Chapter 1090

Very Astute

Cameron decided Sheila and Gail would fly the B-25 back to Van Nuys Airport. Savannah and Young Allison thanked Gail and Sheila for watching over them. They both gave the Metal girls hugs. Sheila made her hug with Young Allison a little longer and tighter. Gail did the same thing for Savannah. Both of the long hugs were invitations.

Sheila and Gail did a standard takeoff and returned for one low flyby back over them before they disappeared. They didn't quite cut the grass but they did make their presence known. The big R2600 engines roared out their thunder as they passed low overhead.

It was time to go. Cameron, Cammy, Anna, Savannah and Young Allison all piled into one SUV and took off. The two Terminators from Detail got into the other SUV and followed them.

Cameron wanted to make sure that the girl's human needs were taken care of.

"Where do you two want to go to eat?" Cameron asked.

Young Allison thought of something else she needed to take care of. She was worried about the drone that flew behind the SUV that Savannah drove with Cammy on the hood and Cameron on the roof.

"I wanted to inspect the drone I may have damaged." Young Allison said. "I feel a strong responsibility and a personal need to do that."

Anna thought the drone could wait. She wanted proper nutrition for Young Allison and Savannah.

"Don't you want some food first?" Anna asked.

Young Allison didn't think a missed meal every now and then would hurt anything.

"I'm good." Young Allison said.

Savannah thought that sounded like one of her replies under the same circumstances. She looked around and wondered where they were going to.

"It doesn't look like we are headed to any restaurants." Savannah said.

Cameron wanted to check their awareness proficiency.

"Where are we going?" Cameron asked.

Young Allison answered without looking around.

"We're going to the local airport." Young Allison said.

Cameron was pleased their training showed.

"You're both very astute." Cameron said.

Young Allison felt some excitement. She knew why they were going to the airport. It was what she wanted to do.

"Are we going to pick up a Cessna or a Huey?" Young Allison asked.

Cameron played it a little cryptic.

"You tell me?" Cameron asked.

Young Allison looked at Savannah and Cameron with an excited smile.

"I bet it's a UH-1." Young Allison said. "That's what I wanted to fly in."

Cameron knew there was plenty more room in the Iroquois than there was in a Cessna. The speeds weren't that much different either. The ride was a little smoother in the Cessna than it was in a UH-1.

"We'll see." Cameron said.

That was what Cameron intended to do. She looked back at the girls and smiled to herself. She liked everyone to be happy.

Kyle and Bob were on a recon. It looked a little more than suspicious when they arrived. Kyle felt that something was off and wanted to investigate further.

Bob received an update from John Henry.

"Derek and Ally are responding." Bob said to Kyle.

Kyle didn't like dragging Derek into danger.

"That's not what I wanted to hear." Kyle said.

John Henry wanted to reassure Kyle they were only following protocol.

"They were the closest personnel." John Henry said.

Kyle thought it could have been worse. Sarah could have been out. He knew that she would come to back him up if she was. He figured the only way she wouldn't do that is if Jan was with her. He needed to remind himself about what they knew so far. It wasn't much.

"This may be nothing." Kyle said. "This whole operation may have cleared out of here."

Bob wanted to remind him that was the whole point of a recon. He knew that the Reese brothers felt they were being sidelined but it was still important work. This could be a case in point. He knew Kyle wanted to see some action. Kyle might get his wish.

"That's why we're here." Bob said. "We never know what we're going to find."

Kyle wanted Derek to play it cool for now.

"I don't want Ally and Derek to approach too close yet." Kyle said. "That's in case we're being set up or targeted."

John Henry wanted everyone on the same page.

"I'm putting Bob and you in direct contact with Ally and Derek." John Henry said.

Kyle thought the direct input would give him a little more influence over the placement of the team members.

"Hi, Derek." Kyle said. "This one looks like a head shaker."

Derek could hear the apprehension in Kyle's voice. He knew that Kyle didn't spook easily.

"Hello. What do you have, brother?" Derek asked.

Kyle was pleased to hear his brother. It was always reassuring to him. He decided to give it to him straight.

"We don't know yet but I don't like it." Kyle said. "It appears the area we're here to check out has been sanitized."

Ally thought that they should move closer to better be able to reinforce them.

"We can join you or come in from the other side." Ally said.

Kyle was afraid they may have been compromised. They'd been there for a while and had already placed some surveillance cameras. If anyone was watching the area, they may have been spotted.

"I don't think anyone should join us yet." Kyle said. "It's possible we've been 'made'."

John listened to the exchange. He hoped that Kyle was wrong in his summation. He didn't want anyone to rush things. They'd already put other events into motion.

"I have more personnel on the way." John said. "Everyone relax, this is a recon only."

John was aware how these things often developed a life of their own. He was aware that happened with Cameron many times.

Derek was more than a little worried after he heard Kyle's report. He felt there was a lot that was said without being said. He knew how his brother thought and operated. He looked over at Ally with concern.

"I don't like the way this is shaping up." Derek said.

Ally didn't want Derek to become overly concerned. Until they knew more, everything was speculation.

"It may be that whatever was there previously at that location is gone." Ally said. "It could be anything from Skynet to someone selling drugs or someone running girls. There's a lot of that happening."

Ally knew Cameron moved in on any operation concerning girls being trafficked. There was always cash to be confiscated and future Scavengers to be terminated. Cameron hoped at least one of the girls would try and improve her life. There were some that she'd freed three times in different locations and geographic areas even. Drugs seemed to be the lure for them. They made good 'workers' because they wanted their fix. No sex act was off limits to them. They made their handlers a lot of money. There was nothing the girls wouldn't do for an arm load of 'junk'.

The current situation left a lot of questions open to Derek. Since the building wasn't destroyed, there needed to be a reason why it appeared to be vacant and sanitized.

"Maybe there is." Derek said. "There are other questions about this specific location that need answers. What was there and where did it go? Why did they leave or move? It sounds like there is more at play here."

Ally didn't like the way things were shaping up. She wanted to give Bob and Kyle the best coverage they could. They didn't want them to join them, so they would do the next best thing.

"I don't know what's happening." Ally said. "We're almost in position on the side that's opposite from them."

Derek wanted Kyle to know they could give him some support.

"Kyle, we're in position on the other side." Derek said. "We should be able to see everything that happens around the building at this point."

Kyle didn't want to tip their hand. He was afraid that they may have been made. He didn't want that to happen to Derek's team.

"Don't get too close or expose yourselves." Kyle said.

Ally tried to lighten the ever growing somber mood.

"Sheila isn't here so no one will expose themselves." Ally said.

Derek caught Ally's joke. He tried to be a little more explicit.

"He meant our position." Derek said.

Ally tried again at some levity.

"I know a few of those, positions that is." Ally said. "I'm sorry. Now I sound like Sheila."

Derek smiled at Ally. He knew she was trying to lighten the mood.

"We can hold here and watch our surroundings." Derek said. "I recommend you do the same."

Bob didn't like the unknown. He agreed with Kyle that they should go in and take a look. Right now John wanted them to wait for additional reinforcements.

"We're doing that." Bob said.

John didn't like the direction that the recon had taken. Somehow things had become more involved and they still knew absolutely nothing. Well, it was almost next to nothing. It appeared that whoever had been in that building may have cleared out and taken everything with them. If that were actually the case there was no need for anyone to hurry or rush anything. There would be nothing there.

"Everyone needs to chill out. This was a minor lead." John said. "Where did this information come from again?"

John Henry felt it was a legitimate lead. Leads like that had paid off before.

"The information was obtained off one of the phones from a Gray we took down at the port." John Henry said.

Kyle wondered what the message was in relation to.

"How was the information referenced?" Kyle asked.

John Henry didn't think it was going to be a major lead because of the nature of it.

"It was from a text message indicating he was once at this location." John Henry said. "That's it. That's why we thought this would be a simple recon."

John thought the meeting could have been about anything. Since nothing was specified in the message, there was really nothing to work with.

"We don't know why he was there to begin with." John said. "We don't have any details."

Derek was aware that some people liked to carry out information transfers on a face to face basis. That was actually the method that he preferred. He could talk directly to the individual and make sure they understood exactly what he wanted done and the way he wanted it done. That was mostly in the past - the future. There was one other issue that troubled him.

"It was probably word of mouth from someone." Derek said. "This isn't tied into the Syndicate in any way is it?"

John Henry hadn't been able to ascertain which groups were involved. He still searched for some better answers.

"That information is unknown at this time." John Henry said. "It could be another faction of Grays, the Fanatics or the 'anti-Metal' group."

Bob didn't think all the speculation did any good.

"All we have are questions with no answers." Bob said.

Bob felt the best way to get those answers was to go in and check out the building.

John checked to see who else could assist them. He wanted to get Kyle and Derek out of there.

"Al and Mel are on the way." John said. "More help is on the way too. I don't want anyone to do anything yet."

John was worried that Cameron was going to get involved sooner rather than later. That wasn't what he wanted to happen. He wanted to get things resolved before she showed up at the location. He thought that's how it would happen. She would just be there all of a sudden. He also worried about who she would bring with her. That was actually his main worry at this point. He didn't want it to be Savannah or Young Allison.

Cam waited for the SUV to arrive in the carpool area. It pulled in thirty two seconds after she'd arrived. She hadn't needed to wait very long.

Jesse exited the SUV.

"Fancy meeting you here." Jesse said.

Cam greeted all those returning and gave Riley a hug. She'd already received a complete report on Riley's diagnosis. There was no way to 'fix' her condition. Then again, she knew Cameron already did 'fix' it with Vanna and Jesse. She was aware that people didn't always like the way that Cameron did things but she still did them anyway.

She thought everyone should remember that most of them worked out as Cameron intended them to. There were very few that didn't pan out to the fullest extent of Cameron's plans.

Cam called Jim and Holly aside. She'd assumed the role of 'Cameron' since Cameron and Cammy were unavailable. Her program was the same as Cameron's program since she was a clone both in appearance as well as her chip.

"There's a situation that's developed. I didn't want to alarm the others." Cam said. "I'm responding with Jim."

Holly wondered why only Cam and Jim would go. She was available as well.

"I can go too." Holly said.

Cam didn't want to get into the details. She actually couldn't anyway if she wanted to. She only knew that Cameron stressed that Holly wasn't supposed to be in combat unless the base was being overrun or the Young residence was under attack. She didn't know why. Cameron wouldn't tell her. Cameron only stressed that Holly was not to be in combat. She didn't know what 'Cameron' did to Holly's chassis in her future when 'her program' was in control of it. She wanted to keep it simple.

"I want you to be with Allison and Vanna. Feel free to do whatever they want to do. It's fine with me." Cam said. "I don't want any of them worried."

Cam didn't see a need to mention all of the things that she'd done with Allison. If Allison wanted to tell Holly, that was up to her.

Holly protested some more but Cam assured her that Jim and her were all that was needed for now. She reminded Holly that if things went bad that the girls would need protecting too. A situation could turn into an attack on them at any time.

Jim and Cam took off.

Jesse noticed the little 'powwow' but didn't hear what it was about. It looked fairly serious to her but not too serious. She wanted to see what Holly would tell her.

"Where did Jim and Cam go?" Jesse asked.

Holly didn't want to make any of the girls worry.

"They needed to run some errands." Holly said.

Samantha heard the story too and knew she was to remain there unless there was an emergency.

Jesse and Holly headed for the commissary with the food. Riley and Samantha went to check on Precious.

Samantha could see Riley was bothered about her condition. Maybe she didn't want to have to explain it to everyone. Even though it wasn't Riley's fault, she thought it would still bother her to have to keep talking about it.

"Do you want me to fill in Vanna and Allison?" Samantha asked.

Riley had wanted to ask her to do that. She didn't ask, even if she wanted to. She was very relieved Samantha suggested it. It started to bother her again the more she thought about it. It made her wonder if she didn't eat the right kind of garbage in her past - the future. There wasn't anything else to eat.

"You can do that for everyone." Riley said. "I don't want to talk about it."

Riley wondered if what happened to her was some type of 'Karma'. Maybe this was her 'punishment' for what Future Riley 'did'. It wasn't her who'd done those things. She believed it was as much as John's fault as it was Future Riley's fault. She was pretty sure that even if it was an 'assignment' for Future Riley that it was also something that she wanted to do personally. That was how she felt about John as well. She felt that way from the moment she saw him outside the TDE room. That was then, this was now. There was no need to think about it or dwell on it. Life moved forward not backwards.

Allison heard the new arrivals speaking in the hallway before they knocked.

"They're here." Allison said.

Three seconds later the door opened after a slight knock.

Vanna and Allison greeted Riley and Samantha.

Riley went and checked on Precious.

Samantha quietly filled Vanna and Allison in on Riley's diagnosis.

Allison thought that the conditions they grew up in were all very similar. Evidently that wasn't the case for Jesse and Vanna. Then again Riley is the only one of them that actually was able to deliver a baby. She didn't even know how many times that she'd tried. Jesse and Vanna both gave up trying to have a baby themselves. She wasn't going to quit until it happened. She didn't care if she was fifty years old.

"It's a wonder that didn't happen to us too." Allison said.

It did make Allison wonder. She might need Vanna more than ever now if she was afflicted the same way Riley was. Why didn't Cameron do the same thing for her that she'd done for Vanna and Jesse? Maybe she should ask Cameron about it.

Samantha was sure it was based on a number of things. She didn't think it was any one thing specific.

"There may have been other environmental factors involved. There could have been biological or chemical exposure." Samantha said.

Riley pushed Precious out in a basket stroller.

"Check this out. I found this in her room." Riley said. "Someone left us a present."

Vanna was a little surprised when John Henry showed up at the nursery a few hours ago. She didn't know if he was there to check up on Precious or check up on her. She figured he acted on some prompting by someone else. She didn't know if it was Cameron, CamNet, Savannah or Young Allison. Any of those four individuals would have great influence over him. Maybe he just came to check up on her. She thought that she would give him a cheap thrill. She was nursing Precious at the time and made a point of switching Precious from one breast to the other as they spoke face to face. She was sitting down and he was standing. She made sure he could clearly see everything. She noted the bulge in his pants when he left the nursery.

"John Henry brought that by earlier." Vanna said.

Riley felt they were good to go. She really liked the new stroller.

"Let's go get some grub." Riley said.

The four girls headed out with Precious.

Sarah entered the Command Center. She wanted to get John and have some serious fun with him. She told him what was actually on her mind. If nothing else, she thought it would deflect attention away from her desires.

"It's time to eat." Sarah said. "Claire is waiting…."

John shook his head. He decided to play along.

"You too?" John asked. "Is she supposed to be dessert?"

Sarah smiled but said nothing further about that. She didn't want women to be thought of like that. She actually believed if Cameron wasn't careful that Claire would end up as the main dish. She could see the passion and desire that was built up inside of Claire. Even if Claire was getting a lot of sex. It wasn't enough.

She was worried about Kyle too. She wasn't usually updated when he was out. She would need to specifically come by the Command Center to find out. Kyle asked her not to do that. He didn't want any outside influence when he was on an operation.

"How's Kyle doing?" Sarah asked.

John glanced at John Henry. They made eye contact. He hoped that John Henry would play it cool.

"So far nothing has happened." John said. "It's just a recon."

John Henry didn't think it would be a problem for John to leave. He also noted the opening exchange between John and Sarah. He'd observed the girls on numerous occasions and knew how they liked to share with each other. He understood Sarah's reference. He believed that he would be able to do that as well if any of the females asked him.

"I can cover everything for a while." John Henry said. "Since nothing is happening. Everything is still a recon at this point."

John didn't want to alarm his mother by staying. Since nothing was happening, he decided to go with her. There was no need to make her worry about Kyle. Right now there was no need to worry about him. He wanted to be kept in the loop and have John Henry remind everybody what the mission parameters actually were. They hadn't changed.

"Keep me posted if it does." John said. "This is to remain a recon only."

John Henry understood what John wanted and why.

"I'll remind everyone." John Henry said.

John was still a little reluctant to leave.

Sarah led John away.

John knew if he insisted on staying at this point, it would cause his mother to worry. Cam called him a few minutes ago and informed him she would take charge of the operation and Derek and Kyle would be sent back with Jim.

The whole group was in the commissary when Sarah and John arrived.

Claire smiled at John when he walked in with Sarah.

They each felt Claire smiled at the other one but hoped it was them. She was a temptation to both of them.

Claire actually smiled and both of them. She really didn't know what she would do if she had a choice between the two of them. She didn't know which one of them that she would pick first. If she could only have one of them she wasn't sure which one it would be. She wanted to be with John to see if he could 'deliver' through traditional lovemaking. If he could, she would pick him. If he couldn't, she would go with Sarah. She was aware that females could always deliver. That meant if the choice needed to be made right now, she would need to pick Sarah. She smiled again at that thought.

The food was all laid out and ready to serve.

"Derek and Kyle should be back later on." John said. "The recon Kyle was on looks like a bust."

Claire wondered if it would be proper to wait for them. It seemed to her like something they should do. In a traditional household they would wait for everyone to be there before they ate, so they could all eat together.

"Should we wait?" Claire asked.

Sarah knew they could end up waiting all night if anything further developed.

"No." Sarah said. "We'll save some food for them. Sometimes the operations get more involved."

That sent up a red flag for Riley.

"Why is Derek with Kyle?" Riley asked. "He went out with Gail earlier."

John didn't want Riley to worry.

"Derek was finished with his assignment. Where Kyle was on recon at, was on Derek's way back." John said. "He wanted to check up on his brother."

John glanced over at Jan and Summer. He saw Summer look at him. He was sure that she knew he wasn't being totally forthcoming. He hadn't lied about anything. If anything, it was a lie of omission. He finally looked away.

Cameron received a complete report from CamNet about Riley and her condition. She wasn't pleased with what she'd heard.

She knew the fault rested with Skynet. It wasn't Riley's fault.

Cameron looked over at Young Allison and Savannah. She changed directions.

"Where are we going now?" Savannah asked.

Young Allison wanted her flight.

"Yeah, the airport's the other way." Young Allison said.

Cameron feared the condition the girls from the future were in. She didn't want those things to happen to the girls in the present.

"We're going to stop and get you two a balanced meal with plenty of protein, vegetables and fruit." Cameron said.

Savannah didn't think they needed to stop for a big meal right now. She actually thought it would be better if they didn't if they're going to take another flight.

"Maybe we can grab a fruit smoothie and some vegetable juice." Savannah said.

Cameron wanted to make sure they got an important part of their diet.

"You need protein too." Cameron said.

Cameron was well aware of all the meals Savannah missed by being with her. She was now worried what happened to Riley could happen to Young Allison. She also wanted Savannah to have a better diet for Vanna's baby.

Savannah turned around and rummaged around in the back of the SUV. She knew there were supplies there for all of the team members, the human ones that is.

"Here, I found some energy bars." Savannah said. "I've eaten a lot of these."

That reminder sent a glitch impulse through Cameron's left hand. It would probably get worse. It wasn't Savannah's fault.

"That's my fault." Cameron said. "I've pushed you too hard."

Young Allison felt the same way. She intended to do something about it. She wanted to make everyone aware of what was going to happen.

"I'll be stepping up to share the load." Young Allison said as she looked at Cameron and Savannah. "I mean when I get back from the past."

Savannah looked at Young Allison with some sadness. No matter how much Young Allison thought she was going to be 'ready', it was never going to be enough. Combat was nothing to look forward to. The need to take someone's life was nothing to be proud of. It was just something that needed to be done. The enemy was where they were by their own choosing. It was they who forfeited their lives by their actions.

Cameron wanted to refocus the girls. She wanted to refocus herself as well.

"The meal will only set us back a half hour." Cameron said.

Savannah was worried about what worried Cameron. She could tell something was wrong or off. There was a pretty good indication as to what it was.

"How's Riley?" Savannah asked.

The SUV swerved slightly.

"She's fine." Cameron said. "There's nothing new wrong with her."

Cameron lowered her left hand down alongside of her.

Savannah reached around the left side of the driver's seat and felt Cameron's left hand glitching. She knew it was time to assert herself. She wanted Young Allison to see how it was done as well.

"Pull over, Cameron. I want Cammy to drive." Savannah said. "Then I want the truth for both Allison and me. Don't sugarcoat it or leave any facts out either."

Savannah and Young Allison exchanged a long glance with each other.

Cameron pulled over and Cammy went around to the driver's seat. Anna was in the front passenger's seat and Cameron was in the back between Savannah and Young Allison. Savannah made sure Young Allison was on Cameron's left side to hold her hand to keep it from glitching. She wanted Cameron to depend on Young Allison as much as she did her. She wanted them to be equals.

"Tell it to us straight, Cameron." Young Allison said.

Cameron laid out the nature of the affliction with Riley and possible causes or contributing factors. She went over the trouble with Allison, Vanna and Jesse again too.

Savannah knew in Cameron's future that she needed to nurse both babies for Future Allison and Future Savannah. They were probably affected as well with a number of ailments.

Cameron stressed the need for a proper diet for the girls and why. Savannah was already past most of the things that could affect her but Young Allison wasn't.

Savannah took Cameron's right hand and looked into her eyes.

"Always trust us with the truth." Savannah said. "We always need to know the truth no matter how bad it is. It's the only way we can make effective decisions."

Young Allison wanted Cameron to know the truth was important and there was no other 'cost' involved with it on a personal level.

"We'll still love you, no matter what it is." Young Allison said.

Cameron's hand stopped trying to glitch with that last statement from Young Allison.

She looked at both of their smiling faces and knew their love was pure and true.

Young Allison and Savannah both kissed Cameron on a cheek at the same time.

Cameron was very content and pleased. She felt her love for them grow.

She looked forward to her cruise with John but it bothered her slightly that she never felt the same things for him that she did for the girls. Maybe it was the way the girls made her feel.

Very Astute

Each searches for a new route
In the maze of life's daily commute
Do the facts ever add up
Does anything compute

The path is never direct
It is warped, bent or acute
A heart that's left stranded
Soon becomes easy to loot

No one wants to hear
Another sound off and hoot
It seems to be nothing more
Than to hear their own horn toot

It's no problem for them
To give the other the boot
Once they have harvested
All of the emotional and sexual fruit

It doesn't take long
For the thoughts to dilute
Things will often devolve
They will turn into a dispute

It soon become evident
That death is the only absolute
Everything seems to become
Confused, jaded and moot

Everyone wants a voice
They don't want to be mute
They don't want to be replaced
By a cheap substitute

Nothing about love
Is trivial or minute
Everything that grows
Must have a root

When the fall starts
There's no parachute
To see how it will end
One need not be very astute

Nobody