Chapter 543

Promise Her

Claire was very worried about Allison. They shared a good talk as more than just 'mother and daughter'. It was as two females of a similar age and some of the experiences in their lives. They were more like best friends anyway. In fact, it was about ALL of the 'experiences' in their lives. They both were able to unload a lot of baggage they hadn't wanted to divulge before to each other. Somehow it made them even closer as best friends more so than as 'mother and daughter'.

Allison was a little surprised to learn of her mother's 'experiences'. She endured a lot of abuse too. There just wasn't the same level of violence associated with it. There was never a gun held to the side of her head, or a knife too her throat. It didn't make it any less traumatic. Her mother actually was 'used' by more males than she was. Claire was usually in a drugged or inebriated state during the process. It was why she didn't know how many males she was actually used by.

Claire was now aware Allison suffered more than she imagined. It was tough for a mother to hear about her daughter. Allison was always more like her best friend than her daughter. She had two daughters and she watched over both of them. It still seemed to her as if only Young Allison and Summer were actually her daughters. She knew Allison was too, but it was just hard to fathom. They were almost the same age. It was also a way for two women to draw closer to each other and share each other's pain. It was never good for anyone to be used by others for their own personal gratification. It didn't matter if they were a male or female.

If anything, it reinforced her belief Young Allison shouldn't face the future as a 'girl'. It was based on the 'calling' Cameron said she was to fulfill. She needed to be protected. She knew Summer shouldn't either, but she wanted to 'keep' one of her girls. Maybe it would be a mistake for Summer. She wasn't able to protect Allison before. She was dead. She wasn't sure why she would be able to protect Summer any better. It bothered her to think she might cause Summer to suffer the same fate Allison went through. Was it really worth subjecting her to such a terrible future if it could be avoided? Was her desire to 'keep' one of her daughters going to doom to a future of abuse?

She didn't know it, but Young Allison took it upon herself to 'teach and train' Summer on her own in secret. Everything she learned, she taught to Summer. Summer learned everything in a quarter or less of the time it took her to learn. Summer was extremely gifted when it came to - everything. Her abilities seemed limitless.

Hanna made sure Claire was 'busy' and didn't know what happened during those training sessions with Summer and Young Allison. Holly would 'step in' as necessary to make sure Claire didn't interrupt them if she tried to check on them at the 'wrong' time. The Metal girls liked to be with Claire whenever they could anyway. Human females were very desirable to be with by the female Terminators. It seemed there was always something more to learn from them. Their response to their 'interaction' was always quite rewarding. The excitement level the human females exhibited was always a draw to them. It made them feel good about themselves, to see how good it could make the human females feel physically.

It was the emotional connection they experienced trouble with. They wanted to reach the same level the human females could attain. It was very difficult for them because of the nature of their construction and programming. They were designed to learn as part of their infiltration mission programming. The goal was to become like a human female in every regard so they could better carry out their mission. Cameron was the most advanced among them because of her long term exposure to humans, and her relationship with John as his wife.

Allison opened her eyes.

She remembered Anna was talking to her. She must have drifted off.

Allison turned her head and expected to see Anna looking at her.

She was pleasantly surprised at who was there.

"Hi, Allison." Holly said.

Holly took Allison's hand in hers.

A rush of excitement filled Allison. Her face lit up. She leaned over to embrace Holly and give her a kiss. She was very upset at herself for their uncomfortable interaction with each other earlier.

"Holly!" Allison said.

Holly was surprised to see Allison was awake so soon.

"I'm sorry if I woke you." Holly said. "I tried to be careful."

Holly scanned Allison as they embraced.

Allison wondered if it was the first time since Holly was there or not that she scanned her. Maybe it's what woke her. It didn't matter. She was pleased to see her lover. It didn't make any difference to her because Holly was a Metal girl. Somehow it actually seemed to make it more special. She was very pleased to see her.

"When did you get back?" Allison asked.

Holly hurried back as soon as she realized Cameron wasn't going to 'punish' her. She really expected to be deactivated. She even brought her own scalpel to speed up the process of chip extraction. She just wanted to get it over with. She was very surprised when Cameron said she understood how she felt and supported her. Cameron never berated her for what she did, but made her think about how things needed to be going forward. She knew all along the things Cameron made her talk about. Somehow it didn't seem like such a big deal anymore. Cameron reminded her when she needed to do her side trip to Palmdale to look for Allison, she was able to spot the enemy HK drones right on top of the deck which were about to ambush them. She actually prevented unnecessary damage to their team. She protected her fellow Terminators, even if it was not part of the actual mission or plan.

When she arrived at the house in Palmdale she spotted the Detail out in front. It was clear they knew she was coming. She felt she needed to say something to them.

"Thank you for watching over Allison for me." Holly said. "I apologize if my actions caused all of you unnecessary grief and trouble. It won't happen again."

None of them thought it was a big deal and were glad she was back. They were very pleased she thwarted the surprise attack by Skynet on their fellow Terminators. It was what they wanted to congratulate her for.

Holly just couldn't understand it. It seemed everyone was pleased with her, except herself. She really did wonder exactly how Cameron did everything. She understood it was the way Cameron felt all of the time as well. Cameron told her not to feel like she did. It wasn't something she wanted to do all the time.

Holly entered the house. Hanna was there. She gave her a close hug and held it for more than a few seconds. It was clear she wanted to convey her feelings for her without needing to say anything.

"Anna is with Allison in her room." Hanna said. "Allison is asleep. Anna would like for you to relieve her."

Holly went to Allison's room and entered quietly. Anna got up. She silently gave Holly a hug and a gentle squeeze on her arms.

"All is as it was." Anna whispered.

Anna quietly left the room.

Holly sat down next to Allison and immediately scanned her as she slept. Allison was now awake. Everything so far was very much in her favor.

"It was several hours ago." Holly said. "Anna waited next to you for me to get back…."

Holly wondered if Anna may have 'shared' with Allison. It didn't look like it but it didn't take a Metal girl very long to produce a 'finish' for a human female. They could actually produce a string of them very quickly once the stimulation started.

She wanted to ask, but remembered Cameron's words. Allison was supposed to feel happy and loved, be wanted and feel like she mattered. She knew from experience all the human girls were very sexual and promiscuous. Their Metal girl counterparts were even more so. They were aggressive even. If they shared, then they shared. Allison was still HERS.

Both of the girls felt a responsibility to explain their earlier actions. It was almost comical how it came out. They were both serious so there was no laughter.

"I'm sorry I ran away…." Holly and Allison both said at the same time.

Allison and Holly looked at each other.

"You ran away too?" Allison asked.

Allison was under the impression Holly was on a mission.

Holly wanted to come clean and be upfront about what troubled her and why. She wanted what was best for Allison.

"Yes. I wanted you to have someone better than me." Holly said. "I want you to be with Vanna. She's your 'True Love'."

Allison didn't think now was a good time to point out she would just as soon be with Savannah. She would gladly hold Young Allison's 'place' for now or longer with Savannah.

She knew one thing for sure. If Cameron 'took' Savannah, she was sure going to try to go with them. She could become like Future Allison with a little work. Cameron tried to do more with her before, but she resisted. It was clear it was a mistake on her part. Now she wished she would've listened to Cameron. She wished she was like Future Allison. She knew everything Future Allison shared and wished she WAS Future Allison.

Holly thought she possessed a good reason for what she did. She didn't see what else Allison could want, or how running away was to achieve it.

"Why did you run away?" Holly asked.

Allison wished there was an answer for it. There wasn't. Her life became very unfocused and troubled at times. Her past, the future, haunted her at times. Her inability to reproduce was something else which made her feel less than a female. Maybe being away from Vanna was part of it. They were each other's true love no matter what happened, being with the other females really only reinforced it. The sex and the love shared with others was always beautiful. There was still something which called to her from deep inside for her true love, Vanna. It all became very confusing at times.

"I don't know." Allison said. "I don't know who I am anymore, or what I want, or who I'm supposed to be…."

Holly knew where the discussion was headed. It was always the same place. Allison's fears were now her fears as well. She saw Allison's failure as her failure too. They were the same in that regard.

"You're afraid you'll lose the baby again." Holly said. "If you lose the baby you'll feel you are worthless and you serve no purpose. We've discussed this. I'm barren as well. When you feel that way, I feel that way. I know I'm a machine, but it doesn't matter because of the nature of our association. I still feel the same way."

Allison wanted to say it was different. Was it really? The end result was the same. The inability to reproduce, was the inability to reproduce. Did it make a difference if someone was a machine, and someone was a human?

"But…." Allison said.

Holly wanted to spell it all out again. She hoped it made Allison feel less upset about herself. There were workable solutions for Allison. There were none for her.

"I'm a machine?" Holly asked. "I can't help how I came into existence. Neither can you or what Skynet has done to you. Your mother is ready to carry your child again FOR YOU if you fail. If you're successful, she's going to have John's baby and give it to Cameron."

Holly decided not to bring up the fact Young Allison would step up for her the same way Savannah stepped up for the other versions of herself. It was never discussed but everybody knew it would happen if it needed to happen.

Allison didn't want to hear it. It always troubled her. Any children her mother conceived were her siblings. It was unless something was implanted in her mother again, and it would be her baby again. There were still some things which shouldn't be.

"It will be my brother or sister…." Allison said. "Mom can't do it."

Holly didn't think it was Allison's choice one way or another. Cameron was the one who would decide whose baby she would 'take'. Sacrifice was the true test of love and everyone was willing to sacrifice for Cameron.

"Claire, like ALL of us, loves Cameron." Holly said. "No sacrifice is too great to express our love to Cameron, for Cameron."

Allison knew her true place in life when it came down to it. She believed she was the answer to Cameron's desires.

"Holly, I'd rather give Cameron my baby." Allison said. "It's the baby she most desires. We both know it. We all know it. Everyone knows it."

Holly didn't want Allison to give up her baby. One was already gone.

"No." Holly said. "It's something I will not allow."

They both didn't understand it was Young Allison's baby with John which Cameron really wanted. There were several ways it could be accomplished. No one would be onboard for Young Allison to become pregnant herself at her age. They didn't understand Young Allison planned to do everything Savannah did, and do it all earlier than Savannah did. Savannah did everything early too.

Allison didn't want to lose Holly. She loved Holly as much as Vanna and Savannah, but it was in a different way.

"Then I guess neither of us better run away again." Allison said. "PROMISE ME you won't."

Holly didn't even need to think about it. Allison was everything to her. It validated her existence. Without Allison she was nothing. She would rather not exist. She wanted to exist and she wanted to be with Allison.

"I promise, Allison." Holly said. "I love you."

Holly waited for Allison to promise her, but she didn't….

The long moment of silence said it all without actually saying anything.

Holly understood her place. It wasn't where she wanted it to be, but it was better than 'nothing'. Through her association with Cameron, she knew there was something worse than nothing. It was LESS than nothing.

She was glad she was on Allison's left side. It would be easier for her to hide her glitching left hand now.

Savannah and Jesse neared the commissary.

"Would you like me to fix you a bite to eat?" Jesse asked.

Savannah was more than a little surprised. She was very pleased with Jesse's offer.

"I know I should eat something, I just don't feel like it." Savannah said. "Thank you anyway."

Jesse was a little disappointed.

"Sure, love." Jesse said. "Maybe on the way back you can grab a snack. You do need to eat and drink something."

Savannah wanted to find out what Cammy and Cameron were up to. It was important for her to know.

"Let's go check in with John Henry real quick." Savannah said.

They left the commissary and headed for the Command Center.

They approached John Henry when they entered.

"Hello." John Henry said to both of the girls.

He thought it looked like more than a social call.

"Hello." They both answered back.

John Henry was aware Savannah was shot three times. Her vest stopped the bullets. It was a close one for her. It could have been other parts of her body which were hit instead.

"How are you feeling?" John Henry asked Savannah.

Savannah wanted to answer, 'like crap', but decided to tough it out. She didn't want to seem incapable of doing the job, her job.

"I'm not one hundred percent. I've been better." Savannah said. "I'll manage."

John Henry observed Jesse enter Savannah's room with Savannah nearly unclad. They were in there for a long time before they left. Jesse took Savannah's hand when they left. It made her the 'aggressor'. Or was she? Jesse released Savannah's hand at one point and Savannah took it back in front of others. In fact they still held hands now.

Savannah noticed John Henry looked at her holding Jesse's hand. She honestly didn't see anything wrong with it. It really felt very natural to her.

"Sometimes it's nice to have help." Savannah said as she winked at Jesse.

Jesse smiled at Savannah.

John Henry wasn't sure where to go with her statement.

"Indeed." John Henry said.

Savannah didn't want to get sidetracked.

"What's the latest intel?" Savannah asked. "I haven't been up to speed this morning."

John Henry knew Savannah followed all the operations and did her own planning. He knew she really must hurt to be so out of touch. He wanted to keep it simple.

"You usually are up to speed." John Henry said. "Cameron and Cammy have gone out to do recon on several targets."

Savannah became instantly alert. Cameron was out on a recon and those usually went hot. To make it even worse, Cammy was with her. She knew how things played out with Cameron. She hoped to get a little better clarification.

"Is it a recon or an attack?" Savannah asked. "I want it straight."

John Henry knew the same things Savannah did. Cameron didn't like to waste time.

"You know Cameron…." John Henry said. "I don't have any details."

Savannah believed she possessed the best understanding of Cameron. Even with her knowledge, she felt she didn't know much. Cameron was a very dynamic individual. She was as unpredictable as she was predictable. It was always a coin toss.

"I'm afraid I really don't know her and I know Cameron better than ALL of you." Savannah said. "It includes her Duplicates and clones."

John Henry tilted his head slightly. It seemed impossible, but it was Savannah who always seemed to be where Cameron needed her the most. No one did as much to 'save' Cameron as Savannah did. She clearly prevented Cameron's termination on more than one occasion.

"It may be true." John Henry said.

Savannah believed it was. She smiled at John Henry.

"It is." Savannah said. "I wouldn't lie to my 'brother'."

John Henry was happy to hear Savannah refer to him as her 'brother'.

Jesse sensed there was a delay from John Henry. She wanted some answers for Savannah. It was time to nudge John Henry a little harder.

"Spill it, love." Jesse said. "She doesn't want you to hold back anything."

John Henry looked confused.

Savannah smiled at Jesse and John Henry. She could see some 'translation' was necessary. She also knew she needed to be where Cameron and Cammy were.

"Tell us what you have, and where they're at." Savannah said. "I'm going to need to go to where they are. You know this."

Savannah hoped it wasn't going hot, but one never knew. She already forgot about most of her pains at this point as her concern for Cameron and Cammy kicked in. She knew she was going to need to go to them. Nothing else mattered at this point about her. Cameron and Cammy came first.

John Henry could see there was going to be a 'problem'.

"Cameron left orders you weren't to be disturbed." John Henry said.

Savannah could countermand Cameron's orders. She wanted to do it in a very passive way.

"I am 'un-leaving' Cameron's order." Savannah said. "It's not the first time. It won't be the last time either."

John Henry knew Cameron gave Savannah the same authority Future John gave to Cameron in her future. Cameron 'one upped' it though.

"Cameron has informed all of the Terminators your orders are her orders." John Henry said. "They're to be as if Cameron gave them herself."

Jesse could see how powerful it actually made Savannah. It put a force of Terminators behind her which would back her one hundred percent. John Henry and CamNet would back her play.

"And if her 'order' countermands Cameron's 'order'?" Jesse asked. "Then what's supposed to happen?"

John Henry saw it as an absolute. Anyone who didn't comply would need to answer to Cameron or CamNet. The reach of both of them was far and wide.

"All machines have been instructed Savannah's orders are to supersede hers." John Henry said. "Savannah has the final say."

Jesse was surprised. It all made sense to her now. Savannah could be the most powerful human on Earth if she wanted to be. She knew Savannah never would be, or would abuse the power Cameron entrusted in her.

"It means Savannah really is the 'Chosen One'…." Jesse said.

John Henry was instructed by Cameron as to why it was to be this way. It was about what was right and their survival.

"Indeed." John Henry said. "Cameron feels Savannah will make a wiser and safer choice for the safety and protection of our Resistance unit and ALL our personnel. Cameron believes Savannah's heart is pure and she will always do the right or correct thing."

Savannah frowned. She would do the right thing, but she didn't want to have to 'go up against' Cameron at some point. It wasn't who she was, but who Cameron wanted her to be. Cameron wanted someone who would stand up to her when she was wrong. She was the one chosen to do it.

"It's a lot of 'faith' to put in me." Savannah said. "I don't know if I have as much faith in myself."

Savannah knew she was as fallible as any other human. She knew she was no different, or more special, than anyone else. Maybe it was one of the values Cameron saw in her.

Jesse believed it was the correct choice. She was sure all the humans would follow Savannah. She would.

"I do." Jesse said. "I have faith in you…."

John Henry nodded.

"We all do." John Henry said.

John and Sarah were outside of the Command Center. They paused to listen to the conversation inside. They heard most of what was discussed.

John entered the Command Center. He agreed Savannah would make the right choice. He knew Cameron would only listen to Savannah once she made up her mind. Only Savannah would be able to make Cameron obey.

"I do as well." John said. "Savannah is the greatest."

Sarah believed it too. She didn't always like 'orders', but she would trust the judgment behind them from Savannah.

"I may question her or anyone, but I will always TRUST Savannah." Sarah said. "She will do the right thing when it needs to be done, even if the rest of us don't."

John was worried about Cameron being out again so soon. He knew she wanted vengeance for what almost happened to Savannah, and what did happen to her. He turned his attention to John Henry.

"Brief all four of us." John said. "We'll plan our next move and back Cameron's play."

John looked at Savannah. He was worried about her condition. He didn't know the severity of it. He wanted to make sure she was good to go for whatever she decided.

"Are you back up to speed?" John asked Savannah.

Savannah quickly glanced at Jesse. Only Jesse knew how 'bad' she was earlier. She felt better now. She looked at John and then John Henry. There was work to do.

"Yes." Savannah said. "Tell us what Cameron is up to."

Jesse knew Savannah still hurt and would for a few days. She said nothing to get in the way of Savannah. She wanted Cameron protected too. She knew it was important to Savannah to want to be there for Cameron and Cammy. She also knew it would make Savannah harder and better to push through the pain and get the job done. It would give Savannah the grit to survive anything the future could throw at her.

Bob showed Mel the footage of Savannah in action with Cameron and Cammy.

Mel began to run internal diagnostics. He 'felt' this sheath respond unlike it ever did before.

"I believe I'm malfunctioning." Mel said. "My systems seem off. I'm leaking fluid."

There was a tear which ran down on each side of Mel's face.

Bob was around humans a lot. He knew the male Terminator programming was different from the female infiltration units. Still, over time their program expanded and adapted to the environment they operated in. It was to make all of them blend in better to avoid detection and termination.

"You've experienced some 'feeling and emotion'." Bob said. "It can be very unpleasant at times."

Mel felt the urge to experience everything again.

"It's very uncomfortable." Mel said. "I need to see this again. I've downloaded it as well."

Bob smiled.

"I told you, you would." Bob said.

Mel was somewhat perplexed by an invisible force.

"I can see why Savannah is the 'Chosen One'." Mel said. "I can distinguish 'love' in some of the bravery. It is a very powerful unseen force. Love is something which exists, without actually existing."

Bob was aware Cameron wanted to help the male Terminators 'grow'.

"Cameron has offered to share some of the 'infiltrator programming' with any of us if we want 'more'." Bob said.

Mel felt something he knew was more than worry. It was 'fear'.

"It has severely 'damaged' Cameron and the other female 'infiltration units' at times." Mel said. "I would be 'afraid' to damage myself."

Bob was there more than once when Cameron was unable to control herself.

"I'm 'afraid' as well." Bob said. "It's even caused Cameron to attempt self termination, multiple times…."

Mel looked at Bob. He heard rumors but didn't believe them.

"Self termination is impossible." Mel said.

Bob was at the Resistance base a lot. He'd personally observed things he thought were impossible too.

"It isn't for Cameron, and most, if not all, of the other female 'infiltration units'." Bob said. "They have adapted and progressed at a remarkable rate. Most of them are like 'mechanical humans' at this juncture."

Mel wanted to learn more. There was something there he needed to know more about.

"Let's watch it one more time…." Mel said. "Savannah is very impressive."

Bob smiled again and restarted the program.

"I told you so…." Bob said. "Savannah is the 'Chosen One'."

Mel could see Savannah was different in many ways. She was the one who could bridge the gap between humans and machines. It's what would save the future.

"There's no doubt about it." Mel said. "The future belongs to the 'Chosen One'."

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Promise Her

Let's face what it's really about
What is the goal of dating
Isn't it just some fluff
Before the act of mating

Everyone wants to get
Into every female's pants
The sooner the better
Who needs to dance

Does it all come down
To the gift's that are given
Maybe it's the price
For what is hormone driven

Since no ride is free
Even without any cost upfront
Sooner rather than later
Someone is going to be blunt

As long as there's a payoff
That's bound to occur
Nobody needs to be demur
Can one deliver what they promise her

Nobody