone knows
What you want most

Nobody