Chapter 532

Period

Cameron and Sarah were in the storage area with an 'infant Skynet'. Cameron previously captured it. Now she was with Sarah so they could torture it and then destroy it.

Kyle was with them initially. He was very distressed to see Sarah filled with such hate and rage. He couldn't blame her because of everything Skynet did to her life, including the people it took from her. He thought it would be best if Sarah and Cameron worked alone. He quietly departed the area.

Cameron and Sarah worked on 'Skynet' for hours.

Sarah was shown every way possible to make the computer feel 'pain'.

Cameron actually enhanced and modified it some so it could be properly 'punished'. She could see they were near the end. She wanted Sarah to be alone for the finish. She hoped Sarah could find some peace with the final act of termination.

"Jim is outside if you need him. His audio input is currently turned off." Cameron said. "I'll leave you alone for the 'finale'."

Cameron showed Sarah where the Thermite was. She suggested Sarah use a little at a time so Skynet knew what was happening to it.

Sarah felt tears of hate in her eyes at times. She was grateful for Cameron allowing her the opportunity for revenge and retribution. Maybe it was a human trait. Maybe it was justice. It was a way for her to get part of her life back. It was a way for her to expel some of the hate which built up inside of her over the years. She hoped it would allow her to sleep a little better at night. She didn't know if it would or not. It would hopefully allow her to put some of the demons to rest. She should at least be able to push them to the back of her mind. She didn't need to see them at night when she slept. Cameron gave her a way to get some retribution.

"Thank You, Cameron." Sarah said. "Thank you for this."

Cameron gently squeezed Sarah's hand and smiled at her.

"I know what it's like to face the demons head on." Cameron said. "Do what you need to do, there's no hurry."

She left Sarah alone. It was better to be alone at times like this so nothing was held back. Sarah wouldn't need anyone to see how she acted or what she did. She thought Sarah could really unleash her true feelings as she destroyed 'Skynet' alone. Maybe it would quench some of the fury and hate in Sarah. Then again, it never seemed to for her. Maybe it would only make it worse. It's what it did for her. It was as if everything made everything else worse.

She knew Jesse faced similar feelings. Jesse thought she could make her pain go away by 'transferring' it to others. She told her it didn't. It only made it worse to know what she was responsible for to others, even if they deserved it. She could have handled things differently, but she didn't.

It seemed hate and revenge only made the hole in one's soul larger. She didn't have a soul, but the effect was still the same. Nothing ever made something 'bad' better. It just seemed to make more 'bad' of everything.

Both Vanna and Savannah, told Cam and Cammy, they wanted them 'in the fight' more often to help Cameron. They both said they would join them as well. The last part wasn't something the Metal girls wanted to hear. It would make them step up their game to prevent it. The offer wasn't intended to make them do so. It was a genuine offer to help take the load off of Cameron.

Everyone was dissatisfied at how Cameron came back shot up and nearly terminated the last time. The chain of events which followed allowed them all to see what Cameron faced and needed to go through. They all could see how it affected Cameron and the suffering she endured. It was unacceptable to all of them.

Savannah knew she was going to need to take things a step further. It was a conscious decision on her part about what needed to be done. It was something she was willing to do. She knew the only way to make things safer for Cameron was to physically be at her side. It would be risky and she could be hurt or killed. So be it. It was her duty to help protect the future and to keep Cameron safe. It functionally protected the future.

She was a little upset about her conversation with John. She didn't agree with him Cameron was responsible for everything which went wrong. She didn't know they didn't always like the way Cameron did things. It was something she could agree with. She didn't either. Cameron still did things which she thought needed to be done, in the way she thought they needed to be done.

Savannah knew it was time for her to step up. She needed to up her game. She heard John Henry mention where Cameron was at earlier, before she entered the Command Center. It was the direction she headed. She thought about stopping by her room first but decided not to. It made her think of her earlier encounter with John. It would have been a step forward in her life. She was ready to lose her virginity and be with John. She wanted him to take her. Things didn't work out. She wasn't sure where Cammy was at. She thought it would be in their room.

She saw Cameron approach from the storage area. She looked somewhat preoccupied.

"Cameron." Savannah called.

Cameron looked back once when she thought she heard Sarah scream something. Now Savannah caught her attention. She didn't want Savannah to go where Sarah was at. She wanted Sarah to have some privacy.

"Yes?" Cameron asked.

Savannah wasn't really sure how to lay it all out. She was sure Cameron would reject her offer. It wasn't good enough for her. She just decided to say it.

"I'll accompany you on all future missions." Savannah said.

Cameron paused. The smile which formed on her face when she spotted Savannah slowly faded away. She couldn't endanger Savannah further. Savannah almost died with her more than once. She needed to remind Savannah of her destiny.

"No." Cameron said. "You have more important duties to fulfill."

Savannah didn't care for Cameron's outright rejection. She cared for the second part of her statement even less. She thought she carried out some of those duties. She was rather blunt in her response.

"You can still breed me." Savannah said. "I'm going to go with you anyway."

Those words stung Cameron. It was never her doing as such. Now it made her feel bad about herself. She wasn't even part of Savannah's decisions when they were made to become pregnant.

"No." Cameron said. "I've never treated you like livestock."

Savannah knew she was the one who made those decisions herself. Young Jesse was the one who impregnated her. Cameron didn't even know about the first one until it was too late and they were 'in some future'. She knew her words were harsh and cruel. She still needed to lay down the law. She didn't like being rejected either.

"I'm sorry." Savannah said. "Look, I'm going with you. Cam and Cammy will come as well, if not them, then Gail, Sheila, Ally, or Hanna. There will be no more single or alone missions for you."

Cameron looked at Savannah but said nothing. She knew Savannah loved her dearly as she did Savannah. She didn't want to argue or fight with her. Savannah was the only one she could count on for everything. This was a battle she didn't want to fight. She also didn't want Savannah to give her an 'order' not to operate alone. There were going to be times when she would need to. It was just the way events played out. She often didn't have a lot of control over them. For other operations she could use assistance.

"I'll be more careful…." Cameron said. "I'm sorry, Savannah."

Savannah moved up and hugged Cameron. She held the hug and allowed Cameron to scan her. She could feel Cameron stiffen some when she did. She figured the next few words would be the kicker.

"I've spoken with Young Jesse…." Savannah said. "We both desire to 'provide' for Jesse and Vanna."

Cameron could have done without the news right now. She didn't want the girls to suffer any trauma associated with such an endeavor. She listened to Savannah outside her room before. Those tears still haunted her. She wasn't actually responsible, even as if somehow she felt she was.

"I can't ask you to do it." Cameron said. "I never have actually."

Savannah knew all her promises were hers alone. HER Promises she made to Cameron were what she did on her own. Cameron didn't ask or make her do it. She shouldn't have implied it was Cameron's doing. It wasn't. She actually did it when Cameron wasn't there to stop her. She knew she did it behind Cameron's back. More than likely Cameron figured it might be something she would do. She didn't know for sure. She didn't know Cameron was totally devastated when she found out she was pregnant the first time a short time after they arrived 'in some future'. There was fighting all around them and no way to get back home. She wondered if some of the association with her mother before she left for the future, as well as the time she spent 'in some future', with her rubbed off.

"I'm sorry about what I said earlier." Savannah said. "I guess I'm going to be a real Bitch just like my 'mother'."

Cameron could see Savannah wanted to make amends. She didn't think Savannah was a Bitch, but she did think Mrs. Weaver was. She thought she qualified for the title as well. She decided to joke about it and see how it went over.

"Or me." Cameron said.

Both of them laughed.

"Poor John, he doesn't know what he's in for." Savannah said.

Cameron was pretty sure by this point John knew what was coming. She was less than amenable at times. She gave John a pretty good taste of what it was like to be on her wrong side. Maybe some of them were a little unjust or harsh, but most of them weren't. They were justified.

"John should be used to it by now." Cameron said.

They both laughed even harder.

Savannah wanted to get down to business now. There were some temporal issues she wanted to discuss.

"Cameron, how far back in time can we go and you would still be able to construct a TDE?" Savannah asked.

Cameron already pondered this event. She figured it was why the Terminator with the temporal error, known as Myron Stark, didn't attempt to build one, even with his construction company. He decided to use standby and go for what would be the sure bet to obtain his objective. She messed up his plans when she derailed them a few years early. Power was more the issue than construction.

"Any time after the late Forties wouldn't be too difficult, maybe as far back as the Twenties." Cameron said. "Getting the power to run it would be the hard part so far back."

Savannah knew if it took too long it would be self defeating for humans. She knew there was one Terminator who Cameron battled who suffered a temporal error. He decided to go into standby for many decades as his solution. It wasn't something to human would be able to do.

"How long would it take?" Savannah asked.

The further back they went there were more components they would need to fabricate. It all boiled down to time. She didn't sleep so it would speed the process.

"It would take many months." Cameron said. "The farther back it was would take years."

Savannah needed to broaden her thought process. Perhaps additional help would be beneficial.

"How long would it be if Camille and Cammy were to assist you, or more Terminators?" Savannah asked.

Cameron tilted her head slightly. There were some new options which popped into her head. She could broaden the scope of such a plan.

"It would make things much simpler and go much quicker." Cameron said. "We could construct them in multiple locations, even in different time periods as well in every decade."

It seemed to offer some promise. There was another issue which nagged at Savannah. It stemmed from her first pregnancy and their stay 'in some future'. She figured it was going to be a sensitive issue for Cameron. She understood the implications of her question.

"How far along in a pregnancy can I safely use the TDE?" Savannah asked.

Cameron wasn't really sure where the discussion was headed. She didn't really care for the direction. She didn't think there were any definitive answers to Savannah's question. She could only go by theory.

"I would have to think right up until delivery. It most likely would result in immediate labor at that point from the strain." Cameron said. "Based on past usage it appears the transfer is very hard on the human body. River's improvements greatly reduce the stress."

Savannah wasn't worried about herself. It would be what was inside her body.

"Would it hurt the baby?" Savannah asked.

Cameron was further disturbed by the nature of the conversation. It made her feel as if she was losing control.

"It's unknown. Your body should protect it." Cameron said. "Aren't you worried about yourself?"

Savannah made some plans with Young Jesse.

"No. You've taught me well. This is what Young Jesse and I would like to do…." Savannah went on to explain.

Cameron listened….

She could see Savannah's plan was workable, but it wasn't really what she wanted to have happen. There were still numerous complications which could arise. Any number of things could go wrong. A theory was still speculation.

"I agree it could work in principle. The timing will be important for what you desire to achieve." Cameron said. "We can leave and return a few minutes later in this timeline."

Savannah wanted to do things differently so Jesse and Vanna wouldn't reject what was offered, when it was offered. She did understand their hesitation.

"This time we both want to be surrogates." Savannah said. "It will be easier and better for Jesse and Vanna to accept it. You know they will refuse otherwise. There's a difference between what is actually theirs and what isn't."

Savannah knew in the other futures, her other selves didn't have much of a choice. They all were aware the time transfer may have harmed the baby. She was soon away from both of those futures afterwards anyway. She often thought of going back to see her daughters. She was afraid she wouldn't want to leave if she did. The act would then cause a problem for Duplicate Vanna and Future Savannah. It would become an issue as to who exactly was the mother, and should have custody of the children. It would disrupt what the actual original intent was all about.

What Savannah proposed was what Cameron wanted for the girls from the future. She dropped plans to use any of the younger girls to do it. What Savannah planned would solve any of the new issues which developed. It would be like what Claire did for Allison, well, Future Allison in the end.

"So both of you will do it as surrogates?" Cameron asked. "What do you seek in return?"

Savannah was a little bothered by her question. It was about helping Vanna, and Young Jesse helping Jesse. It was about righting a Skynet wrong. The threat of Judgment Day still loomed over them among other closer issues.

"We don't want anything." Savannah said. "You know what we're all worried about…."

Cameron knew Savannah meant HER safety, the safety of a very scary robot from the future. She never could understand it. They should all hate her but all of them seemed to love her and care about her even more. Maybe there was something she missed in all of it, but she still didn't know what it was.

She wanted to promise Savannah she would be more careful and not go out alone. Sometimes the situation demanded immediate action.

"I'm sorry. I'll try to make sure at least one Terminator accompanies me on future missions if possible." Cameron said. "It's the best I can promise. Sometimes I need to act instantly."

Savannah didn't want to dwell on the subject. She did understand nothing was written in stone. She understood how something could be spotted, and would need to be dealt with at the time. She wanted to move her agenda ahead. She wanted to be inclusive and far reaching.

"After Young Jesse and I have done what we planned, I want Gail to go into River's future and see how Duplicate Jesse and Duplicate Vanna are doing…." Savannah said. "We've both discussed this. It's what we both wish to do for 'ourselves' as we would want it done for us under similar conditions."

Cameron tilted her head slightly. She just discussed such an eventuality with Gail a short time ago. Maybe there was more at play than it seemed at first.

"Did Gail say something to you?" Cameron asked.

Savannah wasn't sure what she meant about Gail. It was about how she would want things done under similar circumstances. It was about what was right.

"No. I know how I would feel in her place…." Savannah said.

Cameron understood this was why Savannah was important to the future. Savannah possessed a strong sense of empathy. It was something she liked. She did believe she was able to develop a 'sense of empathy' somewhat as time passed. Savannah cared about everyone and it was what made the difference between a person in power, or a great leader.

When people didn't matter, lives would be wasted. It was what she needed to make sure didn't happen going forward. Some people blamed her for it in the future. Maybe she did make some questionable calls. She believed she actually prevented Future John from wasting even more human lives on multiple occasions. Somehow she was blamed anyway. She tried to prevent a repeat of such activity when she arrived in the past, the present. Needless lost lives didn't happen in the recent past. She was the one that took care of business herself. She took the risk and the damage.

"You're very remarkable, intuitive and most thoughtful. I'll inform everyone it's a go…." Cameron said. "I'll get what we need from Jesse and Vanna and start them on hormones so they can nurse their young."

Cameron knew it was time to see the specialist again. She would observe this procedure for possible use in the future, or the past, if it were ever needed.

There was no reason she couldn't do what some human could. How hard could it be?

Events in the Command Center started to pick up.

John Henry identified a target and then a second one. It was time to act.

"I have two locations confirmed." John Henry reported. "Steve and Ed have made visual identification at both locations. There is Coltan present at both locations. No Skynet Terminators were observed. It doesn't mean they're not there."

John wanted to find the Coltan. He hoped they could track its source. It was where the problem stemmed from. To be able to take Coltan from Skynet was a good thing. To find out where they obtained it was a better thing.

"It's excellent work." John said. "I want to hit them hard."

John Henry couldn't take the credit since he found the data in Cameron's files from her recent endeavors.

"Thank Cameron." John Henry said. "The latest intel is from her hard work."

John was worried about Cameron. She would most likely go out on her own again once she became aware of the new information. He needed John Henry's help to prevent it.

"I want to make sure she doesn't act alone." John said. "Will you tell her anyway even if I say not to?"

John Henry wasn't the only one with the information.

"CamNet already has the same information." John Henry said. "I'll need to inform Cameron as well. It's standard protocol she should be notified of all enemy activity. You know it as well as I do."

John looked disappointed. He didn't think Cameron would listen to anyone, especially not him.

"I need to protect her." John said. "We need to protect her."

John Henry knew a step was taken in that direction. Whether it bore fruit or not remained to be seen.

"John, she does it to protect us, you and me…." John Henry said. "Savannah was going to speak with her."

John was sure Cameron would try to take control and 'push' Savannah around.

"Great." John said. "I know Cameron will try to manipulate her."

John Henry didn't think so. Savannah was far thinking and calculating. After all, she learned from the best. She learned from Cameron.

"It may be the other way around." John Henry said. "Savannah has run multiple scenarios by me as her 'brother' to see what will best 'help' Cameron. Savannah is very far thinking in her plans."

John tried to think how Savannah could control or manipulate Cameron. It seemed dubious at best. He wasn't even sure of the right words to use.

"Do I even want to know?" John asked.

John Henry knew a few of the issues Savannah would 'play'. He was sure there were more she didn't divulge. It seemed as if most of them would bother John if he knew the extent of them. He believed it was Savannah's call to make on the details.

"It's doubtful." John Henry said.

John could see John Henry wanted to say more. He wondered what the hesitation was about.

"What's really troubling you?" John asked.

John Henry was concerned for everyone's safety. There was more than one way to influence it.

"I want to protect Savannah, Cameron, and you." John Henry said.

John wasn't sure where things were headed, but he was sure where it would end up at. He didn't think he was too far off the mark earlier when he was in Savannah's room.

"Oh boy…." John said. "Here it comes."

John Henry knew his duty as a Resistance member. He also knew what his personal feelings were. He felt he was entitled to address those as well.

"If you mate with Savannah, it will bring you two even closer. As a mother herself with you two together, Savannah would be less likely to follow Cameron to her doom. You will be less likely to risk yourself in the field and Cameron would be happy to be with both of you. To help raise the baby would make Cameron think twice before acting foolishly." John Henry said. "There, I said it as a 'brother' worried about his sister."

John said nothing. He knew they were all correct, including Cameron. There was a job which needed to be done right now. He wanted control of it. He wanted Cameron to know he was the one in charge and where personnel would be assigned.

"Let's get a strike set up at both locations." John said. "I want Cameron here for the planning first."

John Henry wanted John to respond to his earlier comment before they progressed too far.

"John…?" John Henry asked.

John knew how the story ended. He just didn't want to dance around it right now.

"I KNOW what NEEDS to be done." John said. "Let's get the two missions done first and I will deal with the other stuff later."

John didn't really want to deal with it at all.

Cameron received the information from CamNet. She wanted to get ahead of John.

"Ally, find Sheila, it's 'go time'." Cameron said.

Cameron saw Cammy approach. It looked like trouble.

"I'll accompany you as well." Cammy said.

Cameron looked at Cammy. She already had a function to perform. It wasn't going out on missions. It was to keep Savannah protected.

"You need to stay here." Cameron said. "You have other responsibilities…."

Cammy wanted to lay it out clearly to Cameron.

"It's me or Savannah who will accompany you." Cammy said. "She made me promise."

Cameron didn't want Savannah in combat.

"It's fine but I still don't agree." Cameron said.

Cammy didn't think it was an issue open for discussion. She wanted to make it clear. She didn't want Savannah in combat either.

"As you protect John, I must protect Savannah." Cammy said. "I know you understand."

Cameron wanted to do something personal first. Now it was disrupted. It was all important. She needed to help one set of girls, while she protected John and Savannah.

"I need to call Cam and Gail and have them take Jesse and Vanna to a specialist." Cameron said. "I want a visual record of everything which is involved. I need to know exactly how everything is done."

Cameron wanted to go herself, but the files from Cam and Gail would be sufficient.

Cammy wanted Cameron to know she wasn't the only one with problems.

"Savannah informed me already." Cammy said. "I didn't have a part in any of this. I don't agree with any of it myself. I don't like her doing it for others, even if it's for 'herself'. It's hard on her body. I understand it is Savannah's choice. I must respect it, even if I disagree with it."

Cameron didn't need to be reminded of what she already knew. Everything was a problem.

"I don't like anything." Cameron said. "Period…."

Cammy wanted to put a lighter side on it.

"Life is just one big crap sandwich and we're all going to have to take a bite." Cammy said.

Cameron heard John say the same thing on several occasions.

"I already feel I have eaten several of those sandwiches myself, alone." Cameron said.

Cammy wanted to stress her point.

"Everyone sacrifices for Savannah - Connor." Cammy said.

Cameron caught the wording. She wanted to make sure Savannah had more than John alone.

"I insist Savannah maintain her relationships with her female 'friends' as well." Cameron said. "If she does, she will ALWAYS have those around her who love her when she has bad times with John. She MUST always feel loved and wanted. Never alone…."

Cameron never wanted Savannah to feel abandoned, thrown away, unloved, or unwanted…. She never wanted Savannah to feel like - Nobody.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Period

Life is about choices
Everyone makes decisions
The way some play out
They can create divisions

Is there really any absolute
Or are things shades of gray
Everything is in a state of flux
With the passing of each new day

Is anything ever final
Except the call of death
There are those who try to cheat it
Even with their dying breath

Let's face the facts of life
No one is ever in control
Anything can happen anytime
Few will leave anyone whole

The only guarantee in life
Is the answers are myriad
It's over before one knows it
That's how everything works - period

Nobody