Chapter 497

Closing Fast

Cameron was displeased with Sheila's actions. She wanted her to return Savannah back to the Resistance base. Everyone viewed it as Sheila's 'punishment'. She also wanted Savannah out of the potential combat zone. Someone needed to go with her.

Sheila drove in silence. She knew Cameron wanted to 'punish' her by sending her back to the base. She didn't mind because she was able to spend some time alone with Savannah. So far the ride was in total silence. Somehow it didn't seem like a good thing, nor was it what she expected. She waited for a scolding. She was sure Savannah would give her one. She knew it was what Cameron would do.

Savannah waited for Sheila to open up a little. She reached over and took Sheila's hand. Luckily it wasn't the hand she used to 'remove' the man's tongue. She could still see some blood on it, even though Sheila wiped it off. It made her wonder how much force it took to rip someone's tongue out. She believed it would require quite a bit of force. She knew Cameron did it more than a few times. She watched Terminators rip the door off of a car effortlessly earlier. She didn't think they would have too much trouble with any human appendage.

Sheila looked over at Savannah. She saw 'Hanna' and 'Vanna' there as a younger version. Savannah was somehow even hotter than the other two. She was head over heels in love with Savannah. She felt the same way about all the human girls.

Savannah wanted to reach out to Sheila and reassure her. She didn't think cruel words were the way to reach anyone. The Gray which perpetrated the incident Sheila was involved with was a perfect example. When the words became mean and hurtful, they could never produce anything positive. She wanted Sheila to think about her actions. They both knew what they were, well, in this particular case anyway.

Sheila felt Savannah's caring and compassion needed a response. She wasn't sure where to start, or even what to say. The things she did were 'natural' to her. She didn't see what the big deal was with everyone. The 'Neural Interface' from Jesse made it seem 'normal' to her. There were a lot of things Jesse did to other humans in the future she came from. She didn't think her actions were much more extreme. As a Terminator it was easier for her to perform some of the actions. She didn't want Savannah to be upset with her.

"I'm sorry, love." Sheila said.

It was the first spoken words of the drive. Everything else so far was non verbal communication.

Savannah gave Sheila's hand a gentle squeeze. She wanted to wait a little before she responded. She didn't have a 'problem' with Sheila. It was her actions which were the problem. She didn't know what all Sheila may have done, but she did know what Jesse did. Jesse very shamefully told her how she mutilated both males and females in a sexual manner. She was very descriptive. She later took a mirror and looked at herself. There was a lot going on down there. She imagined what Jesse described. Jesse thought it would make her feel better, but it didn't. She could only assume Sheila did the same things and kept 'souvenirs' as Jesse once did in her future.

She needed to think about it for a moment. She was sure it was more than just a 'trophy'. It symbolized an act of extreme human cruelty. It certainly wasn't 'normal behavior'. She understood some of the conditions Jesse was forced to live under growing up. For whatever reason, Sheila decided to carry the torch. She seemed to enjoy it a little too much.

The anticipation did a number on Sheila. Normally she would be arguing with Ally about something. They did it a lot. They both knew it was because they cared about each other, even if they tried to make it seem like they didn't. They were both madly in love with each other, no matter how much they denied it. Savannah's approach was totally different. It was non-confrontational and compassionate.

Savannah wanted everyone to be the best versions of themselves they could be. It was something which needed to come from inside them. She watched Cameron operate before. It was clear sometimes harsher methods needed to be employed.

"I prefer you don't do what you did, or those other things anymore, unless you HAVE to for our protection." Savannah said. "I know sometimes harsher measures are necessary. I don't condone unnecessary violence, but I do know it has its place. The most extreme actions should probably be saved for the most extreme conditions."

Sheila knew Savannah referred to more than what just happened. Most of the things she 'souvenired' were from future Scavengers. It was both the males and the females who enabled much of the abuse against other females. She couldn't help but feel an extreme level of animosity for them. She did understand some of them may have gone through the same abuse before they became part of it. It would actually be much like what Jesse did when she became involved with Scavengers as a participant rather than a victim.

She felt Savannah squeeze her hand gently again. The smile on Savannah's face was stunning. It was so beautiful. She could see and feel it as she scanned Savannah. She could tell Savannah was honest with her and spoke from her heart. She knew Savannah wanted her to scan her as they spoke. It was Savannah's way to show she was open and sincere.

She did know the difference between right and wrong. There was quite a bit of 'gray area' at times depending upon the situation or circumstances. She believed there was a lot of leeway between the two sides. Sometimes the means justified the ends. There were certain wrongs which needed to be righted.

"I'll try to contain the 'darkness'." Sheila said. "It just comes out so easily. It seems like what I need to do. Someone needs to give justice to the girls abused by the future Scavengers."

They both knew the 'darkness' emanated from Jesse and her troubled past. Jesse experienced many horrors and committed more than a few herself. It was a fact Jesse, at the time, actually enjoyed hurting others which Sheila picked up on with the 'Neural Interface'.

Savannah wanted Sheila to make it 'personal' with her.

"Look beyond the darkness to the light. I know you can do it if you try and think of me." Savannah said. "You can try for me. When you feel the 'pull' one way, feel the other 'pull' the other way instead. They are both there."

Savannah leaned over and gave Sheila a kiss on the cheek.

Sheila was elated because Savannah kissed her. She didn't want to disappoint Savannah. She knew some things were pretty deep. She also knew she was the one who needed to be in control.

"I'll try harder." Sheila said. "Sometimes it just happens. It was what happened tonight. He upset me and spoke ill of you. I don't know why. I wanted to make him shut up. I wanted to make him hurt. If I would have been able to spend more time with him, I'm sure I would have done a few more things you wouldn't have approved of. I normally only do those on Cameron's 'off the books' operations. Needless to say, you know why they are 'off the books'."

Savannah saw Sheila did make him shut up and hurt. She could also see Sheila was nervous. It was clear Sheila expected further 'punishment'. It wasn't to be the case. She wanted to make her position clear and why. It wasn't about the person. It was about the actions.

"I do disapprove of some of your actions, but I don't disapprove of you, Sheila." Savannah said. "Remember it, there's a difference. It's a big difference too."

Sheila tilted her head slightly as she reflected on Savannah's words. Savannah wasn't upset with her, but with what she did. She still knew she was the one who did them anyway. The revelation made her feel better.

"OK, love, I'll give it a try for YOU." Sheila said. "I don't want to do things you disapprove of."

Savannah wasn't sure if Sheila got it all. It was about right and wrong. It was an issue beyond her.

"It is not I disapprove of them, it's because they are wrong." Savannah said. "There's a difference there too."

Sheila did understand it. It was just when she did them, it seemed like the right thing to do at the time. She needed to not act on the impulse. She wasn't even sure if impulse was the correct word.

"I do know it." Sheila said. "I'm sorry I lacked control."

Savannah didn't want to leave Sheila feeling down. There was no point to dwell in the past. Life moved forwards not backwards. Their talk was productive and now it was time to move on. She felt there was more than a little unfinished business which needed to be dealt with.

"Thank you." Savannah said. "Let's go join the chase now."

Sheila instantly perked up. Savannah wasn't going to punish her. Savannah wasn't going to let Cameron punish her either. They weren't through for the night. It was just about to get started. She wanted to make sure about everything before she interpreted it the wrong way. It seems she already did enough of it tonight. She didn't want to pile it on.

"Do you mean you don't want to go back to the base?" Sheila asked.

It was clear Sheila was excited and stoked.

Savannah wasn't about to go back to the base without some payback. She was about a second away from death earlier. She knew Cameron wanted her back at the base where it would be safer for her. She would be back to the base soon enough. They were still a few things she wanted to take care of. She would like to do it personally if she could.

"Are you kidding?" Savannah asked. "Those Bastards tried to kill Cammy and me. I want some retribution."

Sheila was jazzed. She planned to help Savannah out. If they confronted the enemy, she planned to show Savannah how things were done Terminator style.

"Payback time…." Sheila said.

The girls 'high fived' each other. They were on the same page now.

"Who don't think so?" Savannah asked.

Sheila somehow felt very content and relaxed now. Savannah tore her down a little and then rejuvenated her, it all in the same conversation. It was all done with love and without malice. Somehow it seemed almost as if she needed to do it all herself with minimal guidance and instruction from Savannah. It was clear Savannah was the greatest.

Sheila leaned over and kissed Savannah on the cheek.

"I'll protect you." Sheila said. "I swear it."

Savannah still held Sheila's hand. She gave it a gentle squeeze.

"I'll protect you too." Savannah said.

Sheila understood why Savannah was the 'Chosen One'. She felt more resolved than ever to protect and follow Savannah.

Cameron asked John Henry to isolate and broadcast, so it only went to her in regards of the conversation going on in the vehicle Savannah was in. It was everything she knew Savannah would do. She thought Savannah was the greatest. She knew Savannah could 'reach' Sheila.

Ally felt Cameron's driving was a little erratic. It seemed she was distracted. She saw Cameron was drifting and reached over to gently correct the steering wheel. She thought it might be a little safer if someone else were to take control of the vehicle.

"… Cameron…?" Ally asked. "Do you want me to drive?"

Cameron looked around. She wondered if she missed something. It happened at times. She noted Ally's hand on the steering wheel. She could see they were between the correct lines as she drove. It made her wonder if she wasn't for a while. It wouldn't be the first time. It probably wouldn't be the last time either.

"Sorry, I was thinking about something." Cameron said.

Ally released the steering wheel she reached over and corrected earlier. She wanted to make a point, without creating an issue.

"I don't really want to test out the 'airbags'." Ally said.

Cammy knew 'something' was really 'somebody'. She wanted to say something, but it would only make things worse and spark hard feelings.

Cameron looked over at Cammy. It was a challenge.

Cammy looked away, she knew Cameron knew, she knew. She was aware she couldn't 'compete' with Cameron, even if she WAS 'Cameron'. She knew even if Cameron were terminated, it wouldn't matter. Cameron's spare chip would end up in her chassis and she would become 'Cameron'. She could only hope her program wouldn't be erased when it occurred.

Cameron knew it too. NOBODY would stand in her way to take what was rightfully hers. She hadn't 'claimed' Savannah yet, but everyone knew it was coming. She wanted Savannah to continue her explorations and learn to love and share. It made Savannah a better person and it would make her a better lover for John. She wanted John to have the best. The more Savannah could learn, the more she could share. It wasn't just with John either.

Cammy and Ally waited for the SUV to swerve if Cameron's hand glitched, it never did.

A single tear formed in Cammy's eye.

Cam tracked the hostile vehicle with the manned drone. It stopped after it did a series of evasive maneuvers. It was clear they checked for a tail. They didn't spot one on the ground. They didn't appear to think there might be one in the air. She noted some extra vehicular activity soon after the vehicle stopped.

"I have one Gray who exited the vehicle on foot." Cam reported.

Gail and Jesse closed up. They trailed the vehicle out of sight, or on parallel routes, since Cam knew where it was at all times. It was time for them to close up. They didn't want to lose either of the two men.

"I'm going after him." Gail said.

Cameron didn't like the idea. Jesse would be on her own when Gail left.

"NO. Stay with Jesse." Cameron said. "I want her protected."

Jesse didn't think it was a problem. She was in shape and she could move fast. Gail and her were on a number of operations, on their free time, where similar activity needed to occur to apprehend some of the future Scavengers they needed to deal with. She might not be in the fight against Skynet as much as she wanted, but she still remained in the fight to protect the future.

"I'll go with Gail." Jesse said. "I can keep up."

Cameron wanted Jesse protected. She didn't know what type of hostile environment they might be about to enter into. She gave Cam new instructions.

"Cam, stay with Jesse." Cameron said and then added. "And stay with Gail as well."

Cam didn't want things to get personal. She knew what was necessary.

"I will." Cam said. "I know what you want…."

John Henry moved one of the drones on long range patrol back to where the vehicle was they tracked.

"I have the target vehicle covered." John Henry said. "One drone is with it and locked on."

John thought everyone was a little jumpy. They held all the cards right now. So far there wasn't much he could do from the Command Center. They'd been in tracking mode to see where the enemy ended up at. If they split up, it was a further sign they thought they might be under surveillance.

"Don't burn him yet." John said. "It looks like we're in control of the situation. Let's not throw away our advantage."

John Henry knew there were more players about to enter the field. Things might need to be wrapped up sooner rather than later.

"I don't want to take any chances." John Henry said.

Sheila entered the combat zone at Savannah's urging. It was personal to her.

"We're closing in on the target vehicle." Sheila came across the com. "We have him."

Cameron was worried about Savannah. She wanted her back at the base, but she heard Savannah tell Sheila to join the fight and why. She wanted Savannah to take 'personal' action at times. It would insure the job was done. She wanted to hone Savannah's killer instinct. It might insure her survival one day. If someone issued a personal challenge to her, even if it was indirectly done, she wanted Savannah to answer it. She wanted Savannah to remain in charge of the situation.

She knew Savannah often operated with her. It wasn't the case under the current circumstances. She knew she pushed it a lot more often than she should have. She didn't want to create a bad example for Savannah to follow.

"Savannah, I want you to use caution." Cameron said. "You're not me."

Savannah didn't see any danger yet. She felt Jesse and Gail faced it on foot with the Gray they tracked. She didn't think she needed to point it out. Everyone already knew it.

"Roger." Savannah said. "We're only tailing."

Cameron wanted to back Savannah up. She was sure 'tailing' the other suspect would soon turn into 'engaging'. She also needed to worry about Jesse and Gail.

"I'm almost to your position." Cameron said. "I'm letting Ally out to follow and assist Jesse and Gail. Cammy and I are closing fast."

As Ally departed the vehicle, Cameron gave her a directive. She wanted to provide some additional insurance for Jesse.

"Make sure Jesse is safe and undamaged." Cameron said. "THAT is your primary function."

Ally planned to do it anyway. The girls always came first. It applied to combat as well.

"I will." Ally said and was gone.

Cameron and Cammy sped away to assist Savannah and Sheila.

Kyle, Sarah, and Jan were near the Control Center.

John looked out and smiled at them. He figured there was going to be a problem if they stopped. They did.

It only took a few seconds for Kyle to see what was going on. He wasn't pleased. He felt it was his duty to be out in potential combat, not the girls.

"How is it Jesse and Savannah are out in the field, and we're not?" Kyle asked. "Derek and me, I mean."

Sarah and Jan followed him. She'd heard what Kyle said. She thought he needed a reminder. She whispered something to Jan.

Jan ran up to Kyle and he picked her up.

John said nothing since Sarah glared at him.

Sarah came up to Kyle and looked him in the face with their daughter between them. It was an unspoken reminder he had a family to think about. She didn't want to make a big deal about it, but she did feel she needed to make a point.

"Next question…." Sarah said.

Kyle saw it as protecting the present, and the future, protected his family as well. He knew Savannah was out there. She was a young teenager. He knew Jesse could take care of herself.

"I get it, but Savannah is the youngest." Kyle said.

Sarah was a little indignant. Maybe Kyle said it because Savannah wasn't a male.

"And she's just a female?" Sarah asked.

Kyle wondered where her statement came from. He still held Jan. He hadn't said anything like she indicated. He didn't think he implied it either. He felt he needed to say something in his defense.

"I didn't say that." Kyle said. "Come on. Don't put words in my mouth. You know I don't look at anyone unfairly."

John looked at both of his parents. He was a little worried things might become even more tense. He hoped Jan being there would prevent it. He could see everyone took a deep breath and a step back.

Sarah thought maybe she overreacted some. Savannah ran up a list of accomplishments for her young age. Not all of them were on the battlefield either. They were just as important to those futures as were her other actions.

"Savannah has also been to two different futures for almost two years, given birth to two children, or will, even though she already has. I've seen images and videos of them. She was also part of the destruction of Skynet in those two futures." Sarah said. "She's a remarkable person and she's a beautiful female."

John wondered if some of the conversation was directed at him. It seemed like it. He wasn't looking for a confrontation while there was an operation going on. He had a few things to say.

"Savannah also helped save Cameron and brought her back to me." John said. "Don't you think I know that? I worry about it. I worry about her. I worry about everyone. I worry about all of us."

John knew any time he brought the subject up with Cameron, it always turned into a fight.

Jan could see there was a lot of uneasiness.

"I want to see my 'sister in law' Savannah." Jan said. "She looks so pretty in her white dress, the one Cameron gave her."

Sarah clenched her jaw a little.

'She's not your 'sister in law' yet.' Sarah thought. 'But she will be.'

John cringed a little at the 'sister in law' comment. He figured Cameron was responsible for it. He saw there was a new player on the field. He was glad to see Vanna step into the mix.

"You will see her soon, sweetie." Vanna said as she took Jan from Kyle. "'Old Vanna' will have to do for now. I'll take you to play for a while, or would you rather study?"

Jan liked to play with Savannah. She taught her things too. Vanna looked just like her, and so did one of the Terminators.

"I want to play. You and Savannah look the same." Jan said. "Hanna does too."

Vanna laughed with Jan as she took her away.

Everyone knew the sadness Vanna felt for being sterile. The sad fact was the result of Skynet. Vanna was a victim of a Skynet future, as were the other girls from the same future.

Sarah knew there were a lot of strange things she witnessed over the years. No wonder they put her in the 'nut house' for speaking the truth. The truth was stranger than fiction.

"This is a strange world we live in." Sarah said. "If I wasn't part of it, I wouldn't believe a single word of it."

She could understand a lot of the skepticism on anyone's part who didn't see the same things she did. How could she have expected them to ever believe her?

Kyle made sure Jan and Vanna were gone. He looked at John.

"John, the girls shouldn't be out there when Derek and I are in here." Kyle said.

Sarah jabbed him in the side. She didn't like him out in the field either or to take chances.

John could see the 'issues' with his parents. He didn't want to get in the middle. There was actually someone else to 'blame'. He would rather dump the issue in someone else's lap. It seemed to be where it actually was anyway.

"You know what." John said. "I'll let you argue it with Cameron when she gets back."

Kyle believed he could offer a reasonable argument.

"I will." Kyle said. "Derek will be a father soon. It looks like everything Cameron did has worked out for them."

'Everything Cameron did', echoed in John's mind.

John wondered what Cameron 'did' do. He needed to go check on Allison and see how 'their baby' was coming along. So far it was the only handy work of Cameron's he was a part of he knew about in this timeline. He also wondered if Derek was really the father of Riley's baby, or if Cameron took a few shortcuts along the way. He knew he was the father of everyone else's baby. It was one thing he certainly wasn't going to ask about. Even if he wasn't indirectly involved in some way, he didn't want to plant any ideas in Cameron's mind.

The last time he was to Palmdale, Claire was 'all over' him. It was only Young Allison who came and asked him to help her with her school work which saved him. He saw the look Young Allison gave to her mother. He saw them look at each other. Cameron made sure Young Allison knew her future, and she wasn't going to let anyone get in the way, no matter who they were. Cameron also made sure Young Allison knew exactly how everything 'worked' going forward.

It was apparent Cameron was doing to Young Allison as she did with Savannah. He wasn't so sure it was 'brainwashing', but it seemed pretty close to him. When it came time to harvest their virginity, he planned to do so. Cameron was unstoppable. It did have some perks for him. He needed to push those thoughts from his mind right now. They were definitely going to distract him from the current operation if he didn't. He tried to readjust his pants some when no one was looking.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Closing Fast

When one reaches out
What is it they actually want
It's all about sex or control
That's the goal of the hunt

It matters not who they are
Both males and females are the same
It's all about experience
To determine who controls the game

There are no set rules
It's survival of the fittest
Try to change the trajectory
One ends up on the 'crap list'

It's all about conquest
And who takes possession
Those cast aside and rejected
Often get caught up in obsession

It is never about long term
What will be real and last
It's all about the moment
Close the deal fast

Nobody