Chapter 596

Surprised

Cameron and Savannah were on a parallel intercept route of the big rig. They didn't want the protection van with the Grays to spot them. There was a team of Metal girls who were to deal with the van as the big rig made a turn onto another street. Their goal was to prevent the van from making the turn and continue to follow the big rig.

The big truck slowed to make the turn. As soon as the cab was around the corner, an SUV pulled away from the curb in front of the van. It stopped abruptly. It caused the van to slam on its brakes and nearly hit it.

Two seconds later a pick-up truck pulled up very close next to the van. It prevented the van's driver door from opening. Another SUV pulled up behind it. The van was boxed in. The occupants didn't have time to react to anything that was happening. They were trapped.

Ally was on the sidewalk and 'happened' to be right next to the van when it was boxed in. She moved in and yanked open the sliding side door and fired her Taser. She didn't need to use her pistol. They didn't know if any of the occupants were a Terminator or not. The use of the Taser took the guesswork out of it. She carried two of them with her, just in case.

Cammy and Cam were with her in seconds.

Once Gail saw everything was under control, she waved at them and headed off after the big truck. She began to unbutton her top as she drove. She planned to get the truck driver's 'attention'. She knew what made people 'look'. It didn't matter if they were male or female, they all looked at her. Her size was impressive to everyone. They all looked more than once when they were at it.

After the occupants of the van were secure, Ally drove off with the van. The whole operation lasted less than thirty seconds. Cammy and Cam followed her in their SUVs. In an alley down the street, they transferred the three men into one of the SUVs. Ally would drive the SUV away from there. They dumped the van and left it there with the keys in it. They knew some lowlifes would steal it later on. They deserved whatever came down on them from their own actions if any Grays tracked them down for now having the van. It always directed attention away from their group to have gang members take the fall for their actions.

Cammy wanted to get back to Savannah.

"Do you have this under control for now?" Cammy asked.

Ally looked at the three men. She expected some answers once Sheila started in on them.

"Yes." Ally said. "I have some more play things, I mean Grays for Sheila."

Cam was usually busy with Vanna. She didn't follow Sheila's exploits. She was aware they were pretty extreme at one time. It was rumored she started a collection of 'souvenirs' from her involvement on Cameron's 'off the books' operations. She knew old habits were hard to break, especially for Terminators.

"Does she still…?" Cam asked.

Ally didn't want to get Sheila into any trouble. She knew the last 'off the books' operation they conducted it didn't Sheila acted too wild. If she did, she didn't see it. She didn't check her pockets either. She didn't know what was in them, if anything. It was probably better not to know, or was it?

She also saw Sheila used an 'apprentice', in the form of one of the females who was abused by the sex traffickers. The abused female killed one of the thugs with a pistol. She followed Sheila's instructions for the other two as Sheila questioned them. She heard more than a few screams from the area where they conducted the interrogation. Maybe she would check Sheila's pockets once she was done with the interrogations today. She would like to know if Sheila reverted. She would try to prevent it from getting worse if she did.

Cameron frowned heavily upon Sheila's 'enhanced interrogation' techniques when it came to dealing with Resistance prisoners. Grays and collaborators were only supposed to be terminated. They were only to be busted up 'Terminator style'. Terminators were known for tossing those in their custody around like they were weightless as they sought answers. Once they started to beat on them, multiple bones began to break. It wouldn't be long until the subject being questioned terminated. Sheila wasn't allowed to go Scavenger on them, unless they were Scavengers.

Ally didn't want any extra scrutiny directed at Sheila.

"She's better now." Ally said. "She tries harder."

They knew Sheila was able to get the answers they needed. The other Terminators would rather beat it out of a person. Sheila was afflicted with Jesse's 'dark side' through the 'Neural Interface'. Jesse did warn them there was a lot of 'darkness' in her. She didn't want then to be surprised by anything Sheila might do. Somehow it seemed to be magnified with Sheila. Anyone who saw her in action could see she was extremely stimulated by violence, especially if she was the one inflicting it.

Cam and Cammy took off after Gail and the big truck. The operation wasn't over.

The next part should be the take down of the truck. It should go fairly simple. They would then need to do something with the truck. It would be more of a problem. They also needed to worry about the Skynet forces already lined up for the arrival of the big truck. It obviously was headed to a destination. When it didn't arrive, there was going to be some type of investigation.

The building Bob's team took down would be set up with surveillance cameras and demolition charges. When whoever showed up at the building looked like they were about to leave, the demolition charges would be set off to bring the building down. John Henry was ready to release retroactive reports about a gas leak in the vicinity. It was one of their standard techniques to cover their tracks.

Moments ago:

The truck driver slowed to make the turn. He saw the van was in back of him. He made his wide turn around the corner and continued on. It was a straight shot to the freeway now. He was fairly certain he was able to avoid any trouble. He could relax a little bit.

He reached over and turned the radio on. He turned it to the news channel. It always amused him to hear all the little things which seemed to bother people enough to the point where it made news. He knew they were all in for a big surprise after Judgment Day. Well, those who survived Judgment Day were in for a surprise.

He looked back. He expected to see the van behind him. it wasn't. He checked both of his side view mirrors in case it was about to pass him. He didn't see the van. There was a pick-up truck in the next lane but nothing was behind him. He wasn't even sure where the pick-up truck came from.

Cameron waited at a smaller intersection. She watched The big rig come around the corner. She saw the pickup truck come around the corner and move into the lane on the left side of the big rig.

"We need to pull out in a few seconds." Cameron said. "I want to be in front of him."

Savannah was behind the wheel of the SUV.

"I think I need to go now." Savannah said.

Cameron nodded.

"It's time." Cameron said.

Savannah pulled out of a side street as the big rig approached. They were in front of it now.

The truck driver kept looking back for the van. He wasn't sure why it didn't come around the corner. It was right in back of him as he made his turn. He began to wonder if the idiots inside of it stopped at the convenience store on the corner. His phone still didn't work. It was only the radio on the truck where he could get any reception. He looked back for the van one more time. When he turned his attention back to what was in front of him, there was an SUV there. He was surprised it was there. He hadn't even seen where it came from. He was watching behind him for the van or a tail.

He moved over in front of the pick-up truck. It then moved over to the other lane and came up alongside of him. The SUV moved in front of him again. It was going slow and they were going to get stuck at the signal now. He thought about blowing his horn to show his displeasure with their slowness. He decided not to. He didn't want to attract any unnecessary attention to him or his truck. Unnecessary use of the air horn was frowned upon by the authorities. He slowed for the now red light.

As they came to a stop, he went to look at his right side mirror to see if he could spot the van. Before he looked in the mirror, something else caught his eye. He saw the hot chick in the truck was changing her top or something. He looked more to see what else he could see. He looked over to take a better look out the passenger side. He could see a lot. She packed a real set of knockers.

He leaned over for a closer look. Damn she was Hot. He wondered if they were natural or implants. He only knew they were really big. He really didn't care. He'd take them either way. He wouldn't mind having her on a 'comfort bunk' for a few days. He wondered if the phone on his camera still worked or not. He would like to take a picture to show to the other guys. He took his phone out to use the camera on it.

While the truck driver's attention was focused on Gail, Cameron exited the SUV and headed for the cab of the big rig. She moved right up along the driver's side and climbed up.

She yanked the driver's door on the big truck open. She rose up next to the man. He didn't even have time to face her or even understand what happened before his world went black. He was still checking Gail out. She saw a phone fall from his hand. She wondered if he died 'happy'.

Cameron shoved his lifeless body out of the way and shut the door. When the light turned green, Savannah pulled ahead. She started driving right away. She could tell by the feel of the truck the load wasn't heavy. She really wondered what they were carrying. She remembered some of the earlier speculation. She really hoped it wasn't a bomb.

Gail saw Cameron take the man down and start driving the truck. She moved forward and pulled up next to Savannah. She still hadn't put her top back on. Savannah glanced over and gave her a thumbs up.

Gail blew Savannah a kiss and slipped her top back on. She didn't bother to button it. She saw Cam and Cammy pull up behind her. They were both in one SUV now.

Cameron followed Savannah with the big rig. They stayed on the street and went under the freeway bridge instead of onto the freeway.

John Henry informed Cameron there was an industrial area a few miles from there. It's where Savannah was directed. Cameron followed her. She wanted to see what the cargo was and ditch the big rig.

At the next light Cam drove up alongside of Savannah. Cammy hopped out. Cammy went to Savannah's SUV. She headed for the driver's side and took the wheel. Savannah slid into the passenger's seat.

Savannah briefly took Cammy's hand and gave it a squeeze as they headed out in front of Cameron in the big rig. The two of them smiled at each other. They were both relieved neither of them was hurt or damaged. They both knew the operation was far from over. They needed to take a win when they could get one.

Everyone was pleased this part of the operation seemed to have gone so smoothly.

Gail fell in behind the big truck. Cam went off up ahead of the group to scout out the area. They would all meet up again in a few minutes.

John Henry directed them to an area ahead which looked like they could hide the truck for now. They should at least be able to scrutinize it where no one else could see them. Cam received the specific location from John Henry and was headed there to check it out.

John watched what he could from traffic cams and surveillance cameras along the way. He expected there to be some trouble or more resistance. There wasn't. The Metal girls worked in concert with each other very successfully, smoothly, and swiftly.

"They pulled it off pretty good for no planning." John said.

John Henry wanted to put the credit where it was due. The entire operation was laid out by Cameron. She normally would operate alone and do everything herself. It was why she was so shot up at times. On this occasion she was able to take full advantage of the Resistance and CamNet's resources and personnel. It made a big difference over a one person operation.

"Cameron planned it as she went along." John Henry said. "Remember, she can make thousands of calculations in the blink of an eye. It's how she likes to operate."

John thought it seemed like Cameron did things without thinking sometimes, but he knew she made many calculations as to what action to take. He knew if she calculated a forty percent or greater chance of success, she took the chance. Somehow she always managed to pull it off. Not all of the time did she remain undamaged in doing so. She walked away the victor of every encounter. A few of those she didn't remember who she was. It usually came back to her in a day or two.

He was aware Cameron wanted to protect all of them, even at her own expense. Savannah was with her on this operation so hopefully things wouldn't end up going hot.

Kyle and Sarah remained in the Command Center and watched everything go down as well.

Kyle thought tensions were a little more relaxed currently. He was glad to see Derek made it away from the building complex without any problems. It seemed the rest of the Terminators would as well. Now Cameron's operation seemed to go smoothly so far.

"It looks like everyone is less at risk right now." Kyle said. "I won't say safe."

Sarah knew from past experience every operation was like a Hydra. There always seemed to be another head pop up for each one which was cut off. She wasn't sure if the operation was almost over or only about to get started. Sometimes there was no way to tell. Her gut feeling told her it wasn't over yet. Maybe it was because everything seemed to go so smoothly so far.

"Has there been any other activity anywhere else related to any of this?" Sarah asked. "I don't want anyone to be surprised by anything. There's bound to be some reaction to everything."

Sarah looked at all the monitors but so many things were on them. They were always changing. It was hard for her to follow everything.

John Henry and CamNet were all over everything. There could still be things which were triggered by other events.

"I haven't detected any yet or any direct threat to any of our operations or personnel." John Henry said. "It can always change real fast."

Kyle watched the box truck which was still at the facility. He knew the clock was ticking since the assault was launched. There could be other reinforcements on the way.

"How soon will it be until Bob's team pulls out of the building?" Kyle asked. "They may not have as much time as they think."

Kyle was aware Derek was with Jim and they were away from the area. It was a relief to him.

Riley checked on him several times from the 'safe room'.

Sarah went to talk with her every once and awhile and check on Jan. She didn't want Riley or Jan to worry needlessly.

John and John Henry went over all the information. They tried to keep everything operating without any further complications. So far it looked like they were on top of everything.

Looks could be deceiving.

Cam pulled ahead of the rest of the group. She took up a position as a forward scout. She wanted to provide some eyes on the ground as to what was ahead of them. She also wanted to know how many people would have eyes on them. She entered the industrial park. She found two empty buildings on a side street. The location was based on satellite imagery and the lack of energy usage and water usage did the rest. John Henry's intelligence was spot on as usual.

She got out and looked around. No one was spotted anywhere close by. It appeared most of the businesses which were once located there were gone. She went over to one of the buildings with a large roll up door. She tried the latch. She was a little surprised when she went to test the locking mechanism to find out it actually wasn't secure. She knew the building wasn't currently being used since there were no cars around. She didn't know if there would be machinery inside waiting for disposal or things stored inside. They were in plenty of abandoned buildings with both things, as well as some with nothing. The inside of the building was empty. There was plenty of room for the big truck inside. They would be able to move the truck inside of it and disappear from view.

Cam directed Cameron where to go. They were in a more remote location at this point. Gail would remain at the main intersection as a lookout.

The big rig rumbled down the side street with Cammy leading it.

Cammy drove the SUV into the building and parked off to the side. Cameron followed her inside at the wheel of the big rig.

Cam pulled down the door. She returned to her SUV and started to scout the area around where they were now. She wanted to make sure they were isolated and there were no homeless encampments around. They didn't need any prying eyes to check them out. They didn't need any future Scavengers to try and hit on them just because they were females. There were a lot of them who were a little surprised when the individual they thought would be an easy mark, turned out to be a Terminator.

Cameron stopped the truck and shut it off. She went through the dead man's pockets and the cab before she got out. She wanted to make sure there wasn't a tracker inside the cab.

Cammy quickly traversed the building to make sure there was no one inside. They encountered just about everything imaginable over the years in buildings they checked out. There were gangs, homeless, and even wild animals which took up residence in some of them. There were also a few dead bodies in various stages of decomposition as well.

John Henry already disabled any security systems for the entire block.

Cam and Gail reported nothing out of the ordinary.

Savannah retrieved the tracker Bob put on the truck and waited for Cameron when she hopped out.

Cameron climbed out and started her inspection of the outside of the truck.

Cammy returned and went down one side of the truck as Cameron did the other side. Everyone operated in silence as they checked everything. They looked for any other trackers the Grays may have placed on the truck so they could track it themselves. None were found. It didn't mean there were none inside. Cameron and Cammy met at the back.

Cammy came and stood in front of Savannah as Cameron opened the rear door. As the door started to open, Savannah pulled her Taser. Cammy saw Savannah do it and did the same thing. Cammy also held a pistol in her other hand now too.

Savannah got a bad feeling about the whole deal. Now Cammy was in her way as she tried to shield her.

As the door started up, Savannah moved around from behind Cammy. They could both see Cameron starting to move back and off to the side. She tried to draw her Taser or pistol….

It was clear why Cameron hated surprises.

Ally was directed to where Sheila was at. The Grays who were taken from the van were now in the back of her SUV. It was decided to question the men locally. It would make it easier to dispose of the bodies. There was no need to bring them all the way back to Cameron's base.

She spotted Sheila's SUV in the back of the building. It was isolated from the main street. The buildings on either side of it were both burnt out and boarded up.

Sheila came out to assist with the cargo. There were three more men for her to 'question'.

"How's it going so far?" Ally asked.

Sheila was bored. She ran out of things to do.

"I'm ready for some fresh subjects." Sheila said.

Ally looked around.

"Did you terminate the others already?" Ally asked.

Sheila shrugged her shoulders.

"They didn't have much to say." Sheila said. "It was a short conversation."

Sheila was able to glean a few pieces of information. She hoped to verify it with the next group. She helped Ally bring the next group in.

Ally wasn't sure if Sheila was onto anything or not. She went back out to the SUVs and looked around. She wanted to make sure there were no prying eyes anywhere around them. There was a muffled sound from where the Grays were.

She was about to go back in to watch Sheila when she spotted something in the boarded up structure to the east side of the one they were using. She decided to check it out. There was more muffled noise from where Sheila was at.

Ally approached the boarded up structure. She looked at the area where she saw some movement. She touched a board. It was loose. She could move it enough to get in or out of the building. There was a muffled scream from where the Grays were.

She looked over at the other building where Sheila was at and frowned. Maybe they should have taken the Grays to Cameron's base. She moved the board and went inside. The interior was burnt and dimly lit through the holes burnt into the roof.

Ally looked at the floor. There was a lot of foot traffic based on the tracks through the dust and fallen soot on the floor. It looked like the type of place where a future Scavenger would hang out. It could be some homeless people too, but it wasn't how she read the situation.

She could hear Sheila next door. She didn't think a human would be able to from where she was at right now.

Ally went from room to room in search of whoever she saw look out. So far she hadn't seen another way in or out. She wanted to make sure there was nothing which connected the two buildings through an underground passageway or not.

She decided she saw enough. It looked like whoever she spotted was hiding. She didn't want to waste the time looking for them. She needed to get back over to the other building and see what Sheila was up to. She headed back for the opening where she entered. It was clear whoever was inside the building was hiding. She was sure they got a good look at her.

Ally moved into the hallway which would lead out. She detected some sound behind her. She turned and raised her arm as she did. She stopped a charred two by four from impacting her head. It broke in half on her forearm. She hoped there wouldn't be a bruise.

She reached out and grabbed the man who swung it at her. She flung him into a wall. He went completely through it. It was because she used such force. Another man was behind her now. He tried to grab her. She sidestepped and accelerated his forward momentum into the concrete floor. There was a loud 'thud' and heavy 'crunch' sound. He was terminated. A pool of blood began to spread out from underneath his lifeless form.

Ally moved through the door into the room the first man ended up in. He started to stir. She wanted to get some answers about who they were. She already knew what they wanted. He came up from the ground with a knife and tried to stab her. She sidestepped and tripped him. He went down again. She still had a grip on his knife arm and bent it back. She could hear and feel it break. She continued his motion into the ground.

His head hit the corner of a tipped over filing cabinet. The rusted metal corner punctured his skull. He was still alive, but would have some type of brain damage if he survived. There was no need to make him suffer on medical equipment for years until he finally terminated. She decided to accelerate the process. She snapped his neck.

Ally took one more look around the building. She was going to terminate anyone else she encountered. She didn't like the fact she was almost ambushed. It was clear to her the two men probably did the same thing to others. She wondered if there was a stack of bodies in one of the rooms somewhere in the building.

She exited the building and used her fist to secure the loose board back in place. She walked towards where Sheila was at. There was little sound coming from the building Sheila was in as she approached.

Ally checked over their two SUVs. She wanted to make sure no one tampered with them. They both seemed in order. She hoped Sheila came up with some intel or a place they could attack. She really wanted to terminate some more people right now.

She could hear Sheila laugh as she entered the building.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Surprise

As we face new events
That can suddenly arise
To make things work
We must often compromise

If our own decisions
Cause some to criticize
We may feel the need
To back peddle and apologize

If we don't always listen
It may cause some to agonize
It may lead them soon to realize
Who they hate and despise

If all we hear are lies
Part of us inside dies
If no one hears our cries
It may lead to our demise

As we gaze into their eyes
We can always fantasize
When they found out and realize
Is it really that big of a surprise

Nobody