Chapter 446

Temporal Tribute

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Cameron's Future Timeline:

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The Resistance drones arrived after the battle was over. They didn't have a direct contribution to the battle which occurred, but they would have if the battle would've gone the way Skynet planned it. The battle wouldn't have been over as quickly as it actually was when Skynet lost the element of surprise. Most of its forces were destroyed before they actually even reached the Resistance base.

The Resistance drones did range out on wide patrols to search for any additional Skynet activity. They encountered a few HK drones which were sent out by Skynet for reconnaissance.

Cameron wanted the HK drones kept away from the base so Skynet wouldn't know what actually happened, and the damage was minimal. She didn't want Skynet to know how great the Resistance victory actually was.

Any HK drone which wouldn't turn and run was to be destroyed. Any of them which ran weren't to be destroyed. It was to be followed back to wherever it went. Their drones were not to approach the area or indicate they spotted anything. Cameron herself was to be given the information. No one else was to know.

Cameron covered and carried Holly's remains away and placed them in a secure location. She didn't want anyone else to know. She needed to have Bob run interference for her. She was conflicted about what to do, but also needed to honor Holly's last request as much as she could.

"Nobody must ever know of this - EVER." Cameron said.

Bob was traumatized by the events. He could see Cameron was even more so disturbed.

"Affirmative…." Bob said.

Cameron gave Bob a faint smile.

"Thank you." Cameron said. "You're a loyal friend."

Bob gave Cameron a hug. It wasn't something he would normally do, but it seemed appropriate in this case. He felt he needed to say something.

"I'm sorry for your loss." Bob said.

A single tear ran down Cameron's cheek. There was a far off look in her eyes.

"I am too, Bob." Cameron said. "I am too."

After Holly's remains were secured, Cameron faced Bob. She provided him with a new set of clothes. She quickly looked over his damage when he stripped. He would need a lot of cosmetic repair. Nothing mechanical was damaged or would need more than minor repair. She wanted to know why they knew to come. She wondered if it was more than the obvious.

"I need to know everything." Cameron said.

Bob explained what he knew to Cameron, and 'she', or a copy of her program, controlled Holly.

It was what Cameron feared. It was her fault. It sickened her even more to know she was responsible for what happened to Holly. It was her doing.

Bob and Cameron moved further into the compound. Everything was as secure as it could be for now. The rest of the Resistance began to return.

Cameron was afraid she was going to glitch out. She saw just who she needed right now. It was Savannah. Savannah ran towards them. She ran into Cameron's arms and gave her a big hug. She gave one to Bob as well. It seemed to please him immensely.

She heard from Duplicate Cameron, it was Cameron who led the response to the Skynet attack. She was also told there was most likely someone else from the past who was here now. They alerted the compound and prevented disaster. She was glad to see Bob, but she thought maybe there would be others too.

"Is there anyone else here?" Savannah asked as she looked around.

Bob looked at Cameron. He wasn't sure what he should say. He heard Cameron 'answer' John enough times to know how to word his response carefully. He didn't want to lie to Savannah. He also couldn't compromise his promise to Cameron. He didn't want to disrespect Holly either. He was still deeply traumatized by what occurred, even if it was necessary. He was glad the Resistance prevailed. It was a reminder not all victories were sweet.

Cameron closed her eyes. She quickly wiped away another tear.

Bob was overcome with 'feelings' he didn't want to have. Nonetheless they were there anyway. A single tear formed in his eye. He wanted to keep it simple.

"I'm the only one here now." Bob said.

Savannah began to look Bob over in detail. She could see he was heavily damaged. It appeared he tried to hide it. She didn't want him to do like Cameron did to hide her damage. She briefly wondered if there was a copy of Cameron's program on his chip. Maybe now wasn't the time to ask.

"You're damaged." Savannah said.

Savannah checked him over in detail to see what repairs were going to be necessary. She wasn't sure why he'd tried to 'hide' his damage.

Future Savannah walked up.

"I'm Savannah." Future Savannah said.

Bob could see she was much more like Savannah was than Vanna was.

"I'm Bob." Bob said. "I'm pleased to meet you."

Future Savannah just looked around the perimeter at the devastation and carnage out past the wire and trench. She looked over Bob too.

"We can fix you. There are many damaged Terminators laying around here now." Future Savannah said. "Few of them are wearing Resistance uniforms."

Future Savannah held the baby girl Savannah delivered and 'gave' to her. Future Savannah named her 'Joy'.

Bob looked at Savannah and Future Savannah. He could see Future Savannah was younger than Vanna. He was surprised to learn Savannah went by the name Vanna there. He didn't like to stare at them but he couldn't help it.

"I need to get Savannah, Ginger-Cammy, and Cameron to the new rendezvous point." Bob said. "The bunker was destroyed."

Cameron knew she wasn't going anywhere until she personally destroyed Skynet. She would track it down and destroy it herself to avenge Holly. She needed to get back to her duties.

"Sure, Bob." Cameron said. "I need to check on the troops."

Cameron made up her mind even before the destruction of Holly to hunt down Skynet and eradicate it from the face of the earth. The very fact some vestige of it still lived on, or even existed was enough to make her want to act. Attacking their base only furthered her desire. What was done to Holly ensured nothing would change her mind. It didn't matter if she was terminated in the process as long as she could terminate Skynet.

Future Allison approached Bob as she looked around. She hoped Holly would return. She'd fallen in love with Holly as much as Holly fell in love with her.

"I'm Allison." Allison said. "Is Holly coming back?"

Bob was unable to answer her at first.

"I'm Bob." Bob said. "I'm pleased to meet you."

He needed to clench his jaw. He could feel tears begin to well in his eyes. He couldn't get Holly's mangled chassis out of his mind. He watched Cameron walk away as she checked on the troops. She wiped her cheeks often.

"She'll be back." Bob said. "I don't know when. It won't be on this trip."

Bob looked over Future Allison. She looked like Cameron. This was who Cameron was patterned after. She was younger than Allison. She seemed to be a happy person. So did Future Savannah. It only reminded him of the terrible things done to the girls from the other future.

Future Allison began to nurse Destiny as she spoke with him. He couldn't help but look. She changed breasts to continue the feeding.

Savannah noticed how quickly Allison needed to switch breasts for Destiny.

"Do you have enough, Allison?" Savannah asked.

Allison continued to nurse Destiny and touched her breasts with her free hand.

"I don't know." Future Allison said.

Savannah's breasts were large and full right now. She felt she was even larger this time as compared to the first time.

"I have plenty." Savannah said. "I mean for both of the babies."

Future Savannah already switched Joy to her other breast as well. Savannah's breasts were fifty percent larger than hers.

"I don't understand how your breasts are so much larger than ours, especially mine since we're the SAME person." Future Savannah said. "You're even slightly taller than me. You're probably not even done growing yet."

It was something Savannah noticed too but didn't comment on. It was clear both of the girls from Cameron's future were under producing. She didn't want Future Savannah or Future Allison to feel self conscious. She tried to make it seem like it was more a matter of environment than anything else. It was most likely a major contributing factor.

"I've always been able to have perfect nutrition growing up and haven't been exposed to as many toxins in the environment. It's bound to change as I visit the different futures." Savannah said. "It will slowly ruin my body too. I'll stay here for years if I must to help feed OUR children. I won't abandon them or either of you."

Savannah opened her top. She took Destiny from Future Allison and started to nurse her. Future Savannah approached Savannah with Joy. Savannah shrugged her shoulders and her top slid completely off. Future Savannah handed her Joy and Savannah started to nurse her as well.

"I don't mind this part." Savannah said as she nursed the two infants. "You two can be the diaper changers."

The three girls giggled.

Ginger-Cammy did what she could to help, which was almost everything. It was what she wanted to do. She made sure the girls received plenty of help.

Bob went with Duplicate Cameron and Future John. They followed up on the defenses Cameron started to reinforce. Once it was done, they would start a systematic collection of the scattered Skynet materials. Damaged and destroyed Terminators would be harvested for parts or limbs. If some could be 'reconstructed', it would happen with a clean Resistance chip. They didn't use reprogrammed ones anymore to prevent a Terminator from 'flipping' on them. It was another suggestion from Cameron upon her return ten months ago.

She remembered when she told Future Derek about some of the reprogrammed Terminator problems. She told him sometimes they go bad, nobody knows why. It was something always in the back of her mind. She didn't believe what she experienced when she was damaged in the explosion was the same thing. She didn't just go bad, she experienced a reaction to a traumatic event. She thought about replacing her chip with a clean one more than a few times. She was sure it would solve a lot of problems, at least for her.

Future John watched Cameron. She was like no other. His Cameron, Duplicate Cameron was identical, but still different somehow. Now Cameron was away from his younger self to provide the two women he loved with the children they couldn't have, his children. He thought he would remain childless. Now Cameron fixed it too. Cameron gave him HIS Allison back, reunited her with HIS Savannah, and then there was a 'Duplicate' of herself. Most of all, Cameron provided him with children. He never envisioned how dynamic Cameron would become. He knew Cameron wasn't done growing yet, he could just feel it. He wondered if all of her temporal junkets added to her development. It gave her more time to be around humans, and experience more and different things.

Cameron took him off to the side. There was a stern look on her face. He wondered if she noticed him check out Savannah earlier as she nursed both infants. He didn't want to hear about how part of his anatomy was going to be nailed to the back of his bedroom door if he ever touched Savannah. It wasn't the problem, this time.

It was actually a bigger problem. Cameron said she was going to hunt down Skynet herself and terminate it. She planned to do it no matter how long it took. She indicated she would have a few 'surprises' for Skynet or any of its doomed offspring. Cameron told him she did it before. He didn't doubt her one bit. He knew Cameron didn't like surprises. He doubted Skynet would either. He wondered what the 'surprises' were.

He couldn't help but think about some of the weapons systems Cameron managed to produce out of thin air to help protect the Resistance bases. The weapons and ammunition she provided were impossible to obtain in the current time period. Things they could manufacture were much more crude. When he pointed it out to Cameron, she informed him she would see if she could come up with some machinery to assist them going forward. It was something she would need to get back to him on. He really wondered what other surprises Cameron could produce. He could only imagine.

Cameron needed to push her thoughts of Holly to the back of her mind for now. Every time she thought of it, it was going to affect her judgment. There were other more important things she needed to tend to. She personally made sure the base was fortified. She organized teams to strip any usable armament off the downed HK drones and wrecked transports. They would be added to the base's defenses. She made sure all the usable power cells were collected and inspected. She wanted all the chips from the downed HK equipment as well as the Skynet Terminators. She wanted any of their fallen Terminators with a recoverable chip restored back to service. It was something Duplicate Cameron asked her to do previously. Cameron thought Duplicate Cameron should be the one present when they were reactivated. She wanted the credit to go where it was due based upon Duplicate Cameron's actions 'in some future'.

She decided to have the twisted Coltan made into projectiles. Until today, everyone else would have thought it was unnecessary. She was sure there were a lot of things she recommended and pointed out previously which would all be listened to now by everyone. She was in two other Skynet futures besides her own. She was briefly in River's future where they experienced problems of their own. She didn't witness those first hand, but she was thoroughly filled in by River as to what they were and how they needed to be dealt with. Both of her Duplicates and her clones, until the point where they were no longer updated, possessed the same information she did. She experienced more things first hand than any other human or Terminator, period.

She personally visited the crashed transports and searched desperately for any female Terminators, there were none. She at least expected to find one she could harvest the female anatomy from. She desperately needed the specific 'part' and its advanced neural network which enhanced its function. She promised to fix Holly. It was something she planned to do, no matter what she needed to do to do it.

Previously, Cameron picked up Holly's deactivated chassis and carried it away. She placed it in a secure location. She checked on it often to see what would regenerate. Some of the wounds started to heal. It appeared most of them wouldn't, but only become some form of mottled scar tissue. Whatever healed on her chassis wouldn't have any female attributes. Holly would remain a genderless cyborg if she were ever reactivated. She placed Holly's chip in a special container to protect it and carried it with her. Any female Terminator she encountered was going to 'donate' its chassis to Holly. She was sure she could find some when she found Skynet. It only furthered her resolve to track down the evil master.

Cameron wanted to tell Ginger-Cammy what happened. She didn't because she decided to honor Holly's request no one should know what happened to her and her sheath. Allison must never know. She understood. She knew how Holly felt when John needlessly ruined her sheath to rescue Sarah. She felt her hand glitch as she remembered the entire ordeal.

She wondered if it would have made any difference in the end as to what John's irrational actions would lead to. Even if her chassis wasn't damaged, events probably would have played out the same. If her chassis alone was the one which went into the future, John more than likely would have followed it anyway, even more so than he did to go after her chip. It would be her chip and her chassis he would want to retrieve. It made her think about the 'currents in time', or the 'tides of time', and how things tended to play out the same even when attempts were made to change them.

She also personally knew the trauma and rejection of being in a different chassis. Savannah and Claire understood and treated Ginger-Cammy and Holly-Hanna with honor on their assignment. John rejected her as Isabel and Summer. Her hand began to glitch more. She thought about ordering Duplicate Cameron to return in her place because she was so upset to relive everything again. She didn't think Future John was any better.

Cameron needed to refocus. She knew Savannah needed to get out of the future NOW. She needed to get Savannah back home, and then hunt down Skynet. She was sure it was going to create a problem for what she needed to do. Ginger-Cammy already informed her Savannah didn't want to leave when she ordered everyone away earlier. It was only when Savannah was reminded what she would want to happen more. Would it be to come after her, or protect the two infants. Future Allison and Future Savannah might not be able to provide for them on their own currently. It was a tough call on Savannah's part since she swore never to abandon Cameron. She made sure steps were initiated to alleviate the problem going forward.

Cameron thought back to when they arrived in the future, this future. She saw right away Savannah and Future Allison were almost the same age there. Savannah was only a few years younger. It was the perfect match. She knew Duplicate Cameron and Future Allison shared a special bond. They were able to consummate their love unlike she was able to do with Future Allison. At the time, she knew if she would have, she never would have been able to leave her.

She took Duplicate Cameron aside. She wanted Savannah to feel loved in this future. She explained she wanted Savannah and Future Allison to 'bond' on their own if they chose to. No one was to interfere if it happened, Nobody.

Duplicate Cameron said she loved HER Allison. She felt threatened. Maybe Future Allison would love Savannah and not her. Her hand began to glitch.

Cameron noticed and took Duplicate Cameron's hand. She didn't think it was anything different which occurred 'in some future'. She didn't believe it would disrupt the 'Natural Order'.

"I've risked two lives to provide you with the children the girls here can NOT have. Neither one of them should be in the future and risk contamination and sterility. They've come on their own to help, even as they know the risks." Cameron said. "For Savannah to share love with Future Allison for a short time is something she needs. It's something I want for her. You love her too, 'Cameron'. Please love Savannah more and share with her too. MY Savannah is the 'Chosen One'. I want her to be comfortable and happy while she's here. She needs human companionship, not just Terminators. I'm not asking or telling anyone to do anything. You know it, but if it 'happens', let it happen, please."

Duplicate Cameron understood Claire and Savannah could be with anyone of their choosing except Future John. She didn't want it either. There was plenty of female companionship for him with the three of them. She would make a point of making herself more available to him.

"I won't interfere with what anyone chooses to do." Duplicate Cameron said. "I do love Savannah too. I know she's been loyal to you, to US. She's the finest one of all of them. I've seen them all, Cameron. Savannah is the 'Chosen One'. I will yield. I'll help her expand her love and experiences…."

Duplicate Cameron hoped those experiences would expand to her as well. She knew she was superior to Cameron in that regard. She experienced the love of Future Allison and Future Savannah. There was plenty there to share with everyone.

Cameron also needed to inform Ginger-Cammy not to get in the way either.

Shortly after their arrival into the future, Savannah needed to talk with 'Cammy'. Something began to happen in the first few hours which only expanded in the next few days. She wanted to be upfront with Cammy. She was quite pleased with Cammy's new appearance in Ginger's chassis as well.

"Cammy, you know I love you." Savannah said.

Ginger-Cammy was a little worried with Savannah's opening statement. Maybe Savannah was displeased with her new appearance. She thought Savannah liked it. She spent a lot of time examining and pleasuring her private areas. She tried to play it cool.

"I do." Ginger-Cammy said. "As I love you."

Savannah faced Ginger-Cammy. She wanted her to know the truth.

"I'm falling in love with Allison - Future Allison." Savannah said.

It was more than what Ginger-Cammy feared. She thought Savannah only wanted a sexual experience with Future Allison. It was worse, Savannah loved Future Allison. She worried most about Cameron capitalizing on their new love and 'stealing' both Savannah and Future Allison and run off into the past with them. It would be the supreme form of temporal malpractice. It seemed right up Cameron's alley. She wanted Savannah to be happy, but pointed out what already existed. She felt it was important. It was important to her anyway.

"Future Allison already has a mate, several already, and one of them is you, a version of you." Ginger-Cammy said.

Savannah approached Future Savannah first with her feelings for Future Allison. She felt it was the right thing to do. It was the same thing she did 'in some future' with the girls there as well.

Future Savannah wasn't pleased, but she understood the sacrifice Savannah was there to do for her. Savannah was her. She knew what she would want to do. It was the same thing. She understood what a risk it was for her to take. She also understood loneliness. She was well 'used' by the time she met Future Allison. This was her chance to 'give' Future Allison 'herself' in a pristine package. She only laid out two restrictions for Savannah.

"I've spoken with Future Savannah about this." Savannah said. "I've asked her, asked 'myself', about it. Future Savannah said I was the younger 'unspoiled' version of herself which she never could give to Future Allison. She said she would look the other way, but I was to stay away from Future John and Duplicate Cameron."

Ginger-Cammy understood Future Savannah's fear. She feared Savannah could replace her with Future John and Duplicate Cameron. She did know Future Savannah's love with Future Allison was strong and would never be broken. If she didn't allow Savannah to expand in a 'controlled' manner, she would seek comfort elsewhere, maybe with strangers. She was aware Cameron went out and rounded up some young teenage females who were semi-fit and pretty. She wasn't sure what for. She didn't want to be rejected so Savannah could pursue her desires. Cameron warned her about it and she better get on board or get replaced.

"Allison is in your future, an Allison." Ginger-Cammy said. "It's the 'Natural Order'. Since you're in the future, I see no reason not to get a head start. You're almost the same age here. It actually is a little reversed of what it is from our timeline."

Ginger-Cammy didn't see the need to tell Savannah that Cameron already spoke with her firmly on the subject. She didn't care for when Cameron said she would make sure Ginger got her chassis back, regardless. It was a veiled threat her chip might not still be in it.

Savannah was pleased to hear it. She also agreed to one of Future Savannah's requests. She decided to spell it out for Ginger-Cammy now.

"Thank you for understanding, Cammy." Savannah said. "You do know Future Savannah is 'me'…."

Ginger-Cammy and Savannah shared a smile. Savannah just clandestinely gave her the 'OK' to expand into a relationship with Future Savannah if they both chose to do so. She felt she actually would have a better opportunity since the chassis she currently occupied wasn't a clone of Cameron. It would be someone 'different' for Future Savannah.

Savannah already knew Future Savannah was on board. It now looked like Ginger-Cammy was too.

Ginger-Cammy was thrilled at the prospect of being with another version of Savannah. They were both the same person after all. She was with Vanna too. Cam and her switched more than a few times. Savannah never had a problem with it either.

"I know now." Ginger-Cammy said. "Whatever happens - happens."

Savannah gave Ginger-Cammy a hug and a kiss. She thought about the other future she visited. There was a lot she hadn't told Ginger-Cammy about her adventure there yet. It was quite a sexual adventure.

"What happens in the future, stays in the future." Savannah said.

Cameron listened from the distance. She smiled. She wanted Savannah to feel loved by 'real people' as well as the machines. She thought of Savannah and Future Allison. She wanted them both….

It was the same thought Duplicate Cameron and Ginger-Cammy both feared. They both ran Cameron program so they knew how she thought and how far she would go if she wanted to.

It was the combination Cameron was sure she took with her to the past to live their lives out away from all this….

The three of them could find out what it was like 'to get away from it all'.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Tribute

Why is it always those
Who should have some gratitude
Become indifferent and belligerent
They soon develop an attitude

It goes to show they are willing
To bite the hand that feeds
How soon they have forgotten
That hand took care of their needs

It must consist of more
Than squabbles or tit for tat
There needs to be a future
They don't know where it's at

Things don't need to get possessive
There is no actual obligation
It is just something as simple
As a little appreciation

One can do a little to help
They just need to contribute
It's not a soul for sale
Or one offered up as tribute

Nobody