Chapter 1225
Sorry About That
Vanna was in the lab with Allison and Samantha. Precious was there as well. She wanted to get some of her work taken care of. They listened and watched the operation unfold at the old newspaper plant. The details about the girls were somewhat disturbing to her. In fact, they bothered her greatly.
Samantha indicated to Vanna that Precious was going to need some attention.
Vanna looked around the lab. She took Precious and went to the infirmary. She just needed a moment to get away from it all. It was a little too much for her to watch the two girls and hear their story. It made her relive parts of her life she thought she was past. It looked like she never could get past all of them. There was always something to remind her and haunt her.
She wasn't sure she liked having Precious in the lab. It seemed OK at first but after watching the developing operations, she didn't feel good about it. It was no place for an infant. Their lifestyle was no place for a child.
Vanna took care of Precious. The more she thought about it, the more everything bothered her. She thought about it some more and called Samantha.
Allison and Samantha were busy at work when Samantha received a call.
Samantha was a little surprised to see it was Vanna. She hadn't been gone that long.
"Hello." Samantha said.
Pause.
"Is Precious alright?" Samantha asked.
Pause.
"I'll be right over." Samantha said.
Pause.
"I'll tell her." Samantha said.
Samantha put her phone away.
Allison could tell the call was over. She was clearly worried about hearing Precious name mentioned. Samantha didn't say anything. She wanted to know a few more details.
"Are Precious and Vanna OK?" Allison asked.
Samantha decided to keep it simple.
"Yes." Samantha said. "Vanna doesn't want Precious in the lab. She wants me to bring the stroller and take her elsewhere. I'll take her back to Riley's room. Vanna will return here to work with you."
Allison was a little relieved. She didn't want there to be anything wrong with either of them. It did make her wonder about Vanna's sudden turn around. She was sure it was related to what they'd viewed and listened to earlier. She would ask Samantha to 'check out' Vanna.
"Go do it. I want you to scan Vanna too. Tell her I said to do it." Allison said. "I'm worried about her but don't tell her that."
Samantha cleaned her hands and reached out to Allison. She decided to cover all the bases.
"She'll want to know if I scanned you, so I will." Samantha said.
Samantha touched the back of Allison's neck.
Allison didn't mind. She wanted to know how she was doing anyway. Holly or Hanna always gave her frequent updates when they were around, even if she didn't want them to. It was all part of the process at this point.
"It's fine." Allison said. "Call us before you think Vanna will be needed again. I don't want her in a rush. How am I?"
Samantha detected no change in Allison.
"You're the same." Samantha said.
Allison was used to marginal reports.
"Is it fair to bad like always?" Allison asked.
Samantha didn't care to elaborate. She didn't want to cause any problems.
"You're the same." Samantha said again.
Samantha took the stroller and left.
Allison watched her go and continued to work. She took one look around the empty lab. She couldn't help but think about what they'd just viewed at the old newspaper plant. Maybe it was the way the two girls looked. She really wondered how anyone could be made to look like that in the present. It was how people looked in her past, the future.
She really thought those two girls should be back at home with their parents. Maybe it was the trouble, they didn't really have parents. Sure they had a mother and a father, but the conditions the girls grew up in weren't good conditions. It actually led to the abuse on the one girl's part. The other girl's problems seemed to be more associated with drug use. She thought it could be attributed to bad parenting as well.
It bothered her to remember how her mother apologized to her for the things that happened to her. It wasn't her mother's fault or her father's fault. They both died in the aftermath of Skynet's attacks.
She remembered she'd apologized to her mother as well for the things that happened to her. She wanted to be a better daughter for her mother, circumstances dictated otherwise.
Vanna reentered the lab a short time later.
She came over and gave Allison a hug.
Vanna didn't say anything.
Allison decided to prompt her.
"What happened?" Allison asked.
The past weighed on Vanna. The future looked bleak and gloomy.
"I don't like Precious to have to be a part of all this." Vanna said. "What kind of a life is it for her?"
Allison felt they'd made it, even if most of the people they knew didn't. What could she say other than the truth?
"It's the life of survival if Skynet takes over." Allison said.
Vanna thought about it for a few seconds. She needed to remember some of the things she'd witnessed. A lot of bad things happened to her. A lot worse things happened to other people. She'd managed to survive. She was alive because Allison pulled her out of the 'dead pile'. Allison was able to do that later on in her life. It was after she'd helped her escape from a Scavenger camp when she was younger. Either way they'd both survived.
"You're right. There are a lot worse things out there." Vanna said.
Vanna was aware it all came down to two choices. There were survivors and there were the dead.
Allison looked at her longtime lover.
"There are better things too." Allison said. "Look where we are now."
Vanna knew things could be much worse. They were pretty good right now. She checked what Allison was working on and smiled at her.
"You did a really nice job. Allison." Vanna said. "It's perfect."
Allison didn't like to see Vanna upset over the past. She wanted to redirect her thoughts.
"So are you." Allison said.
Vanna smiled at Allison. She returned the compliment.
"Not as much as you." Vanna said.
Allison was pleased to see Vanna more cheerful.
"You're better now." Allison said.
Vanna took over what Samantha was working on before she left.
"I guess I needed a little reminder of what everything is all about. I'm sorry about everything." Vanna said. "Thank you."
The two long time lovers traded glances and smiles as they worked. They enjoyed the peace and reassurance they offered each other. Sex was only a part of their relationship. Its foundations went much deeper. It was true love.
Cammy would have liked to have delivered Savannah to Cameron's base. Instead they'd picked up an unwanted contact near the old newspaper plant. She was even more disappointed when she received a report from CamNet on what one of the drones found. She saw all of it as more danger for Savannah.
"One drone has a probable ID on the truck based on its description." Cammy said.
Savannah wondered how long it would be until Cam intercepted it. It would produce a new reaction. She wanted to know more about exactly what happened between the two girls and the truck driver. She didn't doubt there was some unwanted physical interaction. She just wasn't sure what propagated it.
"How far out is Cam from it?" Savannah asked.
The report indicated the truck was about to return to the area.
"It's actually headed back in this direction." Cammy said.
Savannah pondered the choices available to them for a few seconds. She really didn't know where it would lead them.
"I don't want Cam to stop it yet." Savannah said. "We can see where it goes."
Cammy wanted a quicker and more terminal resolution. She didn't want Savannah to get involved with any of it. She didn't want Savannah around the truck driver. She didn't think any further investigation was needed. If it was, there were ways to obtain any information they needed.
"We can beat any information out of the driver before he's terminated." Cammy said. "His behavior is 'Scavenger like'. He'll be dealt with as such."
Savannah wasn't sure what exactly transpired. She believed it was a drug deal gone wrong. Only one of the girls was abused. It was the girl who was a drug user. She didn't think the circumstances really mattered as to what actually occurred. It would have been a different matter if it was a simple exchange of 'goods'. It appeared it ended up being only one sided. It wasn't a good situation on any level.
"We still don't know what really happened with the girls." Savannah said. "If it was a drug deal gone bad, it happens all the time. Even the method of 'payment' isn't uncommon."
Cammy received conflicting information from CamNet regarding Young Allison.
"Young Allison has approved Cam to act." Cammy said. "Do you want to talk it over with her?"
Savannah would have liked to have discussed it with Young Allison. Maybe if they knew more information at some point, she would. Right now they were two separate operations. She received an update from John Henry.
"No." Savannah said. "I see John Henry has concurred."
Cammy was aware Young Allison didn't want to overstep. She believed Young Allison actually interacted with John Henry so she wouldn't have to confer with Savannah on whatever her plans were. She didn't know about Young Allison's plans for the other situation involving the man alongside the railroad tracks.
"They discussed it first." Cammy said. "She's trying to be a team player. She doesn't want to overburden you needlessly."
Savannah didn't want to lose focus with what was occurring around them.
"Let's worry about what's happening here for now." Savannah said.
Cammy didn't like waiting. It irritated her. She thought some type of action should be taken. She was ready to draw first blood.
"This is nowhere." Cammy said. "We should act and get some answers."
Savannah followed the drone footage of the person walking along the tracks.
"Are the other two drones still watching everything around the old newspaper plant?" Savannah asked.
Cammy noted there weren't any changes.
"Yes." Cammy said.
Everything seemed so out in the open to Savannah. It forced them to follow it. If they followed the one person, they might miss something else. Maybe it was the 'Pied Piper' and they were all following him.
"I think this is a distraction for us." Savannah said. "Someone wants us to look the other way for whatever is really happening."
Cammy checked with both bases. Nothing additional had been detected.
"CamNet and John Henry are all over it." Cammy said. "Nothing else raises a red flag. The drones haven't picked up any other unusual activity."
Savannah wondered if she missed something.
"I'm trying to think." Savannah said. "Has anything happened with those girls?"
John Henry updated Cammy a few minutes ago on the girls.
"They haven't attempted to communicate with anyone." Cammy said. "John Henry's watching them closely."
Cammy figured John Henry probably watched all of the females closely in the facility. He certainly did around the base. Maybe it was partly their fault too. They all allowed him to.
Savannah began to worry about the SUV they'd traded with Cam. It may have a target on it. It was her idea to switch with Cam earlier. She didn't want to be the one responsible if something happened to the SUV now.
"I want Cam to dump her SUV." Savannah said. "If anyone was watching this place, they would have seen it when we drove in and out of the building. Cam is driving it now and headed back in this direction because the truck is. I thought she was going to return to the Resistance base. She may become a target."
Cammy communicated with John Henry about it.
"John Henry has relayed your concern." Cammy said. "She's going to dump it at a 'big box' store."
Savannah looked at her phone. She watched the unknown man walk along the railroad tracks. She couldn't quite tell what he was up to.
"I want a zoom in on that guy." Savannah said.
There was one almost instantly.
Cammy understood Savannah's concern.
"He's on a phone." Cammy said.
Savannah wanted John Henry to get the information as to where the call went or came from.
"John Henry should be able to isolate who he's talking to." Savannah said. "We might get a location."
Cammy received the information.
"John Henry has it." Cammy said. "You're not going to like it."
Savannah felt a little sick. She knew what she didn't want it to be.
"I hope it's not those girls…." Savannah said.
Savannah knew how things would end for them. She pictured several of the Terminators beating them to death for answers. It was something she'd seen before with her own eyes. It was very violent and gruesome.
Ally exited the ship first. She was followed by Sarah and Kyle. Sheila brought up the rear for the team.
Jim informed them before they exited the ship the location of where Jesse's team was at with Jan in the gift shop.
Ally led the team in that direction.
Gail exited the ship after a small group of people headed for a tour bus disembarked. Riley and Derek followed her. Hanna brought up the rear.
Riley felt bad for Gail and Hanna. Their girlfriends were there now.
"We can tag along with Sarah and Kyle if you two want to be with Jesse and Claire." Riley said.
Gail took her duty very seriously. People counted on her.
"We have an assignment." Gail said.
It didn't make Derek or Riley feel any better.
Derek spotted Dan and Frank in the gift shop. An idea popped into his head.
"Frank and Dan can replace you two. You can replace them." Derek said. "It's a simple switch."
Gail and Hanna looked at each other. They were both anxious to see Jesse and Claire but they still had an assignment to carry out.
"Duty comes before pleasure." Gail said.
Hanna thought maybe she would ask. She didn't want any negative repercussions.
"We will need to clear it with Cameron." Hanna said. "I don't want any problems."
If it was cleared by Cameron they would do it. Otherwise they would do as they were assigned. The safety of the team came first.
John and Cameron allowed a few more people to pass before they exited. Holly followed them off.
Cameron motioned for Holly to come closer.
Holly moved up.
Cameron looked at the part of the city she could see in the distance. She was aware the girls had been driven through the city in the van and visited the blowhole. She didn't think there was anything else for the girls to see of value.
"I want Summer and Jan to stay on the ship." Cameron said.
Holly wanted the same thing. She would be better able to protect the girls.
"I'll be with them at all times." Holly said. "Allison isn't here and I'll never be more than a door away from them. I'll protect them."
John decided to say something. It was something he'd looked over in the information brochure in their suite. It seemed like something he would have liked to have been able to do when he was younger.
"There are activities for children and young adults on the ship." John said. "I read it in the ship's little newspaper."
Cameron knew that Jan and Summer were superior to other children their age.
"They don't have a lot of interaction with other children." Cameron said. "They're both educationally advanced beyond others of their same physical age."
It seemed to John the activities were designed to be fun and keep the kids entertained.
"There's no age limit on fun." John said.
An idea popped into Cameron's head.
'I guess you found out this morning.' Cameron thought.
Holly thought they would do fine. She was usually around Summer. She seemed to get along with everyone. She didn't have much interaction with Jan.
"I'll let Summer and Jan decide what they like." Holly said. "I can always put them in a higher age group. I'm sure we can come up with 'documentation' showing them several years older than they are if the need arose. I believe I can be very persuasive if I need to be."
John nodded at Holly. He wanted it for the girls.
"I want them to have some fun and be around other kids." John said. "It'll be good for them."
Cameron spotted Jesse's team.
"I see Claire and Jesse." Cameron said.
Holly thought there could be an additional complication. She wondered what was supposed to happen if Kyle and Sarah wanted Jan to go with them or if Jan wanted to be with her mother and father.
"What happens if Jan wants to go with her parents?" Holly asked.
John offered the perfect solution all kids like to hear.
"She won't." John said. "Not if there is fun to be found. There's ice cream too. We'll mention it. They'd like to go in a swimming pool as well."
John thought all kids like to go to a swimming pool, especially if they didn't have easy access to one.
Cameron made a decision. The girls were to be protected. She knew family was important too. She was willing to sacrifice. She would remain behind with Summer by herself. Holly would go with Jan. Her initial thought was to recall Sheila and have her accompany John. The two of them could explore the city together. She quickly decided against it. She would include John to remain with her as well.
"If Sarah and Kyle want to take Jan, you'll go with them." Cameron said. "John and I will remain here and take Summer to have some fun on the ship."
John gave Cameron a quick hug. He thought of all his missed opportunities as a kid.
"I'm OK with the idea." John said. "The kids come first."
After John's experience the last time he was in Mexico, he wasn't in any hurry to go back. He felt bad about all of the Mexican policemen who were killed. They all died because of him and his decision to go there with Future Riley. If he hadn't gone there, none of them would have died. It was a bad experience in about five different ways. It seemed all of them were his fault too. He also needed to consider he may have died in his bedroom when Cromartie arrived and took his mother into custody. It didn't really matter at this point. It was all done and over. It was all in the past. Life moved forwards not backwards.
Holly was pleased the girls came first.
"You're both very thoughtful." Holly said.
John thought about Jesse and Claire. The girls weren't the only ones to think about having fun. There were the adults as well.
"What about Gail and Hanna?" John asked.
Cameron felt everything was taken care of.
"They have their assignments." Cameron said.
John wanted a modification of some sort.
"Claire and Jesse are here now." John said. "There are four male Terminators with them. Something can be worked out."
Cameron felt Hanna and Gail would make Riley and Derek feel more at ease.
"I want Riley and Derek to feel comfortable." Cameron said.
John saw it as just the opposite. He knew they would be bothered by the separation of Jesse and Claire from their Metal girls.
"They'll feel uncomfortable with Gail and Hanna with them and not with Jesse and Claire." John said. "You can even ask them."
Cameron didn't want any problems.
She spotted Kyle and Sarah hug Jan. They seemed to be discussing something with her. They both gave her a kiss and Jan went back over to Summer.
Holly was pleased with what she saw.
"It looks like both girls will go on the ship. I'll escort the four of them onto the ship." Holly said. "I'll carry their bags."
John remembered Cameron lifting heavy things and drawing looks before at the electronics store. It was all unnecessary attention.
"Don't overdo it with how much you carry." John said.
Holly remembered the time she went to the big box store to pick up the doors for Derek's and Riley's room. She started to lift the doors effortlessly into the back of Derek's truck. He quickly told her he needed to help her because people were looking. She told the clerk she worked out and liked to keep in shape.
Cameron thought about what John said. It made sense.
"Excuse me." Cameron said and left.
Cameron went over and spoke with Derek and Riley. She then entered the gift shop and spoke with Dan and Frank. They exited the gift shop and joined Derek and Riley. Gail and Hanna both smiled when they arrived and headed into the gift shop. Kyle and Sarah exited with Ally and Sheila behind them.
Cameron came back out and joined John and Holly. It seemed there would be a satisfactory resolution for everyone.
"Everything is fixed." Cameron said. "Holly, take charge of the girls now. You can coordinate with their parents about anything else later on. It's time for them to have some fun. I like everyone to be happy."
Holly nodded at John and Cameron as she walked off.
John noticed Holly held his gaze a little longer than normal.
Cameron noticed it too.
"Gail and Holly have both volunteered for 'room service'." Cameron said. "I'm sure you will be as pleased with their decision as I am."
John was elated to hear the news. It was what he secretly hope for. He wanted Cameron to be in control if it happened. If it was Cameron's program, he didn't have a problem with it. He wanted to make sure of the details ahead of time.
"Will it be like it was with Sheila?" John asked.
Cameron was aware Gail and Holly both wanted to try first on their own, like Sheila wanted. She was able to get Sheila to relinquish her chassis and its first experience to her. Maybe she could do the same with them. It was a gamble she was willing to take. She would be able to experience what they did anyway. She would then be able to have control of their chassis afterwards. It was what she wanted. She wanted to be someone different. She knew John wouldn't be able to spend very much time with them. She would spell it out for him anyway.
"They both want to be with you first before I take control. I will be 'in' with them and experience everything they do." Cameron said. "It will be the same thing. I just won't have control for the first time. It will still be as if everything is happening to me."
John didn't think Cameron would want to 'go along for the ride'. He was sure it would cause some type of negative repercussion. They might not be in the short term. It most likely would be in the long term. When it was the moment of truth for him with Sheila, he buckled. He couldn't go through with it. Maybe it was the guilt of his experience with Future Riley. No it wasn't guilt. He didn't feel guilty about what happened with Future Riley and him. They loved each other. His guilt stemmed from the fact of what it did to Cameron. He was sure it would have done the same with Sheila if she hadn't relinquished control.
"I don't know what will happen." John said. "It didn't work out with Sheila as planned."
John thought if anyone would want to be in control, it was Sheila. She relinquished all control to Cameron when it looked like he was going to back out of the deal.
Cameron was willing to ride shotgun to have complete control of their chassis after the first few minutes. She doubted John would last long since they were both 'someone new' and virgins. He would be overly excited again on two different levels. She would give him two minutes tops. She wanted to be someone different. She knew life was about choices. She wanted to make sure John understood hers. She thought she should choose her phraseology carefully.
"John, I want to be in both of their chassis. I want to be someone different again." Cameron said. "I'm willing to share for the first few minutes."
John still wasn't so sure about it. It was definitely what he wanted to try. He would play it out and see what happened. He knew Allison was still at the Resistance base. Jesse wasn't.
"Jesse's here now." John said. "I don't want to take Gail away from her."
It made the choice easy for Cameron. She knew what John wanted. She knew for fifteen months what he wanted. She still found it hard to believe he never acted. She wanted to give him a reminder.
"Holly it is." Cameron said.
John could see Cameron was visibly excited.
"You look pleased." John said.
Cameron wanted the experience with Holly's chassis long ago. She didn't take it when it was offered by Holly. Things were different now. She's already broken the ice with Sheila's chassis. She was ready for more, a lot more.
"I wanted to be with you when I was on Holly's chip for fifteen months." Cameron said. "I know it was technically 'Duplicate Cameron', but I have those files as my own. They are my own. Those fifteen months never happened for me because of the temporal displacement where I ended up at."
John didn't want to rehash the old issues. Cameron told him there was no difference between either Duplicate Cameron and her. He'd actually been with one of them for a few months before she was terminated. Well, they thought she was terminated. Cameron fixed it later on.
"Things will happen when they're supposed to happen." John said.
Cameron couldn't agree more.
"They're supposed to happen." Cameron said.
John looked at the people walking from the ship and at the tour buses and minibuses. He thought back earlier when he could have used the stairs or the elevator.
"Are we going to walk into town?" John asked.
Cameron didn't think it was a problem. There was even a pedestrian bridge now that was a shortcut to the 'boardwalk'. It was actually concrete.
"It's only a fifteen minute walk." Cameron said. "There are some shuttle buses. Ken and Lou can take us in the van they have."
John noticed the others were going to stay on the footpath. He didn't want to seem like a slacker in front of them.
"We can walk." John said. "The others are going to walk too."
Cameron liked the spacing they were at. She did a quick tactical evaluation around them.
"We're not bunched up and can lend mutual fire support to each of the other teams if we need to." Cameron said.
John didn't think it was necessary.
"Is everyone packing heat?" John asked.
Cameron tilted her head slightly. She wondered why John would even ask.
"Of course they are." Cameron said. "We don't know what we'll encounter. I want Sarah and Riley protected."
John wondered if maybe they should go back on the ship. He didn't want to go looking for trouble. He was actually worried Cameron would go looking for it. She would do it to prove a point.
"Is there a bigger problem here I'm not aware of?" John asked. "Is this city unsafe?"
Cameron wondered why John seemed confused. It was how they always operated at any location, including where they were from.
"It will be like this in every city we visit." Cameron said. "Claire and Jesse will visit San Diego tomorrow and the girls can go with their parents. They already saw the town and La Bufadora while they waited for the ship to dock."
John read about the blowhole. He wasn't sure if it was worth the trouble.
"Is La Bufadora anything we need to see?" John asked.
Cameron reviewed the data and some videos of it previously. She thought it was something unusual but she didn't think it was anything special. It would simply expose them to more danger if they went.
"No." Cameron said.
Cameron took out her phone and typed something in. She handed her phone to John. It was a YouTube video. She figured it was sufficient to convey what the blowhole was about.
"Here, it's all you need to see and you won't get wet with possibly polluted water." Cameron said. "It all depends on how the local sewage system is doing on any given day."
John watched the short video as they walked.
"That's it?" John asked.
John hoped for something more.
"Pretty much, the girls were thrilled by it." Cameron said.
John looked up at the sun.
"It's hot out." John said.
Cameron checked her phone and com.
"It will be hotter before we get back." Cameron said. "Jim notified me Bob cleared the others onto the ship already."
John felt much better when the new arrivals were on the ship. He knew they were safer, even if it was never safe.
"That's good to know." John said. "Now I feel better."
It was Cameron's sentiment as well. When the group that was out was back on board the ship she would feel better about it too.
"I was worried about them myself." Cameron said.
John watched a van pass them and head for the main street.
"I just saw Ken and Lou pass us in the van." John said.
Cameron wondered if John wanted to ride instead of walk. He'd really given her a workout in Sheila's chassis earlier.
"The van has air conditioning." Cameron said. "We can ride in it."
John spotted the others just ahead of him. He wanted to give them an opportunity to look around on foot first.
"Maybe on the way back we can if I feel tired." John said. "My mom and Riley might appreciate it more then."
Cameron didn't want John's physical condition taxed. She also wanted to give him a choice.
"You'll need to keep your strength up for some 'afternoon delight'." Cameron said. "What sheath and chassis would you like?"
As long as Cameron's program was inside and in control, he didn't care. Cameron was her program.
"I'll be pleased with whichever one your program is in." John said. "I get it now."
Cameron remembered John rejecting her before.
"If Isabel's sheath was still around, would you have me in it now?" Cameron asked.
John would in a second. He figured he would be lucky to last very long. He really wanted to be with her in Isabel's chassis.
"I'm sorry about the whole thing." John said. "I would, Cameron."
Cameron reached down and took John's hand.
"This is where we are now." Cameron said. "The path is forward."
There were still some surprises at Cameron's base in her menagerie. It would appear John was in luck. There was also another chassis and sheath she'd prepared. She would try it in the dark with John. She didn't want him to see it and she didn't want to look at herself in it, but she did want to try it. She needed to see if it was really better than her sheath. It seemed to John it was at one point. She was going to find out.
Young Allison and Anna followed all the developments.
Anna wanted to make sure Young Allison didn't get ahead of herself.
"You need to use restraint." Anna said.
Young Allison believed it was exactly what she was doing. She wanted to know exactly what happened. She wanted to make sure the punishment was just.
"I want the truck stopped and the driver questioned." Young Allison said. "I told John Henry why."
Anna was glad Young Allison involved John Henry.
"He's directed Cam to do so." Anna said. "Savannah reached the same conclusion about Cam's SUV as you did."
Young Allison was still worried.
"She acted quicker." Young Allison said.
Anna spotted the new development with the man and a phone.
"The homeless man is on a phone." Anna said.
It sounded like a new problem was about to develop. It all depended upon who he carried on a conversation with.
"If he is talking to the girls or the truck driver, we have a much bigger problem here than we know."
Anna waited for an update. They would know more about what was actually happening.
"It would appear so." Anna said. "Problems have a way of finding us."
Young Allison didn't feel they were responsible for the problems.
"When we find them, we'll deal with them." Young Allison said.
Young Allison believed the best defense was a good offense.
The female Fanatic looked a little further into the room and decided to move on. She looked back in the direction she'd come. She didn't see anyone behind her. She passed by the open doorway and continued down the passageway.
Hank and Larry hurried in the direction where they thought the female Fanatic was at. They spotted the room with the open door. They weren't sure if the female entered the room or not. If she did, she was in the process of moving something.
"Let's check it out." Larry said. "We don't need any additional Grays behind us."
They silently entered the room. Larry went left. Hank went right. They weren't sure what they would encounter. They each held their M9 and Taser ready.
Larry didn't spot anything on his side as he entered the room.
Hank heard some movement on his side again. He still didn't have a visual. He glanced back and saw that Larry moved to a flanking position to where the sound emanated from.
He heard someone say something. It didn't sound like a female.
"Piece of crap…." A male voice muttered.
Hank wasn't sure if he referred to the female Fanatic or what he attempted to move.
Larry heard the same thing. He was able to move around to a better position so the individual was between the two of them. He wanted to attract the Gray's attention so Hank could grab him.
The Gray struggled to move the crate. It was much more difficult than he thought it was going to be.
He heard what sounded like a kitten.
"What the 'Sam Hill'?" The Gray muttered.
He paused and looked over in the direction he heard the sound.
Hank was unable to move up behind him. He grabbed the man by the neck and slam him up against the wall.
"Where can I find the others?" Hank asked the Gray as he choked him.
The Gray was reluctant to answer.
Larry moved back to the doorway and looked out. He wanted to see if anyone else was coming.
Hank punched the Gray hard in the abdomen with his other hand. He still held him suspended in the air against the wall with his other hand.
Larry felt Hank had everything under control.
"I'm going to look for the female." Larry said in a low decibel tone. "I won't go too far. If I find her I can terminate her or bring her back here."
Hank wasn't sure she needed to be questioned. They weren't in the right location to conduct interrogations.
"You can terminate her." Hank said. "It's what's going to happen here with this one."
Larry left Hank to work on the Gray. He went in search of the female Fanatic.
The female Fanatic left the room behind and continued down the passageway she was in. She tried to listen to what was in front of her as well as what was happening behind her. She didn't hear anything from either direction.
She went past a few more rooms. The doors were closed. She didn't bother to look into them. They looked very similar to the rooms she already looked into. She traveled along for a few more minutes until she heard something up ahead of her. She slowed her pace. There was really nowhere for her to go unless she retreated back to one of the rooms she already passed. She wasn't looking to fight the enemy under the current conditions. She thought her best choice of action was to escape and attempt to use the bomb in the van. She could do the most damage with it. She needed to find a way out.
There were definitely more men in the direction she was going. They didn't sound like they were coming in her direction. She continued her approach.
Hank continued to work on the Gray he'd taken prisoner. He wanted to know exactly what was going on inside of the complex and how many Grays were involved. The interrogation didn't appear it was going to produce many results.
Larry continued in pursuit of the female Fanatic. He soon could hear more male voices ahead of him. He figured the female Fanatic was between him and the voices. He would need to use discretion when he caught her and terminated her before he engaged the Grays.
Sorry About That
Many will push
Some push too hard
It all does damage
It can leave one scarred
Why isn't what's there
Good enough for all
A person's inner self
Another doesn't need to maul
It's easier for
A heart in need
To be scuffed up
It's more likely to bleed
What about the mind
Everything has an effect
If there's nothing to find
What's left to protect
It doesn't take much
To leave one feeling flat
The other just smiles and says
I'm sorry about that
Nobody