Chapter 565

Shopping

Cameron went to the Command Center to see John and John Henry. She wanted to follow up on their recent operations.

John was concerned about one loose end from the recent operation. It was more than a few days ago. The shipment of HK Tracks Cammy sabotaged didn't turn up at the other locations they took down. He figured they would have by now. He looked at Cameron, but asked John Henry. He knew Cameron wasn't always forthcoming with information.

"Did you ever detect the HK Tracks Cammy sabotaged, 'do their thing'?" John asked. "It's been a week now."

John Henry hadn't detected an 'attack' anywhere. The HK Tracks were supposed to 'attack' as a group a half hour after they were unloaded. It was how Cammy said they were programmed. Even if he hadn't received any information, it didn't mean there wasn't some out there. He glanced at Cameron for a moment before he looked at John.

"I'm not sure." John Henry said. "Maybe CamNet knows."

John and John Henry both looked at Cameron.

Cameron frowned. She would deal with the threat once it arose. It was unnecessary for John to worry about it. The last thing she needed was him trying to involve himself in another operation. It was hard enough to keep the cyborgs from getting shot up, including herself. John seemed to have a comprehension problem about what would happen to humans if they received the same type of damage. They wouldn't be patched up and back out on the street two days later as if nothing happened. They would be weeks in the hospital, with months of recovery, and probably some terrible scars to deal with.

She did receive a few pointers from CamNet earlier. She hoped the issue wouldn't come up. Maybe it was a mistake for her to go to the Command Center. She thought about it a little more. It wasn't a mistake to go to the Command Center. It was a mistake to go to the Command Center when John was there. There were certain issues he didn't need to be involved with. She knew what needed to be done. She took care of it.

"I have some possible information." Cameron said. "I'm looking into it."

John didn't like Cameron to go off on her own. It looked like it was what she intended to do with the operation once it was detected. It was if it hadn't already been dealt with. He didn't like Cameron to get shot up. He looked her over. He made a point of looking her over from head to toe and back again.

"I don't see you shot up again, yet." John said. "I take it you haven't personally followed up."

Cameron didn't like John's tone or attitude. She thought she was very accommodating with him for the last few days. Apparently he took the use of her chassis for granted. He needed to show her a little more respect as a female, even if she was a cyborg masquerading as a human female. Her female attributes were the same as those of a human female. She should be treated with the same dignity and respect a human deserved.

"Since you've seen and touched 'everything' on my sheath for the last four days, apparently not." Cameron said. "You're essence is in three separate orifices inside my sheath currently."

Cameron would have preferred if it was only in one, the one which was designed to accommodate it. She thought John should be a little more appreciative of her and her being with him, especially since she did most of the 'work'. Well, except for one place. John did it on his own. There were no pleasure receptors located there on her sheath in the area. She felt maybe it was time for a 'cutback'. John needed to appreciate her more. Maybe a refresher with 'Rosie' would make him a little more appreciative. She would get a fresh box of tissues and hand it to him. He would understand what it meant. She would mention he did know where the girls' rooms were at.

John was sorry for his words as soon as he said them. It was already too late. He knew there would be some 'punishment' forthcoming. The girls were all around, maybe it was time…. It's what Cameron said she wanted for him. Cameron reminded him every time they were together it could be one of the girls there with him instead of her. She reminded him it would be the 'real thing'. He did wonder if he could use the same three places on them as he did on Cameron. With one look at Cameron's face, he quickly pushed the thoughts from his mind. She did not look happy.

Cameron was irritated now. She recently reminded all the Terminators when they talked to Savannah, it was the same as talking to her, or anything Savannah said was as if it came from her. It was the reversal of the role Future John and her shared. Savannah was 'her', and she was 'Future John'. It was the perfect arrangement. She didn't see why it was a problem for anyone in the future. It was very logical and much more efficient than to deal with one person exclusively, especially when they were busy.

It didn't bother her all John wasn't part of the equation. She certainly wasn't about to let him speak for her, or make decisions on her behalf. She knew Savannah would always do the right thing. She wasn't so sure about John. She wasn't so sure about herself either. She needed to refocus.

"You know I don't like loose ends." Cameron said. "When I have a firm target, it will be eliminated."

John was still a little sarcastic. He didn't always like the way Cameron did things.

"I'm sure it will." John said.

Cameron looked at John. She heard enough. It was clear he didn't appreciate her. She got up and walked out of the Command Center without saying another word. The longer she stayed when she was upset, the worse everything got.

John Henry could see there was going to be a problem later on for John. He would have liked to have been able to advise John on a better path, especially dealing with Cameron.

"Perhaps you could've been more diplomatic." John Henry said.

John didn't want to be rude to her. It just seemed to happen. He was worried about Cameron. She never listened to him. The only one she listened to was Savannah. He wasn't really sure why. He did know Savannah was a good person. She was the best of the lot at the Resistance base.

"I know." John said. "Sometimes we say things we don't really mean or want to say. They just slip out."

John Henry studied the facet of human behavior. He thought humans said what they wanted to say. If it was in their mind, it was what they thought. If it is what they thought, it's what they wanted to say, even if they normally didn't.

"It may be because you really wanted to say them." John Henry said.

There was still so much he didn't know or understand.

John was afraid John Henry was correct. He really did want to say most of those things which just slipped out. It was only through protocol and etiquette which held him back most of the time. When it came to Cameron it didn't seem to matter as much since she was his wife. It didn't appear any of the rules of command applied by the nature of their association. He was sure Cameron somehow orchestrated their marriage to give her more control over him.

"I don't know." John said. "I really don't."

The reality of the situation was, John asked Cameron to marry him. She was very thrilled to accept his offer. She felt very honored. Vanna and Allison insisted she wear a white dress since she hadn't been with anyone, including John, she knew about. They told her it was in honor.

Cameron left the Command Center. She was upset now about what John said to her and how he said it. It wasn't how she talked to him. Maybe it was why she stopped telling him things. He always turned them into some type of personal argument. If she wanted to have a personal argument, she would seek out Cammy and it would be a real personal argument. It would be with 'herself'.

It seemed most of the time all he did was use her chassis for his personal needs. She needed to do most of the work, while he was the one who received all the enjoyment. It was like a 'job' to her now to be with John. It wasn't a shared relationship. Once he 'finished', he was done. It didn't take him long either. From what she read in Cosmo, it seemed to be the 'standard fare' for most marriages down the road.

Maybe she should just 'cut him off' altogether. There were plenty of other choices she made available to him. It was apparent he was almost successful several times. He failed twice she was aware of. She was glad about it, but also angered. The longer he dodged his future, the more he hurt her. How hard could it be to complete the task? She really didn't think he would need more than thirty seconds on the initial encounter with any female. She liked order and obedience. John fell far short on both counts.

Cameron thought about the future, even her future. She wondered how good of a 'parent' she would make. Toddlers and small children could be hard to 'control'. They didn't always seem responsive to orders. Even the threat of punishment didn't seem to matter to them most of the time. She figured they would probably laugh at the threat of termination. She was successful with Jan, Young Allison, and Summer. She hadn't terminated any of them. Then again, they all behaved differently around her than they did other people, or even other machines. She wasn't sure why, it seemed everyone did. The only one she seemed to have trouble with was John. The person she was most comfortable with was Savannah. From a young girl Savannah always showed her kindness and love. It meant a great deal to her. Savannah never gave up on her. She was the only one.

Cameron looked for Savannah. They were supposed to go out shopping. She wanted Savannah to get a few new outfits. She always picked out the clothes she wanted Savannah to wear. She wanted John to notice her.

She did the same for Young Allison. Claire was a little worried about some of them and even the underwear she picked for Young Allison. Everything was very revealing. She always reminded Claire it wouldn't be a problem. Anna was at her side now and no harm would befall her.

Young Allison wouldn't be attending any drug or alcohol fueled parties. Claire was very grateful to hear it. She was 'passed around' at more than a few of those. She didn't even know how many males were with her even. The mess afterwards seemed to indicate it was a lot. She switched to female friends only after the seventh party. She knew it was only a matter of time until she ended up pregnant. It was clear none of the males used any type of protection for her or them.

Cameron found a nice little place she liked to get things from for herself. She always gave her 'old' clothes to Ally, Cam, or Cammy. It was usually Ally. Ally said she didn't like to shop. The 'Allison' in her didn't have any desire for fancy clothes. The effects of the Wastelands were still felt. It seemed one could take a girl out of the Wastelands, but they couldn't take the Wastelands out of the girl, even a Metal girl. Allison only knew bad things 'happened' when someone noticed her with her natural beauty. Her natural beauty was desired by all. It included both males and females. She didn't like to fix herself up. Ally never did either.

Savannah went over the operations from last week with Cammy. She wanted to see what could have been done differently if they actually planned the attack first. She always went over every attack or raid. She tried to learn what to do and what not to do. She even did it for their 'activities' in both futures she visited.

It always impressed Cameron. Savannah always tried to better herself and improve. Savannah told her it could save lives of both people and machines to learn from their mistakes or how to be better. One thing was for sure, if any mistakes were made, they didn't want them repeated.

The issue haunted Cameron some. She was accused of wasting human lives in her future. It was actually Future John who made those mistakes. She tried to help him not make them. They all blamed her anyway. It seemed everyone wanted to blame someone else for their own shortcomings.

Cameron felt a glitch impulse as she thought of it. She was blamed for many things. She believed few of them were her fault. She spotted Savannah. Just the sight of Savannah helped her calm herself. Being in the presence of Savannah always calmed her. Savannah radiated love. Savannah made her feel 'good'.

Savannah was almost finished with Cammy. She looked over and saw that Cameron was on her way over. She flashed Cameron a smile. It always pleased her to be around Cameron.

"Hello, Cameron." Savannah said.

Cameron forgot her earlier troubles with John. Savannah gave her peace and support. There was never some hidden agenda. There were no snide remarks. Her private parts weren't constantly touched when others weren't looking, and sometimes even when they were looking. She felt it was all a little degrading. It was more than just her, it seemed to disrespect all females. The site of Savannah pushed all those negative thoughts from her mind. Well, at least from the forefront of her mind.

"Hi. Are you ready?" Cameron asked.

Cameron knew she was ready for a lot of things, 'everything' in fact.

Savannah thought Cameron looked beautiful.

"I am." Savannah said. "I just finished up with Cammy."

Cameron looked at Savannah and then at Cammy. She wanted to be amicable. The trouble from the other day still bothered her. She never wanted to hurt Savannah the same way again.

"Would you like to go with us too?" Cameron asked.

Cammy wanted to go, but she wanted to avoid more tension between Cameron and her over Savannah. It seemed there was enough of it already. She understood Savannah wanted to be with Cameron. There was no reason she couldn't share. She was the one who would be with Savannah at the end of the day and share her bed, not Cameron. Well, not yet anyway.

"I have a few things to work on." Cammy said. "Thank You, for asking."

Cammy yielded to Cameron Prime.

Cameron nodded to her. She knew Cammy would get the cream later on anyway.

Savannah noted the exchange but didn't comment. She asked them to stop hurting her with their private animosity towards each other.

Cameron led Savannah away. They stopped at Cameron's room.

"I need to change real quick." Cameron said.

Savannah waited as Cameron stripped down. She saw Cameron touch the inside of her underwear and then take them off. She tossed them in the dirty clothes hamper. She wondered if it was the 'residue' from Cameron's last encounter with John. She knew things could get messy for the female afterwards. It wasn't something she looked forward to. She at least needed to try it once, just to see what it was like. She was very concerned because of the two children she already delivered. It was always her fear she might be a little on the loose side for a male. From what she read, it only happened to a small percentage of females, it did happen though.

Cameron made a point for Savannah to see what being with a male was like. She put on a new outfit.

Savannah watched without watching.

Cameron exhibited without exhibiting. She put on a skirt. It wasn't very long.

It looked like Cameron was ready to go. Savannah noticed Cameron never put on a new pair of underwear. She could see a lot when Cameron bent over to pick up her shoes. She knew she wouldn't go out in public the same way. She wanted to prompt Cameron to see if she wanted to be a little more modest without saying too much.

"Your skirt is rather short." Savannah said. "Are you going to wear underwear?"

Cameron already made two points with Savannah. She was ready for some social norms. She really didn't see why people couldn't go topless or naked if they wanted to. It seemed like a personal choice. Animals didn't have to wear clothes. They were all male or female. What was the big deal? She believed the real issue was both males and females who were embarrassed by the way they looked. If they wore clothing they could hide behind it, especially if it was loose fitting.

"No." Cameron said and then thought about it. "Maybe I better if I try on new clothes."

Cameron took out some purple underwear and slid them on. She made sure Savannah got a good look at what they barely covered.

Savannah knew Cammy was the same as Cameron. In fact, they were identical, yet somehow Cameron always looked better. Even her identical body looked better. Somehow Cameron was more beautiful. Cameron was always Hot, Sexy, and Tight, even when naked. It was one of the ways she could tell them apart. She often wondered if Cameron programmed her clones to never be able to look as good as her. It wouldn't surprise her if it was the case.

She knew none of the 'Allisons' ever looked as good as Cameron either. She also would be willing to bet Young Allison would be as Tight as Cameron was. She knew Cameron's goal was to make Young Allison the 'human version' of herself. Young Allison wore some pretty skimpy outfits and even though there wasn't as much to show on her, most of what was there did show. She needed to think there really wasn't too much difference between them anymore anyway. Time seemed to have a way to creep up on everyone.

She couldn't help but wonder if Cameron could borrow a male chassis. She would actually like it if Cameron did. It wouldn't be like she was really with Cameron, even if she was. She would really like to give Cameron in a male chassis the honor of being her first. It would be an experience she would treasure forever. He would also let her know if she liked the different type of sexual activity. She really didn't know.

They headed out to the carpool area. Cameron took out a set of keys. Savannah reached over and took them from her.

"I'll drive." Savannah said as she glanced at Cameron.

Cameron wondered if her statement contained some double meaning….

Savannah looked back and playfully smiled at Cameron.

Cameron was pretty sure it did. She looked forward to the time she would share with Savannah. Savannah was very experienced with females. She wanted to share and learn from her. She knew it would make her first experience with a female much better. She looked over at the dirty clothes hamper and her soiled underwear from earlier with John. She frowned at it as they went out the door.

Cameron and Savannah made a few stops along the way. At one point they stopped for some ice cream. Cameron always tried a taste too. She made a point of using her tongue to create a furor in the ice cream. She understood what Cameron indicated. She was well aware what a Metal girl could do with her tongue and mouth. There was really no other experience like it. It didn't matter what else happened down there at times once they started. They would continue the process until they were physically stopped sometimes.

The day shaped up to be a fun and enjoyable time for both of them. Sometimes during days like this, Cameron seemed so much like Future Allison. She was like a human teenager and not a scary robot from the future. She really wondered if Cameron even knew she was a machine during some of those times. She didn't think so. A female Terminator was designed and programmed to emulate a human female in every way. There were more than a few times when Cameron actually believed she was Future Allison.

Savannah always enjoyed Cameron's company, even before she love-loved her. She couldn't remember when she didn't love Cameron. She loved Cameron from the beginning. All the times Cameron made her promise to be there for John as his wife or lover, She actually made those promises to Cameron, for Cameron, not John. She really promised to be Cameron's wife or lover. She never told Cameron the truth. At some point Cameron figured it out and knew….

Cameron showed Savannah the location where she wanted to go as they approached.

"It's the group of buildings on the left side coming up." Cameron said. "You've been here before."

Savannah was familiar with the location. It was near a bank. She parked the SUV in the back of a row of shops. It seemed like an out of the way place with two exits out of the parking lot.

Cameron noted a van parked out of place. It wasn't parked in a lined spot and the engine was running. The man behind the wheel sweated as he gripped the steering wheel with both hands. He looked around nervously. She knew trouble when she saw it.

She noticed there was a bank on the corner across the side street. She put two and two together. She thought about asking Savannah to drive away. It wasn't their concern. There was no need to endanger Savannah.

"Savannah, we can go to another place." Cameron said. "This one looks crowded."

Savannah looked at the nearly empty parking lot. She 'read' the situation already.

"Is this about the van?" Savannah asked.

Cameron smiled to herself. Savannah was on the ball like always.

"Yes." Cameron said.

Savannah touched her weapons. She checked them before they left the base.

"It looks like a 'getaway' car." Savannah said. "There's a bank on the corner."

Cameron didn't want Savannah endangered. Criminals of this nature were most likely on drugs of some type. They were hard to bring down with weapons sometimes. She liked to bring them down Terminator style. It didn't matter how much drugs or adrenaline the perpetrator was pumped full of when she severed their spine or snapped their neck. The signals from the brain no longer could reach their extremities, or organs.

"We should move on." Cameron said.

Savannah smiled faintly. She knew Cameron would say so. She also knew Cameron would know what she was about to say next.

"No. There's a good chance these people will be Scavengers one day." Savannah said. "I can take the van if you take the bank. I know you don't have your vest on. I can drive away still."

Cameron thought about the people in the bank. The fact Savannah mentioned the perpetrators would be future Scavengers didn't sit well with her either.

"It's too dangerous." Cameron said.

Cameron checked her weapons.

Savannah could see it was a 'go' for Cameron.

"Communicate with CamNet and have her stop all the security cameras around here and cut 911 communications." Savannah said. "It will save time with any cover up work later on."

Cameron noticed Savannah bypassed John Henry. She communicated with CamNet. This was an 'off the books' operation now. Sheila and Ally were usually with her on those, not Savannah.

As they watched, three men entered the bank. They'd been off to the side. They probably got cold feet and one of the three threatened the other two.

Savannah worried about the bank patrons.

"Hurry, before someone gets hurt." Savannah said.

Cameron was hesitant to leave Savannah by herself. The man in the van would be armed and jumpy.

"I don't want to leave you alone." Cameron said.

Savannah was confident help would arrive.

Another SUV pulled up. It was Cammy.

"You didn't think Cammy would follow us?" Savannah asked. "I knew she would."

Cameron didn't need a shadow, but if she was Cammy, she would've done the same thing. It's because Cammy was 'her'.

"I hoped she wouldn't, but I am glad she did." Cameron said.

Cammy got out of her SUV and joined Cameron.

"CamNet already filled me in." Cammy said. "There are at least three thugs in the bank and one in the van."

Savannah worried about the bank patrons.

"Go now." Savannah said. "Hurry, I have the van."

Cameron didn't want to chance it.

"Cammy will take the van." Cameron said. "I have the bank."

Cameron hurried to the bank and went inside.

Once Cameron went inside, Savannah wanted Cammy to help her.

"Go back her up." Savannah said. "I want you to back her up."

Cammy was worried about Savannah. She knew the thug in the van was jumpy.

"What about you?" Cammy asked. "The driver is a threat."

Savannah knew Cammy wasn't the only 'shadow' she'd picked up today.

"Gail will look after me." Savannah said.

Cammy was a little confused.

"Gail?" Cammy asked. "She's not here."

Savannah smiled.

"She followed ME too." Savannah said. "Look, she's over there."

Savannah motioned for Gail to come over.

Cammy wondered what it was all about. She didn't see Jesse anywhere.

"Go back up Cameron, now." Savannah said to Cammy.

Cammy took off as Gail came over to Savannah.

Savannah knew she needed to play things carefully. She knew why Gail was there, but she was the only one other than Gail who did. Gail was indebted to her for saving her from Termination. It wasn't supposed to be like that.

"Thanks for looking out for me." Savannah said. "You know it's not necessary."

Gail didn't know what to say other than what she felt.

"I feel compelled to help watch over you." Gail said. "I'm sorry."

Savannah hoped to neutralize things between Gail and her.

"Gail, forget it." Savannah said. "The man in the van is a threat to me. You can take care of him to protect me. We're even now."

Gail only existed now because Savannah saved her. Savannah faced off with two Terminators to rescue her.

Cammy entered the bank as they watched.

Savannah wanted to make Gail feel useful.

"You see what's happening here." Savannah said.

Gail was fed the information by CamNet as well. It appeared CamNet looked out for Savannah too.

"I do." Gail said. "I will terminate him."

Savannah wanted to have a diversion ready for Cameron and Cammy if it was needed.

"Not yet. I want you to flip the van on its side if any shooting starts." Savannah said.

Gail wanted to terminate the driver immediately. He was a threat to Savannah. She didn't see a need to wait. If he was going to be terminated, he was going to be terminated.

"I can terminate the driver now." Gail said.

Savannah wasn't sure if the men in the bank were in communication with the driver visually. Once a shot was fired all bets were off. CamNet currently jammed all communications.

"Wait. Flip the van over first onto the driver's side." Savannah said. "Then you can finish him. Wait for a shot to be fired first or if I tell you to act. We might need to create a diversion for Cameron and Cammy."

Gail knew the 'Chosen One' knew what was best for all of them.

"Affirmative…." Gail said. "I mean - OK."

Savannah moved behind the SUV and checked the surrounding area. She looked for anything else out of place. She wanted to make sure they didn't have a second backup team. She checked her Glock and Taser. She figured she would probably use her Glock to make sure the threat was ended permanently. A shot to the head did it. It was the only way to be sure.

There was about to be some action - Terminator style.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Forlorn

Sometimes I feel
That I'm still Young
I know I'm not old
Like those I live among

Disoriented and alone
Sometimes I have thought
I'm from the future
Maybe even a robot

But such silly ideas
Would seem un-cool
If I were to express them
I would seem like a fool

I have many memories
I'm confused by them all
Perhaps someone would understand
If I gave them a call

Now it all makes sense
That I feel so forlorn
It must be because
I'm yet to be born

Nobody