Chapter 495

Both Of Me

Cammy and Savannah were out on their own recon. It was supposed to be a low risk mission. It usually meant nothing would happen, or even be found. They were still leads which needed to be checked out. The leads weren't random. They were usually based on some type of information uncovered from other leads.

Savannah was unhappy she couldn't accompany Cameron. She felt Cameron took too many risks when she was out on her own. She insisted if she couldn't go, someone else needed to go with her. Cameron did agree to take Sheila and Ally with her so at least she wasn't alone.

"Cameron sidelined us for the mission." Savannah said. "I don't like it."

Cammy didn't like the danger Savannah faced when she was with Cameron. She was more than willing to be 'sidelined'. She didn't see it as a problem. It would give her one less thing to worry about.

"She's doing it to protect us." Cammy said.

Savannah was still steamed. She was indignant. She felt she faced plenty of danger, especially in Cameron's future. She felt she proved herself when it counted the most.

"US?" Savannah asked skeptically. "You mean me. You don't need protection."

Cammy didn't like Savannah's tone. It was unlike her. She figured it may have involved Savannah's near termination with Cameron. She decided to point it out. It was something Savannah never should have been exposed to in the first place.

"Savannah, you know how close to death you were the other day." Cammy said. "We all know of your love and sacrifice for Cameron. It was an honorable but unwise decision."

Savannah didn't agree with Cammy on the issue. There was nothing 'unwise' about it. It was what needed to be done. She thought about all the incidents and wouldn't do anything differently. There really wasn't any time to do anything else differently. The events all seemed to happen one after another. She wanted to make sure Cammy understood her position.

"You do know I'd do it again in a heartbeat." Savannah said. "Cammy, I LOVE her."

Cammy suppressed a glitch impulse. She didn't like being 'second place' to Savannah behind Cameron, especially since she was the one who actually shared her bed with Savannah.

"I do understand it." Cammy said. "You've made it quite evident."

Savannah didn't care for Cammy's tone. She hoped Cammy wasn't going to make an issue over it, again. She made it very clear about how things were.

Cammy could see the conversation was going to become contentious between Savannah and her. It was an argument she would never be able to win. She received information of a new development as she listened to John Henry over her com. It was welcome news, even if unexpected.

"Jesse and Gail are backing us up, along with a drone." Cammy said.

Savannah had her com in as well.

"I heard." Savannah said, somewhat irritated.

Savannah was aware John Henry heard everything they said. She may not have been aware CamNet listened to everything as well. CamNet still tended to remain in the background most of the time.

Cammy didn't see extra assistance as a bad thing. She did want to point out Savannah was correct.

"Everyone is looking out for us." Cammy said. "They're all looking out for YOU."

Savannah knew Vanna 'survived' growing up. In reality it meant she made it. She would be much better trained and older than Vanna was when she was on her own, if it ever came to it. She didn't look forward to the abuse though. She knew every female was abused at some point, regardless of age or appearance. For most of them, it was more than a few times. She was a little concerned for Jesse and Gail.

"I get it." Savannah said. "In the future I'll have to look out for myself and I do. I'll survive. I'll be able to survive even better now with training and experience. There are others who know how to survive as well. It's unusual for Jesse and Gail to be out."

Savannah wondered why Jesse was out. She knew Cameron wanted all the females out of combat. She knew Jesse must be out to help watch over her. She was unsure if it was for Young Jesse or herself she was doing it. Maybe it was both. She knew she hit on Jesse pretty hard a few times. She needed 'more' sexually. Jesse seemed to be the one who would deliver. It was what she wanted. It was her desire to be with a female. She thought one with experience would be the way to go.

It prompted Cameron to intervene. It led to Young Jesse, Cammy, and ALL the rest. The last thought made her smile. She was with almost every female, both Terminator and human. The only two who might present a problem to be with were Sarah and Riley. She hoped to add them to the list one day. She was very pleased with each new sexual conquest. She wanted to be with everyone at least one time. So far all of the encounters were multiple times. It happened in both of the futures she visited as well.

Cammy wasn't sure what the smile on Savannah's face was about, but it probably wasn't good for her. Maybe Savannah thought about being with Jesse right now. She knew Jesse would accommodate her in the blink of an eye. Then again, it's probably something every female would do to be with Savannah. She knew she would. She didn't want to read more into it than was already there.

"Jesse is worried about you." Cammy said.

Savannah wondered how far everyone was willing to go.

"Is it for herself, or for Young Jesse?" Savannah asked.

It seemed like a 'non issue' to Cammy.

"I would say it's for both." Cammy said. "I think we all know the answer to it."

Savannah felt 'trapped' sometimes. There was a lot expected from her going forward. She also had her own personal desires and wants. They wouldn't go over well with a lot of people. She wanted to make Cammy understand.

"If you weren't here for me, Cammy, I'd go to be with Young Jesse all the time." Savannah said. "I'd even go back into Cameron's future to be with Future Allison. I don't care about the hardships there. I lived them already for nearly a year, twice. I would have to work out some type of an 'arrangement' with Future Savannah, Future John, and Duplicate Cameron."

Cammy was with Savannah in Cameron's future. She knew of everything which went on. She knew it wouldn't be a problem for Savannah. They would all 'fight' over her to be the one to be with her with the 'five way'. The thought of Savannah going into the future didn't sit well with her. She realized she better not create any waves, otherwise she was going to be the one who was left behind.

"I guess it's why I'm here." Cammy said. "Cameron is trying to 'provide' for you and protect you. I try to do both of those things for you. I do it because I want to do it. I do it because I love you."

Cammy knew she was there to keep Savannah close and allow no one to take her away from Cameron's plans. She knew she was a 'place holder' for Cameron. It didn't sit well with her. She may have been created for Savannah, but she was also who she was and her 'feelings' developed as did Cameron's 'feelings'.

Savannah was tired of waiting. What was the point? If everyone knew what was going to happen and with whom. What was the point in waiting? It was all just lost time for nothing. There was a lot of love and pleasure to be shared.

She was aware of an idea Cameron floated a few times. Maybe it was time to have Cameron actually do it. It was what she was ready for. She felt bad about some of her actions with the other females, especially when it was in front of Young Allison. Maybe it was time to step up to the plate and put her love where it actually belonged.

"Cammy, I'm going to ask Cameron to take Young Allison into the past for a few years or so and bring her back 'older'." Savannah said. "Cameron talked to me about it and I want it. I want to move my life forward and stabilize it. I want what Future Allison has."

Cammy knew Savannah really wanted Future Allison. Savannah hoped Cameron 'made' Young Allison into future Allison. She needed to issue a warning. Things were different in the past. Some things were frowned upon, even if they happened in secret.

"Young Allison may choose a different 'direction' if she grows up in such a manner." Cammy said. "Not maturing under the domination of strong females may alter her life's direction. She may seek a 'traditional' path."

Savannah knew it was a risk, but she felt it was covered. There was more than one way to 'skin a cat'. There were a lot of cards to play in a deck.

"Cameron will push her towards John." Savannah said. "I'll be with him as well. I think things will happen eventually as time has dictated. I've already seen it, you've seen it. We have both lived it, even if we weren't direct participants with all the players."

Savannah knew she was sure going to TRY to make them happen. Cameron believed things needed to happen now like they already did in her future. She intended to make it so as well. It was what she wanted more than anything with two of the three other players.

Cammy was aware Savannah was a very determined individual. They were both pretty caught up in some heavy thought on their 'low risk' mission. They probably should have been a little more attentive about their surroundings. The location they were headed to wasn't supposed to be hot.

"It's the 'Natural Order'." Cammy said. "I hope…."

Savannah caught some movement. It wasn't good either.

"Cammy, look out…." Savannah shouted.

Cammy swerved as an RPG round just missed the SUV. It exploded where their SUV should have been. The blast rocked the SUV, as it peppered it with some shrapnel.

They survived the initial attack, but would they survive the follow up attack? It surely wasn't over.

John Henry was caught up in the conversation with Cammy and Savannah. It was very enlightening. It excited him some to hear them talk of what the future held. He heard Savannah's warning and the explosion. Their coms were still active, so it was a good sign, he hoped.

"Cammy and Savannah have come under attack." John Henry said. "There was an explosion."

John sat up. What was this about? Savannah was supposed to be on a low risk recon. They weren't even near the target area yet. Now he was worried.

"Are they alright?" John asked. "How close is the drone?"

John Henry could hear them talking still.

"Neither of them has indicated they were injured. It may change. The drone is still two minutes out." John Henry said. "It's advancing at full speed."

John didn't know what they were in the middle of. It must be some type of ambush to have picked them up on the way to a low risk target. Maybe the target wasn't so low risk after all. There could be more ominous overtones. They might be the bait for an even bigger ambush.

"Have the drone use caution." John said. "Make sure no one is injured. Have them take evasive action for now and let them know help is on the way."

There was a welcome voice which chimed in.

"I'm headed their direction as well." Cam said from the manned drone. "I'll arrive shortly."

John was very concerned about what follow up attack Cammy and Savannah would face.

Cameron was still irritated about her earlier discussions with Ally and Sheila. She didn't feel they respected her enough. Didn't they understand she took the 'heat' to protect all of them? She drove in silence as she listened to the com traffic. CamNet allowed her to listen to Cammy's and Savannah's conversation. It may have been a private conversation, but she needed to know how best to protect and please Savannah.

The plan Savannah discussed with Cammy about Young Allison, was a conversation they carried on more than a few times. It was something Savannah was previously hesitant to have her do. She was sure it was her long-term exposure to Future Allison which prompted her to change her mind. Future Allison belonged to the future. Young Allison belonged to the present. Young Allison and Savannah belonged together.

She heard the warning from Savannah and the explosion. NO! This wasn't supposed to happen. She specifically gave Cammy and Savannah a low risk assignment. It was something which needed to be checked out, but there was no indication it would be so active, even if they weren't there yet.

Cameron instantly swung the SUV around in a power turn and headed for where Cammy and Savannah were supposed to go. She would attempt to head them off and try to block for them. Right now they were running. Their SUV was damaged, but it still appeared to be operable.

Sheila and Ally were startled by Cameron's actions. They both wondered if she malfunctioned as it looked like she might have earlier. They were both ready to grab the steering wheel. Sheila took out her Taser in case Cameron needed to be subdued. Maybe there was more going on than they knew.

"What's happening?" Ally quickly asked.

Cameron glanced at Ally and Sheila. She could see they thought she experienced a 'problem'. She heard John Henry send out an alert and details.

"We have a new mission." Cameron said.

Ally and Sheila received the update in a burst transmission. They were both 'up to speed' in a second. It seemed there was more in play happening than they thought. It could be a set up or a sucker play.

"We heard, Cameron. Use caution as well." Ally said. "Someone may be trying to force a reaction or response. It might be the 'cheese'."

Cameron wasn't about to let anything happen to Savannah. She would unleash as much violence and destruction as was necessary to protect Savannah.

"We're Terminators." Cameron said. "We go in hot. Savannah needs us. NOTHING will stop me…."

Ally and Sheila both knew nothing would stop them either. Savannah was the 'Chosen One' and needed protection no matter what the cost was. Every Terminator knew it was their duty to fall before anything ever happened to John, Savannah, or Young Allison.

Cameron made it clear, the 'Natural Order' was to be preserved, no matter what it took.

The Three female Terminators were all weapons and they were primed to 'go off'.

Gail received the update in a burst transmission before Jesse did. She stepped on the accelerator.

Jesse was unsure of Gail's actions, but soon was updated as well. It didn't seem like a good development. Someone just took a serious swing at the Resistance.

"Well, love, it looks like the vacation is over." Jesse said.

Jesse checked over her weapons. It looked like things would get 'hot' very soon.

Gail was unsure about this whole endeavor at the beginning. It wasn't something they usually did. Jesse told her they 'needed' to do what they did. It looked like she called it. Cameron made all of the Terminators aware of 'human intuition'. It wasn't based on fact or logic, but seemed to have proven itself more than a few times on operations.

"I'm glad you insisted we back them up." Gail said. "You said you developed a 'feeling'."

Jesse would normally be making love with Gail or one of the other females right now. They could be out protecting the future too. They would protect it by eliminating future Scavengers, with extreme prejudice. Something 'touched' her earlier. It was enough to make her act and she told Gail why.

"I did, love." Jesse said. "It wasn't a good one either…."

Gail wanted to help Savannah. She was aware of her near death encounters with Cameron. Now she was with a 'Cameron clone' and seemed to have another close encounter.

"I will protect Savannah." Gail said.

Jesse didn't want to see Gail damaged, but knew she was a cyborg. She knew Gail would do her job. She intended to do hers too.

"I know you will." Jesse said. "For both of 'me'."

Jesse and Gail exchanged a 'knowing' glance.

Gail was worried about Jesse too. She did know there were at least three more of 'her'. There were two Duplicates and Young Jesse. There may also be Future Jesse out there somewhere too. She was from the anti-Metal faction. It was said she hated all Terminators. Technically she wasn't a Terminator. She was a Restorator. She was never under the control of Skynet.

She specifically looked into all the records to see if there was any trace of Future Jesse out there. She hadn't been able to uncover anything on her own. CamNet was aware of her activity and informed Cameron of it. Cameron said it was something she looked into as well and was unable to determine what happened to her. After John spoke with her in her room, it was the last report of her.

Gail told Cameron she wanted to find her and salvage her. Cameron told her she didn't think it was a good idea. She believed Jesse may have more of a chance of reaching her than a cyborg would. She didn't want to risk anyone getting too close to her. Her Terminators in Australia, along with Camille, were on constant alert for Future Jesse. It was thought she may attempt to contact her family, or Young Jesse directly. So far there was no indication she tried. Everyone was aware she was a skilled Resistance fighter and could pose a serious threat if she chose to continue her anti-Metal philosophy.

Cammy swerved and the RPG missed. It struck the road where the SUV was at a millisecond before. It exploded. Shrapnel struck the SUV. It sounded like 'metal hail'. She hoped none of the tires were losing air. She hoped they weren't leaking fuel. She hoped Savannah wasn't hit with any shrapnel.

Cammy floored it as she took evasive maneuvers. A few pistol rounds could be heard impacting on the armor of the SUV. She speculated they believed the RPG would disable or destroy their SUV. They probably didn't have any of the long guns ready, if they carried them. There was a good chance they soon would have them.

"Are you OK?" Cammy asked.

Savannah thought she was.

"I'm fine." Savannah said. "How about you?"

Cammy thought only the SUV was damaged so far.

"I'm good." Cammy said. "Stay down."

Savannah wasn't about to do so. They were in combat right now.

"Did you see them?" Savannah asked.

Cammy felt she was distracted and not paying good enough attention because the operation was 'low risk'. Her previous conversation with Savannah was very troubling.

"Only at the same time you warned me." Cammy said. "It was close."

Savannah looked back.

"Are they following us?" Savannah asked. "I don't see them."

Cammy was updated by John Henry. It was time for an ambush of their own making.

"I'm going to let the SUV stop without using the brakes." Cammy said as she downshifted. "I want it to appear as if they disabled the vehicle. The drone will be here very soon."

They received more positive information.

"So will I." Cam said. "The manned drone will be at your position shortly. Use caution."

Cammy used the emergency brake to bring the SUV to a stop. She made it at a slight angle to better protect Savannah. It also added to the look the SUV was incapacitated.

"I'm ready to roll even if it looks like we're stuck." Cammy said. "I can move it from 'Neutral' into 'Drive' at any point in time and floor it."

Cammy didn't want to touch the brakes at all. As long as the brake lights didn't light up, they would think the vehicle stopped because it couldn't go any further.

There was a lot of positive com traffic.

"I'm coming towards you." Cameron said. "If they decide to pursue, I'll let Ally and Sheila out to set up an ambush."

John Henry called in all of their resources. Nothing else mattered right now.

"The drone is almost there." John Henry said. "I have more on the way."

Cameron didn't want to take anything for granted.

"Lock down the base." Cameron said. "You never know. We don't know how this attack was initiated."

John Henry already did it. John was on it right now. He knew it was better to be safe than sorry. They didn't want to be looking in the wrong direction if the base was the target. They brought down many Skynet facilities. They didn't want it to happen to their base.

Cammy was ready to 'rabbit'. Things looked like they were about to get worse. It took long enough for them to get moving. They may have been in contact with others as they devised a new plan.

"I see three vehicles pulling out." Cammy said.

Cammy wanted to draw them out and force their hand. She was about half a mile from where the attack initially occurred. She wanted the attackers to show themselves. She wanted all of the targets identified.

Once the attack group's vehicles committed themselves, Cammy floored it. They were about a quarter of a mile behind her.

"We're rolling." Cammy said. "They took the bait. Now they're the targets."

Cammy and Savannah knew they were still in danger, but their troops were all around them and over them.

John oversaw the base lock-down. He returned to the operation with Cammy and Savannah now.

"What's the status?" John asked.

John Henry received visuals from the drone. It was ready to strike.

"The drone is ready." John Henry said. "It's in position."

John wanted to know of any other irregularities.

"Are any other threats detected?" John asked. "We're on lock-down here."

John Henry checked with his server, JH. Nothing was flagged anywhere.

"None." John Henry said.

John wanted to offer some options. Maybe they could get a prisoner. He felt he should let Cammy make the decision based upon what was happening on the ground. She would know what her situation was better than anyone else.

"Cammy, what do you want?" John asked. "A drone strike or to lead them into Cameron's ambush?"

Cammy wanted some payback. She also wanted to make a 'statement'.

"Let's do the ambush." Cammy said. "I want the drone to hit the last vehicle as soon as we spring the ambush."

Cam arrived on the scene and targeted the three moving vehicles.

"I'm in position." Cam said "I'm high on your eight o'clock position. I have all three targets locked up. Send the drone out in a sweeping recon pattern to search for any additional threats. Make sure there are no vehicles moving at a fast rate of speed on any type of interception course."

Cameron was in front of Cammy and Savannah. She let Sheila and Ally out and moved to a blocking position to control the target vehicles.

"Sheila and Ally are out." Cameron said. "Cammy should pass by them in thirty seconds. I've moved to block their forward advance out of the ambush."

Cammy understood Cameron's plan.

"I'll block the road with my SUV and Cameron's SUV." Cammy said. "As soon as we do, light up the last SUV."

Cam selected a missile.

"Affirmative…." Cam said. "I'm ready."

Jesse thought maybe they could find out a little more about where the group came from. It was time for a sucker play.

"Cam, hit the second or middle vehicle first. Cameron's team can engage the first one. Let the last one run and we will see where it goes." Jesse said. "We're behind everyone and closing fast."

Everyone was in agreement with the new plan. Prisoners weren't always talkative. They seemed to die easily.

It was hoped they would be able to follow the last car back to its den, and whatever group was behind the attack. Someone correctly identified or tracked Cammy and Savannah. They needed to eradicate the group and find out how they knew about them. They needed to find out where they first picked them up at. They needed to make sure it wasn't the base.

"Do it." Cameron said. "I'll block the path of the first vehicle with Cammy after the second one is hit. Sheila and Ally should be right next to the first one at that point."

Cam saw everything was aligned as they planned. Everyone was in position.

"Missile away." Cam said.

Cameron was confident Savannah would be secure in a few seconds. Someone challenged their group. They specifically targeted Savannah and Cammy. It was a personal challenge to her. She planned to hit hard and heavy and eradicate all traces of whatever group they were associated with.

"Game on." Cameron said. "Someone wants to play and I feel like winning."

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Both Of Me

Some days are good
Some days are bad
Some days make one happy
Some days make one sad

Inside of each person
Many different feelings exist
Some gain traction over others
Those are the ones that persist

There are many impulses
That spark from inner desires
If one does not control them
They will start many fires

Some thoughts are evil
Most thoughts are good
They get lost in the shuffle
Between should, would and could

The battles rage inside each person
Which one will set them free
I'm as conflicted as the next
Do you still want both of me

Nobody