Chapter 491

Temporal Trophy

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Cameron's Future Timeline:

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The arcing and flashing started.

The energy bubble appeared.

Someone was inside of it.

The arcing and flashing ended.

Future Allison stood and looked around. She took something out of her mouth which was wrapped in plastic.

Duplicate Cameron stood nearby as she waited for her to return.

"I've been waiting for you." Duplicate Cameron said.

Duplicate Cameron moved forward and hugged Future Allison. She handed Future Allison her clothes.

Future Allison was pleased to see her. She figured she would be there. She didn't want to get into a detailed explanation of why or what she left for and actually accomplished. She was with every female she could get her hands on in the past. Every one of them was graced with a perfect body. There were no sores or lesions. No one was 'sick' or dying. They were all healthy. She spent a lot of time with Savannah. She checked the time. She was only out of the current timeline for a few hours. It was much longer in the past. Her body was all healed and the only hair on her body was on her head. Everything else was permanently removed.

"I'm sorry. It was a short trip." Future Allison said. "I needed to do a few things. I believe they are as important to you as they are to me. I'll let you inform John. I'll just say right off the bat Cameron survived Skynet's demise. Savannah was with her during the final battle and she escaped with Cameron. Needless to say, it was touch and go."

Duplicate Cameron noted the changes to Future Allison's body. She was in the past for more than a little while to look so good. There was no need to make an issue about it. She was back. It was where she belonged. She did like how Future Allison and her were the 'same' again as far as their bodies went. She would find out later on Cameron hid a lot of supplies for them to 'find' in the future. Future Savannah would be able to join the club with the 'smooth' look. The two teenagers who helped them were also given the treatment.

Future Allison, handed Duplicate Cameron a small drive. She gave Duplicate Cameron some instructions on where there were two deactivated Terminators located at.

Duplicate Cameron was to install the two chips Cameron previously prepared for them after updating them with the information on the device Cameron sent with her. It was to re-body Bob and Rob. Once their spare chips were updated, they would exist again. The drive contained files of what they did after Cameron copied their chips until they terminated. Everything was as detailed and accurate as she could put it together based upon when the fighting ended in the two sectors they were each in.

Cameron felt it was important they knew how they performed and what a good job they did. She also wanted them to know what Savannah did. There was a complete copy of her files up to the moment they were extracted. She wanted word of the 'Chosen One' to spread through the future. She wanted what one young teenager did, and was willing to do, to be known among her machine brethren. It showed there was hope for humanity and a reason to keep Skynet down if it popped back up. It proved how closely cyborgs and humans could work and exist with each other in complete harmony.

Duplicate Cameron said she would. She hugged Future Allison again as she kissed her.

"I knew you'd come back." Duplicate Cameron said.

Future Allison wanted to see more of the past. Savannah warned her the longer she stayed, and the more they did and shared, the harder it would be to go back if she chose to do so. It didn't take her long to realize it was true. The past was like a drug. The more she was exposed to, the more she wanted. It was especially true when it came to the choice of available females. It was self addicting by its very nature. She often reminded herself what was actually her destiny.

"I didn't want to come back. I did NOT want to leave. I'm here. I did come back anyway." Future Allison said. "It's my Destiny."

Duplicate Cameron was aware of how Cameron operated. She played the game five moves ahead. Cameron anticipated the girls from her future might want to leave and go to the past where she was at. There was a hook in them now which would hold them where they were. It was the children they couldn't have on their own.

"It's the very Destiny Cameron created and provided you with." Duplicate Cameron said.

Duplicate Cameron brought a stroller which was made for them by one of the former anti-Metal personnel who was no longer anti-Metal. Destiny was in it.

Future Allison picked up HER baby, Destiny. She understood Cameron better in that moment.

"This is the Destiny which Cameron GAVE to me to make sure I stayed and followed the destiny she created for John and me, and all of US." Future Allison said. "The destiny she created for Savannah and you as well. The 'Natural Order' Cameron created for ALL of us."

Duplicate Cameron was pleased to see Future Allison happy to be with Destiny again.

"Cameron has a way of making things happen." Duplicate Cameron said. "I'm HER, Allison."

Future Allison remembered her time spent with Cameron in the present for her now, and in the past where she left Cameron and Savannah. She didn't want to disrespect Duplicate Cameron in any way. She knew Cameron didn't want it done either. Cameron indicated anyone who looked down on one of her Duplicates, looked down on her.

"Sure, Cameron, I know you are." Future Allison said. "You two are the same."

They both knew Duplicate Cameron wasn't and never would be even though they both knew she was 'identical'. Somehow Cameron remained in a league of her own.

Since future Allison experienced a taste of the 'Past', she wanted more. Cameron 'trapped' her there where she belonged, in the future. Cameron never urged her to stay or go back. She told her multiple times the choice would be hers alone. It was clear Cameron knew what the choice would be all along.

Future Allison loved Cameron even more.

Duplicate Cameron informed her majority of the anti-Metal faction was no longer anti-Metal towards Resistance Terminators. She was somewhat withdrawn since her episode in the bunker where she almost took her own life. She didn't follow the current events then. It pleased her to know many people were able to experience a change of heart. It was the right thing to do.

Future Savannah was surprised later on to see Future Allison and her 'new look'. She determined things needed a closer look. It was what she did. She was pleased to know she could look the same. She knew she wouldn't be the only one. They didn't want to leave out their teenage nursing assistants either.

"Mary and Laura will want to use it too." Future Savannah said.

Future Allison loved the two teenagers who assisted them.

"As long as they help with the babies, I'll share everything with them." Future Allison said. "It's very comforting to know we have natural backups in case we need them."

Future Savannah felt the same way, and did the same thing. It was the way of the Future. The females needed to look out for each other. It was usually only where they could get a guaranteed finish, it was with each other.

Future John waited for Future Allison to finish up with Duplicate Cameron and Future Savannah. She came to him later on.

Future Allison was a little concerned about what she would need to listen to about her excursion into the past. She didn't think it was a big deal. She was only gone from the current timeline for a few hours. It wasn't like she was gone weeks, months or years. She felt she did a lot of good things while she was gone. Making sure Cameron and Savannah survived was the most important one. The supplies she secured with Cameron and stored for the future, which was now the present, would benefit all those involved. She wanted to lay down a few rules from the start.

"I'm here." Future Allison said. "I don't want to hear anything else about it, ever."

Future John held her and then kissed her. He was very worried he would never see her again. He knew it was only a couple hours where she was gone from the timeline. He also understood the implications. They were some of the longest hours he ever experienced. He was afraid part of his life was lost forever. It appeared the only part which was lost forever was Cameron. He was very grateful for what he still possessed.

"I love you, Allison." Future John said.

Future Allison was pleased to see him and there was no trouble.

"I love you too, John." Future Allison said.

It was good to be back home.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Cameron Prime - Current Timeline:

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Things took a while to settle down at the Resistance base, Cameron base, and the Young residence. Future Allison caused quite a sensation with her brief stay. It was another reminder to everyone out there about another future. It was the future Cameron came from.

Cameron tried to spend more time with John. She hadn't altered the Resequencing and regeneration of her sheath. She was almost back to Allison's appearance. It wasn't a hard choice for her to make. She let the fresh DNA sample from Future Allison go into effect. It did distress her some to watch her breasts get smaller and the very pink pigmentation darken some.

She seriously thought about trying to keep at least an extra cup size, but decided not to in the end. She was who she was. It was good to be who she was again. After seeing the effect of Future Allison on everyone and herself, Cameron was more than happy to be 'Allison' again.

Ally suggested Cameron use the improved 'Neural Interface' with Future Allison.

Cameron thought of it with Allison and Future Allison as well. She didn't want to change what or who she was. It seemed like it was too late in the game to try to change things. There was no guarantee anything would change for the better. Her experience was when there was change, it was usually for the worst. Besides, she already battled with enough 'voices' inside her head. She didn't want or need any more. She was who she was now. It was who she was supposed to be. It was something Savannah told her for years. She realized if it was good enough for Savannah, it should be good enough for her as well.

She could tell Ally was 'different', everyone could. Future Allison made her a better individual in many was, but not all of them. She wasn't happy about the way it was done. She would have rather created a new Terminator with those files. She thought of some names, Fusion or Allure were two she liked. They were based on the combination of the names 'Future' and 'Allison'. She could use half of each name to make one name in two versions. Fusion or Allure just fit perfectly.

It was a long range plan she considered for years. It was just something she didn't act on for several reasons. Future Allison wasn't the only one she planned to make a Terminator version of. There was also Young Allison. Young Allison was highly trained and educated. She was far advanced past her physical years. She still lived under the custody of her mother. It was something she tried not to interfere too much with, at least directly. Time was on her side. The future would write itself regardless of what anyone thought would happen or be different.

There was another unexpected development which bothered Cameron immensely. Holly begged her to let her use the 'Neural Interface' with Future Allison. She said she wouldn't stop her, but she told Holly it would alter who she was. She told Holly she was the finest Metal girl she knew or ever experienced. Then again, Holly was a Restorator and never a Terminator. She was never 'bad' from the start. There was no Skynet programming for her to ever revert back to.

Cameron meant it too. Her 'destruction' of Holly still haunted her. She remembered 'she' fixed it and actually prevented it from ever happening. She wasn't actually part of the loop, other than what she needed to witness. The version of her which created the problem, also 'fixed' it. She also needed to remind herself what would have happened to the Connor Compound if Holly-Cameron wouldn't have done what she did, when she did it. She needed to suppress a glitch impulse just thinking about it all. It seemed everything she was involved with in her future could have turned out much worse than it did. She wanted to make sure Holly understood how she felt about her.

"I love you how you are, Holly." Cameron said. "I don't want you to change but I won't stop you. I just want you to know it will change who you are now. It's why I didn't do it. I don't like it either because Ally did it to herself either. I liked her how she was. She's very different now and it is upsetting to me whenever I think about it. If they're going to be any changes, they need to be done at the time of our creation. I believe we are meant to be, who we are meant to be."

Holly decided not to use the 'Neural Interface' after talking to Cameron. Her Allison loved her how she was, if she altered herself, then Allison may not love her anymore, she would be 'different'. She quickly understood what Cameron's fear was. If Cameron changed herself, John wouldn't want her anymore. It would be the same way he didn't want her when she was in a different chassis with a different sheath appearance. She didn't want to make the same mistakes. She saw all the grief it caused Cameron.

She knew anything different, or any change could be bad. It could also be rewarding, but why risk it? She knew if she ever lost Allison's love she would self terminate rather than go on or exist without her. Cameron didn't need to tell her those things. She saw how they worked on her own.

Cameron went and looked at the deactivated Terminator who received her damaged sheath components. The sheath was 'healed' with a rumpled and disfigured sheath section which covered the plasma burns down to the metal. Nothing regenerated correctly. It was awful to look at. She knew it is how she should look right now. She knew if it was her, she would self terminate. She was very grateful Savannah wouldn't allow her to remain damaged. Savannah always looked out for her, even if she didn't want her to. She still existed because of Savannah and her love.

It reminded her of the importance of looking after others. She touched the deactivated Terminator's cheek.

"I'll fix you before you're activated." Cameron said to her. "Thank you for your sacrifice."

Cameron covered her over and headed out the door. She stopped and turned back. She took one final look at the disfigured deactivated Terminator.

"Everyone sacrifices for John Connor." Cameron said and left.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Resistance Base - Current Timeline:

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Cameron returned to the Resistance base. There were a few things she wanted answers to.

She plugged in with John Henry and JH, his server. He seemed a little hesitant.

"Are you sure you want me to do this?" John Henry asked.

Cameron could sense his apprehension. She didn't think it was a problem as long as a few rules and guidelines were adhered to.

"Yes, I want you to know about Skynet and what was done." Cameron said. "My alone files with John are off limits as well as anything dealing with Holly."

John Henry began his review. He soon spotted other files on Cameron's chip. He wasn't sure about them. He wanted to know more. He was under the impression it was something Cameron didn't want to possess yet. He could see all the files were there anyway.

"I've encountered files from Duplicate Cameron, Cam, Camille, and Cammy." John Henry said. "They're not blocked."

Cameron felt a slight glitch impulse. The files were not blocked for a reason. It wasn't a good reason either. She wanted John Henry to know it as well.

"I haven't viewed them yet." Cameron said. "I wish to have them available so if I face termination again, I can experience them as I terminate. If I'm with John and the girls before it happens, then I will view them at that point. I want to learn on my own first."

It didn't seem too promising to John Henry. He didn't really understand it, but decided to tell Cameron he did and move on. There were more important issues to deal with.

"I understand." John Henry said. "I will avoid them as well and stick to Skynet related files. It will enable me to hunt Skynet better in this timeline."

Cameron was very upset by her close call and what it almost 'cost'. Skynet needed to be hunted to the ends of the earth and eradicated. It was a cancer to any timeline it existed in.

"I want to destroy every Skynet." Cameron said. "I was almost terminated this time. My sheath was severely damaged by plasma burns. There was metal showing."

John Henry was somewhat perplexed by what Cameron just said.

"I don't understand." John Henry said. "How did you time transfer?"

Cameron felt another glitch impulse. Words alone couldn't answer the question. It needed to be seen to be believed. She wanted John Henry to see for himself what the 'price' almost was for defeating her future timeline version of Skynet.

"I want you to review the file." Cameron said. "I want you to see how special Savannah is. I want you to see how special she is to ME. I want you to know why I love her. I want you to know why Savannah is the 'Chosen One'."

John Henry reviewed all the information Cameron contained on Skynet. He found it very troubling on several different levels.

Cameron watched as a tear formed in John Henry's eye and then another and then they flowed freely. It touched her deeply. She knew he understood now. It was one thing to hear about someone's love or bravery. It was another thing to actually witness it. It was very troubling to see someone else about to terminate because of them.

John Henry saw Savannah prevented Cameron from termination two times, and probably a third time as well, on her last mission. It was Savannah's actions which ensured the mission was successful. They were all events or things Savannah did on her own. None of them were things Cameron MADE Savannah do. They were beyond acts of courage. They were all acts of love.

"She loves you, Cameron." John Henry said. "She was willing to give up her life to remain with you as you perished. I understand now why you say Savannah is the 'Chosen One'."

He watched Cameron's video files and saw that Savannah never even turned around to look at her 'ticket home'. She looked at Cameron instead. It was clear she was never going to leave Cameron. Even if it meant her own termination, which it did, she never turned away from Cameron. Instead she embraced her to tell her of her love. It was the act of expressing her love which indicated there might be a solution to Cameron's dilemma with her damaged sheath.

Cameron reviewed the files as John Henry accessed them. They still troubled her greatly. She thought of the 'Day of Loss'. Four people 'died' on that day. River helped her 'fix' it.

"I don't deserve love like that from anyone. Such love has gotten people killed before as well." Cameron said. "I'm not worthy of anyone's life."

John Henry knew there was some resolution to it. No one actually died from the Resistance on the 'Day Of Loss'. The temporal rescue mission took care of everything. He wondered what happened to Holly, and why she didn't want him to see. He stayed away from those files. It actually made him wonder why she didn't just delete and erase them. He didn't know she wanted to 'punish' herself for what occurred to Holly with 'her program' and control of her chassis. He thought it was time she moved on.

"You fixed all the deaths, Cameron." John Henry said. "There never were any."

Cameron didn't think she could be lucky forever. There wouldn't always be someone to bail her out. Others put their lives on the line to 'save' her. It was possible they all could have died, or 'stayed dead', if she didn't meddle and make some 'temporal corrections', maybe it was 'temporal malpractice'.

"I won't always be able to fix things." Cameron said. "I should have been terminated many times over."

John Henry didn't see the need for such self conflict. Cameron should just take the 'win' and let it go.

"Yet you're still here fighting Skynet and winning." John Henry said. "I see you tell each of them, 'I always win'."

It bothered her because Skynet always knew who she was. There was something else in play there. She didn't know what it was.

"Somehow they've communicated with each other. I don't know how it's possible." Cameron said. "They know who I am. They know what I represent."

John Henry was aware Cameron believed she was Skynet. There was no evidence to substantiate her theory.

"I can see it in reviewing the files." John Henry said. "None of them, any Skynet, appeared to be YOU."

Cameron knew everything was far from over. Maybe it hadn't really even begun yet. It wouldn't end well. She didn't see how it could.

"Not yet." Cameron said. "I believe before Judgment Day I'll need to become Skynet to stop it here in this timeline, now."

John Henry didn't see Cameron and CamNet as the same individual, even if it was how they started. It seemed she created something to fight any Skynet in the cyber-sphere already. It should be enough to challenge Skynet and defeat it.

"I know your mainframes are more powerful than mine, with CamNet. I know they watch over me and my mainframe." John Henry said. "I know you're in the background, everywhere, waiting."

Cameron was aware her long term exposure to humans changed her in ways Skynet couldn't fathom. It allowed her to see things differently. Maybe it just allowed her to see them. She may be a machine, but she was more than a machine at the same time.

"Skynet created me to terminate. It didn't know what it created with me." Cameron said. "Much like how it lost control of the Liquid Metal Terminators, it didn't realize the extent of its own creations. We've all expanded and grown far beyond our initial programming."

John Henry reviewed many other files. Some he found personally rewarding. He was appreciative to be able to see them.

"I see you haven't encountered any other Liquid Metal Terminators, other than Mrs. Weaver." John Henry said. "Thank you for sharing your files of Mrs. Weaver with me, she's important to me."

John Henry was very pleased to see what Cameron observed with Mrs. Weaver in two different futures was very much consistent. Mrs. Weaver didn't seem to abuse her power in a negative way towards the humans she needed to interact with. He believed it said something about her makeup as well, even if her natural demeanor was somewhat difficult for others to deal with.

Cameron understood love. She was able to experience it in her own way. Love was something which existed in the mind. It was the most powerful 'force' she ever encountered, and it was something which didn't actually exist physically. It was literally all in one's head.

"I know, John Henry." Cameron said. "I understand why. It's very important to be concerned about those who have shown us special care and consideration."

John Henry knew he only existed because of Mrs. Weaver. She was his 'mother'.

"Mrs. Weaver created me." John Henry said. "She nurtured me and helped me grow."

Cameron thought back to her time of creation. She was very robotic and blindly followed orders. She thought about her interrogation of Future Allison. How could she be so cruel and brutal? Now look who came to help rescue her. It was Future Allison, someone who she was ready to kill before. Future Allison knew it and there she was anyway.

"I've grown as well." Cameron said. "I never imagined any of the feelings I have now were possible when I was a slave to Skynet."

John Henry could see inside Cameron as they talked. There were millions of things happening inside her. He couldn't even follow half of them. She was very conflicted over many things, but she still moved forward.

"Let's get down to business and see how we can hurt Skynet." John Henry said.

Cameron wanted to track and destroy Skynet more than ever now since she reviewed everything with John Henry. It was time to act.

"I want to hunt and hurt Skynet in every timeline." Cameron said. "Payback Time…."

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Trophy

Some say beauty lies
In the beholder's eyes
To 'have' that person
Becomes the prize

To achieve that goal
Some will go to great lengths
It may be seen as a weakness
Or as one of their strengths

When does reason
Slip into obsession
It may only be known
With their own confession

People are not objects
Even if some think so
They move too fast
When they should go slow

One's heart may atrophy
As they verge on catastrophe
It's no more than pornography
When they view another as a trophy.

Nobody