Chapter 1019

A Little Reminding

John Henry was informed that CamNet was about to go to 'work' on the Syndicate. He was invited to witness everything with John.

John was concerned at first. He didn't know how this was going to go over. He was a little apprehensive to watch CamNet follow Young Allison's directives.

He watched as CamNet cleaned out all of the money from the Syndicate in Nevada. A few million dollars were transferred to the East Coast Syndicate. It was done to cause distrust between the two groups. It would prevent any reinforcements from arriving because of the distrust. A few million of it was deposited in some of the bank accounts controlled by the Cartel. There were clear traces left as to where it went with each of the Cartel members and East Coast Syndicate families who benefited from their new found wealth. Some of the Cartel money was taken from one Cartel member and transferred to another Cartel member. It was all done with a digital trail left behind. They would all blame each other. There would be 'proof' each group would have that the other was 'guilty'. This in turn allowed CamNet to locate any hidden accounts she'd missed as they all checked on their other holdings and investments.

CamNet took the rest of the money and it disappeared from all banking records for now. Everything was erased that the money was ever there. She would have it appear in dummy accounts she'd created. It would show it was always there to begin with down the road. It was 'dirty money' that was now clean.

At the same time, crews from the Syndicate and the Cartel were both directed to strike at targets in each other's territory. Other groups were sent to take territory from neighboring groups of the Syndicate and the Cartel. They all thought they acted under orders of their 'bosses'. It was really all CamNet.

John thought that it almost looked too easy. It all happened in a few minutes time. He watched as the various Syndicate families we made to distrust each other as they attacked each other. The same thing happened with the Cartel. He knew the real bloodshed would come when CamNet directed the Cartel and the Syndicate to fight each other. There was a clear paper trail that each group had stolen the other one's money. Since both organizations were built around money and obtaining wealth, it was easy to hit where it hurt.

"I can't believe all that just happened." John said.

John Henry was pretty sure that some things had been set into motion previously. It was only when John gave his approval that everything went into full swing. At least they were shown that it went into full swing. He wasn't sure if everything that they saw happen, actually happened in real time as they watched it. He wasn't going to question CamNet to find out. The goal was to hurt the Syndicate and the Cartel. That was obviously accomplished.

"Seeing is believing…." John Henry said.

John could see how Skynet could do the same thing to nations to get them to fight each other. That was without even tapping into their nuclear arsenals. He figured there were only so many nuclear weapons that Skynet could directly launch on its own. Once one nation thought another specific nation was the one who attacked it, other nuclear weapons would be deployed that would be carried by aircraft. Submarines with nuclear weapons would receive launch codes as well. No wonder half the population of the planet was wiped out in a few hour's time. He realized that CamNet would be able to do exactly the same thing. He didn't want to think about that right now. He focused on what he'd just witnessed go down.

"So in a few minutes time, the West Coast Syndicate can't trust the East Coast Syndicate." John said. "Both groups could tell the Cartel made a move on them financially and on their territory."

John Henry actually detected a lot of things happening. It appeared that most of the activity was in progress now. He was sure what CamNet must have done earlier was to set the stage and implant suspicion to all the different group's minds. What she just did confirmed their suspicions and propagated the attacks. That was the reason why all of the groups had soldiers ready to act. They were all given 'permission' to act by their 'bosses'. Their 'boss' in this case was actually CamNet.

"In addition, different families in the Syndicate have moved in on each other." John Henry said. "It's happening in real time as we speak."

John felt with the Syndicate tied up with other matters, that maybe they should wait on his earlier recommendation about burning down some of the buildings. The original plan was to wait to see who else showed up. He wanted to go back to the original plan. His main concern was any Grays that they may have missed. That was their real enemy.

"Let's wait a week on torching the old supermarket and lab buildings for now. I want to see if anyone ever shows back up there before we have the buildings torn down." John said. "I want to try to bring down all of the latest Skynet cell."

Those included the locations where the Syndicate was first encountered outside of Las Vegas.

John Henry always hired an established demolition company to tear down the buildings. It didn't cost them anything because they always used someone else's money. In this case they had new money to play with. They would always slip a Terminator into the demolition crew to make sure they hadn't missed anything.

"The Syndicate is paying for it." John Henry said.

They wanted to see if anyone returned to the old supermarket or lab before they were torn down.

The port facility was left untouched since they thought there would be something additional that could happen there. They were sure they'd interrupted something, they just didn't know what.

They were pretty sure that the Syndicate was the group that attacked the port facility that was inhabited by the Skynet forces. All indications were that the Syndicate had been waiting for something before they launched their attack. When Cameron's team invaded the premises, it forced the attack to start early.

They would really like to know what it was that they'd missed. It must have been something important. They would keep a careful watch on that location and check out everyone who paid very much attention to it.

Young Allison and Savannah watched along with Cameron and Anna as CamNet went to work.

Young Allison wanted to hit the Syndicate hard since they'd targeted Cammy, Ally and Sheila. That was only a few days ago in reality. The fact the Metal girls went back and made a 'withdrawal' from the casino wasn't a problem for her. That was mainly a lesson to make the Syndicate feel some pain for going after the three Metal girls and a few hundred thousand dollars that they walked away with. They ended up losing millions and dozens of thugs since then. The Syndicate got what it deserved. She felt vindicated by her actions.

"They shouldn't have messed with our people." Young Allison said. "I don't fool around. I fight to win."

Savannah felt their actions were what caused the Syndicate to go after the Grays because they believed the Grays were the ones who stole their money.

"We did sort of rob the place." Savannah said. "The Syndicate wanted to get its money back from the Grays."

Young Allison planned to hurt the Syndicate just because they tried to jump the Metal girls. Everything else that happened after that wasn't her main motivation for bringing down the wrath of CamNet on the Syndicate. She decided to throw in the Cartel for good measure. She wanted to make sure that everyone understood the Syndicate was the one who started it all.

"That was after they tried to jump the Metal girls to get their money back in the alley." Young Allison said. "They tried to draw first blood. We beat them to it. The Metal girls beat them fair and square."

Savannah wanted to point out that if the Metal girls hadn't used their Terminator abilities to beat the crooked gambling system, the Syndicate wouldn't have sent thugs out after them to get their money back. The rest of the Metal girls wouldn't have responded by robbing the Syndicate casino. Anna interrupted her thoughts.

Anna noted a new development. This was more in the line of work that Cameron, Ally and Sheila conducted off the books. It involved females being forced into the sex trade.

"I see CamNet has sent law enforcement to all locations where it was suspected girls and women were being trafficked." Anna said. "This must have been in the works already to be pulled off on this scale."

Young Allison smiled to herself. It was clear CamNet had already set things into motion prior to John's 'approval'. She'd instructed CamNet to free as many of the girls as possible that both the Syndicate and Cartel offered for 'sale'. She wanted this done when the Syndicate and Cartel were pitted against each other. She wanted it done off the books the same way Cameron's operations were conducted.

"I might not have 'mentioned' that part. I don't like to leave anyone behind." Young Allison said. "There will be hundreds of girls freed tonight and given proper care."

Everyone was actually pleased to hear that. That was something that mattered to each of them more than what happened to the Syndicate or the Cartel proper. The real issue was what damage was done to their lives? Some of the girls would be able to move on, other ones would be permanently damaged from the experience.

Savannah watched Young Allison. She didn't seem phased or bothered by any of what happened.

Young Allison noticed Savannah looking at her. She wanted to make her position clear. She wanted them to know exactly who she was.

"Don't let my age fool you." Young Allison said as she touched the side of her head. "There's a lot going on up here."

Young Allison calculated a dozen scenarios in a few seconds.

Savannah briefly wondered if this is where Skynet came from. Maybe it was from this version of 'Allison' into 'Cameron' into 'Skynet'. She hoped it wasn't the SkyMaster version.

What Savannah didn't know was that CamNet wanted to do the 'Neural Interface' with Young Allison and become 'Fusion'.

Savannah looked intently at Young Allison.

"You're a real 'firecracker'." Savannah said.

Young Allison smiled and shrugged her shoulders. She actually felt she was more of a 'cherry bomb'.

"I think that's enough of this Syndicate stuff unless something happens." Young Allison said. "I want CamNet to take care of it with everything at her disposal."

Savannah knew a broad order like that, 'with everything at her disposal', could lead to the use of nuclear weapons fired from warships or missile silos around the world. CamNet was everywhere thanks to the Gray operative Charles Fisher.

She wanted that directive narrowed some. She needed that done before CamNet acted inappropriately.

"That needs to be without the use of nuclear weapons or weapons of mass destruction." Savannah quickly added.

Young Allison looked up at the security monitor. She realized that Savannah's restriction was prudent. She should have considered that as well. She didn't want CamNet to inadvertently become 'Skynet' by starting the attacks that could lead to the end of the world.

"Savannah is correct. It must be done within reason." Young Allison said. "We don't want to start World War Three."

Savannah wanted to throw a few rules out there herself. She looked at the security monitor. She wanted to make herself clear.

"CamNet, it should only be a limited response unless we're threatened again by them." Savannah said. "Do you want to add anything, Cameron?"

Cameron was very satisfied by Young Allison's actions and directives. They were what she would have done. She actually needed to wonder why she hadn't already done that. She remembered before that she said she found law enforcement 'useful'. Maybe she should have used law enforcement a little more to help free some of the girls in the sex trade.

"No. I don't have anything to add." Cameron said. "I'm very proud of both of you."

Young Allison felt sometimes the decisions from the Command Center weren't far reaching or far thinking enough.

"Next time I'll tell John myself." Young Allison said. "It's never in the moment only. He needs to think bigger and see everything."

Savannah wondered what exactly Young Allison referred to.

"Is that what you do?" Savannah asked.

Young Allison wanted her future now. She wanted everything her future would offer. She was tired of waiting for it. There was no reason that she couldn't have those same things now. Nothing would change or be any different five minutes from now or five years from now.

"I will." Young Allison said. "When I take my place…."

Young Allison and Cameron looked at each other.

Cameron felt she'd created a worthy replacement in both of the girls. She decided not to comment on it directly. It always seemed to upset Savannah. She wasn't really sure why.

"It will be so." Cameron said. "John MUST be protected."

Savannah wanted to remind Cameron that was her job for now. She understood what Cameron wanted and why but she didn't see any need to rush it prior to Judgment Day. She always needed to believe that maybe there wouldn't be a Judgment Day. She didn't want to complicate things between Cameron and John if Judgment Day never happened and Young Allison in her were in the mix.

"Cameron, I think you should go back and be with John." Savannah said. "I think your idea about going on a cruise with him was a good idea. I think that you should do that. I want you to do that."

Young Allison liked that idea. It sounded like fun. She could get away from it all.

"I want to go too." Young Allison said. "I want to have some fun."

Savannah wanted John and Cameron to go alone.

"It's a honeymoon trip for them." Savannah said. "They don't need any outside distractions. They need to concentrate on each other."

Young Allison was pretty sure the honeymoon was just symbolic at this point. They'd already been together for years. She figured that they probably made love thousands of times. She wondered if she asked Cameron how many times she'd been with John if she could tell her the exact number. She was pretty sure that she could. She also wanted to ask her how many of those thousands of times she was actually satisfied by intercourse. From what she'd read in Cosmo, it wouldn't be many.

"I know all about that." Young Allison said. "At least you're ready for it."

Young Allison felt she was ready for it too. She at least wanted to try it one time to see what it was like. There were actually quite a few things that she wanted to try to see what they were like.

Cameron knew it wasn't all fun and games. She didn't want the girls to have any illusions about what it would be like. She wanted to be realistic and speak from her point of view.

"It's something females need to put up with." Cameron said.

Cameron thought that wasn't what Young Allison needed to hear. She wanted to rephrase it. She didn't want to give her a negative opinion going into it. She was aware of Young Allison's internet searches. She no longer sought out male and female activity. All of her searches were concentrated on females. She remembered it was exactly the same way for Savannah. She still wanted to give Young Allison something to look forward to.

"It's an opportunity to share and express our love for each other." Cameron said. "It's an extreme closeness two individuals can share."

Young Allison looked at Savannah and Cameron.

"NOW I really want to go." Young Allison said.

Savannah would like to go as well. She would like to share with Young Allison at that time. This wasn't the time to do that.

"I'll go with you at a later time, Allison." Savannah said. "I want John and Cameron to stay connected. I want this to be about just them."

Young Allison smiled. She'd looked at plenty of 'connecting' on the internet.

"I know how they 'connect'." Young Allison said.

Savannah knew all about that too. It was inappropriate to verbalize.

"Allison!" Savannah said.

Young Allison wanted to go alone with Savannah.

"I'm sorry. I'll go with you, Savannah." Young Allison said. "Can it just be us?"

Cameron and Anna both got up to leave. They thought it sounded like a private moment was about to develop.

Young Allison didn't want things to get out of control.

"Where are you two going?" Young Allison asked. "It is not like EVERYONE doesn't know what's going to happen…. We all know the future."

Savannah wanted to put the brakes on everything.

"The future isn't happening NOW." Savannah said.

Young Allison wanted it to be a commitment.

"It can be our honeymoon." Young Allison said.

Savannah didn't want Young Allison to rush things. The emotional bond needed to be the center piece, not the physical aspects.

"We can go after Cameron and John come back." Savannah said. "I'm sure your mother would like to come along too and Summer. You need to think about your family as well."

Young Allison felt the long term members of the team should come first. She shouldn't be in a hurry to take 'cuts'.

"I need to think of others first." Young Allison said. "I'm sorry I jumped the gun."

Anna didn't like the prospect of Young Allison in the midst of scantily clad strangers, both male and female.

"I'll need to go with Allison." Anna said. "There will be a lot of people on the ship. She must be protected."

Anna knew she was to physically prevent anyone from 'touching' Young Allison in any sexual or provocative manner. She figured if nothing else her top would need to 'fall off' quite a bit to direct attention away from Young Allison.

Savannah knew they would need some type of protection. Even though it was a closed environment, they were still things that could go wrong. There was always something that could go wrong.

"Cammy will want to come as well." Savannah said. "We need to see how it goes with John and Cameron first. We have others in the Resistance we need to think of before we go."

Cameron didn't want Savannah excluded.

"You also need to think about yourself." Cameron said. "You matter too."

Savannah wanted the others to go first.

"I must put all the others before myself." Savannah said.

Young Allison felt bad about wanting to go earlier.

"I shouldn't have seemed so eager." Young Allison said. "There are others who have carried the torch longer and sacrificed more than I have. They should be given the opportunity to go first."

Cameron was pleased to hear that.

"You're very wise." Cameron said.

Young Allison would have preferred to have thought of that earlier. She didn't like to put herself before others.

"Sometimes I need a little reminding." Young Allison said.

Savannah was pleased Young Allison recognized what was important.

"Nobody is perfect." Savannah said.

'Yes she is….' Young Allison thought as she looked at Cameron.

Cameron noticed Young Allison looked at her.

Savannah was aware that cruises were often booked a year in advance. She was sure CamNet could pull a few 'strings'.

"Plan your cruise, Cameron." Savannah said. "I'm sure CamNet can 'work' you in."

Cameron wasn't sure how John would do on a ship. She didn't think he'd been on one in years. The last time he was on one was when he escaped from the lighthouse and left Charlie behind to cover him. John got away. Charlie didn't.

"I don't know." Cameron said. "Maybe John will get seasick."

Savannah didn't think it would be that big of a deal. It wasn't like they were going across the Atlantic or the Pacific. They wouldn't be in the Caribbean with all the tropical storms and hurricanes that were frequent in the area.

"It's a coastal cruise. They're just off the coast between San Diego, San Francisco and points in between." Savannah said. "There's a short stop in Ensenada."

Young Allison knew of the trouble in Mexico before with John and Riley, the dead one.

"Why do they need to go to Mexico?" Young Allison asked. "Nothing good ever happens there. It's a Third World country run by drug lords. It brings nothing but trouble to the rest of the world."

Cameron already looked into the reason for that. She didn't want to go to Mexico either. It reminded her too much of when John was in the Honeymoon Suite with Future Riley. What exactly did he think was going to happen in that room, especially with that name? She thought the reason the ships needed to go to Mexico was archaic and should be disregarded.

"I'll try to make this simple. The Jones Act necessitates foreign registered ships must make one 'foreign' port when operating between United States ports." Cameron said. "I looked that up when I looked over the itinerary. I don't think John should return to Mexico."

Young Allison thought there was a solution to that dilemma.

"He doesn't have to get off the ship." Young Allison said. "I'm sure you can find something to do in your cabin while the ship is in that port. I can think of a few things and I'm not the one that's married to him."

Cameron tilted her head slightly.

"I don't think I'll allow him off of the ship in that port if we go." Cameron said. "The time can better be spent elsewhere."

Young Allison looked at Savannah and giggled.

Savannah thought that was a subject they should probably stay away from. At least it was a subject that Young Allison should stay away from.

"You should find something more productive to work on." Savannah said.

Young Allison looked at some YouTube videos.

"What are you looking at?" Savannah asked.

Young Allison was surprised at what she was able to find.

"What other people have done on their cruise." Young Allison said. "There are lots of videos."

Savannah didn't want to draw attention to any of their group.

"We would have to be low key." Savannah said. "We don't want any of our people to get noticed by anyone. There will be a lot of cameras on board the ship. There will also be security cameras located throughout the ship as well. That's probably footage that will need to be scrubbed at the end of the cruise."

Young Allison looked at some of the different types of rooms that were available. She couldn't believe how small most of them actually were. She did find a few that caught her fancy.

"You can get a suite." Young Allison said. "Look how big they are compared to a regular cabin. My bedroom is bigger than a regular cabin."

Anna looked at some of the images. There seemed to be quite a few amenities in a suite.

"Maybe they'll never need to leave the room then." Anna said.

Young Allison looked at Cameron and then at Savannah and giggled.

Savannah watched someone 'check in' to board the ship on a video. It wasn't a simple walk on affair.

"Security looks tight." Savannah said.

Young Alison observed the process as well. She could see it was going to be a problem for Cameron.

"You'll need to pass through a Metal detector at the port before you get on and again on the ship." Young Allison said. "That could cause some issues."

Cameron frowned a little bit.

"Do you mean because I'm Metal?" Cameron asked.

Young Allison thought about what she said. She didn't mean it in a derogatory manner. She was concerned about their protection.

"There's that too but I need to take my Taser and Model 66." Young Allison said. "We all need to pack some heat, just in case."

Anna thought there might be a way around the metal detectors. She wasn't sure about the one on the ship.

"CamNet and John Henry can take over the metal detection machines." Anna said. "The ones in the port shouldn't be too hard to hack."

Cameron finished a brief conversation with CamNet.

"That shouldn't be a problem." Cameron said. "I just communicated to CamNet to plant herself in a position to take control of the computers that run the ship's and port's security when we need it."

Young Allison knew things were wrapping up. She really wanted Savannah to stay with her again.

"Savannah, will you stay at least one night?" Young Allison asked.

Savannah wanted Cameron to go back and see John. She knew if she went with her that would happen. She also wanted to spend time with Young Allison. She looked at her big brown puppy dog eyes and couldn't resist.

"OK, Allison." Savannah said. "I can wait for Cammy to come and get me tomorrow. That's if Cameron is going back to John for the rest of the day and night."

Anna felt there was a better solution. It seemed more practical as well.

"You could always bring Allison to the Resistance base." Anna said. "Everyone else is there."

Young Allison would like to do that but she knew she needed to toughen herself up.

"I might be needed here." Young Allison said. "I need to get used to being away from them."

Savannah could see the issue for what it was.

"You're lonely." Savannah said.

Young Allison let out a slow breath.

"I am but I need to adjust." Young Allison said. "Everything has a price."

Savannah actually believed it was completely unnecessary. Young Allison was fine the way she was.

"It shouldn't need to." Savannah said.

Young Allison still wanted to do what she felt needed to be done.

"You only get what you 'pay for'." Young Allison said.

Savannah wondered if Claire, Summer and Allison along with their Metal girlfriends, now at the Resistance base, wasn't a 'test' to see how Young Allison would 'hold up' in the past for a few years without them.

"Nothing is free." Cameron said as she looked at Savannah. "Everything has a price."

Savannah wondered what exactly Cameron meant by that. Who was that comment directed at?

A Little Reminding

Memory seems to be selective
People remember what they choose
Maybe that's so it coincides
With their own narrow views

The truth doesn't mean much
It becomes a matter of perspective
It's their own selfish desires
That makes reality subjective

Is truth really truth
For which one toils
Maybe it's to the victor
That goes the spoils

Maybe some things
Are better left forgotten
The story behind them
Is usually something rotten

What it is, is what it is
There's no need for fact finding
Maybe it's just as simple as
A little reminding

Nobody