Chapter 451

Temporal Tales

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Resistance Base - Current Timeline:

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John was in the Command Center. He reviewed all ongoing Resistance operations. It was a quiet time the last few days. He figured it would change soon. He looked at John Henry.

"What do you have for me today?" John asked.

John Henry was aware of the massive energy use going on at Cameron's base.

"Cameron has been running her TDE quite a bit." John Henry said.

John frowned. He realized things were quiet because Cameron was probably busy doing other things at her base. He could only think of the worst possible scenarios connected with the use of the machine. Usually whenever any TDE was in use, it didn't lead to anything positive. He was sure there was a problem of some type. It seemed Cameron created a lot of them herself. He figured it would end up on his doorstep soon enough.

"Do we want to know?" John asked.

John Henry didn't want to get involved. He didn't like to take the heat for Cameron's actions.

"It's doubtful." John Henry said. "I think we all know Cameron is doing what she thinks is best."

John did know Cameron believed it. Whether it was actually true or not, remained to be determined on more than a few things. He still liked to give her some leeway. He understood what Cameron wanted to do to assist the Resistance girls in the future. He tried not to think how he was going to be a father several times more. It was just strange to think how none of it actually happened yet, even if it did.

"I do understand it." John said. "Sometimes I wonder."

John Henry knew Cameron carried a lot on her back. She felt responsible for everyone. Some things were out of her hands.

"John, she's worried about the girls and the future, all of them." John Henry said. "All of the futures matter to her."

John hadn't seen Cameron for a few days. He didn't know she was in her future for almost a year since he last saw her. He hoped to spend a little 'sack time' with her soon.

"What about the present?" John asked. "It should matter too."

John Henry thought the present spoke for itself.

"I'd say you and her have done a good job so far." John Henry said. "Judgment Day hasn't happened."

John checked the duty assignments. Bob wasn't on any of them.

"Where's Bob?" John asked. "What's he assigned to?"

John Henry didn't think Bob was assigned to anything. He hadn't made any assignments. He was at Cameron's base.

"He was called to Cameron's base earlier." John Henry said.

John was immediately alert. It sounded like trouble. He remembered John Henry said they were using the TDE a lot at Cameron's base.

"Did something happen or go wrong?" John asked.

Bob walked up as they spoke. He didn't want them to worry needlessly.

"Negative…." Bob said.

John was relieved to see Bob. Maybe he could get some insight.

"What's Cameron up to?" John asked.

Bob didn't see anything wrong with what Cameron was up to.

"She's in her future fighting Skynet." Bob said. "I was just there."

John thought Bob made a joke. He remembered Bob didn't joke much. He looked serious. Now he was even more worried.

"Who's with her?" John asked.

Bob was aware everyone was back. He'd just watched Holly return before he left. She was the last one there besides Cameron.

"Nobody…." Bob said. "She's alone."

John sucked in his breath slowly. He didn't want to snap at Bob. He wanted to make sure he understood everything.

"Cameron is in her future fighting Skynet by herself?" John asked.

Bob thought he was clear.

"Affirmative…." Bob said.

It was too much for John. He hated when Cameron was alone. He hated it worse to know she was in the future alone. He wanted to know how it could be. He didn't think Bob would leave on his own and abandoned Cameron.

"What the Hell, Bob?" John asked. "Did she send you back?"

Bob was sure she did. He still seemed to have a few blank spots. He wasn't sure why Holly was returned after he was instead of near a similar time or earlier.

"Affirmative…." Bob said.

John was on his feet now. He didn't want Cameron there alone. He'd go himself if he could. It didn't work out so well the last time he tried it. He really wondered what Cameron was up to. Why would she send Bob away? He wondered about the people there. Were they helping her? Maybe it was time to send Bob back, along with some others.

"How do we get her more help?" John asked. "I can't go."

Bob believed what Cameron was after was 'personal' to her. She wanted to be alone.

"We don't need to give her any more help." Bob said. "She's challenged Skynet herself, alone."

Now John was worried more than ever. He knew the lengths Duplicate Cameron took to stop Skynet. Whatever Duplicate Cameron did, Cameron would do the same thing. They were the same individual, even if they were two distinct beings now. There was one thing he was very worried about, well, it was actually four of them.

"Damn. Are those four nukes still operational in her future timeline?" John asked.

John Henry made the calculations. They should still work. He didn't know if there would be any radiation leakage. The nuclear devices were all decommissioned in the Sixties and Seventies. The Nike warheads would be over a half of a century old. They weren't decommissioned because of the condition of them. They were decommissioned because their mission became obsolete and unrealistic. The main threat from the hostile and aggressor countries would come in the form of missiles, not bombers. There was no reason they shouldn't work and explode as intended.

"I think it would be most likely." John Henry said. "As long as she hasn't already used them in some other timeline."

It was information John could have done without. It only added to his fears. Under normal conditions Cameron would want to destroy Skynet. If it was some type of a personal challenge, she would go to any length to carry out her plans to destroy Skynet. It was bound to be a repeat of what Duplicate Cameron did to take out the parent Skynet computer in their timeline.

"I KNEW she would use them." John said. "She's going to do it again. I'd stop her if I could."

John Henry thought it seemed self evident. Cameron would do whatever she needed to do to stop Skynet if she was able to find it. He knew she wouldn't stop until she found it. He wondered about Cameron's motives. There needed to be a reason why she was up to whatever she was up to with such vengeance.

"It's why she must be doing this in her future, so you can't get to her." John Henry said. "She doesn't like to be interfered with."

Bob wondered if he could have done more. He tried to think about what happened while he was in Cameron's future. There was a lot of information. There were also multiple blank spots where he didn't think there should be.

"What can we do?" Bob asked.

John sat back down. He didn't think they could do much. Cameron played by her own rules.

"Pray." John said. "There are no other options."

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Young Residence - Current Timeline:

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Claire was only gone a few hours from home. It was nine months for her in the other timeline, the future. The living conditions were a little less 'refined' than there…. In reality, the future sucked. Before she had the baby, she asked Future Allison to return to her timeline with her. Future Allison said she wanted to, but her place was at Future John's side in her future. Everything there was exactly like Cameron described it.

It wasn't so much she thought Cameron may have embellished her story. From what she saw, Cameron actually down played it. Future Allison was her daughter. She really wanted her to return with her. If the transfer would have been completed before the birth of the baby, there would be three versions of her daughter in her current timeline. What made it all stranger was they would be three different ages. She understood her daughter's commitment to the future. She wasn't so sure it was because of her commitment to John Connor and the Resistance as it was because who else was there with her. It was Future Savannah and Duplicate Cameron. If Future Allison left her future, she would need to leave both of them behind. She didn't think she could leave them either if she was the one who was with them.

The thought of collecting all of her daughters in the different futures was very intriguing to her. She understood there were too many variables for them to leave where they were to return to her time period.

She knew if it was possible, Judgment Day must never happen. The future was an awful place to live. She couldn't imagine the future before Skynet was decimated. It must have been a real Hell trying to survive. She didn't want what she viewed as her real daughters, Young Allison and Summer, to have to face it in any way like she experienced.

Claire heard the stories about the Scavenger 'problem'. It wasn't as bad as what Vanna experienced in her future, but it was bad enough. Future Allison never talked about it, so she never asked. It was better if a mother didn't know about all the terrible things which may have happened to her daughters. Now she thought about them anyway. She imagined the girls being held down by a group of men as they lined up…. She needed to clear her mind.

There were a few bright spots in Cameron's future.

Claire thought back on one 'adventure'. She met Future Savannah. She was much like Vanna. Then again, they were the same person, sort of. They all started out as their Savannah. She saw Future Allison and their Savannah go off together…. It was when she tried to get 'closer' to Future Savannah. It seemed like the right time and the right circumstances. She hungered to be with her daughter's lover. She didn't think it should be a problem for anyone. Besides, she looked like Hanna. She missed her too. She walked right up to Future Savannah and touched her arm.

"The girls are away." Claire said.

Future Savannah knew what was about to happen. She allowed it to happen. She wanted Future Allison to be happy. She appreciated the sacrifices Savannah endured to assist her.

"I noticed." Future Savannah said.

Claire unbuttoned her top some as Future Savannah watched. She wanted to make her desire clear.

"It leaves the women alone." Claire said.

Future Savannah moistened her lips lightly. She wanted to be with Claire from the moment she saw her. It was hard to put her head around the fact it was Future Allison's Mother since Claire was approximately the same age as she was. She was extremely good looking. One thing worried her; it was more than Future Allison.

"What about your Metal girlfriend?" Future Savannah asked. "They can get a little possessive at times."

Claire made sure Holly-Hanna was elsewhere before she made her move. They already discussed the issue before they left for the future. Everyone should be able to share with anyone they wanted to, especially because of the circumstances they would be in. Everyday could be the last day.

"She's away." Claire said as she moved closer to Future Savannah.

Future Savannah looked around and undid her top.

"You know Allison would kill me for this." Future Savannah said.

Future Savannah knew it wouldn't be because she was with another female. It would be because she was with her Mother.

Claire slipped Future Savannah's hand inside her shirt. It drew a positive response.

"You can be assured I won't tell her." Claire said.

Claire gave Future Savannah a hungry kiss.

Future Savannah reached an excitement level she hadn't achieved for quite some time. It was clear Claire knew what she was doing. She knew nothing could stop her from going forward. The draw between Claire and her was terrific. She wasn't about to tell Future Allison she was with her Mother.

"I won't either." Future Savannah said.

Future Savannah walked to the door and closed it. She unbuttoned her top as she did. As she turned around, she slipped her top off. She was pleased to see Claire was already naked on the bed…. Claire wasn't her only clandestine encounter, even if she was the latest.

Hanna walked up to Claire and broke her line of thought. It was too bad. It was just starting to get good.

"Summer's resting, Allison, Young Allison, is at the park and protected." Hanna said.

Claire was excited reliving her conquest of Future Savannah. Now Hanna was there. They looked almost identical. It was good enough for her. It should help complete the desire she just thought about.

"I'm pleased to see you're back in your own chassis." Claire said as she kissed her.

Hanna knew Holly shared with Claire more than a few times. She allowed it for her chance to get a crack at Future Allison. There was 'enough' for everyone to share so it didn't seem like a big deal. She'd give Claire a choice right now.

"I'd like to know if you would prefer it if I were to Resequence my sheath to be the same appearance as Holly's sheath?" Hanna asked. "We could be identical."

Claire liked the idea, but she would rather be with Holly as 'Holly' and Hanna as 'Hanna'. It would give her a little extra variety. She could have the best of both worlds that way.

"No. Holly is beautiful and so are you." Claire said. "I want to be with you as you are, and always will be."

It was what Hanna wanted to hear. She scooped Claire up in her arms and carried her to the bedroom.

"Prove it." Hanna said.

Claire slipped her clothes off. She looked down at herself. She needed a little more recovery time. She wanted to offer Hanna her best.

"I apologize for my body being a little out of shape." Claire said. "It was my third baby…."

Hanna didn't see it as a problem at all. She knew it was the one area the human body was superior to her chassis. It could reproduce. A living 'person' could be created from two microscopic organic objects.

"Your body is amazing. You carried your daughter's baby and provided it to a different future version of your daughter and Future John." Hanna said. "It's more than my chassis can do."

Claire was aware she did more than a little experimentation in the future. She did a lot there before they left. She was aware the 'Hanna' in Holly looked the other way.

"Thank you, Hanna." Claire said. "I know you allowed me to experience some 'new things' in the future."

Hanna got what she wanted through Holly. What Holly shared, she shared while in control of Holly's chassis. They shared their files too and relived every moment each of them shared with everyone as themselves and the other one.

"Everyone sacrifices for John Connor." Hanna said. "I sacrificed for you because I love you. I wanted you to be happy for what you did for Future Allison. Now it is just us, forever."

Claire understood Hanna just suggested she might want to take it back a notch. It was going to be hard to do. She may have done a little more than Hanna knew. She was with everyone multiple times.

"I understand…." Claire said. "I love you too, Hanna."

Claire wondered if Hanna knew she still kept her eye on Vanna….

She liked what Future Savannah offered. She knew Vanna wanted to share with her. She thought of it a little more and realized she wasn't much older than Savannah. She didn't have a clue her daughter there currently shared with Savannah as she thought about it. It was all clean loving shared from the heart. The physical desire only seemed to help push each of them to express their love with each other.

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Cameron's Base Current Timeline:

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Allison had her eye on Savannah for a long time. She noticed the way Savannah looked at her for the last few years. In the future 'things' happened earlier for everyone, whether they wanted them to happen or not. Someone could be removed from the future, but it was hard to remove the future from them.

Savannah wanted to be with Allison as long as she could remember. It happened first with Duplicate Allison 'in some future'. It happened again with Future Allison in Cameron's future. Now it happened in the present with Allison.

Allison looked over at Savannah with a big smile on her face.

Savannah knew she jumped the gun, but Young Allison was still a few years away. Now she was with three versions of her, plus all the Metal girls with her same appearance. She knew in each instance she was stepping on Vanna's toes. She thought she covered the bases in the future with Duplicate Vanna and Future Savannah. They also shared some personal desires with each other, with 'themselves'. It was a very unique opportunity.

"I've wanted it for so long, Allison. I wanted to be with you." Savannah said. "I wanted to share our love and reaffirm our commitment to each other. I know we need to deal with others and we have prior commitments. We can make it work whenever you want."

Allison thought of her younger self and felt a little guilty, but not much. She would teach Savannah everything she liked. Savannah would be able to teach the same things to Young Allison later on. She never doubted they would be together at some point. She was actually surprised nothing ever happened in the background. It was probably because of the physical separation most of the time. She wanted Savannah to know everything they just did was her desire and love as well.

"As have I, Savannah. You're grown now. You're another two years older than you were a month ago and you've had two babies. I know how unbelievable it all seems." Allison said. "I know we shouldn't have, but it was just the right thing to do. You look exactly like My Savannah, Vanna, when she first took me. You're even more beautiful."

Allison was afflicted with various sores and scabs on her skin in her future. Everyone was the same way. They would usually go away after a time but there were always new ones to show up later on. Even having been in two futures, Savannah's skin was still flawless.

Savannah looked into Allison's big brown puppy dog eyes. They were full of love and maybe a little lust. It was fine too. She felt the same way. She touched her breasts. They were a little smaller right now thanks to Allison's efforts.

"Thanks. I experienced some pressure build up anyway." Savannah said. "You fixed the problem, in several areas."

Allison and Savannah giggled.

They cleaned up and started to dress.

They heard the TDE power up.

Allison looked in the direction of the sound and sucked in her breath. She didn't feel bad about what just happened, but she wanted to see Holly.

"Maybe Holly and Cameron are back." Allison said.

Savannah heard the TDE operate more than once as they dressed.

"I heard it run a few times." Savannah said. "Someone must be back. I hope no one left."

Allison was a little concerned about her mother trying to go back before. She went back to Palmdale. She ran from the room. Savannah just helped her not 'stress out' over Holly for a short time. She really needed it. Her heart skipped a beat, maybe two. There she was. She saw Holly was there. She ran to Holly and they embraced and kissed. She touched Holly all over. She wanted to make sure she wasn't dreaming.

"I was so worried about you." Allison said. "I thought Cameron got you damaged or something worse happened. I was worried you might even have been terminated."

Holly tilted her head slightly. She wondered why Allison would think something so grim. She was only gone from there for a short time, even if she spent two months in the future again this last time.

"No, Cameron pulled me out before the trouble started. She would never let anything happen to me." Holly said. "Cameron is the greatest."

Allison looked at Savannah.

Savannah knew Allison wanted to use her room again with Holly this time.

"Cammy and I are going out for a while." Savannah said. "I need to get a few things."

Allison smiled at Savannah and led Holly to Savannah's room. She started to undress Holly. She looked at her naked beauty. She loved everything on Holly's sheath. Her voluptuous breasts always excited her.

"Your body is stunning, Holly." Allison said. "The best part is, it will stay the same way forever."

Holly wanted it too. She would never let Allison see her damaged or disfigured.

"I hope so." Holly said. "I would rather terminate than have it spoiled for you. I want you to have the best."

Allison knew what they were about to do. She also knew 'Cameron' was on Holly's chip. She hoped for a 'twofer'.

"Is 'Cameron' still on your chip?" Allison asked.

Holly offered to allow 'Cameron' to take control after they finished a few times. 'Cameron' declined. There was something else she wanted to come clean about.

"Yes." Holly said. "She's firewalled herself to allow us privacy. I didn't switch chips with Hanna previously, her program was only copied on to my chip."

Allison smiled. She knew Holly only allowed 'Hanna' to be copied on her chip like she did with 'Cameron' later on. She was a little disappointed. It was what she figured happened. Something else was on her mind.

"I knew you were 'in there' with her." Allison said. "I KNEW it. Did 'Hanna' do anything with Future Allison?"

Holly thought about lying. Maybe there were other things she would need to lie about. Too many lies were bad. She told Allison a few more things about what happened on the previous visit with the girls.

"No, she didn't." Holly said. "Not at first."

Allison didn't see it as a big deal.

"I figured she would." Allison said. "I think it was beautiful for her to share with everyone."

Holly still had a few more secrets. She 'traded' lovers with Hanna.

"I wouldn't let her at first." Holly said. "I did later on."

Holly didn't like secrets. She knew Cameron kept too many of them, even if they were of a different nature. She looked into Allison's eyes.

"Allison, I was with Future Allison." Holly said. "I couldn't help it. She was 'you' to me."

Allison figured it was a given. She found this a good time to 'come clean' too. Everyone would be in a more 'forgiving mood'.

"I was with Savannah." Allison said.

Holly didn't see it as anything new. Vanna was her true mate.

"You are often." Holly said.

Allison wanted to make herself clear.

"No. I mean with Savannah, not Vanna, our Savannah." Allison said.

Holly was surprised. She threw out what she thought might be a game changer. It seemed like a good time to divulge a little more information since it was flowing freely.

"I was with your Mother." Holly said.

Allison didn't catch what she meant.

"It's what the 'Hanna' in you was for." Allison said. "It was part of the deal."

Holly felt a little guilty. She knew some humans had a 'hang up' about their parents. She wanted to make herself clear.

"No, I was with her as myself." Holly said. "I didn't tell her."

Allison wasn't really bothered by it. She thought she might be but she wasn't. Her Mother was young and pretty. She was fairly certain her Mother would be with all of the girls in the Resistance, as well as all the Metal girls. She could see she was also given another 'out' to come clean.

"I bet she knew it was you." Allison said. "You two are 'different'. I mean Hanna and you."

Holly was surprised Allison wasn't upset. It took a second or two to sink in what Allison just actually said.

"Do you mean you and Hanna have…?" Holly asked.

Allison smiled and shrugged her shoulders.

"I've always been active, Holly." Allison said. "I'm driven to 'experiment'. I have encouraged you to do the same. I'm glad you finally listened."

Holly contemplated everything which was just revealed and said. She knew how some humans responded to similar situations.

"Are we supposed to be angry at each other now?" Holly asked.

Allison gave Holly a kiss. Things worked out better than she could have expected.

"You would think so, but I'm not. We all love each other." Allison said. "We all know who we 'belong to' at the end of the day. It never hurts to share a little love. Life is short. The business we're in can make it a lot shorter. Even in the past, things could end in an instant."

Holly was very relieved to hear everything was OK.

"Thank you, Allison." Holly said. "It felt so right when it happened."

Allison thought of her adventures. They all seemed right when they happened.

"I know." Allison said. "It always does…."

Holly was very happy to be back.

"Love is beautiful, Allison." Holly said. "Teach me more."

Allison tried not to laugh.

"You seem to be learning pretty well on your own." Allison said.

Holly wasn't sure she was to 'blame' for any of it. Allison was her 'first'.

"I have an experienced and promiscuous teacher." Holly said.

Allison blushed.

"Thanks…." Allison said. "I think."

Holly wanted to ask about Jesse the next time her and Allison hooked up…. She wanted to 'experiment' with Jesse before she and Sheila shared.

It was another adventure she was willing to try. Actually there were a lot of them she wanted to try now. She understood the 'hunger' all the girls felt and shared. It was all very beautiful. From their first kiss she was aware Allison was recently with Savannah. She was able to tell from more than one scan of her kiss. It was clear Allison covered all the bases.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Tales

Words are just sound
Actions are what are real
Lies are just another way
For a person to steal

Lying is worse than stealing
It steals a person's trust
For a relationship to move forward
Trust is more than a must

Without absolute trust
A relationship will rust
The final end result
Will simply be dust

There are many things
That some must hide
They don't take responsibility
They know others will chide

By one's very actions
Into their own coffin they drive nails
Everything is soon off of the rails
As they continue to spin tall tales

Nobody