Chapter 1604
Smiled Nervously
Earlier:
CamNet let Hanna-Camille know what else was available for Young Jesse's entertainment. Some of the things were a little surprising, even if they were unique.
"There is an outdoor range with various types of armor available." Hanna-Camille said.
CamNet provided them with some promotional videos of the venue. There was footage of the girls in the parking lot with the tank and the cars they crushed.
Young Jesse was pleased with the promotional videos. She wanted to do the same thing the girls did at the shooting range.
"Some of those things look like fun." Young Jesse said. "I'd like to drive a track or a tank."
Hanna-Camille knew it was where the girls were headed next.
"We can go there now and get a head start." Hanna-Camille said.
Young Jesse looked forward to the experience. She would also like to be acclimated to the equipment when the other girls arrived. She knew she was more familiar with most of the weapons than they would be, even after their brief training session. There were some unique weapons which weren't available for her to use Down Under. She wouldn't put it past Camille to acquire some if she asked about them.
Hanna-Camille headed to the location. CamNet indicated everything would be available and waiting. She already contacted the range to get a lot of ammunition ready for the various weapons. They were to have a large supply of rounds ready for the tank, mortar, and howitzer.
They arrived at the location. There was an M113 waiting for them. There were several others parked there as well. They could see six other tracks. One was equipped with an M134 on top. Two of them were armed with both an M60 and M249. The one they were about to use was armed with an M2 machine gun. It was a heavy machine gun.
Young Jesse previously viewed images of the Australian military using the same type of vehicle. She was unsure if they still did or not.
"We used this type of APC Down Under." Young Jesse said. "I can't wait to fire the 'Ma Deuce'."
Hanna-Camille was aware they were the older model of the M113 Australia used. The version which they were about to use were updated tracks.
"These are the upgraded M113A2 version." Hanna-Camille said. "They are more modern, even if they aren't state of the art."
Her files indicated there was a contemporary to the M113. It was the M114. It was equipped with a gasoline powered 283 engine. It proved to be unreliable, as well as underpowered. It was clear if the military would have spent a little more, and equipped it with a 327, it would have solved most of the problems. As it was, a gasoline powered track gave way to those which operated on diesel. The M113 was a superior machine in all regards. It was why it has been in continuous use since 1960. Both of the tracks were amphibious. They were capable of traversing bodies of water, unlike some of the armored vehicles which replaced them.
It was a sore point among some of those in Congress, as well as those on the battlefield. It seemed the newer equipment tended to favor certain States as well as companies over others. Everyone wanted a piece of the pie. They all lost sight of what the actual purpose of procuring the equipment was and it would need to be used in combat.
Savannah looked at Young Allison.
"Whatever happens - happens." Savannah said. "You'll feel it all when it's time."
Young Allison smiled nervously.
They checked out the cabin and now were headed for the houseboat. Cameron and Anna were on board. It looked as if they were expecting them.
Cameron needed to get her head back in the game. Savannah and Young Allison were at the dock. She wanted Anna on the same page, one way or another. She was used to 'strong arming' others. She needed to use a little more caution when she dealt with another cyborg who ran her program. She wanted what she wanted, but she needed to move forward cautiously. Anna wasn't going to be a pushover.
"I want John to be happy. Your sheath will excite him the most of all the ones I've 'broken in'. It's why I've saved you for last." Cameron said. "Everyone sacrifices for John Connor."
Anna didn't want it to happen. She knew she wouldn't have a whole lot of say in the matter. Cameron would take what she wanted, even if it was her chassis. She always did.
It wasn't how she wanted events to play out going forward. It seemed as if her first experience with both a female, and a male, would belong to someone else. They would belong to Cameron in control of her chassis. It didn't seem fair.
Anna looked at Young Allison and Savannah as they neared the wooden dock. She wanted to make Cameron clearly understand what she wanted out of the deal. Cameron wanted something of significance, so did she.
"I get to be with Young Allison first, and I get my one time alone with John." Anna said. "We can ask Young Allison if you want to know for sure."
Cameron quickly looked at Anna. Young Allison or Savannah could 'order' her not to use Anna's chassis at all. She knew Anna knew it too. Young Allison would back Anna's play. It was clear Anna knew how to play the game.
"It's an effective strategy." Cameron said.
Savannah and Young Allison were almost to them.
"Remember, I'm - you." Anna said. "It's with a little 'Savannah' thrown in to make me more reasonable."
Anna believed it actually made her superior. She certainly was much more stable than Cameron was. Savannah was better individual to have on her chip through the 'Neural Interface'.
Cameron needed to make a choice. She looked at Anna's figure again.
"Take more time off and it's a deal." Cameron said.
Anna looked down the front of her sheath.
"This is as good as it gets." Anna said. "I'm not losing anymore."
Anna made a point of looking at Young Allison when she issued her ultimatum. The implied threat was there.
Cameron didn't want to lose everything. She would need to compromise or risk losing everything.
Savannah looked at Cameron and Anna. She wondered what they were scheming about. She could tell they were. She didn't want to spoil the mood.
"Allison likes the cabin." Savannah said. "I told her she would like the houseboat too."
Young Allison smiled at Cameron. She would need to find out from Anna later on what was going on. Now wasn't the time. Anna looked very uneasy.
"This is all so beautiful, Cameron." Young Allison said.
Cameron wanted to keep control.
"Let's take it out a little ways. Things will look even nicer when we get out of the cove.
Young Allison was thrilled with the prospect. She never was in control of a boat before. It didn't seem like too much of a challenge after being in control of a plane or a helicopter.
"I've never really been on a boat before." Young Allison said. "Can I drive it, or sail it, or whatever it's called?"
It was what Cameron wanted to hear.
"Sure you can." Cameron said. "Most of the time CamNet controls it."
Young Allison's eyes lit up.
"Is she on board?" Young Allison asked.
Young Allison's excitement at the prospect of seeing CamNet wasn't lost on any of them.
Cameron laughed.
"She's only in the navigation and steering systems." Cameron said. "She secure in her bunker, where she's supposed to be. She knows where she belongs. Let's keep it the same way."
Cameron's statement wasn't lost on the others either. It was clear she didn't want any competition.
They all heard the houseboat start. Evidently CamNet wanted to take them out. No doubt she listened to everything as well.
"Savannah, you and Allison can cast off the aft rope." Cameron said. "I'll catch the one in the front."
Anna went with Savannah and Young Allison.
Young Allison looked at the rope.
"It's tight." Young Allison said.
Anna planted her feet against the bulkhead and pulled a little against the dock. Some slack developed in the line. Savannah and Young Allison slid it off.
The boat began to drift away from the dock.
Young Allison's face lit up with excitement. It seemed she was going to face a number of exciting things where she was at. She was sure the real excitement was yet to come.
"This is so cool." Young Allison said.
The boat drifted about twenty feet from the dock and then held its position. It was clear CamNet was in control.
Cameron returned.
"We'll start the tour with this deck and then go inside." Cameron said. "CamNet will hold the boat in this position until you are on the bridge."
Cameron made a point of looking at Young Allison with her last part of the statement. It was clear she wanted to get a little 'extra credit' in with her.
Savannah could see Young Allison was thrilled. It's what she wanted to see. She wanted to wait until it was the right time for them to be 'together'. She didn't want it rushed or 'scheduled'.
When they reached the large hot tub in the rear, Young Allison reached down and touched the water.
"It's nice and warm." Young Allison said. "Can we go in there later?"
Cameron smiled.
"Of course we can." Cameron said. "We're going to do whatever you want. Savannah and I already did."
Young Allison looked at Savannah and then looked around.
"I didn't bring my bikini." Young Allison said.
Savannah laughed.
"Neither did we. We've used it several times." Savannah said. "It's a big lake. No one will be close to us once we are out in the middle."
Young Allison looked at Savannah and giggled. She knew they would be naked.
"We get to skinny dip." Young Allison said. "Show me more."
Anna was glad it didn't come out Young Allison and her skinny dipped more than a few times in the off hours of the pool. She figured at least Cameron knew it. Then again, CamNet may have kept it from her. It was clear they were jealous of each other, even if they were both 'Cameron'.
Cameron led them under the overhang of the deck off the back of the Master Suite and into the lounge and galley area.
Young Allison was more than a little surprised about what was available.
"Wow, look at all of this stuff." Young Allison said. "My mom would like this kitchen area. I guess it's called a galley on a ship or a plane.
The reminder of Claire as Young Allison's mother wasn't lost on any of them either. Until the last two weeks, Young Allison lived under the care of her mother. A lot happened since then. More was about to happen soon.
Young Allison wanted to see everything.
They continued the tour of the main deck and even looked into the engine room and lower storage areas.
Young Allison was concerned about the safety equipment. She didn't think it would be necessary. She still wanted to know where it was at.
"Is there a lifeboat or something here too?" Young Allison asked.
Cameron looked at Anna. The lake was very deep. Young Allison and Savannah could swim, but hypothermia would start to take its toll on them quickly. The water was very cold.
She took them back outside and showed them the self inflating rafts. There were life vests at various places, and life rings as well. Whenever they passed some, Cameron pointed them out. They were all clearly marked with words and diagrams.
They went back inside and up the spiral staircase.
"This is fancy." Young Allison said.
Cameron wondered where Young Allison would go first if given a choice. She wasn't sure if it would be to the suites or to the bridge.
Savannah already knew what she wanted.
"Come back this way and I'll show you the cabins." Savannah said.
They checked out the smaller suites.
Young Allison looked over the cabins. She could see the luxury associated with them.
"These are much nicer than my room." Young Allison said.
Savannah took her back to the Master Suite. She figured it would up the ante, more than a little.
"How does this one rate?" Savannah asked.
Young Allison was even more impressed.
"Look at this." Young Allison said. "This is really nice."
Cameron thought Young Allison and Savannah would really like the Owner's Suite on the cruise ship. It was a level of luxury and opulence which was hard to top. The hot tub and giant shower, were both bonuses on top of it.
Savannah showed Young Allison everything including the bathroom and outside area.
Cameron took Anna's arm to lead her away while the girls were in the outside part. There was no need to dwell on the inevitable. What was about to happen, was going to happen.
Anna didn't want to go.
"It's the 'Natural Order'." Cameron said as she pulled Anna away. "All girls grow up, one way or another. This is the way it needs to be. This is the way it should be. It won't be like what happened to the girls from the other future."
Anna took one last look back and followed Cameron. They were headed to the bridge. She knew there were worse ways to 'grow up' than with someone they loved. She needed to think about what was best for Young Allison. She knew sacrifice was the true test of love. She didn't look back again and continued to follow Cameron towards the bridge.
Smiled Nervously
It's easy to take things
More than a little personally
It's all based on
It's measure of absurdity
Sometimes the strongest feelings
Can be communicated wordlessly
The weight they will carry
Is based on their earnestly
Actions taken towards another
Are usually done quite purposely
They can be felt and remembered
Throughout time into eternity
Every event that will happen
Shouldn't turn into an emergency
To keep things peaceful and civil
Needs to be more than a courtesy
When two are on the same page
They seem to work perfectly
When they start to diverge
It will leave one to smile nervously
Nobody