Chapter 1070

It Is My Nature

Anna and Young Allison assisted John and John Henry earlier. It appeared things were concluded for now operational wise. They departed the Command Center and went in search of Summer.

Anna was still upset how John acted towards Young Allison. She thought he was rude and overbearing. He'd pressed her on issues he didn't need to and wanted her to make decisions that she shouldn't have needed to make.

"I didn't like the way John treated you." Anna said.

Young Allison didn't like it either. She felt that John wanted to challenge her to see how she reacted under pressure and if she would retreat or buckle.

"He wanted to test me." Young Allison said.

Young Allison knew he wanted to see what was in store for him when she got back from the past. Cameron previously warned her about it and prepared her for the inevitable confrontation. She was ready and didn't back down.

Anna still didn't like how it was done. She felt that John needed to atone for the way he'd treated Young Allison.

"He should have used more tact." Anna said. "I'll inform Cameron about this infraction."

Young Allison knew Anna referred to some 'punishment' for John. She'd heard how things worked.

"It will be like the girls in Cameron's future banding together to dish out some 'punishment'." Young Allison said.

Anna could think of a few motivational tools. Her base program was Cameron's programs. She knew what John 'understood' and how to remind him.

"Yes." Anna said. "That's how things work. It's not all fun and games."

Young Allison felt that she'd been able to deal with the situation on her own. She didn't want Cameron to 'punish' John for her. Cameron previously taught her how to handle John.

"That's unnecessary at this time." Young Allison said. "I don't want that done. I wasn't offended or intimidated. I think he was."

Anna could agree with that assessment. She decided to drop the conversation with Young Allison for now. She was still displeased with what happened. She spotted Sarah and the girls.

"There's Summer. She's with Jan and Sarah." Anna said.

Young Allison didn't want to interrupt them. She knew that if they interacted with each other now that it would change what they were doing. It would change their focus.

"They're having fun right now." Young Allison said. "I don't want to bother them."

Anna was a little surprised. There were other options available to them.

"We can go see your mother." Anna said.

Young Allison watched Jesse enter her mother's room earlier. It was right after Hanna was sent away to fly the manned drone.

"Mom and Jesse are 'sharing'." Young Allison said. "I noticed earlier when it happened. I wasn't spying either. Gail and Hanna are out in the field, it makes sense."

Anna picked up on the spying reference. It was something she pointed out quite often to Young Allison that she shouldn't do. She decided to move on with the conversation.

"Maybe we can see what Vanna and Allison are up to." Anna said.

Young Allison thought she knew what they would be up to. It would be what they were normally up to when they were alone together. It was their escape from reality. It was a place where they could escape the pain from the past, the future. She didn't want to interrupt anything. She wanted to take some precautions. She didn't want to leave anyone hanging or on the edge. It could be very frustrating.

"I need you to listen briefly before we knock to make sure they're not 'busy'." Young Allison said. "I don't want to mess up anyone's 'finish'. It's hard to get a lost or interrupted 'finish' back."

Anna knew that was something Young Allison did on her own more and more. It seemed to start out at night after she first went to bed. Later on it increased to when she was in the shower and then to sometimes in between.

"I understand." Anna said.

Anna often increased what she did with herself to the same frequency as what Young Allison did. She wanted to be as much like her as possible. She wanted to share the same experiences

Young Allison and Anna passed by Vanna's room. Anna didn't slow down as they passed. Vanna and Allison were 'busy'.

Young Allison looked back at the door as they went by. She knew that it was really 'Savannah and her' in there. They were the same people.

Young Allison thought that things were concluded for the night for operations. She expected the teams to return back to the base shortly. There were no new leads until they went through the phones from the terminated Fanatics who drove the 'security patrol' cars and what information they could glean from the captive female prisoner. They believed that she was a Gray.

"We can wait in Savannah's room." Young Allison said. "They should be back soon."

Anna wanted to insulate Young Allison from some of the gore.

"They may do the interrogation first." Anna said. "You're not going to be a part of that."

Young Allison needed to get her hands 'dirty' at some point. Perhaps a controlled environment would be a good starting point. It would be better than on the battlefield or in the Wastelands.

"Maybe I want to be a part of it." Young Allison said. "I'm going to have to be at some point in time. I really don't see what's any different from now or later on. What's going to be different? What's going to change? I'm still going to be who I am now."

Young Allison felt that way about everything. If it was all going to happen anyway, what was the point of waiting? She didn't see why she couldn't do everything now. It didn't really seem fair to her.

Anna wanted to know how far Young Allison was willing to go.

"Do you only wish to see the Gray or watch what's done to her?" Anna asked.

Young Allison read the reports. Her reports were unedited, unlike the ones sent to John. She was aware what it was like to be questioned 'Terminator style'.

"I know what will happen." Young Allison said. "She will most likely be beaten to a pulp."

There was an additional factor often left out of every report.

"It could be worse…." Anna said. "Cameron may turn the interrogation over to Sheila."

Young Allison wasn't sure that it actually made a difference in the long run. The destination was the same no matter which path was taken.

"I think that 'worse' is a matter of perspective." Young Allison said. "The end result is the same. I see no difference in either method. Both procedures are violent and bloody. One method seems to produce results more quickly than the other. The actions of those who have chosen to follow Skynet or conduct Scavenger like behavior has determined their fate. We merely carry out the sentence that they've given themselves. All roads lead to Rome."

Anna did know the final destination.

"I guess that's one way to view it." Anna said.

Young Allison wanted to protect their team.

"Is there any other way?" Young Allison asked. "Termination is the end result. We deal in death. We're 'death merchants'. We do what needs to be done. "

Anna was concerned with Hanna's action after Young Allison's request to put six rounds into the motorcycle rider's back. It wasn't part of the original plan.

"Hanna chose to shoot at the motorcycle instead of the rider." Anna said. "Shooting the rider was what John and John Henry heard you request."

Young Allison smiled faintly. It was actually something she'd orchestrated.

"I know." Young Allison said. "I wanted to show John I was willing to kill again. I asked CamNet to quietly tell Hanna to use that less terminal procedure. I wanted to make sure the rider wasn't a Terminator. If they would have continued to pose a greater threat, I would have asked for them to be terminated."

Anna now wondered if Young Allison did it that way to get her hands on a subject for interrogation. It was clear that Young Allison was ready for more.

"If you would have allowed Hanna to kill her, she wouldn't be subject to interrogation now." Anna said.

Young Allison wanted a different end game. She was aware that John was a 'slow learner' in several categories. She thought it was time to bring him up to speed.

"John seemed uneasy with my decision to bring her down. Now he will see that my original plan would have been more 'humane'." Young Allison said. "Depending on what happens with her, I'll point that out to him myself."

Anna tilted her head slightly.

"That's an effective strategy." Anna said.

Young Allison calculated the different outcomes. John's oversight and reaction were both always part of her calculations.

"I thought about it before I made my decision." Young Allison said.

It was clear Young Allison played a long game within her short game. When she was in the Command Center, she was always in control.

"What are your current plans?" Anna asked.

Young Allison didn't want to get into other issues. She also felt a little hungry.

"The immediate plan would be to go out for some dinner or make some here for myself." Young Allison said.

Anna didn't like the dodge even if it was factual.

"You know what I mean." Anna said. "I'm not talking about right now."

Young Allison knew she needed to make a choice. It would be for comfort and security now or the future, in the past.

"I'll see Summer and my mother and then return home tonight or tomorrow." Young Allison said. "I need to prepare myself for not seeing them for a few years. I 'blinked' a little by coming here."

Anna didn't think that was actually Young Allison's decision. The reason why Young Allison was at the Resistance base was because Savannah needed to return to check on Cammy. Savannah previously promised Young Allison that she would spend the night with her. The only way to do that was to bring Young Allison to the Resistance base.

"There were other circumstances involved with that decision." Anna said.

Young Allison understood it was all about her personal resolve.

"I guess there were." Young Allison said. "Either way, if I can't take the separation for a few days, I won't be able to leave them for a few years."

Anna was afraid it could get messy. There might come a point when Young Allison needed to choose between Claire's desires and her own desires.

"What if your mother insists you stay here?" Anna asked.

Young Alison already knew what the future held for her. There was no guesswork involved. In her opinion, anything that didn't happen was just time wasted.

"I'll tell her what I just told you." Young Allison said. "Anna, I want what Cameron has offered me. I want what we just passed in Vanna's room. THAT is my future."

Anna wanted to come up with a better time frame.

"Maybe we should call Savannah." Anna said.

Young Allison didn't want anything she did to influence anything the others already planned to do. They may be headed for Cameron's bass or another location. If she called it indicated she wanted them to return to the Resistance base, it would change their plans.

"Let's use her room and check with CamNet." Young Allison said. "I don't want to disturb them or get in the way."

Anna believed that was the correct choice.

"You are very thoughtful of others." Anna said.

That reminded Young Allison of the drone that may have been damaged tonight.

"On the way back to Palmdale I want to stop and inspect the drone that provided cover for Savannah, Cameron and Cammy." Young Allison said. "If it's damaged, I'll assist in its repair. I asked for help from CamNet. I'm responsible for any damage done to it."

Anna was pleased that Young Allison thought about all of the machines.

"You're very thoughtful of everything." Anna said.

Young Allison wasn't so sure about that. She was willing to sacrifice the drone to protect Cameron and Savannah. Would she do that with human lives too at some point? She was aware that was one of the accusations against Future John by the anti-Metal group. Maybe she needed the influence of Savannah.

"I try." Young Allison said. "I want to be more like Savannah."

Anna felt Young Allison was more like Cameron. Then again, that was the whole point of Young Allison's Terminator upbringing.

Savannah rode with Cameron after the takedown of the two Fanatics.

Cameron could tell that Savannah wanted to speak with her about something. So far Savannah hadn't said anything about it. She decided to prompt Savannah a little.

"What do you want to do?" Cameron asked.

Savannah wondered if that was a loaded question. She could think of a few things. There was an immediate concern that needed to be addressed.

"We need to dump the damaged SUV." Savannah said. "The Fanatics we left at the scene should appear to be a rollover traffic accident. The car will be totally burnt along with the occupants."

Cameron was aware that standard procedure was followed up on from the Command Center.

"John Henry suppressed all 911 calls related to any of the events. The fire will burn itself out." Cameron said. "The two decedents will be thoroughly charred."

Savannah wanted to throw a few things out there to see what would stick.

"We can go back to the Resistance base, unless you want to start the interrogation tonight." Savannah said.

Cameron didn't want Savannah to be a part of the interigation. It was most likely going to be a bloody and brutal event. It would be even more so if it turned out the female was from the anti-Metal group.

"I don't plan to start the interrogation tonight." Cameron said. "She will be more talkative after spending a night in custody."

Savannah was afraid there might be a deeper motivation that Cameron wanted.

"Are you going to have Young Allison watch, like I did?" Savannah asked.

The SUV swerved slightly and Cameron removed her left hand from the steering wheel. She was still troubled at how upset Savannah was at her over what she'd done previously. It was more than just an interrogation. She'd been experimenting with humans.

She wanted to be able to download her program into a human female's body. She'd actually been able to do that to a certain extent. She knew what it felt like to be in a human body. Because her program was connected to a human brain, she still didn't have the same human responses or feelings. She had her own responses and feelings to everything. She could only physically feel what the human body could feel, not the mind.

It wasn't a subject she wanted to revisit right now.

"No. I don't want her to watch me." Cameron said. "I apologize for you having to see that."

Savannah didn't think Cameron had done anything wrong by honoring her request for a regular interrogation. She didn't even think about what else she'd witnessed later. They were separate issues to her.

"I asked to see it." Savannah said.

Cameron thought that she'd better come 'clean' about what else was in the works.

"So has Young Allison." Cameron said. "She's made the same request as you did."

Savannah remembered how gruesome the events were. It was never a good thing to see someone beaten into pulp.

"I don't want that." Savannah said. "I don't want her to see that."

Cameron felt what Young Allison sought was worse than just a standard Terminator interrogation. Young Allison wanted to witness an 'enhanced interrogation'.

"I think she wants to see Sheila conduct it." Cameron said.

Savannah wasn't so sure about that. Based upon her previous interaction with Sheila and the recent events with Young Allison, she doubted Sheila would act too extreme.

"I don't think Sheila will do anything cruel in front of Young Allison or me." Savannah said.

Cameron tilted her head slightly. All her data indicated otherwise. She believed Sheila would act even more cruel and extreme with an audience.

"Why?" Cameron asked. "It would sexually excite Sheila to have you watch her 'work'."

Savannah was attuned to the violence that occurred in the future, a Skynet future. She did understand that Young Allison needed to be exposed to the violence that was going to occur. She wasn't really sure what the best way to do that was.

"Would you want Young Allison to watch you beat the information out of them?" Savannah asked. "I mean you personally."

Cameron experienced another glitch impulse with that question. She didn't want to need to lie to the girls as to who and what she was. She was a machine constructed to terminate humans. That was her purpose. That was her function. That is who she was.

"It is my nature." Cameron said. "I'm a Terminator."

Savannah was aware of that part. She wanted an answer that was more on a personal level, for a personal reason.

"That didn't answer my question." Savannah said.

Cameron wanted Savannah to know who and what she truly was at the time. Maybe she actually tested Savannah's love for her. It bothered her to expose Savannah to that level of violence. She felt that it reflected badly upon her. Even if it was her nature to behave like that, it still bothered her to have someone she loved need to watch her do it.

"No." Cameron said. "I wouldn't and I'm sorry you needed to see that yourself."

Cameron wondered if Young Allison was trying to test her. Now she needed to wonder who was testing who.

She wanted to address the Fanatic who'd taken the poison when he noticed Savannah was behind her. She still remembered the terrified look on his face. He was more terrified of whatever he thought Savannah was. She looked over at Savannah and decided to drop it for now. She believed that whatever the Fanatics thought when they saw Savannah or an image of her, that Savannah wasn't 'The Redheaded Witch' or 'The Evil One'. She didn't believe it was Savannah. She refused to believe it was Savannah.

John wanted things wrapped up for the night. He hoped that Cameron would be back soon. After staring at Young Allison and Anna for a few hours, he was really ready to knock one off with Cameron. As soon as the lights went out, Cameron was going to be 'Young Allison' to him. He felt 'Little Willy' stir at the thought.

"How long will it be until all the teams return?" John asked.

John Henry believed there were too many factors involved to make a determination.

"That's unknown at this time." John Henry said. "They all have several different tasks to perform."

There was one thing that continued to trouble John. It seemed to be more of a personal issue to him as opposed to an operational issue.

"I don't want Young Allison to go to Cameron's base." John said.

John Henry tilted his head slightly. He wasn't sure if John referred to her upcoming temporal mission into the past or the impending interrogation of the captured female.

"I don't think you can stop her." John Henry said.

John was afraid that he'd pushed her so hard she was going to push back and make a point. He needed help to stop her.

"I don't think so either." John said. "Maybe I should ask for Allison's help."

John Henry felt that there was a closer family member who would have greater influence.

"Why not ask for her mother's help?" John Henry asked. "You seemed to have built a good rapport with her."

John thought about their interaction earlier. He knew there was an instant chemistry with Claire and him. He knew it was more than Cameron's meddling even if she'd orchestrated it to begin with. In fact, Claire sort of reminded him of Future Allison the better he got to know her. That made her even more desirable. He figured that she would be more willing to be with him than any of the other females would except for maybe Jesse. He noticed that there was some type of chemistry between Jesse and Claire. They were very different individuals but they were both willing to do the same things. They both possessed voluntary experience as well. His observation was that it was individuals outside of her family who seemed to have the most influence over Young Allison. He wasn't sure that was always in a positive way either.

"I think Cameron and the Metal girls are more of Young Allison's 'mother' at this point in time." John said. "It is clear they've taken over her life."

John Henry didn't see a problem.

"They're doing what you wanted." John Henry said.

John didn't want to hear about Future John. There was another aspect to the whole thing. There was a nagging thought in the back of his mind.

"I felt like I was dealing with Cameron in here during the operation." John said.

John Henry suspected another temporal paradox.

"Cameron is patterned after 'her'." John Henry said. "Maybe dealing with Cameron is really like dealing with 'Allison Young'."

John knew that the future version of himself wanted Future Allison back. He could see why. There was a different approach he could try. It was actually the first one that he considered but he didn't want Savannah to do his dirty work in regards to Young Allison.

"Every 'Allison' is special, even if they're somewhat different." John said. "I'll try to speak with Savannah. Maybe that's my best hope. That may be the only person Young Allison will listen to."

John Henry witnessed everything that John did in the Command Center. He wasn't sure exactly what would happen over the long term.

"For now…." John Henry said. "They will be mates."

John thought that might be true too but he was sure that Young Allison and him would be mates.

"Let's follow up on everyone until they're all back." John said. "I don't want anything to happen to them before they can return".

John Henry didn't think that would be an issue.

"Young Allison quietly assigned drones to stay with all the teams until they return." John Henry said.

John was unaware she'd done that. There was always a new surprise involved with her.

"She is very concerned with everyone's well being." John said.

It made John wonder if Young Allison was concerned with her own well being.

Cameron and Savannah turned over the damaged SUV to some of Cameron's Terminators. They were now headed back to the Resistance base with Gail and Cammy.

"I promised Allison, Vanna and Young Allison that I would take them out for dinner." Cammy said.

Savannah was mindful of the time.

"It's getting late." Savannah said.

Cammy wanted to make sure that Savannah was taken care of as well.

"You need to eat too, Savannah." Cammy said. "Even if some of us here don't need to eat, you do."

Cammy looked at Cameron and frowned. She didn't think Cameron looked after Savannah's needs as well as she should have.

Cameron looked away.

Savannah didn't want there to be a problem. She really didn't want everyone to have to go out now. There are other solutions that were available.

"Let me call them and ask if we can bring home some food." Savannah said.

Gail was intrigued by the idea. She might want to get some for Jesse as well.

"What kind of food?" Gail asked.

Savannah hadn't given it much thought. She wanted to let whoever she talked to decide. She wanted to get what they wanted.

"I don't know." Savannah said. "Maybe we can pick up some pizza or Chinese food or burgers and fries."

Cameron was aware there was one section where there were a lot of different restaurants located. Many of them were side by side. There were quite a few establishments in a very short distance.

"We can bring all of them." Cameron said. "We'll pass 'restaurant row' soon. There are a lot of places there."

It seemed like a good idea to Savannah. She wasn't sure how it would go over with everyone else.

"Let me make a few calls." Savannah said.

Savannah started to call the girls. She started first with Young Allison. She was her guest after all.

Young Allison was thrilled that Savannah called her first. She could pick whatever she wanted but she wanted to see what the younger girls wanted first.

"Let me go ask Summer and Jan." Young Allison said. "I'm good with any of the choices."

Savannah thought the girl's mothers should have some input.

"Can you ask Sarah and your mom too?" Savannah asked.

Young Allison felt it was nice that Savannah wanted to offer everyone a choice. There was only one problem. She really didn't want to say it out loud.

"Yes." Young Allison said. "I'll ask Sarah."

There was a pause. Savannah picked up the inference quickly.

"Do you want me to call your mom?" Savannah asked.

Young Allison wanted to make it clear what was happening in her mother's room.

"Yes." Young Allison said. "She's 'busy' with Jesse."

Savannah didn't want to dwell on that. She would include everyone.

"I understand." Savannah said. "I'll call Vanna and Allison as well."

Young Allison was very pleased at how Savannah thought of everyone.

"You're the greatest." Young Allison said.

Savannah felt everyone did what they could.

"We all do our parts." Savannah said.

There was a slight pause before Young Allison spoke.

"I want to talk about the mission too." Young Allison said.

Savannah caught the time lag. She wondered if Young Allison was troubled by something. She didn't think that she would be. There must be something else she wanted to say. She wanted a more private setting.

"We can do that after dinner." Savannah said.

Young Allison liked that idea.

"Can we do a 'sleepover' again?" Young Allison asked.

Savannah wanted to have a little more control this time. She also wanted some rules established ahead of time.

"If we do, there'll be no staying up so late this time." Savannah said.

Young Allison knew how to make a deal. She was aware that everyone was uncomfortable and didn't like the way that she'd done things last time.

"I'm sorry." Young Allison said. "I know I pushed it."

Savannah didn't want Young Allison don't worry about it. It was a pleasurable experience for the most part.

"You won't do it again." Savannah said. "We all experienced a good time, except for the 'truth or dare' part."

Young Allison was curious. She found them somewhat awkward to ask in a normal setting. She didn't know if she would hear truthful answers otherwise.

"I wanted to know a few things." Young Allison said.

Savannah may have had two children already but the traditional 'experience' wasn't part of the conception process. When it came to males, her experience was nonexistent. There were some other personal questions that were best not discussed in a public forum for anyone. They could be better answered in a one on one setting. That would be the setting where the most truthful answer could be attained. They were some things that people just didn't like to talk about in front of others.

"You ask Allison, Vanna or me those things when we can talk privately." Savannah said. "I'll honestly answer whatever I can. Some of those things I don't have any first hand experience with."

Young Allison expected to do other things privately with Savannah. She wanted to take care of the business that dealt with the food. The private matters could wait.

"OK." Young Allison said. "Let me go find Summer and Jan. I'll call you back."

It Is My Nature

We are who we are
But who are we
Is there any difference
Between you and me

No two human bodies
Are the same anywhere
It's pointless to look
There's nothing to compare

Some things we do
Set another person off
They have their own way
At others they may scoff

Some people are carefree
Others are rigid and stiff
They can only interact for so long
Before there's a tiff

Everyone must compromise
It's not all nomenclature
I tell it like it is
It is in my nature

Nobody