Chapter 1167
Can You Move
Ken and Lou came out of the side street. Ken just abandoned the dump truck. It had been used as a battering ram against the blue car. They paused at the intersection to look down the street at the carnage they'd left behind.
The blue car was currently wrapped around the support beam for a billboard. Steam hissed out of the front end from the ruptured radiator. So far no one had stopped to inspect the wreckage. They figured it was only a matter of time until someone did.
They drove off to reinforce the other operation. It was about to go down in just a few seconds.
Al and Ed were assigned to stop the brown van. They worked in conjunction with Dan and Frank.
Dan and Frank moved into position to apprehend the two homeless men. They were still out of harm's way if the brown van was able to complete its 'drive-by' and shoot at the two homeless men.
They doubted the brown van would ever get that close to them.
Cam loaded the nervous man she'd apprehended into Tom's SUV when he pulled up. She securely bound, gagged and blindfolded him as Tom drove away. They picked up Steve a few seconds later.
Tom quickly drove to where Dan and Frank's SUV was parked and let Cam out.
She climbed inside of it and took off. She headed to where Frank and Dan were so the two men they apprehended could be taken away once they were in custody. They still needed to capture them. The brown van needed to be dealt with first.
Moments ago:
Savannah watched Cam take down the man she was after. She'd watched Ken deal with the blue car. Dan and Frank were ready to make their move on the two homeless men. Cam was on her way to back them up.
She wanted to do more.
"We should be in the fight." Savannah said.
Cammy wanted to keep Savannah out of harm's way. Everything seemed under control at this point. There was always the possibility that something could go wrong. There was also the very real threat other players may show themselves. They could be on foot or in a vehicle.
"If we need to be, we will be." Cammy said. "We're the 'backup force'. You know sometimes one is needed if things go bad. We're still very early into the operation. It's only been in play for just over a minute."
Savannah did know it. She also worried about Dan and Frank.
"Dan and Frank are still in the target zone." Savannah said. "They're exposed if something goes wrong."
Cammy didn't think it would. There were teams in place to deal with the threat.
"Al and Ed are about to neutralize the problem." Cammy said.
John Henry wanted to remind Savannah what the standing order was for an identified enemy combatant vehicle.
"If the brown van comes within two blocks of you, there will be a drone missile strike against it." John Henry said. "Everything is already in motion to play out as planned."
Savannah didn't want a missile strike in the city. There would be collateral damage.
"I want to avoid a drone strike if possible." Savannah said. "We need to know who's behind this and targeting these people."
John Henry was a little surprised at everything he found out so far. He wasn't sure any of the players actually belong to any of the group's they dealt with regarding the future. From the phone information he was able to gather on the blue car and the brown van, it didn't appear they were associated either.
"I'm checking everything." John Henry said. "From what I've uncovered so far, the brown van and blue car are from rival street gangs. They think they're each targeting a rival gang member. They've been provided with false information from someone unknown."
It was a tactic that Cameron used several times.
Savannah wasn't sure she liked the direction things were headed.
"I get it." Savannah said. "Then after the two rival gangs take down their targets, they're pitted against each other and they take each other out."
John Henry actually believed it was an effective strategy. It tied up a lot of loose ends and ended up in a file no one would bother to look into any further. Gang incidents were so common, it wasn't a big deal. No one cared.
"That's the scenario." John Henry said. "It goes down as another gang shooting over turf or drugs and no one investigates any of it."
Savannah almost thought it was a shame. It seemed gang activity was commonplace. Law enforcement was unable or unwilling to do much about it. The district attorney didn't want to prosecute the criminals for the criminals they were. Under the new rulings, they were simply let out of jail after they were booked because there was no longer cash bail. The district attorney determined, on their own, that cash bail was 'oppressive' and a veiled form of 'racism'. She wondered who the imbecile was who determined being held responsible for a crime was 'racist'. She believed the actions of the perpetrator spoke for themselves.
There were times when she may have looked negatively on Cameron's 'off the books' operations. With the new district attorney, it didn't appear anyone was responsible for a crime any longer. It seems someone forgot about the victims. Why didn't the victims matter? Perhaps when Cameron returned from her honeymoon she would ask to go out on more operations with her. If the elected officials weren't willing to enforce the laws, it appeared someone else was going to need to do so. Crime without punishment would only lead to more Scavengers in the future.
As to their current situation, she wondered who the 'Puppet Master' was in all of this. Maybe they'd been under surveillance the whole time. She didn't like getting played or set up. There was an idea in the back of her mind she just couldn't shake right now. She thought maybe it required some additional investigation on their part. As far as the current operation that involved Dan, Frank and the brown van, it appeared everything was covered. A missile strike from a drone that would make sure it was covered, if there was any problem.
Savannah wanted to let the Command Center know what they were up to.
"I think someone may have been watching all this from somewhere." Savannah said. "Cammy and I are going to check something out."
Earlier Al and Ed were able to obtain a LAW rocket from Steve. It looked like they were going to need to use it.
The original plan was for Al to do a PIT maneuver on the brown van. It was deemed too risky at this point. The occupants of the brown van were clearly armed and their weapons were visible.
The side door was open on the brown van. There were several rifle barrels that could be seen. It was clear they were getting ready to open up.
If Al's vehicle approached them too closely at this point, they would most likely become a target. They needed another course of action and they needed it quickly. Luckily one was available to them. He knew if they didn't act now there was going to be a missile fired from a drone.
"Use the LAW." Al said. "Do it right now."
Ed had the LAW rocket ready. He leaned out the passenger's window and armed the LAW rocket. He aimed and fired.
Al stood on the brakes to give them a little distance as soon as the rocket fired. He wasn't sure what the initial result would be.
The rocket punched through the back of the brown van and passed through the interior. It impacted on the back of the engine block and exploded. Flame billowed out of the windows. Two shrapnel ridden bodies were blown out onto the street from the open sliding side door. They both thrashed around wildly on the street.
The smoking van continued to coast down the street. It was no longer under power or control. It impacted a parked car a few seconds later. The gas tank ruptured and exploded at that point. Anyone still alive was consumed in the burning inferno. Burning gasoline flowed underneath the two bleeding men who thrashed about in the street. The flames cause them to thrash more wildly.
Al watched the two burning men that were blown out the side door of the van for a few seconds. One no longer moved but one still thrashed about.
It was time for some additional action. They wanted to avoid gunfire if possible.
Al made sure Ed was back inside the SUV and buckled in. He punched it and their vehicle shot forward. He aimed for and drove over the thrashing burning man. The vehicle experienced two noticeable bumps as they passed over his burning body.
The two tires on the right side needed to go through the burning gasoline. They picked up some of the flaming liquid. The tires went through several rotations until the burning gas was extinguished. It did no damage to their vehicle.
Al looked back in his mirror and the burning man no longer thrashed about. He was dead. They passed by the flaming van a few seconds later. They saw the driver's dead body burning in his seat. He turned right at the next street.
Dan and Frank were aware of the sudden change in plans. They were within striking distance so it wasn't a problem.
As soon as the LAW rocket hit the van, Dan and Frank made their move. They sprang from their position of cover and choked the two homeless men out. They drug them off to the side and out of view. Cam arrived seconds afterwards and they were loaded into the SUV. Cam sped away with the four new arrivals. Both of them were securely bound, gagged and blindfolded.
The second operation was over as quickly as the first. Everything was accomplished in a matter of seconds. None of the drones needed to fire a missile or drop down low enough to use the gun.
Young Allison and Anna watched the final take down. It wasn't what she'd planned on for the primary mission. They needed to use her back up plan. If it hadn't worked, a missile from a drone would have been fired. The explosion from the missile would have been much greater than the explosion was from the LAW rocket. Everything was very localized in the response.
Anna was aware Young Allison's back up plan needed to be used. Everything was already prearranged so it wasn't a problem to switch from the original plan to the secondary plan.
"It isn't how you wanted things to happen originally." Anna said.
Young Alison didn't think it was a problem. Everything that needed to happen, happened.
"Things went a little differently than expected." Young Allison said. "I really wanted them to be able to use the PIT maneuver."
Anna knew things were always fluid.
"It will often be the way things unfold." Anna said. "Things happen we can't always control."
Young Allison was still worried about the two explosions. The first one was the LAW rocket impacting the back of the engine block, the second one was the gas tank exploding after the brown van impacted into a parked vehicle. It was doubtful anyone would be able to distinguish what the two explosions were when it was obvious the the fuel tank ruptured and caught fire on the brown van. It most likely would appear to be a traffic accident. Once the authorities looked further, they would find out they were dealing with gang members. The investigation would soon be shelved and no one would care.
The safety of their troops came first.
"I hope everything works out." Young Allison said.
Anna thought it was a success. All of Young Allison's plans were enacted including her back up plan. They didn't need to use the drones at all. It seemed to be a major concern for John Henry. They tried to be team players.
"We have the three men in custody and all the teams are withdrawing." Anna said. "None of our personnel were damaged. The hostile threats were neutralized."
Young Allison was concerned when Cammy and Savannah left. She purposely kept them out of direct involvement. She was aware it didn't sit well with Savannah. It appeared Savannah picked her own target to investigate at this point. She tracked them with the drone that followed them. They didn't tell John Henry where they were going specifically or why.
She quickly thought about everything that occurred since Cammy and Savannah arrived at the port facility. She remembered an earlier conversation they had with each other. She deduced where they were headed and set a new plan into motion to assist them.
"Savannah and Cammy are heading back to the building at the port where the homeless men were staying." Young Allison said. "Send Steve and Tom to back them up. They can transfer their prisoner to Dan and Frank. They can pick Cam up so she can rejoin Savannah and Cammy. Her SUV is still parked in the area anyway."
CamNet already relayed the request from Young Allison to John Henry.
Anna received confirmation of the follow up response almost immediately.
"John Henry has directed them to shadow them but not intercept them." Anna said. "Tom turned the man he held over to Dan and Frank."
Young Allison wanted a second drone to back Cammy and Savannah up. She feared it would be a repeat of the initial encounter with the Resistance team and the sniper. It was the event that started everything into motion the first time a week ago. At that time, she'd given CamNet the authority to act if any threat was identified. A missile was fired as soon as she finished her sentence. She thought she was going to be in trouble but it was a legitimate strike.
"I want two drones with Cammy and Savannah." Young Allison said. "If they find anyone, it may turn into another sniping incident. I want them to be warned. They may come across one of the players who may have orchestrated everything we've seen so far. Most likely there will be a sniper with them or they will be the sniper."
Anna sent out the sniper warning. It seems like a legitimate concern at this point. It was something they'd discussed earlier. Because the two homeless men vacated the port facility, no more of the Resistance team arrived.
"They've been notified." Anna said.
Young Allison wanted the other teams out of the conflict area. They weren't sure if any of their vehicles had been identified. If they had been, they were a target.
"I want the other three teams to pull out and set up an ambush for each other after they change vehicles." Young Allison said. "They can leapfrog out of the area doing that. They can be reduced to two vehicles."
Anna wondered what the plan was for the three men who were apprehended.
"What about the detainees?" Anna asked. "Something needs to be done with them."
Young Allison could see she needed to make a choice. She wasn't surprised the choice was left up to her.
"Are you asking me if they're to be terminated?" Young Allison asked.
Anna wasn't the only one who wanted to know what the determination would be.
"Yes." Anna said. "John Henry wants your decision."
Young Allison needed to think about Savannah's earlier words in regards to the homeless men. If they really were homeless and the other individual was a junkie, they didn't belong to any group from the future. The extent of their involvement and knowledge would play a factor. Exactly what else they'd been involved with or done would factor in as well.
"Question them at a secure location first and then I'll make the determination based on the information gleaned." Young Allison said. "What they've done will determine their fate, not me."
Young Allison felt it was a test.
She believed the men's actions and involvement in the incident would determine their own fate when they were questioned.
She might be required to order the execution of the three men. If they were the enemy, there was no choice to make. The men would have already made it themselves.
Young Allison might also contact Savannah for her input on the situation if some of the issues weren't black and white. It was something they were supposed to do. They were supposed to work together. She also needed to make decisions on her own. There were already thousands dead because of some of the actions that were carried out on her behalf by CamNet. She really didn't think three more were going to matter. She did think it mattered if they were guilty or not.
Jim observed Gail and Holly as they pleasured each other. He was surprised their reactions as they finished were somewhat different from each other. He thought they would be the same. He'd listen to the human girls before and he knew they all responded differently from each other and even changed at times. Sometimes things seemed more intense than others. It seemed to him the human female's response was always greater than the human male's response. It would require further investigation.
It appeared Holly was able to finish several times in rapid succession. He only noticed Gail react once. Then again, Gail 'took over' about half way through and was very forceful with Holly. It seemed to have paid off for Holly and she was rewarded several times because of it.
They started to get dressed once they'd both finished. They both looked very pleased. They shared a long kiss once they'd put their dresses on.
He thought they looked very beautiful. They both wore a red dress that sported a very low and wide cut. They both packed a lot up on top compared to the other girls. Much of it was visible in those dresses. He was aware they'd worn dresses like that on more than one previous occasion. He thought it was a very good look for both of them.
He liked to see them naked. He also liked to see them dressed up. Dressed how they were now seemed to actually enhance their beauty. He'd thought the same thing about Cameron too. There was a certain elegant beauty when they were in nice clothes.
After the kiss, Gail went to the floral display in the room and removed a suitable flower and affixed it to the side of Holly's hair on the left side. It seemed to further enhance Holly's beauty. He didn't know it was something they'd done before.
While all this was happening, he'd watched the take down of the vehicles and the apprehension of the men targeted for termination. He didn't know what their fate would be. He understood Young Allison wanted them questioned first before any final determination was made. He thought they should be terminated anyway.
There were many things happening around him to distract him. He needed to adjust his pants again after the girls 'finished' and then finished dressing.
Previously:
Ally was behind Sheila. Sheila worked on Hanna. Once Hanna and Sheila were finished they would both concentrate on Ally. It was a rotational position they often used. The middle position was the position of choice. Sheila usually took it first. She could give as well as receive.
Sheila and Hanna both worked on Ally now. She'd already finished multiple times but Sheila still stimulated her.
Hanna could see Ally was being taken too far for too long. She didn't want there to be any problems. She thought she needed to say something. She decided to intervene.
"Don't overload her." Hanna said.
Sheila didn't acknowledge Hanna at first.
"You need to use restraint, Sheila." Hanna said. "We're on the ship."
Sheila remembered the trouble she'd caused for Cammy by doing the same thing. She helped Ally get one more finish in and then stopped.
"Are you OK, love?" Sheila asked.
Ally didn't say anything at first.
Hanna and Sheila looked at each other.
Sheila still wore her highly modified maid's outfit.
Ally looked at both of them. It seemed she didn't recognize them at first.
Slowly the focus returned to her eyes.
"I'm good." Ally said finally. "I'm real good. It was fantastic."
Ally still lay on the bed. She wanted Sheila to do it again.
"Don't stop now." Ally said.
Sheila started to move forward again.
Hanna didn't want things to go too far. She thought Ally looked a little confused.
"Can you move?" Hanna asked.
Ally tried but nothing happened.
"I don't know." Ally said. "I'm resetting some files."
Sheila decided to prompt Ally a little. She figured she might as well have some fun while she did it.
"I put a set of rings on you." Sheila said. "Can you feel them?"
Ally sat bolt upright and bent forward to look at the same time she touched herself.
Sheila started laughing.
"I just wanted to make sure you were good." Sheila said.
Ally was afraid Sheila did something else, again.
"That's not funny." Ally said. "I needed to check to make sure everything was like it's supposed to be."
Sheila didn't see what the big deal was. It was something she'd done more than a few times to the different Metal girls.
"You never know." Sheila said as she laughed. "Remember, people pay good money to have it done."
Ally didn't intend to be one of them, again.
"We'll see." Ally said.
Hanna wanted to head out. She listened to the Control Center for any activity.
"We need to get ready so we can go out." Hanna said. "I think Gail and Holly are done.
Sheila looked over towards the Control Center.
"I bet Jim isn't." Sheila said.
Hanna wanted to dress up.
"Our dresses are in the other room. They're in the Control Center." Hanna said. "I want to look nice."
Sheila wondered what they would wear.
"Are we all going to wear red like Gail and Holly said they were?" Sheila asked.
Ally was actually surprised at the wardrobe selection.
"We can." Ally said. "There are a lot of dresses for us in each of our sizes."
Sheila looked at the mess the bed was in. She wanted to make sure it was perfect when they left. She wanted all of the rooms perfect.
"Help me get this room fixed up." Sheila said.
The three Metal girls went to work. Everything was perfect in no time.
"I need to put this outfit in Riley's closet." Sheila said. "I'll meet you in the Control Center. Take my other uniform with you."
Sheila headed out the main suite door to head over to the Honeymoon suite.
Hanna and Ally picked up their clothes and headed into the Control Center in the spare bedroom. They were both naked when they entered. Ally carried Sheila's standard maid's uniform for her to wear later on.
They saw Jim look up at them as they passed by him to get to the closet. Gail and Holly were almost finished with everything. They both looked really nice.
Sheila returned naked from the front of the spare bedroom. All the Metal girls were in the Control Center now as they got ready. They helped each other where necessary to speed things up.
Jim watched them all get dressed. He noted that Sheila didn't wear any underwear but all the other girls did.
They were soon dressed and touched up each other's makeup and hair. Holly and Gail helped them out.
Within ten minutes they were all ready and looked perfect.
They all lined up for Jim to look at.
"How do we look?" Ally asked.
Jim needed to do a double take. Ally almost looked like Cameron. It didn't happen often.
"You all look stunning." Jim said.
They all thanked him and left.
Jim listened to hear them leave. Once he was sure they were gone he needed to unzip his pants. He was afraid they were going to rip.
He needed to focus on the ongoing action around the port.
Jim replayed all the files that were created since he'd boarded the ship related to the Metal girls. He was very pleased he was selected for the assignment. He looked down at himself and was glad he stayed behind in the Control Center.
He listened to make sure everyone was gone. He needed to take care of some personal business.
Earlier:
The group in the main dining room finished their appetizers. They shared some small talk.
The assistant waiter cleared away the appetizer dishes. He told them the main course would be ready in just a few minutes.
Derek and Kyle looked at Sarah and Riley. They wanted to discuss their proposal to bring some of the others on board. They were afraid they might cause a problem by bringing it up. They still thought the experience should be shared with everyone.
Sarah could tell they were a little uncomfortable to go forward with the proposal. She was never afraid to 'rock the boat' a little bit.
"I'll do it." Sarah said.
Sarah laid out their idea of doubling up in one of the main suites. They thought the Honeymoon Suite was fine for them. Derek, Kyle and Riley were all on board with the plan.
Cameron was reluctant to double anyone up or put them in a smaller suite.
"I don't know." Cameron said. "I wanted everyone to have a good time and privacy."
They all assured her they were having a good time and that they wanted some of the others to come and share it with them. They said there was plenty of privacy when they needed it. Everyone knew what it meant without any elaboration.
They all discussed it and thought Jesse and Claire could stay in the Master Suite. Jan and Summer could stay in the spare bedroom of the Master Suite.
Cameron wanted Claire on board. Jesse would be a bonus. It was all the motivation she needed to change her plans. It also left two of the girls behind with Precious.
"It will leave Allison and Vanna all alone." Cameron said. "Vanna needs to stay for Precious. Allison will stay with her."
John considered the others who were still there. He didn't think anyone would be alone.
"Savannah, Cammy and Cam should be there later on tonight." John said. "Samantha is there too."
Sarah volunteered to make the calls if Cameron was reluctant to. She actually thought it would be better so Jesse and Claire didn't feel they were being manipulated.
"I can call Claire and Jesse." Sarah said. "Jan and Summer will have a good time here too."
Cameron decided to handle it. She wanted the control of being in charge of everything. If she was going to do it, she wanted to make sure she was able to get the maximum number of people to come on board. She didn't want Jesse or Claire to get cold feet. She also needed to think of the best way to get them on board the ship.
"Let me call them and see what I can set up." Cameron said. "I can have them flown to Ensenada and meet the ship tomorrow when it docks. Cam or Cammy can fly them in."
John was a little worried. He didn't want to cause any undue scrutiny towards their group.
"Will that cause any kind of a problem?" John asked. "I mean flying into Mexico."
Cameron didn't see it as any type of problem. There would be no record it ever happened once it was done.
"It won't be for John Henry or CamNet." Cameron said.
Derek wanted to keep their conversation private.
"I see our waiter coming." Derek said.
The waiter came out from the back. He carried a large tray and so did the assistant waiter. The trays consisted of stacked plates with covers on top of them. They set the trays near their work station and removed the covers from the plates. They could see steam rise off each of the uncovered dishes. They were obviously freshly prepared.
They came over to the table and set the plates for the ladies down and then returned with the plates for the men.
The waiter asked if there was anything else he could get them. They told him they were good for now.
"Bon Appétit." The waiter said and walked away.
They all looked at each other's plates and were amazed at how good everything looked. They were even more impressed when they tasted it. It was clear everything was quality food.
Derek could tell he was going to eat a lot over the next few days. He was a little worried about his calorie count.
"Did someone say there was a jogging track on one of the decks?" Derek asked.
Cameron knew there was a multitude of exercise equipment on the ship.
"There is." Cameron said. "There is also a weight room, treadmills and workout classes."
Kyle saw a brochure for various treatments at the spa. He really wanted Sarah to take advantage of what was available. Like many things the ship offered, he didn't think there would be many opportunities for her to do it another time.
"I think going to the spa is something Sarah and Riley should do." Kyle said. "I'd like for them to receive a little pampering."
Sarah thought about it as well. She wondered if Kyle saw her look at one of the brochures in the room. She didn't want to discourage the idea. It was something that intrigued her.
"I saw a few things that caught my eye." Sarah said. "I've only ever heard about them before."
Riley was thrilled about the idea as well. She'd looked at the little newspaper in the room and saw there were quite a few different activities available.
"There is so much to do and so little time to do it." Riley said.
Cameron knew it was true. She would like to have everyone on board. She didn't want to cut any corners. Precious needed a wet nurse and she was too little to come out. It wasn't something she was willing to risk. Vanna or Jesse needed to be with her. Those two things were unchangeable. Vanna currently volunteered so it should free up Jesse.
She was glad that Gail and Hanna were on board. They would make things better for Jesse and Claire. She could put Summer and Jan in one of the regular suites with Holly if Jesse or Claire wanted more privacy with their Metal girlfriends in the spare bedroom.
It was a lot to think about for Cameron.
She looked down and her entrée was gone. John and Kyle must have split it already. She'd missed them take it. She wondered how since it was right in front of her.
Cameron smiled at everyone at the table. She liked it when everyone was happy.
She looked around to see where her entrée went.
She'd already started to make plans for Claire. John was going to have the best honeymoon ever and be protected from assassination. She was sure if she could get Claire on board, Jesse would be as well.
It appeared the door had been open for multiple opportunities to occur. She planned to cycle through the various Metal girl's chassis. She would also try to take the opportunity to have John share with at least one of the human females. Both Claire and Jesse expressed a desire to do so. She wasn't going to push it but if the opportunity arose, she wasn't going to oppose it.
She remembered what Savannah and Young Allison wanted. She also believed everyone had the freedom to choose what they wanted to do as well. She was ready to set the stage and see what played out. It was her job to protect John. She intended to do that. Sometimes she was going to need help to do it.
Can You Move
There are those that lead
There are those that follow
Some are firm and solid
Others are blank and hollow
What one says means little
Their actions speak louder
To get caught up in their lies
Turns a heart into chowder
How does one distinguish
What is right or wrong
Maybe the real answers
Have been stated in many a song
Listen to the inner voice
It's seldom incorrect
It's there for a reason
It's trying to protect
Seek to find your groove
Some things are harder to prove
When you see the steamroller coming
Without a clear mind, can you move
Nobody