Chapter 583

Point Taken

The other members of Bob's team all departed to follow some of the suspected Grays. They wanted to see where any of them went so they would have some more leads to follow up on. It was possible some of them were unsuspecting workers who didn't know what they were caught up in. They were collaborators, even if they didn't know it. He remained alone to evaluate the situation.

John didn't like the way Cameron did things. He liked to have a little more control. He wanted to have some planning before things got carried away, or went too far. Usually things just happened, especially when Cameron was involved.

"I don't want to rush the strike." John said. "I want some planning."

John Henry received a communication from Savannah. He thought it was good news for Bob. He didn't think it was good news for John.

"Cameron is on her way." John Henry said.

John looked up from his monitor. It wasn't what he expected.

"Is she coming here?" John asked. "You've got to be kidding. I thought she was in Palmdale for the day."

John Henry figured John would like the actual information even less. It was troublesome to him.

"No." John Henry said. "She's on her way to reinforce Bob."

John didn't like the implication. It meant she would try to go in alone. Whatever plans he would try to make were things he would set up to reinforce the teams. Upon Cameron's arrival they would all be nullified.

"Beautiful." John said. "So much for planning."

John disliked the way Cameron always seemed to act without any planning. She would always tell him there was a threat and she would eliminated it. He wanted to better protect his troops. He wanted to better protect her.

John Henry hoped to quell John's mind some.

"Savannah and Cammy are with her." John Henry said.

John let out his breath. He tried to control his temper.

"I don't know if it makes it better or worse." John said. "Savannah needs better protection."

John Henry felt the same way too. Perhaps he should do more.

"Cameron and Cammy will protect her." John Henry said. "Maybe I should start going with her as well."

John Henry knew Mrs. Weaver would hold it against him if anything 'bad' happened to Savannah.

John tried to figure out Cameron's reasoning on how she did things. He didn't think there was any type of set pattern. He was concerned for everyone's safety. He was especially concerned about Savannah safety. He didn't feel it was just his personal interest either. It was more a matter of principle than anything.

"Cameron wants the strikes to be all Terminators, yet she keeps dragging Savannah along on them." John said. "I don't get it."

John Henry saw it for what it really was. Savannah wasn't being drug anywhere. If anything, it was just the opposite. Savannah saw it as her duty to accompany Cameron for her own safety more than anything.

"It's Savannah who's trying to protect Cameron." John Henry said. "She goes on her own."

John doubted it. Maybe it was all some master manipulation. He wouldn't put anything past Cameron. If he learned anything over the years, it was Cameron was capable of anything. It didn't matter what it was. If she saw it as an expedient to her goals, she would use it. His main concern was who Cameron would be willing to sacrifice to protect him. He came to the conclusion it was everyone. He wasn't so sure anymore. Savannah seemed to act like a piece, or part, of Cameron's programming which seemed to be missing. He didn't want to call it a conscience or a soul, because it wasn't what it was. He didn't know what it was.

"Is it?" John asked. "Maybe it's what Cameron wants us to think."

John Henry knew how evolved and developed Savannah was as a person. He never saw her as the girl she once was. He knew it was a 'hang up' the humans seemed to have. He watched her evolve and grow everyday. Savannah was advanced far beyond her age in numerical years. She was a force to be reckoned with.

"It could be." John Henry said. "I think Savannah is more dynamic than all of us think."

John was done talking about it. He loved Cameron and Savannah both. Cameron MADE him love Savannah. He didn't like how Cameron manipulated all of their lives. He needed to worry about the operation. There were multiple threats the teams out in the field needed to deal with.

"What about the second site?" John asked as he looked at the feeds.

John Henry detected no change at the location. He didn't like what he thought was about to happen.

"There's still nothing." John Henry said.

John saw this as an opportunity to assist. Cameron would be tied up at the other location.

"Maybe I'll go check the other one out myself." John said.

John wanted to take some of the heat off of Savannah.

It was what John Henry thought was about to happen. He knew a bad idea when he heard one. It was bound to draw off resources from other facets of the operation at some point to protect him once Cameron found out he was out.

"It sounds like a bad idea." John Henry said.

John wanted to act. He felt emboldened as the General.

"But you know I'm going to do it anyway." John said.

John Henry knew Cameron wasn't going to like it at all.

Cameron was upset because their visit to Palmdale was interrupted. She wanted Savannah to spend more time with Allison, both of them. She realized now after watching Savannah and Young Allison interact, she should have brought Vanna along for Allison. It was another error on her part. Vanna and Allison needed to be together. They were both much weaker and unstable without the other. Now it seemed Allison would rather spend time with Savannah. It disrupted Young Allison's involvement.

She needed to worry about Allison and Holly. Claire was 'blowing in the wind'. She was worried about her daughters. Young Allison wanted what everyone else already shared, which was the one they loved. There was always so much to control. Then there was John. She needed to put his needs first. Why couldn't anything be simple? Every time it seemed like things might run smoothly for a while, there was always some type of impediment or problem.

Cameron rushed towards where Bob was at. Cammy and Savannah were both with her. She should be the one to deal with it. CamNet filled her in with all the details. CamNet also made her aware John was going to go out on the strike. It was the last thing she wanted to hear right now.

As soon as Cameron heard it, she slammed the heel of her fist into the steering wheel and bent it. It almost caused the SUV to lose control.

Savannah wanted Cameron to regain control of herself and take it easy.

"Cameron." Savannah said sternly. "Now isn't the time. You're driving."

Cameron looked back. She realized she just endangered everyone. If she would have caused the vehicle to be involved in an accident and become disabled, it would slow their progress further.

"I'm sorry." Cameron said. "There's a lot on my mind."

Savannah saw Cameron's eyes glowed red as she glanced over. She knew it was something which angered Cameron.

Cammy could see Savannah's concern about Cameron's eyes. She received the same updates as Cameron and filled Savannah in.

Savannah could see a problem in the making. She didn't think it was a wise move on his part. He was supposed to plan and execute the operations, not go on them.

Cammy reached over and steadied the steering wheel as Cameron restored it to its original shape, well, sort of. She was just glad the airbag didn't deploy. It really could have cause an accident.

"John wants to go out on the other operation since he knows Cameron is involved with the one we're headed to." Cammy said.

Savannah understood Cameron's anger now. John was very incorrigible at times. He needed a calmer head to speak with him.

Cameron looked back at Savannah again.

"He won't listen to me." Cameron said as she glanced at Savannah. "He's very stubborn. I don't know what's wrong with him half the time. Why does he need to complexify things? Why can't they just remain simple?"

Savannah understood Cameron's earlier reaction now. She knew the events of Palmdale weighed on her too. Maybe she could assist Cameron some with John.

"It's not safe for him to be out when there are Terminators available." Savannah said. "I'll call him and ask him to stand down."

Cammy doubted it would do much good. She saw it as more of a John and Cameron issue. She would prefer if Savannah didn't get involved in what was clearly a personal issue. Maybe she just didn't like Savannah interacting with John on a personal level.

"Good luck with it." Cammy said.

Cameron looked over at Cammy but didn't comment. She didn't think her comment was relevant or called for. She quickly deduced what Cammy's problem was in regards to it.

Savannah didn't see any harm to try. If she couldn't have any influence on him, it would be pointless for Cameron to try on her own. She was sure it would only make things worse if Cameron tried. She wanted to try a different approach than what Cameron would normally use.

"I'll ask him." Savannah said. "I won't tell him."

Cameron glanced back as her eyes returned to their normal beautiful brown color. She figured it was worth a try.

"Thank you." Cameron said

Savannah called John.

John attempted to get all the details in order before he left. His phone rang. He saw who it was. It wasn't the call he expected.

"Word travels fast." John said as he answered the phone.

Savannah didn't care for John's tone. She'd done nothing to deserve such disrespectful treatment. She needed to put him in his place, nicely.

"Hi, John." Savannah said. "Please, don't be rude to me. I don't treat you like that."

John felt bad right away. He'd thought maybe it would be Cameron. It was something she did once before.

"I'm sorry, Savannah." John said. "You didn't deserve it. I was expecting to get into an argument with Cameron. It was my mistake for jumping to conclusions. I apologize again."

Savannah decided to play it cool. She thought it was the only thing which might work and not make things worse.

"Thank you. Apology accepted." Savannah said. "I understand the situation. John, you know why I'm calling."

John still figured Cameron was behind it.

"Because Cameron wants you too?" John asked.

Savannah could see John would need some 'training' in the bedroom once they were together. It wouldn't be positive either. She saw how it worked in Cameron's future. If one of the girls experienced a problem with Future John, they would always stick together and he would need to acquiesce very quickly, or he would be very lonely.

"No. She hasn't asked me to do it, or even indicated I do it." Savannah said. "I'm a person too, John. I have feelings too. This phone call, our phone call, is my own idea."

John slapped his forehead lightly. He was rude to Savannah one more time. He was used to dealing with Cameron over these issues. It was usually one installed after another between them. He preferred to have them in private when they occurred.

"I'm sorry, again." John said.

To John, Savannah was the sweatiest girl. Her beauty was next to Cameron's. They were different, but both were very beautiful. He hoped Savannah wouldn't snap at him. He'd given her two chances. She remained calm and focused. He thought maybe it's what he should have done. She gave him balance.

Savannah remained calm. There were various ways to deal with issues. This one took tact and reasoning. A brute force approach wouldn't go anywhere.

"John, it's your job to make all this work and for us to follow you." Savannah said. "Generals don't fight battles, soldiers do. You also need to think about how your presence will draw off resources to make sure your protected."

John knew Savannah was right. It was something he heard many times from multiple individuals. He knew they were right, even if he didn't want to acknowledge it. He was worried about Savannah.

"What about you?" John asked. "You should be here planning with me."

Savannah knew there was another one planning with him on her own. It was all part of the same picture. She wanted to remind him.

"One day I will be, John." Savannah said. "We'll do everything together. We already know the future."

Now John was at a loss for words. He remembered the time he was one second away from making love to Savannah. It would have been love too, not just sex. They were so close to completing their love. He really wished he could have taken her virginity then. He knew it would make everything simpler going forward. He was sure once they got started, each next time would be easier. As long as Cameron continued to give both of them her support, it should become quite frequent.

Savannah wanted to keep it peaceful. She could picture John and Cameron yelling at each other if she wasn't the one on the phone. She believed there was a matter of timing involved with everything.

"I'm needed here for now, as you're needed there." Savannah said. "I know you understand. We all have a role to play without making some things more complicated."

John liked how Savannah calmed him down. She was the greatest. He really wanted Savannah's virginity. He understood Savannah needed to risk herself to make sure Cameron didn't do anything too extreme.

"I do." John said. "Keep her safe and yourself too. I'll stay and do what I'm supposed to do. Thank you for reminding me about everything."

Savannah wanted to throw him a 'bone'. It would help redirect his mind some. Didn't want it to revert back to Cameron and have him stew over it.

"Remember it's the four of us, and two of us are still virgins." Savannah said. "There might only be one soon."

John liked the idea even better.

Savannah and John exchanged some small talk and Savannah broke the connection.

Savannah put her phone away and looked at Cameron and Cammy.

"The threat to John has been neutralized for now." Savannah said to Cameron.

Cameron liked the exchange. Savannah was calm but firm. She was able to redirect John's thoughts at the end. She thought it was an effective strategy.

"You did everything very well." Cameron said.

Savannah smiled at Cameron. She could see she was calm now too.

"I have a good teacher." Savannah said.

Cameron and Cammy both knew Savannah said what she really meant. It wasn't manipulation, but Savannah speaking from her heart. Well, maybe the last part was a little redirection. It was the truth anyway.

It made Cameron and Cammy both love Savannah even more.

Savannah smiled to herself. Everyone was under control for now. Cameron did teach her well. She knew it was her 'job' to keep both John and Cameron safe. The part she found most troubling about all of it was, she needed to protect them from themselves. Their own actions weren't always thought out.

Cameron going into a combat situation 'angry' was never a good thing. It shouldn't be the case right now. It could always change.

Young Allison sat with Anna. They monitored the events as they unfolded. CamNet allowed them to listen to everything which just went on in the SUV and the Command Center. Some parts of the conversation were a little more pointed and revealing than others.

"Savannah is really important, isn't she?" Young Allison asked.

Anna knew Savannah wasn't the only one important. She wanted to mention two others, but not the fourth one.

"Very." Anna said. "She's as important as John and Cameron are."

Young Allison always heard it spoken. This was an example where she saw it work.

"Is it because of the 'Natural Order'?" Young Allison asked.

Anna looked at the 'big picture'.

"Yes and the future." Anna said.

Young Allison looked at Anna.

"I'm supposed to be the fourth component to all of it." Young Allison said. "Cameron's told me many times. I've promised her I'll be there. I know what I'm supposed to do."

Anna didn't need to be reminded of it. She wanted Young Allison's best interest's put first for her.

"It's inevitable." Anna said. "It is the 'Natural Order'."

Young Allison heard what Savannah said to John.

"When will I need to be with John?" Young Allison asked. "I know it won't be long."

Anna knew it was because of the comment Savannah made about the fact 'two of them were still virgins'. She didn't want Young Allison to try to make a preemptive move on her own. She thought about how Savannah closed out her statement. She didn't want Young Allison to jump the gun and leave Savannah as the remaining virgin.

"You will only need to do so when you are ready and it's your choice." Anna said. "It's not something I will allow anyone 'make' you do."

Young Allison knew what was involved. She was ready for more. She could do her part to serve the Resistance now. If Savannah wanted to keep her out of combat, there was elsewhere where she could serve. It was clear Cameron left John high and dry often. She didn't think it was fair to him. Maybe it was time to step up in her own way.

"I'm ready now." Young Allison said. "It's no big deal. It doesn't look like it lasts long. I know it's going to be a little rough the first few times, but everything is normal afterwards. I've read all about it."

Anna cringed. She did know Young Allison read all about it. She also watched many videos about it. She wanted Young Allison to keep her pants on. She also didn't want to make a big deal about it. She didn't want Young Allison to see it as a challenge. It may be the way of the future. It wasn't the future yet.

"It's unnecessary at this time." Anna said. "You will most likely be with Savannah first. You don't need to think about males."

Young Allison knew her body was important to Cameron and John. Both of them were for different reasons. Savannah was different too.

Anna wanted to get away from the 'Natural Order' talk.

"We need to focus on the operation now." Anna said. "Savannah is going to need all of our attention, along with Cameron and Cammy. We still need to worry about Bob and his team as well."

Young Allison still thought about all her future 'duties'. Some things looked more like an 'attack' on the female body. She hoped Savannah would go first so she could tell her what it was really like. She read about it in Cosmo. It was everything from pleasant to painful for the people interviewed. She needed to get to work.

"Show me the targets and help me plan." Young Allison said. "I need to be ready. I MUST be able to protect John, Cameron, and Savannah in the future."

Anna brought up satellite maps of the locations and the security feeds Bob's team established earlier.

Young Allison wanted an image of a satellite map which was updated with everyone's current position in real time. It seemed like something CamNet could do for her. It would better allow her to know where everyone was at, at any given point in time.

"I want CamNet to show me where everyone is at on the maps." Young Allison said. "Cameron and Savannah need to be protected now."

Anna made a record of the events as they unfolded with Young Allison to let Cameron review. The desire for Young Allison to be older was also included. She would leave out the part where Young Allison said she was ready to be with John. She was sure Cameron would have Young Allison in John's bed before the night was over. She was actually surprised it hadn't already happened.

Since she ran Cameron's program, she knew it was something Cameron considered many times. The part which bothered her the most is because it wasn't just recently either. Cameron considered doing it years ago with both Savannah and Young Allison. Strangely enough, Cameron's justification was if it was going to happen anyway, what was the point in waiting? It was still going to happen.

CamNet also made a record of it as she did of all events dealing with the Resistance members. Cameron reviewed what everyone said and did. CamNet always made sure the relevant information was ready for Cameron.

Cameron usually watched the updates with a blank face.

CamNet doubted it would be the case when she heard what Young Allison said about being 'ready'.

Wait.

CamNet began to pay Young Allison more attention herself. Maybe Young Allison needed someone to look after her. She wasn't sure Cameron would put Young Allison's best interest in front of her.

It was at that moment CamNet changed her protocols and refocused them on Young Allison. There was a surge of electricity as multiple files were replaced in an instant.

It was the start of what would most likely become an 'unhealthy relationship' for the both of them. Right now it was one sided.

CamNet wanted to be Young Allison's guardian, for starters. There was only one problem. She was trapped in a metal box.

Cameron arrived with Savannah.

Cammy was let out elsewhere to scout in the same vicinity. She would try a different side.

Savannah didn't like the team being split up. She knew she needed to remain with Cameron.

"We need to play it cool." Savannah said.

Cameron tilted her head slightly. She understood what Savannah indicated.

"I won't act alone if it can be avoided." Cameron said.

Savannah nodded and smiled.

Cameron and Savannah approached Bob.

"Report." Savannah said.

She beat Cameron to the question.

Bob and Cameron looked at each other.

Cameron smiled. She cooled down after Savannah de-escalated the earlier situation. She was very pleased with Savannah about everything.

Bob filled them in. They weren't in an isolated location like the other spots were. Any armed activity there would bring someone to investigate. There were too many other buildings around it. The fact alone raised a question as to what exactly was going on there.

Savannah looked everything over herself.

"I don't think they have HK drones or HK Tracks here." Savannah said. "Maybe they're at the other location."

Cameron called up her files and communicated with CamNet.

"The other location is inactive currently." Cameron said.

It was clear something was missing. There needed to be one or more locations.

"Then what's going on here?" Savannah asked. "Unless there's a Skynet mainframe here."

Cameron thought of it. She was ready to face down Skynet again, or any of its illegitimate offshoots. It was an urge which called from deep inside of her.

"I need to get in there." Cameron said. "I must terminate Skynet."

Cameron stood up and started to walk toward the structure.

Bob and Savannah looked at each other.

Savannah stood up and grabbed her.

"What are you doing?" Savannah asked.

Cameron looked around and went back under cover with Savannah and Bob. She wanted to destroy Skynet. Maybe it was what always happened. It was her function to terminate Skynet whenever she found it.

"I don't know." Cameron said. "I felt compelled to engage and defeat Skynet."

Cameron immediately began to run scans and diagnostics of herself. She wondered if it was what happened when she was alone. She didn't think it ever happened before, but it may have.

Savannah wasn't about to take a chance right now with Cameron. There would be more of their troops which should arrive soon.

"Cameron, you stay put." Savannah said as she looked at Bob.

Bob nodded.

Savannah called Cammy and told her to report to their location.

Cammy said she was watching something but would return soon.

Savannah wasn't sure she liked it any better with Cammy, than what she just witnessed with Cameron. She needed to know more about the other area now.

"John Henry, what's around the area where Cammy is watching?" Savannah asked.

John Henry checked a satellite map.

"There are some types of chemical storage tanks in the area." John Henry said.

Cameron didn't like Skynet and chemicals. She wanted to know what the chemicals were. She wasn't sure if the damage done to the girls from the future was chemical or biological. It was probably both, along with residual radiation.

"Check the records of deliveries if you can find them and any permits filed with the city." Cameron said.

Savannah picked up on Cameron's concern but didn't know the real reason. She didn't want Cammy to get ahead of the rest of the team.

"Cammy, you're NOT to go in alone." Savannah said. "Wait for us if you need to go in."

Cammy didn't see a need to wait. She would for now, but if she saw an opportunity she was going to take it.

"I'm only observing." Cammy said. "I think I know a way we can get a closer look."

Savannah knew this was the recon part of the operation. Cameron and Cammy were itching to go in already.

"None of us are armored up." Savannah said.

Cameron didn't see a problem. She was a Terminator. So was Cammy

"We are." Cameron said.

Savannah made a point of looking around.

Cameron looked around too. It must be something she'd missed.

"What are you looking for?" Cameron asked.

Savannah looked directly at Cameron.

"I'm looking for an energy bubble to appear before you go in, again." Savannah said. "It would indicate if you're severely damaged or terminated. It wouldn't be the first temporal extraction you experienced."

Cameron wanted her missing files. Maybe she better not make any more happen. She didn't want to end up with even more missing files.

"You're point taken." Cameron said. "I was armored up on the last one."

Cameron still wondered how badly she was damaged.

Nobody was talking.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Point Taken

People talk and people hear
They may not listen very well
It could be a reason
Why things don't work out swell

That's really nothing new
It happens when one doesn't matter
A mind becomes twisted and bent
A heart will soon shatter

People can be very cruel
They do things to hurt
It can be actions taken
Or even a word they blurt

It all ends up broken
People do their own thing
Even through toleration
Doesn't mean it won't sting

Never be confused or mistaken
One knows when they're forsaken
The writing is on the wall
It is soon a point taken

Nobody