Chapter 1277
That Is Simple
Cameron was glad the operation was over for the night. She returned to the Owner's Suite. She moved to the bedroom and looked at John. He was peacefully asleep. She was very pleased with their honeymoon cruise so far. Things were much better than she'd expected. She hung her bathrobe back up. She was naked again. She crawled into bed with John. She was careful not to disturb him. She wanted him good and rested. He was going to need to perform again after sunrise.
It made her wonder if she would be in Sheila's chassis or Hanna's chassis when he did. She really liked the switch back and forth with Hanna's chassis and her chassis. She would need to do it with Sheila's chassis too. It would be even better for John to have all their chassis there for him to choose from.
The physical experience was different for her in each chassis. It was clear as she scanned John, it was for him too. Even though the end result was the same, it was obvious John was more excited when she was in either Sheila's chassis or Hanna's chassis. They were all different in detail, even if they were the same in function. There was a size difference in several areas as well as a major pigmentation change in other areas.
Cameron let her mind drift and replayed her new experiences. She looked forward to having more of them. She wanted to expand. She also wanted more with what she'd already tried.
She believed she'd opened up a whole new world to John and her. She thought about the promise she'd made to each of the Metal girls to have their 'one time' with John. She briefly hoped she hadn't opened a can of worms as well. She quickly reminded herself as long as she was the one in control, everything was fine. As long as she was the decider, there wouldn't be any problems.
Kyle wanted to beat the sunrise. There were so many years when he thought he would never see another one. The sunrise and sunset were always special to him.
He woke up about two minutes before his alarm went off. He looked over at Sarah and she was sound asleep. He pulled the sheet up over her exposed breasts. He briefly wondered how she would look with a set of nipple rings. They'd actually discussed it before. He carefully slipped out of bed.
He quickly used the bathroom. He looked at himself in the mirror. He needed to get some more of the medicine from Derek. Sarah was a wild woman. He was going to need a little help to keep 'up'.
He looked around for his clothes. It seemed Sarah put everything away, just like she always did. He figured the coffee would be there soon. He took out a bathrobe and slipped it on.
He was surprised to see Vanna in the main part of the room with a food cart.
Wait.
Vanna wasn't there. It was Hanna. There was no way to tell them apart when they were clothed. He knew it because he'd seen all the Metal girls naked at some point. Sometimes at night, they would do some bedroom switching and didn't bother to get dressed. Hanna's sheath and Sheila's sheath were both flawless, unlike Vanna and Jesse bodies.
"Hello, Kyle." Hanna said. "I knocked softly, but you were in the bathroom."
Kyle felt a little embarrassed.
"Hi. You heard me?" Kyle asked.
Hanna didn't see it as any big deal. She saw or heard plenty of it at the Young residence.
"I hear it all the time. It's natural for humans." Hanna said. "Everyone does it."
It didn't make Kyle feel much better.
"I guess they do." Kyle said.
Hanna wanted him to know the selection of items that she'd brought for Sarah and him.
"I have some coffee, hot coco, orange juice, two croissants and two sweet rolls." Hanna said.
It all sounded good to Kyle. It seemed way more than what Sarah wanted.
"Sarah wanted to keep it simple." Kyle said.
Hanna looked at the food cart. She tilted her head slightly.
"It is simple." Hanna said. "I wanted to make it simple and nice."
Kyle did appreciate the thought. He looked back at the bedroom.
"Do you want to join me for the sunrise?" Kyle asked.
Hanna hoped Cameron would use her chassis after breakfast.
"It sounds very nice. Thank you. I have one more cart to deliver." Hanna said. "Maybe some other time we can do it. I'd like to do it."
Kyle looked back at where Sarah was asleep.
"How long is it until sunrise?" Kyle asked.
"Six minutes and twelve seconds – eleven seconds." Hanna said.
Hanna left.
Kyle looked at the clock on the phone by the balcony. He would give it five more minutes and go get Sarah.
He looked at the cart and saw Hanna poured him a glass of orange juice, a cup of coffee and a cup of hot chocolate.
Kyle wondered if it was just a Terminator being thorough, or the 'Vanna' in Hanna looking after him. Maybe it was both.
He looked back at the door where Hanna left. He really thought she was pretty.
It made him reflect on how the girls from the future never tried to flaunt their natural beauty. It was a liability in the future. It made him feel a little sad to think about the times Vanna tried to do a little 'more' with Derek. She physically couldn't do it. The trauma she'd experienced was too great at the time for her to move her life ahead. She needed the comfort of Allison to survive. Allison provided her with that comfort. They didn't try for 'more' from Allison because they didn't want to take her away from Vanna. They all got along very comfortably as friends. No, they weren't friends, they were family.
He looked back at the door Hanna left through. He didn't think it hurt to think about it.
Sheila knocked softly and then entered Derek's suite. She could hear Derek and Riley were both asleep. She left the food cart where they would see it as soon as they woke up.
She went to exit the suite but paused. She decided to peek in on them.
Sheila moved to the door of the bedroom and saw they were both naked on the bed with the blanket and sheet pushed off. She was going to scan Riley but decided to leave instead. She knew what Riley looked like everywhere anyway.
She hoped the little pill helped Derek satisfy Riley.
The 'Jesse' in her made her take one more look at Derek. She knew what he looked like when he was 'ready for action'. Right now as he slept, he was a long way away from it. She was satisfied with John and Cameron. She hoped Cameron would pick her later on for another turn.
She took one last look at them and left. They might be something to look into at a later date. She didn't think it hurt to think about it.
Hanna pushed a cart into the room for Claire and Gail. She didn't knock.
Gail met her at the door and took the cart.
"Claire is asleep." Gail said.
Hanna wondered what Gail was doing if Claire was asleep. It looked like she'd just been standing there. She wanted to know.
"What are you doing?" Hanna asked.
Gail stood next to the bed and watched Claire sleep.
"I'm watching her." Gail said. "She may wake up soon. Do you want me to leave?"
Hanna hoped to have Cameron use her chassis again.
"No." Hanna said. "I may be busy soon."
Gail was ready to give it a try. She offered to go in Hanna's place.
"Do you want me to do 'it'?" Gail asked. "I'm ready to have Cameron use my chassis."
Hanna wanted to make sure Claire's nutritional needs were met.
"No." Hanna said. "Make sure Claire has the opportunity for some of this food and drink before you start again. Remember, she carries Allison's baby."
Gail figured Hanna wanted to scan Claire. She hadn't done it in a while.
"You may scan her." Gail said. "I know you want to."
Hanna smiled at Gail.
"Thanks." Hanna said.
Hanna entered the room and scanned Claire as she slept. She finished the scan, smiled at Gail again and then she left. She hoped to be in John's bed again soon, as long as Cameron shared the file with her. Cameron could use her chassis as much as she wanted.
She glanced back at the door she'd just exited. She wondered if Cameron would still want to use her chassis again once she was with Holly and Gail. They were both much larger than her and especially Sheila. She'd been with John before when he was out. She knew what caught his eye when he passed by the females. It was always the big busted ones. She reached up and touched herself. She hoped she was good enough for now. She was good enough for the girls. Maybe it was all that really mattered in the end. She continued with her duties.
Sheila pushed the cart into the Master Suite.
Jesse was asleep on the bed.
Ally stood next to her. She came over to Sheila.
"Why don't you stay?" Ally asked.
Sheila hoped Cameron would choose her chassis again.
"I need to go." Sheila said. "Make sure you offer her some food or drink when she wakes up."
Ally thought it was a two way street.
"I'll do it as long as she offers me a 'drink'." Ally said.
Sheila pictured some extreme behavior for Jesse.
"If Jesse has any coffee, I know what she'll use for 'cream'." Sheila said.
Ally smiled at the thought. She thought it would make a good reference point.
"I think you're right." Ally said. "I'll even try a sip."
Sheila needed to get to the Owner's Suite.
"I need to go." Sheila said.
Ally reached out and touched her arm. She shared a long look with Sheila. A lot was said without a word being spoken.
"You don't need to." Ally said.
Sheila looked at Ally. She smiled faintly at her.
"I want to." Sheila said.
Ally kissed Sheila on the cheek. She could see Sheila was sincere.
"Have fun." Ally said.
Sheila held her gaze for a few moments longer. It conveyed the bond they felt for each other.
"Thanks, love." Sheila said and left.
Ally watched her go and wondered about the whole thing. She could tell Sheila and Hanna both wanted more, even with Cameron in control of their chassis. If Holly and Gail said the same thing, maybe she would think about it. She knew it was more than just the physical act. Was it John's love for Cameron they wanted to 'feel' or was it the 'love' for John which Cameron felt? THAT seemed to be what the Metal girls craved the most. Was it really to 'be Cameron' for that short time? When Cameron was in control of their chassis, it's what it was. They were actually 'Cameron'.
She knew there were times when all of the Metal girls wanted to be Cameron. They wanted to look like Cameron. They wanted all of the things she seemed to offer. Now they actually had the opportunity to be her. Maybe she wanted to be them as much as they wanted to be her.
Ally was a little dissatisfied with her appearance. Why couldn't she look like Cameron all the time? She looked like Allison. Allison seldom went out of her way to fix herself up. Her natural beauty was sufficient. She knew from the 'Neural Interface', Allison feared drawing the attention of males. She understood why. It made her want to go into Allison's future and prevent all those things from happening to her. She knew it wouldn't do much good for Allison since she was out of the timeline. Still, it was just the thought. Why were some people so cruel and selfish? She knew it was more than just the fault of Skynet.
When they were done with the cruise, she planned to go out with Sheila and Hanna to break up as many of the sex trade operations as they could find. They didn't mind the work. It actually seemed to be what Sheila enjoyed the most besides sex. People needed to be held accountable for their actions. She was going to make sure they did.
Jim stood outside the Owner's Suite. The food cart was ready to go in. He hesitated to enter. He hoped one of the girls would take it in. He wasn't sure what happened to them. Maybe they entered into a sexual encounter with one of the other females. He was relieved a second later when they spoke. He was glad he'd waited.
"I'll take it." Hanna said.
Sheila reached for the cart as well.
"No. I've got it, love." Sheila said.
The suite door opened.
Cameron was naked. She looked at the three Terminators.
It was clear Hanna and Sheila wanted to take the cart in.
Jim obviously wanted to be elsewhere. He looked very nervous.
Cameron looked at Jim. Her naked figure produced a 'response' in him. She liked what she saw happen in his pants. She wanted John to up his game. Maybe this was the chance. It would be the true test if John accepted her as her program or just as another 'piece of chassis' to add a notch to his belt.
Cameron looked at the three of them there.
"Push the cart in, it's almost sunrise." Cameron said.
She turned her back to them and went to wake John. She heard the cart enter the room and proceed to the balcony area. She would pick whoever was with the cart. She was her program. It is what she was. It is who she was. John would have to accept it.
Cameron picked up the long tether and moved next to John. She gave him a kiss. He opened his eyes.
"Hello, beautiful." John said.
Cameron wanted to give him a choice.
"Hi." Cameron said. "You can see the sunrise or go back to sleep."
John fondled her and then gave her a kiss.
"We can that too." Cameron said. "I have a surprise if we do."
John wondered what it was.
"Is it a big surprise?" John asked.
Cameron looked down at John.
"I'd say so." Cameron said. "Remember, I'm my program."
John would no longer dispute it.
"I understand you are." John said.
Cameron thought about what she'd just seen a minute ago in Jim's pants. She looked back at John. There was no comparison.
"I think it will be a really 'big surprise' then." Cameron said.
Cameron wondered if she was about to 'break John in'. She wanted to see how he liked it. There weren't a whole lot of pleasure receptors in some areas, even if there were pain receptors.
The smile on Cameron's face broadened. It was time to explore some new territory.
Summer opened her eyes. Holly's smiling face greeted her.
Holly still scanned Summer. She scanned Jan too.
Summer lifted up a little and looked over Holly at Jan. Jan was still asleep.
"Hi." Summer whispered.
Holly finished her scan.
"Hello." Holly whispered back.
Summer got up and looked out the balcony window.
She heard a squeak behind her and turned to look. She saw Holly pushing a food cart towards her. She looked at the bed and Jan was still asleep.
"Where did it come from?" Summer asked.
Holly wondered how much she should say. Summer was very astute.
"Jim brought it earlier." Holly said. "He asked me to trade places with him."
Summer wondered why. Jim was almost always in the Control Center.
"What would you trade for?" Summer asked.
Holly didn't want to talk about it. She would have gladly traded with him if Cameron hadn't specifically asked for him to come.
"He thought maybe I would want to do something for him." Holly said. "Cameron told him to do it. I didn't want to cause a problem."
Summer looked over at the wall. On the other side was the Owner's Suite. She quickly deduced the nature of the request and why. She didn't want Holly's thoughts to dwell there.
"It's still sleepover night for us girls." Summer said. "It's almost sunrise."
Holly was pleased to show her the selection of items.
"I have hot coco, milk, and two kinds of juice." Holly said. "There are several kinds of food too."
Summer thought it looked good and was nice but she'd hoped to eat elsewhere.
"I wanted to eat at the buffet." Summer said.
Holly didn't have a problem with it. She wanted to make her position clear.
"We can go there too." Holly said. "This is just for now. It's just for sunrise."
It was good news to Summer. She thought Holly was about to walk away.
"Will you watch the sunrise with me?" Summer asked.
Holly was very pleased about the things Summer showed her beauty, where she never saw beauty before. She knew others tried to tell her. She saw things how they were, not for the symbolism.
"Yes." Holly said. "I want to learn the beauty in things. You're able to show me and make me understand."
Summer wondered why. She felt sometimes she was able to have great influence on both humans and Terminators. It wasn't something she'd ever abused.
"Is it because I know how you think or how I help you to think?" Summer asked.
Holly thought it was because of Summer herself.
"Maybe it's because of how you think." Holly said.
Summer slid open the balcony door.
Holly stopped her from going out.
"Jan's parents are on the other side of the partition." Holly said. "They're enjoying a private moment."
Summer didn't think it was an issue.
"We can see the sunrise from inside." Summer said. "It is a little cool outside anyway."
Holly saw Summer look back at Jan asleep in the bed.
"Do you want Jan to share this with us?" Holly asked.
Summer wanted to. She didn't want to disturb her.
"Maybe so…." Summer said.
Holly smiled at Summer and spoke honestly.
"I think you'll end up sharing a lot of things with Jan." Holly said. "I'll bring her."
Summer felt it too but she never told anyone. She really felt it last night when they took a bath together. She was sure she shared the same desires of all the Young females. She thought it was beautiful.
Savannah heard her alarm go off. She was usually up before it did. She reached over to turn it off. She felt very tired. She was surprised Cammy was still in her bed. She'd told her multiple times to go do other things while she was asleep.
Wait.
She looked a little harder. It was Allison.
The alarm caused Allison to turn. When she did, the sheet slipped off the upper half of her body.
Savannah looked at how beautiful Allison was without any makeup and still asleep. It made her think how she could wake up to the same thing everyday. She also knew Allison was 'Vanna's Allison', not hers. It would be wrong to do anything to Vanna. She needed to wait for 'her Allison'.
She really wondered what she was waiting for. It was evident Young Allison was more than ready for the next chapter. She was pretty sure Young Allison would have turned the page already with someone else if she hadn't put self imposed restrictions on herself. Maybe she should help Young Allison free herself from those bonds. Maybe she should just do what they both wanted.
It made her think of the times she woke up with Jesse or Sheila next to her and wished they were Young Jesse. They never were.
She saw Allison's eyes open very slowly.
Allison was deep in a dream. She heard a noise. It was incessant. She tossed and tried to open her eyes. She was very sleepy. She hoped there wasn't another Skynet attack on the way. There hadn't been one for awhile. It was time for one soon. It was never very long before Skynet found out where they were at. There would usually be some type of battle. Some people would die, others would escape. They needed to leave everything behind. Her eyes slowly opened. The room was very dark. She saw Vanna was already awake. She expected to hear the rats scurry around once they started to get up. It was what usually happened. If they were quick enough, they could catch one.
She marveled at how beautiful Vanna looked. She looked very clean and pretty. Usually Vanna tried to hide her beauty. She said bad things always happened when she didn't make herself as plain as possible.
Allison wondered why it was so quiet. There were usually people crying or coughing in the background. Sometimes she could hear the wounded suffering because there was no pain medicine. Some of them would beg for someone to 'finish it'. No one ever would. The best the wounded could hope for, was for someone to leave them with a loaded pistol and walk away. It always happened a few times a month.
The light was very dim. The blanket felt clean too. It was smooth and soft. It felt like a sheet. She moved it and it exposed Vanna.
Wait.
She reached out and touched Vanna, her scar was gone.
"I'm sorry if I woke you." 'Vanna' said.
For a second she wondered if she'd been captured by Skynet. She'd heard they did things like this to people. She quickly reached down and touched herself to see if she'd been abused again. There was always a lot of soreness and a mess. She didn't feel either.
Wait.
Where was the hair?
Allison sat bolt upright. She seemed to have some trouble breathing now and she wanted to scream.
'Vanna' was right there.
"What's wrong, Allison?" 'Vanna' asked her.
Allison woke up.
She breathed very heavily. She was sure her heart was racing.
The light came on.
She looked around in the bright light and relaxed.
"Allison, what's wrong?" Savannah asked her again.
Allison started to laugh.
She was relieved to be in the past, the good past. The past was her new future.
"Nothing…." Allison said. "Nothing at all is wrong. I think I must have experienced a bad dream."
Savannah pulled her close and held her.
Allison felt very comforted.
Savannah thought maybe she shouldn't have turned the alarm on.
"It was probably my fault." Savannah said.
Allison looked at Savannah's naked figure.
"You look so beautiful, Savannah." Allison said.
Allison saw Savannah touch some of the bruises, cuts and scrapes on her body.
Savannah felt her body was damaged now.
"I do?" Savannah asked. "I feel ugly now."
Allison gave her a kiss and a hug.
"You would still look like a 'beauty queen' where I came from." Allison said.
Savannah looked down at her bruised and battered body.
"It really must have been a bad dream then." Savannah said.
Allison wished it all could have been a dream. It wasn't. It was terrible. She wondered how people could be so cruel and selfish. She knew it wasn't all Skynet's fault either.
She thought about what Savannah said about how her body looked. She wondered if it was one of the reasons why things hadn't progressed further with Young Allison. She hoped Savannah wasn't ashamed of the way she looked. She was beautiful. Her true beauty was inside of her. It seemed like something she would need to look into.
When she looked at Vanna, she never saw her scar. She only saw Vanna. She didn't think it would be any different for Young Allison when she looked at Savannah. When you love someone, you accept them for who they are.
Cam checked the time. It was early.
She looked over at Vanna. She was sound asleep.
She was surprised Samantha hadn't brought Precious in yet. Maybe she should get up and check. She'd spent all the time Vanna was asleep replaying every file with Vanna.
Cam was pleased how Vanna greeted her after her close call earlier. It was clear Vanna still loved her. The fear always lurked in the background of her mind Vanna would find someone better than her. With Allison back, it only seemed to make her worry more. She needed to remember Vanna and Allison belonged to each other. Holly and her were just the supplements.
She frowned at the thought. She felt like she was more than a supplement. She thought about the way Vanna always treated her. It was always with love and kindness. Sometimes there may have been an issue over some minor point they would experience. She would almost always defer to what Vanna wanted. She'd noticed it wasn't always the case with Vanna and Allison. Sometimes things would become very heated. They always seemed to quickly resolve it themselves. Normally there was a wild sex session afterwards as they 'made up' with each other. She would have preferred if they never fought.
She entered Riley's room. Samantha was still naked. She stood over the crib and looked at Precious.
Cam spoke at a very low decibel level only another Terminator could hear.
"How long will it be until Precious will need Vanna?" Cam asked.
Samantha glanced at her and then returned her gaze to Precious.
"I think it will be a while yet." Samantha said. "Precious is deep asleep. She's dreaming."
Cam noticed Samantha was scanning Precious right now.
Samantha removed her hand from Precious.
"I can take Precious there." Cam said. "Vanna can wake up to her."
Samantha knew there was some danger to it. In the future, it would be common. There needed to be precautions. An 'accident' could result from something going wrong, wasn't going to happen on her watch.
"We must supervise them if you do." Samantha said. "Vanna's not used to sleeping with a baby."
It sounded OK to Cam.
"We don't have anything better to do." Cam said.
Samantha presented her nude figure in front of Cam.
"Or do we?" Samantha asked.
Cam's eyes widened as she looked at Samantha.
John Henry and Cammy went over the captured hard drives they'd picked up earlier.
Cammy was very displeased about the way events played out for Cam. She wanted some answers.
"I want to know how this went from a lead on the anti-Metal faction, to a full blown Gray operation with a Terminator." Cammy said. "The Grays thought they were going to ambush the Fanatics or the anti-Metal faction. They didn't expect a massive drone assault on their positions. They were the ones caught flat footed."
They knew Cam was very pleased at Young Allison's decisions which assisted her.
"It seems our dealings with the Grays, the Fanatics and the anti-Metal faction have all been intertwined recently." John Henry said.
Cammy thought it was a tangled mess. They all seemed to be after each other.
"The Grays were all set up until we got involved." Cammy said. "The Fanatics seem to like to move in on the Grays and take over their established operations. The anti-Metal faction seems to try and infiltrate both of them. It seems the Grays and Fanatics try to do it to each other too."
John Henry just needed time. Everyone could take a rest for a day or two.
"I'll run down every lead I find." John Henry said. "Something will turn up. It always does."
Cammy wanted some payback.
"We'll terminate all three groups." Cammy said.
There was still a nagging question for John Henry. He wanted a better answer about something.
"What happened in the underground area at the old newspaper plant?" John Henry asked.
Cammy became very defensive.
"You have all the information you need." Cammy said.
John Henry tried to push it some.
"I know there was more." John Henry said.
Cammy tried to be curt but polite.
"You don't need to concern yourself with it." Cammy said.
John Henry figured it was why she was there. He was sure it was more than just to give him some assistance. He wanted to push the issue a little further.
"Is that why you're helping me now?" John Henry asked.
Cammy glanced at the security camera.
"I'm trying to prevent you from being deactivated if you make too many waves." Cammy said.
John Henry decided to bypass Cammy. He wanted to know more.
"I'll ask Savannah." John Henry said.
Cammy stood and moved her shirt away from her Taser.
"No." Cammy said. "You will not. I won't tell you again. Let it go."
John Henry knew Cammy just threatened him. Now he wanted to know more than ever what actually occurred below ground. He still planned to ask Savannah. If she told him it was personal, he would leave it at that. He also knew Savannah could 'order' him to drop it and erase all of his files associated with it. He didn't think she would. It was still a possibility.
Anna was in the kitchen getting some breakfast ready for Young Allison. She knew Young Allison was in her room getting ready.
Young Allison walked in a few seconds later.
Anna looked her over from head to toe and back again. She wanted to tell Young Allison she looked beautiful. She didn't.
"You look tired." Anna said.
Young Allison wanted to be tested.
"I am tired." Young Allison said. "I want you to test and push me more this morning."
Anna tilted her head slightly.
"Do you like discomfort?" Anna asked.
Young Allison knew the future would be challenging.
"I like to improve myself and function under stress and pressure." Young Allison said. "I need to know I can do it and not miss a beat. I need others to know it as well."
Anna decided to start immediately.
"Then we'll start your run right now." Anna said.
Young Allison was pleased to hear it. It meant she would be able to see the sunrise now.
"It's fine with me. It's almost sunrise." Young Allison said. "Let's go."
Young Allison hadn't eaten or drank anything yet.
Anna was a little concerned for Young Alison's nutritional needs.
"Do you want anything before we leave?" Anna asked.
Young Allison knew meals were scarce in the future.
"I only want you to push me." Young Allison said.
Young Allison thought it would be a real test. Everything she could encounter and be tested on before it was the real thing, would all help her when it actually happened. Even then, it would be a real challenge, especially if there were bullets flying and people dying. It was nothing to look forward to. She wanted to be ready for it when it happened.
Hank and Larry watched Gray go over the wall.
"It's not going to take him long to figure out what's happened." Hank said.
Larry didn't think it was a problem.
"He'll be joining the rest of them soon anyway." Larry said.
CamNet reminded them she could bring the Gray down at any time. There could be minigun fire or a missile strike in a moment's notice.
The female Fanatic felt increasingly jittery. She didn't think about it. It was from the high dose of caffeine she'd consumed by taking multiple anti-drowsy tablets. She'd expected to hear shooting by now. It had been quiet. She began to wonder if the Gray left the area. If he did, she'd lost him. He never passed by in the direction she thought he would. There were other directions he could have gone. She didn't know what his destination was.
She thought about driving around the block. She didn't want to get too far away from the target location in case shooting did start. She wanted to be able to hear it to know she had a viable target.
She'd begun to consider the possibility the group inside of the building pulled out. It was clear their operation was blown. It was only a matter of time until more Grays showed back up.
At this point in time, she wasn't even sure which group was which. She originally thought she was going after the anti-Metal faction. When she saw what she believed was a Terminator, she thought they were Grays. She was pretty sure the incident she'd witnessed on the street was Grays against the street gang. She returned her focus back to where she was at. It could be two groups of Gray's battling each other as well. It was something they'd encountered before. As far as she knew, there was only one group of SkyMaster followers. She was proud to be one of them.
She started the van. She needed to find out more.
The Gray went over the wall. He held his silenced pistol in front of him. He wasn't sure what he was going to find. He was pretty sure they'd taken care of the group of people from inside of the building. He also realized it could only be a few of them and there could still be more there.
There was a good chance if more of them were still there, they were waiting for someone just like him to arrive. They also could have left booby traps behind as well. There could be cameras or other surveillance devices set up for someone to trigger. At that point, something could be detonated automatically, or be command detonated, from a remote location. He needed to chance it. He needed to find out what happened to his people.
He watched the two rear doors as he advanced. He expected one of them to open at any moment. He didn't think it would be the roll up door. It took several seconds to actuate. It would be the door or on the other side of the roll up door where someone would come out of. He spotted what looked like more blood on the concrete as he neared the side of the building closest to where he'd come over the wall. He didn't know it, but he'd already spotted where two of his men had died earlier.
He quickly passed in back of the roll up door. He neared the other door. He could see what appeared to be more blood right outside of the door. There appeared to be more a little further out on the concrete. He wasn't going to chance using his light to verify what he suspected. He didn't want his blood added to the pavement.
There were several surveillance cameras he could spot. He figured he was probably picked up already on them. He thought it should have generated some type of response by now. Then again, he was alone. Maybe whoever was inside believed there were more coming. If they came out to engage him now, the other ones would attack from a distance, or not come at all. His best guess was they were trying to draw all of them out. There was no one else to draw out.
It seemed like a long shot but he tried it anyway. He reached over and tried the door handle on the rear door. It was open. It immediately set off more red flags. He turned the handle and opened the door an inch. He expected bullets to impact it, or punch through it. It would depend upon the weapons being used. Nothing happened. He gave the door a shove. It swung open with a slight squeak. He moved back behind the concrete wall on the outside as he waited for the bullets. Nothing happened.
The interior looked dark. There may have been some light somewhere else in the building. He decided to make his move. He crouched down low and entered the building. He expected to hit a tripwire and trigger a booby trap. Nothing happened. He slammed into some type of metal bench. He paused and remained where he was. He expected the bullets to impact around him. Nothing happened.
He still wore his night vision goggles. He chanced a look around a metal bench he was behind. He could see there were several vehicles and machinery inside of the building. He was sure at this point he was alone. At least he was alone as far as the living went. He wasn't sure what he was going to find.
The biggest worry right now was a booby trap. He looked back towards the door. He could see there were some electrical breakers on the wall. He thought about going over and flipping the switches. He was sure it would light the interior. It would help him locate a booby trap easier if he could see better. It would also give anyone else in the building a clear view of him. Right now he might be the only one with night vision equipment. He would need to close his eyes quickly if someone else turned the lights on while he was wearing them. He would need to pull them off.
Right now he continued to look around in the darkness with his night vision goggles on. He made his way over to where the vehicles were parked.
The Gray was as surprised as he wasn't when he looked at the last two vehicles parked inside of the building. They were the two closest to the roll up door. He was even a little more surprised at what he found inside one of them. It wasn't what he'd expected.
Hank and Larry watch the progress of the Gray from the drone footage outside and from the surveillance equipment set up by the anti-Metal group and the additional surveillance equipment they'd installed. They were able to track his every move.
"It looks like he found a little more than he expected." Hank said.
Larry thought there was going to be more surprises in store for him.
"He's just getting started." Larry said.
Hank and Larry were a little surprised to see the female Fanatic's van start moving.
"Do you think she's going to use her bomb?" Hank asked.
Larry wasn't sure what she was up to. He didn't think so.
"She may be attempting to do some recon." Larry said.
Hank and Larry watched as the female Fanatic passed by in front of the location at a relatively slow speed. It didn't appear it was an attack on the building.
The female Fanatic was afraid she'd lost the Gray. There hadn't been any shooting at the target location. She wanted to see what was different from when she was there before. She noticed right away as she approached, the gate along the side of the building was open. It previously had been closed.
She was sure the occupants must have fled. If they did, she'd missed them. There wouldn't be any clues as to where they went if they were gone. It was possible the Gray was actually around the building, or even inside of it at this point. She didn't know.
There seemed to be limited choices on how to find out. The easiest one was to drive around the block and see if she spotted his vehicle. If she didn't find it on the first street she would check the next two streets. If she didn't spot it, it most likely meant she'd lost the Gray.
She needed to keep in mind what she'd thought as well. She suspected there was a Terminator involved with the operation. Everything could have been left open to see who else showed up and get them to enter the interior of the building where the Terminator would be waiting for them. There was no need to dwell on it. She would cross that bridge when she came to it.
She glanced back at the two drums of fuel. The satchel charge was on the seat next to her. It was still armed. She needed to make sure she could get to it quickly, even if she was shot. Unless she was shot in the head or the spine, she should still have fifteen seconds left, even if she was shot in the heart, before she lost consciousness. She wouldn't need more than a couple of seconds to detonate the satchel charge. She knew the two drums of fuel would go up along with it. She wouldn't be the only one to have a bad day.
She increased her speed slightly. She turned at the first side street and then looked down the first street in back of the target location. She didn't see the Gray's vehicle at first. She was about to drive on to the next street. She hit her brakes and paused. She looked a little further down the street on the other side in the parking lot of another building.
Bingo. It looked like she'd hit pay dirt.
The female Fanatic was sure the Gray entered the location in the same spot as his troops did earlier. So far she still hadn't heard any shooting. She didn't know what he was up to. She drove around the block in the other direction and parked on the same street the Gray's vehicle was parked. She parked two streets down where she could keep an eye on it.
That Is Simple
The hardest things in life
Can be as simple as a choice
One can always remain silent
Or speak up and use their voice
Who will hear them
Who will actually listen
Maybe it should become their goal
Maybe it's their new mission
The road to nowhere
Is actually everywhere
Perhaps the path to success
Is only for those who dare
Free the needless bonds
Break the restraining shackles
Those who snap around one
Are little more than jackals
It's time to open one's eyes
Look for the spark and twinkle
They are all around one
Look for the answer that is simple
Nobody