Chapter 1425
Mauve
Cammy and Savannah moved further along the rocky hillside.
The drone which approached them was 'Coltan Overcast'. It made a sweep of the area and then flew out of the jammed zone. It sent back vital intel to the Command Center. It was a risky mission for it. It was still a hot EMP zone.
Cammy noted the pitch of her com changed the further they moved along.
"I think the jamming device is right around here. We may have even passed it." Cammy said.
Savannah wondered if there was a bunker around there they'd missed. It could also be a temporary LP for the anti-Metal base. It could be a permanent OP as well.
Cammy climbed higher on the rocky hillside.
Savannah started to have trouble to keep up.
Cammy paused and waited for her.
Savannah didn't want to slow her down. They were there to accomplish a task. Her performance was inhibiting it.
"I'm having difficulty moving through the rocks." Savannah said. "Go on without me. I'll follow you. If you find the jamming device, I want you to knock it out. It's important we restore communications so we know what else is happening around us."
Savannah would also like to know what was happening with Young Allison's team.
Cammy didn't want to leave Savannah behind. She also wanted to get communications restored as quickly as possible.
"I'll stay in visual contact with you." Cammy said. "I don't want to lose you."
Savannah didn't want to lose visual contact either in case there was another EMP, especially if it was directed at Cammy.
"I'll do my best." Savannah said. "Go on ahead."
Cammy looked back at where their SUV was concealed. She noticed Richard and Michael tracked them whenever they came out of standby so they'd have a very better idea where they were at if there was any additional trouble.
Nobody knew what to expect at this point. It could be the lull before the storm.
Cammy moved out ahead of Savannah.
Young Allison knew she needed to fall back and not pursue the blue truck on the road it was currently on. Any vehicle on the road would become a target.
She pulled over at a roadside diner and parked in the back. It was closed for the evening.
Anna felt a few warnings were in order.
"We need to wait and see what the drones turn up." Anna said. "The anti-Metal group has what they want to do well planned out."
Young Allison didn't like it. She wondered if she should have let things progress as normal. It was her intervention which prevented it.
"Maybe we should've beaten the information out of her." Young Allison said. "The drugs didn't do much. Now look where we are."
Anna thought they were in a good place. The endeavor looked like it was almost wrapped up as to where it was headed and a lot of the anti-Metal forces were already terminated.
Young Allison contacted Steve's team. They were about two miles past them and a mile on the other side of where the truck turned off. They were parked now too.
It was a waiting game while the drones did high altitude recon and tracked the blue truck on the desolate road. They didn't know what the strength, or the capabilities, of the anti-Metal group were.
Summer quickly established a grid pattern around where the two teams were parked in Young Allison's group.
"Do they have any flare rounds for the M203 launchers?" Summer asked.
John Henry checked the inventory of items with each of the teams. He wasn't sure where her request was headed. It seemed rather odd.
"There are two with each team." John Henry said. "They're parachute flares."
Summer formulated a plan to communicate if there was another jamming field in place around Young Allison this time. There would be a physical way to signal. She wanted to have a few contingency plans in place.
"I'll keep a grid pattern around both of the vehicles whether they're parked or moving." Summer said. "If they need drone support, and we're blinded again, they can fire a flare at an eighty degree angle in the direction they need support. We should be able to see it from the side views. I know CamNet has twenty drones over both Savannah and Young Allison."
John Henry was surprised at the number of drones CamNet scrambled. She'd evidently dipped into the reserves. He could see why Summer factored in the cruise missile angle for a known fixed target. He knew many of the drones around Savannah already expended most of their ordnance. It'd paid off and the second ambush force was wiped out. He was aware from reviewing the drone images most of it was the work of Summer's targeting. It was clear she thought in a different way than the others did. For some reason, he thought she would excel in warfare in space with its three dimensional aspect.
Cameron was very pleased Young Jesse was pregnant. She did understand the baby would be for Jesse. She hadn't expected Young Jesse to say she would have another one for John and her. It moved her deeply.
She wanted to tell Young Jesse she could be with John as often as she wanted. She figured she'd better speak with John first about it. She didn't want John to dash Young Jesse's hopes. She knew he didn't always like the way she did things.
"Do you want me to remain here for a few hours?" Cameron asked. "I'll share with you."
Young Jesse wanted it immensely. She'd communicated with Savannah enough to know the privilege to be with Cameron first belonged to Savannah when it happened. It was Savannah's true dream and always had been. It was one of the things Savannah spoke of before they were first together.
"I do want it, Cameron, but this trip is about John and you." Young Jesse said. "I'll hold you to your offer at a later date. Right now you need to stop following the operations and go back and be with John. I mean in your own chassis too. It was what Savannah and Young Allison wanted for you two."
Cameron was very surprised to hear it. It was also the correct advice. The girls always wanted what was best for her and didn't put their personal desires in front of hers. She thought it said something about them and who they were. The girls all showed good character. They may be viewed as a little promiscuous, but they all looked out for her in the end. They all did. The fact wasn't lost on her.
"Would you like Mary, Laura or Leticia to visit you?" Cameron asked. "All the girls have shared with them. You're free to do so if you desire to."
Young Jesse smiled. It was what she wanted, but a different 'calling' knocked.
"I would like it as well, however I have a higher priority." Young Jesse said. "I don't want to do it before I see Savannah back at the base. I'll be with all the girls in the Resistance because Savannah has been as well. I want to be with Savannah again before I'm with any outsiders. I've been very careful about it Down Under as well."
Cameron liked the commitment.
"You're very special." Cameron said.
Young Jesse felt it was Cameron's doing.
"I've followed the guidance and training from you through Camille." Young Jesse said. "I appreciate everything related to it."
Cameron was updated by Camille often on Young Jesse's progress. She was very pleased with it and could see first hand she was very committed. Maybe it was time she was brought to the base. There was a room next to Savannah's room waiting for her. The room on the other side of Savannah's room was for Young Allison. She wanted them to be close, but also have the option to share with the other girls as well. The rooms were all internally connected so discretion or sharing would be available to each of them. They could both easily visit Savannah or have their own guests. Cameron needed to refocus.
"Do you want me to send Camille back?" Cameron asked.
Young Jesse wanted to be with Sheila and Vanna before they needed to get off the ship. It wasn't too far away in time. It looked like everyone would burn the midnight oil a little tonight.
"You can send Sheila back for now and Vanna when she's finished in the Control Center." Young Jesse said.
Cameron wondered how Young Jesse knew so much. She lifted her hand up and went to move Young Jesse's hair from over her ear.
Young Jesse beat her to it and moved the hair for her to see. She wore a com.
Cameron smiled and nodded.
"I understand." Cameron said. "I'll send Sheila over and let Vanna know."
Cameron turned to go.
Young Jesse stopped her and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"I really appreciate you allowing everything for Jesse's benefit." Young Jesse said. "I want you to go back to John now too."
Cameron smiled.
"I appreciate your sacrifice to make it happen." Cameron said.
Young Jesse said what she believed.
"Everyone sacrifices for John Connor." Young Jesse said.
Cameron looked over at the Owner's Suite and back at Young Jesse.
"Everyone sacrifices for John Connor." Cameron said.
Cameron believed there was quite a bit of sacrifice on the cruise. Some of it was on her part as well. She'd allowed John to experience a little more than just her in control of other's chassis. She was very pleased at the result with Young Jesse.
Claire woke up. She wanted to check on Summer. She felt the comforting warmth of Jesse's naked body next to her. She looked at the clock, it was late. She debated whether to get up or stay next to Jesse.
She decided to stay there until Jesse was needed by Precious. She would check on Summer then while Jesse was away. She drifted back off to sleep.
Summer checked her calculations.
"My mother is going to come looking for me in approximately seventeen minutes." Summer said.
John Henry wondered how she arrived at such a precise conclusion. He'd seen nothing to indicate it was going to happen.
"Really?" John Henry asked. "How do you know she will?"
Summer took the average figure. She knew it all depended on Precious.
"It may be, give or take a few minutes on either side." Summer said.
John Henry didn't see her get ready to leave.
"Are you going to go?" John Henry asked.
Summer already decided to see the operations through to their conclusions.
"No." Summer said.
John Henry didn't want any problems and he didn't want Claire upset at him.
"Are you going to do what you arranged before?" John Henry asked.
Summer already violated Cameron's directive once. She planned to do it again.
"Yes." Summer said. "I've asked CamNet to take care of it for me. The current mission must come first."
John Henry was a little worried about her actions on several levels. He also valued her assistance. He'd never been impressed with any human as much as he'd been with River and now Summer.
"I'm going to trust your judgment on all of this." John Henry said. "If it turns into a problem, I'll take the heat and fallout for it."
Summer smiled at him.
"Thanks but you won't need to do so." Summer said. "I'm responsible for everything I do and have done. I'm equal to all of the adults. Age is just a number in regards to me. It only represents my physical development. I think everyone knows it. My mother does too, even if she has trouble accepting it. I know I have killed people through CamNet. I did it to protect our forces. I'll do it again as well."
They talked on a very elevated level for fourteen more minutes. At that point, Samantha exited from the nursery next to Riley's room and went to Claire's room. One minute later Jesse exited Claire's room alone. She only wore a robe. She went to the nursery and let herself in.
John Henry looked at Summer but didn't say anything. It was clear Samantha was with her mother now. He also checked the time reference. It was seventeen minutes since Summer told him it would be about seventeen minutes.
Summer decided to say something before John Henry did. It was actually quite simple.
"Everyone is happy." Summer said. "There's nothing else to consider."
John Henry nodded.
"Indeed." John Henry said.
They continued their discussion.
Cammy moved among the rocks. She kept an eye on Savannah. She was a few minutes in front of her.
She moved past another rock and heard something. It wasn't detectable to the human ear. She knew she was close to what she searched for.
Her first impulse was to head straight for the sound. Without Savannah near her, she still may have done it. She decided to use discretion instead. She would move up and beyond what she heard and come at it from above and behind it. It was the same technique She'd used previously. The enemy shouldn't expect someone behind them.
She changed her mind. She decided to go back down to Savannah and tell her what she was going to do. She would need to watch out for booby traps as well.
Savannah was tired but kept going, she needed to remain alert. She looked up where Cammy was at. She wasn't there. She dropped down and brought her M4 up as she searched for a target.
There was a hint of movement halfway between where Cammy should be and her position. She moved her finger to the trigger of her M4.
She quickly glanced behind her and down to where Richard and Michael were. She didn't see anything. She quickly changed her position and moved off to the side.
No sooner was she at her new position, when she heard a small rock roll down by where she'd been. Someone was there.
It was most likely Cammy. Maybe it wasn't.
She decided to issue a challenge in the form of a whisper.
"Mauve." Savannah whispered.
The reply was instant.
"Giraffe." Cammy whispered.
Savannah and Cammy rejoined.
Cammy filled Savannah in on all she knew so far and what she planned to do. She turned to leave.
"Wait." Savannah said. "If you find the jamming device, there may be an EMP grenade thrown as soon as someone figures out what happened. I'll need to be closer to you."
Cammy knew it was a possibility.
"Follow me." Cammy said.
There was a lot they didn't know about the operation. So far they'd needed to react to everything which was already set into motion. They'd been able to trip two of the ambushes early. It proved to be very costly for the enemy. They still didn't know what else might happen.
Young Allison watched her phone and waited. She also kept track of what was around them. She didn't want any surprises.
Her eyelids felt heavy and her head bobbed. She quickly regained her composure. She didn't know she'd felt so sleepy. It could prove fatal if she fell asleep while she was supposed to be on guard duty.
Anna watched her. She could see Young Allison was sleepy. She hadn't been able to get much sleep the last few days.
"It's alright." Anna said. "I'm here. You can rest a little now if you want. It will allow you to be more alert when something happens."
Young Allison knew Savannah couldn't rest.
"I can hack it." Young Allison said. "I don't know what happened."
She checked her phone again.
"This is how things play out sometimes." Anna said. "Some surveillance can last days or longer."
Young Allison hoped not.
"Beautiful…." Young Allison said.
She could bring things to an end immediately and redirect all the resources to assist Savannah's team. She could send most of the drones over her group to attack the anti-Metal base. If she did, the cruise missile strike would be unnecessary.
Young Jesse was pleased when Sheila returned.
Sheila knew what Young Jesse really wanted to see. She was more than willing to show her.
"You can look as much as you want at my rings. Touch them and pull on them if you want." Sheila said. "It actually excites me. I like the way I look everywhere. I like people to see me everywhere."
Young Jesse smiled. She liked the way she looked too.
"It's what I wanted to do." Young Jesse said. "We're identical. How you look to me, is how I look to others."
Sheila looked Young Jesse up and down.
"I can tell you right now they'll see you as totally HOT." Sheila said. "I see perfection when I look at you."
Young Jesse was sure Sheila was in love with herself. She figured she picked it up from the 'Neural Interface' with Jesse.
"I think we owe it to Jesse." Young Jesse said. "I can't wait to tell her about being pregnant."
Sheila wondered if she should wait some. Maybe she didn't need to since it was created from Young Jesse's body. It wasn't implanted like Savannah and Claire needed to do with genetic material from Vanna and Allison. Their genetic material's viability and quality was questionable. They could both still have problems. Young Jesse should be good to go. She was young, healthy and in perfect physical condition.
"Are you going to share with Jesse?" Sheila asked.
Young Jesse wanted it as much as she did to be with Sheila right now.
"Yes. I have before." Young Jesse said. "I'd like to do a three way with Savannah and Jesse."
Sheila hoped to make it a four way. Maybe she would 'show up' after they'd been through a couple of rounds. She didn't want to steal anyone's thunder. She wanted a 'piece' of the action, three 'pieces' actually. There was no reason she couldn't get started immediately with one of them.
"Right now it's just us." Sheila said.
Young Jesse kissed her soft and slow. Sheila understood Young Jesse wanted love right now. She knew the human girls were better at it than she was.
"You know what I want." Young Jesse said. "It's inside of you if you look. I want you to find it for me."
Sheila realized Young Jesse tried to help her find more in herself. Young Jesse really was like Savannah. They always wanted the 'best' out of the Metal girls and it wasn't just the physical aspect either.
Cameron entered the Owner's Suite. She quickly went to the bedroom and checked on John. He was sound asleep. There wasn't much she could do there. She turned to leave. She paused and looked back at John.
He looked so peaceful sleeping alone. He seemed much more relaxed the last few days. She was very pleased she'd been able to deliver seven virgin Metal chassis to him as herself. Whatever actually happened with the human girls was between them and John. If they wanted more back at the base she was fine with it. Everyone knew who they 'belonged to' at the end of the day.
She went to the bedside and gave him a soft kiss. She turned to leave again. She felt a hand reach out and touch her.
She didn't think John could see who she was for sure. If he said a name, she would go get the person for him. She didn't mind sharing for a few more hours. A playful idea popped into her head. She needed to suppress a giggle.
"What is it, Tony?" Cameron asked in Leticia's voice. "Do you want to do it again? You were fantastic earlier."
John sat bolt upright in bed.
"Who's there?" John asked.
Cameron wanted to have a little more fun. She was also interested to see what John's response would be.
"I've been waiting for you." Cameron said in Bob's voice. "To wake up I mean."
John fumbled around for the light switch near the bed.
Cameron quickly slipped into the dressing room before the light went on.
"Who's there?" John asked again.
Cameron wanted to have some fun. Maybe she was being a little cruel. She quickly moved from the dressing room through the bathroom to the front door of the suite. She was going to slip out into the private area. She remembered what Young Jesse said to her and what Young Jesse gave up so she could be with John.
She heard John get up and move towards the front door. She went back into the bathroom and moved into the dressing room as he went to the front door. She heard him open it and look out into the private area. She moved from the dressing room back into the bedroom and went to the far side of the bed. She ducked down next to the bed when he came out of the dressing room. She saw he held his Taser. Maybe she'd overplayed her hand some. She moved under the bed when she heard him come closer.
He walked to the side of the bed where she'd been ten seconds ago. She saw his feet stop and then turn. He walked back into the hall. He turned the light off and went to use the restroom.
Cameron quickly climbed into bed after she slipped her robe off. She heard him finish up in the bathroom and saw him emerge from the dressing room. It didn't look like he still held the Taser. She heard something set down on the dresser. Maybe it was the Taser.
John climbed into bed. He pulled on the sheet. It pulled it off of Cameron. She was naked in the bed next to him right now.
He rolled over and his hand touched her breast. She felt him pause for a second. He then he felt a little more. His fingers moved down to the nipple. She figured he wanted to see if there was a nipple ring there or not.
"I'm not sure who this is." John said. "It feels like Cameron, but so does Cam, Camille, Ally and Allison."
Cameron was especially glad he mentioned Allison's name. She would have been more pleased if he'd added Young Allison to the list. She didn't think there was too much difference he would be able to notice at this point in time. She would still give him a choice.
"Who do you want it to be?" Cameron asked.
John answered without hesitation. He didn't even need to think about it.
"My wife." John said.
Cameron moved over and kissed him. She wanted to remind him about the similarities. They were more than similarities.
"The five of us are the same." Cameron said. "We're identical."
John kissed her back and touched her more.
"Not to me." John said. "I only love-love one of them."
Cameron wondered if he really knew it was her or not.
"How do you know which one of us it is?" Cameron asked. "Can't we all share a little sack time with you? It doesn't hurt anything."
John's hands were all over her.
"I guess it really doesn't." John said as he touched her. "After all that's happened on the ship the last week, I understand it now. It really is another way for all of us to share and grow closer. There are no hidden agendas. There's only love."
Cameron reached down and started to stimulate him. She felt a faint response. She worked a little harder. It worked quickly. She moved to be on top of him.
He gently pushed her back down on the bed and moved over her.
"I love you, Cameron, and you love me." John said.
They kissed.
"I love you, John, and you love me." Cameron said.
She quickly moved him over her. She grasped him tighter as he did. She was ready as he started. They shared a long kiss.
Cameron thought her chassis was pretty good for sharing after all.
"Keep going until I make it." Cameron whispered in his ear.
John was going to give it his best. He was rested up a little now. He felt rejuvenated.
"I plan to." John whispered back. "Just relax and enjoy it."
It's what Cameron did. It was her turn to go along for the ride. She already knew what the destination would be. It was the journey there she currently looked forward to. She could replay a file at any time. It just wasn't the same. She liked the way John touched her. There was feeling and meeting behind each touch. It made her feel special.
Young Allison watched the drone footage as the truck disappeared into a remote canyon. It really looked like the end of the line. Perhaps it would be true in more ways than one.
"How do you want to play it?" Anna asked.
Young Allison was wide awake now.
"Where's the Blackhawk at?" Young Allison asked.
Anna checked.
"It can be here in six minutes." Anna said.
Young Allison looked at the maps of the terrain on her phone. She thought the best way to approach the target area would be from the rear. There were no roads on the far side of the hill. The logical approach would be for someone to come up the same road which the blue truck had taken. She was sure it was mined or primed for an ambush.
"I think Ken and Lou can pick up the rest of the team here." Young Allison said. "He can take the long way around the back of the mountain and set us down on the backside of the hill about a mile out. No one should be able to hear anything. We can hike in on foot."
Anna thought it would be tough for Young Allison in the dark.
"You'll be at a disadvantage." Anna said.
Young Allison remembered some of the reports she'd read about Cameron and Future Allison. She knew it also was used with Jesse and Riley before as well. It was only a short distance for them.
"Steve and Tom can take turns carrying me like they did Future Allison." Young Allison said. "We can make better time the same way too."
Young Allison quickly laid out a plan. Al and Ed would remain behind the diner with the two vehicles and be a blocking force if anyone tried to flee. The rest of the team would fly in on the Blackhawk. Since they would carry her, they would land two miles out and come in from the backside from both sides of the hill.
She recalled Steve's team to join them behind the diner. They were only a few miles away. They were all together when the Blackhawk landed.
She thanked Al and Ed for remaining behind and got on the Blackhawk last.
She looked over her troops inside the helicopter.
Ken and Lou were at the controls. Mel, Larry and Hank were already in the back. They were joined by Steve, Tom, Brian, Randy and Anna. They were informed by John Henry that Dan and Frank were nearby and could watch the vehicles when they arrived and be their blocking force. It freed up Al and Ed to join them right now. Young Allison personally went back and got them. They were very pleased they could go with her. They were even more pleased she came to them personally.
Anna closed the side door when the three of them entered. The Blackhawk lifted off. It was a dangerous mission and Young Allison may be the only one in the fight if things went badly. She briefly wondered if Young Allison should take over the co-pilot's position until they were let off from the helicopter. It would at least ensure they made it to the target area.
John Henry and Summer listened to Young Allison formulate the plan and put it in motion.
"What do you think?" John Henry asked. "There's a lot which can go wrong there and go wrong fast."
Summer understood the desire to make sure they got the entire anti-Metal group. She thought a missile strike would be safer for the team.
"I would prefer to hit them hard first and use the team for the clean up." Summer said. "All it takes is one EMP and Allison - Young Allison, is on her own with a group of disabled Terminators to deal with."
John Henry agreed with her assessment and possible pitfall.
"Do you want to remind her of it?" John Henry asked.
Summer didn't want to be too direct. She knew Young Allison wanted to be part of the fight. There was still a 'big if' as to what they would end up fighting.
"CamNet can replay our conversation to her." Summer said. "I'm worried about Cammy and Savannah right now. I really think more needs to be known about the location before things go too far forward on any level. We don't know what's there. Most likely there will be more than meets the eye."
There was a lot to worry about. Everything was still up in the air everywhere.
Cammy and Savannah went over their options and formulated a new plan. Savannah wanted to keep the team together.
They signaled for Richard and Michael to join them the next time they rebooted. They were both up to their location in a few minutes. They were pleased they could all fight together. They told Savannah they appreciated her looking out for them.
Savannah remembered reading in a report about the time Holly and Gail carried Riley and Jesse to get to an ambush site quicker once. She decided to have Richard and Michael take turns carrying her. Cammy needed to do something similar in Cameron's future once for her as well. It was when they needed to cover a long distance and they didn't have any proper clothes or footwear.
When Cammy heard Savannah's plan, she said she could carry her. Richard could lead and Michael could follow.
Savannah agreed since Cammy seemed bothered by the fact she wasn't the one holding her. She reminded Cammy they weren't going to cop a feel or anything, and if they did accidentally, she was good with it. She told Cammy it applied to her as well.
Richard moved out on a wider circle to get to where Cammy described to them.
Cammy picked up Savannah as she held her M4 at the ready. She felt Cammy cop a feel almost immediately. She smiled at Cammy as she moved out.
The closer they got to the disturbance the more Savannah worried. She was sure it would be booby trapped if it was remotely operated.
"Michael, move up with Richard and watch for booby traps." Savannah said. "There could be a Claymore, or an EMP grenade rigged to protect the location."
Michael moved around past them.
"Keep an eye out behind us, Cammy." Savannah said.
They all felt a little uneasy. They'd killed a lot of the anti-Metal group tonight at two different ambush locations. It made them wonder how many were left at the base. Were they all out on ambushes, or were they full up at the base with a complement of soldiers? What if it wasn't the base at all but another ambush site? Maybe the whole thing was an elaborate way to dwindle down the enemy forces. If it was, it backfired on the anti-Metal group. They were the ones being decimated.
Right now they needed to knock out the jamming field and anything associated with it. They also needed to keep in mind it would allow more EMP devices to be used.
The two Grays hurried out of the front of the building and quickly returned to their van. They searched all around them as they made their move. They kept a special watch on the alley. They didn't know at what point anyone else would arrive. The two men from the Mob indicated there were more on the way.
"Keep a lookout for any more sedans." The first man said.
The second man looked all around them. He wanted to move out.
"Let's roll." The second man said.
The van made a U-turn and went back the way it came.
The first man wanted to get away.
"It was a little too close." The first man said.
The second man thought so as well.
"I'm still not sure why they didn't engage us at the old supermarket." The second man said. "It was clear they were going to at the lab."
The first man was troubled by the same thing. Maybe there was more going on than they detected.
"I'm going to check it out." The first man said.
The second man became a little concerned.
"What are you going to check out?" The second man asked.
The first man made a turn to go back towards the old supermarket.
"I want to see what they're up to." The first man said.
The second man was alarmed.
"They're 'up' to trying to kill us." The second man said.
The first man wasn't convinced.
"Maybe they were after something specific." The first man said. "We should check it out. We can take them down and see what it was. After what happened at the lab, I would like to take them down anyway. We didn't even see them at the old supermarket, even if we saw their vehicles."
The second man did wonder where they'd been. He soon spotted something up ahead.
They could see smoke up ahead and what looked like a small fire. The closer they got, they could see it was a wrecked vehicle. It appeared to have hit a telephone pole and caught on fire. They noticed something in the street which was still burning.
"The burning car looks a lot like the one we just left behind at the lab." The second man said. "Maybe it's why it never arrived. I see two charred corpses in the street."
The first man needed to agree with him.
"Well, if we know where two of the cars are at, let's see what's going on at the old supermarket." The first man said. "It would be nice to know if they're the same two cars, or if they're two additional ones. I want to know what we're facing."
The second man wasn't about to take any chances.
"I'm going to get out a little more firepower." The second man said.
The second man climbed into the back and brought out two AK-47 rifles.
The first man looked over.
"I hope we don't run into a hostile Terminator." The first man said.
The second man didn't either.
"Don't even say it." The second man said. "I don't want you to jinx us."
The first man laughed.
"You're not going to go superstitious on me are you?" The first man asked.
The second man looked a little irritated.
"After where we came from in the future, tell me what's superstition and what's reality anymore." The second man said. "Seeing is believing and I've seen a lot."
The first man couldn't fault him.
"Let's just check out the old supermarket and see what's what." The first man said.
The white van continued back towards the old supermarket.
CamNet's Terminators returned their attention back to their current operation. They figured if the white van turned towards the freeway, it might be headed for the port. It didn't look like it was once it left.
They proceeded to the location of the lab. The drone over them didn't show any other potential contacts. They parked in the same spot the white van had been in earlier. They made their way to the fence and went inside of the parking lot. They removed the weapons and phones from the two thugs. They place the thugs in the trunk of the vehicle. The keys were still in it.
They took a quick look around inside of the building. The location didn't appear to be a threat anymore. We went out the same way the two men in the van had. It was through the front. They returned back to their SUV and drove away. It didn't take them long to figure out where the white van was headed. It wasn't where they'd expected them to go next.
"They're going back to the old supermarket." Lena said.
Tina quickly went through the phones of the two new dead thugs. She had eight of them now. The goal was to identify as many Syndicate targets as possible. CamNet would deal with all of them. She was able to identify several locations where females were marketed out of as well as several drug locations. Anything related to the old supermarket seemed like an afterthought.
"There shouldn't be a threat any longer." Tina said. "We should take them down there now ourselves."
CamNet directed them to continue to follow the men. She also wanted the information about the potential Syndicate targets. She would attempt to get the Cartel to attack the drug operations. It was the standard operating procedure throughout the world. She tried to keep them busy with each other. It kept them from expanding. They needed to worry about holding on to what they currently had. The locations involving the females needed to be handled a little more delicately. She didn't want innocents being terminated needlessly.
Lena looked over at Tina.
"It looks like it's back to the old supermarket." Lena said.
The drone made a sweep over the location. They could see there were a few changes.
"One of the sedans is on the move." Tina said.
It was the reason why they left the keys in the ignitions. They wanted to see if anyone would steal them. It appeared it just occurred.
"It looks like one of the homeless who populate the area is now behind the wheel." Lena said.
Tina figured they didn't look in the trunk.
"They have a surprise waiting for them." Tina said.
Lena figured once they found out what they were driving around with, they would abandon the vehicle. More than likely the keys would still be in it. They hoped to have one of the local gangs take it soon. At some point, they would be stopped by law enforcement and arrested for homicide. It would take more future Scavengers off of the street.
CamNet's Terminators continued to tail the white van. They followed the exploits of the female Fanatic and where the big rigs were going.
The female Fanatic spotted the pickup truck ahead where it pulled over. She immediately put the car into neutral and turned off the ignition. She coasted over to the side of the road near some bushes. She drove off the pavement and parked on the far side of them. She could see some headlights in the distance coming towards her. They were more than a few miles away.
They got out of the car. They took their supplies with them. They didn't intend to return to it. The keys were left in the ignition. If someone came along and took the vehicle later on, it would be even better.
"I'm going to lead." The female Fanatic said. "I need you to stay behind me and watch where you step."
Jill looked around in the darkness.
"It's a good thing there's a lot of moonlight." Jill said.
The female Fanatic crossed the street and moved into the small shrubs on the other side of the street. She wanted to move up behind the men. She wanted to get there before the headlights arrived. They still appeared to be some distance away. She figured it was the direction the two men would be looking.
The two men from the pickup were ready to make their move and stop the vehicle. They didn't pay any attention to what was happening behind them. They were focused on the approaching headlights of the portly couple.
"It looks like they'll be here in about two or three minutes." The first man said.
The second man was filled with anticipation.
"Do you want me to walk out in front of them and wave my hands back and forth?" The second man asked.
The first man knew it was a technique they'd used before.
"You can do it. We won't need to waste a flare." The first man said. "We only have one left."
The second man was always worried they would run him down.
"I hope they don't hit me." The second man said. "I can't wait to get my hands on them. I want them to know what's happening. I want to hear them scream."
The first man looked over at the second man. He was aware he was a little extreme at times. He was usually fairly easy to control for everything else. He knew he wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed.
"Try not to make too big a mess out of everything." The first man said. "I don't want you soaked with blood again."
The second man didn't think it would be an issue.
"I'll do it with my clothes off." The second man said. "You know I have before."
The first man was a little concerned with some of the second man's previous behavior. It seemed he liked to collect 'souvenirs'. He didn't agree with the practice at all. Maybe all the states should have thought twice before they close down their mental institutions. They didn't want to intrude on the mentally unstable people's rights. He wondered if they ever thought about the rest of the population. It didn't appear so. He hoped some politicians who patted themselves on the back every night would meet up with one of the people they'd allowed to go free.
"Don't bring anything back with you this time." The first man said. "You know you're just going to have to throw it out anyway. Get ready. They're about one minute out."
The female Fanatic and Jill worked their way up behind the men. They were just in front of them at this point. They'd heard most of their conversation and what some of their previous actions involved. It was clear the men were as dirty as they thought.
Jill was angered at what she'd heard. She was ready for some justice. Maybe some saw it as vengeance. She really wondered what the difference was. She carefully set the bag down with their supplies. She held her pistol with both hands in front of her.
"I'm ready." Jill whispered.
The female Fanatic could see Jill was committed. She wanted her to shoot first to prove it. She also needed to know if she would have a second target.
"I'm going to take the short one." The female Fanatic whispered. "Take the big one. Do it now."
There were three loud shots as soon as she'd finished her sentence. She quickly took her shot at the short man before he could react. He went down with a single shot.
Both of the men were down on the ground.
Jill still pointed her gun at the fallen men.
"I didn't realize how easy the trigger pull would be for the second shot." Jill whispered.
The female Fanatic quickly moved forward and checked both of the men. They were both dead. She relieved them of their weapons and anything else of value they carried. It wasn't much.
"Now you know." The female Fanatic said. "Stay down for a little bit longer until the car passes. Let me adjust your trigger pull real quickly. It'll be tough on the first shot again. It's safer for you to carry this way."
She quickly used the decocker on Jill's Beretta so she would need to pull it through double action to fire it again.
The car with the portly couple passed by the pickup truck without slowing.
The female Fanatic took the keys from the short man. They headed to the truck. She started it up. She was pleased to see it almost had a full tank of fuel. She looked behind her and pulled back out onto the road. They could see the tail lights of the car which passed by earlier in front of them. They passed by the car they'd abandon. It was hard to spot. She knew where to look.
Jill began to look through the interior of the truck. It didn't take her long to find a small leather bag full of rings, necklaces and a few watches. She understood what each one of them meant.
"These all came from people they robbed or worse." Jill said. "They deserved to die. I killed the one man just for what he said. This is the proof he needed to die. They would have done the same thing to us if they could have got us. They tried twice."
The female Fanatic thought about what the short man said. She had an uneasy feeling about it.
"Look under the seat." The female Fanatic said. "Use the light on my phone to look before you reach under there."
Jill could see something under the seat. It was another bag. She carefully pulled it out. It had a strong odor.
The female Fanatic looked at what Jill held.
"Throw it out the window." The female Fanatic said.
Jill looked at the bag she held. It appeared to be made out of rubber.
"What's inside of it?" Jill asked.
The female Fanatic had a pretty good idea.
"You can look if you want." The female Fanatic said. "Then throw it out the window."
Jill carefully opened the bag. The foul odor increased. She used the light on the phone to look inside.
"Oh my God…." Jill said. "Are those what they look like?"
The female Fanatic took a quick look.
"They are." The female Fanatic said. "Now toss it."
Jill coughed a few times and tossed the bag out the window.
"What if someone finds it?" Jill said.
The female Fanatic didn't think it would be a problem.
"The coyotes will find it and take care of it." The female Fanatic said.
Jill was very disturbed at what she'd witnessed.
"If the men weren't already dead, I would go back and kill them both right now." Jill said.
The female Fanatic was glad to see the resolve in Jill. She was sure she was ripe for recruitment to serve SkyMaster.
"The men we're following are just as cruel and evil." The female Fanatic said. "I'm going to stop all of them."
They passed by the car which passed by the pickup truck earlier. They could see it was an older couple.
"Those people don't know how lucky they are." Jill said. "I'm sure something would have been added to the bag from both of them. I want to help you stop the terrorists."
The female Fanatic wanted to remind Jill it could get messy.
"Everyone on my team has been killed." The female Fanatic said. "There's a good chance I will be as well. It would also mean you would suffer the same fate. You don't need to do it. The men might put the grab on you again as well. You have to understand the danger."
Jill thought about what happened to her at the warehouse. She thought about what she'd just seen in the rubberized bag.
"I'll do what I can to help you." Jill said. "Someone has to do something to stop the crazy people."
The female Fanatic smiled. She was glad Jill understood who the crazy people actually were. She believed Jill would fight with her until the end. SkyMaster would be served. She spotted the tail lights of one of the big rigs up ahead. She was sure Ascension was near.
It Could Be Permanent
To start every day
With some type of argument
Will only make one feel
The other to loath and resent
To hear and feel joy and happiness
Will make one serene and content
Those are the deeds and words
That should be frequent
When it comes to others
There can't be a supplement
Not only is it in bad taste
It shows bad judgment
To keep things running smooth
Each needs to be transparent
When it's no longer the case
There's sure to be torment
Everything that happens
Is more than just about intent
They are the feelings
Each should try to prevent
The feelings that are left
Leave one or both to lament
If not kept in check
It could come be permanent
Nobody