Chapter 433

Speechless

John Henry and Derek decided to send out two strike teams. They would consist of Terminators only. John was busy for now but would join them in the Command Center as soon as they were ready for the operation to begin.

Bob and Jim were on the same team. A second team would join them. Cameron's Terminators would provide backup. The Blackhawk was on standby. All four drones would be in use along with the manned drone as well. Sheila would be the pilot. She was recalled from an operation she was on with Ally earlier. It hadn't produced any results. There was nothing at the two locations they checked.

The current raid based on some information they followed up on from the 'Gray and anti-Metal duo' Cameron terminated. It led back to the Gray's associates. It's who they wanted to hit the most anyway. Al and Steve took them under surveillance for several days. It looked like they were about to have some type of meeting or gathering. No hostile Terminators were spotted yet. Everyone knew it could change. Then again, the Skynet Terminators could already be there, or in standby, waiting.

They really never knew what they were going to run into on an operation.

The teams headed out….

It was time for action.

John was with Cameron and some of the girls. He listened to everything they discussed. It was a lot to take in.

He was speechless. It was all so hard to take make sense of.

Jesse, Young Jesse, Camille, and Cameron all seemed to have a good laugh at his expense.

Camille saw the way John looked at Young Jesse. She moved up next to Young Jesse. She shot John a dirty look. She was there to 'protect' Young Jesse. It was her concern if Young Jesse ended up in John's bed, she might not be able to get her back. There was a good chance Cameron would deactivate her to keep Young Jesse close to John.

John got the message. He saw the same look on Cameron's face enough times to know what it meant. Cammy did the same thing with Savannah earlier as well. The Metal girls were very protective of their 'charges'.

After the introductions, Cameron explained the whole story. Camille filled in the parts which involved her. John was shocked. Cameron already told him about everyone, but seeing was believing. Well almost, he saw it alright, but it was still hard to believe.

John was called away soon to help direct the mission from the Command Center. He was glad to get away. Everything was mind boggling. He knew he needed to get his head back in the game. It was Showtime.

John thought about Young Jesse, she looked really Hot and sexy. If she started to 'come on' to him like Cameron made Savannah do, it would be hard to resist her. He didn't think he would reject her. She was already pregnant and he wouldn't mind 'breaking her in'. He'd also like to give 'things' a try before she had a baby. Things might not be quite as tight afterwards. If nothing else, it would make a good comparison just to see if a difference could be noticed.

Having known and been around Savannah since she was a girl, made it easier for John not to be as 'tempted' by her, even if he was. He could still 'see' the girl she once was, but knew she wasn't anymore. He was ready to move his life forward. He'd like to 'break in' Savannah too. He knew it would be more symbolic at this point since a baby was already born. He would still like to be the first male with Savannah or Young Jesse. He decided 'and' would be better than 'or' if the opportunity arose. It was definitely a case where 'two was better than one'.

If Young Jesse and Savannah both 'pressured' him, it would be a game changer. It would be something to be with both of them on their first time with a male, at the same time. It was probably Cameron's plan. Right now it seemed like a good plan to him. He wondered how he would choose which ones to try first if they were both together. He wondered if one of them would be more aggressive and make the first move. If not, he might create some hard feelings going forward. Well, a different kind of hard feeling.

He needed to get away from it all and get back to work in the Command Center. 'Little Willie' seemed to have a mind of its own right now. He adjusted his pants along the way. He really wondered how far Cameron would allow things to go. She indicated it would be all the way. Would it really?

Later on:

Jesse and Vanna talked with Cameron privately. They both were afraid they would have a repeat of the previous pregnancy attempts. They were both reluctant to try again. They knew how much the failures hurt. To get their hopes up, and then have them shattered and torn away never got any easier. If anything, it made it harder. It made them question their value and self worth. It indicated they were less than other 'normal' females. It indicated they were 'not good enough'.

Cameron told them Young Jesse and Savannah would control and decided upon the option to do as they chose with their offspring in relation to their older selves. Both Jesse and Vanna wanted hormone treatments so they could nurse the infants themselves. It was what occurred 'in some future' with the Duplicate versions of them there. She said she would look into it and explained the girls in the future may need help or an 'alternative' as well.

She wanted to know what was happening in her future first. Every future was a brutal place. The fact Future Allison wasn't pregnant at any point she was aware of was a bad indication. She knew she was asking a lot from the females, especially Savannah and Young Jesse. She didn't want to feel like she was breeding them, even if it's what it was by their own choice.

Cameron didn't think she could ask them to 'sacrifice'. Even if it was for the girls in the future, she didn't feel right to ask them. She believed to ask them would be taken the same as if she'd told them to do it. She knew they wouldn't want to disappoint her. They would agree with her even if it wasn't what they wanted to do. She didn't like having influence over others in such a manner. There may have been a time when it's what she would want to happen. It wasn't how she felt anymore. She wanted everyone to be able to choose their own destiny.

Jesse and Vanna noticed Cameron's hand started to glitch when she began to discuss it. They knew it deeply troubled her. Jesse and Vanna both calmed her. Vanna took her hand. They wondered if maybe they should have initiated the discussion another time.

Cameron told them she was going to have to conduct some temporal missions first. Everyone knew it was a risk. They all questioned if it was a good idea or not. The principal for the reason was sound. It would be the execution of the event which could become 'iffy'.

As soon as Vanna released Cameron's hand, it started to glitch even more. She told Jesse to go find Savannah and bring her. She took Cameron's hand again. She was afraid Cameron would shut down if it continued. It bothered her even more because it was the discussion Jesse and her carried out which seemed to propagate the current bout.

Vanna knew Cameron 'hurt' herself in her efforts to help the others in different futures. Emotional distress was something which was not easily overcome. A physical injury would heal with time. An emotional one could take much longer, and possibly never heal. She also knew, Cameron knew, it would hurt the girls to give up their children, at least it would Savannah. It was a big sacrifice to ask of any mother. She thought somehow it made it even more difficult when it was something which was planned as opposed to something which was unplanned and would be a surprise to a female.

Jesse was filled with emotion too as she went in search of Savannah. There were so many things which could go wrong. It often seemed if something could go wrong, it would. She filled Savannah in on the way back about what was 'wrong'. Cammy came along as well, but she was sidetracked by Young Jesse and Camille.

Savannah was troubled by Cameron's reaction. She felt part of it was her fault. She should have been 'stronger' in front of Cameron about her feelings. She knew Cameron 'blamed' herself, even if it wasn't the case. She got caught up in her own emotions and she couldn't control them. She didn't want to second-guess herself, but she seemed to do it anyway even if it was done subconsciously. She needed to tell herself she did the right thing for Duplicate Vanna. If she didn't do it, who would? If it didn't happen when it did, when would it happen?

She ran to where Cameron was. She conducted a very long conversation with Cameron and calmed her down. She understood the conflicts Cameron faced with all the decisions. They affected Cameron as much as they did her, if not worse. She figured it was worse because Cameron would feel it at the same intensity every time she thought about it. She knew time wouldn't dull her pain. Time only seemed to make Cameron's pain worse. It was a collective pain which always added to itself. There was never less, or was anything replaced. Instead it was all added on, and compounded on itself.

Later on Jesse and Vanna talked it over and decided Cameron was most concerned about the girls in the three futures. They would talk to their younger selves. They knew the risk was much higher for them to go into a future. The future itself was dangerous and toxic. Time transfers were always subject to temporal errors. A lot could go wrong just getting there. A lot more could go wrong once they arrived. There was no guarantee they would make it back to the time period they left from.

Young Jesse was actually intrigued by the idea. Based on Savannah's description to her of the future, she thought the conditions were controlled enough where it wouldn't be as dangerous as it could be. She knew it didn't mean it couldn't turn dangerous in an instant. She thought it might be a solution to her 'problem'. It would keep her out of hot water with her parents. She could leave, and come back in a few minutes time from there, even if she was in another future for a year. She wondered if she stayed for a few extra months, if her body should return back to 'normal'. It would be much closer to 'normal' anyway, even if it wasn't exactly the same. It would mask what occurred much better. It would save her a lot of headaches and explaining.

Young Jesse knew she would be protected in the future. There was always the risk she could be abused too. She would see if she could get a little closer to John before she left. She'd rather 'give it away' herself, than have it 'taken' from her. She wanted to make sure she got everything straight.

"So I can leave now, and come back two minutes later HERE, after being in the future for a year?" Young Jesse asked. "I can have the baby and be back like nothing ever happened?"

Camille liked the option. There would be less finger pointing at her. She also understood the risk factor.

"Yes." Camille said. "It's what Savannah did."

It really seemed like a grand adventure to Young Jesse. She was nervous but would rather not deal with her parents. She wanted to make sure. It could happen right now if she wanted it to.

"So while my parents are here, I can have the baby in the future, and they'll never know?" Young Jesse asked. "Can I do this right now?"

Jesse liked the physical changes she saw with Savannah. She thought they made her look even more attractive. They were also a clear indication of what Savannah did to anyone who understood what it was like to be pregnant.

"Your norks may still be bigger and your body a little fuller." Jesse said. "Savannah ended up with a set of knockers. They should return to normal with time, but since she's pregnant again, I don't know what will happen. I don't think you'll get too big because Mum didn't. You can always blame it on too many cheeseburgers, shakes, and fries."

Young Jesse was still a little worried. She was only in High School. She didn't want her mother to be upset with her about it. It didn't matter in the long run because she was pregnant now. It was still going to happen anyway. It could either be in the present or in the future. It was all a 'shell game'. It was still a big personal worry to her.

"Will Mum know?" Young Jesse asked. "Even though she knows about a lot of things, she doesn't know about this. I don't think I could tell her myself. It really worries me."

Jesse thought Young Jesse could stay longer in the future. It would give her body more time to 'recover'. It could also expose her to any danger for longer. Danger could come in many forms from the environment, to individuals, or even a resurgence of the enemy. One or all three of them were real possibilities. She didn't know what her mother would know, but she did know what her mother already experienced.

"I don't know, Jesse. She may. She did have two children." Jesse said. "You could stay a little longer. It would be safer if you went into River's future."

Young Jesse was conflicted now. She could tell what Cameron 'wanted', and she could see what Jesse wanted. She also didn't want any hassles. Her original intent was very specific. Savannah's original intent was very specific as well. Everything changed and played out differently than what was anticipated and planned.

"I don't know what to do." Young Jesse said. "I wanted you to have this baby, Jesse. I wanted to give it to you. Jesse, I'm doing this for you. YOU are ME."

Jesse could see the bigger picture. She knew the future sucked. It appeared some futures sucked more than others. She also understood the nature of the Duplicates.

"It would still be ME, hence YOU, love. The others are Duplicates of me. We're identical." Jesse said. "One set of Duplicates may be having a rougher go. The Duplicates where Savannah went were. It's your choice, Jesse. You have to make the decision yourself. Talk with Cameron for advice and direction. I know you already spoke with Savannah. I'll back you one hundred percent in whatever you do. The choice has to be yours alone. It's your body and it's your baby."

Young Jesse wanted to have the baby, and her parents not know about it. It's what she wanted. Maybe when she was a little older there would be less flak at home. Maybe if both of her parents knew the whole story, other than just her mother knowing part of it, it would make a difference and provide her with better support and understanding.

Savannah was with Cameron when Young Jesse found her. The three of them talked…. There were several options available on what to do. The question remained as to where to go.

Cameron received a call, something was going down….

Savannah and Young Jesse exchanged glum looks.

It was clear Cameron wanted to be a part of it.

On the way to the strike location, Bob and Jim picked up a target of opportunity. They swung by one of the previous locations they took down. Any of the teams out would do the same thing at times. They never knew who would pay attention to what was there before. A random check could always produce a hit or another lead.

They spotted something right away. They spotted a suspicious vehicle parked near the location.

"Check out the blue car." Jim said.

Bob looked over.

"I see it." Bob said.

Bob drove around the block and parked on a side street. They watched two men enter a burnt out building. They were back themselves two days after the place was torched to make sure nothing remained of value to Skynet. There was always the chance they missed something. Something could be hidden, and someone else might know exactly where to find it.

The men didn't come back out right away. It meant they were more than lookiloos.

The men could be a couple of 'copper hunters' looking to steal whatever wiring or piping they could rip out of the building. It wasn't uncommon. Thieves did it all the time in vacant buildings, or even houses for sale or rent, before the new occupants could move in. They could do thousands of dollars of damage for a few hundred dollars worth of copper.

The individuals inside could also open some hidden compartment they didn't know about. If something was hidden, it must have some type of value. Value to Skynet most likely wouldn't be monetary.

"Let's go see what our lost 'friends' are up to." Bob said.

Bob and Jim exited their SUV. They only took their Tasers and pistols with them. They would prefer to handle things silently their way, Terminator style.

They crossed the street and were half the way there when there was a gunshot. It was followed by two more, and then a dozen more. There were at least two different weapons. Someone was in a gun battle with someone else.

A man ran out of the building carrying something. It looked like there was some blood on his shirt. He got back in the car. He started it and drove off.

Bob didn't want to lose the man. He wanted to know what he obtained. They would also need to verify what happened inside of the building where the gunshots occurred. He needed to make a choice.

"I'm going to follow him." Bob said. "Check things out here. Someone may be 'trigger happy'. You need to watch yourself."

Jim nodded and continued on.

Bob hurried back to the SUV and took off after the blue car.

Jim entered the building and looked around. It took him a few minutes to find the other man. He was terminated. His body was in front of a cleared off spot on the floor. There was a secret compartment they missed. It was probably covered with debris when they went back through the building before. Fire damage tended to drop sections of the roof as it burnt onto the area below.

He looked in the compartment. It was empty.

He searched the man and took his phone. He switched it off and disabled it so it couldn't be tracked. They would analyze it and see what information could be gleaned. There was no other identification.

Jim called Bob and told him what he found. It looked like another Gray and anti-Metal infiltration operation which went bad. Someone made their move on the other one, but not before there was some shooting.

Bob closed up the distance on the blue car. It maneuvered more and more erratically. He figured the driver was wounded and losing blood. The car started to slow down. He would probably park the car soon and seek medical attention, or wreck the car as he passed out.

It was the latter.

The blue car approached a red light. There were no brakes applied. The car continued to move at a reduced speed towards the intersection. The driver was most likely passed out at this point or dead.

The car went through the intersection and was almost hit by a car going in each direction. Brakes screeched and horns honked. The blue car continued along as it slowed more and more. It was headed for the curb at a lazy angle.

It bumped up onto the curb and clipped a telephone pole. The entire right side of the car was mangled somewhat, even at the slow speed. The blue car dropped back down onto the street and stopped.

Bob waited on the other side of the intersection while all of it happened. He wanted to see if anyone else approached the car. They didn't. He drove past the car and parked on the next side street. He walked back on foot.

As he neared the car, a young street punk rolled up on a skateboard and went to look at the car. Most likely they were about to steal something. He picked up the pace.

The street punk held his skateboard with one hand as he reached inside the car. His hand came out with a bloody pistol.

Bob hoped to avoid an unnecessary termination. It looked like it would happen anyway. He wanted to defuse the situation.

"What your holding is mine." Bob said.

The street punk whirled around and pointed the bloody gun at Bob.

"Not anymore." The street punk said. "Give me your wallet."

Bob continued forward and grabbed the gun from the punk's hand.

"Wrong…." Bob said.

The punk dropped his skateboard and reached for something in his pocket. His hand came out with a knife.

Bob knocked it away with one swipe of his hand.

"Take off now and you won't be terminated." Bob said.

The street punk issues a series of curses and threats.

Bob reached over to the car and ripped the closed door off the passenger's side.

The street punk fell over backwards when he saw what the big man did. He picked up his skateboard and ran off on foot. He only looked back twice to make sure he wasn't followed. He didn't doubt for a moment the big man could kill him.

Bob reached inside the car. The driver was still alive but unconscious. He snapped his neck. He took his phone and deactivated it. There was a metal box on the floor on the passenger's side. He picked it up. He popped the trunk open. He wanted to see if there was anything else. There was nothing of value there.

He opened the box. There were ten chips packed in a protective lining. He wasn't sure if they were for a Terminator, an HK drone, or an HK Track. He would deliver them to Cameron himself and keep the acquisition off of the books. They might possess a significant amount of information depending upon what they were intended for. He realized they could also be blank and waiting to be programmed.

He wanted to make sure he wasn't tailed back to his vehicle. He went around the far side of the block and through a parking lot and over a fence. He returned to his SUV and went back and picked up Jim. He showed him what was in the box. They didn't verbally discuss what was there. Jim nodded. He understood it would be for Cameron. They still had a rendezvous at the original target location.

They arrived two minutes late, but it was an acceptable traffic time delay. They hooked up with the other team and went to work.

Jim took control of the second team. One Terminator from the other team joined Bob. The two teams of Terminators moved into position. They were ready to go in. If they ran into heavy resistance, they were to fallback and let the drones finish it. If they ran into any Terminators, and it wasn't too great of a force, they would try to capture them. If they came across any female Terminators, Cameron was to be notified immediately through CamNet only. It was to be kept off of the books and bypass the central Command Center. Cameron would come to collect the 'Metal Bitch' herself.

Bob's team moved in first, Jim's team went around to the backside. Bob's team moved in swiftly. They were able to terminate the guard at the door. He was looking at his phone and not paying attention. It seemed to be an occurrence they experienced at multiple locations with inattentive guards because of their phones. It was usually some type of porn they viewed. He wondered if it was really worth the cost of their life to view digital images which they couldn't touch or do anything else with. It wasn't like it was a real person.

No sooner than they entered, another SUV pulled up in front.

"Guess who is coming to dinner?" Steve came over the com.

Jim was aware of a similar reference.

"Did someone make a joke?" Jim asked.

Steve and Al were both outside as lookouts and backup.

Bob thought it must be something of significance.

"Is it a Terminator?" Bob asked.

Al double checked their initial scans.

"Affirmative…." Al replied. "It's one male and one female. We're notifying Cameron."

Bob was worried they were too far into the operation.

"We're already committed." Bob said. "Draw them off."

Steve and Al were ready to act.

"I'll get their attention." Steve said.

Cameron was contacted, she immediately responded.

"Don't take any chances. Hit them hard if you have to and we will sort it out later." Cameron said. "Let them come in and try to Taser them, if not, take them down. I'm on my way. Don't risk yourself or any of our team."

The hostile Terminators entered the building and the shooting soon started.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Speechless

It's often been said
That talk is cheap
What does one throw away
What do they keep

Isn't it what one actually does
That should be the judge
It may be something nice
Or it may create a grudge

People will say a lot
Most of it is hot air
The truth of the matter is
They don't really even care

Then there are those
Who are as good as they say
They are the one to keep
The rest can be thrown away

Don't mistake kindness for weakness
Understand it for its deepness
Or one will go sleepless
True honor leaves one speechless

Nobody