Chapter 1289
A Little Extra
Savannah and Cammy were now at the location the nurse's pager showed up as a hit. They did some quick recon. It didn't do much good.
"I don't see anything." Savannah said. "I'm ready to act."
Cammy received some new information. She was pleased to hear it. She didn't want Savannah to endanger herself needlessly.
"Steve and Tom are on the way over to assist us." Cammy said. "We need to sit tight until then."
Savannah was willing to face them now if they were the Fanatics. Their behavior was very strange towards her. They all seemed to fear her appearance.
"If they're the Fanatics we can go in now." Savannah said. "I think I can deal with them."
Cammy made sure their coms were off. She knew exactly what Savannah referred to. She wanted to maintain control of some of the information.
"The subject won't be discussed." Cammy said.
Savannah didn't want to cause a problem. She knew it worried Cameron and Cammy greatly.
"I'm sorry." Savannah said.
Cammy was updated by CamNet with a warning.
"CamNet has informed me we could be after Grays or the anti-Metal faction." Cammy said.
It was a sobering thought for Savannah. She realized if it would have been Grays she'd encountered yesterday, she'd be dead. She needed to admit she'd been lucky and could have been hurt or killed just as easily. She needed to keep everything in check and try to use the same caution she tried to use around Cameron. For some reason she was acting like Cameron.
"I was overconfident." Savannah said. "I want to get the nurse out. You know what the Grays may do to her."
Cammy did know it was a possibility. Whoever held her was going to kill the nurse anyway when they were done with her. They probably would take a 'little extra' before they did. She needed to refocus on the operation.
"Steve and Tom will be here soon." Cammy said. "We need to sit tight. I want us to have backup and reinforcements."
Savannah heard Cammy's concern and knew she was right. She also looked at the building and felt they still needed to act now. She thought every second was going to matter.
"It won't be soon enough." Savannah said. "We need to do it now."
Cammy looked at Savannah and said nothing. She placed Savannah's safety over the safety and life of the nurse.
"The future has different priorities." Cammy said. "You're one of them."
John Henry vectored Al and Ed as well as Richard and Michael to intercept the man in the stolen car. CamNet used 'traffic management' to slow him down so the two teams of Terminators could overtake him in short order. She also used the technique to speed up Steve and Tom as they headed for Savannah and Cammy.
He was pleased to know Vanna and Allison were back at the base.
His main worry was now Savannah and Cammy.
Their operation was about to enter a hornet's nest and Savannah wasn't going to delay much longer. She was ready to act and was going to do so.
Young Allison looked at her monitors. She could see how things were shaping up and where everyone was headed.
"My main worry is now Savannah and Cammy." Young Allison said.
Anna didn't dispute it. It was her worry as well.
"I understand." Anna said. "You need to understand Savannah's concern."
Young Allison clearly understood what was about to happen.
"I do understand it." Young Allison said. "The nurse will be forced to work on the injured man. Once he's stabilized, the others in the building will most likely take multiple turns abusing her. They may even torture her some. When they're done, they'll kill her. Savannah and Cammy still come first, even if all the other things happen."
There was no counterbalance to Young Allison.
Anna wanted some compassion. She felt like she was talking to Cameron.
"Your synopsis sounds very cold." Anna said.
Young Allison didn't think she was cold. The team came first. Their troops all mattered. They were the ones holding Skynet at bay and keeping billions of people alive. Maybe sometimes some of the innocents would be killed. So be it. She was willing to use extreme measures to protect their troops.
"I'll have CamNet run a temporal rescue mission if Savannah is hurt or killed." Young Allison said. "I would rather not need to do it in the first place."
Anna didn't doubt Young Allison would do exactly what she'd just said. She really didn't want to get into the issue. She watched the drone footage of Cammy and Savannah prepare.
"I understand." Anna said. "All the evidence indicates Cammy and Savannah aren't going to wait for backup."
Young Allison was clearly upset.
"Don't you think I know that?" Young Allison asked abruptly.
Anna said nothing. It was evident Young Allison was very upset about it. She also knew if she was pushed, Young Allison wouldn't hesitate to take extreme action. She knew CamNet would back her play no matter what it was.
Steve and Tom sped towards Cammy and Savannah. They were informed things were about to happen without them.
"CamNet has indicated we need to hurry." Steve said.
Tom thought the driving was already erratic enough.
"How can we go any faster?" Tom asked. "We've almost been in seven accidents."
At that moment, another car pulled out of a parking lot right in front of them. Steve swerved slightly to the left and avoided a collision.
"You mean we've almost been in eight accidents." Steve said.
Tom felt an accident would delay them, even if they acquired new transportation.
"If the vehicle is damaged, it will slow us down more." Tom said. "I want to get there too but we need to get there first to help them in any way."
Steve slowed down some. They were making all the lights. They needed to get there in one piece to take the fight to the enemy.
Allison left Cam with Vanna and Samantha.
Cam saw Allison was about to leave. She wondered if she was going to go to the carpool. It concerned her more than a little. If Allison was about to leave the base, she needed to stop her.
"Where are you going?" Cam asked.
Allison stopped and turned back. She was still upset. She didn't think she needed to answer to anyone. She tried to keep her composure.
"I want to see when Savannah will be back." Allison said. "I'm going to stop by the Command Center first."
Allison exited the room.
Cam was updated by CamNet on the pending situation. It appeared Samantha was as well. Cam looked at Samantha and nodded. She knew what Samantha wanted. Now seemed like a good time to make it happen. It should keep Allison busy for a while and prevent her from doing anything rash.
Samantha took off in pursuit of Allison. She caught up to her in short order.
"Allison." Samantha said.
Allison stopped and turned.
"Maybe we can share for a little bit before the others get back." Samantha said. "Vanna and Cam are busy now as well. It gives us some free time."
It sounded good to Allison right now. It would drop her stress level. She could use an infusion of endorphins. A Metal girl could get her there fast and keep her there. It was during those moments when all of her troubles went away. Nothing else mattered but the moment.
"Sure, I'd like it very much." Allison said. "I think I need it right now."
They needed a room.
"Which room do you want to use?" Samantha asked.
They were closest to Savannah's room. It didn't seem like a good idea.
"Let's use Jesse's room." Allison said. "It gets the most use anyway."
Allison reached over and took Samantha's hand and led her into Jesse's room.
Samantha was glad she was able to stop Allison from further upsetting herself over something she didn't have any control over. She would make sure the lights were left on in Jesse's room so Allison could see everything she wanted to see. She liked her original sheath. Her current appearance seemed to have even more appeal. She planned to make the most of it.
Vanna nursed Precious. She looked over at Cam once Samantha left. She wanted to know what they were up to.
"I saw the exchange between Samantha and you." Vanna said. "What gives?"
Cam needed to offer some explanation. It was clear what was going to happen without getting into any details.
"I didn't want Allison to worry about Savannah and Cammy." Cam said. "They both wanted to share anyway."
Vanna wanted to share with Samantha as well.
"I can't blame her." Vanna said. "I do too."
Vanna was pretty sure what Allison wanted to check out in detail.
Cam wondered how much of the attraction was because of the current sheath appearance.
"Do you desire Samantha more now because she looks like Claire?" Cam asked. "I know almost all of her sheath has Resequenced."
Cam was aware appearance factored in heavily on humans, even when they said it didn't. It did. Appearance was normally the first thing someone saw. They didn't see the inner person to begin with, they saw the facade. It was probably one of the reasons why there were so many broken marriages and failed relationships. When two people actually got to know each other, they didn't always care for what they'd ended up with. Since appearance was the initial factor, there was always another pretty face or muscular body waiting to be explored.
She'd found out most of the strong and enduring relationships were based on who the individual was inside, not just their appearance. There were plenty of average and below average males and females who were happily married. They didn't need to look like a movie star to find true love. They just needed someone to look a little further than skin deep.
There's been more than one nature show on television which showed how animals often selected their mate. It was very much the same way humans did. It was based on appearance. The difference with the majority of the animals was, once the mate was chosen, they were just as soon discarded after the mating procedure. Most of the animals didn't have sex for recreation. They had it for reproduction. It was their instinct to propagate the species. Humans convoluted the natural process. Humans were one of the few species who chose to terminate their own offspring. It was usually done before birth. It wasn't always. It happened after birth as well sometimes.
Vanna could see Cam was a little distracted. There were a couple of other things she was curious about.
"Appearance is part of it." Vanna said. "Will Cameron force Samantha to be celibate again once Riley and Derek return?"
Cam understood Cameron's reasoning.
"It seems most likely." Cam said. "Cameron doesn't want to entice Riley or Derek to 'experiment' with Samantha. She doesn't want to fracture their relationship. Cameron feels she did it once already. She's never forgiven herself for it."
Vanna understood what Cam referred to. She'd observed quite a few relationships over the years. Some of them were rather strange.
"Things happen sometimes, people change." Vanna said. "Few grow closer as time passes. Most tend to grow apart."
Cam witnessed it. She wasn't sure what would happen going forward. She was sure at some point Savannah or Young Allison would become involved in the decision process. They would want everyone to be treated fairly.
"I don't know what Cameron will do with Samantha for sure." Cam said. "I believe she'll be forced to be celibate again. Cameron may even remove her files from this time period to help keep her from slipping."
Vanna wouldn't like to be treated like that.
"It still seems a little unfair to Samantha." Vanna said. "Isn't it what Cameron believes Future John did with her? How can she complain about it herself, if she does it to someone else? What would be the difference?"
Cam thought it could be worse.
"I don't know what to tell you. Maybe it's something you can discuss with Cameron. She values your input highly." Cam said. "Anna is forced to adhere to even stricter rules."
Vanna was pleased to hear Cameron appreciated the things they talked about. There was something else she thought would be beautiful too. She was aware of what waited for Anna one day.
"I guess Anna is restricted too." Vanna said. "The light at the end of the tunnel will be worth the wait. It's 'the prize' everyone will want."
Cam needed to agree with Vanna's assessment. She was sure there would be a line out the door for 'the prize' when it was available.
"I believe it will." Cam said. "I don't know anyone who would turn her down."
Vanna almost giggled at Cam's statement. She didn't think there was anyone at the base who would turn anyone down. In her future, she'd never turned down any female who wanted to share. It didn't matter how old she was or how battered she was. She was with all of them. She thought it was the most beautiful experience. Even in a world of darkness, there was always some brightness to be found.
Al and Ed were directed to where the man they were after was thought to be. They were soon in back of the stolen car. They wanted to follow it back to wherever the person came from. Maybe he would lead them there.
Richard and Michael were on a parallel street. CamNet was able to keep them in position. They would switch positions every few miles if the relaxed pursuit went on for long.
There was a drone overhead. It was ready to fire a missile at any time. Either way, the driver of the vehicle wasn't going to get away. Their fate was already sealed. It was just a matter of when.
The biggest worry of any relaxed pursuit was evasion. The person they were after might head for a mall and attempt to get lost in the crowd. There would usually be some type of covered parking lot with multiple levels. They could attempt to acquire another vehicle and leave the area. It was usually how the Resistance team changed vehicles when it was necessary.
Young Allison followed the pursuit. She wanted maximum protection for the troops.
"I want everything jammed around our two teams of Terminators." Young Allison said. "I don't want them to get set up and run into an ambush."
Anna was notified John Henry initiated it once the pursuit was started. It was standard operating procedure. It never hurt to double check.
"John Henry has taking care of it." Anna said.
Young Allison didn't want to take any chances. She wanted the teams to act and act decisively if necessary. There were usually a few signs which would show themselves before an ambush could be sprung. Sometimes there was a contingency plan when there were no communications possible.
"If it looks like he's made the tail or starts circling to spot one, they should take him out." Young Allison said. "We're not going to play games."
Anna thought of the bigger goal. It would require a bigger investment of time.
"Don't you want to see where he ends up at?" Anna asked.
Young Allison knew it was important. It was more important to keep the troops safe.
"Not if it looks like he's setting our teams up." Young Allison said. "We will control the narrative. No one else will."
Anna made sure John Henry would act on Young Allison's suggestion.
"The information has been relayed." Anna said.
Young Allison restated her previous position.
"OUR teams always come first." Young Allison said. "It doesn't matter if they're Terminators, drones, HK Tracks or humans."
Anna still thought some would see her philosophy as cold and maybe inhumane. She didn't want Young Allison to be like Future John.
"Some may think such behavior is cruel." Anna said.
Young Allison saw a bigger picture. In her opinion, it was the only picture.
"Skynet blowing up the world will be a lot crueler." Young Allison said. "We need to be there to stop it."
Young Allison checked the drone footage where Savannah was at, so did Anna.
Cammy and Savannah were on the move. It wasn't what they wanted to see. Steve and Tom weren't at the location yet to back them up.
"They're not going to wait." Anna said.
It looked as if Cammy and Savannah moved up to breach the building.
Young Allison needed to rely on the tactical situation and decisions by the team in the battle zone. They needed to act on what they observed and what was best or safest for them.
"I can see they are." Young Allison said. "Savannah is on the ground and has made a tactical decision. We must respect it and support it."
Anna checked on the reinforcements.
"Steve and Tom will arrive soon." Anna said.
Young Allison saw their current progress on the street was unsafe.
"I want them to use more caution in their approach. They need to get there to be able to help." Young Allison said. "If their vehicle is wrapped around a telephone pole, it's not going to help Savannah and Cammy."
It seemed the issue was addressed.
"CamNet has sent word." Anna said.
Young Allison smiled to herself.
"When CamNet speaks, everyone listens." Young Allison said.
Anna knew Young Allison could speak louder and everyone would listen, even CamNet.
"They will for you as well." Anna said.
Young Allison knew she wasn't alone.
"Don't forget they will for Savannah too." Young Allison said.
No one mentioned John's name.
CamNet listened to the conversation in the Young bunker. She listened to the conversations everywhere. She already knew who the 'Chosen Ones' were. She respected and believed in both of them. There was one thing she knew for certain, even if it wasn't acknowledged by anyone else yet. There was another.
Savannah and Cammy were behind the building the nurse was suspected to be in.
Cammy wasn't sure the nurse was in there or even alive at this point if she was. All they knew for sure was the nurse's pager was inside the building.
"We don't know what we'll face inside." Cammy said. "We don't even know if she's in there."
Savannah wanted Cammy to listen to try to determine anything she could.
"Listen and tell me what you hear." Savannah said. "You might even be able to tell how many individuals we could face."
Three seconds after Savannah spoke. There was an audible female scream.
"They have at least one female." Cammy said.
Savannah feared the worst. They might be in the middle of abusing her.
"What are they doing to her?" Savannah asked.
Cammy thought about some of what she'd witnessed before. She couldn't determine exactly what events were occurring.
"It will be nothing good." Cammy said. "I detect at least two male voices."
Savannah was concerned as to the number of individuals involved.
"Does one of them sound like an injured man?" Savannah asked.
Cammy listened. Things got worse.
"No." Cammy said. "Wait. There are two more male voices."
There was another scream by the female.
Cammy thought of the least risky course of action on their part.
"It sounds like the female is about to be abused." Cammy said. "We should wait until they start so they're all distracted. It will probably take at least three of them to hold her down unless they tie her up first. We don't know if they have a Terminator associated with them. We don't even know who they are."
It sounded terrible to Savannah to wait for the abuse to begin. She didn't want to wait. All she could think about was what if it was Young Allison in there or one of the girls or even her. Maybe it would help ensure the nurse's survival if they let the men abuse her. They would be distracted as they laughed and groped her as one of them started in on her. Each one of them would be ready as they anticipated their turn. Just with the thought, she could feel the bile rise in her throat. She knew they still needed to use a certain amount of caution.
"How soon will it be until Steve and Tom get here?" Savannah asked.
Cammy checked. She didn't think it was long to wait. Maybe only the second man would be abusing the nurse by then.
"It's only four minutes." Cammy said.
There was another scream. It sounded a little more shrill and painful.
Savannah looked at the building and then at Cammy. She'd heard enough. She couldn't sit outside of the building a few feet away from a female being abused. It was literally almost right in front of her.
"What if it was me in there?" Savannah asked. "Would you still be out here? We need to do something."
Cammy's eyes flashed red for a second. Savannah was right. It was time to act. She quickly calculated where the main threat should be at. There was no guarantee.
"Follow me and cover our six and our left. It sounds like most of the activity is on the right." Cammy said.
Savannah wanted bold and decisive action. She knew there was one way to get it.
"I want you to be 'Cameron' as a Terminator, Cammy." Savannah said. "I want you to be what you were built for right now. Do what a Terminator does best."
Cammy was ready. She was a Terminator.
"I'll engage all the targets." Cammy said. "There will be no mercy. It's time to remind them how we do it in the future."
Savannah could sense Cammy's demeanor stiffen some. Right now she was a machine constructed to terminate. It was exactly what she needed to be.
Young Allison listened to the woman scream and she heard what Savannah said. She listened to the decision making process.
There was no stopping it now.
She knew Al and Ed left them an SUV equipped with all the 'tools' they would need. She wasn't sure what exactly they were currently equipped with.
"Do they have their vests on?" Young Allison asked.
Anna checked the drone footage.
"Yes." Anna said. "They don't have any long guns."
Young Allison would have liked better recon. It was clear they were out of time.
"It sounds like four or maybe five assailants." Young Allison said.
Anna knew it was still an unknown as to what they would face.
"There could be double the amount as well." Anna said. "They don't know if any of them are a Terminator."
Young Allison was aware Cammy could score fast and score big. As long as they maintained the element of surprise, Cammy could do a lot of damage in the first few seconds.
"Cammy should be able to accurately fire five to six shots per second." Young Allison said. "Each one should be a head shot."
Anna believed it was possible.
"Yes." Anna said.
Young Allison didn't think the men would have time to fully understand what was happening. She believed the return fire would depend upon how many assailants were actually inside of the building.
"The crew inside shouldn't have time to react." Young Allison said.
Anna saw it was 'go time'. Both girls were geared up for anything.
"They both have their silenced M9 in one hand and their Taser in the other." Anna said. "Cammy is about to breach. She's going in as 'Cameron'."
Young Allison knew retribution would be swift and there would be no mercy.
"So be it." Young Allison said. "It's Payback Time."
John Henry followed both operations.
The man in the stolen car slowed and stopped. The car pulled over to the curb near a car wash. It was stopped at a severe angle.
He sent out an immediate alert to the two cars tailing the man. It was a warning as to what he thought was about to happen.
"I think he is going to steal a different car." John Henry said.
They watched several drone feeds in the Young bunker. A new development occurred on the other operation as Cammy and Savannah prepared to breach.
Anna noted the way the car slowed and how it ended up stopped at an excessive angle.
"The stolen vehicle is disabled somehow." Anna said.
It looked like the vehicle stalled.
"I think he just ran out of gas." Young Allison said.
Anna often wondered why humans didn't always fill the fuel tank to capacity when they purchased gasoline. They were going to need to use the gasoline at some point. There was no reason not to keep the car fully operational at all times.
"It's one possibility." Anna said.
Young Allison looked at the surrounding area.
"He is going to want to boost another vehicle from the car wash." Young Allison said. "I don't think he will."
Anna tilted her head slightly. The cars were all right there with the keys in them. It was the logical choice.
"Why wouldn't he?" Anna asked.
Young Allison knew all of the drivers were waiting for their vehicle to be finished.
"Someone will see him. It will be reported right away. The people are all right there whose cars are being washed." Young Allison said. "Let's make sure he doesn't."
Anna tilted her head slightly. She wondered how they were going to prevent it.
"How do we make sure he won't?" Anna asked.
Young Allison was aware of a plan Cameron used in a casino previously. It was under different circumstances and for a different reason. The effect would be the same.
"Trigger the fire alarm in the car wash." Young Allison said. "Everyone will come out from the inside. They will all be worried about their vehicles and pay attention to exactly where they're at."
Anna found it strange how highly humans valued possessions over other things which actually mattered more.
Before Anna acted, the man took off in the opposite direction away from the car wash. It appeared Young Alison was correct, again.
At the other location, Anna saw Cammy make her move and kick in the back door. Cammy and Savannah went inside.
Young Allison watched as their body cams went off right before they went in.
"Why did they cut the feed?" Young Allison asked. "Now we don't know anything."
Anna figured it was so Young Allison didn't witness what happened to the nurse. She was probably already stripped and being abused right now. Since they'd heard her scream three different times, she may have been tortured. There could be body parts missing from her.
It upset Young Allison. Whatever was happening inside there was happening right now. They didn't have a clue.
They didn't know the real reason why the body cams were off.
There was still a chance the perpetrators were Fanatics. Their reactions to Savannah weren't to be seen by anyone else.
The two groups of six Resistance members switched places with each other at the maritime museum.
When they intermingled on the dock as they passed each other, Cameron offered up a few suggestions to the ladies.
It seemed Claire and Riley were both ready for some pampering at the spa on the cruise ship. Jesse and Sarah decided to give it a try. They would finish up at the maritime museum and return back to the ship. They decided to pass on the other museum.
Derek, Kyle and John would all go to the San Diego Air and Space Museum.
Sheila and Hanna both volunteered to watch over John.
Cameron noted the significance of it. She began to wonder if maybe they were in love with John now. She was sure once she allowed them their 'one time', their real 'first time' with John; they most likely would be afterwards. She was sure it was what happened with her and Future John once he started to 'use' her chassis. She still didn't know what really happened there. She needed to suppress a glitch impulse at the thought of it. It was the main reason why she wanted to deliver to John the virginity of each of the Metal girl's chassis with herself in control. She wanted to stick with the present.
"Dan and Frank will accompany us." Cameron said. "You will go with the girls."
Cameron called Ken to bring the van to the dock to take them to the Air and Space Museum.
The Metal girls wondered what they were going to do while the human girls were in the spa.
Cameron suggested there were some things they could do there at the spa.
Sarah wanted a few rules. She actually thought there were several reasons why she did.
"I only want female attendants." Sarah said. "I don't want to deck any male doing his job who I didn't like where he did his job at."
Sarah was also hungry to feel the touch of another female. If the female attendant wanted to touch a little more than was necessary, she wasn't going to object. It had been a long time since another female touched her in a loving manner. It was something she wanted to experience again. Every time she looked at Claire, she felt the old feelings come back to life.
CamNet sent a message to Jim in the Control Center. The request would be honored.
"It will be females only." Cameron said.
Sheila and Hanna both offered to allow Cameron to go in their place again.
Cameron politely declined.
Claire didn't want to seem inattentive or selfish.
"What about Jan and Summer?" Claire asked.
Cameron knew the two groups were about to link up.
"They'll meet us at the Air and Space Museum." Cameron said. "It is right by the zoo where they're at. It's actually on their way back. There won't be any problems."
The two groups went on to finish their tours.
Dan called Sheila off to the side. He handed Sheila the small box he'd obtained in front of the jewelry store.
Sheila took the box and tilted her head slightly.
"What's this, love?" Sheila asked.
Dan was glad to be done with the box.
"CamNet contacted me directly and asked us to pick this up for you." Dan said. "The items were obtained from a jewelry store."
Sheila shook the box gently. Her face instantly lit up.
"Is this what I think it is?" Sheila asked.
Dan only knew the basics.
"I believe so." Dan said. "I was informed there are several sets made of different types of metal. I haven't viewed the contents. When you do, if there are any discrepancies, I need to know. We'll return and pay the man a visit. It won't be a social one."
Sheila hoped for a special set.
"Are any of them Coltan?" Sheila asked.
It wasn't one of the metals the man mentioned.
"No." Dan said.
Sheila made sure her com was on.
"If anyone makes me a pair of Coltan rings, I'll allow them to install them for me. They get to choose where." Sheila said. "They can do whatever else they want at the same time."
Sheila was willing to bet John Henry would have a set waiting for her when she returned. She hoped maybe CamNet would have a set too.
Bob and Holly received the update from Jim on the group that would arrive at the Air and Space Museum.
Summer wanted to make sure Jan did what she wanted for herself.
"Do you want to go there, Jan?" Summer asked. "Holly can take you swimming instead. I'd like to look around the museum for a little while."
Jan wanted to go swimming but she wanted to stay with Summer too. They were having a really fun time.
"I want to stay with you." Jan said.
Summer was glad Jan chose her.
"We'll go swimming later then." Summer said.
Jan wanted a promise about the swimming.
"Is it still a promise?" Jan asked.
"Yes." Holly and Summer said at the same time.
Jan hoped Bob would be there too.
"Bob can be there to act as our lifeguard." Jan said.
It appeared one thing slipped her mind. Terminators didn't swim. Then again, the pools weren't very deep on the ship. A Terminator could simply walk along the bottom of the pool and pick someone up if they were there. It was doubtful their head would even be underwater in most of the pools.
Summer knew Bob needed to do more important things. Bob was only there because she was.
"Bob will need to go back to overseeing the ship." Summer said. "His job is very important."
Summer whispered in Jan's ear that her father would be there at the Air and Space Museum. She wanted to give her something to look forward to.
Bob and Holly let the girls pick any animals they wanted to see again before they left for a last visit on the way out. Lilly was pleased to meet any requests they made. She never saw such well behaved children. She sure never saw two disciplined and reserved adults like she'd observed with the girls 'parents'. The animals really liked them, even the mean ones. She really thought the girl's mother was a looker. She didn't look very old herself. She sure packed a set of knockers that didn't quit. She must have started having children at a very young age. She hoped she was at least in high school when she did.
The female Fanatic moved away from the homeless camp. She kept an eye on it. She needed to keep track of the tent the Gray went into as well as the homeless man. She didn't go directly back to where she'd left the vehicle. She was near the area where she'd spotted the others earlier. They were no longer there.
Once she was sure the man from the homeless camp wasn't following her, she decided to head back towards the vehicle she'd taken from in front of the coffee shop.
"Nice day for a walk". The first man said.
The female Fanatic quickly looked back to her left side.
There was a homeless looking man there. He wasn't the same man she'd encountered earlier.
"I'm not looking for any trouble." The female Fanatic said. "I don't think you should either."
There was some movement on her other side now.
"Keep your hands where we can see them." The second man said.
She could see the second man pointed a revolver at her. She glanced back at the first man. He was armed now as well. He carried a knife.
"We hear you're packing heat." The first man said.
The two men moved closer on each side of her. She didn't think she could draw her pistol and shoot both of them before they could injure her. At best, she could get one of them. This wasn't how she planned to reach Ascension.
"We hear you have some extra green as well." The second man said.
The female Fanatic knew right away what this was about.
The first man moved up to her.
"I'm going to take your gun." The first man said. "Then you'll give us your money."
The second man moved closer as well. There was a demented smile on his face.
"Once we get the green, we're going to take a little 'in between' as well." The second man said.
The female Fanatic glanced back at the homeless camp. She could see the homeless man she'd encountered earlier headed towards them. She also could see the Gray exit the tent. She was a little surprised to see the skinny female at the entrance to the tent before it closed.
"I don't have time for this." The female Fanatic said.
The two homeless men looked at each other.
"You've got time for everything, sugar." The first man said.
The female Fanatic was glad both of the men had moved in closer. She might not need to use her pistol now.
"Actually I don't." The female Fanatic said. "You dug your own graves, not me."
The Gray smiled at the females and carried on a brief conversation. He was almost ready to leave. He told the two females there might be some better living conditions for them with some of his friends. They would make sure they had plenty to eat.
The two females were skeptical but were a little interested. They told the Gray they would think about it. They didn't think it was something they wanted to pursue. They reminded him they weren't 'working girls'. All they did is earn a little money for food every now and then.
The Gray headed for the tent entrance and went outside. The skinny female followed him.
"Thank you for being so generous." The skinny female said. "I'll think about your offer."
The Gray was a little surprised she said anything.
"We can fix you up with whatever you're using." The Gray said quietly. "We can help you get cleaned up too."
The skinny female really didn't know what was going to happen with her life. She knew right now it was going nowhere.
"Give me a few days to think it over." The skinny female said.
The Gray figured it would take him a short time to find out what was happening at 'Tango' and if they needed a new candidate for the 'comfort bunk'. As soon as they did, he was coming back for both of the females. It was a lot easier to bring someone into their base when they were willing and compliant. They would find out soon enough what the score was. It was always a one way ticket.
The Gray looked around as he exited the tent. He could see a homeless man headed towards the trees in the park. He wondered where he was going. He headed back towards the flatbed. He didn't see anyone else around the area. He was a little surprised to see the skinny female at the entrance to the tent. He wondered if maybe he could work a gig just for himself with her.
He saw the homeless man leave the camp at a run now. He figured he probably just stole something from another homeless person. He climbed into the flatbed truck to restart it. Before he did, he listened around him. He still hadn't heard any sirens other than the one fire truck which passed in front of him earlier. The ringing in his ears had subsided slightly, but not a whole lot.
The Gray went to start the flatbed truck. It was time to head for 'Tango'.
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. They became more and more concerned about their situation. They currently weren't close enough to render them immediate assistance. They could see two of the Resistance Terminators were almost to their location.
They contacted CamNet to see if they could bring down the female Fanatic and the Gray before they left. If they were going to need to assist Cammy and Savannah, they didn't want to leave any loose ends.
CamNet instructed them not to do anything yet. She needed to have them mobile and ready to move at a moment's notice if it became necessary. She would continue to track the female Fanatic with the drone. The Gray might get away for now.
Hank and Larry didn't care for the current situation. They felt they should be doing more on several levels. They thought if they were going to need to assist Cammy and Savannah, they should wrap things up where they were and head in their direction.
The female Fanatic had the two homeless men almost in front of her right now. They'd been on each side of her initially. Now they were in front of her. She glanced back and could see the Gray get into the flatbed truck. She could also see the homeless man who she'd initially encountered running towards their location. He would be there in a few seconds. She knew she was going to need to act before the Gray drove off.
Only the man with the revolver still pointed the weapon at her. The other man held his knife in his hand. It was pointed downward. He was moving forward to take her pistol and cash. The second man indicated they were going to abuse her as well. She knew it wasn't going to happen. This may be where she reached Ascension.
She expected to see the flatbed truck pull away. So far it hadn't. She looked back. The original homeless man was almost to where she was at. If she was going to act, she needed to act now. She didn't want to use her pistol if she didn't have to. She was about to face three targets. All of them were soft targets. They didn't know what the future was like. They only knew what it was like to roll helpless females in the past, the present.
The female Fanatic reached back and pulled out her knife. She shoved the second man's hand with the revolver off to the right side. His entire arm swung over with the pistol. She stabbed him in the throat. The revolver went off. The first man went down. The second man had accidentally shot him. He held his side as he landed on his knees. She continued her turn and stabbed him in the neck as well.
The original homeless man was almost to the location when he saw the female attack his two friends. Both of them went down. He froze for a moment when he decided what to do. It was a fatal mistake. He turned to run. He wasn't fast enough.
The female Fanatic watched the original homeless man try to run. She was already moving. She plunged the knife into his lower back. He doubled over almost immediately and landed in the dirt. She pulled the knife out and stabbed it in again four more times. He appeared to have blacked out.
"Next time don't be so greedy." The female Fanatics said.
It was clear there wouldn't be a next time for any of the homeless men.
She stabbed him in the neck as well. She figured there was no reason for him to suffer if he regained consciousness.
She was worried about the one shot that was fired. She didn't know if it would alert the Gray or not. She left the three dead men behind and ran towards where her recently appropriated vehicle was parked.
The female Fanatic needed to get moving.
The Gray went to start the truck. It didn't turn over.
He wondered if it was an omen for him to wait. Maybe the skinny female would want to join him. He waited for a few moments and decided it was time to go. He looked back one more time. No one was there.
He tried the wires again, the big diesel rumble to life. He heard what sounded like a pistol shot in the distance.
'What the hell?' The Gray thought.
He remembered the homeless man he saw running from the camp a short time ago. He thought the man probably stole something. He figured whoever he stole it from took a shot at him. It seemed like a good idea to get out of the area before there was any further investigation.
He pulled away from the area. He started out slow. He checked his rear view mirror to see if he saw the skinny female. He didn't. He planned to see her again.
The Gray drove the flatbed towards the location known as 'Tango'.
Hank and Larry wanted to act. They watched the female Fanatic take down the three homeless men and run towards her vehicle. They watched the flatbed truck pull away from the curb and leave the homeless camp behind. Right now they were in limbo as to what they would need to do next.
A Little Extra
One should be very content
When enough is enough
To always want some more
Will soon draw a negative rebuff
People only have so much
To give and to share
There needs to be some moderation
So everything is just and fair
Minds may become clouded
Thoughts begin to wander
They can't see what they have
And are about to squander
Where is the honor
Where is the restraint
Are another's feelings
Worth something to taint
When some seek more
The efforts will prove contra
They will end up with less
When they try for a little extra
Nobody