Chapter 570

Hope They Don't

Savannah and Gail were almost to the meeting spot Cameron selected. They shared several meaningful conversations on the way there.

Gail was able to see there was much more to share with a person other than sex to get closer to each other. Jesse and her mostly shared sex. It was the same with Vanna and very occasionally when she was able to share with Allison and Claire. Those encounters were just about sex. They were very enjoyable for everyone.

Cameron directed them to enter the area from the dirt service road for the high tension power lines. It kept them off the paved highway leading to the destroyed facility. She also hoped it also kept them away from any surveillance or ambushes. She advised them to watch their speed since the road could be a little rough in places. it was clear it wasn't often maintained because of its limited usage by the power company. A road grader probably never made a pass more than once every few years to smooth out the dirt road and fill in some of the depressions created by water.

Savannah reached over and took Gail's hand and gave it a squeeze. She wanted to give her some reassurance. She knew what the problem was.

"Gail, I watch out for everyone. I know it's been bothering you." Savannah said. "No matter what, you're the one who FOUGHT and deactivated the two Terminators. I saw you do it with my own eyes. It's the only story. I'll never say anything different. It's what happened. I have your back. You have MY promise."

Gail still felt inadequate. She was faced with a challenge and failed. Savannah was the one who prevented her termination. Her head was about to be torn off of her chassis. She owed her existence to Savannah.

"But you saved me." Gail said. "Everyone should know."

Savannah didn't want any 'credit'. She only did what anyone would have done. It really was no big deal. She only fired her Taser. Gail was the one who needed to fight for her life.

"Nobody knows." Savannah said. "I'll never tell anyone the small part I played. I saw you fight and deactivate both of the Terminators. There's nothing else to it. It's what happened."

Gail was amazed to see the things Savannah did in the two futures she visited, as well as the present. There were no other humans who did the things Savannah did.

"It was the determining factor." Gail said. "Cameron and Cammy have both shown us, all of the Terminators, the things you've done, both from body cam footage and their own files. You've saved them. You've saved Cameron more than once. You were nearly terminated several times saving her."

Gail knew it was more than duty or bravery. It was pure love which drove Savannah to do those things and take the risks.

It made Savannah feel self conscious. She didn't want to be anyone special. She was a team player and she just did her job. What happened on a battlefield, of any type, was something anyone could be subjected to. She didn't believe her behavior was different from anyone else's behavior under the same circumstances. Why would they be? If something needed to be done, it needed to be done. Whoever was there needed to do it. She didn't want Gail to continue to dwell on it.

"I've never said a word about it to anyone." Savannah said. "I only did what I needed to do, when I needed to do it. Please don't worry about it anymore. I ask this of you. It's done and over. You won. It's the only thing which matters. Life moves forwards, not backwards. The issue is something you need to work out for yourself. It's a non-issue in reality."

Gail tilted her head slightly. Savannah was correct. Life did move forwards. She planned to be there for Savannah going forward.

"OK, Savannah, for you I'll drop it." Gail said. "It's for you and for myself."

Savannah gave Gail a kiss on the cheek.

Gail couldn't believe the effect Savannah had on her. No wonder Cameron chose her. Everything about Savannah was 'magnetic'. It seemed to draw everyone in. She knew what Savannah wanted and she would make sure Jesse was available whenever Savannah wanted her. The least she could do is share her lover with Savannah. There was real beauty in it. She would make sure there were no obstacles created by her. She didn't know there were others who would still object. She didn't believe it was their place to be able to object.

Savannah spotted Cameron's SUV up ahead.

"There they are." Savannah said.

They continued their approach.

Gail zoomed in on the SUV. She didn't see Cameron. It caused her some concern.

Savannah and Gail met up with Cammy.

"Where's Cameron at?" Savannah asked.

Cammy looked in the direction of the target area.

"Cameron wanted to do a little closer recon." Cammy said.

Savannah became even more worried Cameron wasn't there. Cameron should have waited for her.

"Where did Cameron go specifically?" Savannah asked.

Cameron assured Cammy before she left it was just to 'take a look' and make sure the path was clear and there weren't any ambushes.

"She went to take a quick look." Cammy said. "She'll be back. She just wanted to make sure there wouldn't be any surprises along our path."

Cammy gave Savannah a hug and a quick kiss.

Savannah thought it was for Gail's 'benefit'. Cammy understood she could share as she pleased, but she wanted to make sure Gail remembered who she 'belonged' to.

Cammy looked at Gail and held the look.

Gail looked away. She knew Cammy was 'Cameron'. There was no need to push it. She would play the game on Savannah's terms. It was what Savannah wanted that mattered, not Cammy. Savannah would be with her when the time was right.

Savannah began to look around. She didn't like the current situation. She really would have preferred if Cameron remained with Cammy until they arrived. She was under the impression it was how I was going to play out. It wasn't the case. She needed to know more.

"How long has Cameron been gone?" Savannah asked.

It was clear Savannah wasn't happy with Cameron going off on her own.

Cammy didn't see it as a problem. Cameron wouldn't be alone. They were in constant contact with one of Cameron's Terminators. It was the one who reported the nature of the attack previously. They watched the compound continuously since they arrived.

"One of her Terminators is there to meet her." Cammy said. "They already scoped out the building."

Savannah knew two of Cameron's Terminators were in the area. She wanted to know what else was happening. It didn't seem to her Cameron was going to wait, especially if another Terminator was with her. She told Cameron she didn't like her to operate alone. She said she would accompany Cameron so she wouldn't need to be alone. She knew it was the only reason why her Terminator would be there with her.

"Where's the other one?" Savannah asked.

Cammy made sure she knew where all the players were on their team. She knew it could still go hot at the location. She didn't want any friendly fire.

"They're at the junction of the highway and the road to this building. They are there to check if any vehicles head this way. This road is isolated and ten miles off the main highway." Cammy said. "There is little traffic on it anyway. If anyone is on this road, they are headed to the target location. They will be able to give ample warning to all of us if we're about to have additional visitors."

Savannah thought the building was in a strange location to begin with. The main road wasn't the only road in. They took a dirt road. There was no fence or gates to deal with. The ride was rough but the dirt road was accessible to anyone. A four wheel drive vehicle would be better, but a standard SUV could make the journey. A larger vehicle would have some difficulty unless it traveled very slowly.

"We came in the back way over the dirt access road for the power lines, someone else could too." Savannah said. "It is just not suitable for a big rig."

Gail noted Savannah's uneasiness and began to check everything in detail. She searched around them as she scanned for threats. She found one. What initially caught her attention was away from where she thought she would see something. It didn't make sense to her. Even though she wasn't sure, she decided to alert the others.

"I saw movement towards us in the gully to our left." Gail said. "It may be Cameron."

It seemed off to Savannah. There were no communications with her at present. It could be anyone or anything. Maybe it was a coyote. Maybe it was a Gray. Maybe it was a Terminator. They needed to take the utmost caution.

"What if it isn't Cameron?" Savannah asked. "I want both of you to scan all around us for any movement or anything out of place. We might be about to be ambushed. We're all late players to this game. They could be waiting for us. We don't know what defensive capabilities they may have in place already."

Cammy realized it was a real possibility. The attack which occurred happened from within. It didn't happen from an external source. Whatever defenses they might possess would still be in place.

"We do need to use caution when we approach." Cammy said.

Savannah quickly put her combat gear on. She laid some out for both Gail and Cammy as they scanned. She was going to make sure both of them were armored up.

"I need both of you to armor up." Savannah said.

Cammy previously searched the area. She searched it again. She couldn't spot anything. She couldn't spot anything in the area Gail indicated either. She knew Gail wouldn't have said something unless she thought there was something there. She was sure the only reason why she did say something was because of Savannah.

"I detect nothing." Cammy said.

Gail checked three times. Nothing else showed up. She knew she saw something. It was more than just 'some thing'. Even without conclusive proof she needed to repeat her earlier assessment. She felt it was prudent because Savannah was with them. Cammy and her could take some punishment from enemy gunfire. Savannah couldn't. There was no guarantee any bullets fired at her would impact her vest. They could hit her legs or her head just as easily.

"I know I saw someone." Gail said. "It wasn't an animal."

Gail replayed her files and checked again. There was some movement of something. She couldn't tell what.

Cammy tried to contact Cameron again. There was still no answer.

Savannah was really worried now. Without being able to communicate with Cameron, and the fact Gail spotted something, it was enough for them to go on a complete alert. She wasn't about to take any chances.

"I want both of you at full combat readiness." Savannah said. "Treat everything around us as if it is a threat. I believe it is. I think Cameron or her Terminator would do something to alert us to their presence if it was either of them. If someone, or even some group, is trying to move clandestinely, it's going to be trouble for us."

The Metal girls put their armor on and they rearranged their defensive area.

Savannah was satisfied with the changes.

Everyone was armored up now. Gail backed both SUVs into a dry wash below the line of sight. She parked the vehicles in a 'T'. They would be able to move behind one of them in any direction for cover. If they were attacked from two directions, it was going to be a problem.

"How much gear did Cameron take?" Savannah asked.

Cammy was worried more now. It was just supposed to be a quick peek for Cameron to make sure the path into the area was clear.

"Not much, she only went for a quick look." Cammy said.

Savannah quickly looked over the satellite maps Cameron brought along. It was odd right off the bat. Cameron usually didn't need these. She didn't like it. Cameron brought these for her to see. Cameron knew she would be here. She got her com online. She didn't like the way the current situation felt at all. It was time to ask for some assistance, at least to have it ready.

"John Henry." Savannah said. "We may need help."

John Henry looked over at John who sat up in his chair.

"I'm here with John." John Henry said.

John figured as much. He arranged for everyone to be ready to act. He wanted to know a little more. He figured Savannah would give it to him straight.

"Is there a problem?" John asked.

Savannah didn't want any backtalk. She dove right into the issue.

"It's more than likely." Savannah said. "Cameron is missing and I can't contact her."

John had a 'MIKE Force' ready. The manned drone was ready to launch.

"Sheila is standing by with the manned drone." John said. "She's ready to go in a moment's notice."

Savannah wanted some support available. Sheila could get there the quickest. She could orbit out of earshot if necessary but still respond quickly.

"Send her with two of our drones." Savannah said.

John Henry cleared the launch. They were off. There were other resources available. They'd added a few more drones to the fleet.

"I have four other drones available as well." John Henry said.

Savannah didn't want to overreact yet. She just arrived. She was only there for just a few minutes. Nothing felt right to her.

"Have two more ready and keep two in reserve." Savannah said. "This may be nothing. I've only been here for four minutes. I don't like what I'm seeing or feeling. We have possible contact coming up with an individual. There could be more. We don't know. We don't know anything other than Cameron is missing and we can't contact her."

John and John Henry both hoped it wasn't a Terminator.

Cammy allowed Savannah to take charge and make the decisions. She was doing an excellent job with zero preparation. She knew Savannah liked to plan the operations out in advance. Now she would have to think on her feet and think fast. Savannah did it. The battlefield was fluid in the future. It was fluid right now.

Savannah wasn't above asking for assistance. She knew everyone's safety came first.

"Cammy, I want you and Gail to say something if I'm making a mistake. Don't let me endanger anyone." Savannah said. "I want everyone safe and I don't want to mess up. We're here as a team."

Savannah was in contact with Cameron's Terminator at the highway junction. She told him the situation and to expect combat. She directed him to hold where he was in case any hostile force came to reinforce the target location. He could take action to delay them.

He was pleased the 'Chosen One' was there. He informed them he had several M72 LAW rocket launchers. He got them ready as he spoke with Savannah. He carried an M82A1 as well. He could 'reach out and touch someone' at a great distance with it.

Savannah was pleased they would have a 'heads up' at the road which connected to the highway. It would give them a few minutes warning of enemy reinforcements. She figured they were 'blown' if someone was already headed for their position. It must have happened when Cammy and Cameron arrived for the individual to be where Gail spotted them. She wanted to make it clear they were compromised.

"We have to assume we've been spotted by whatever Gail saw." Savannah said. "We need to move away from this position and in the direction Cameron went. We're not leaving here without her. I can't reach her Terminator she was to meet with either."

Cammy and Gail were ready to move out.

Savannah wasn't sure if there was some type of jamming field in effect around the structure. It was something they encountered before which was very localized.

Cammy wanted to see what else Savannah thought they should bring with them.

"What additional weapons do you want us to bring?" Cammy asked.

Savannah knew they would bring what they could carry and would want to use. She was sure things would escalate before they got all of the answers they sought.

"I want each of you to bring what you think you'll need. If the target area was destroyed or heavily damaged, opposition should be minimal. It's a hidden force I'm worried most about, or some reinforcements." Savannah said. "I don't think this is almost over. I think it is yet to begin."

Gail kept watch where she spotted the movement earlier as she selected some additional weapons. She looked again and zoomed in. She briefly saw something dark for a fraction of a second. It wasn't moving at a very fast rate. The location where she first saw it, and where she saw it now weren't to far apart. It was possible someone was moving with caution, and at a very slow pace.

"I may have spotted movement again." Gail said. "It's closer now. It's still headed our way. Whatever it is, doesn't seem to be in a hurry."

Savannah didn't like it at all. They were moving up to their current position. The enemy may know their strength. They didn't know the enemies strength, or even where all of them could be at. She needed to find Cameron.

"How far are we from the installation?" Savannah asked. "I make it three miles, maybe three and a quarter."

Cammy already looked and made the calculation. She was pleased Savannah was very accurate.

"It is three miles as a drone flies." Cammy said. "If we follow the dry wash, it's three and a quarter."

Savannah knew if they followed the dry wash it would give them some cover. She needed to know where the enemy was.

"Gail, where's the contact you made at now?" Savannah asked.

"It's a half a mile out in a gully parallel to the dry wash. It's a quarter mile to the west." Gail said.

Savannah looked at the satellite map. The gully was narrower and deeper than the dry wash. It afforded better cover. They could move undetected through it and set up an ambush point. The natural course the gully followed offered advantages as well as disadvantages.

"There's a series of 'S' bends in it about two hundred yards out." Savannah said. "I want to take them there. If there's a direct threat I want it to end immediately. Keep checking around us to make sure no one else is moving in on us. I know you're listening for any type of aircraft as well. A helicopter would be bad enough, an HK drone would be even worse. Several of them would be much worse."

Savannah figured the 'S' bends would mask their presence until the two groups were almost face to face.

Cammy wanted to continue to prompt Savannah. She wanted to know how Savannah wanted them deployed.

"Do you want all three of us to go?" Cammy asked.

Savannah knew it was a 'prompt'. She watched Gail put several M18A1 anti-personnel mines in the back of their SUV before they left the base.

"Yes." Savannah said. "Set a 'Claymore' on each approach to the vehicles."

Savannah was glad they added extra munitions to the SUV before they left. She wondered why Gail selected those. It was something they didn't normally deploy on an operation. She was now glad they possessed them.

Once the mines were in place, they headed into the gully. Cammy led and Gail brought up the rear. They were going to end the closest threat. They were going to make contact and get some answers. Whoever they found would be terminated.

Cammy wondered if maybe she shouldn't have gone to check like she wanted to in the first place. Now Cameron was missing and it was going to come back on her. She wanted to be on 'point' to have the first crack at the enemy. The operation hadn't even started for them yet, but she wanted some payback already because Cameron was missing, along with her Terminator.

John listened to the com traffic. It sounded like there was going to be a battle any minute. There could be an ambush set up for the girls already. He wanted to hedge his bet.

"I don't like this." John said. "I want the Blackhawk up and headed their way. They can land and hold ten miles out. I want a force closer for a quicker response. It's going to take them time to even get there."

John Henry was aware the 'MIKE Force' was enroute.

"They're already headed towards them." John Henry said.

John was pleased to hear John Henry was on the ball. The more help they could send their way now, the better it would be, if or when they needed it.

"You are always one step ahead of me." John said.

John Henry tilted his head slightly. He didn't send them.

"Actually Savannah requested them." John Henry said.

John was glad Savannah was there.

"I missed it." John said. "She's really skilled at this."

John could see Savannah was a natural. She was able to 'read' the battlefield in seconds. He only wished Cameron would have waited for her arrival. She probably wouldn't be missing right now. They might now have someone, or a group, headed towards them.

John Henry knew it was a lot of training and hard work. Savannah always stepped up to meet any challenge. The other girls were being trained the same way.

"Cameron and our Terminators have run Savannah through hundreds of drills." John Henry said. "They've started as well for Young Allison. Camille is also training Young Jesse."

It saddened John some to hear it. He knew his mother tried to give him a 'real life' the best she could. There were still a lot of limitations. It didn't look like the girls were ever going to have any 'real life' at all. Savannah certainly never had one.

Since Savannah was targeted specifically for termination by Skynet, her training started the day they took her into their custody. It was done subtly so it wouldn't traumatize her as a young girl. There would always be a bullseye painted on her back, the same as there was on his. He was sure there was one on his mother still as well, even from the initial encounter where Future Kyle was killed. Their goal was always to make Skynet think they were dead. If they were dead, it would be illogical to send Terminators to look for them.

"None of these girls are ever going to have a life, a 'real life', are they?" John asked.

John Henry thought the safety of the girls came first. The future was ugly and they would need to be ready for it. They needed to make sure they wouldn't be victims like the girls from the future were on multiple levels.

"No." John Henry said. "The future will depend on them. You'll depend on them. You haven't experienced much of a 'real life' either."

John wanted to give Sarah some credit.

"My Mom tried as best as she could." John said. "She did try every time we started over. I never appreciated what she tried to do and how difficult it was for her."

John knew the 'decision' by his mother for him to have a 'real life' led him to Future Riley. He knew everyone thought it was a mistake except him. He wanted to be with a 'real girl' and he was with Future Riley. He wanted what all the other teenagers shared. He was sure he would do exactly the same thing again if he didn't know he was being set up by the anti-Metal faction.

He knew because of Future Riley and him, Cameron wasn't going to take the same 'chance' with the girls. They were isolated and strictly supervised whenever they went out. No wonder Savannah was so 'lonely'. Cameron finally fixed it too…. Just as Cameron did for Young Jesse and would for Young Allison as well. He understood Anna's purpose now. There was no better protection than a Metal girl 'friend'…. Cameron made sure they would all have a 'friend' who shared everything, twenty four hours a day. The girl's sexual needs could be fulfilled. They would have as much sex or love as they desired. There was no need to look further. Cameron made sure the girls could have plenty of variety if they wanted it. It seemed they all did. Most importantly they would have companionship and a friend. Sometimes it was nice to have help.

John Henry was aware Cameron was as efficient as she was ruthless. No males were allowed around the three girls, ever. Cameron 'saved' them for John. They would have female companionship for any of their sexual 'needs'. It would be as much and varied as they wanted. Cameron didn't see female interaction as a threat or problem at all. It was the way of the future. It was a sacrifice Cameron was willing to make for John.

"Sometimes things work out. Sometimes they don't." John Henry said.

John believed it depended on the players. Not all of them followed the rules either.

"Sometimes someone stacks the deck so they will work out better, no matter what." John said.

John Henry knew John was worried about Cameron now. There were other explanations which could be the cause of the 'silence'.

"They'll find her." John Henry said. "She may be in close with enemy Terminators around her and has only gone 'silent'. We've run into jamming fields recently which even jam our communications. They are mostly very localized."

John wanted to know more. He figured it would be at Cameron's base.

"If you detect CamNet powering up their TDE we know it was too close." John said.

John Henry started to monitor the electrical grid the moment Savannah and Gail left.

"I'm monitoring it as well." John Henry said.

John didn't know where this was headed but he knew it was headed for trouble.

"Let's hope they don't need it…." John said.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Hope They Don't

When a heart beats true
It will beat for only one
Once it is forgotten
One may end up with none

It is easy to forget
There can be many
From which to choose
Sometimes many turns into any

One may get greedy
They want to try them all
The higher and higher they climb
The greater will be the fall

One needs to refocus
They need to see what they have now
There is more to a person
Than what they can plow

Always remember
That can't means won't
Two can play the game
One needs to hope they don't

Nobody