Chapter 462

Temporal Truth

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Cameron's Future Timeline:

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Cameron went over her plan again. Everything looked perfect. She watched the hill complex. No alarm was raised yet. She kept her eye out for any additional Scavengers as well. They were always a wild card which could mess things up. There was an earlier incident involving them which could have compromised the entire mission. She rectified the problem before it became one. She checked her times. Everything would come into play in a very short time.

It wasn't long before she heard them coming. It was two waves of Resistance drones. There were six in each wave. They separated and broke into smaller groups of two. One was to draw fire if necessary, while the other one pressed home the attack. This was only a small show of force to get Skynet into play and think they held the upper hand. They needed it to look convincing enough so Skynet would try to attack the Resistance base while it thought the Resistance troops were out.

As the Resistance drones approached, Cameron calculated the Resistance Terminators would be near the area as planned. Skynet would respond and launch its counter attack. She knew they were ready for it. It was what they planned to happen. She actually was able to plan everything for once ahead of time. The fact she was able to slip inside and leave a few 'surprises' behind is what would insure the attack would work.

In seconds, Skynet HK drones began to emerge from the hillsides. Cameron knew the Skynet Terminators would be headed out to fight. She knew the 'Cameron Maneuver' would go into effect any moment. As soon as she received word the Skynet counter attack was launched and was engaged, she would hit the EMP she planted. The Resistance Terminators would soon appear inside to take control before the Skynet Terminators could reboot. Everything was based on known Skynet responses. It's why she was always able to gain the upper hand. There wasn't a set of rules, or fixed operational procedure she was tied to or predictable to use. She played by her own rules. She wasn't lucky, she made her own luck.

Cameron knew there were more Resistance drones approaching. There would be three different groups all at different altitudes and from different directions.

The initial twelve attacking Resistance drones climbed for altitude when the Skynet HK drones came out in pursuit. The Resistance drones didn't 'run' to the sides but went straight up. She wanted the sabotaged HK drones to be over their own troops when they failed and crashed. She figured the longer fall would do more damage. It would be right back on top of Skynet's own troops. It was all part of the plan.

So far the Resistance losses were zero. She knew it wouldn't hold, but it was a pretty good start.

Future John and Duplicate Cameron readied the defenses at the Resistance compound and waited. They knew Cameron tried to direct the main counter attack by Skynet at her position. She used herself as bait.

Duplicate Cameron wanted Future John to know the true scope of her being at this point. She was very pleased with everything.

"John, I'm identical to her now." Duplicate Cameron said. "She's given me everything of herself, of MYSELF. I'm complete again."

Future John liked the concept, but the reason worried him.

"Why?" Future John asked.

Duplicate Cameron thought the answer should be self evident.

"It's because she loves you as I do and always have." Duplicate Cameron said.

Future John wondered if it was a two way street.

"Did you share with her your 'experiences' since coming here, since you returned?" Future John asked.

Duplicate Cameron and Cameron were identical.

"I did." Duplicate Cameron said.

Future John smiled. He believed it would be easier for him to 'have' Cameron now. He planned to be with her before she left. He would like to have done it before she went on the current mission. The prospects didn't seem very great for her return.

"So to her now, she's been with Allison, Savannah, and me?" Future John asked.

Duplicate Cameron didn't like the way Future John responded to the news. He seemed a little indignant to say the least. She could detect some wishful thinking on his part. She believed it was all it would remain.

"No." Duplicate Cameron said. "Those files were delivered firewalled and double contained. She doesn't wish to view them yet."

Future John was disappointed to hear it. He'd hoped at a shot for more. It seemed unlikely at this point. He was a little confused about how all of it worked.

"I don't understand." Future John said. "What's the point then?"

Duplicate Cameron felt it would all be about timing. Nothing needed to be rushed.

"She has multiple experiences with other females, and even female Terminators. It was conducted through clones who ran her program." Duplicate Cameron said. "It's as if she did those things herself, but she never downloaded the files to view."

Future John knew there was so much available to Cameron. All she needed to do was 'take it'.

"Why have the files and not experience them?" Future John asked. "Isn't it the whole point?"

Cameron made it clear to Duplicate Cameron she wanted to view what others did after she did it too, before she viewed what else was available to her. She wanted her experiences of those types to be her own first. She could understand the reasoning. She didn't know if it was a good idea or not.

"It's because she wants to experience them for herself first, as herself, then she will download those files and have everything." Duplicate Cameron said. "When she does, she's going to have quite a bit to process. I can say I will be a big contributing factor to it.

Duplicate Cameron paused. There was also some serious news with grave overtones. It didn't seem like the type of thing to broadcast. It still seemed as if she should do something. She debated if she wanted to tell Future John or not. She finally decided it was best if she did. They may need to know the true nature of their enemy.

"John…." Duplicate Cameron said. "Cameron thinks she becomes Skynet herself."

Future John wasn't sure he heard her correctly, even if he knew he did.

"What?" Future John asked.

Duplicate Cameron thought it seemed like a just mission which may have gone wrong. Since it was Cameron's worry and fear. It was also her worry and fear. She realized every version of Cameron thought the same thing to a certain extent. It was clear Cameron believed it to be true. She wasn't so sure about herself. Cameron established a very good anchor for her to hold her in place. It became clear to her Cameron did all those things not only to provide for Future Allison and Future Savannah, it was also to help protect her. Oh, and Future John too.

"Cameron thinks she becomes Skynet in order to contain and control it." Duplicate Cameron said. "She wants to protect all of us. I'm not exactly sure how it's supposed to play out."

She personally felt a lot of reservations about making such an attempt. So far there never was any indication it was something Cameron actually did.

It wasn't a threat Future John wanted to face. He needed to know more information. He wondered if he was supposed to take some type of preemptive action against Cameron. He didn't think it was something he'd be able to do, especially at the current point in time. She did a lot of things for him and the girls. Was he supposed to pretend she didn't and take some action against her? The timing seemed to be the most important factor which would determine what type of action needed to be taken.

"Will it be now or in the past?" Future John asked.

Duplicate Cameron searched all the information. There was nothing conclusive. She was sure it was another reason why Cameron visited so many futures herself. She wanted to check all of them firsthand to see if any version of Skynet in them was her. So far none of them were. It made her understand Cameron's determination to find Skynet again, and see what made it tick.

"She doesn't know." Duplicate Cameron said. "She is very troubled by all of it."

Future John understood Cameron planned not to return. It was why she gave His Cameron everything. She planned to terminate with Skynet so she didn't need to become it. It was something he could understand, even if he couldn't. There needed to be more choices. They would always be variables.

"Is it why she's going to 'kill' herself when she meets Skynet?" Future John asked.

It all made sense to Duplicate Cameron now. She arrived at the same conclusion. It was an outcome which Cameron blocked from her.

"Yes." Duplicate Cameron said. "She may literally be killing herself 'twice' that way."

Future John didn't think things needed to end quite so dramatically and conclusively. There needed to be other options. they needed to do like Cameron did and think outside of the box. Duplicate Cameron should be able to help him come up with a solution.

"How do we stop her?" Future John asked. "We can't sit back and do nothing."

Duplicate Cameron knew Cameron didn't want to be stopped. She didn't even know if she could be stopped. Even if they were able to do so this time, there would always be another time. She didn't see any long term solution to it, or way around it.

"We can't." Duplicate Cameron said.

Future John looked at Duplicate Cameron for a long time. He slowly understood why he was told all of this now. It didn't sit well with him. He didn't even want to bring up the issue, but somehow he needed to. Maybe he needed to hear it for himself. He wanted to confirm what he already believed.

"You're going to return to the past in her place, aren't you?" Future John asked.

Duplicate Cameron was 'Cameron'. She wasn't a clone. It was her duty to fulfill Cameron's mission. It was her mission too now. She could understand his concern. She also contained the files of what he said Cameron, and her by extension, away. It really wouldn't be anything new if he thought about it.

"Yes. My files here will be firewalled and my chip reset to the point she gave me her files. I won't know I'm not her." Duplicate Cameron said. "She doesn't want you to be alone in the past."

Future John knew Cameron still resented him for sending her away. This was her way to 'punish' him from the 'grave'. It would leave him high and dry. She gave him a taste of the good life, and planned to take it from him.

"What about me?" Future John asked.

Duplicate Cameron shrugged. It was rather evident to her at this point. It didn't seem like it should be such a big deal since it happened before. The only difference was who the individual in control would be this time.

"Everyone sacrifices for John Connor." Duplicate Cameron said. "Even John Connor needs to sacrifice for himself."

Duplicate Cameron started to walk away.

Future John stared at her with his mouth slightly open and a blank look on his face.

Duplicate Cameron didn't want him to worry too much. There were other solutions in the works for him.

"I'll send a clone to replace me." Duplicate Cameron said. "She will think she is me, right now. She won't know she's a clone."

Future John wondered why he was told all of this now. They could have done it and not told him. It bothered him a lot to think about it.

"I'll know." Future John said.

Cameron was specific in her instructions. She wanted Future John to know what went around, came around.

"It's how Cameron wants it to be." Duplicate Cameron said. "She wants you to know I was sent away by her. She wants you to know the new 'me' will be a clone, a replacement."

Future John knew it was revenge by Cameron directed at him.

"What's next?" Future John asked. "Will it be my head on a pike?"

Duplicate Cameron laughed. It seemed to be a more common thought than anticipated.

"I just thought the same thing. She's actually mentioned it before…." Duplicate Cameron said.

Future John didn't want it to end like this. Everything was all so sudden. He wondered why he needed to hear it now. Why couldn't it wait? There were things he wanted to do.

"Will we be 'alone' again before all this happens?" Future John asked.

Cameron was very specific in her instructions. There was not to be a 'one last time' with Future John. The reasoning was as amusing as it was disturbing.

"No." Duplicate Cameron said. "I'll only be with Allison and Savannah again before I go."

It seemed a little confusing to Future John. It also seemed more than a little unfair.

"Why would it be with them and not me?" Future John asked.

Cameron indicated she wanted something for herself. She wanted Future Allison to know why too when it happened.

"It's because Cameron loves them, John." Duplicate Cameron said. "She spent almost a year with Allison for every moment Allison was awake. They have a bond like no other."

Duplicate Cameron gave her sly smile and then frowned.

"Oh, and she doesn't want any 'traces' of you left in my chassis before I go." Duplicate Cameron said. "She doesn't want her John contaminated by any 'residue' from you."

Future John was angry at the snub and the jabs. He wanted to make his earlier triumph clear. He was angry now and he needed to say something. He knew it was a low blow, but he said it anyway.

"I'll still have been with you first before him." Future John said.

Duplicate Cameron expected his very response. She turned her back to him and walked away. She spoke without turning back to face him.

"Isn't it how it always was anyway?" Duplicate Cameron asked.

Future John said nothing….

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Resistance Base - Current Timeline:

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Savannah sat on Ginger's lap facing her. She was naked.

It appeared Cammy switched chips again with Ginger. She figured she might as well get on with the charade.

Savannah gave Ginger a kiss. The response was a little slower than it normally would be. It was almost as if Ginger needed to think about it. Right away she noticed the kiss was different. It didn't seem like Cammy.

"Ginger?" Savannah asked.

Ginger tilted her head slightly.

"Yes." Ginger said.

Savannah was even more excited. It really was Ginger. She was with Cammy in Ginger's chassis for ten months. She remembered how exciting it was. Everything was so different. Now it was the real deal. She kissed Ginger again and then stood. She took Ginger by the hand and led her to her bed. She slipped Ginger's top off and fondled her. Somehow everything was even more exciting than it was when Cammy borrowed her chassis. Maybe it's because it really was someone different, instead of Cammy just looking like someone different.

"You're very beautiful." Savannah said.

Ginger thought Savannah was too.

"So are you." Ginger said. "I'm ready for you to 'teach me'. I've never been with a human female before."

Savannah wasn't sure what she was supposed to 'teach' Ginger. She was with others before. She at least thought Ginger was. She stripped Ginger naked.

The kissing and touching started again. Savannah guided Ginger down onto her bed and moved over the top of her.

"Just relax and let me 'work' on you first." Savannah whispered.

Savannah started in. It was always very exciting to her when she was with someone 'new'. While Ginger's chassis wasn't new to her, Ginger in control of it was. Her initial responses continued to drive her excitement as well as her desire.

Ginger liked how Savannah touched her and made her feel. She was very pleased when Savannah offered her a breast. She took a taste.

"It's quite pleasant." Ginger said. "It's amazing your body can do such a function, but it is the design of all mammals. They can create their own offspring and then provide them with substance to grow until they can fend for themselves. It's an effective strategy."

Savannah hoped to please Ginger. She was only human. Ginger was with other Terminators. It would be a hard act to follow by anyone. She was sure she would finish in last place compared to what the other Terminators were able to offer her.

"I'm going to show you what else your body and my body can do." Savannah said.

Ginger and Savannah made love for a while. There were some sounds of someone undressing. Savannah looked up. Cammy was there. She was naked.

"Got room for one more?" Cammy asked.

Savannah smiled and moved closer to Ginger.

"I always do." Savannah said.

Ginger was thrilled at the prospect of a three way.

Her hands were all over Cammy in a second.

Ginger liked it there in the past….

She heard the girls from the future she left mention life was good in Paradise. From what she observed so far, she could certainly agree. She planned to make maximum use of everything she could please a female with.

She touched Cammy and Savannah at the same time. Things were just getting started.

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Cameron's Base - Current Timeline:

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Several hours later:

Ally and Sheila were antsy. With more than one TDE in her future, Cameron should have been back by now if she was going to return. It was the established pattern. Cameron knew they would be waiting for something to happen. None of them waited for her termination.

"How much time do we give it?" Ally asked.

Sheila was worried too, but they weren't too much off the mark.

"Everything has happened in the last two days here." Sheila said.

Ally felt the time was irrelevant. Cameron could have returned at any point. She could have even returned before she left.

"I can say there's been a lot of things happen in two days." Ally said. "Young Jesse, Savannah, and Claire all went through full term pregnancies and delivered. It involved two different futures. Cameron is fighting Skynet in her future and alone."

Sheila knew Future John and Duplicate Cameron were there. There was all the support from the Resistance. There should be anyway.

"She's not alone." Sheila said.

Ally knew Cameron tried to take all the risks herself, which meant she also took all the damage. She wanted to do more to assist Cameron herself. She was sure Cameron would downplay whatever she intended to do from the others in her future.

"If she faces Skynet she will be alone. We both know it." Ally said. "Sheila, I have to go and help her."

There were some hushed voices from Cameron's Terminators. They were all worried about Cameron too. There was a new glimmer of hope. They heard the voices whisper.

"The 'Chosen One' is here for Cameron." Were the whispers….

Cammy and Savannah arrived. Ginger was with them.

Savannah walked up to Sheila and Ally. There was a look of determination on her face.

"I'm going after Cameron, alone." Savannah said.

The entire area fell silent. They could have heard a pin drop, well, even better than they normally could.

Nobody said anything.

Savannah was surprised. She expected a 'fight' on her hands. She was sure she would need to issue 'orders'. It wasn't what she wanted to do. The lack of rebuttal was something new. She wanted to find out why.

"What? Is no one going to try to stop me or complain?" Savannah asked. "It seems a little different from normal."

Two of the Terminators said what every Terminator there thought.

"Only you can stop her." Cammy and Ally said at the same time.

Savannah doubted it was true. It seemed as if any of them should be able to do the same thing.

"Why would it only be me?" Savannah asked. "I'm just a teenager."

Sheila knew what every Terminator knew.

"You are the 'Chosen One'." Sheila said. "It is you who will be the first female to share with Cameron. Everyone knows it. She loves you like no other. Only your level of love can 'reach' her now. She will listen to no one else."

Savannah smiled.

Ginger looked at Ally and Cammy. They looked like Cameron to her. She knew their sheaths were identical, even if the appearance was somewhat different.

"Sheila means Cameron Prime." Cammy said to answer Ginger's unasked question. "She's the real Cameron, the one and only Cameron."

Ginger was a little confused. Where she was now wasn't her timeline so maybe it was part of it.

"How does anyone know any of this, and Cameron won't be terminated?" Ginger asked.

Savannah said what she believed.

"Cameron is invincible." Savannah said. "Cameron is eternal."

Cammy wished Savannah could exhibit the same level of love for her. She didn't. It all belonged to Cameron. She knew it from the beginning. She didn't need the reminder.

"It's why you alone can save her, Savannah." Cammy said. "You have always believed it, even when everyone else didn't."

Savannah didn't see it as anything other than reality. It was what she believed. It was her reality.

"I love Cameron." Savannah said. "I always have. I always will."

Cammy stepped forward. Ginger and Ally did too.

"You do know Ginger, Ally, and I are going with you." Cammy said.

Savannah looked at the three of them. She could see Sheila wanted to go as well.

"I know you think you are." Savannah said.

Sheila knew Savannah possessed an ace to play if she wanted it. It was Mrs. Weaver.

"Are you going to get your mother first?" Sheila asked.

It was a card Savannah didn't want to play yet. She knew Cameron didn't want Mrs. Weaver back in her future. She would play the card if she needed it to save Cameron. It did little good to hold an ace and not play it when it was absolutely necessary. She didn't intend to get caught 'looking'. She already planned for the eventuality.

"When Ginger goes back, she can send her if it looks like I need her." Savannah said. "She will come for me, to help me."

Ginger knew General Weaver was very temperamental at times. She often seemed rather cold and uncaring. It was Duplicate Cameron who initiated the program to help return the Restorators back to service. It wasn't the General.

"How do you know it?" Ginger asked.

Savannah knew it when she left her daughter Hope there with Duplicate Vanna and Mrs. Weaver. She reaffirmed the unspoken bond between them.

"My mother loves me and Cameron too." Savannah said. "It's why she will come."

Sheila wondered if they weren't getting ahead of themselves.

"Are we all sure we want to do this?" Sheila asked.

Cammy feared for Savannah's safety.

"No." Cammy said. "We're not."

Ginger was new to the timeline. She saw a valuable asset they used earlier at the beginning of the operation.

"Shouldn't we give it some time?" Ginger asked. "None of this is an exact science. What about River? She should be in on this too. She seemed quite remarkable to me. She might be able to offer a different insight or solution than any of us can determine."

Savannah spoke up at once. She knew River would come for her if she was in trouble. River didn't belong there. She didn't belong in a Skynet future.

"No. I don't want her to get hurt." Savannah said. "This isn't her fight."

Cammy saw it as a broad street. Savannah belonged in the past, which was the present, as much as River belonged in her future.

"It's not your fight either, Savannah. Not alone." Cammy said.

Savannah saw it as more than a fight. It was her life. It was what Cameron made her to be.

"Cameron has trained me, guided me, molded me and shaped me for more than half my life." Savannah said. "I've become everything she wants of me. I have done it all for her. Everything I do is for her. Everything I will do is for her."

Savannah wasn't intimidated facing off with four Terminators.

Cammy didn't want to jump the gun. She used her personal bond in an attempt to reach Savannah.

"Savannah, I ask we wait a few days first." Cammy said. "Please, Savannah, for me."

Savannah heard Cammy's personal plea to her. Even if it didn't seem like it, time wasn't a crucial factor, even if it was.

"I'll think about it." Savannah said and walked out of the room.

Ginger watched Savannah go. It reminded her of Mrs. Weaver on more than one level, even her appearance.

"She's just like her mother." Ginger whispered.

Sheila knew another who was as bullheaded at times.

"And Cameron…." Sheila added.

They all could see it was more than a 'mission' to Savannah. It was a belief.

"It's why we all love her even more now." Cammy said. "She believes in what she is doing. She believes in Cameron."

Ginger saw it a little further.

"I think Savannah believes in herself." Ginger said. "She certainly believes in her love."

Ally remembered what Sheila said earlier about belief.

"And if someone believes in something, it doesn't matter if it is true or not. Their belief makes it true and a reality to them." Ally said. "It all happens in their mind."

Ginger tilted her head slightly as she processed all of it.

"Cameron has made Savannah into a Zealot." Ginger said.

Cameron never forced anyone to do her bidding. They were always given a choice.

"No, it was a choice. Cameron has always given Savannah a choice for everything." Cammy said. "Life is about choices."

Everyone knew not all choices were good choices….

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Truth

What is necessary in a relationship
Some believe trust is upmost
For without that foundation
Everything else turns to toast

When one no longer believes
What the other one will say
There is nothing left there for either
They only see one who will betray

It often comes about
From one's selfish greed
They take what they want
They leave the other to bleed

It's about one's character
Their honor and pride
They don't need to abuse
Or behind others hide

Not everyone is fancy
Sophisticated or couth
What really matters is if
They speak the truth

Nobody