Chapter 499

Never Ask Again

Cam was in the manned drone. She circled high over the initial attack site. She kept it under observation as the current events unfolded. She watched the gang members fight it out between the two apparent rival gangs. The new arrivals eventually ended up as the victors. They plundered the attack site afterwards. It appeared they were about to depart. She knew Cameron wanted a 'patsy'. She didn't want them to get away.

"The gang members are getting ready to leave." Cam said. "I'm going to use the 'gun' on them."

Cam switched her targeting from a missile strike to the minigun. She needed to drop down in altitude to get a good shot. She believed she would be able to use the minimum amount of ammunition necessary to do the job.

Cameron didn't want them to leave yet. She also wanted to make things 'look good' for the authorities to find later on.

"Wait. Don't shoot until they actually start to roll." Cameron said. "I want them found at the scene with the rival gang members. Disable the tires first if you can."

Cameron didn't want the second gang vehicle chewed up by the minigun or a second missile strike. She tried to 'pin' whatever she could on street gangs or drug gangs. She often left vehicles she used on a previous operation in gang held territory with the keys in them. If the gang members were picked up by law enforcement later on, and the vehicle description matched a prior 'incident' she was involved with, they got blamed for whatever escapade she previously used the vehicle at. Leaving a firearm which was used at the scene from the earlier incident, usually 'sold' the deal and sealed the fate of the gang member. It all kept her 'secret war' on future Scavengers on track. A 'tip' to the authorities at the right time often helped to have a gang member picked up by them.

Cam spotted Cameron's Terminators as they approached. They drove right up to the gang vehicle and opened fire. It was an incident which didn't last long. The rival gang didn't know what to expect and they certainly didn't know what a Terminator was. By the time they found out the hard way. It was too late.

"Cameron, your Terminators have arrived." Cam said. "They've disabled the gang's vehicle and have engaged the 'crew'."

Cameron's Terminators moved in and terminated the gang members. They then planted additional drugs and cash in both of the gang vehicles and on the gang members themselves. They left one of the weapons they used as well with one of the dead from the first gang.

Cam liked the efficiency. It was time to move on. The night was far from over. She knew what Cameron's original objective was.

"The operation is complete." Cam said. "I'm disengaging. I'll do recon on the 'new target' you've selected for tonight."

John Henry knew Cameron wanted to move on. He glanced over at John, but didn't say anything specific. He was sure it would turn into an issue between John and Cameron soon enough. He hoped to stay out of the mix. He understood what Cameron would need. He fed her all the information he was able to gather based on the terrified man's confessions. He checked past satellite images which would be updated with drone images as soon as they arrived. They would look for changes or fortifications which were recently constructed. The updated images would also show if anything was removed from the area. Something which was removed, could be as significant as something which was added.

Sheila was about to depart with Ally. They were requested by Cameron for the next part of her operation. They would need to link up with Hanna at some point. 'The Three Musketeers' would be together again, but it would be a different type of operation.

Savannah kissed Sheila's cheek. She wanted Sheila to know she supported her. She was sure she made her point much more so than it would be if someone was berating her and yelling at her. She knew Cameron threatened the other Terminators with deactivation as a way to get her point across of how she wanted things done. She would rather use the carrot than the stick.

She didn't think she would stop Sheila's aggressive treatment of humans when she encountered them going forward. She did know Sheila would think twice before she actually did anything. She might end up doing less than she normally would have done previously. It was a start anyway. When it came to those involved in the sex trade, she honestly believed they got what they deserved on the sharp end of Sheila's knife. She didn't like what happened to the girls from the alternate future growing up. Every future Scavenger they took down, was less abuse the females of the future would face going forward.

"Thank you." Savannah said.

Sheila was very pleased with Savannah. She didn't want to let her down. She knew she needed to use moderation. Savannah did say sometimes extreme measures may be needed to protect the group. She believed it would be more often than not, at least in her opinion.

"No. Thank you for helping me." Sheila said. "I'll do better."

Sheila didn't want to have a problem with Savannah or Cameron. Cameron indicated deactivation or touched her Taser on more than one occasion to threaten her or other Terminators when they didn't comply with what she wanted quickly enough. She knew when to play her cards. The best time for her to act was when the 'cat was away'.

Cameron hoped to tie up all the loose ends. There were two more Gray bodies to dispose of. One was in the back of an SUV, the other was in a trash bin. She figured they should end up back where they started. If they would have stayed to assist their associates earlier, they never would have left the area in the first place. They also possessed one of the Gray's vehicles intact. Based upon what developed, she thought it could be put to good use.

"Dump the body back at the original attack location along with the one in the dumpster." Cameron said. "Steve will take the last vehicle we appropriated and we will use it later on. I think it will serve as a 'Trojan Horse'."

Cameron hoped to drive right into the location unopposed with a vehicle the Grays knew and expected. It seemed like a good plan anyway. Things didn't always work out as planned. Actually, they seldom worked out as planned. A lot of the time, it seemed as if something could go wrong, it did.

Gail and Jesse returned to the base earlier with all the items collected from the Grays. They wanted to stay out to assist Cameron. She asked them to deliver some items to the Command Center. There was information to be gleaned.

John Henry went to work as soon as he received them. Everything was viewed through a separate computer to make sure there were no hidden viruses contained within it. They never knew when Skynet would try to slip them a 'Mickey'.

John hoped to find out more before Cameron acted. He didn't want her to jump the gun. He couldn't actually 'say' it, or it would become an issue and she would act immediately. She didn't like anyone to second guess her or tell her how to operate when she was out in the field. As the General, he could tell others what to do. Ask Cameron's husband, there was a lot less he could tell her to do. He often wondered if it wasn't by design to make sure he didn't have any control over her anywhere.

"How's it going?" John asked.

John Henry looked up. His server was connected to everything. The new information was kept separate on purpose. It didn't take him long to go through a massive amount of data and come up with important information.

"I'm going through all the data on their phones." John Henry said. "We've gathered a lot of intel from them."

Kyle watched as the information was processed. Things flashed by quickly on the monitors. It wasn't something a human could keep up with and follow. It always impressed him of a Terminators ability to disseminate information.

"It's always so awesome to watch." Kyle said.

John understood how things should work. It wasn't always the case.

"Cameron and John Henry have it down to a science when they're operating on the same page." John said. "Sometimes Cameron is on her own page."

Kyle was aware of some of the dangers and difficulties Cameron faced. He understood all the risks she faced, as well as the responsibility for everything. It really was everything.

"Why?" Kyle asked. "Everyone needs to work together."

John frowned. He'd been over it a million times with Cameron. He just needed to accept how she was going to do things, even if he didn't agree. All it seemed to do was upset both of them when he tried to make changes. They seldom ever occurred.

"It's to protect and insulate us." John said. "She does it even to protect our Terminators."

John Henry was a little upset with the way Cameron treated her Terminators. He didn't agree with her policy.

"Cameron has kept her Terminators distant and not even named most of them. They have only basic programming." John Henry said. "They're very crude and unemotional."

Kyle thought the purpose of a Terminator was to act as an infiltrator and blend in to get to the specific targets. They required association with humans to better mimic them. He thought all of their Terminators could pass the test. It took some of the male Terminators a little longer, but they were all good to go now.

"Why?" Kyle asked. "It seems it would hinder their development."

John questioned the policy himself. It didn't do much good. He didn't like having the Resistance and Cameron, or CamNet's group, on different pages. Cameron didn't want her operation tied to what Mrs. Weaver set up for the Resistance. Cameron refused to answer to Mrs. Weaver. Cameron didn't want to feel 'close' to her Terminators.

"It's to keep them as machines." John said. "Not as individuals or 'people'."

John Henry knew it all stemmed from the 'damage' Cameron suffered over the years. She tried to carry the Resistance on her back alone, whenever she could. It minimized damage to others. He often told her she needed to spread the risk around. Everyone was willing to face their fair share. There was no need for her to do it alone.

"The losses and damage have greatly affected her." John Henry said. "She now worries about everything even more."

It reminded John of how Cameron described Future John's behavior. He became more withdrawn and secluded as the Resistance losses mounted. She eventually took over running things. It caused the anti-Metal movement to expand. It created a new set of problems. No wonder Cameron always pushed him away as she became 'Future John' herself. It appeared history would repeat itself. The roles would be reversed.

Maybe what bothered him the most about it was Savannah was the one who stepped up. It seemed Savannah was the only one Cameron would listen to when an alternate idea was suggested. It would put a big burden on Savannah's back, along with a target. He felt the burden and target should be on his back. Cameron wouldn't allow it. It was her job to 'protect' him. It might mean Savannah would be eventually sacrificed in his place. He pointed it out to Cameron. He remembered the incident.

Cameron looked at him with a sad face

"Everyone sacrifices for John Connor." Cameron said and walked away.

John was irritated at what Cameron said. He didn't want anyone to sacrifice for him. He certainly didn't want anyone to die for him. It was something Future Derek told him once people did in Cameron's future, for Future John. In reality it was him.

He was sure he heard her sob as she went around the corner.

Savannah and Cameron sat in the back of the SUV as Cammy drove. She was glad Cameron didn't insist she returned back to the Resistance base with Gail and Jesse.

Cameron was very upset because their team seemed to have been targeted. She didn't like it because the attack was based on their descriptions. It actually seemed to make it more bazaar. The fact Savannah was targeted as well made her wonder.

"I think our last encounter with Skynet was transmitted somehow." Cameron said. "It always seems to know who I am when I terminate it. I don't know how they communicate, or if it is data from one encounter which was passed on."

Cameron made sure every Skynet was cut off and isolated before its destruction. She never wanted them to have a way out. She must have missed something somewhere. They always recognized her. It made her wonder about other timelines which may have been created as well. It would probably fall back on her at some point.

Savannah didn't care for 'The Redheaded Witch' title. The title left some explaining to be done at some point. She wasn't exactly sure who would be able to do it. She did know the most likely contender for the title. It certainly wasn't her.

"So now Skynet thinks I'm my 'mother'?" Savannah asked. "Are they somehow from a different future where they've encountered her and think she's a supernatural being? It seemed like more than a title the way it was used.

Cameron wanted to know more about it. She didn't want Mrs. Weaver interfering in their future or past. She wanted Savannah to return to a more secure location for now.

"Someone does." Cameron said. "I'm asking you and Jesse to return to base for the next operation."

Savannah didn't want to do it. It wasn't an 'order'. She believed when it came to 'orders', it would actually be the other way around. It seemed as if it was a little late for the request.

"You're asking me?" Savannah asked. "Jesse and Gail left already."

Cameron was notified by John Henry of a new development. Jesse and Gail returned back to the operation after they left off the phones and other intelligence which was collected. They were supposed to stay at the base. They didn't. She believed Savannah would have a little more influence than her.

"Yes." Cameron said. "I would appreciate it. Jesse and Gail are on their way back to rejoin us. You can make Jesse return if you ask her."

Savannah wasn't about to leave on her own accord. She needed to watch over Cameron and make sure no extreme action was taken.

"What about you and Cammy?" Savannah asked. "Don't tell me your programs are copied on the server."

Cammy didn't want any issues to develop. Everything was already prearranged.

"They are copied, you know they are." Cammy said. "You do know at some point in your life, Cameron and I will become one program again anyway."

They all knew what it meant.

Savannah wanted a few things taken care of first. She felt they were important issues related to Young Allison which needed to be dealt with.

"I don't want to talk about it." Savannah said. "I want MY Allison to be mature before it happens, even if we aren't together as lovers and she is with John only."

Cameron knew to carry out the required adventure would be problematic. She knew she could 'barter' with Claire to get what she wanted. She knew what Claire wanted.

"I've spoken to Claire about it." Cameron said. "It is a lot to ask of a mother."

Savannah felt a touch of remorse and regret. It saddened her greatly.

"You've already asked A LOT from some other mothers, Cameron." Savannah said. "I know."

Cameron looked away from Savannah. She would never have allowed what happened to Savannah to happen on her own. She wasn't the one responsible for the turn of events at any level. They were all actions taken by other individuals. She needed to deal with them as best as she could.

Savannah could see her words hurt Cameron. She knew Cameron didn't know what she did with Young Jesse. It was done behind Cameron's back since she wasn't there when the opportunity presented itself. She wasn't sure if it was wrong or not, it was what it was anyway.

"I'm sorry, Cameron." Savannah said as she took Cameron's hand. It started to glitch. "I made those choices, not you."

Savannah knew she acted behind Cameron's back both times. She did it so Cameron wouldn't know about it. Maybe it was a violation of trust. Maybe it was an act of love which went awry.

Cameron wondered if she pressured Savannah to use her body. It felt like she did, even if she wasn't directly involved. She tried to find the best outcome for a situation she was forced to deal with.

"Savannah, I'm trying to help everyone and fix everything." Cameron said. "I'm SORRY. I didn't know how else to 'help' them."

Savannah knew she made promises as a girl. She was aware of what those promises were. Maybe at the time she didn't understand everything which was involved, but she knew those were things she wanted to do for Cameron. It never changed. When her body was capable, she took action to reproduce for Cameron. If she could do the same part of her life over, she would do the same things again, but she would start earlier. There was no need to wait once she was capable. She didn't think she was done yet either. She was probably far from it.

"I promised you I'd 'help' you." Savannah said. "It's a little different than I thought. Actually it's a lot different. I know I still have to do the same thing again, maybe, a few times."

Savannah's promise was to have John's child FOR Cameron to raise as her own child with John. The actual events played out differently. She knew it was what Cameron 'wanted', even if she didn't ask for it. She also knew she helped 'herself' too. It was to help the future versions of herself which Skynet 'ruined'. There was no one else other than her to help them.

Cameron felt very unworthy. She felt Savannah's pain when she left her two daughters behind in two different futures.

"No." Cameron said. "I'll never ask you to do it again for me. I'm sorry you have sacrificed for me."

Cammy was irritated by the subject. She didn't like how Savannah was hurt either. She wanted to change the subject. She really didn't care to hear about Cameron's selfishness.

"What about the targets tonight?" Cammy asked. "We need to refocus and operate with clear heads."

Savannah didn't want to cause Cameron anymore grief tonight, at least not openly. She wanted to give Cameron a little peace of mind. It seemed to her there was a sufficient quantity of Terminators available to assist her. There were Resistance Terminators as well as Cameron's Terminators. There were also four drones, plus the manned drone.

"I'll return with Jesse and Gail." Savannah said. "I don't want to be a problem or have you two worry about me. It sounds like tonight will be a war zone. I want both of you to be at one hundred percent."

Cameron still felt guilty about all the things she 'pressured' Savannah about growing up. She knew it was wrong.

"Thank You, Savannah." Cameron said. "I want you to make your own choices from now on about everything. You don't need to worry about anything you may have said or promise to me. It's all in the past now. Your future belongs to you."

Savannah gave Cameron a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"Oh, Cameron, don't worry." Savannah said. "I love you. You know I'll do anything for you."

Cameron felt another glitch impulse. Savannah would do anything for her.

"I do know it." Cameron said. "I know you will even die for me, or with me. I've seen it with my own eyes. I can't allow it ever."

Cammy looked in her rear view mirror.

"The other SUV is behind us now." Cammy said.

The two vehicles stopped.

Savannah transferred to Jesse and Gail's SUV and they were off.

Cameron quietly directed one drone to accompany them. She wanted Savannah protected. The drone was ordered to engage anything which appeared to pose a threat to Savannah, Jesse, and Gail. It covered a lot of possible scenarios. It might even include a reckless driver or an intoxicated driver. With all the recreational drug use encouraged by self indulging political officials, impaired driving was rampant throughout the area.

Earlier:

Hanna received a call in Palmdale from John Henry. She knew it was important.

John Henry notified Hanna of the current situation. There was a new development which only she could assist with. Cameron needed her NOW.

Claire was alarmed Hanna needed to enter a zone with potential combat. She clung to Hanna's arm. She was worried something would happen to her. She knew Hanna was a cyborg, but it didn't matter. She worried about her anyway because she loved her.

"Do you have to go?" Claire asked.

Hanna was previously removed from combat duty by Cameron. She knew why she was needed in this instance. It was the right call. If she didn't go, Savannah would return to the target area.

"Cameron needs my help." Hanna said. "There's no discussion on this. If Cameron didn't need me, she wouldn't ask. Have you ever seen her ask before?"

Claire didn't ever remember it happening before. She wondered what else was in play.

"Does it involve Savannah?" Claire asked.

Hanna knew if she didn't go that Savannah would volunteer. It wasn't an acceptable choice.

"It may if I'm not there." Hanna said.

Claire remembered Hanna warned her sometimes things needed to happen.

"I understand." Claire said. "I know Cameron has allowed us a lot of 'freedom'."

Hanna wanted to remind Claire what mattered to Cameron.

"You and your daughters are important to the future and to Cameron." Hanna said. "She's worried about all four of you."

Claire was troubled by Cameron's request. She'd basically asked her to give her daughter up. It would only leave her with Summer.

"Cameron asked me if she can take Young Allison into the past to mature, and then return her to this timeline as a grown teenager." Claire said. "I love Cameron, but I don't know."

Hanna didn't see the problem. Claire could go too.

"You can accompany her." Hanna said. "You can leave this timeline and return a minute after you leave regardless of how many years you spend in the past or future. You could even return before you left. It might make an interesting combination to compare each other as to what the before and after effects would look like."

Claire worried about her age. Maybe if she saw herself older before she left, she might not want to go. She already spent almost a year in the future. She would need to age more, or miss her daughter as she aged.

"I'll be several years older if I do it." Claire said. "If I don't go, My Allison will grow up and I'll miss all her years of development and growth into a young woman."

Hanna didn't think anything was set. Cameron was much more flexible now. She didn't think it should be a big deal. Claire already knew exactly what Young Allison was going to look like as she got a few years older. She didn't need to look any further than Allison, or Cameron and her clones. She saw what Future Allison looked like very recently. They were all the same.

"Cameron will not make you do anything you don't want to." Hanna said. "You know she won't."

Claire didn't want to disappoint Cameron. Her love was strong.

"I love her, Hanna." Claire said. "You know I do."

Hanna didn't like 'second place', but she knew the rules.

"I do." Hanna said. "You told me it from the beginning."

Claire knew her body was important to Cameron for the production of children.

"I can provide the things for her she can't do herself." Claire said. "I want to help her. I won't be able to provide for her if I'm 'away'. My body is in prime condition now."

Hanna knew there were incentives. One of them wasn't her.

"I don't know, Claire." Hanna said. "You'll have to decide what you want and don't want. I'll go with you unless you want Cam or Cammy to go. I do understand the issue, we ALL want HER."

Claire thought of another option.

"Will Cameron go too?" Claire asked. "Will she watch My Allison grow with me?"

Hanna could see Claire wanted to 'trade' herself. It was unlikely her desire would be achieved.

"Yes. It can be the same way Cameron was with you in the future. She'll personally watch over you." Hanna said. "You know her limitations as herself, Cameron Prime."

"I do, but one can always hope. Several years away can be a long time together." Claire said. "I know why you'll accompany me."

Hanna knew the clock was ticking.

"I have to leave now." Hanna said. "Holly will look after you."

Claire thought of some other options when Holly's name was mentioned.

"Could Holly come with us too?" Claire asked.

Hanna looked a little upset at the mention of 'competition'.

"It's up to her and Allison." Hanna said. "I do understand."

Claire hoped Sheila or Jesse could go too. She decided not to bring it up. Not now anyway. She didn't want to upset Hanna before she needed to go on her mission. She was still worried it would involve some type of combat.

"It was just a thought." Claire said. "I'm sorry."

Hanna knew the human females were all promiscuous. The more they experienced, the more they wanted.

"Sometimes we all get 'hungry'." Hanna said. "I'll be back."

Hanna knew they all wanted a little more. Sometimes when the others were out, it happened. Each of them managed to get 'a little extra' from time to time. As long as everyone remembered where they belonged at the end of the day, it wasn't a problem. They really were one big happy family. There was plenty of love to go around.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Never Ask Again

Everyone is a mystery
There are many things about them
That we don't really know
From them many problems may stem

Often it is determined
That new friends are not needed
In times of loneliness or weakness
One's own warnings are not heeded

Every new chapter in life
Is really a repeat of those before
The past lessons are forgotten
Everyone comes back for more

How much really changes
It doesn't seem to be much
How much is one willing to sacrifice
Just for a simple touch

It seems that every now and then
It's not always remembered when
One gets rejected and pushed away
And vows to never ask again

Nobody