Chapter 588

Dumpster Ride

Derek was glad no one paid any attention to him as he emptied a few trash cans. He wanted to get out of the building. He pushed the trash cart outside towards the large dumpster Bob was in. So far no one challenged him or raised an alarm. He exited the building and was on the dock. He hoped his com would work again.

"I'm out." Derek said. "I didn't see what was happening in there, or what was being loaded into the truck. I only saw wooden crates being loaded. It looks like they're getting ready to leave with the truck."

John was thrilled as soon as he received the communication from Derek. He was very worried about him.

"Roger." John said. "I'm glad you're out. We were a little concerned. We lost communications for a while. Since Bob didn't report any gunfire, we figured it was the jamming field we've encountered with this group before. It always seems to be very localized."

Bob had been ready to go in after Derek. He didn't like being confined in one small area. He heard Cameron say what it was like to be trapped in a metal box without a chassis. What he experienced was bad enough.

"I was getting ready to go look for him." Bob said. "I'm tired of being in this metal coffin."

Derek wondered if Bob terminated the janitor. The next goal should be to put the grab on the truck and find out what was inside of it.

"I didn't see any Terminators inside." Derek said. "Do you want Bob and me to take the big rig?"

John was concerned with the location of the complex. There were other businesses around it. Anything that happened was bound to create an incident. They needed to use some better tact than to just bull their way around. There was the potential for a lot of collateral damage if they weren't careful. Innocents caught up in the crossfire were always a problem for their team.

"Negative." John said. "I don't want any shooting if possible at the location. There are other firms all around it."

John wasn't sure what Cameron did when she was on her own, but he didn't want innocent people hurt if it could be avoided. There was only so much they could cover up or spin. So far what Derek indicated about the interior of the building didn't dictate a large Skynet footprint. He understood there was a limited amount Derek could see in his quick check of the interior. There was no HK equipment spotted, nor was there any version of Skynet spotted. They could investigate the building at the time of their choosing when things might be a little less volatile.

Derek didn't think what other people thought mattered. The destruction of Skynet was what mattered. John Henry should be able to spin it somehow. He was still concerned with the chemical aspect of the location and the storage tanks. Skynet did a lot of damage in the future with both chemical and biological warfare. It seemed all the girls from the future paid a price for it. It didn't sit well with him.

"Did you find out what was in the chemical tanks?" Derek asked. "No one was wearing any type of protective gear. I didn't see anything which indicated they were actively using or testing chemicals of any type. It doesn't mean they weren't."

John Henry did research some information about the location. The tanks were from the previous occupant of the complex. They were all certified as empty when the last business moved out.

"No, the chemical tanks were left over from the last company located there." John Henry said. "They're all empty now."

Derek made a show of dumping the trash cart contents into the dumpster, but no one watched him.

He wasn't so sure about the chemical tanks. They would need to check themselves to verify the current occupants didn't store something there, even if it was done illegally. Skynet didn't care about laws or rules. He didn't either. He knew the price the girls from the future paid with their bodies. Their trouble with reproduction was due to chemical and biological warfare by Skynet to stop human reproduction. He planned to stop Skynet from reproducing as well. So far they were able to terminate multiple 'offspring' of the parent Skynet.

"I think we're going to need to verify the fact they aren't in use." Derek said. "It's the only way we can be sure."

John Henry told Jim to get ready to return to the location. They were going to allow the big rig to leave with its cargo. They would follow it instead and see where its final destination was. They didn't know what to expect. It was possible it might make several stops along the way to see if they were being tailed. It was also possible since they seemed to be in a hurry, it might go directly to wherever it was intended to go. It may or may not lead them to a bigger fish. It would lead them somewhere.

John made sure Derek and Bob would both be ready to get picked up. He needed to make sure all the pieces were in play.

"Jim, get ready to re-enter the facility as soon as the big rig leaves. Pick up Bob and Derek. They will both be inside the first trash bin." John said. "We're going to follow the big truck and see where it leads us."

Jim was a few blocks away when John Henry first contacted him. He was much closer right now.

"I'm right around the corner." Jim said. "I'm ready to roll."

John looked over at John Henry. He was pleased with the operation so far. There was another one he didn't have any control over occurring at another location. It was as worrisome as the current situation with Derek and Bob.

"Is there any word on Cameron?" John asked.

John Henry could only hope no news was good news. He hadn't been contacted by CamNet or Young Allison. He was pretty sure Young Allison would contact him directly if she felt Savannah and the Metal girls were in real trouble. He actually saw it as a good thing to have an extra set of eyes and ears available. It also gave him a back door into what went on with Cameron and CamNet on an operation.

"Negative." John Henry said. "There haven't been any reports of shooting or any explosions recorded yet. They could be conducting reconnaissance or even be involved in surveillance. Depending upon what they were able to get eyes on, may determine the extent of which they could communicate. It may be there's nothing to communicate."

John knew it didn't tell him much. He didn't know anything more now than he did before he asked.

"I hope it's a good thing." John said.

John knew trouble seemed to have a way of finding Cameron, if it didn't, Cameron seemed to find it. He really didn't think this operation would be any different. The most worrisome aspect to it was the fact Savannah was with her. He really hoped Savannah's presence would slow down Cameron's recklessness somewhat. He was sure they would find out soon enough.

Cameron was over the top of the second HK Track now. They almost finished their turns so they were back to back. It would give Cammy and her a few seconds to act. If they waited past that point, the HK Tracks would be able to cover each other with minigun fire quicker. It would put them in even greater danger.

The unknown was the third HK Track. If it came into the large room they were in, it would be able to fire on one of their positions almost immediately. If it happened at the beginning of their attack on the HK Tracks, it would be able to engage both of them simultaneously.

There was still no sign of Savannah. It caused some hesitation in their initial response. The HK Tracks weren't able to detect Savannah either, otherwise they would have gone to investigate. It was most likely she found some type of hiding place. How good the hiding place would be once the bullets started to fly was yet to be determined. There didn't appear to be anything in the room which wouldn't be devastated by bullets.

Savannah was going to drag her vest behind her. She stopped all movement and decided not to go under the grate entirely. She pushed herself forward. She wanted to make sure her arms were free. She carried her silenced pistol and Taser on her. She carefully removed a Thermite grenade from her vest. She wanted one handy, just in case she needed to use it. She needed to be careful she didn't detonate it too close to her position. She didn't want to be showered with the burning Thermite.

She knew it wouldn't disable the HK Track immediately, but it would soon enough. The HK Track would still be active for a little while. She knew the HK Track could do a lot of damage in a short time.

Savannah wanted to help protect Cameron and Cammy. If one of the HK Tracks opened fire, she was going to try to throw a Thermite grenade on it. It might turn to face the new threat, which would be her. It could give Cameron or Cammy a few precious seconds to move or respond.

She was ready to act. She was aware she would probably be hit with gunfire. Two of the people she cared about and loved were in jeopardy. She was going to help them. She felt the need to protect Cameron and Cammy. It didn't seem any different than any of the other encounters she was on where she faced enemy Terminators or HK equipment. It was just part of the job.

Young Allison wasn't pleased with the events as they unfolded where Cameron's team was at. She was very impatient about the lack of information.

"Why aren't we hearing anything from Cameron?" Young Allison asked.

Anna was aware of a new problem. It only started very recently.

"There's some type of jamming going on. It's disrupting communications." Anna said.

Young Allison was tired of not enough help for Cameron. She wanted something done. She wasn't going to wait around. She was about to test what her ability to accomplish things on her own actually was.

"They need help NOW." Young Allison said. "You can have CamNet send the closest personnel."

Young Allison checked her monitor. It showed the location of all the Resistance personnel and CamNet's troops. There were two in the vicinity.

"There are two of Cameron's Terminators not far from them." Young Allison said. "They need to go now to assist."

Anna pointed out the obvious. Young Allison would need to act on her own prerogative.

"Cameron hasn't called for help." Anna said.

Young Allison weighed all the evidence. Someone needed to act. She made her plan known. She wasn't the type to sit around and wait for things to go bad if it could be prevented. She knew Cameron usually operated on her own. She never called for help when she was. It was doubtful she would now when Cammy and Savannah were there to assist her.

"She NEVER will. If there's jamming now, how can she at this point?" Young Allison asked. "Savannah is with her. I want YOU to send the help yourself. If not, I want CamNet to do it. It's what I want to happen. I want it to happen now. I'm not in a position to go myself, otherwise I would."

Anna already did it as soon as communications were lost. She wanted Young Allison to do what she thought was right. She wanted to prompt her to act on her own. It was what happened.

"It's a good idea." Anna said. "I've notified CamNet."

Anna was pleased Young Allison was willing to act on her own. She was even more pleased Young Allison was willing to command CamNet to take action on her behalf, on her orders. It's what Young Allison was trained to do. She was in no 'official' capacity, but she was trained to act. Any Terminator would follow her orders, including John Henry and CamNet.

Young Allison didn't want to step on anyone's toes. If Anna wouldn't have acted, she would have gone directly to CamNet herself. She knew CamNet would respond to her. What she didn't know was it was for more than one reason.

Cameron gave Cammy a hand signal to drop down. The third HK Track hadn't yet made an appearance. It was time to act now before it did. Once it arrived, they would be attacked.

They both dropped down at the same time. Each of them landed on the back of an HK Track. They went about disabling the two units as the HK Tracks tried to move and spin.

The one Cammy was on started to fire its minigun. It didn't have a target. The bullets were flying everywhere against and through one wall. Savannah flattened herself down as the work bench next to her was torn to shreds. Wood debris and splinters flew in all directions covering her. She could hear the projectiles passing over where she was at in the trough. She was concerned with any ricochets at this point as well. She didn't have her vest on any longer. There was no room for her to wear it.

Cameron was able to prevent her HK Track from firing, but not from moving. It now started to 'clank' its way across the floor towards Cammy.

On the other side of Savannah, the third HK Track clanked into the room. It rolled right towards her. She held her breath as it rolled right on top of her position. It stopped on the grate right above her and opened fire. Hot brass began to rain down around her. It bounced off of the Coltan of the HK Track, as well as the concrete and the metal grate.

Cameron saw the third HK Track enter the room. It immediately fired on her. She moved to the backside of the HK Track she was on. She felt the rounds impact the metal in front of her. Ricochets went in all directions. The HK Track shielded her. The HK Track she was on was still moving. It forced her to change position to keep from taking rounds.

Cammy saw the third HK Track arrive and fire on Cameron's position. The one she was on fired another wild burst from its minigun. She moved around and smashed the barrels with both her fists, the minigun jammed. The burst drew the attention of the third HK Track. It turned to fire on her.

Cameron took the opportunity to try to move away from the HK Track she was on but the third HK Track fired at her again. It forced her behind it to seek cover once again. The HK Track she was on was still moving and headed for the HK Track Cammy was on. It was bringing her closer to the gunfire.

Savannah scrambled to get her legs out from underneath the part of the metal grate the third HK Track was on in case it collapsed. She grabbed the Thermite grenade and got ready to pull the pin. She hoped she could get clear of it before it turned to fire on her as she fled. She was about to yank the pin all the way out when she thought of trying something else. She didn't know if it would work or not.

The minigun on it fired again. It showered the area around Savannah with hot brass. She knew Cameron and Cammy were in trouble. There couldn't be that much gunfire and someone not be in a serious jam. If it was still firing, it meant one or both of them were still in the fight. She didn't know what condition they would be in. She didn't know what condition she would be in when she started to act.

The third HK Track pivoted and fired a burst at Cammy. She too used the HK Track she was on for cover. The bullets impacted against it as ricochets flew in all directions. She could still hear the minigun trying to fire. She knew it was damaged enough so it wouldn't be able to. It didn't prevent the HK Track from trying.

Cameron went to make a break for it when Cammy came under fire. She darted off the back of the HK Track. It made one last lunge forward as she did. It caused her to trip. She sprawled on the floor. It wasn't what she intended to happen. She was completely exposed now.

The third HK Track would now have a clear target and a clean shot. It swung back around and prepared to chop Cameron to pieces. Cameron scrambled to get up or move away. She knew she wasn't going to make it….

Cameron was out of time and options. The minigun was about to shred her. It pointed right at her as she scrambled to move. She briefly wondered if her power cell would rupture when she started to take a hundred bullets per second.

The driver climbed into the cab of the big rig. It started. There was a hiss of air and the truck shook a few times as it moved forward about ten feet away from the dock. There was another hiss of air as it stopped. Someone closed the rear doors. They pounded twice on the rear door of the trailer. There was another hiss of air and the big rig pulled away from the loading area and headed for the gate.

Derek knelt next to the dumpster and dropped down of the dock alongside it. He decided to do the same thing he did when he arrived rather than enter the dumpster with Bob and the incapacitated custodian. The now empty trash cart blocked his view from anyone. No one seemed to notice.

As soon as the big rig moved up to the gate, it exited without slowing. Several men from inside got into a white van and they followed it out.

Jim returned thirty seconds after the van departed and drove back in with the trash truck. The guard never even looked up at him. He headed to the dumpsters and picked up the one he'd left before and dumped it. He moved the trash truck over and prepared to lift the first container again. The one Bob and the janitor were in. Derek scrambled back into the cab staying low.

He looked around as he lifted the first container again. He dumped Bob and the janitor in the back. He set the dumpster down and drove out. The guard still leaned back in his chair as he looked at his phone. No one looked at him or the trash truck the entire time. The 'Trojan Horse' departed.

It seemed to be an effective strategy for entering a target zone with a minimum amount of scrutiny. It didn't mean the same ploy would always work at every location. Some locations may actually record when the rubbish collection vehicle arrived, or what its schedule was.

Sheila 'worked' on the thug who laughed about abusing females.

Ally was tired of listening to his screams.

"Hurry up." Ally said. "There's nothing left to use your knife on, except his neck."

Sheila looked at the withering and whimpering thug. She wanted to remind him of what his own words were.

"I had a good time." Sheila said in his voice, then hers. "Payback's a bitch."

Sheila then laughed using the thug's voice.

Ally looked at the boss.

"You're next." Ally said.

The boss looked terrified. He was held captive by two crazy Amazon women. They were obviously both insane. One of them somehow destroyed his arm. It was broken in four places. It happened as he reached for his gun. They must be hopped up on something to be so strong. He figured they were on a combination of various narcotics. It bothered him a little to know it might be something he sold them, or one of his dealers sold to them at some point.

"Let me go and I won't report this to anyone." The boss said.

In the background Sheila continued to 'punish' the thug for his abuse of females and his involvement in abuse on them.

Ally was very agitated by everything and what she heard the men say about one of the females they abused.

"Shut up." Ally said.

She was ready to smash his face in with her fist. They needed some information first.

The whimpering thug threatened her and cried as Sheila worked on him.

"He seems kind of pathetic looking like this." Sheila said. "I thought enforcers were supposed to be tough."

The thug cursed her through his tears and agony.

"I told you what would happen with a foul mouth." Sheila said.

Sheila set down everything she held and gripped his head with one hand and his jaw with the other. She broke his jaw. She forced his mouth open as the sides of his cheeks split apart. It took a little bit of effort, but she now held something in her hand.

"I'd ask if the cat got your tongue, but I know it didn't." Sheila said. "I did."

Sheila laughed as she looked at him. She held something up in front of him. She moved over in front of the boss.

"Now, love, you know how the game is played." Sheila said. "You need to tell us what we want to know."

The boss looked defiant.

"I won't tell you anything." The boss said.

Sheila twisted his damaged arm completely around in a circle, since it was broken in four places.

The boss screamed in agony.

"You won't tell us anything." Sheila said. "You'll tell us everything."

Sheila looked at him and laughed as she picked up her knife.

"Where should we start?" Sheila asked.

The boss cussed at her. She punched him hard in the gut.

"It's only about money to you." Sheila said. "By the way, I'm taking your car too. I wanted to thank you in advance."

The boss looked over at his bodyguard. He was in the last throws of death. He lived in the shadows for years and saw plenty of people die. He was responsible for a lot of them. He never saw anyone die like his enforcer, or in as much pain and agony. He wanted to end the man's suffering.

"Finish him off and I'll think about it." The boss said.

Ally went over and reached down. She snapped his neck. She was tired of listening to him whimper anyway.

The boss was sure she was hopped up on something to break someone's neck so easily. He could hear it snap. She only used one hand to do it. Who were these nutty broads, especially the Asian one with an Australian accent? It wasn't the kind of combination anyone expected to run into.

Ally walked back over to the boss. She indicated the thug she just terminated.

"I can tell when you lie." Ally said. "If it's how you want to go, lie away. In case you hadn't noticed, she's insane. Look at her. She gets off when she hurts someone. She gets off a lot. Don't let her get off because of you."

Sheila laughed.

"I'll burn him alive when I'm done." Sheila said. "You won't get off easy like he did."

Sheila indicated the man on the floor. She was actually a little upset Ally already terminated him. She didn't like the things he called her.

The boss had been in the business long enough to know when it was 'over'.

"Promise me you'll make it quick and I'll talk." The boss said.

Sheila brought her knife up. Her broad lips formed into a smile.

"I promise to make it very slow if you don't." Sheila said.

The boss talked and talked. He gave them a lot of information and told them where the girls were and who was held there.

He talked so much Sheila was tired of listening to him.

"I think we're done here." Sheila said.

The boss looked like he was about to threaten Sheila or cuss at her. She flashed him an angry look. She indicated something on the floor next to the man Ally terminated.

"It's a lot more painful than it looks." Sheila said. "I don't think you want the hard road."

Ally took out her M9.

The boss looked relieved.

"Thank you." The boss said.

Sheila wasn't satisfied with him getting off easy.

"How many girls have you trafficked over the years?" Sheila asked.

The boss didn't have a clue.

"It's been hundreds, maybe thousands." The boss said.

Ally was disgusted.

"How many of those weren't runaways?" Ally asked.

The boss wasn't sure what the questioning was about.

"I think maybe a dozen or so." The boss said.

Ally grasped the boss by the throat and squeezed. She looked at Sheila.

Sheila looks rather disappointed.

Ally snapped his neck. She figured she should do what he wanted.

"He did thank me in advance." Ally said.

Sheila wanted to work on him longer but it was finished.

"Let's go get those girls and free them." Sheila said.

It was something Ally wanted to take care of. It was what they arrived at the location in the first place to do. Now they possessed a little more information to work with. There were several different locations they would need to visit.

"Damn, straight." Ally said. "Let's get crackin'."

Sheila looked at the terminated enforcer and boss. Both of them were terminated with a snapped neck. There was definitely a loud 'crack' noise associated with both of their actual terminations.

"If it's your definition of crackin', I'm in." Sheila said. "Let's roll."

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Torn Sieve

I am not insane
My mind is not ill
We all can hurt
We all can kill
Is it up to us
Or the Master's will

I will ride with the 7th
To Custer's Last Stand
I fear not death
I know you understand
But I am a feeling being
Not an animal to command

Into the Valley of Death
With the Light Brigade I go
It matters not the cannons
Or how many the foe
Death with honor as it should be
Who don't think so

I am not afraid to die
Just afraid to live
My mind may be wounded
My heart is a torn sieve
But Nobody is Somebody
And she has a lot to give

Nobody