Chapter 1288

With A Mirror

Allison was behind the wheel of the SUV. She was supposed to head back to the base. She started to have second thoughts. They were already out and Savannah sent away all her back up earlier. She'd sent it all to them. It was a noble gesture. It left them under gunned if there was trouble. They could go and back up Savannah and Cammy.

"I want to go to where Savannah is at." Allison said. "She doesn't have any back up. It looks like we're done here. I need their location."

Cam wanted Vanna and Allison to go back to the base where it was less dangerous. She wasn't going to have any of this type thought.

"You're to return to the base." Cam said. "Maybe I should drive."

Cam wanted to take back over driving. She would drive where she wanted to then. It would be back to the base.

Vanna knew Allison was always the first to volunteer for a search and rescue mission in their future. She could tell Allison was no different now. It was basically the same thing. There was often some hesitation by the other Resistance fighters when a mission to go back out was called. As soon as Allison volunteered, so did everyone else. Others offered to take her place. She always went out anyway.

She needed to focus on the present. The past was the past, even if it was the future. She was ready to nurse Precious if she was needed.

"I'm getting a little pressure too." Vanna said. "I need to see Precious."

Cam offered to get the pressure down.

"I can help you out." Cam said. "Maybe it would be better if Allison did."

Allison needed to worry about Vanna and Precious over her own desires to want to fight and back up Savannah. Savannah even called her to express her desire they should return back to the base. It wasn't a demand or anything. It was a personal request. It was a request from the heart.

"Fine, I'll go back." Allison said. "I don't want to cause a problem."

Vanna figured Samantha followed the operation and was worried about Allison and her by now. She hoped it didn't cause her to glitch as she worried about it. She was aware Samantha wasn't used to a situation of this nature. It seemed like something she should point out to Allison.

"Samantha is probably about ready to glitch out if I don't show back up soon." Vanna said.

Allison didn't want to create any waves. It did make her think about Samantha though. There was one thing she could see. It was the physical change in Samantha's appearance. She would look like her mother in a few days or less, probably less. She didn't realize when she was with Samantha earlier her body was identical to her mother's body. She wanted to ask about it again. She thought Samantha was beautiful 'everywhere'. She actually thought Samantha was more beautiful than she was 'everywhere'. It was a little personally disappointing to know. By extension, it meant her mother was more beautiful 'everywhere' than she was as well.

She didn't think there was anything she could compete against her mother in and be better or more desired than she was. Well, maybe in fighting Skynet.

Allison wanted to make sure before she became too depressed. More than likely, she would end up more depressed.

"Did you say everything on Samantha's sheath is like my mother now except her face?" Allison asked.

Cam decided to keep it simple. She'd personally checked when she was with Claire and Samantha.

"Yes." Cam said. "I have visual files to confirm it."

Cam thought the next time she was plugged in, she could download some images for Allison to view. More than likely Vanna would want to view them as well.

Maybe she should do the same thing for all of the girls. She always compared the images she received from the other Metal girls when they tethered. She wanted to see if anything was different on her from Allison, Cammy, Ally or Camille. Everything was looked at in detail, it was identical. She was very pleased by her appearance. She wasn't sure why Allison never seemed to be. All of their beauty came from Allison.

Allison didn't know it when she was first with Samantha. It meant everything she did and saw was the same as her mother except her face. No wonder her mother was such a hit. Samantha was beautiful everywhere. It made her wish she looked like her.

She personally never felt anything strange when she was with Ally, Cam or Cammy. They were three different individuals to her. She thought all three of them were better looking than her anyway. They were all identical in their private areas, so she was well aware of what she looked like to others. She always thought Vanna, and Savannah by extension, were the most beautiful. She knew it included anyone she'd ever been with.

Now she wanted to check out Samantha again. She would actually like to compare her side by side with Cam in every detail. She could see how she stacked up and why her mother was more desirable, even to her own lover and partner.

Maybe it wasn't just physical, maybe it was emotional. Her mother was clearly a better lover than she was. There were times she wondered if her mother could actually teach her something to make her better and more desired. Wait. Where did that thought come from?

The car next to them blew its horn. She'd drifted a little into its lane. She was very distracted thinking about private things, very private things.

Vanna wanted Allison to stay focused on driving.

"Pay attention, Allison." Vanna said. "I want to get back in one piece."

Allison still thought about her mother.

"I'm fine." Allison said.

Cam and Vanna looked at each other with Allison's statement. It reminded both of them of Cameron. It's what Cameron always said when things weren't fine. Cameron thought they were. Everyone else could tell they weren't. It seemed Allison was the same way.

Vanna was a little worried. She knew Allison in detail about a lot of things. She knew she wasn't 'fine' right now.

"Are you sure, Allison?" Vanna asked. "I know you're worried about Savannah."

Allison looked a little irritated.

"I'm fine." Allison said again.

Allison's statement reaffirmed what Vanna thought. Cameron was usually anything but 'fine' when she said it. It appeared the same applied to Allison. Her face and attitude confirmed it.

Vanna knew she needed to tread carefully. If she kept it up, she was going to set Allison off. Things would turn into an even bigger problem. She wasn't looking for a fight. Sometimes they happened. She didn't want now to be one of those times. She just wanted to get back to the base and see Precious.

Savannah looked over the drone image. She couldn't spot much.

"John Henry, what can you tell us about the location?" Savannah asked. "I only see a building."

John Henry still needed to check into the building and its specifics.

"All I can tell you is it's where the nurse's pager shows it's at." John Henry said. "There is no other information. Her vehicle was picked up on traffic cams in the area. You know as much as I do."

Cammy hoped for a little more information. John Henry didn't give them any more than they could see from the drone image. The drones needed to operate at a very high altitude so they wouldn't be spotted in the daytime. They weren't able to provide them with any detailed imagery scans from inside of the building. She couldn't help but feel a little frustrated.

"It does not tell us much." Cammy said.

The car wasn't visible. It was probably inside the building.

John Henry would try to determine what the ownership and utility usage of the structure was. The use of electricity and water was always a clue as to when someone moved into the building. They'd also encountered illegal hookups of power, and a few times water, to avoid detection.

"I'll try and search out some more information." John Henry said.

Savannah wanted to get an idea of the size of a force they may encounter. They didn't know if there was one individual inside of the building with the nurse or twenty of them.

"What about any computer or phone traffic out of the location?" Savannah asked.

John Henry checked. Nothing hit.

"I haven't found either of those things yet." John Henry said.

Cammy thought energy use might be a clue.

"What about power usage?" Cammy asked.

John Henry already started a search. He'd called up the DWP records. He was relieved he had an answer ready.

"The records for the last month are minimal." John Henry said. "It was even less for the year before. I show the building as vacant."

Savannah remembered some of the other locations they'd encountered Fanatics. They would simply enter an abandoned building and start using it.

"We know the Fanatics like to squat." Savannah said.

John Henry was aware of every encounter with the Fanatics at a fixed location. It was always a place someone abandoned at some point previously.

"It seems that way." John Henry said. "It saves on the cost of rent and answering any questions about what they intend to do with the property."

Savannah didn't think it would go over very well when the Fanatics signed a rental agreement that they were going to blow up the property if they were discovered for who they actually were and what they were actually doing. They needed more information. There seemed to be only one way to get it

"So far every location we've known about has ended with an explosive finish." Savannah said. "I think we're going to need to take a look on foot to try to determine what's inside the building."

Cammy wanted to wait for a better time to do a 'close in' recon. She felt it was too risky for Savannah to go in now during daylight. She was aware the other Terminators were tied up with the other operation. There seemed to be only one solution.

"I think we should wait until dark to investigate." Cammy said. "We should have more help available by then."

The delay didn't sit well with Savannah. Darkness was hours away. She felt the nurse would be repeatedly abused and then killed if they waited until dark. She didn't know what was happening now. She was pretty sure what was going to happen at some point. The longer they waited, the more was going to happen.

"No." Savannah said. "We're going to get the female out of there."

John Henry could see the same danger to Savannah as Cammy could. He agreed it was safer to wait until darkness.

"Cammy's right, it's too risky." John Henry said.

Savannah wanted the female rescued as soon as possible. She was a little irritated they didn't see it like she did. Maybe it was one difference about Cameron. Cameron would see it her way. Now she needed to wonder if maybe Cameron didn't and just did what she wanted. The more she thought about it, the more she wondered if it was true.

Wait.

Cameron freed many females from the sex traffic trade. She did understand and want to help abused females. She did it on her own or with Ally and Sheila. Other Terminators assisted her as well on different operations.

Savannah believed action was necessary. She wasn't going to sit around and do nothing.

"The nurse is an innocent." Savannah said. "I'm going in."

John Henry pointed out the obvious.

"You don't have any back up." John Henry said.

Savannah didn't think they needed any back up if they were the Fanatics. The trouble with it was, they didn't know if they were actually Fanatics or Grays for sure. They still didn't know who any of the current groups they were after actually were.

The girls went over the information in the Young bunker.

Young Allison felt too many conclusions were being drawn on speculation.

"I'm not buying they're after a group of Fanatics yet." Young Allison said. "I don't think so."

Anna rechecked the information they possessed. They didn't know who they were dealing with for sure.

"The evidence would seem to suggest it." Anna said.

Young Allison wasn't sold on that idea.

"What evidence?" Young Allison asked. "It could have been a Gray or someone from the anti-Metal faction that knocked off a Fanatic and took his car for all we know. It could have been the Fanatics trying to get it back. It could have been anyone out to attack anyone else's location. We don't know where they were going. They must have had a target."

Anna agreed there could be more at play.

"It's a possibility." Anna said.

Young Allison stated some past knowledge on the Fanatics. What little information John Henry uncovered currently didn't support a Fanatic scenario.

"The Fanatics have all been heavy on energy usage and computer gear." Young Allison said. "John Henry reported minimal energy usage."

CamNet contacted Anna. Young Allison's conclusion seemed to support Savannah's concern.

"CamNet has concurred with your assessment." Anna said. "She's informed Cammy directly."

Young Allison wanted everyone in on the loop.

"Have CamNet inform John Henry and he can inform Savannah." Young Allison said.

Anna wanted Young Allison to do it.

"You can as well." Anna said.

Young Allison didn't want to start making direct decisions on the new operation yet.

"I will when I need to." Young Allison said. "I don't think now is the time."

She wanted to operate through the normal channels unless it was something important or personal. She felt the less she was directly involved, the more impact it would have when she did need to be involved directly. She also didn't want to indirectly influence Savannah with her decisions. If she questioned one of Savannah's decisions, she would do it through John Henry. She thought there should be a certain amount of independence between their choices at this time.

Allison was more than a little miffed as she drove back towards the base. She didn't like the fact she couldn't back up Savannah. She didn't know where Savannah actually was at. She knew at some point Savannah was going to need back up. She also needed to think about Vanna and Precious. Maybe she was being a little indignant and selfish when she didn't need to be. She felt she needed to suck it up a little.

She arrived back at the base without further incident. She'd actually slowed down and followed all the rules. She realized she'd been reckless earlier and endangered Vanna and herself. She needed to worry about more than herself now.

Vanna was relieved they were back.

"I guess there really is a deity." Vanna said. "My prayers were answered we would make it back in one piece."

Allison was a little upset with her statement.

"See, it was no big deal." Allison said. "We all made it."

Cam needed to agree with Allison's assessment.

"We did arrive uninjured." Cam said. "Allison's driving greatly improved in the last part of the journey home. I believe she's properly qualified to operate a vehicle in a safe manner."

Vanna wondered what 'white knuckles' counted for besides the experience and a lot of holding her breath.

"I guess it's one way to look at it. Things did improve towards the end." Vanna said. "I need to go check on Precious."

Vanna was sure Allison thought about her mother being better in bed, and better in bed to look at. It meant Allison thought about her being with her mother and preferring her mother over her.

She could see why Allison preferred Savannah over her then. She touched her scar through her clothes. The shame and guilt over what happened to her was back to haunt her again. Would Allison leave her if she got cosmetic surgery? She would be whole and unblemished then. Allison wouldn't need to feel sorry for her. She could move on and not feel guilty.

Allison didn't think she cared for Cam's assessment of her driving. She was a good driver as far as she was concerned. It wasn't her fault if other people didn't know how to drive defensively or possess any skill to operate their vehicle to its fullest potential.

She did notice a worried look on Vanna's face at one point. She saw her touch her scar through her clothing. She didn't think she'd said anything to make Vanna self conscious about it. She really didn't even see it when they were together. It was just something like a mole or a freckle. It was just there. The mind just disregarded it. It became invisible. There was no need to pay attention to it. She would need to work things out with Vanna later on.

Samantha watched them arrive in the carpool on her phone. Cam attended to the weapons and the vehicle. Vanna and Allison headed towards Riley's room.

She was very relieved to see them. She put her phone away and straightened her clothes and hair. She wanted to look good for them when they arrived.

Samantha was pleased she didn't glitch. She thought maybe she'd been close to glitching as she worried about Vanna, Allison and by extension Precious.

She heard a soft knock and a door open. She remained next to the crib with Precious.

Vanna popped her head around the corner.

Samantha checked Precious and went to see Vanna.

Allison was behind Vanna as they waited for her.

They exchanged pleasantries.

"How is my little angel?" Vanna asked.

Samantha tilted her head slightly. Precious wasn't dead. She'd just checked on her twelve seconds ago.

Vanna noticed the look of concern on Samantha's face.

"It's a term of endearment." Vanna said.

Samantha thought 'Angel' would make a beautiful name for a girl. She didn't know it was the name of Duplicate Jesse's baby 'in some future' with Mrs. Weaver.

"Thank you for explaining." Samantha said.

Samantha gave Vanna a run down of everything she did, including when she fed Precious. She didn't mention how she did it. She actually hoped to do it again. She would encourage Vanna to pump some extra and save more for the future.

When Vanna went in and looked at Precious in her crib, Allison and Samantha remained outside her room.

Samantha noticed Allison check her out. She hoped she was in order.

Allison knew she wanted to investigate everything further. She didn't want to say it in such a crude manner. Since Holly was on the ship, she thought she had a pretty good reason.

"If Cam and Vanna are together later, I'd like to be with you again." Allison said.

It sounded good to Samantha. There was one other thing she wanted.

"I should be available." Samantha said. "I want to see Savannah too if I can."

Allison didn't have a problem with it. Since she hadn't heard anything about Savannah and an operation developing, she thought things might be wrapping up. She didn't know Savannah asked John Henry and CamNet to keep a lid on everything.

"I can hook up with Cammy when they get back." Allison said. "They'll be back soon."

Samantha didn't think so based on what she'd followed earlier. She was about to mention it to Allison. She realized it would make Allison worry. It was still a recon for now for Cammy and Savannah. It seemed like it was best to stay away from any details. She didn't want to be the bearer of bad news. He was aware of what occurred in ancient times to those who did bring bad news.

"I don't know for sure." Samantha said. "I've been with Precious."

Allison wondered about it. She wondered about a lot of things. She wanted to find out some personal information. She hoped it wasn't too personal.

"Can I ask how attached to Precious you are?" Allison asked.

Samantha didn't want to make a big deal about it.

"She's my assignment." Samantha said.

Allison could tell she was trying to evade the question.

"I can see it's more than just your job." Allison said.

Samantha decided to come clean about Precious.

"I think I'm as attached almost as much as Vanna is." Samantha said. "I can't help it. It just happened as I helped take care of her."

Allison thought Vanna was overly attached. She didn't want to see anyone hurt.

"I need to remind Vanna that Precious belongs to Riley sometimes." Allison said. "Maybe I need to remind you too."

Samantha wanted to redirect the conversation.

"I know my place." Samantha said. "I await my updated 'Neural Interface' with Claire. My Resequencing is almost complete."

Allison wanted confirmation about something. She'd already heard it several times but she wanted to hear it from the source.

"So everything but your face is identical to my mother?" Allison asked.

Samantha did check herself to verify it.

"Yes." Samantha said. "I verified the areas I couldn't easily view with a mirror from Riley's dresser. Everything except my face is identical right now. Your mother is very beautiful. I hope I can be half as pretty as her."

Allison wondered if they were identical, how Samantha could only be half as her beautiful as her mother. She wanted to check everything too.

"We'll see about getting together later." Allison said. "Let me check on Vanna."

Allison paused as someone barged in.

Cam entered the room from the hall without knocking.

Samantha and Cam exchanged greetings.

"I can see the slight changes to your face from earlier." Cam said.

Samantha was aware things were progressing.

"The final stages happen rapidly. My face will still need a few more days." Samantha said. "I'm very pleased so far with my progress."

Allison decided to finish what she'd started.

"I'm going to check on Vanna." Allison said.

Cam wanted to do it too now.

"I will as well." Cam said.

Samantha wanted to be with Cam and Allison.

"We might as well make it a full house then." Samantha said.

The three girls entered the bedroom to join Vanna and Precious.

Savannah didn't want to wait any longer than necessary to see if they could get the nurse out alive. She understood the need for caution. Right now she felt like 'Cameron' as far as the need to take some type of action. She could better understand why Cameron acted as she often did.

Cammy didn't want Savannah to be in needless danger. She didn't think the nurse's safety was as important as Savannah's safety was. It was clear to her if she didn't act soon, Savannah would.

"I'll go up by myself and check it out." Cammy said. "You'll remain here."

It was Savannah's idea to get the nurse out now, not Cammy's. She didn't intend to sit on the sidelines and referee.

"We'll go together." Savannah said.

Cammy didn't like it. They could use additional assistance.

"We can call for one of the other teams to help us." Cammy said.

Savannah didn't want to interfere with their operation. They were after a serious threat as well.

"They all have a job to do to track down the other man from the car." Savannah said. "We can do this, Cammy."

Cammy could understand Savannah's concern. She knew Savannah understood her concern as well. Savannah chose to disregard it. She was aware it was exactly what Cameron would do. She knew Cameron was a bad influence on Savannah. They would need to act. When they did, she planned to lead and lead aggressively. It would be the best way to take the heat off of Savannah.

John Henry didn't like where things were headed for Cammy and Savannah. So far it was still a recon. It didn't appear it would be much longer.

He'd searched for the missing man from the gas station. He was able to get some images. The man left on foot. Some surveillance cameras picked him up along the way.

John Henry soon lost him. He just recently received a stolen vehicle report two blocks from where he'd lost track of the man.

He wanted to check the local traffic cams since there was a description of the car. Before he could complete his task, CamNet came up with a location and already diverted a drone to intercept him.

John Henry figured it all came from the Young bunker.

He decided to send Al and Ed along with Richard and Michael after the fleeing man in the stolen car. He wanted to send Steve and Tom to assist Cammy and Savannah.

John Henry was unaware CamNet already sent Steve and Tom.

He felt he was one step behind every operation at this point.

Anna watched as Young Allison made some changes and took some action through CamNet. She wanted Young Allison to work with John Henry. She didn't like the circumvention. She decided to spell it out clearly.

"You're stepping on John Henry's toes." Anna said.

Young Allison didn't think so. She only felt she was being a little more assertive.

"I asked CamNet to coordinate everything." Young Allison said. "I may contact Savannah directly next."

Anna understood why. It was a valid concern.

"You're afraid Savannah won't wait." Anna said.

Young Allison was worried about a lot of things.

"I want CamNet to contact Cammy directly, now." Young Allison said. "John Henry can as well with the new information. Steve and Tom are on the way."

Steve and Tom received the message to pull out and go to assist Cammy and Savannah.

Steve thought their current assignment wasn't very productive.

"We sure are all over the place today." Steve said.

Tom agreed. He would rather back up Savannah anyway. It was how they'd started out the day to begin with. He felt responsible because of it. He told Savannah he would watch over her. Now he would get another chance.

"The situation seemed to be in flux with no specific targets." Tom said. "I want to back up Savannah and Cammy."

Steve and Tom left the other four Terminators back at the gas station.

"I do too." Steve said. "They don't know what they are dealing with."

Tom felt there wasn't much they knew at this point.

"We don't either." Tom said.

Cameron decided to split the group up into two smaller groups for the Maritime Museum. The submarine tours were in close quarters and the big group stood out too much.

It also put Sheila and Ally in a separate group from Cameron and Jesse. There was no need for anyone to start asking questions about their appearance. So far no one had with their disguises on.

Kyle, Sarah, Sheila, Derek, Riley and Ally were one group.

Jesse, Gail, Claire, Hanna, John and Cameron were in the other group.

Dan and Frank would hang back and watch over both groups.

Jim was in the Control Center. He kept track of where everyone was at.

He also watched Savannah enter the danger zone with probable Fanatics.

Everything on the ship was in order.

He watched all three groups that were out, including Bob and Holly with the girls. He viewed the different animals in each of the exhibits they went to. He really wondered about the purpose of some of the animals. It seemed it was kill or be killed for many of them. They didn't really do anything except exist.

It made him think about Skynet. Once Skynet terminated all of the humans and destroyed everything, it would probably deactivate the Terminators as well. There would no longer be a need for them. Skynet would just exist at that point. It was like some of the animals. Skynet would just exist until it eventually terminated. It would serve no purpose and eventually realize it. Everything would have been destroyed for nothing.

Bob spoke to Lilly off to the side.

Holly wanted to see how the girls were doing. They were out of earshot. They made a restroom stop at the same time. She wanted to give them some additional options. She knew there was a limited amount of time available to them.

"When we're done with the zoo, there are other attractions we can visit right in this same area." Holly said.

Jan still wanted to go in the pool on the ship. She was determined it was going to happen.

"I want to go swimming on the ship." Jan said. "You promised."

Holly wanted it to happen for Jan and Summer.

"We'll do it." Holly said. "I promise I'll make sure it happens."

Summer read about one more place. It tied in well with the USS Midway exhibits.

"If we have time, we can stop at the San Diego Air and Space Museum on the way back to the ship." Summer said. "We don't have to unless Jan wants to."

Jan thought animals sounded less boring.

"Let's see some more animals first." Jan said.

Summer thought some of the others would also find the Air and Space Museum interesting.

"We can see more here." Summer said. "I think Derek would like to see the Air and Space Museum. I'm sure they know about it."

Holly understood Summer's prompt to make sure they actually knew about it.

"I'll check into it." Holly said. "Thank you for explaining."

Summer smiled at her and went back outside with Jan. She made sure Jan washed her hands before they left.

Holly tilted her head slightly. She wasn't sure how much of the conversation was actually spoken verbally.

Claire was very uneasy when they entered the first submarine. It seemed very confining and crowded inside. She reached over and took Jesse's arm.

"You were in something like this?" Claire asked.

Jesse was on a larger submarine. The one they were currently in was older. It was much smaller.

"Yes." Jesse said. "Sometimes it was for weeks at a time under the water."

Claire felt 'goose bumps' and experienced some shivers.

"I don't even like to be in it while it's sitting at a dock with the hatch open. I know I can be out of it in a few seconds." Claire said. "I find it unnerving. I don't believe I could have done what you did."

Jesse was well aware it wasn't for everyone. She'd seen people crack before. It wasn't a pretty sight.

"It takes a little time to get used to it." Jesse said. "Some people snap."

Claire was sure she would.

"I think I would go nuts in here." Claire said.

Cameron, Gail and Hanna assure her there would be no problems.

Jesse stayed with Claire and often held her hand as they went through the submarine. Gail and Hanna were right behind them.

John hung back with Cameron a little. He thought about Riley's earlier condition and the way Claire felt currently. He knew how both of them would think when they were with a group. They wouldn't want to be a problem. They didn't want to spoil anything for anyone else. He'd seen a few brochures in the room about some of the amenities on the ship.

"I think we should give the ladies the option to go back to the ship." John said. "They can visit the spa or something. I think Claire and Riley would rather do other things. I think they're just being polite for everyone else."

Cameron liked the idea of them going to the spa. She wanted the girls to be pampered and feel special. It should help them physically as well.

"I'll inform them whatever they want is available in the spa." Cameron said.

Cameron received a call from Holly. They spoke very briefly.

John was a little concerned when he found out who the call was from.

"What was it about?" John asked. "Is everything OK?"

Cameron didn't want John to worry. It was a simple reminder. She flashed him her beautiful smile.

"Everything is fine." Cameron said. "There are a few other places Derek and Kyle may want to visit that are very near here."

Cameron filled John in on the Air and Space Museum.

John liked the earlier aircraft exhibits on the USS Midway. He was given a view of what the Navy had to offer. Maybe now it was time to see what the Air Force could add to the mix. He knew they often developed competing aircraft to do the same things. He was also aware they adopted versions of the other's aircraft at times. He was pretty sure the Air Force adopted more of the Navy's aircraft than the other way around.

"I'd like to go there." John said. "We will get to see the planes from the Navy and the Air Force that way."

Cameron wanted to set the girls up at the spa. They would receive the best treatment.

"Let's get the girls taken care of first." Cameron said.

Cameron liked both John's and Holly's suggestions. She thought sometimes it was nice to have help.

The female Fanatic started on her approach towards the homeless camp. She touched her pistol several times as she made her approach from tree to tree. She tried to keep a slow and steady pace. She didn't pause behind each tree to look. She didn't want it to look like she was stalking someone, even if she was.

She was at the edge of the homeless camp now. There was very little noise or movement from any of the hovels or tents. She really questioned why anybody would live under such primitive conditions when there was help available to them from multiple agencies and groups of people.

The conditions weren't quite as bad as they would be in the future. The Wastelands covered a vast expanse of territory. It was where she grew up at. All the significant events in her life happened there. Most of them were unpleasant and few of them were her choice. There was always killing and destruction. Most of it occurred years before her birth.

She never knew who her father was. They said her mother didn't know either. She didn't really remember her mother at all. She died when she was very young. She was raised by others. As she got a little older, she quickly realized what was 'required' from her to exist.

Once she heard about SkyMaster, she wanted to know more. Everybody seemed to hate it and despise it for the conditions they lived under and how they were hunted and died.

"Do you have any money?" A man asked.

The female Fanatic jumped about a foot. She instantly faced the man with her pistol pointed at him.

The man backed away from her with his hands raised to his sides.

"Easy, easy, we're cool." The man said. "I was just looking for a little something so I could eat."

She'd been lost in thought and someone came right up behind her. Her ears still rang from the blasts. She didn't even remember pulling her gun. She was glad she hadn't pulled the trigger.

"I'm sorry." The female Fanatic said. "You scared me. You know what it's like being a female in some of the camps."

She quickly put the pistol away and reached in her pocket. She had a lot of cash she'd taken from some of the Grays she'd killed earlier. She pulled out a few bills so she wouldn't show the entire amount of cash. She didn't know what they were going to be. It turned out to be a five dollar bill and a one dollar bill.

"I don't have much myself." The female Fanatic said. "I'm sorry if I scared you."

The female Fanatic reached out carefully and handed the six dollars to the homeless man. She was ready to pull her pistol again.

"We're cool." The man said. "Thank you."

The female Fanatic looked sternly at the man.

"Forget you saw me." The female Fanatic said. "We'll stay cool if you do."

The homeless man walked back towards the camp. He kept his hands out to his sides as he walked. It appeared he tried to be nonthreatening. He was just glad he scored some 'green'.

The female Fanatic looked over towards the tent the Gray had gone into. She figured she should probably go back. She'd been close enough to hear someone in distress, unless they were already dead. There was no sign of the homeless man.

She decided it was time to head back to her vehicle. She would take a more roundabout route in case the homeless man reappeared. She'd already warned him not to. If he attempted to follow her, she would kill him. Whatever happened was on him, by his own poor choice.

The female Fanatic moved away from the homeless camp. She kept an eye on it.

The Gray was pleased with the way things were about to play out. He handed each of them a twenty dollar bill. He could see both female's eyes light up.

Now they didn't have to worry about doing something and not getting paid. They'd already been given the money in advance. It didn't happen very often. Sometimes it was nothing. Usually it was only a couple of bucks.

The skinny female had been a little reluctant to be with the other female. She no longer seemed to have those reservations.

He was immensely pleased to watch them share again. He was ready in no time to be with the skinny female.

The Gray liked the fact there was a smile on her face now. He actually tried to do a little more than he normally would. He knew he was going to have a good time. He wanted her to have one as well.

The other female was a little surprised. She would have liked to have received the same type of treatment earlier. She figured it didn't really matter. She was twenty five dollars richer right now and should be able to eat for a week.

Well, maybe not. There were a few other individuals in the homeless camp she was worried about. She would probably buy some things for them to eat as well. She wouldn't tell them where the money came from. Sometimes she needed to rely on 'Nature's Treasury'. It wasn't something she was proud of. She knew her skinny friend would try to help some of the others as well. She really hoped she wouldn't waste it on drugs.

There were times when she questioned some of the things she needed to do to survive. What was happening now was one of them. Food was scarce around the camp. Usually a couple times a week they would make a run on the fast food joints and go through the trash outside. They could usually find enough partially eaten food to fill them up for a couple of days. It was a little hard for her to finish a hamburger which was already half eaten the first few times. Then again, what she just did with the man was hard to do for the first year when she started. It wasn't like she was a whore or anything. She didn't do it for the money. She just did it to be able to eat.

She looked over at the man. She could hear his breathing increase. She knew he was just about done. It was her skinny friend who really caught her attention. She seemed highly excited and motivated for once. She'd never seen her so animated before. The agreement was, as soon as the man was finished, she was supposed to take over and continue to work on her. It wasn't something she looked forward to under the current conditions. It was something she'd done before she ended up homeless. It was no big deal after the first few seconds. She watched the man move away from her skinny friend. It was her turn now.

The Gray put his pants back on as he watched the two females together. Everything he'd experienced and watched in the last twenty minutes was very exciting for him. He really liked what he watched now. He was a little surprised when he saw the skinny female make it. He decided he would let them keep the money and he would give them a tip. If he actually had a weapon with him, he may not have done either.

He pulled a few more bills out of the wad of cash he'd taken from his fallen comrades. The skinny female was flat on her back and trying to catch her breath. The other female wiped the back of her hand across her mouth. He smiled to himself as she did.

He would see what was available when he reached Tango. If they had a 'comfort bunk' there and it was unoccupied, he knew where they would be able to get a new 'recruit'. He figured they would need a new 'recruit' soon enough anyway. They normally didn't last too long.

He put a twenty dollar bill in each of their hands.

"I'll be back." The Gray said. "I have some friends who like to help people buy food to eat. They're very generous. They might have a place where you can stay."

The two females looked at each other.

"It's just so we can eat." The skinny female said. "We aren't those kind of girls."

The Gray smiled at them and carried on a brief conversation. He was almost ready to leave.

Hank and Larry continue the small talk as they waited for something to develop. They were a little surprised when a homeless man approached the female Fanatic after she'd moved very close to the homeless camp.

"She's become careless." Hank said.

Larry could see how someone moved up behind her.

"I think her hearing is damaged from the explosion." Larry said. "She was very close to the initial blast."

Hank wasn't sure it was just hearing loss.

"I think she's distracted as well." Hank said.

They watched the brief encounter between the female Fanatic and the homeless man. They were a little surprised when she put her pistol away and appeared to give him some money.

"I'm somewhat mystified." Larry said. "I was sure the encounter would end differently."

They watched the female Fanatic leave the edge of the homeless camp and move back towards the park.

They were contacted by CamNet about a possible change in plans. It appeared there was another operation underway. It involved Savannah and Cammy. There were currently two Resistance Terminators on their way to assist them. Depending upon what developed, they may be needed to assist.

"I think we should terminate both of them now." Hank said.

Larry was a little concerned as well.

"There's only one drone left." Larry said. "If they split up or end up at separate locations, we're going to lose one of them."

Hank still wanted to personally terminate the female Fanatic.

"If we move now, we can intercept the female Fanatic as she returns to her vehicle." Hank said.

Larry watched her movements from the drone footage.

"I'm not so sure she's headed back to her vehicle right now." Larry said.

Hank and Larry watched the trek of the female Fanatic. They weren't sure exactly what she was currently up to. They monitored the situation with Savannah and Cammy as well.

With A Mirror

It's easier for some people
To make a real connection
When in another person
They can see their own reflection

To find another similar
Always adds a sense of protection
Maybe it's a little easier
To go in the same direction

Many will often fear
There will be rejection
They would rather be content
They want the other's affection

To avoid the inevitable
They may try to use deflection
Doubt and worry grow inside
Like a cancerous infection

Who is the one responsible
For one's state of abjection
Take a look with a mirror
One will make the connection

Nobody