Chapter 537

Not Looking Forward

Holly became concerned when she couldn't communicate with Savannah's team or the Command Center. She wasn't sure if it was just her communications or not. She didn't think so. She decided to increase the size of her orbit. She soon exited the jamming field and was able to report on what was happening below. There were currently no immediate targets.

Just a few minutes ago the target area erupted into a major battle. Their drones selected targets of opportunity. All of their team members wore transponders. It was unknown if their drones could pick up the codes but they did know what each of their team members looked like. Either way, there was no 'friendly fire'. No more Skynet HK drones appeared.

John was pleased to hear everything was under control for now. He was still worried about more HK drones and whatever created the jamming field. He hoped Holly would be able to provide some more information.

"Can you tell what's jamming our communications?" John asked.

Holly looked the area over. There was nothing with any antennas she spotted. It was most likely camouflaged as part of the building or the outlying smaller structures. She could move the manned drone in and out of the jamming zone. It appeared to be very localized.

"Negative. It seems to be only within the target area." Holly reported.

Savannah asked for the Blackhawk to be scrambled earlier. With the jamming field in effect, it was decided to hold it a safe distance away. They didn't want it to encounter any rogue HK drones they may have missed, or which were on their way to the target.

"I'm holding the Blackhawk out of range for now." John Henry reported. "I want to make sure there are no more Skynet HK drones. We don't know where they came from either."

Cammy gave her report.

John Henry decided to put those on the Blackhawk to use in the interim after hearing Cammy's report. He would have it pick up another group of Terminators and return for its original purpose.

Cammy left the machine shop with two thirds of her team and was about to arrive at the foundry. She originally was going to stay at the location since Savannah put her in charge of the operation there. Her concern about Savannah made her want to check up on her personally. She wanted to know where they were needed the most. Every Terminator with her knew Cameron and Savannah encountered Skynet Terminators. It was all they knew before all communications were lost.

"I'll arrive with my force within minutes. Where do you want us, Holly?" Cammy asked.

Holly couldn't communicate with Savannah or Cameron. She was deeply troubled by it. She could only make recommendations by where the battle activity happened earlier. She told Cammy to split her force and directed them where to go. She then moved back inside of the jamming zone for a better look at what was happening.

Cammy wanted to get inside the building and find Savannah.

Holly saw a massive explosion below a few seconds later. Based upon what happened, she didn't necessarily think it was a bad thing.

"I have communications." Holly reported. "The jamming field has been knocked out."

John and John Henry were able to establish communications with force at the location. They began to receive reports from everyone. There was a minimum amount of damage to their Terminators. It was a relief.

John Henry started to become concerned as they received reports from their Terminators. There were two glaring exceptions to the force on the ground. There was nothing from them at all.

"I can't raise Cameron or Savannah." John Henry reported.

John wanted to slam his fist down on the table but held it together. He knew Cameron would endanger Savannah. He feared the worst. He needed to remember the job they were there for. He couldn't let his personal feelings affect his operational capability. He was glad Cammy was now at the location along with most of the Terminators from the machine shop.

"Secure the facility and all the materials." John said. "I want every third Terminator to search for Cameron and Savannah."

Cammy ran into the building as soon as she was there. She headed for the last reported position of Cameron and Savannah. The evidence around her and on the ground seemed to indicate heavy fighting. She was appalled by what she saw.

"I'm inside now, John. I'm looking for them." Cammy reported. "There's a lot of damage in their last known location. The floor is littered with fired casings. There are terminated Grays here and there. There's a lot of blood…."

John and John Henry looked at each other. Now John felt more like throwing up. He was sure it was Savannah's blood. He knew it was all Cameron's fault.

John Henry wanted to start the 'clean up'. There were several downed HK drones to collect. Both locations were secure so he used the second 'MIKE Force' to get the job started.

"The Blackhawk dispatched its troops to retrieve the downed HK drones." John Henry said. "They've commandeered several of the trucks from the facility and will load the damaged HK drones into those."

They needed to get the downed HK drones collected and away from the area. They didn't want them spotted by anyone. They hadn't anticipated any HK drones even though they knew it was always a possibility.

John Henry was in control of all 911 calls and able to suppress any made.

Earlier:

Savannah was in a battle with three Skynet Terminators. She terminated one with a Thermite grenade. Two of the Terminators were able to disable Cameron before she was able to assist her. She faced close combat with both of them before she was able to gain the upper hand and deactivate both of them. Now she was next to Cameron. Cameron was damaged and offline. She heard several Terminators approach her position. She could tell by the sound of their running footsteps. There were two of them. She moved in front of Cameron and raised her M4 and Taser. She planned to hold her position and defend Cameron. She knew she would be able to drop one of them, if not both. She also figured it is where she would die. They would get her too.

They were almost there. The cards would land where they fell. She wasn't going to abandon Cameron.

Savannah saw the Terminators turn the corner. Her finger closed on the trigger. This was it.

Savannah let out her breath and relaxed some.

It was Steve and Bob.

Savannah wanted Cameron out of the immediate combat area. After what she witnessed the female Terminator attempt to do to Cameron, she wanted her better protected.

"Bob, get Cameron. Make sure her power cell isn't ruptured. If it is, take it out." Savannah said. "You and Steve get her out."

Bob looked around and saw the three downed Terminators. He knew there was a vicious battle. No wonder Cameron was incapacitated and damaged.

"I won't leave you alone." Bob said "You must accompany us."

Savannah still couldn't raise any of the troops. She didn't have control of the battlefield.

"Do either of you have any communications?" Savannah asked.

They didn't earlier. They both checked again.

"Negative." They both replied.

Savannah could see their apprehension. She would cover their withdrawal.

"Steve, you lead. Bob will follow with Cameron. I'll cover the rear." Savannah said. "It's possible there are more Skynet Terminators still in the building."

Steve and Bob both looked at Savannah and then at each other. They wondered why she wasn't down or in pain. She looked like a mess. There was fresh blood on all of her clothing.

"How bad are you injured?" Bob asked.

Steve wanted to get Savannah out. He was about to offer to carry her.

"I can assist you." Steve said.

Savannah wondered what they referred to. She then looked where they looked. She looked down at herself. She was covered with 'blood' but it wasn't hers. She didn't think it was anyway. She knew she was pumped full of adrenaline right now. She knew it would give her short term ability to continue to function, even if she was shot. She didn't believe she was. Right now any pain she felt was pushed to the back of her mind. She was still in survival mode. More than likely the events would catch up with her soon enough.

"I'm uninjured." Savannah said.

Bob and Steve weren't so sure. They figured she was in shock.

Steve touched her neck to scan her.

Savannah didn't want a scan right now, but saw they needed it to put them at ease. She knew they would see soon enough the 'blood' wasn't hers. It was from her close encounter with the Skynet Terminators, and Cameron.

"Her adrenaline level is extremely high. Her heartbeat is double its normal rate, and she's been under a high level of stress." Steve said. "The blood on her clothing is synthetic blood. It's not human blood."

Savannah wanted to sum it up and get Cameron away from there. She didn't want them to worry about her. Her main concern was Cameron.

"I'm the one still standing. There are a number of dead Grays and three Terminators who aren't. Cameron and I knocked them all out." Savannah said. "We won and they lost. I want to get Cameron away from here until she can recover or be repaired. Make sure her power cell isn't damaged."

There was a massive explosion somewhere outside.

There was some crackling noise and communications came back on line.

Savannah needed to know how her troops were and what happened at the other location.

"Everyone report." Savannah commanded.

Savannah, John, and John Henry listened to the reports as they came in.

"What about the machine shop?" Savannah asked.

Cammy reported they'd taken it down and everything was under control.

Savannah and her group made it outside. They went out the way Bob and Steve entered. It was a different entrance than Cameron and her used. They didn't see Cammy inside the building. She followed the path Cameron and Savannah took.

John didn't want to ask because he was sure he already knew the answer. Everyone reported except one person.

"Where's Cameron?" John asked.

Savannah didn't think it was the time for any drama. She needed to worry about everyone in her command. She kept it simple.

"She is currently inoperable." Savannah reported. "She'll need some repairs. We needed to deal with a number of Grays as well as three Terminators. All of the targets were taken down."

Savannah briefly went over with John what happened on a private channel. She didn't get into any of the specific details. She only reported what happened, not who did what.

John was upset because Cameron was damaged again. It was right after her last repair.

Savannah didn't want to dwell on Cameron's condition. There was work to do.

"I need to tend to the rest of the troops and the operation here, John." Savannah said. "Drop it. Do your job."

Cammy ran up to where they were. She followed a trail of blood drops out. She didn't know if they were from Cameron or Savannah. She was about to hug Savannah.

Savannah stopped her. They were in the middle of an operation.

"Cammy, I need you to take control of Cameron with Bob. I want you two to take her and leave now." Savannah said. "Steve, you stay with me. Let's make sure we got what we came for and then flatten this place."

Cammy looked at Savannah and frowned. She then followed her orders.

Savannah could see it was going to cause a problem later on for her. It wasn't the time for anything else. She heard Holly's earlier report. She needed to know if anything changed.

"Holly, do you have anything new?" Savannah asked.

Holly made two sweeps of the area in the manned drone.

"Negative." Holly reported.

Savannah wanted to finish the job and get everyone out. Things seemed to have gone from overly simple, to overly complicated in a matter of seconds. Perhaps the time was actually a little longer, but it didn't seem like it. A lot seemed to happen in a very short time.

"This is what I want…." Savannah started.

She proceeded to give instructions and sent a group of Terminators to recover the Skynet Terminators which were deactivated. They collected what they wanted and destroyed the rest.

John and John Henry oversaw everything as well. It seemed Savannah had everything under control.

John Henry was pleased with the overall operation so far. He was concerned about Cameron's incapacitation. She was the only Terminator who suffered anything more than minor damage. He understood there was a battle with a number of Grays and three Terminators. He would need to review their body cam footage when they returned. When the communications blockage occurred, all live transmission stopped.

John was worried about Cameron. He was also worried about Savannah. There was a cold hardness to her as she spoke and gave commands. Cameron and Sarah trained Savannah for more than half her life. It showed now as she took control. She made her own decisions as Cameron was offline, and Cammy was sent to remove Cameron from the area.

John made sure his com and John Henry's com were off.

"Savannah clearly indicated she was the one in control." John said. "I believe it's why she asked Cammy to return with Cameron."

John Henry noted the same thing John did. He was sure Savannah sent Cammy with Cameron to show she was the one in charge of the operation. She was in charge from the start, and would be so until the finish. The operation was now finished.

"Our group was remarkably successful at both locations on the ground and in the air." John Henry said. "The only one with any significant damage was Cameron."

John frowned at the thought. The reports he received indicated he needed to focus on the main operation until everyone was returned from both locations.

"We'll try to figure out later on what happened." John said.

Holly and their drones covered their extraction and truckloads full of bounty. The captured materials would be taken to a secure location for examination and their usefulness determined. The main thing they were after was the Coltan and they retrieved all of it.

John wanted Savannah to return to the Resistance base.

"Savannah, I want to get an After Action Report as soon as you get back." John said.

Savannah wasn't ready to return.

"I'm not done with the operation yet." Savannah said. "I want to inspect the second location as well. I need to take over Cammy's position since I assigned her to a more important task."

John and John Henry looked at each other with her response. They both noted her assessment of what Cammy's task became. It was the removal of Cameron from the combat zone so she could be returned for repairs. It definitely looked like Savannah wanted to remain in control until everything was complete. It also indicated she knew Cammy would get Cameron back no matter what.

Savannah went with Steve to the machine shop and viewed the results of the 'work' there. Earlier, the Blackhawk let Terminators out at several locations to retrieve additional trucks. They were used to recover some of the equipment from the machine shop as well as the HK sub-assemblies. They made sure all the Coltan was removed.

Once Savannah personally checked both sites again, she made sure everyone was away and headed back to base.

Holly orbited around with the manned drone to make sure Savannah and Steve made it back safely.

Savannah also quietly followed up with Anna as to Allison's situation in Palmdale. It was something else which concerned her deeply. If Cameron wasn't damaged, she would go to Palmdale to find out what was wrong with Allison and Holly.

Everyone knew Savannah was the first one on the battlefield, and the last one off of it. She personally checked with every Terminator for their damages and made sure the damaged drone was tended to. It made an impression with everyone.

It showed Savannah cared about everyone equally, and made sure the job was done herself. It was clear she wouldn't have left until it was.

A report some damaged Terminators were about to return arrived at the Resistance base.

Sarah let Jan off at Riley's room. She wanted to assist with the repairs. Cameron gave her an opportunity to get some satisfaction with her personal destruction of a Skynet computer, a little bit at a time. She wanted to do more in her efforts to assist the Resistance.

Riley was ordered by the doctors to take it easy and avoid all stressful conditions. She didn't want to lose the baby she carried for Cameron. She still planned to give it to Cameron. Her limitations made her feel somewhat inadequate.

"I'm sorry I can't do more." Riley said. "I don't want to lose Cameron's baby."

Sarah was disturbed to hear Riley say it, again. She heard about Derek's and Riley's 'offer' to Cameron. She didn't think Cameron would take their baby from them. It wasn't the time to discuss it. It didn't seem like any time was the time to discuss it.

"It's fine, Riley." Sarah said. "I feel better knowing Jan is with you. Help her with her school work and play with her later if she wants to. You two get along great."

Sarah actually believed it did Riley more good to be with Jan, than to be left on her own.

She headed to the lab. Vanna and Jesse were there already, Gail and Cam were as well. They were all ready to make repairs on the damaged Terminators as they came in.

Sarah knew there were some 'problems'. No one filled her in on the details. Things became sketchy earlier when contact was lost with everyone at the foundry. There was a lot of information to sort through once communications were restored. She hadn't visited the Command Center herself. She didn't want to be in the way.

"Is there any further report on Cameron and Savannah?" Sarah asked.

Cam didn't know much in detail. She only heard what Bob and Steve observed. It sounded bad, even if Savannah downplayed it.

"Cameron is heavily damaged and inoperable." Cam reported. "Savannah may be injured. The initial report indicated she was covered in blood."

Vanna and Jesse both shed some tears as they heard it. Death and destruction was no stranger to them. The current situation was much closer to home and personal to all of them. Now it was time to face the music.

Sarah gave both of them a hug and wiped her tears away as well. She wanted to give them some encouragement.

"It will turn out OK." Sarah said.

Gail tilted her head slightly. She possessed as much information as Sarah did. There was no way to reach the same conclusion at this point.

"How can you know it will be?" Gail asked.

Sarah did something she never thought she would do. It was something which popped in her head. She made a call after she let Jan off with Riley. She called a Terminator she believed would bend the rules the most to help her accomplish a task. Whatever 'dirty work' they needed to do to accomplish their task would be taken care of.

"I just spoke with Sheila. She reported Cameron's TDE is fully functional into the past." Sarah said. "I'll lead a force myself to 'fix' anything we have to, if we need to. I won't allow Savannah to be injured or killed. Not like this."

Vanna was as surprised as anyone to hear it. It sounded very similar to Cameron. She knew Sarah and Cameron used to butt heads at times in the past. Now they were on the same page.

"Just like Cameron…." Vanna said.

Sarah thought about some rough times in the past. It was all water under the bridge at this point. Cameron kept John alive and as safe as possible all this time. Cameron also protected her and everyone else too.

"I don't always like the way she does things." Sarah said. "But I've learned she usually knows what she's doing and when it needs to be done. None of us would be here now without her."

Sarah looked up the security feed.

"I hope someone else starts listening to Cameron before it's too late…." Sarah said.

She knew John and John Henry would see it. It would also indicate how far she was willing to go to make things right.

John listened to the reports and would need to go check on the troops as they arrived. Right now he watched his mother make her little speech. He could have done without it.

John Henry expected to hear John comment. He was silent. He wasn't sure if John caught Sarah's meaning. He wanted to make sure John wasn't confused about what Sarah indicated.

"Sarah's talking about Savannah." John Henry said. "My 'sister'…."

John looked away from the monitor with disgust and at John Henry. He just didn't need to hear this from everyone all the time.

"I know what she's talking about." John said. "I didn't want Savannah to go in the first place. Cameron still ended up getting terminated. It appears she put Savannah in a similar situation while she did it. Sometimes I wonder if she actually cares about anyone. I know she doesn't care about herself. I'm not pleased with what occurred at all. I want to view all of the body cam footage myself so we can find out what went wrong."

John Henry received a report from Bob and then Cammy. Cammy's report was detailed.

"Cammy reports Cameron' is repairable." John Henry said. "She just needs a few small components replaced."

John was irritated again, first by the reports of damage to the Terminators, then by his mother's comments, and now by the condition of Cameron. He saw all of it differently.

"What about right now - this second?" John asked. "Is Cameron functional or 'alive'?"

John Henry tilted his head slightly. Cameron was never alive, even when she was functional. He didn't think now was the time to try and explain things to John, again. He would stick with the facts for now.

"She is currently 'terminated'." John Henry said and then added. "She is repairable."

John thought he made his point. He needed to go and make his presence known as the troops returned. He wanted to see how bad the damage was first hand.

"They should start coming in now. I'll go to the lab to check everyone over." John said. "I know they'll kick me out soon enough."

John Henry knew who John wanted to see specifically. He wanted to know if John preferred one over the other at this juncture.

"Do you wish to see Cameron or Savannah?" John Henry asked.

John didn't really need to think about it. He cared deeply about both of them. He felt it was all Cameron's doing anyway. He really wondered how much of his life Cameron didn't control. He still remembered when he first laid eyes on Cameron in Red Valley, New Mexico in 1999. His life was never the same since.

"I want to see both of them." John said. "I love both of them. Cameron's MADE me love both of them."

John Henry knew it wasn't true. No one can make someone love someone. Then again, Cameron was very persistent in her 'manipulation'. He knew it was one of her Terminator attributes.

John got up to leave. Since the jamming field ended, they could review all the body cam footage as the Terminators returned. It was all the information they missed in real time. Now it was available 'after the fact'. It would fill in all the missing blanks.

"I want you to go over all the missing footage during the blackout of what happened so we can see what went wrong. You should be able to put a pretty good picture together." John said. "I want to know where Savannah went wrong and got Cameron terminated."

John Henry didn't know what happened either. He thought John's words were a little harsh. It did seem from the reports Cameron was busy protecting Savannah.

"I've already begun to compile the data. I'll have it ready when you return. Once Savannah arrives, I'll have the last of it. It won't be too long afterwards before it's ready." John Henry said. "It sounds like Cameron took down three Terminators protecting Savannah. Somewhere during the process she was damaged. I'll have the footage ready for you."

John frowned. He was sure it was the case.

"I want to go to 'Terminator only' for the strikes in the future." John said.

It was old news to John Henry. It seemed to him John should have grasped the concept long ago.

"It's what Cameron's been telling you, for years." John Henry said.

John thought of a lot of things he heard over the years from Cameron. Most of them he'd like to forget, but not all of them. What she said before was to keep him out of combat.

"Yes. She's been telling me a lot of things for YEARS." John said. "Maybe I better start listening…."

John Henry wanted to point out one thing Cameron believed, even if there was no proof.

"She may have done all this before." John Henry said.

John was headed for the door. He paused and looked back at John Henry. So far Cameron kept him alive since the first couple of days she knew him. She kept his mother alive as well. She also prevented Judgment Day from occurring. She deserved a lot of credit for those things.

"I don't always like the way she does things." John said. "Time has proven her to be correct in most of them."

John left the Command Center and headed for the lab. He didn't look forward to seeing the condition Cameron or Savannah would be in. He knew Cameron could always get a new chassis or use her replacement chip. Savannah could do neither.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Not Looking Forward

When two are in a relationship
They should look to the future
All of the troubles from before
It will help heal and suture

Everyone should think what's next
As they look forward to tomorrow
Working together united as one
Each other's strength they can borrow

It's not how it often plays out
Together they should evolve
Sooner rather than later
Things seem to quickly devolve

What was once a Prince and Princess
Seem only to quarrel, argue and fight
Each can hear but neither will listen
When both are wrong neither is right

Everything wrecks when one only looks behind
The direction for each is away not toward
They get stuck in the past by choice
Because they were not looking forward

Nobody