Chapter 448

Temporal Termination

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Cameron's Base Current Timeline:

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Cammy opened her eyes. She saw Savannah looking at her. She never expected to see Savannah or anything else again. She was even unaware of the oblivion she was in once they started to pull her chip. The darkness of deactivation was absolute nothingness.

Savannah was able to think everything through. She knew her anger was uncalled for and misdirected. She still felt they left Cameron behind to face her termination. She needed to fix things with Cammy and apologize.

"I'm sorry, Cammy." Savannah said. "I know Cameron made you do it. Please forgive me for being such a Bitch myself. I know you aren't one. I'm sorry. I love you."

Cammy thought she was terminated. She accepted her fate for making Savannah hate her. Now Savannah stood over her like an angel. She reached up and touched Savannah's cheek. She then sat up and stood. She was back in her own chassis.

"I love you, Savannah." Cammy said. "I'd never do anything to hurt you on purpose."

Cammy knew it was going to cause a problem by restraining Savannah in the energy bubble. It was her job to protect Savannah. Getting Savannah out of the future and back home to the past was what was needed for her protection. She knew it was going to cause a problem the way it was done. She was sure she would be deactivated over the matter. She decided to do it anyway and do what Cameron wanted her to do. Savannah came before her regardless of the consequences. Savannah's life mattered. Her existence did not.

When she expressed her 'fears' to Cameron over the very issue, she was told to trust Savannah and trust their love. She was unsure about it, especially after Savannah's reaction. She always knew Savannah loved Cameron more than her. Now Savannah was with her and she reactivated her in her own chassis. Savannah's love was as strong and true as Cameron told her it would be. She could see why Cameron wanted the same love. She hoped to hold on to it for as long as possible.

Cammy looked around, Ally stood next to Ginger. Everyone was back in their proper chassis. Someone important was missing.

"Where's 'Cameron Prime'?" Cammy asked.

Sheila thought they were getting ahead of themselves. It wasn't ten months for them at the base.

"Cameron is still in the future, love. We're not activating Cameron's spare chip yet." Sheila said. "This is all still the same day for us."

Allison stood next to her mother and Hanna.

"I'd like to speak with Cammy alone." Allison said.

Everyone left Cammy and Allison alone, even Savannah. Cammy saw Savannah waited for Allison in the distance.

Allison looked around to make sure everyone was gone like she asked them to be. She faced Cammy. There was a look of sadness on her face.

"How was Holly terminated?" Allison asked. "I know it was the 'Cameron' on her chip which did it to her. 'Cameron' killed Holly. I know it. Can you tell me how it happened?"

Allison seemed calmer than Cammy would have expected her to be. Then again, she grew up in the future, death was commonplace. They never got used to it, but they understood it was how everything worked.

Cammy wasn't sure what she was supposed to tell Allison. Cameron kept everything secret from everyone. She really didn't know a thing.

"Allison, I never saw Holly in the future when she went back the second time. I only saw Holly when she was there with Claire. They left together." Cammy said. "I only saw Bob. Holly was never mentioned. Future Allison asked about her. She was never given a good answer."

Cammy hadn't seen her, only Bob and Cameron saw Holly. Cameron never discussed it with her. She figured it was so Savannah wouldn't find out and intervene.

Allison frowned. She already spoke with Savannah before Cammy was reactivated. She believed Savannah. It was the same story. It seemed she needed to believe Cammy too. It made her wonder about Future Allison's request. The one person who was with Holly was Bob. They were together for two months outside the Connor Compound as they observed it.

"Savannah never did either. I asked her." Allison said. "Bob isn't talking. He left the area unexpectedly."

Cammy didn't think now was a good time to point out Bob was severely damaged and needed massive amounts of sheath replacement. She would try and offer some hope.

"The logical assumption is Holly must be working with Cameron." Cammy said. "She may be on a special assignment. I don't know."

Allison looked resigned.

"It's all I could get out of Bob before he left." Allison said. "He said there were important matters he needed to tend to. I don't know if there were or not. It looks like I'm going to get stonewalled by everyone. I think everyone has been misled by Cameron to cover something up."

Allison felt defeated. She was sure there was a cover up. She remembered some of the deception she needed to play with John as 'Cameron' previously. Cameron went to great lengths to cover up damage to herself before. She wasn't sure if it was applicable in the current situation or not. She was very concerned it was something far more sinister. There was something she 'needed' to ask anyway.

"Was Holly captured and reprogrammed as a 'Metal Whore'?" Allison finally asked.

Cammy was appalled by the question. She wasn't aware Holly even returned with Bob. It was information they didn't share with her. She figured it was something covered up by Cameron. If Allison's fear were true, she believed Cameron would have acted long ago to rectify the situation. All of the female Terminators were worried about being captured and reprogrammed as 'Metal Whores'. It raised the prospect of something even more devastating. There could have been something else which happened to Holly during the attack on the Connor Compound. It wasn't something she wanted to mention to Allison. It was possible Holly was terminated. She wanted to try to set Allison's mind at ease. It didn't do any good to speculate without facts.

"No. You know Cameron would never allow it to happen. I wouldn't either." Cammy said. "I would go back myself right now if it was the case. I swear it. We all would. It isn't anything we would wish on any female Terminator, even a Skynet female Terminator."

Allison believed Cammy right now. They all would go back for Holly. All the Terminators were ready to go after Cameron, Savannah, and Cammy. Even her mother wanted to go back. It was possible there were other factors in play. She didn't know what any of them could possibly be. With the TDE, anyone could arrive from the future at any point in time. There didn't need to be anything for them to wait for upon their arrival into the past. She couldn't get any information out of those who were there. It still didn't change the feeling in her gut. She was sure there was some kind of a problem.

"OK, Cammy." Allison said. "I know something happened to her. I know it. I don't know what, but it was nothing good."

Cammy could see Allison was devastated. She needed an explanation or closure. Maybe her family was what was needed. She needed the closeness of other humans.

"Claire needs to go back home to Young Allison and Summer." Cammy said. "Hanna will take her. You should go as well, Allison. There's no way to know when anything is going to happen. Cameron isn't back either. You know she won't allow anything to happen to Holly. It's something you need to believe."

Allison didn't like the suggestion. It seemed like an 'order'.

"Is it the 'Cameron' in you telling me?" Allison asked. "I want to wait for Holly. I'm staying here until I know what happened to Holly, one way or another."

Cammy wanted to offer Allison a little more. Maybe it was Savannah who needed to do it. It wasn't what she wanted. She could see it was what Allison needed right now. She needed a close personal connection. She knew where there was love waiting. It wasn't physical love either. It could be a part of it, but it wasn't where the real love would come from.

"Sure, Allison, I understand." Cammy said. "You can stay in the room Savannah has here. You can use any of Cameron's clothes or my clothes. You'll find everything you need there. I will stay on top of the situation here myself. I promise to let you know anything I find out, as soon as I do. I would want someone to do the same thing for me."

Allison appreciated Cammy's candor. She didn't plan to go anywhere. She didn't know how long her stay would be. She wanted to make her position clear.

"I'm not leaving until Holly is back." Allison said. "Or someone admits to me she was terminated…."

Savannah decided to join them. She could see how upset Allison was. She was worried Allison might become angry and take it out on Cammy. She didn't want Cammy to suffer anymore than what she already inflicted on her herself.

Cammy asked Savannah to take Allison to her room. She knew Savannah and Future Allison became lovers. Maybe Allison could use a little of the love right now. She knew Savannah wouldn't take things too far on her own. She did believe both of them could use a close friend right now. She was still very upset at Cameron for making Savannah hate her earlier. Maybe both of their minds could use a little redirection. She thought it was strange on some things she thought she could never agree to or put up with, now seemed like the solution.

Savannah felt even 'more' for Allison now since she was with Future Allison. Things were different now. Everything was different now. She was different now. She wanted to be there when Cameron returned. She didn't plan to go anywhere either. She understood exactly how Allison felt.

"I'm going to stay with her as well and wait for Cameron to come back." Savannah said. "I'll find out the answers myself, however I need to do it."

Cammy was sure Savannah didn't want her around anymore. It really seemed like a good time to get away from it all.

"I'll go then." Cammy said.

Savannah looked around.

"Go where?" Savannah asked.

Cammy didn't want to say what she thought. She would try to downplay it all.

"I don't think you want me around." Cammy said. "For a while…."

Savannah saw Cammy's hand start to glitch.

Cammy tried to hide it behind her back.

Savannah felt it was her fault. She spoke when she was angry and said things she didn't mean. It was something she normally avoided. She didn't usually have any type of a confrontation with anyone. It was a reminder to her how low someone could go in a matter of seconds when their emotions got the better of them. It wasn't anything to be proud of. She knew she needed to fix things fast. She was sure she created a permanent scar in Cammy's mind which would never go away. It would be like all the things Cameron felt.

"Oh, Cammy, I'm sorry." Savannah said "I didn't mean it. Please forgive me. I was wrong to say those things. I was upset about what happened. I took it out on you."

Cammy felt a sense of relief. The glitch in her hand slowed but didn't stop. She wasn't sure if Savannah was just trying to be nice or not. She never saw Savannah so angry before.

"You really don't hate me?" Cammy asked.

Savannah wondered if Cammy listened to her. Cammy was still fixated on what she said in anger earlier.

"Hate you?" Savannah asked. "Cammy, I love you. I was upset. I said things I didn't mean. It's what people do. We say and do stupid things sometimes. I'm no different. I could never hate you. I said something stupid and wrong. I need you to forgive me."

Savannah reached around Cammy's back and took her hand, it still glitched slightly. It should have stopped, but it didn't. She noticed something was eating at Cammy 'big time'. She wondered if there was another problem.

"Cammy, what's wrong?" Savannah asked. "Is there something else?"

Cammy was aware Savannah and Future Allison would have been happy to run off together with their children and never look back. She was still surprised Cameron hadn't done it and joined them. She wasn't really sure what to say or how to word it.

"Allison isn't - Future Allison…." Cammy said.

Savannah could see Cammy was still worried she hated her and would seek to replace her with the 'real thing'.

"I know, Cammy." Savannah said as she looked around.

Savannah moved her lips right against Cammy's ear.

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

Cammy's hand stopped glitching. There was plenty which happened in the future. She was involved with quite a lot of it herself, especially at Savannah's urging.

Savannah gave her a kiss.

"Come on, Cammy." Savannah said "We both can show Allison to my room."

Cammy followed Savannah. She was worried she would have to relinquish her chassis to Cameron's spare chip soon. Her hand began to glitch again. The current reprieve wasn't really a reprieve at all. She was sure replacement wasn't far away….

She was also worried now since Savannah tasted the 'forbidden fruit', Future Allison. She worried Savannah would try to claim Allison here now and replace her. Savannah didn't need to wait for Young Allison any longer, everything she wanted was already here and available. Not only was it available, it was experienced far greater than Future Allison was. She secretly watched Allison and Vanna together. They could make each other finish very soon and often. It was the same for Future Allison and Future Savannah. She watched Future Allison and Savannah too. It didn't matter which version of them it was. Every Savannah Weaver and every Allison Young belonged together. Savannah and Allison would be no exception.

She was too concerned about the present to think about what Savannah said, 'What happens in the future, stays in the future'. She didn't realize it applied to the events which occurred 'in some future' as well. She didn't realize Savannah's experience level was much greater when she returned from the first future she visited. She did know it was much greater now.

Bob hadn't gone far. He just needed to get away from all of the questions from everyone. He was very much ill at ease with everything. Holly's damage still haunted him.

Cameron gave him specific instructions. He was to seek out Ginger. When he was able to quietly call her away from everyone, he did so.

Ginger looked a little concerned.

"Yes, Bob?" Ginger asked.

Bob felt he was on shaky ground. He didn't like the circumstances.

"Cameron told me you worked with repairing Terminators in your future." Bob said. "She said there was no one finer than you."

Ginger liked the complement, but it made her worry instead. Her first concern was for Cameron. Maybe she was damaged again.

"Yes, I've done much work with Terminator 'repairs'." Ginger said. "Is Cameron OK?"

Her question caught Bob off guard.

"Cameron?" Bob asked. "Cameron is fine. She was when I left anyway. I need to Resequence a sheath, but we don't have the original DNA."

Ginger didn't know all the details of the Terminators there. Maybe it was someone from Cameron's future. There were other ways to work around the issue.

"Do you have the processor from the old chassis?" Ginger asked.

Bob knew she was doing her job, but he was out on a limb.

"Yes." Bob said.

Ginger looked around. She was aware of the concern Allison expressed earlier. It concerned her as well.

"Did something happen to Holly?" Ginger asked.

Bob said nothing. There was an uncomfortable feeling inside him.

Ginger knew of Allison's extreme apprehension. It seemed valid at this point.

"Was Holly terminated?" Ginger asked.

Bob said nothing. The uneasiness grew. He didn't know how to suppress it.

Ginger could see Bob was conflicted. She tried a broader approach. She needed to know what she was going to have to work with.

"Does the Terminator have plasma burns?" Ginger asked.

Bob was glad for the slack. He nodded at Ginger.

"Are they repairable?" Bob asked.

Ginger knew female Terminators in her future were hard to come by. It seemed there were a lot of them there.

"No. The sections of the sheath need replacement 'in kind' to regenerate properly." Ginger said. "An entire new sheath would have the best results to have a functioning female. The neural network will be damaged as well."

Bob frowned. Cameron told him he was to do whatever Ginger said was necessary. They didn't have some things in this timeline.

"We don't have the facilities here to do it." Bob said.

Ginger knew where there were those very facilities. The 'Bob' in her future made sure one facility was preserved after what happened to Cameron, and what she gave up to repair Cameron.

"I can take her to my future and repair her there." Ginger said.

Cameron told Bob it may be necessary if there was no other option. He was to take Holly there with Ginger and have her repaired. He hoped to do it from their timeline.

"Can we use 'components' from other Terminators?" Bob asked. "Cameron told me to Resequence the Terminator she recently Resequenced, or remove 'components' from the new Terminator she captured and disassemble her for parts as needed."

Ginger knew the different sheath pigmentation would take a long time to Resequence properly. The good news was the Terminator would be a functional female during the process.

"The different sheath tone will take longer to regenerate back to her original appearance." Ginger said. "I take it the damage is major?"

Bob wished he could get the images out of his mind.

"Yes." Bob said. "Several large 'sections' need replacement. She's no longer 'female' in any area. She is genderless."

Ginger was worried as to how bad the damage was. She needed to see what there was to 'work' with.

"Can I see her?" Ginger asked. "I need to do a proper inspection."

Bob remembered Holly never wanted Allison to know, or anyone else either.

"She asked not to let anyone see her." Bob said. "No one must ever know."

Ginger was a little frustrated. If she needed to take her to her future, she needed to see her at some point to do it.

"How am I supposed to fix her?" Ginger asked. "I need to do an exam."

Bob was given an option for another Terminator to see Holly. The conditions were specific and absolute.

"If she is unfixable, you must delete the files." Bob said. "There must be no record. You will need to give up part of your memory. It is a very strict rule from Cameron."

Ginger was really worried at this point. She wasn't sure what she was going to see. She wanted to give Bob a little reassurance since she could see the stress he was under and the rules he needed to follow. He was clearly uncomfortable with everything.

"Agreed, I promise to do it." Ginger said. "I will even delete and erase this conversation. I will know nothing about it in any way."

Bob remembered Holly's anguish and how she held Cameron's plasma rifle to her head and begged to be terminated. He was the one who pulled Holly's chip as Cameron held her in her arms. Technically he was the one who terminated her.

"Allison must not see her. Holly will self terminate before she will allow Allison see her in her current condition, or even if she knows of it." Bob said. "It was important to her and Cameron both. They made me promise."

Ginger remembered the trauma Cameron felt over her damage. She remembered the withered breast she ended up with from Cameron. It was her choice. Cameron was married. She needed to be whole for her husband.

"I understand." Ginger said. "I experienced a damaged female component before myself. It's very unsettling. I thought it was going to be permanent. Cameron and Bob, my timeline Bob, fixed it."

Ginger thought back to when she would look at her reflection as she touched her rumpled breast she 'traded' Cameron for. Sandy kept asking her about it until she finally showed her. Sandy assured her she would care for her just the same. Sandy reminded her she was now in a different chassis with a different sheath. Her entire appearance was different. All of her female attributes were different. It was traumatic too. Sandy reminded her their program was really them. She also offered to trade chassis with her, or even swap out her entire upper torso section. She knew then Sandy truly cared for her.

Cameron told Bob what Ginger did for her. He was even more pleased when she showed him. She was very proud she was 'normal' again.

"Cameron told me of your sacrifice to help her." Bob said. "She is eternally grateful."

Ginger was pleased she could make Cameron happy. It was time to get to work.

"Put the units you want me to work on in the same area." Ginger said. "I'll see what I can do. Will anyone help me?"

Bob was ready for the challenge.

"I will assist you." Bob said. "I've been instructed to delete my files as well when we're done, as you must."

Ginger was ready, but felt her future timeline would offer more resources.

"I will do as Cameron asks." Ginger said. "It would still be best to take her to my future."

Bob wanted to limit the exposure of Holly. If it was necessary as a last resort, they would use the option.

"No. I will get everything set up here. I don't want anyone else to see her if possible." Bob said and left.

Bob returned. Ginger was waiting.

"I have everything ready." Bob said.

Bob took Ginger to the work area.

Cameron's Terminators who stood watch moved to the side to let Bob and Ginger pass. He explained the situation to them when he carried in the other female chassis.

Bob took Ginger into the room and uncovered Holly's face. It was beautiful and flawless.

Ginger saw Holly laying there. She looked so peaceful as if she was asleep, her face as beautiful as always. She noted the sheet lying flat across her chassis. Her large breasts were gone. She clenched her jaw a little tighter.

"May I?" Ginger asked.

Bob nodded and looked away.

Ginger gasped as she removed the sheet. There was nothing 'female' left on Holly. She didn't really know where to start. The damage to the neural sensory network was probably extreme as well.

"We will work on Resequencing the other Terminator first." Ginger said. "I'll need to do a lot of cutting to patch her back together. I will need to remove the entire front section of the other Terminator down around to her back side. There's nothing here to work with. The chassis may be unrepairable as a female."

Bob knew things didn't get done thinking about them.

"Let's get started." Bob said.

Ginger noted the careful craftsmanship which was done to repair Holly so far.

"Who did these repairs?" Ginger asked. "It's excellent workmanship. What's the slight bulge in her abdomen?"

Bob remembered all the exposed and burnt metal which showed on Holly.

"Cameron did the repairs herself to get Holly back here and safe. There was metal showing everywhere on her chassis. It took a long time for things to heal together." Bob said. "The bulge is her chip."

Ginger knew how caring Cameron was.

"Cameron really loves her, doesn't she?" Ginger asked.

Bob knew how far Cameron was willing to go.

"Cameron loves all of us as we do her." Bob said. "Cameron already said she will relinquish her chassis to Holly if it can't be repaired."

Ginger knew Cameron would do it. She was there to hopefully make such a sacrifice unnecessary.

"There is a lot of cutting and removal to do. Are you good with a scalpel?" Ginger asked.

Bob would do whatever was necessary to make it happen.

"Yes. Cameron has made sure we all have extensive medical files." Bob said. "Let's get started. After the repairs are made and the other unit Resequenced, I'm taking her into the future or past, until the regeneration and Resequencing are complete and then return when she is perfect."

Ginger wondered why they were going to do duplicate work.

"Why are we making a clone and doing the repair both?" Ginger asked.

Cameron was very specific to Bob about what would happen.

"It's so Holly has a choice." Bob said. "If she's dissatisfied with either chassis, Cameron said she will still relinquish her chassis to Holly and take one of the others as her own."

Cameron was always willing to sacrifice for others. Ginger loved and respected Cameron even more. She put everyone before herself….

"Holly will have the finest repairs." Ginger said.

She knew she could guarantee it.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Terminated

The love between two people
Should be germinated
It is not something
To be manipulated

Love can make both
Of them feel exhilarated
If left uncultivated
It may soon be evaporated

As two work together
They can be invigorated
If one looks elsewhere
The love may soon be invalidated

When the love is nurtured
Both can feel infatuated
As one is pushed away
They are soon infuriated

If the love is given to another
All trust is obliterated
Leaving the one shunned
Longing to be terminated

Nobody