Chapter 1223
If I'm Dead
Jim received reports from the Terminators on the ship. It looked like all of them would need to go out with the group leaving the ship and for those arriving. They were going to need two more Terminators.
Ally and Sheila were still in the Control Center.
"You two are going to be needed for escort duty." Jim said.
Ally eyeballed Sheila. She'd been watching her closely since she first encountered her after John and Cameron left. She felt Sheila already needed to do enough 'escort duty' in the Owner's Suite
"I don't think Sheila should go out." Ally said.
Sheila looked at Ally.
"I'm fine." Sheila said.
Jim could see Ally's concern. He decided he would take Sheila's place. She could take over the Control Center. It would keep her in one room.
"Sheila can stay here with John and Cameron." Jim said. "I'll go out."
Ally thought it sounded like a worse idea. She didn't want Cameron to get her hands on Sheila again.
"I'll go with her." Ally said. "Set up the assignments that way. Keep us close to the ship if it's possible. I don't want anything to go wrong and Sheila to end up in jail."
Jim did a quick calculation of all known Mexican jails.
"There's no Mexican jail that could hold her." Jim said. "She would be able to make a quick escape."
He wasn't sure how many terminations would be involved.
Sheila pointed out there wasn't any prison that could contain her.
"There's no jail anywhere in the world that can confine me, love." Sheila said. "Don't forget, before they can take me to jail, they're going to have to apprehend me. I know that's not going to happen. Ally and I will go together."
Sheila was aware people often mistook her appearance for weakness. They didn't have a clue what she really was. She was more than happy to show them when the opportunity presented itself.
Jim decided he would take over all the housekeeping duties. It would be one less thing for Sheila or Ally to worry about. It would give him something to do if there weren't any Resistance operations.
"I'll take care of the rooms and guests then." Jim said. "It won't be a problem."
Ally felt Hanna and her left him in good shape.
"Thanks." Ally said.
Ally grabbed some clothes from the Control Center closet. She took Sheila's hand and led her out of the Control Center and back towards her small room. Sheila was currently dressed in her maid's outfit.
"Let's get changed before everyone gets back." Ally said.
They entered Sheila's room.
Ally stripped off her clothes.
Sheila started to undress and then stopped. She watched Ally undress.
Ally was a little irritated. She wanted Sheila to hurry up.
"Don't lollygag." Ally said. "It's nothing you haven't seen before."
Sheila stood half undressed as she stared at Ally's naked form.
"You're so beautiful." Sheila said.
Ally wondered what Sheila's statement was about. Nothing was any different. She was the same as always. Wait, maybe she saw her as 'Cameron'. She didn't know what went on in the Owner's Suite. There could have been multiple perversions happen in there. She didn't want to think about it. She decided to blow past it.
"Thanks, so are you." Ally said. "Let me help you get changed."
Ally finished helping Sheila strip.
Sheila placed something in Ally's hand.
"I want you to have good luck." Sheila said.
Ally looked at the rings in her hand and at Sheila where they were taken off of.
"Yeah, it really looks like it." Ally said sarcastically. "I make my own luck."
Sheila started to look around for something.
"What do you need?" Ally asked.
Sheila felt different.
"I don't know." Sheila said.
Ally would like to know more. She didn't want to push it.
"That's a first." Ally said.
Sheila looked at Ally. Her eyes were wide with the look of love.
"It was…." Sheila said.
Ally frowned at Sheila's reference. She didn't like what Cameron orchestrated. Even if Sheila volunteered, Cameron was behind it. Everybody knew Cameron didn't play with a fair deck.
Earlier:
John and Cameron left the Owner's Suite. Cameron looked back at the closed door for a moment and smiled. They passed through the private area into the hallway. They soon reached the elevator banks and the stairway.
Cameron looked over at John.
"Which one will it be?" Cameron asked.
John wasn't sure if it was a loaded question or not. He wasn't sure if she referred to her chassis or Sheila's chassis.
"You tell me." John said.
Cameron thought about John's earlier activity in the bedroom.
"I think we should take the stairs to keep you in shape." Cameron said. "We don't want you slacking off."
John was a little worried about her terminology.
"I'll do whatever you want." John said.
Cameron smiled. She liked it when there weren't any problems.
"The stairs it is." Cameron said.
John looked over at the elevators and sighed softly. He headed for the stairway and started up.
He was a little beat as he continued to climb. He thought maybe he should have asked to go to the main dining room. At least it would have been down the stairs instead of up. He toughed it out and they were at the top in no time.
John and Cameron exited the stairs and came out in the back of the buffet.
He really wanted to eat in the main dining room.
Cameron told him they were pressed for time. She wanted to remind John about priorities. She believed some things were more important than others. She wanted to give him a reminder of what he'd been able to do.
"We got off to a late start." Cameron said. "I think taking someone's virginity was more important."
John quickly looked around them to see if anybody heard what she said. It didn't appear so. He really didn't want to discuss the subject in a public area. He really liked the luxury of the main dining room. He wanted to redirect the conversation.
"Are you sure we don't have time for the main dining room?" John asked.
Cameron wanted the group to stay together when they got off the ship.
"Not if we get off the ship when everyone else does." Cameron said. "Things went a little longer than I anticipated."
John looked at Cameron and smiled. He'd wanted to do everything with Cameron in control of Sheila's chassis and they did. He thought maybe he'd been a little greedy, but he didn't know when the opportunity would present itself again, if ever. He'd eventually reached the point where he couldn't perform anymore. He thought maybe he should feel guilty, but he didn't. He never felt guilty about what happened with Future Riley either. It was what he wanted.
"I guess it's my fault." John said. "I just couldn't help it."
Cameron gave John a kiss. She held it until John needed to breathe.
There was a look of contentment and deep satisfaction on Cameron's face. She was finally able to be 'someone else'.
"It's what I wanted." Cameron said. "Thank you for allowing me to do it."
Cameron wanted to tell him it was her most special time ever.
John wanted to thank Cameron. It was special on about three different levels.
Cameron gave John another hug and a kiss.
John wanted to check to make sure everything that happened wasn't a problem for Cameron. It sure wasn't for him. It was a total thrill.
"I think it was very exciting for both of us." John said.
Cameron looked around the buffet. There were more passengers now.
"It was." Cameron said. "Let's not talk about it for now. We already did in the suite."
Cameron gave John another kiss.
John selected a few items from the buffet.
Cameron quickly moved to a table by the window when someone got up.
John saw where she was at and headed towards her.
Cameron caught her reflection in the window. She looked at herself for a moment. What was she really looking at? She was a computer program, inside a Coltan chassis, covered by an organic sheath. Her appearance belonged to Allison Young. None of it was real. Nothing about her was actually real. It was all manufactured.
She wondered if she should change her appearance more often. She planned to do so later on the ship several more times if she could.
There was a voice somewhere. A female asked her something. It was for what she wanted to drink. She looked at her for a few seconds. It was a slim Asian female attendant.
Cameron scanned her body dimensions and smiled. They were similar to Sheila's. She ordered a coffee and some juice for John. She watched the female walk away. It made her think of something. She would need to speak with Jesse later on. She looked at her reflection in the window again. She wanted John to have the real thing. As long as she was the one who made it happen, it wouldn't be a problem for her. She hoped not anyway.
John arrived with his plate of food. He looked outside. He could see they were in the small harbor already. He quickly understood why Cameron told him they didn't have enough time for the sit down breakfast in the main dining room. They were already there at the port.
"The ship is about to dock already." John said as he looked out the window. "It looks like I need to hurry. How long will it be until the ship is docked?"
Cameron was aware the port clearance procedure always took some time.
"You still have time. They'll be docked and tied up in ten minutes." Cameron said. "It will still take some time to get cleared through Mexican Customs."
The female attendant returned with the drinks and set them down.
John tried not to look at the server when she brought the drinks, but he couldn't help it. His eyes wandered over her body. He couldn't see anything private. She was just doing her job. It was just a thought.
Cameron watched John look at the female attendant. She watched him look her over from top to bottom and back again. They thanked her. The female attendant smiled at both of them and walked away. She would definitely need to speak with Jesse later on. John was ready now. He was ready for a human female.
She smiled at John and leaned over the table and gave him another kiss. She would make sure he was protected from assassination. This was a good day and a good trip so far. She looked around the buffet one more time.
Kyle and Derek enter the hallway at the same time Sarah and Riley did. Holly was with them.
Sarah and Kyle left Derek and Riley behind and entered the private area. They walked up to the door of the Honeymoon Suite.
"Are you ready for our honeymoon, mister?" Sarah asked.
Kyle remembered his honeymoon with Sarah. It was years ago.
"I think we've already done that." Kyle said.
Sarah thought back to her 'first time' when she was in high school.
"I may not have my cherry, but I have the box it came in." Sarah said with a smile. "I think it will still work fine."
Kyle thought it had so far.
"I can personally attest it does." Kyle said. "I know there isn't anything finer."
Sarah smiled at Kyle's response.
"I can see someone's going to get lucky, a lot." Sarah said.
Kyle opened the door. He swooped Sarah up in his arms.
They entered the Honeymoon Suite.
Sarah gave Kyle a deep kiss. She knew he was going to get real lucky after his latest gesture. She moved her lips against his ear.
"You can have anything you want, as many times as you want." Sarah whispered in his ear.
Kyle thought Sarah's statement covered a lot.
She moved her head around and gave him another kiss.
Kyle set her down. He looked around the room.
"This room is a lot like our other one." Kyle said.
Sarah went over and checked the extra bedroom.
"Jan and Summer will sleep in here." Sarah said.
Kyle saw it was the same thing as in the Master Suite.
"Why couldn't they sleep in the other room attached to ours in the Master Suite?" Kyle asked. "There isn't anything different here."
Sarah wanted things easier for the Metal Girls.
"Our other room connected with the Control Center. The Metal girls can operate out of there and stay in touch with everything." Sarah said. "They can all visit Claire and Jesse whenever they want. This room will give us more privacy."
Kyle wanted things to be smooth for everyone.
"As long as everyone's happy, I'm happy." Kyle said.
Sarah and Kyle saw Derek's new suite wasn't the same size as they'd passed by earlier. It was the size of the spare bedroom of the giant suites. It was just as luxurious though.
"You saw Derek's new suite. It's like this but only smaller." Sarah said.
Kyle looked in the bedroom.
"As long as it has a bed, I'm happy." Kyle said.
Sarah noticed where he looked.
"It doesn't take much to make you happy." Sarah said.
Kyle gave Sarah a quick kiss.
"As long as you're at my side, I'm happy." Kyle said.
Sarah tapped on the end of his nose with her finger.
"See what I mean." Sarah said.
Kyle went into the restroom.
Sarah went to the balcony and looked out for a short time.
Kyle soon joined her. He noticed the giant flag.
"I'm ready to go." Kyle said. "That's a really big flag."
Sarah looked at it again. She thought the same thing when she'd spotted it from on top of the bridge.
"It is." Sarah said. "Let's roll."
Kyle wondered who else would go with them. He remembered what Cameron stressed earlier.
"We need a Terminator escort." Kyle said. "It was Cameron's one rule if we're to go off the ship."
Sarah wondered how many Terminators were listening to her now.
"I'm sure there will be one or more waiting for us." Sarah said.
Kyle went to open the door for Sarah.
"Let's find out." Kyle said.
His phone rang.
"See what I mean." Sarah said. "Go ahead and answer it."
Earlier:
Derek and Riley looked around their new smaller suite.
"This room is fine." Riley said. "It has a bed. That's all we need."
Derek thought he would need to perform again. He wasn't sure he was 'up' to it.
"Are we going to go down?" Derek asked.
Riley smiled. She started to unhook her pants.
"You are." Riley said with a smile.
Derek clarified what he meant before Riley went too far.
"I meant to go out with Kyle and Sarah when they go down to the dock." Derek said quickly.
Riley had already slipped her pants down but paused.
"I'm ready for your ship to dock now." Riley said. "You can call them and see."
Derek took out his phone and made the call.
They exchanged pleasantries.
"When are you going down?" Derek asked.
Pause.
"Funny, I mean outside and off the ship." Derek said.
Pause.
"Not really." Derek said.
Pause.
"Do you mean right now?" Derek asked.
Pause.
"We'll be right out." Derek said.
Derek hung up. He looked over at Riley.
"They're in the private area now." Derek said.
Riley sighed as she pulled her pants back up. She really would have liked to have had her bell rung.
"I guess I'll have to take a rain check on the 'docking procedure'." Riley said.
Derek wondered about it.
"No problem." Derek said.
Derek wasn't used to this much sexual activity. He hoped it wouldn't be a problem. He'd been out of practice for the last few months.
Cammy drove Savannah towards Cameron's base. It was clear something bothered Savannah. She wasn't her normal cheerful self. She didn't know if she should say something or not. If she said the wrong thing, it would only make matters worse. She decided to chance it.
"You don't have much to say." Cammy said.
Savannah answered without looking over.
"I guess not." Savannah said.
Cammy felt it was her fault. She'd been mean to Savannah about it earlier.
"I'm sorry I was rude about 'this'." Cammy said. "I need to think about you as well."
Cammy hadn't wanted to take Savannah to see CamNet before.
Savannah smiled at Cammy and touched her cheek. Cammy wasn't the problem. She didn't want Cammy to feel she was.
"It's not you." Savannah said.
Cammy tried to figure out what else it was then.
"Then it's the newspaper plant, the truck or the two girls." Cammy said.
Savannah let out a long breath.
"I think it's all three." Savannah said.
The worry Cammy dismissed earlier was back.
"Are we being played?" Cammy asked.
Savannah frowned slightly. She really wished she knew.
"I don't know." Savannah said. "I just feel something's off."
John Henry put some safeguards into effect.
"Al and Ed are going to stay at the rehab facility for a few days." Cammy said. "It's in case the girls try to check out early. John Henry is monitoring all communications in and out of the facility. If they try to make contact with anyone we'll know."
Savannah should have expected it. It made sense.
"OK." Savannah said. "That's a surprise, but not too unexpected. Maybe I should have kept some additional resources closer by."
Savannah earlier asked the drones to head back to the bases they were sent from.
Cammy knew there was a change in her plan.
"There are two drones looking for the truck." Cammy said.
The information didn't surprise Savannah either. It was probably Young Allison's doing. She was pretty sure Young Allison wasn't going to let it go.
"What if it is found?" Savannah asked. "Wait, don't tell me."
Cammy remained silent.
Savannah waited a few seconds for Cammy to respond but it was clear she wasn't going to.
"Come on, Cammy." Savannah said. "You know what that really means."
There was a team of Terminators on it.
"Steve and Tom will follow up on anything." Cammy said. "If there's a truck, they'll get some answers."
Savannah didn't really need to ask the question but she did anyway.
"What are they going to do to the truck driver?" Savannah asked.
Cammy said a lot with her statement.
"He'll never hurt another female." Cammy said. "That's if he lives."
Savannah wanted more than vengeance. She believed the story seemed to have more to it than they were told. She wanted to hear from him. She wanted justice too if it was necessary. She wanted to make sure the truck driver wasn't set up.
"I want to hear his side of the story." Savannah said. "I don't think it was actually abuse, especially since only one of the girls was 'used'."
It made sense to Cammy. The girls previously worked in the sex trade, even if it wasn't their choice. They knew how to use their assets. They knew how to survive on the street and in the homeless camps.
"Do you think it was sex for money?" Cammy asked.
It seemed it was more than they were told.
"Yes or it was sex for drugs." Savannah said. "I think the deal went bad."
Cammy checked the girl's meager belongings, they were broke. They didn't have anything to trade for or to buy food even.
"The only commodity the girls could trade was themselves." Cammy said. "They carried no valuables. There wasn't any money."
Savannah didn't agree with or condone such activity. The lifestyle the girls came out of was based on the 'use' of their bodies. They didn't have a lot to survive on other than 'nature's treasury'. The other DNA was probably them bartering for food or shelter. They needed to eat and they needed to survive. They needed to 'pay' for things somehow. It looked like a terrible life.
"I want to know more before any permanent action is taken." Savannah said.
Cammy could see Savannah still was disturbed by the girl's situation.
"You still feel sorry for the girls, even if they stretched the facts." Cammy said.
Savannah couldn't help it. She imagined having to do the same thing to eat or even just to live. The thought of being stuck in a Scavenger camp crossed her mind.
"I guess I do." Savannah said. "I hope I never have to do it to survive."
Cammy wondered how far Savannah would go.
"Would you?" Cammy asked.
Savannah thought of Vanna. She survived and made it.
"Yes." Savannah said. "I can't fight back if I'm dead."
It was clear to Cammy that Savannah would do the same things Vanna needed to do and did. They were the SAME person.
Cammy vowed to never let it happen.
"It'll never come to that." Cammy said.
Savannah didn't think it was always so cut and dried. The actual future was unpredictable.
"We don't know what the future holds." Savannah said. "I've already been to two of them."
Cammy liked Cameron's idea of taking everyone back a hundred years in time even more now. It seemed to be the only way to get away from Skynet. Everyone could live out their life in peace. She thought she could return to the Future after everyone had died. She would replace herself in the present and relive her life over again with Savannah. She tilted her head slightly to the side. Isn't that exactly what Cameron thought happened with her?
"Maybe this will all be nothing." Cammy said.
Savannah worried what might come out of it.
"There's still the possibility we've stirred the hornet's nest by returning to the old newspaper plant in the first place." Savannah said. "The other teams are tied up right now."
Cammy wanted to take Savannah to see CamNet now instead of waiting around for a combat situation to develop. She would rather have Savannah in CamNet's arms than dodging bullets.
"I'm taking you to see CamNet." Cammy said.
Cammy would be happy to get Savannah there to see CamNet and the security Cameron's base offered.
Savannah figured they were already out and were in Cam's SUV. Cam's SUV hadn't been to the old newspaper plant. No one should be able to clock it as having been there previously.
"We'll need to check the old newspaper plant anyway." Savannah said. "We have a different set of wheels now."
Cammy understood why Savannah wanted Cam to switch with them earlier. She'd already thought about doing it.
"It's why you asked Cam to switch with us." Cammy said.
Savanna didn't think they were done.
"The thought crossed my mind that we may need to return to the old newspaper plant." Savannah said. "I thought fresh wheels would be a good idea."
Cammy wondered how the two girls were really involved.
"What about the girls?" Cammy asked.
Savannah thought of Vanna and the stories she still couldn't tell. She could only imagine. To have to say it, would be to relive it.
"If they were just trying to survive, I want to help them." Savannah said. "If I were them, I would be ashamed to admit to some of the things they needed to do to survive. I can't blame them for it. Nobody wants to be treated like that."
Cammy wondered where things were going to go at this point.
"What if their involvement proves deeper?" Cammy asked.
If they were Grays, Fanatics or the anti-Meta faction, Savannah knew the girls already determined their own fate.
"Al and Ed are still there." Savannah said. "They're Terminators after all…."
It was always the actions of the enemy or perpetrator that indicated what their 'sentence' would be. The Resistance simply carried it out.
Young Allison and Anna listened to the events unfold.
"It seems Savannah has reached all of the same conclusions you have." Anna said.
Young Allison felt her earlier decisions were sound. She knew humans thought differently than Terminators did.
"It's because all of the Terminator's conclusions are to terminate everyone." Young Allison said. "Ours are different. We see things differently."
Anna pointed out terminations were important.
"Termination seems to solve most problems." Anna said. "Nobody likes problems."
It may be true tactically, but not strategically like Young Allison thought.
"I guess it does." Young Allison said. "It may be only in the short run. "The overall picture needs to be taken into view as well."
Anna checked the positions on the satellite map overlay.
"Now it appears Savannah and Cammy are headed back to the old newspaper plant." Anna said.
Young Allison liked her earlier decision.
"I'm glad I asked to keep a drone there." Young Allison said. "I bet there is more than one still there."
Anna was provided with new information from CamNet.
"No bet." Anna said. "CamNet has shown me there are still three there."
Young Allison smiled. CamNet acted on her own for what she thought Savannah would need.
"CamNet anticipated what Savannah would do." Young Allison said.
Anna wasn't sure what the actual situation was. She believed CamNet acted on what she thought Young Allison would want or do. She didn't want to verbalize her thoughts. She decided to make a more general statement instead.
"I think much of what CamNet does is based on what Savannah and you have done." Anna said. "She also uses her own ability."
Young Allison thought John Henry should do the same things.
"Where is John Henry in all of this?" Young Allison asked.
Anna didn't offer much insight.
"He's back at the Resistance base." Anna said.
Young Alison didn't want to step on his toes again. She figured if there were three drones there, they should pick something up.
"Have the drones detected anything at all that seems out of place?" Young Allison asked.
Anna updated.
"Not yet." Anna said.
Young Allison didn't have a good feeling about any of the events happening.
"I want another team sent to the area." Young Allison said.
Anna wasn't sure what for since nothing had been detected
"Do you mean as back up for Cammy and Savannah?" Anna asked.
Young Allison felt Savannah already faced enough danger for the day.
"No. I want them to replace them." Young Allison said.
Anna doubted they would withdraw from the battlefield.
"I don't think Cammy and Savannah will buy that." Anna said. "They will see it for what it is."
Young Allison knew Savannah wouldn't want her 'mothering' her. She was sure it would cause a problem.
"Maybe they won't." Young Allison said. "I don't want to create an issue."
Anna was updated by CamNet.
"CamNet is diverting Steve and Tom." Anna said.
Young Allison believed it was good insurance.
"They'll back Cammy and Savannah's play." Young Allison said.
Anna tilted her head slightly. So far nothing had developed.
"There is no play." Anna said.
Young Allison looked over all the information.
"Not yet." Young Allison said.
She was sure there would be.
Samantha checked on Precious.
Vanna looked over at her.
"How is she?" Vanna asked.
Samantha based her observation on past experience.
"I think she may need to nurse soon." Samantha said.
Vanna looked around for Allison.
"Allison, I need you." Vanna said.
Allison went over to assist Vanna.
Vanna showed her what she was doing.
"I can finish it." Allison said.
Vanna didn't think there'd be any problems.
"Thanks." Vanna said. "I'm right here if there's a question. Samantha is here too."
Allison still remembered how to do everything.
"I've done this before." Allison said.
Vanna cleaned up and took Precious out of the lab to nurse her.
Samantha looked to see if Vanna was gone. She faced Allison.
"Vanna is troubled." Samantha said.
Allison was too and could see it bothered Vanna even more. She was sure Vanna fought in her mind to not think back on the future.
"It's because of those girls." Allison said.
Samantha believed everything was taken care of. She didn't see what else they could do for the girls at this point.
"Everything should be resolved." Samantha said. "They'll be given any medical care they need."
Allison saw it differently. It wasn't about the physical aspect of it. It was the mental aspect.
"What's happened in their minds will never be resolved." Allison said. "What happened will always be there."
Samantha glanced over at the door Vanna went out of with Precious.
"Is it what Vanna is reliving now?" Samantha asked.
Allison wanted to comfort her longtime lover. Right now wasn't the time. It might only make things worse.
"I think it's part of it." Allison said. "It makes me want to vomit to think about it."
It really made Allison wonder about mankind. It seemed man was in as big of a hurry as Skynet to destroy the world. She questioned Skynet's thinking. Creatures survived on the earth for millions of years without all of them becoming extinct. There were a lot that always survived. Man was the product of that survival. It would still be the case no matter what Skynet did or attempted to do.
The female Fanatic could see the Gray was going to die. She quickly looked around the room she was in. It was some type of storage room. She didn't know if the man's screams would bring anyone else.
She looked down at her ripped open top. Both of her small breasts were exposed. Most of the open sores had healed. They still left behind the scar tissue. She was aware when the next group of men got a hold of her, they would all do what the man she'd just killed tried to do. She'd been through it before, a few times.
She searched the man she'd killed for a weapon. She didn't find one. She looked at his bloody shirt and decided she would keep her own. She could hear the sound of running footsteps. She would use her knife first. She should be able to stab one or two of them before they overpowered her. She was sure at this point she didn't want to get captured alive. She still had an option available to her. It was her poison tooth.
Larry and Hank move forward to kill both the Gray and the female Fanatic. It was clear some type of altercation had taken place inside the room.
Hank detected some noise down the hall from the direction they'd been headed.
"There are more Grays coming. " Hank said.
Hank and Larry could either choose to engage the Grays who approached, or go into the room to finish off the female. They'd hoped to avoid gunfire before they had a better chance to take a look around.
They quickly retreated around the last angular bend of the passageway. There'd been a series of them along their journey. They were designed to act as blast walls in case there was an explosion.
Hank let out a 'scream' identical to the one the dying Gray made.
Larry heard what the Gray said to the female Fanatic. He knew what his voice sounded like.
"Help me." Larry said in the Gray's voice. "There is a snake in here. It bit me several times."
Hank and Larry each stood ready with their silenced M9 and Taser.
Larry was going to lay on the floor for a clean shot, but decided against it in this case. He figured it was where the Grays would look when they came around the corner.
Hank would move out next to Larry as soon as the men came around the corner. He would actually start to run in the direction they'd come so he could be at the next bend in the angled curve of the passageway. He didn't know if all of the men would come around the corner at the same time or not. It sounded to him as if there were three of them. It was possible there could be four. It didn't really matter. They were ready and waiting.
The female Fanatic was a little surprised to hear the voice of the man she'd just killed. He cried out exactly the same way the dead man on the floor did. She wasn't sure why there was a snake inside wherever they were at. She could hear the running footsteps. They passed by the door of the room she was in without slowing.
She moved up to the door and cracked it open an inch. She was able to look down the hall in the direction the men came from. The passageway was clear. She opened the door a little bit more and peeked her head out. She could see three men disappear around a corner.
The Fanatic figured the men would be back soon enough. She decided to head in the direction that was clear. She left the storage room behind and took off.
The three Grays approached the angled section of the wall where they'd heard one of their associates cry out in pain.
They entered the first section of the angle.
The lead Gray glanced back at the third man.
"Hang back and watch our six." The first Gray said.
The first and second Grays continued around the corner.
The third Gray slowed and paused. He heard what sounded like a strange 'coughing' sound. It was followed by two dull thuds that almost sounded as one. He was going to peek around the corner when a large man appeared in front of him. He didn't even have time to raise his pistol before the big man was on him. His world went black.
Moments ago:
Larry watched as two men came around the corner. He let them take three steps before he fired twice. Both men took a round to the forehead. They drop like stones with a dull thud. Even before they reached the ground Hank had passed by him. He jumped over both men and disappeared around the corner. He quickly followed him
Hank came out around the side of Larry as soon as he heard the first round fired. He jumped over the corpses of the two fallen Grays and came around the corner. There was a third Grey standing there moving towards the wall to look around. He punched him hard in the face and sent him sprawling. He didn't know if they would need to question him later on.
Larry was right behind him as they came back into the central passageway. It was empty.
"Terminate the Fanatic." Larry said. "I'll collect the bodies."
Hank wanted to wrap up all the loose ends.
"Affirmative…." Hank said and continued on his way.
He reached the door of the storage room and opened it. His silenced M9 searched for a target. The only one in the room he saw was the deceased Gray. He quickly checked around the storage area and determined he was alone.
Hank moved back to the door of the storage room and looked out into the passageway. He spotted Larry with two of the deceased Gray's.
"The Fanatic is gone." Hank said.
Hank hurried back towards where the third Gray was at. It was the one he'd hit in the face. He must have hit him a little harder than he'd anticipated. The Gray was terminated as well. He quickly picked up his body and brought it to the storage room.
Larry tossed the two bodies inside the storage room. He looked down the hallway in the direction the Grays had come from and apparently the Fanatic had fled. He didn't spot anyone else there.
Hank arrived with the third Gray a few seconds later.
"He was terminated." Hank said.
Hank tossed the deceased Gray on top of the other three bodies.
They both took off down the passageway in pursuit of the elusive Fanatic. They didn't know how many Grays they were about to face.
The female Fanatic ran from the storage room. She looked back over her shoulder to make sure the men who passed didn't follow her. She didn't know what was going on. She knew they'd been in a hurry.
All she knew is she wanted to go a different direction than they'd gone.
The female Fanatic reached a junction and went around the corner. She paused and listened. She didn't know which way the men came from or which way to go. She didn't have a clue as to where she was at. She held her knife in her right hand. She really hoped she'd be able to stab one or two of them before she needed to break her poison tooth. It was clear to her that 'Ascension' was near.
If I'm Dead
Each new day will come
No one knows what lies ahead
It may be something good
It may be something to dread
It's easier to remember
How a heart once bled
The feelings of the past
Are hard to shred
Trapped in the past
Feels like a ton of lead
It clouds the mind
It messes with the head
Sometimes things are
Best forgotten or left unsaid
It doesn't matter much
For what one once pled
The feelings of one
Are impossible to embed
No matter how carefully
They were woven and thread
One must remain firm
Watch where they tread
There won't be any worries
If I'm dead
Nobody