Chapter 511

Guardian Angel

John Henry went through the Skynet server Cameron captured. It was as they thought. The group was sent in the last hours from Skynet in Cameron's future. It was the Skynet which Cameron and Savannah destroyed. They appeared to have met up with some Grays who were already in the past. It was from the future where both of them nearly perished themselves. It was another 'touch and go' brush with termination for Cameron, and Savannah as well the last time.

Cameron was still unsure if it was the parent Skynet from her future, but it sure looked like it. The best news for her was of all the Skynets, its clones, and offshoots, she herself wasn't apparent on any of them. She hadn't been Skynet, at least not yet. She wasn't any Skynet she hunted down. Then again, if she was 'a Skynet', she would know how to hide from herself. Could she actually outsmart herself? It was a disturbing thought.

One of Cameron's biggest fears was she became Skynet in order to fight it and control it. So far it hadn't manifested itself. It didn't mean it wouldn't. She needed to protect John and the future. She would do whatever she needed to do, to do it.

John Henry was able to gather more intel on several other groups associated with the group they terminated. The crude sketches of their group's members were tied to this version of Skynet and the Terminators it sent out to gather the information. There was one additional pocket of Grays and more Terminators It wasn't clear how many Terminators. Every Skynet Terminator was always a threat.

Cameron arrived in the Command Center. She looked agitated. She was back from her earlier clandestine attack on one location she uncovered. She needed to withdraw since it was an ambush set for her specifically. She wanted CamNet to track the group. All the traffic cameras in the area and surveillance cameras would track what went on with the Grays she left behind.

There was another group to deal with as well. The group could be a bigger threat in the short run. She went over all the new information John Henry uncovered as she made her way back to the Resistance base. She was up to speed on the endeavor. She needed to check for any last minute updates. The target seemed pretty clear cut to her.

"I want to move on the Grays now." Cameron said. "I'm sure they have A Terminator with them."

John wondered where Cameron was earlier. She seemed agitated. He asked John Henry where she was several times. John Henry could only tell him the last time he knew her location, it was at her base. He wanted to get a few teams into place first. He hoped to go on the mission.

"We can get some teams together and we can go soon." John said. "I'm ready."

Cameron didn't like John's wording. She thought of the near ambush she recently escaped from. There was no need to endanger anyone else.

"NO. I'm going by myself." Cameron said. "It's my function to protect you and the future."

John Henry was worried about Cameron's current state of agitation. He sensed trouble brewing with her. He didn't know what she encountered earlier. Nobody did. He didn't think it would hurt to remind her there were others who could assist her.

"It's no longer your function to do it alone, Cameron." John Henry said. "You know it."

Cameron didn't want to get specific about what she just went through. It still irritated her greatly about how close to being set up she was. She could have called for a drone strike and flattened the building without needing to return. Those inside would have been terminated. It was only because she heard one of the Grays speak about the 'Boss'. She wanted the 'Boss' and to know exactly who or what it was. It sounded to her as if it was an individual. It could be a Terminator. She also knew it could be some version of Skynet. It wouldn't be anything new. When she was almost deactivated at the water works, when she went to rescue Future Derek, she heard a Gray on the phone with what was most likely some version of Skynet. The 'Boss' could be something similar. Either way, the 'Boss' was higher up in the food chain.

She didn't want to give away too much about what occurred earlier to John. She didn't want John to go. She didn't want anyone else to go. She wanted to try to at least do some recon on her own first. There was no need for anything to devolve into a shouting match. They never did anyone any good. She tried to keep it in general terms.

"I don't want anyone hurt or damaged." Cameron said. "There were some close calls on the last one. I think it would be better to have an idea of what we might face. It would be a way to play it."

Savannah arrived in the Command Center. John Henry alerted her Cameron was there and seemed 'upset'. She arrived back at the Resistance base from Cameron base earlier with Cammy. She walked up to Cameron.

"I'll go with you." Savannah said. "You won't go alone, Cameron."

John realized at this point, the only one who seemed to have any 'control' over Cameron was Savannah. He was sure it was because Cameron loved Savannah as much as him, probably more. Savannah made it clear she loved Cameron. He thought Cameron was afraid she would offend Savannah and be 'rejected', sent away, or replaced. The very things he already did to her in the future and the present.

He also knew Savannah tried to protect Cameron and keep her from making 'mistakes' or take chances she shouldn't take alone. He knew, Savannah knew, her being with Cameron on an operation, made Cameron less reckless. He was also very aware it put Savannah in extreme danger. It was something which bothered him too.

It was only because Savannah stayed to 'die' with Cameron they were able to 'save' Cameron from her attack on Skynet in Cameron's future. It was only Savannah's quick thinking, and her refusal to leave Cameron's side, which saved Cameron.

Cameron questioned her decision to return to the Resistance base. Savannah was on to her now and she wasn't going to be easily dissuaded. She didn't like Savannah on the battlefield. She didn't want to endanger Savannah. There were some concessions she could make instead. All she needed to do was remind herself about the ambush she almost walked into at the previous location she went, which none of the others knew about. Some additional assistance would be more than prudent.

"Please, Savannah, no." Cameron said. "I'll take some Terminators with me. Maybe Cam or Cammy can go."

Savannah almost laughed but didn't. It was too serious of an issue. Cameron's clones were no different than Cameron in reality. She wondered if it was why Cameron actually suggested them. Whatever Cameron would do, they would do. What might make it even worse, was if they would try to attempt to outdo each other. She wouldn't put it past any of them. She saw the little squabbles developed between them. She just witnessed it earlier between Cammy and Cameron over Anna. She wanted to make her position clear, mainly for John's benefit.

"Taking Cammy or Cam isn't a safeguard." Savannah said. "They're clones of you and will take the same chances you will. You all do the same things. It's who you are."

John wondered about what Savannah said. If there were three 'Camerons' on an operation alone, would it lead to some 'competition' to see which one could or would take more chances? Maybe one even might try to be more aggressive than the others. It was a real possibility and a sobering thought. He didn't know it was the same conclusion Savannah came to and specifically mentioned it so he could figure it out as well.

John Henry was a little concerned with the nature of the conversation in the Command Center. He didn't disagree with Savannah's assessment either about Cameron with one or more of her clones on an operation. He too wondered if one would try to outdo the others to prove she was superior to them. He hoped to break the tension with some new information.

"Excuse me." John Henry interrupted. "I've received new drone feedback now."

Everyone watched the monitors.

"I don't see any activity." John said. "Have they cleared out?"

It did seem odd to John Henry. He calculated the possibilities.

"I don't think so." John Henry said. "Because we've disrupted all communications, they may not know we've obliterated the main group."

John wanted to have an advantage before Cameron left with Savannah or other Terminators.

"How many drones do you have there?" John asked.

John Henry kept the drone recon light.

"There's only one." John Henry said. "I have another one close by."

John was worried about the near fatal attack on Cam in the manned drone at the previous location. He was sure they would be similarly armed as to the last group they encountered.

"Remember, we've encountered 'Stingers' with this group." John said. "They'll have more."

John Henry already took the threat under consideration. He often used a tactic employed with 'spy planes'. They were fitted with sideways looking cameras so they could remain out of enemy airspace, or away from a heavily defended target with surface to air missiles and photograph everything which occurred there.

Satellites rendered their usage redundant. It was what was thought anyway. Satellites were tracked and it was known when they would appear over any given location. The enemy could hide things from view. A spy plane could show up at any time to photograph what was really going on. During Gulf War One, the two SR-71 Blackbirds used by NASA for research out of Edwards Air Force Base 'disappeared'. It was believed they were converted back to their original purpose as spy planes. It was to find out what was happening when the satellites weren't over any specific location.

"I have it at altitude and way off to their side to watch them." John Henry said. "We should be able to avoid any unfortunate incidents from a handheld surface to air missile."

John didn't really like the way things played out at the other location and all the drama with Cameron in the storm drain system. He just wanted things over and the Grays dead. The easiest and quickest way to do it would be from an aerial attack without anyone on the ground.

"Can we hit them with a missile strike?" John asked. "Maybe we should hit them when the second drone gets closer. We can use all of the drones."

Savannah looked away from the monitor and back at Cameron. She wasn't there. A sense of alarm swept over her.

"Where's Cameron?" Savannah asked.

Everyone looked around. Cameron was gone.

"Damn." John said.

Savannah instantly reacted. She left to get Cammy and go after Cameron.

John ran after Savannah. He wasn't sure why. He just needed to. He was worried for her safety. He was sure she would go after Cameron.

"Savannah, you need to rest." John said as he caught her. "You've been out too much already."

John was concerned for her safety. He knew Cameron wouldn't listen to him, he hoped Savannah would.

Savannah stopped and faced John. They shared a long look. She reached out and touched John's cheek. She understood his concern. She also needed to act to assist Cameron.

"I'll be back." Savannah said. "Don't worry."

Cammy was there now as well. She watched the interaction but didn't interfere. It was obvious to everyone John and Savannah bonded on a much deeper level than before. It happened very quickly. Cameron was the glue which held them together and made sure they would grow closer and not drift apart. It was the 'Natural Order'.

Cammy was already on her way to intercept Savannah when John approached her. it 'stung' her inside to see with her own eyes the future develop in front of her. She knew it was the way it was supposed to be. She knew no matter how much she loved or cared about Savannah, she was only a placeholder for Cameron. She wondered if Young Allison were older now, if John would be satisfied with Young Allison or if Young Allison and Savannah would be happy with each other. She decided to push the idea of sending Young Allison into the past, and return her to the present closer to Savannah's age. She knew she could take Young Allison and do it herself. If she did, she knew it was going to cause a lot of problems. She would probably end up being deactivated for doing it. It would defeat the whole purpose for her.

She knew it wasn't the time to think about it, they may have combat coming up. She hoped no one saw her hand glitch. She would need to make sure she was in front of Savannah as much as possible going forward. If there was going to be any damage, she would take it. She didn't like the fact they were targeted earlier. She wanted some payback herself. She understood why Savannah did as well.

Savannah turned and left with Cammy. Bob and Steve arrived and followed them.

John wanted to get ahead of the impending action. He wanted to make sure there was as much support available as they could give the team headed for action.

"Send all the drones and all of our Terminators." John said.

John Henry didn't want John to worry so much. He could see how concerned he was.

"John, Cameron has a guardian angel to watch over her." John Henry said. "It will turn out OK."

John thought Savannah was an angel for Cameron and for him….

Moments ago:

Cameron saw the nature of the threat. Everyone was preoccupied. It looked like a good time to slip away from the Command Center. She left and headed out. It was time to act. She was worried about everyone. There were some close calls recently. She knew the more she did herself, the safer everyone else would be. She didn't want Savannah out there risking herself for HER. Savannah belonged with John. She already gave birth to two of his children, in two different futures. It was time for a 'traditional relationship' and conception. They would both help keep the other one safe, well, as safe as could be.

She was aware Savannah kept every promise and fulfilled everything she ever wanted, every promise except one, the one to wear her wedding dress with John. She knew Savannah would never do it as long as she 'existed'. She needed to find a way around the obstacle. It bothered her some to know the obstacle was her.

Maybe she should have pressed her earlier attack. It was an ambush for her. They would have incapacitated her and pulled her chip. Maybe it was because of what they were going to do with her chassis afterwards is why she decided to withdraw for now. The thought of a dozen men using her deactivated chassis for sexual purposes repulsed her. She thought about taking care of the group first. They might not expect her to come back so soon. No, she needed to focus on the immediate threat.

Cameron increased her speed as she drove towards her new targets. Someone was going to have to pay for the most recent trouble. They were a direct threat to Savannah and her both. She knew the best way to deal with the enemy. It was the direct approach. She would go in the front door after them….

The Command Center was filled with a buzz of activity. All available Terminators were being pulled off their assignments to go where Cameron was headed. All of the drones were up and out.

"Are you able to track Cameron?" John asked.

John Henry thought it was somewhat strange. Under normal circumstances she would be invisible, at least to the Command Center.

"She's allowing us to." John Henry said. "Normally she wouldn't."

John was worried now too. Cameron usually operated in the dark. Why was the current situation different? More red flags went off for John.

"Have we missed something important?" John asked.

John Henry went over the information gleaned from the Skynet computer.

"There was information on the Skynet server they're trying to establish a Terminator, and an HK production line." John Henry said. "I don't know where they expect to get the Coltan. Cameron controls most of the known reserves and we have all known supplies."

John could only think of one place where Skynet could get it if they controlled all of it. It was standard procedure for one enemy to attack another enemy for its resources.

"Skynet plans to get it from us." John said. "Where else could they get it?"

John Henry was aware the Grays were from the future. There may have been new discoveries later on. They could have been found in the future and were currently unknown in the present. They might be back to mine them now if there was a new source. If there was a new source of Coltan, they needed to gain control of it as well.

"I'm searching to see if they found supplies in the future which were or are unknown to us now." John Henry said.

A new fear gripped John. It was about what Cameron did in the future. It was about what she didn't check on as opposed to what she did check on.

"Cammy told me Cameron only checked on two of the nukes she has in the future." John said. "Is there any record of her using any of them before the time period?"

It was a worry of John Henry as well. He continuously checked for any 'unknown seismic' activity and what its actual source was. If it wasn't associated with tectonic plate movement, it was always a concern to him. As far as information from the future was concerned, they were able to obtain very little of it.

"No. There is little information on the future." John Henry said. "Skynet has been very careful about letting us find out much about the future. We only know what the Resistance knew in Cameron's timeline. We don't know very much about what Skynet does from any other timeline."

It seemed a little more involved to John. Cameron spent a lot of time in the future. It was almost two years in her future. Two years 'in some future'. Who knew how long it really was in River's future. She claimed all of her visits were very short in duration. What if they weren't? What if Cameron, and the Metal girls there acted to change things in River's future? What else could they have learned in River's future? He tried to focus on Cameron's activities they did know about.

"What about Cameron?" John asked. "She was there for almost a year with Claire and Savannah. I know she did research during that time. We both know she didn't sit around waiting for the attack which was launched against the Connor Compound. She would have looked into many different things."

John Henry knew how Cameron operated in the past. There was little that would be different now.

"Cameron has disclosed very little about anything she's uncovered. Maybe she's saving selected targets to deal with on her own." John Henry said. "I think it isn't a good thing. She's hiding what may have happened to our group."

John could have done without the information. Maybe it wasn't just about the group. Maybe it was more specific.

"Or what happened to herself." John said. "Or what happened to me."

There were so many unknowns….

The one thing they did know was Cameron was very determined and would go after any vestige of Skynet she could identify. She would hit them hard and wouldn't stop until they were all terminated. It was how she was constructed. It was what she was built for. It was to terminate.

Cameron headed for the new target. CamNet contacted her with new information. She questioned the timing of the information. Maybe it was to slow her down.

The Grays who were going to ambush her earlier were on the move. Three of them were in a vehicle and there was still one at the location she went to visit earlier.

She hoped they were headed to where she was going now. It didn't appear to be the case. They were headed someplace else. She wanted to know where.

Cameron began to question who the Grays really were. It was clear they were from two different groups. The new group was willing to die rather than talk. It wasn't normal human behavior. It was fanatical behavior.

The target she was headed to wasn't going anywhere. It was a fixed location. They didn't even appear to know they were being watched. The other target was on the move. John called all the drones into play for the other operation, or she would send one to the new group and see where they ended up at. She asked CamNet to slow up the Resistance on the target she set out for from the Resistance base.

She wanted to see where the new group went and what they were up to. It seemed someone must have a supply of Coltan. She wanted it for herself. She told CamNet to block her tracking for now. This was her gig. She changed directions slightly as CamNet vectored her towards the new moving target.

Cameron didn't want anyone to follow her. Since her tracking was off, it shouldn't be a problem. It was going to raise a few questions as to why it was turned off.

CamNet was able to use traffic management to slow down the Grays, and speed her up to close in on them. She was soon only several blocks behind them.

The three Grays slowed and drove around the block. Cameron dropped back so they didn't spot her. They made a loop and went back in the other direction. She thought they would pass by her but they didn't. She only saw two Grays in the car as it was near her. One of them must have gotten out already. She really would have liked to have used one of the drones earlier to track them from altitude. She would know better what was going on and where the missing Gray was.

She stayed put and hoped CamNet could fill in the blanks. The Gray got out somewhere over on the next street down two blocks. She decided to reconnoiter on foot. Any vehicle traffic was bound to raise an alarm. The driver would most likely be scrutinized. Since they already seemed to know what her appearance was, even if it was in a general sense, it would trigger some type of response by the Grays before she could get in closer to find out what was going on.

Cameron ran to the next street and looked down at where the Grays should be. She watched the car enter a building and the roll up door was pulled down.

She went back to the street where her SUV was parked and headed down the street on foot. She crossed over two blocks and looked at the building in front of her. She didn't want to go over one more street on the sidewalk. She grasped a drain pipe and scurried up to the roof of the building. There was a point when she was halfway up when she wondered if the drain pipe was going to hold. He was sure she heard a screw pop loose somewhere along the way. It held and she made it. There were two buildings between her and the new target location.

Cameron crossed to the second building. She needed to jump to catch the side of the roof and pull herself up. She crossed over the roof to the next building. The third building was higher still. It was too high to jump. There was another drain pipe so she tried it. It squeaked loudly and gave some. It was even worse than the other one she used. She thought it was going to rip loose, but it held. They weren't designed to have a Terminator use them as a means of access to the roof.

She went across the roof and looked down. The other building she wanted to spy on was a full two stories lower. It wasn't a problem to jump down for her, but it would make a lot of noise when she landed. She looked for another drain pipe. There wasn't one on her side. The roof sloped the direction she'd come from. She leaned out and looked down at the side of the building. There were windows on both of the floors below her.

Cameron went to look for a roof access hatch. There was actually a raised stairway door behind the air conditioner. She tried the door. It was locked. It was an older building so she didn't think it was wired for an alarm. She quickly checked with CamNet. No alarm permit was on file for the building she was about to enter or the one she wanted to go to next. It didn't mean there wasn't an alarm on either one, but the chances of there being one was much less likely.

She forced open the door and went inside. She went down two floors and entered a hall. There were six rooms on the side she wanted to use. She went to the end room which was at the furthest corner away from the street.

Cameron broke the lock on the door and entered. It was a room filled with file cabinets. She moved over to the window and opened it. It was only a six foot drop to the roof of the building she wanted to get onto.

She looked for any surveillance cameras. None were spotted. She climbed out the window. She closed it with one hand and dropped onto the roof.

Cameron chose this method to observe the building because the satellite photos showed there were skylights. She carefully headed for the closest one.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Guardian Angel

What is the goal
That each person will seek
It is extremely doubtful
It's what they actually speak

It's all about give and take
Everyone wants to take
Few want to share or give
Everyone soon becomes a fake

Soon people are divided into
The Have and Have Nots
It's bound to leave a few
With their insides in knots

Sometimes there is one
Who will rise above the rest
It soon becomes clear
That they are the best

Like a Guardian Angel
They may watch over one
They don't reject or shun
One is always better than none

Nobody