Chapter 584

Trojan Horse

John didn't want Cameron to escalate the situation. She seemed to have a way of doing it. He wanted to make a general announcement even though it was directed at Cameron.

"Look, everyone needs to take it easy for now." John said. "This isn't the time for an assault. The operation has expanded from reconnaissance to surveillance. The purpose is to gather more information before we take the next step."

Cameron didn't like it because John's comment was directed at her. Sometimes she needed to act. She was the one in the field. She was the one with the experience. Sometimes when an opportunity presented itself, it needed to be capitalized upon.

"When is the time?" Cameron asked. "It all has to happen sooner or later."

John Henry needed to be able to control the 'spin' of everything to keep people from asking too many questions. The current situation was very urban and industrial. It was a lot harder to control the narrative when there were dozens of potential witnesses in the area. Only so many of those could be terminated before even more questions were raised.

"When we don't draw too much attention to ourselves is a better time." John Henry said. "I can control most of the emergency response but not all of it. There are other people around the area. There are other businesses around the area in all directions."

Cameron knew there were other ways to draw off any emergency response. It would be the biggest problem. Nearby spectators or witnesses could be dealt with later. They could be discredited and made to look like people with mental illness or drug users. CamNet always backed her play. CamNet would back it again now if she requested it.

"CamNet has it then if you don't." Cameron said. "She'll call in a 'terrorist' attack across town and draw everyone away from here. It will include the police department as well as the fire department."

John could see things were starting to get away from him. He didn't want to go to such an extreme level. They needed to know more before they could act.

"NO." John said. "This isn't the time. We need more information."

Savannah didn't care for how everyone was sidetracked. Her concern was for Cammy right now. She was away from the rest of them. She hadn't heard anything from her other than one transmission after they let her off.

"Cammy, where are you?" Savannah asked.

Cammy spied a way to enter the compound through an unconventional method. She thought they would be able to have the security team open the gate and usher them in. She remembered a story about ancient times in Southeast Europe.

"I'm getting us a 'Trojan Horse'." Cammy said. "It will work the same way in concept."

Savannah wasn't exactly sure what Cammy had in mind. She also wondered about the method she would use to obtain it. Cameron usually took a direct approach regardless of the circumstances or fallout. Cammy was her clone. She would do the same thing.

"What is it?" Savannah asked. "Where is it?"

Cammy watched a garbage truck drive into several establishments. Even if they had a guard, the truck drove right inside. It didn't appear anything was checked on the truck or if the driver needed to show any type of credentials. It appeared just because it was the trash truck, it was able to gain instant access and bypass everything. She thought it was a major gap in security. Since it was a routine procedure, no one thought twice about when it occurred.

"It's a rubbish truck." Cammy said. "It's a trash truck. I watched it drive into several different locations without being challenged by their security. It's off everyone's radar since its function is routine."

Cameron could see the potential for breaching security at most locations with one of those. It was the same conclusion Cammy made. It was an indication as to how identical their programs were, even if Cammy was 'out of date'. The base program and thinking process was identical.

"It's a good idea." Cameron said. "Have you commandeered it yet?"

Cammy saw it as the first step. She wanted some assistance. It would allow her to operate freely.

"No." Cammy said. "I want another driver and I will ride either underneath it, or inside of it. I want to take a look inside the building. The trash truck will get us inside the compound. It will get me inside of the compound."

John saw there was a security booth at the entrance to the compound. It was fenced in all around. He wasn't sure what the security set up would be when the trash truck arrived.

"Isn't anyone checking the vehicles as they enter?" John asked.

Cameron knew certain vehicles were 'expected' and therefore security was lax surrounding them.

"Not all of them." Cameron said. "It looks like vehicles which arrive on a daily basis, sometimes even more than once a day, aren't scrutinized."

Bob noticed some delivery trucks earlier drive right in. He was the Terminator who was at the location the longest and observed the most.

"I saw a brown delivery truck drive in and leave soon afterwards. No one stopped it either time." Bob said. "It didn't even slow down for the guard shack. It appeared to drive right in and then back up to the dock."

Cameron liked Cammy's plan. She would take the lead. It was her responsibility to find out what was going on inside of the building.

"I'm going in myself." Cameron said. "Cammy can drive."

Cammy was a little upset. She didn't like being sidelined by Cameron.

"It was my idea." Cammy protested. "Someone else can't drive it for me."

Savannah knew Cameron was a better choice. Her sheath was undamaged. She would go with Cameron.

"You still have visible damage, Cammy." Savannah said. "I'll go in your place."

John Henry quickly reviewed the images from the location. He thought there might be a problem for any of the females. They were going to stand out right away.

"I don't think it's a good idea to use our female assets." John Henry said. "I've only noticed males at this location."

Bob felt it made him the logical choice. He was ready to take a closer look inside himself. He was already on the outside long enough.

"I'll go." Bob said. "This is my assignment anyway."

John wanted some additional help to arrive first. It was already on the way.

"As soon as we have some more Terminators there, we can come up with something." John said. "You can give it a try, Bob."

Bob looked forward to the expansion of his mission.

"I'll try to slip inside and see what I can find." Bob said. "If it goes 'hot', you'll hear it."

John could see everyone was in a hurry to act. It still seemed way too premature to him. He wanted to know more and have more people on the ground.

"I think we should wait and see where any of the people who leave go to." John said. "This place isn't going anywhere and there are no HK drones or HK Tracks there."

Cameron didn't know what was inside the building. None of them did. It was the whole point of going in. She hadn't given up the idea of entering the structure herself. If Cammy didn't want to drive the trash truck, Bob could.

"We don't know what's inside the building yet." Cameron said. "When I get inside, I'll know for sure."

John didn't like the way Cameron tried to take control and move in on her own. John Henry and Bob both pointed out the lack of females associated with the building. Cameron would stand out from the moment she was there. She would become an instant target. He thought it was best to put the brakes on for everyone.

"So we're back to where we started." John said. "We're not moving in on the target yet."

Savannah could see Cameron was angry at John because he countermanded her decisions. John was right, the building wasn't going anywhere. The people who came and went were.

"You can get some more Terminators in place and we will follow some of the people leaving for now." Savannah said. "They must be headed somewhere. They certainly came from somewhere."

Cameron looked at Savannah. She knew she was up to something. Everything at the current location was tainted with John's caution. It appeared he wanted to hamstring the operation from the start.

"I see a van getting ready to depart soon." Cameron said. "Savannah and I will follow it."

John would be glad to see Cameron leave the area. Hopefully Savannah would keep her in check. He didn't want to leave Bob alone until more help arrived.

"Roger that." John said. "Cammy, can you come back to where Bob is?"

Cammy wasn't ready to leave yet. She still thought her idea belonged to her. It was time to get creative.

"It will have to wait. I see someone leaving on foot on my side." Cammy said. "I want to follow them first."

John Henry tilted his head slightly. It sounded like something different. Maybe the Grays 'made' the surveillance team already. They could be about to flank them. It was a good thing there was someone on the other side of the structure for the very reason now indicated. He knew the biggest threat to the team wouldn't be a Gray.

"It's unusual." John Henry said. "Make sure he isn't a Terminator. Do you know where they came from?"

Cammy didn't like her story being questioned.

"They seem out of place." Cammy said. "They may have dropped out of an upper story window. I looked away for a moment to see what was behind me. When I look back, they were just there. I see an open window now."

Savannah didn't want Cammy to get ambushed.

"Use caution." Savannah said. "Cameron and I can back you up. We can be there in a few minutes."

John wanted to track the van when it left the location. He needed to worry about Cammy too.

"What about the van?" John asked. "I don't want to lose it."

The first backup team was about to arrive. They were only a few blocks out.

"We're almost there." Dan said. "We can take the van. Will probably be even better if someone there suspects anything. Our vehicle was never there or in the vicinity until now."

John felt everything was under control. He wasn't sure how long it would stay under control.

"OK. Cameron and Savannah can back up Cammy and follow the person on foot." John said. "The rest of the team is going to keep the area under observation and hold."

Cameron and Savannah departed in their SUV. They headed for Cammy's position. It was now several blocks away. They didn't want anyone left out in the open.

Cameron and Savannah caught up with Cammy. She was supposed to be tracking a target.

Cammy indicated they all needed to shut down their coms as far as transmitting for now.

Cameron didn't see the target. She wondered if Cammy lost them.

"Where are they?" Cameron asked. "We can't let them get behind our observation post."

Cammy didn't think things were happening fast enough at the location they took under surveillance.

"There isn't anyone." Cammy said. "I made the story up to get us away from there. John's going to hamstring the entire operation."

Savannah found Cammy's decision somewhat disturbing.

"What did you do it for?" Savannah asked.

Cammy wanted some action.

"Those 'Killjoys' aren't going to act anytime soon." Cammy said. "But we can."

Savannah didn't care for the ploy. She glanced at Cameron.

"I can see the apple doesn't fall far from the tree." Savannah said.

Cameron smiled and shrugged her shoulders. Cammy was 'her'. She was ready for some action too. She wondered what Cammy came up with.

"Where are we going to go?" Cameron asked.

Savannah already picked up on Cammy's line of thought.

"I think it's to the other site which 'appears inactive'." Savannah said.

Cammy smiled. She hadn't cared for Savannah's earlier negativity. She understood it was actually caution. They were about to change the dynamics of the operation clandestinely.

"You're right." Cammy said.

Savannah didn't see the need for the cloak and dagger routine. It left them out on a hook if a problem developed.

"Why not tell John and John Henry?" Savannah asked. "What if something goes wrong?"

Cammy felt they would hold the upper hand in any situation.

"With TWO 'Camerons', what could go wrong?" Cammy asked.

Savannah figured it could be twice as much. She kept her thoughts to herself.

Cameron thought of some of her past encounters. It was how she liked to roll.

"Plenty could go wrong." Cameron said. "I like it anyway. I'm in."

Savannah could see how they talked themselves into some rash action. It didn't take much.

"Now I know why I'm here." Savannah said. "Someone needs to be the adult in the room."

Cameron and Cammy looked at each other.

"It's a sound plan." Cameron said.

Savannah wanted to give them some flexibility but wanted an anchor too.

"OK, we'll play it your way at first." Savannah said. "If I see trouble, I want them to know where we are. If we get into a jam, they need to know exactly where we are."

Cammy felt it was unnecessary.

"We'll be fine." Cammy said.

Savannah looked at the damage on Cammy's face which wasn't quite healed yet. It was a reminder of what could go wrong.

"I need to be able to let them know where to send the 'energy bubble'…." Savannah said.

The indication was clear. One of them could be severely damaged or terminated. There might need to be another temporal extraction.

Both Cameron and Cammy looked upset now. It seemed to question their ability. They both believed they could get the job done, even if things became a little dicey.

Savannah wasn't going to back down. She was worried about the Metal girls, more than she was herself.

Once there were more Terminators to back Bob up, they wanted to use the 'Trojan Horse' routine Cammy suggested.

Jim showed up with Derek. They were on a separate surveillance mission together. There was no activity at their site so they were the first to respond.

Derek didn't want it to seem like a stereotype, but he thought Jim would raise less suspicion as the driver of the vehicle.

"I think Jim should drive the trash truck." Derek said. "I'll hop in the back or hide between the cab and the container."

John thought it sounded risky. He wasn't happy Derek was there in the first place.

"Why not just hunker down in the cab with Jim?" John asked. "It seems safer if no one is checking…."

Bob didn't like the idea of Derek going in alone.

"I should back him up." Bob said. "There could be trouble."

Derek was a little worried Bob would be identified if they were dealing with Grays.

"They might make you as a Terminator." Derek said.

Bob didn't think so, but he still wanted to be close if there was trouble.

"I should at least be on the premises. I can hide in a trash bin, one of the dumpsters. I would be right there in case Derek gets in a jam. I'll be right there to back him up." Bob said. "Jim can hang close with the trash truck and bust back into the compound if we need a fast exit. It's big enough to bull its way in. The lift in the front can move anything in its path. The forks which pick up the trash container can act as spears."

John wanted some close support for Derek. Bob's idea sounded workable.

"I think it's a good idea." John said. "I want another Terminator to be in the truck with Jim if they need to go back in."

John Henry knew Cameron was itching to be involved. She could serve as the backup inside the trash truck.

"Maybe Cameron or Cammy would like the job." John Henry said.

Cameron reactivated her com for a few seconds.

"We're busy." Cameron said. "I want to stay where we're at for now."

John and John Henry looked at each other. Cameron and Savannah were supposed to back up Cammy. There hadn't been any additional report from Cammy yet.

Anna and Young Allison followed the operation from the Young bunker. It was actually a secondary Command Center. It was set up the same way. All of the monitors were on. They were directly connected to CamNet. They could have direct access to the Command Center at the Resistance base as well.

Young Allison noted the trackers on Cammy, Cameron, and Savannah no longer showed up. They all went off within a second of each other. She didn't think it was a malfunction. She hoped it wasn't an attack.

"Anna, what happened to them?" Young Allison asked.

Anna thought about it. She didn't like what she thought it might be.

"I don't know." Anna said.

Anna went to call Cameron but stopped. She hoped it wasn't what she thought. There was a better way to approach this 'problem'.

"Allison, get your phone and call Cameron." Anna said. "I don't think she'll answer for anyone but you."

Young Allison decided to call Savannah instead. She knew Savannah wouldn't lie to her. She knew Cameron was a little loose with the truth on occasions. It was in her nature since she was an infiltrator.

Savannah felt her phone buzz. She hoped it wasn't John. She was surprised at who it said it was. She quickly answered it.

"Allison?" Savannah asked.

Young Allison looked over at Anna for a second.

"It's me, Savannah." Young Allison said.

Savannah was a little worried. She thought maybe something happened with Allison, the pregnant one. It would be bad news if it was the case.

"Is something wrong?" Savannah asked. "Is everyone OK?"

Young Allison picked up on her concern and could see what she first thought.

"Yes. There's no problem with anyone here." Young Allison said. "I'm monitoring the operation through CamNet and I saw your trackers all go offline. It was all at the same time. It made me worried something happened. I want to go through the Command Center to find out."

Savannah knew Young Allison started to act as a second Command Center from the Young residence, well, from the Young bunker. She was surprised she was so involved. She figured it was more about her.

"Really? No, nothing bad has happened." Savannah said. "We've moved to a different part of the operation now."

Young Allison figured where she would go. It was the other location.

"Is it to the 'inactive' site?" Young Allison asked.

There was a long pause.

"Yes." Savannah said. "Why did you suggest it? Is there anything we need to know?"

It seemed like the logical choice to Young Allison. John appeared to concentrate all his forces on the location where there wasn't likely to be any active HK equipment based on its location.

"No, but I think it is too quiet there now for 'nothing' to be happening." Young Allison said. "I want you to be careful, Savannah. It means Cameron and Cammy too."

Savannah was pleased with the 'check' from Young Allison.

"Thank you for watching out for me, for us." Savannah said. "It's nice to know we have a 'grown up' in the room who's watching over ALL of us."

Young Allison thought about what Savannah said.

"I may not be an adult physically yet, but I'm more than a teen." Young Allison said.

Savannah thought about her interaction with Young Allison earlier. She took a good look at her. She hoped Cameron didn't give her hormones to speed up her development. It seemed to have progressed a lot since the last time she saw her. Maybe she didn't look as hard before. She didn't want to ask Cameron and give her any ideas if she wasn't doing it. There really wasn't much difference between Allison and her. She thought about Young Allison's beauty. She wished she could have stayed a little longer to brush her hair for her.

"Yes you are." Savannah said. "A very pretty one too."

Young Allison knew they wanted to stay off John's radar. She wanted to make a prudent suggestion.

"Thanks, so are you. Keep CamNet posted so I can continue to monitor you." Young Allison said. "I need to know where you're at."

She heard Cameron ask for Savannah's phone.

"Hi, Allison." Cameron said. "It's Cameron."

Young Allison thought it sounded a lot like her.

"Yes, Cameron?" Young Allison asked.

Cameron wanted to show her appreciation.

"Thank you. Watch our backs." Cameron said and then hung up.

Anna wondered what Young Allison's take was on it all.

"Well, how did it go?" Anna asked.

Young Allison pointed at the satellite map on the monitor.

"Better than we hoped." Young Allison said. "CamNet is showing us their positions now."

Anna liked the influence Young Allison had on Cameron and Savannah.

"It's your doing, Allison." Anna said. "It's happening just for you."

Young Allison thought it was more about the team.

"No, they are doing it so I can help protect them." Young Allison said. "I need your expertise now as we monitor them. They may need some type of action to protect them or for assistance."

Anna already started it anyway.

Young Allison wanted to keep it a team effort. She didn't want to cause trouble for Cameron's team either.

"We should let John Henry know too." Young Allison said.

Anna thought it would have more impact on John Henry if Young Allison spoke to him. She was a 'Chosen One' as well. He would listen to her.

"I want you to contact him directly and tell John Henry everything." Anna said. "Keep it direct and professional. Let him know you're a force to be reckoned with."

Young Allison noticed Anna left out someone important. It at least seemed important to her.

"What about John?" Young Allison asked.

Anna didn't want things to get out of control and turn into a shouting match. She knew with John sometimes the 'little head' got in the way of the 'big head' sometimes on his decisions.

"John Henry or I will notify him if needed." Anna said. "He's easily sidetracked. He has enough to worry about without dwelling on Cameron and Savannah. His personal feelings influence his decisions more than they should in an operational matter."

Young Allison didn't like it because Cammy was excluded. She may not be part of the 'Natural Order', but she mattered as well. She mattered to her, especially after Cammy showed her how she would 'look' to others.

"Cammy too." Young Allison said. "She's to Savannah, what you are to me…."

Anna didn't think now was the time to point out Cammy was a little 'more' to Savannah too. She didn't think Young Allison wanted the same from her. She should have. Young Allison wanted to do everything Savannah already did. She made mention of it several times. When she said everything, it was exactly what she meant. She wanted to do everything Savannah did.

Young Allison was wrapped up in the operation, especially with Cameron's team.

Anna noted some movement near them. There was already someone there by the time she did.

"Allison…." Summer said.

Claire was on her way down the stairs as well.

"I wanted to come down and see what was happening." Claire said.

Hanna was with them.

Anna quickly filled Hanna and Claire in.

Claire could see the operation was expanding. She couldn't help but grit her teeth a little.

"Will it be my little girls out there one day?" Claire asked.

Young Allison would have preferred her mother stayed upstairs. She didn't need to concern herself with Resistance matters.

"Mom, you know it is part of my future." Young Allison said. "I'll be out there so Summer doesn't have to be there, or you either. It's my destiny."

Claire watched Young Allison work with Anna and now Hanna. She knew one day she would look around and her Allison would suddenly be more than a teenager. She held onto Summer and sobbed on the inside. It was inevitable…. Cameron already took control of Young Allison from her.

She would offer her reproductive tract to Cameron again if she would agree not to take Summer from her. It was time to have John's child and give it to Cameron, IF she promised not to take away Summer too….

Young Allison was aware of what her mother offered to do for Cameron and to be with John. It bothered her some because her mother and her would both be with the same person in bed. Somehow she thought it should've bothered her more. She was pretty sure with some practice she could please John better and she would be younger too.

Summer looked right at her when she thought about it. It was like Summer knew what she thought.

'It's going to happen.' Young Allison thought.

'I know.' Was the response she 'heard' from Summer.

Summer never opened her mouth.

Young Allison clearly heard her in her mind.

Summer smiled at her.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Dog

The Dog is a trusted loyal friend
Ready to defend
Ready to protect
To the very end

The dog senses danger
They growl as a warning so stark
They SEE the danger
They snarl and bark

The master says down
So they back away
They still FEEL the danger
Ready to attack to defend anyway

The eyes dance looking
The ears held high listening
A low deep growl builds
The nose sniffs processing

The whiskers stick out on little bumps
The fur is erect and stiff
The tail goes in
Ears go down when they get a whiff

The danger is here NOW
The Master can not see it's about to happen
The dog moves to intercept
It will fight to the death and never slacken

Hear me bark
Teeth snarl white
Watch me growl
Feel MY bite

Nobody