Chapter 1209
For Your Own Good
Young Allison experienced a restless night's sleep. It was time to get up. She didn't feel like it. She knew things didn't get done by thinking about them. She decided to get up and start her day. She dressed and finished up her personal business. She headed to the kitchen.
She noticed her hot chocolate from last night now sat on the kitchen counter. She could see little wisps of vapor coming off of it. There was some fresh fruit cut in a bowl and some instant oatmeal next to the hot chocolate. She smiled. Anna looked out for her as she always did.
She finished everything in a few minutes. She quickly did the dishes and put them away. She made sure the kitchen was in order. She knew the kitchen was important to her mother. She went and brushed her teeth. She looked out the window as she headed towards the bunker. It was almost sunrise. It was time to get things started. She felt she was a little behind her normal schedule.
She did a quick check around the house before she went down into the bunker, everything was secure. She spotted Anna right away.
"Hi, Anna." Young Allison said. "I appreciate you getting my breakfast ready for me. You don't need to do that."
The blank look on Anna's face instantly brightened. There was now a smile present.
"Hi, Allison." Anna said. "I know you like to do everything yourself. Since last night was a little rough for you, I wanted to surprise you. Sometimes it's nice to have help."
Young Allison was pleasantly surprised.
"Thank you." Young Allison said. "Tell me what's happening before I start my run. I can catch the sunrise if I get started soon. I know I'm a little behind today."
Anna could update Young Allison in as they did their run. She was connected to CamNet and John Henry if anything developed along the way.
"I can fill you in as we exercise." Anna said.
Young Allison was uneasy about asking but she needed to follow up. She was concerned about Sheila.
"How's Sheila?" Young Allison asked.
Anna was unaware of what almost happened inside of the Owner's Suite with John just a few minutes ago. She could only say what she knew. She decided to use some tact in her response.
"All the issues were resolved." Anna said. "She's better and nothing happened."
Anna didn't mention Sheila seemed to want to try it on her own. It was a personal choice, not a veiled 'order' from Cameron.
Young Allison spotted the old newspaper plant on two monitors. It instantly raised her threat assessment level.
"What's happening there?" Young Allison asked. "I was worried we would have more trouble from the location."
Anna waited for an update.
"Steve and Tom needed to follow up on some leads." Anna said. "There's most likely an intruder of some type that breached security somehow."
It made Young Allison instantly think of the operation at the port yesterday. It seemed to start much the same way. She wanted to be on top of this from the start if it went anywhere.
"I want them to have backup and drone support." Young Allison said. "I want it initiated immediately."
Anna tried to downplay things for now.
"It may be nothing." Anna said.
Young Allison didn't like to take chances with their troops. She didn't like the thought someone might be testing them. She was more irritated about the port location because the Syndicate appeared to be involved with it initially. She would need to issue some more suggestions to CamNet about their ultimate demise.
"Something happened to get them there." Young Allison said. "I want them to use extra caution. Look what happened yesterday. It could be more of the same or worse."
Anna didn't want to worry Young Allison from the first thing in the morning.
"It may be an animal." Anna said again. "None of the doors or windows were opened. There was only a motion sensor activated."
Young Allison saw it differently. She wasn't sure what animals could find their way in there. She did know they seemed to have a way of doing it at different places. Most animals were able to squeeze through an opening much smaller than it appeared they would fit. It could be anything from a squirrel to a bird. It could also be someone who knew a different way in. She always had a feeling they weren't done with the location yet. They didn't know what it was, until they knew what it was.
"It may be something else too." Young Allison said. "We'll play hardball if it is."
Anna made the arrangements with John Henry. She knew CamNet would see them too.
"I've informed John Henry of your instructions." Anna said.
Young Allison wanted Steve and Tom protected before things escalated.
"Have them fall back and wait until they have drone support and a backup team." Young Allison said.
Anna took care of everything.
She was unaware there was currently a drone backing them up from their earlier operation. CamNet hadn't indicated it was there. CamNet didn't want to tip her hand about the earlier operation conducted 'off of the books'.
Anna noted the time.
"It's done." Anna said. "We need to get started to beat the sunrise."
Young Allison had all of her things ready. Her backpack was loaded and ready to go.
"I'm ready." Young Allison said.
Young Allison looked over all the monitors again.
Anna didn't want her to worry about anything. It was too early to make a determination on any of the activity.
"John Henry or CamNet will contact us directly if there are any changes." Anna said. "The Detail is out and ready."
Anna unplugged.
Young Allison took one last long look at the monitors. She was sure there was more there than met the eye. There wasn't much she could do right now without more information. It was time to get started.
"Let's go." Young Allison said.
They headed outside.
There were some personal questions Young Allison wanted answers for.
"I want to know what happened at the base with everyone last night and on the ship." Young Allison said.
Anna didn't think it was prudent.
"It will be a massive invasion of privacy." Anna said.
Young Allison understood it would be. She did want to know the private information, but it wasn't actually what she was after. She would settle for an overview.
"Skip the specifics and hook ups." Young Allison said.
Anna smiled. Young Allison was always curious to see who was doing what with whom. She thought Young Allison was really interested in Savannah and her mother. She could understand both of those curiosities. They were based on different reasons. Wait. Maybe Young Allison wanted to know if Savannah and her mother hooked up again. She didn't think it would really matter too much if they did or didn't. It was clearly going to happen since they were both at the Resistance base. She thought it was more of a matter of 'when' instead of 'if'.
They left the house secure and headed out. They ran towards the park. They altered the route there every time so it was never exactly the same but there were only so many choices to make. Young Allison didn't want to set up a pattern. The time varied too. She was up early and wanted to go out early.
The implications of what Cameron wanted to do still troubled her. It made her think of Vanna, Jesse and Allison – herself. There were times when they didn't have a choice. She feared one day it would happen to her too. Since it happened to Allison, technically it already did happen to her. It seemed especially so for Vanna and Jesse.
She didn't think she was immune from abuse at some point. She'd read accounts online of what happened to other females to prepare herself. If there was a knife to her throat or a gun to the side of her head, the options were limited. There could be a group too. They would hold her down and take turns. She was aware it happened to Vanna and Jesse when they were both younger than she was now. It sent a chill down her spine. She made sure her weapons were accessible.
Young Allison was aware of the way the males looked at her when she was out. Sometimes her attire was more than a bit revealing. It was the way Cameron wanted her to dress. Whatever she was out with Cameron or any of the Metal girls, they all showed a lot of 'skin'. She realized at a young age it was to keep the eyes off of her and on them. Everyone did look at the Metal girls. It wasn't just the males either.
Anna's words brought Young Allison back to now. She didn't like where her thoughts were headed. She desperately wanted Savannah to be her 'first'.
"It's almost time for sunrise." Anna said. "Here it comes."
Anna could see Young Allison was very distracted.
They stopped and watched the sun come up. Once the sun cleared the mountain tops in the distance, they resumed their run. Anna continued her briefing as they ran.
It was clear Young Allison took her increased responsibilities seriously.
Anna thought it would be a good day to conduct a 'test'. If Young Allison remained distracted, she may have the Detail initiate one. It would serve as a reminder for Young Allison not to lose sight of what was happening around her.
Tom and Steve were surprised to receive the message to hold their position for now from John Henry. It wasn't normal operating procedure.
The new instructions caused some confusion.
"Stand down?" Steve asked.
John Henry laid out the new plan.
"That's correct." John Henry said. "You'll hang back until the drones arrive and the back up team is able to assist you."
Steve wanted to say something about the previous operation but knew they couldn't talk about it.
Tom wanted it over before Savannah ended up there. She looked out for them and he wanted to look out for her. The images of her in action at the mine stood out vividly in his mind. She always put the team and others before herself. He personally made sure every Terminator knew about it. She'd risked her safety and any personal comforts to make sure the team was protected. It didn't matter if the rest of the team was all Terminators. He wanted to take action now where they were at.
"We should get this checked before Savannah and Cammy come to investigate." Tom said. "There's no need to endanger them. If there is a threat here, we can identify it and neutralize it."
John Henry didn't want any hassle. He put a qualifier on the new instructions.
"The plan changed." John Henry said. "You'll follow your new instructions. They're from the Young bunker."
Nobody was going to argue with that order. They understood it for exactly what it was.
"Affirmative…." Steve and Tom both said.
Steve noted the uptick in assistance from the Young bunker and CamNet.
"Young Allison has been watching over us recently." Steve said.
Tom witnessed the value of the assistance. It made a difference when Young Allison became directly involved.
"She's saved all of us from needless damage." Tom said.
They figured a little extra firepower could go a long way. It certainly wouldn't hurt.
"It will be good to have drone support and backup." Steve said.
They both wondered why John Henry hadn't done it himself. Those were both good ideas in case there was a potential escalation of the current situation. They needed to look no further than yesterday and how Young Allison helped all of them and no one was even damaged.
They also noted CamNet hadn't sent any drones during their previous operation until they discussed Young Allison's prior involvement in some of the operations.
Neither one of them looked in the direction of the sunrise when it occurred.
Jan and Summer were ready. Their bags were packed and double checked.
Claire and Jesse closed up their bags.
"I think that's everything." Claire said.
Jesse wanted one last look in her room.
"We can check my room on the way to the carpool." Jesse said.
Claire looked for John Henry.
"Where's John Henry?" Claire asked.
Jan looked in the direction of the Command Center.
"There he is." Jan said.
John Henry hurried towards them. He took the bags from everyone. They were all carry-on bags.
Claire was worried about disrupting operations. She felt like they took key personnel away from their jobs.
"This won't mess anything up will it?" Claire asked. "I don't like to take someone from their duties."
John Henry's server would do all the things he would. It already handled about ninety five percent of everything that happened in the Command Center. He didn't see it as an issue. Normally he interfaced with both computers and John to make everything smoother and more efficient.
"My server will do everything without me plugged in." John Henry said. "CamNet is there as well."
Claire wanted to know her daughter's part. She didn't like her so involved with the Resistance operations as it was. It seemed it was only going to intensify.
"What about Allison, MY Allison?" Claire asked.
John Henry didn't see things as being much different for her.
"She's fine and on her morning run with Anna." John Henry said.
Jan wondered about Cammy.
"Is Cammy coming with us?" Jan asked. "I saw her earlier."
Summer leaned over and whispered in Jan's ear.
Jan giggled.
Claire and Jesse saw the exchange and looked at each other.
The group passed by Savannah's room. It was clear there was some 'activity' occurring in there.
Jesse would've liked to stop by if they weren't leaving.
"I guess Cammy is busy." Jesse said.
Summer corrected her.
"It's Samantha." Summer said.
Claire was confused.
"Do you mean Samantha and Cammy?" Claire asked.
They passed by the nursery and Riley's room.
"Cammy is with Allison." Summer said. "Cam will be out soon."
John Henry knew everything because he saw it on his monitors. He didn't know how Summer knew or when Cam would come out.
"How do you know?" John Henry asked.
Summer smiled at him.
"You tell me." Summer said.
Cam exited from Riley's room a few seconds later. She was about to put her top on.
"I'm sorry I'm late." Cam said. "I was…."
Cam didn't finish her sentence when she spotted Jan and Summer.
"You were 'finishing up'." Summer said.
Cam looked at Jesse and Claire, then at John Henry.
"Don't look at us." John Henry said.
Cam looked at Summer as she put her top on.
"More or less…." Cam said.
Summer shrugged her shoulders and smiled at her.
"Are you going to go to Mexico with us?" Jan asked.
Cam didn't plan on going to Mexico. She was to be extra muscle to get them to the airport.
"I was going to accompany you to the airport and return with the vehicle." Cam said.
Summer wanted transportation back for John Henry when he returned.
"How's John Henry going to get back to the base then?" Summer asked.
Cam was about to point out there were usually extra vehicles parked at the Resistance hangar. It wouldn't be a problem for a John Henry to acquire a vehicle on his own if it was needed.
Claire wanted Cam to accompany them.
"You can go with us, Cam." Claire said. "You'll be back in a couple of hours with John Henry."
Jan liked the idea. She also liked the view of Cam when she'd exited Riley's room before she put her top on.
"Please, Cam." Jan asked.
Cam looked back at Riley's room. She'd hoped to return for a little more. She didn't think a couple of extra hours would make a difference. It would give Allison and Vanna a chance to rest up.
"I guess I can." Cam said.
Jan and Summer each took one of her hands.
"Thank you." Claire said. "I don't want any problems."
Jesse wondered about the flight. She didn't know what the flight plan was or what they would see. The trips to Australia were mostly above the clouds. Sometimes they could see the water beneath them. They were usually high up in the air for about seventeen hours on those trips.
"Will we be able to see the ship from the air on our approach?" Jesse asked.
John Henry was aware CamNet could change the flight plan or the course of the ship as necessary. It wouldn't be a problem for her. 'Official orders' weren't a problem for CamNet to issue.
"I think it can be arranged." John Henry said
Claire wondered what they couldn't do.
"Is there anything you can't arrange?" Claire asked. "I mean between CamNet and you."
John Henry tilted his head slightly. He was aware there are always unforeseen variables that could pop up. Other than those, the manipulation of events wasn't hard for either of them to do.
"There would be very little we couldn't influence in some manner." John Henry said.
Frank waited by the SUV. He made sure it was in good running order and fully stocked with weapons. It was why he was in the carpool when Cammy arrived earlier.
"It looks like a full load." Frank said.
Cam headed for the driver's door.
"It is." Cam said. "I'm driving."
Frank was going to protest. The look on Cam's face dictated otherwise.
Claire didn't want any issues to develop.
"Ladies first." Claire said.
Frank handed Cam the keys.
They all got in and Cam drove away.
They were on the way to Van Nuys Airport.
It was getting light. It would be sunrise soon.
John was able to get dressed before the food arrived. He came out of the bedroom and saw Cameron move the table around on the balcony.
She moved the coffee and juice cart near the balcony door.
Cameron glanced up. She smiled at John as he approached.
"You look nice with clothes on or off." Cameron said.
John remembered his words earlier to Cameron.
"Which do you prefer?" John asked.
Cameron showed him where to sit and handed him his coffee.
John went to take a sip.
Cameron looked directly at John.
"I prefer you with your clothes off." Cameron said. "When I'm there…."
John sputtered with the sip of coffee he'd just taken.
Cameron smiled. She was aware her responses or questions 'choked up' John the last few times. John had been unable to drink his coffee earlier in the bedroom. It appeared he was headed for the same route now if she continued to ask him questions or make pointed statements. She tried to make the 'coffee issue' seem insignificant.
"I'm asking for hot chocolate for you tomorrow." Cameron said. "The coffee just seems to be off for you. It seemed fine when I tried a sip both times."
John was about to respond when there was a knock at the suite door.
Sheila opened the door. Ally pushed the food cart into the suite and to their table.
The plates were covered. Sheila and Ally served John and Cameron all the items they'd ordered. John started with some fruit and followed it up with the Eggs Benedict he'd ordered.
Ally assembled it fresh for John. Sheila stepped forward and put the hollandaise sauce on. She looked at John as she scooped it out of its metal container and drizzled it over the egg.
Cameron caught the significance of the act. She was aware of what it looked like, even if the coloration was slightly different.
Ally could see what Sheila was up to.
"Tell her when to stop, John." Ally said. "That's unless you like it dripping and running off the sides."
John just started to take another sip of coffee. He sputtered on it again with Ally's statement.
He quickly recovered. He decided to play along.
"I'll let Sheila decide for me." John said.
Sheila smiled even broader at John.
Cameron didn't care for the tone or direction of the conversation. The events of a few minutes ago were fresh in her mind. She knew they were fresh in the minds of both John and Sheila as well.
"I'll make the determination." Cameron said. "It's enough."
Sheila wanted a little bit more. John already asked her. She planned to deliver. She looked at John.
"There's plenty more if you want it." Sheila said. "All you need to do is ask. I'll come."
Sheila put the container back on the cart.
John didn't care for the direction the discussion was headed, at least with Cameron sitting right there. He could see everything seemed to irritate her a little. He didn't want to push it. He looked towards the eastern sky.
"The sun is about to come up." John said.
Cameron took the opportunity to glare at both Ally and Sheila. She hadn't cared for the earlier comments. The look on her face made it known.
Ally and Sheila looked at each other. They could tell they weren't currently wanted by Cameron. They turned to leave.
"We'll leave you two alone." Ally said.
John turned his head and looked over at them.
"Thanks." John said. "I appreciate everything."
Ally felt they were just doing their job. Well, their current job.
"It's service with a smile." Ally said.
Sheila moistened her lips slightly. She wanted to make her availability known.
"Full service…." Sheila said as she looked at John.
Ally glanced at Cameron. She could tell Sheila's response wasn't appreciated. She didn't want any trouble. She grabbed Sheila's arm and led her out of the room.
Sheila and John looked at each other until the suite door closed.
John wanted to ask them to stay and watch the sunrise with them. He watched them go and didn't say anything. He didn't want any trouble with Cameron.
Cameron felt a little disappointed. She could see the exchange between John and Sheila. She blamed herself again for what almost happened. She wanted to refocus John's attention.
"Here comes the sun." Cameron said.
John was reminded of a song title by Cameron's statement. He was going to point it out but decided not to.
"It's beautiful, Cameron." John said.
John took a bite out of his Eggs Benedict.
Cameron moved next to John and held his left hand as he ate.
He offered a small taste to Cameron. She tried it.
They watched the sun rise above the water and into the sky.
John looked over at Cameron and there was some hollandaise sauce that ran down the corner of her mouth.
He took his napkin to wipe it off.
"It happens." Cameron said.
John knew it did for a fact.
"I guess it does." John said.
John and Cameron both laughed.
Ally all but pulled Sheila out of the Owner's Suite.
"What are you doing, stupid?" Ally asked.
Sheila didn't like the name calling.
"I'm not stupid, you are." Sheila said.
Ally wondered if Sheila was still a little off. She didn't act properly in front of Cameron. She was really pushing it.
"You ARE going to be deactivated." Ally said.
Sheila felt there was a new goal in her existence. John already asked her to be with him. She was determined to fulfill his desires. They were now her own desires as well. They'd been her own desires for as long as her existence.
"As long as I'm with John once, I don't care." Sheila said.
Ally didn't see the allure of a male. It seemed very invasive from the photos and videos she'd viewed. She'd also viewed the act first hand on more than one of Cameron's 'off the books' operations. She tried to stay away from her files of Allison from the 'Neural Interface'.
"I'm in no hurry for that 'experience'." Ally said. "The 'Allison' in me has no real desire for it. It's over fast and little if anything happens for the female."
Sheila saw it a different way. Jesse could 'hit' either way with no problem.
"The 'Jesse' in me does have a desire for it. I do too now." Sheila said.
Ally wondered if Sheila learned anything from her recent experience.
"You still want to go there, even with everything that's happened?" Ally asked.
It seemed the 'Jesse' in her was very dominant since last night. She knew Jesse like to be in charge of a sexual encounter. It didn't matter if it was with a male or a female.
"When Jesse is in control, she does want it." Sheila said.
It only sounded like trouble to Ally.
"Look, don't push it." Ally said.
Sheila tried to contain the files with a partition. She didn't want things to get out of hand. John already asked her so it was her duty as well as her desire.
"It was a thought." Sheila said.
Ally could see Sheila's determination.
"Oh, brother." Ally said. "You're not going to let it go are you?"
Sheila didn't seem to hear Ally.
Sheila made up her mind. She wanted to share the experience with Cameron. She'd already told Cameron she could share her first experience. She wanted it to be soon.
"I'm going to ask Cameron to tether with me." Sheila said.
Sheila's statement caught Ally off guard.
"Now?" Ally asked.
Sheila was ready. It was time. She needed to use a little discretion.
"I'll wait until after breakfast." Sheila said.
Ally wanted to make sure what exactly Sheila planned to do.
"What do you want to tether for?" Ally asked.
"I want both of us to be side by side and tethered so she can experience John and me together." Sheila said. "We can share the experience in real time."
It sounded like 'crazy talk' to Ally. She thought Sheila must have relapsed, at least to some degree.
"What?" Ally asked. "You're still messed up. You need to get a grip on reality."
Sheila planned to get a grip on something else.
"No." Sheila said. "I'm serious."
Ally thought it was worse.
"It's more like seriously deranged." Ally said.
Sheila made her plan.
"Cameron can experience John with me first and then I'll let her have control of my chassis and go into standby." Sheila said. "She can be with John in my chassis then. She can do whatever she wants."
It sounded more than insane to Ally.
"So all the while her chassis is just lying on the bed next to you?" Ally asked.
The thought excited Sheila even more.
"Yes." Sheila said.
Ally could picture that.
"That is insane." Ally said. "I don't know if it is freaky or kinky."
Sheila's mind was made up.
"I'm going to ask Cameron." Sheila said. "It's what I really want."
Ally wasn't convinced it was. She was sure Sheila still wasn't back to one hundred percent. Her statements made her sound like she was quite far from it.
"I don't think it is." Ally said.
Sheila came up with another idea. She was pretty sure once she made love to John and possessed a file of it, the other Metal girls would want to view it as well.
"I'll share the file with you." Sheila said. "Then you will want to try it too."
Ally didn't know what would happen. She suspected what would.
"I know you." Ally said. "You won't be in standby when Cameron has control. You're secretly going to experience what Cameron does."
Sheila didn't see anything wrong with it. If she would share with Cameron in her chassis, Cameron should share with her as she used her chassis.
"Think how beautiful it will be." Sheila said. "I'll do as she asks me to do. I want to have her experience in my chassis to compare it to mine. She can send me the file in real time too."
Ally ushered Sheila into her room as she looked around for something.
"What are you looking for?" Sheila asked.
Ally ignored her and continued to look.
"I found it." Ally said.
When Ally turned around, there was a Taser in her hand. It was pointed at Sheila.
"This is for your own good." Ally said.
Jim and Hanna served Sarah and Kyle.
It made Sarah feel bad.
"You don't have to do all this for us." Sarah said.
Jim was comfortable carrying out his duty.
"I want to." Jim said. "It's my assignment."
Sarah felt the current assignment wasn't really Resistance related. It was more on a personal level. She didn't like the nature of it.
"I still feel bad about you having to do it." Sarah said. "I appreciate it but it bothers me."
Hanna wanted them to relax and enjoy everything.
"You're on vacation." Hanna said. "We need to go, it's almost sunrise."
Sarah and Kyle looked at each other. They wanted to show the Terminators how much they appreciated them. It wasn't just because of the current events.
"A beautiful sunrise should be shared." Kyle said.
Kyle looked at Sarah. She nodded and smiled.
"Will you join us?" Sarah asked.
Jim and Hanna looked at each other. It sounded exciting. It wasn't so much for the sunrise, but to be included with them to watch it.
"We would be pleased." Hanna said. "Thank You."
Sarah motioned for them to pull two more chairs up and sit with them as they ate and watched the sunrise.
Kyle wanted to offer to share some of their food with them. He knew it wasn't something they would actually do.
Sarah felt much more comfortable now. She reached over and took Jim's hand and Kyle's hand. Kyle in turn took Hanna's hand.
Hanna felt a rush of excitement.
"This is beautiful." Hanna said.
Sarah wondered if she referred to the sunrise or Kyle holding her hand. She remembered there was a lot of 'Vanna' in Hanna so she would probably rather hold her hand. It was fine with her if she did.
Derek and Riley were ready and waiting at the balcony.
Holly opened the door to the room and Gail pushed the food cart in.
Derek got up. He thought about what the Metal girls were about to do for them. He wasn't sure it was the right way for them to interact.
"I can do this." Derek said. "You don't need to serve us."
Holly protested. She liked to be able to do things. It was something different from the normal daily routine.
"It's our job for these few days." Holly said. "Besides, we get to wear these Hot uniforms."
Gail liked a change in the normal routine.
"It's what we want to do." Gail said. "This is something different for us too. We like to have something to do. We don't want to stand around and do nothing or need to go into standby."
Derek checked out both Holly and Gail. He really liked the way they looked. He was about to say something.
Riley noticed the way Derek looked at Gail and Holly. She was aware she didn't quite look as good as they did when she'd worn her modified maid's outfit earlier. She wanted to remind Derek she was born how she was.
"I love the outfits." Riley said as he glanced at Derek. "They really accentuate your natural attributes."
Holly took her gazes off of Derek and looked at Riley.
"Thanks." Holly said.
Holly and Gail served both of them the things they ordered.
"How long is it until sunrise?" Riley asked.
"It's in three more minutes, two minutes." Gail said.
Holly and Gail went to leave.
Riley looked at Derek, he nodded. She wanted to offer both of them a little more. She wanted to make things personal.
"Can you both stay and watch the sunrise with us?" Riley asked.
Holly looked at Gail. She liked the idea but didn't want to be in the way.
"We don't want to intrude." Holly said.
Riley looked at Holly and Gail.
"I want to share it with you." Riley said. "We want to share it with both of you."
Gail and Holly stood behind Derek and Riley.
Holly leaned down and whispered in Riley's ears.
"Precious is fine." Holly whispered. "I received word a few minutes ago."
Riley was very pleased with the update.
"Thank you." Riley whispered back.
They all thought the sunrise was spectacular and beautiful.
Hank and Larry were at a suspected Skynet related location. With what they'd uncovered so far, it appeared to actually be related to SkyMaster.
The occupants appeared to have left the building.
Hank was outside. He glanced to the east when the sun came up over the mountains in the distance. He wasn't sure why humans were enthralled when it happened. It happened every day. It would continue to happen everyday. He turned his attention back to the building.
"Did you find anything yet?" Hank asked.
Larry was inside the building. He needed to get to the alarm before it was armed. He spotted something out of the ordinary.
"You better take a look at this." Larry said over his com.
Hank wasn't sure exactly what he'd found.
"Can you open a door for me?" Hank asked.
Larry wanted to deactivate the alarm first. He was sure it was wired to some type of explosive device. The buildings associated with the Fanatics usually were booby trapped.
"Give me a few more seconds." Larry said.
Hank checked the drone images. The one around the building didn't show any threats. The other one followed the van that just left. It hadn't gone very far. So far it hadn't exhibited any unusual driving habits.
"Everything outside is clear." Hank said. "The van isn't on its way back."
Larry was able to locate the alarm and prevent it from arming. He went back to the rear of the building and opened a regular door for Hank.
Hank checked both of the drone images again.
"What did you find?" Hank asked.
Larry let him over to another vehicle that was parked on the side of the building. In the driver's seat was a deceased individual who'd been shot in the head. The blood appeared to be fresh. He reached through the broken side window and touched him.
"He's still warm." Hank said. "I think he was terminated right before we arrived."
Larry opened the door and searched him. There was nothing on him. His phone was gone.
"He may have infiltrated the Fanatics and got caught." Larry said.
Hank wanted to make sure what the status of the building was.
"Is there a bomb in here?" Hank asked.
Larry disconnected it from the alarm system.
"I found wiring but I haven't found the actual bomb yet." Larry said.
Hank thought it should be a priority.
"Let's find it and rewire it so we can control it." Hank said.
They did a quick search of the building. They found the explosives and the control mechanism. Not only was it wired to the alarm, it could also be remotely detonated. They changed the programming so only they could control it.
Hank received an alert. He quickly checked his phone again.
"The van is on its way back here." Hank said. "It appears to be in a hurry."
Larry wondered if they'd missed something.
"Maybe it's because the alarm didn't arm." Larry said.
Hank didn't think it was necessarily a bad thing at this point.
"As long as we have control of the bomb I don't think we need to worry." Hank said.
They did another search of the building. They determined they had two more minutes before the van arrived.
Everything in the building related to SkyMaster activity was gone.
Larry felt their job just got a little easier.
"I guess the good news is we'll have everything they have in a few minutes once they return." Larry said.
Hank knew they still needed to pay attention.
"There's a good chance the van will be wired to explode." Hank said. "It might be the same for the Fanatics as well. If nothing else, they should have a poison tooth."
Hank and Larry would deal with the Fanatics when they arrived. They didn't know how the encounter would play out. They didn't know if they would try to set the bomb off when they arrived.
For Your Own Good
Do other people really
Know what's best
Time will tell
That's the test
What works for some
Won't work for everyone
There are many ways
For one to have fun
No one wants to hear
Another's endless disapproval
It will eventually lead
To their swift removal
Events will prove
Who was right or wrong
Maybe it will show
Who was weak or strong
Listen to the warnings
Against all likelihood
They're about what's
For your own good
Nobody