Chapter 1072
Happiness To Me
The human Resistance was all there. They were all gathered in the commissary. Everyone was with their mate or mates, both human and Metal.
Savannah was with Cammy. Young Allison was with Anna. The four of them were together.
Young Allison saw Cammy and Anna check each other out when they weren't checking out Savannah or her.
Savannah looked around and noticed that not everyone was there. There were still two Metal girls missing.
"Where are Sheila and Ally?" Savannah asked.
Cameron was with John. She heard Savannah ask and came over. She wasn't sure how much she wanted to say. She was pretty sure how events were going to play out. With Sheila at her base, it would most likely be similar to one of her 'off the books' operations for what would happen.
"I assigned them other duties." Cameron said.
Young Allison heard what Cameron said to Savannah. She knew what the real situation was. She'd taken corrective action on her own. She asked CamNet to free them up. She also didn't want Sheila to be tempted to 'work' on the female prisoner.
"They'll be here very soon." Young Allison said. "I modified their duty assignment. I wanted them to be here with us. I wanted all the Metal girls here."
Cameron looked at Young Allison and knew she went through CamNet to do that. CamNet hadn't informed her of the change in plans. She was proud of Young Allison to have acted on her own. She was disturbed that CamNet hadn't informed her. She didn't like CamNet to deal with Young Allison 'alone'. The earlier trouble that was spawned still bothered her. It was an unhealthy emotional relationship for Young Allison. She didn't like how Savannah was bothered by it. She blamed all of that on CamNet.
"That was very thoughtful of you." Cameron said.
Young Allison looked straight at Cameron. She decided to push it. She didn't think it was going to happen but she wanted to make sure Cameron understood she was ready when it did.
"I'll assist them with their 'assignment' after the party." Young Allison said.
Cameron and Young Allison exchanged a long look. They both knew what that meant. She didn't want that to happen. She would take action herself to change that. Sheila and Ally wouldn't return to her base tonight. There wouldn't be anyone who would take Young Allison away from the base tonight either.
"Sheila and Ally will spend the night here as part of the festivities." Cameron said. "There are others that can complete the 'assignment' at my base. No further interaction will be necessary from anyone at the Resistance base. I mean from anyone."
Young Allison needed to get her hands dirty. She thought it would be better under controlled circumstances. She needed to be able to deal with the dead. She knew it was something that all the others needed to deal with as well.
"I can go tomorrow and assist with the 'clean up'." Young Allison said.
Cameron didn't want to expose Young Allison to that lifestyle yet, maybe when she returned from the past. She knew that Savannah would protest if she found out about any of this.
"Everything will be taken care of tonight." Cameron said. "Maybe there'll be some other time for all 'that'."
Young Allison was aware she'd just manipulated Cameron into having someone else deal with the prisoner for interrogation and termination along with the clean up. She wasn't sure when all that would happen. It at least made the point to get it taken care of as soon as possible.
"Thanks, Cameron." Young Allison said.
Ally and Sheila walked in the door thirty seconds later.
"Did we miss anything?" Ally asked.
Young Allison was pleased to see all of the Metal girls were there now.
"Not yet." Young Allison said.
Sheila looked around the room full of mostly females, both human and Terminators. She spotted 'targets of opportunity' everywhere she looked. She was ready for a good time with one and all.
"Are tops optional?" Sheila asked.
Ally didn't think it mattered with Sheila.
"The way you 'fall' out of your top all the time, does it matter?" Ally asked. "Everyone has already seen everything that you have, whether they've wanted to or not."
Sheila didn't care for Ally's negative comment. She saw that as an invitation to let one of the 'girls' out for some air.
"You're right. It doesn't really matter." Sheila said and moved so a breast was about to pop out of her top.
Savannah reached over and prevented that from happening.
Sheila looked a little surprised but didn't comment since it was Savannah.
Savannah saw Summer and Jan off together in one corner.
"I don't want to give Summer or Jan any ideas." Savannah said. "They'll get them soon enough."
Sheila didn't see that as a problem.
"A girl has to flaunt what she's got." Sheila said.
Savannah looked over at Young Allison and then back at Sheila.
"Seeing you and especially Cammy, she already has plans." Savannah said.
Young Allison smiled and shrugged her shoulders.
"I like the look. I think it's beautiful." Young Allison said. "It's bold and makes a statement. I believe that it says something about the individual."
Sheila was pleased she was able to influence Young Allison. She hoped to assist her when she was ready to add her jewelry. She'd never done it on a human female before. Just the thought of doing it excited her greatly.
"When you're hot, you're hot." Sheila said.
Ally moved closer to Young Allison.
"Try some food." Young Allison said.
She took Ally by the hand and led her over to the table where everything was at.
Sheila looked at Young Allison as she walked away with Ally.
"I know where the dessert is at." Sheila said with a smile.
Savannah heard what she said. She turned and faced Sheila. She wanted to nip things in the bud right now. She'd needed to do it with Ally previously.
"Then you also know who it belongs to." Savannah said. "Do you want me to growl?"
Sheila understood the 'threat'. Ally warned her about 'pushing it' around Savannah.
"No worries, love." Sheila said. "I'm not looking for chip extraction."
Savannah was going to warn her that the chip might not be the only thing 'extracted'. She decided to let it slide and make amends instead.
"Good." Savannah said. "Let's have fun elsewhere."
Savannah smiled at Sheila. She took Sheila's hand and led her over to the food. Young Allison was there with Ally.
Sheila looked around and saw Cameron was busy with Precious. She wanted to thank Young Allison too for being allowed to return to the Resistance base.
"Thank you, Allison, for getting us out of our assignment." Sheila said.
Young Allison wanted to send out some 'feelers'.
"I didn't think you would feel up to it until after your sheath is healed." Young Allison said. "Can I check?"
Young Allison made a veiled reference to the 'heart' that Savannah and her gave to Sheila.
Sheila looked nervous. She looked at Savannah and Cameron. She knew she was already on thin ice.
"Maybe some other time would be better to check." Sheila said.
Ally was pleased about it as well. Things always ended the same sooner or later.
"I didn't want to clean up the mess anyway." Ally said.
Sheila took a 'loving jab' at Ally. She liked to push her buttons in front of other people.
"You're a mess, love." Sheila said.
Ally looked more than a little indignant.
"I'm not." Ally said.
Sheila indicated Cameron, Cam, Cammy, Allison and Young Allison.
"Yes you are." Sheila said.
Young Allison didn't care for the dig on Ally by Sheila. Ally was created in her image after all.
"I think that Ally is beautiful." Young Allison said.
Ally smiled at Young Allison and glared at Sheila.
Savannah didn't like the banter in front of the younger girls.
"Everyone needs to remain cordial." Savannah said.
Ally liked that idea. She also wanted to reiterate her thanks to Savannah and Young Allison about her 'heart'.
"I want to thank both of you again for what you gave me, gave us." Ally said.
Ally glanced at Sheila.
Sheila smiled at Ally. She looked off to the side and saw trouble approaching.
"Here comes Cameron." Sheila said.
Young Allison wanted to have some fun with Sheila.
"Cameron is still holding Precious." Young Allison said. "You're safe until she hands her off."
Anna and Cammy were both there as well. They'd tried to remain out of the conversation.
Cammy thought another tactic was about to be employed by Cameron. It was something that she'd watched her do multiple times. It always irritated her.
"Cameron is going to try to put Savannah with John." Cammy said.
Young Allison wanted to have some more fun. She knew she always made John nervous.
"I'll go." Young Allison said.
Savannah frowned at Young Allison.
Cameron handed Precious to Anna and glared at Cammy.
She took both Savannah and Young Allison by the hand and led them over to John.
The 'Natural Order' was whispered around the room.
Claire watched and moved with Hanna over toward Summer and Jan.
Allison didn't want any unnecessary panic. She simply stated the obvious.
"Relax, Mom." Allison said as she noticed what she was doing. "It's 'me' she wants."
Vanna smiled at everybody's reaction.
"It's 'me' too." Vanna said. "It's our younger selves anyway."
Cameron looked over at Claire and then at John and back to Claire.
Hanna picked up on what was going on. She didn't want Cameron to use Claire to 'prompt' Savannah and Young Allison into 'acting'.
"It's not your place." Hanna whispered to Claire.
Claire felt the need to protect her daughters. There was more than one way that she could do that.
"No, it's not." Claire said. "Not yet anyway."
Claire touched her tummy. Inside of her was the baby that Cameron really wanted. It was Allison's baby. That was the key.
John saw Cameron headed his way with Savannah and Young Allison.
Savannah noticed the worried look on John's face.
"Is everyone enjoying the food?" Savannah asked.
John looked around the room at the group that was assembled.
"Everything's great." John said. "This was a really good idea that you came up with. We should do this once every few weeks."
John saw Cameron look at Savannah and Young Allison.
"I mean the food and gathering of friends and family." John quickly added.
Young Allison looked at all the food. She'd watched the videos on YouTube. She was aware of the vast amounts of food that were located in different places throughout the ship. There were multiple eating establishments along with the main dining room. There was a large buffet located on one of the upper decks.
"Everyday will be like this on your cruise." Young Allison said. "You'll be able to pick and choose whatever you want, whenever you want."
John looked around at the girls in the room.
Young Allison giggled.
"I meant the food." Young Allison said.
Savannah flashed Young Allison a stern look. She wanted to reaffirm it was Cameron and John, only.
"You TWO are all booked and ready to go." Savannah said.
Cameron knew that they would have the biggest luxury suites on the ship.
"The big suites will hold four to six people." Cameron said. "It has two bedrooms and a living room."
Savannah wanted John and Cameron to grow closer together. They didn't need any outside distractions. That was the main reason why she wasn't going to go. She certainly wasn't going to allow Young Allison to go either. Between John, Cameron and Young Allison, it was a toss up as to which one of them had the weakest moral compass. No. It was definitely Cameron with the weakest one.
"Not on this trip." Savannah said. "It's husband and wife time, together alone."
Young Allison giggled again.
Cameron wanted to make sure John was protected. Even though it was a fairly contained environment on the ship, especially when it was at sea, there could still be problems at any time.
"I want additional security for John." Cameron said.
Savannah would have preferred if more male Terminators could go along with them. She was aware that the female Terminators were able to blend in with other humans more easily. She wanted to make a few suggestions, along with some caution.
"Gail, Hanna, Holly, Sheila or Samantha should all work out." Savannah said. "That's unless you want a twin or triplet along."
Cameron looked at all the Metal girls. She thought of another treat for John. She planned to do at least one 'chassis swap' and give John a real honeymoon. None of the Metal girls had been with a male yet. They were technically all virgins. She'd stressed among all of the Metal girls to remain that way. The only male they were allowed to be with was John. They were all programmed to respond to whatever John wanted if he asked them. If he asked them to be with him, they literally couldn't say 'no'.
She intended to borrow a female chassis or two. She was her program, her chip. John would have a chance to get a 'strange' 'piece of chassis' and it would still be her. The best part was it would be a virgin chassis. It still bothered her that she didn't know what happened with Future John or when she was captured.
Cameron looked at all the Metal girls and smiled when she spotted Sheila. Sheila would be the first to provide her what she wanted for John and herself.
Sheila watched Cameron look at all the Metal girls in the room. Cameron stopped her gaze when she got to her. Cameron looked at her for a long moment and then smiled. It made her feel more than a little nervous. She thought maybe she should be glad that Cameron wasn't going to damage her sheath. She felt very uneasy instead.
Cameron could see that she'd made Sheila uncomfortable by the way that she looked at her. She thought that Sheila would feel a lot more uncomfortable if she knew what she planned to take from her. She would give Sheila a copy of the file of her experience with John in Sheila's chassis.
Sarah watched Cameron earlier. She understood the interaction with Cameron, Claire and Summer. She would speak to Savannah about it. She could see that Cameron 'pressured' Claire to act on her own with John to protect Summer. Claire didn't want Summer to be as involved in the Resistance operations as all of the other females were. From what she'd just witnessed, it was too late to protect Young Allison. It was clear that she was hot to trot.
Kyle looked over at Sarah. He thought that she looked like she was in a different place.
"Smile…." Kyle said. "This is a party, not a funeral. Don't look so glum."
Sarah looked at Jan.
"I was just thinking about the future." Sarah said.
Kyle didn't want to think about a 'past future'.
"The future is what we make it." Kyle said.
Sarah wasn't so sure of that. It seemed that the 'future' always had a way of determining what her future would be as well as John's. She wanted something better for Jan.
"Do you think she has a chance?" Sarah asked as she looked at Jan.
Kyle answered without hesitation. He looked at Jan and then around the room with the Resistance team.
"Yes." Kyle said. "We all do. We all have a chance. These are the folks here who will make it happen."
Sarah looked around at the group as well. She looked at the group of individuals that was in the room. Half of them were Terminators. That fact would have bothered her immensely at one point in time. It no longer did. It actually reassured her. She believed the more of them that there were, the less she needed to worry about Kyle being out in combat. She looked over at Cameron. It saddened her some to think how she'd taken on the majority of combat herself.
"I guess they are." Sarah said.
Kyle thought some tunes would liven the mood.
"We need some music." Kyle said.
Sarah looked at the group again.
"No, not tonight, I don't think so." Sarah said.
Kyle was a little worried at Sarah's response.
"Are you feeling OK?" Kyle asked.
Sarah thought that she was fine.
"I think I'm good." Sarah said.
Cammy and Cam were headed towards them.
"Now see what you've done." Sarah said. "I'm about to be scanned."
Kyle could see the two female Terminators were almost there.
"Cameron cares about you." Kyle said. "She has help."
Sarah wondered if Cameron cared about her and her family only for John's peace of mind.
"She cares about John and his well being and happiness." Sarah said. "That's most of the time anyway."
Kyle watched John interact with Cameron, Savannah and Young Allison. He could see how happy they looked together and with each other. It was actually something very beautiful to see. He was aware that the same individuals were in Cameron's future but all of them were older.
'That looks like happiness to me.' Kyle thought.
Cam and Cammy arrived and started to speak with Sarah.
Kyle decided to move off and not get involved. He hoped that if Sarah actually did have an 'issue' that she would be more likely to mention it to one of the Metal girls before she would let him know. He felt everyone was like that to a certain extent. They didn't want the ones closest to them to worry about them. He knew there were many things that troubled Sarah. His personal experience reminded him there were things that were a lot worse than what she'd gone through even though what she experienced was substantial. The future was an ugly place.
He looked back at Jan. He didn't want her to be a Skynet future. He didn't know if they would actually be able to prevent it or not. No matter how much they chipped away at Skynet or any of its offshoots, it didn't seem to matter. It was like a metal version of the Hydra. He still thought the safest place for Jan, and all of them, was in the past. Sarah wouldn't listen to him about that. Every time he brought it up it turned into a big fight. Sarah didn't want to choose between Jan and John. Vanna, Allison, Jesse and Riley were there at the Resistance base. They were all products of the future. Maybe he would ask each of them to sit down with Sarah, and with as much detail as possible, tell Sarah what happens to every female in a Skynet future. It wasn't just some or a lot, it was all of them. He didn't want that to happen to Jan or the other girls either. He really didn't want to think about that right now. This was supposed to be a time of festivity. He looked around to see who else was there.
Kyle saw Derek and Riley. He thought Riley looked a little better than the last time he saw her. He headed that way to be with his brother.
Cameron left Savannah with John. She took Young Allison around with her to see and talk with everyone. It soon became apparent Cameron was 'showing off' Young Allison. They knew Cameron tried to make Young Allison as much like her as possible.
Cameron didn't feel that Young Allison was her protégé. She believed Young Allison was her replacement. It was what she wanted for John. She wanted John to have the best.
The others in the room all begin to wonder if this was actually Young Allison's 'going away' party.
Young Allison began to wonder what was happening. She somehow felt she was the center of attention. She didn't think the party should be about her.
"Is this in case I don't make it back?" Young Allison asked.
Young Allison started to think the same thing about a 'going away' party.
The question caught Cameron off guard.
"What?" Cameron asked.
Young Allison pressed the issue.
"Are we going to do my temporal mission tonight?" Young Allison asked. "That's what it feels like."
Savannah got that 'feeling' too and moved back to intercept Young Allison and Cameron. She'd heard Young Allison's question. She didn't want that to happen. She didn't want it to happen now.
"No." Savannah said. "YOU are not."
Young Allison faced Savannah. She believed that the decision was hers and hers alone. It was only about her and her body.
"I'm ready." Young Allison said.
Savannah was aware how tough everything was. It didn't matter when.
"You're not as ready as you think." Savannah said.
Young Allison stood her ground. She believed it was her choice and her decision.
"I think I am." Young Allison said.
Savannah felt a deeper issue that Young Allison couldn't truly understand. Nobody could until it actually happened to them.
"I know what it's like to have everything taken away from you, EVERYTHING." Savannah said. "It's not pleasant."
Cameron was lost in thought. It was like she didn't even hear what Savannah said. She was fixated on the other idea. Young Allison would be 'ready' when she returned. She liked the idea.
"If we go now, she will be able to go on the cruise with John." Cameron said. "When we return, I mean."
Savannah offered herself in Young Allison's place.
"THAT is NOT happening." Savannah said. "I'll go if that's what you really want but I wanted this time on the cruise to be about John and you. I wanted it to be about you too. I want both of you to share and expand your love for each other. It's something that I feel is important and I think the both of you should as well. I want you to think about that."
Cameron was still fixated on her idea of taking Young Allison into the past and bringing her back before the cruise. If Savannah was now willing to share with John, that would make it even better.
"It can be about all four of us." Cameron said. "The 'Natural Order' will come to fruition."
Savannah wanted the cruise to be about John and Cameron, period.
"Cameron, you and John are going alone on the cruise." Savannah said. "That's final."
Cameron wanted to test Savannah. She could tell that Savannah was a little upset and maybe even a little angry right now. Those were the conditions where people made mistakes. She wanted to push Savannah a little bit more.
"You can order me." Cameron said.
Savannah didn't like to issue 'orders'. She'd only done that to prevent the others in her group from being damaged or destroyed. She didn't want to abuse the privilege that Cameron bestowed upon her for anything other than what was an absolute necessity. She took that privilege very seriously.
"I won't. I won't do that." Savannah said as she looked at Young Allison. "Not for that. You think about that too with Allison and me. That's not how people are supposed to be together. Not by an 'order' or by 'programming'. It needs to be about choice and free will. It can't be a 'job', a 'function', a mission or an 'assignment'. That's not love."
Young Allison took a hand from both Savannah and Cameron.
"It's supposed to be about love, feeling and emotion." Young Allison said. "I have those feelings already for both of you."
Cameron was a little worried as much as she was pleased.
"What about for John?" Cameron asked.
Savannah didn't like the question. She didn't like what was happening. She didn't want Young Allison or herself forced into a corner.
"Cameron, stop this." Savannah said.
Cameron looked a little surprised. Things played out differently than she'd expected.
Savannah took Young Allison's hand and led her away from Cameron.
Cameron watched them go away together. She thought that was what was important. She wanted an unbreakable bond between the girls. What she just witnessed was additional proof of that.
Savannah glanced back at Cameron. She noted there was a blank look on her face. She would need to deal with that later. Right now this was about Young Allison.
"I'm sorry about that." Savannah said. "You don't need that kind of talk or pressure."
Young Allison believed in her destiny.
"We all know the future." Young Allison said. "It's US that's the constant in all of them, in all the futures."
Savannah noticed Anna still held Precious.
"It looks like Anna is about to have a problem." Savannah said.
Young Allison could see what Savannah meant. Precious thought that Anna was Vanna. It looked like she was trying to nurse.
"I think Precious wants a snack too." Young Allison said.
Anna felt that Precious had it wrong on about four different levels. She quickly hurried over to Riley with Precious.
Riley took Precious and sat down with her. She opened her shirt and started to nurse her.
Young Allison watched and saw everything.
Allison noticed Young Allison staring and came over to her.
"In our future that was common." Allison said. "It's no big deal really. It's all natural."
That wasn't what Young Allison wanted to see. It was Riley.
"I know." Young Allison said.
It was in that instant, both Savannah and Allison knew that Young Allison was actually 'checking out' Riley. That wouldn't go over well with Cameron if she spotted it. Her back was to them now so she didn't.
Savannah needed to watch over Young Allison closely.
"Let's mingle some together." Savannah said. "Then we can call it a night."
Young Allison could see it for what it was. It was what she wanted.
"We can do another Sleepover!" Young Allison said. "It will be just like last night."
Savannah wanted that too but she wanted a few rules as well. There was one thing that she didn't want.
"It will be but it will be with an earlier bedtime and no 'truth or dare'." Savannah said to remind her.
Young Allison wanted to be alone with Savannah.
"Are Cammy and Anna going to be there again?" Young Allison asked. "They can do other things if they want."
Savannah didn't want Young Allison to get ahead of herself.
"I don't know." Savannah said.
Young Allison also understood the complications of other relationships.
"If you and Cammy want to be 'alone' for a while I can hangout with Jan and Summer for a few hours." Young Allison said. "I know you love each other and both faced termination tonight, I understand."
Savannah was very pleased that Young Allison put her before herself.
"You're thinking of me over yourself and want to bring some happiness to me." Savannah said.
Young Allison knew the true test of love was sacrifice.
"Yes." Young Allison said.
'THAT would be happiness to me.' Young Allison thought.
"Now I'm thinking of YOUR happiness." Savannah said. "Spending any time with you is happiness to me, even if we're sleeping."
Savannah and Young Allison exchanged a look of love.
Cameron looked around the room. This was a good night and a good plan. Everyone was content and happy. She thought it would be nice if every night could be like this. She was very pleased with everything and everyone.
'This is happiness to me.' Cameron thought. 'It doesn't matter if I'm a machine or not. It still is happiness to me.'
Happiness To Me
Is anyone ever really happy
At least for very long
It seems sooner rather than later
That everything goes wrong
What makes a person happy
Can change over time
The trouble with that is
One may be past their prime
Not everyone is happy
With the same things
It seems some want to
Attach a bunch of strings
Don't confuse close with happy
People find change hard to do
They can only bend so much
Before they are through
Can a machine be happy
It's a matter of degree
As long as I still exist
It's happiness to me
Nobody