Chapter 598

What Is That

Everyone in the Command Center was relieved to get the news. Cameron, Savannah, and the rest of the Metal girls were alright.

Vanna and Jesse feared the worst as did everyone else.

Somehow the team pulled another victory off against long odds.

Cameron fed John Henry a running commentary of what was happening. She also verified their exact location. She wanted to cover all the bases in case an energy bubble would be necessary….

With the recent turn of events, all possibilities needed to be considered.

The Young bunker was on edge. Good news arrived.

"They're all OK and no one is injured." Anna said.

The announcement was mainly for Claire's benefit. She was the one most visibly traumatized. The thought of terrible things happening to those she cared about was very traumatic to her

Claire was relieved. Everything just seemed to fall apart in a second. She knew Allison faced similar types of danger in the future she came from. She was also on the battlefield in what could be described as a war zone. It was still hard for her to imagine. It started from a young age. She wasn't there to protect her daughter. Not all of the battles for survival were fought on the battlefield itself. Other things happen to her in what should have been safe zones. They weren't.

"I was so worried about them." Claire said. "A lot can happen or go wrong in just a short time."

Claire wondered how soon it would be until Her Allison faced the same dangers and threats. It left her feeling empty and sick. She was aware she would face them as well, as would Summer, if Judgment Day came. It always bothered her to know she didn't survive Judgment Day in Allison's future. Allison needed to fend for herself from an early age.

She thought maybe it would be better for her daughters to face the future as teenagers, not as children. They would be better protected as trained Resistance fighters and not helpless schoolgirls…. She knew what happened to the girls from the future, ALL of them. Those things happened to her daughter Allison. It didn't matter if it was from a different future or not. It still happened to her. Maybe she should have listened to Cameron a long time ago. It wasn't too late.

Cameron said she would leave with a 'girl' and bring back a refined 'young woman', and a trained Resistance fighter. Cameron told her each girl would be a 'weapon' when they returned to her minutes later. Somehow it sounded terrible, even if it was supposed to be a good thing. What would actually be left of her daughter?

Claire knew Her Allison needed to do it. She would wait and see what the results were and maybe send Summer as well. Cameron originally told her she could go with her daughters to the past. It wasn't something Cameron was in favor of anymore. She knew Cameron didn't want her to get any older yet. Cameron wanted to use her body's ability to reproduce. She would remind Cameron if she was allowed to go with her daughters, they would be 'productive' when they returned. This would make her less important then. There were so many options and none of them seemed good.

Maybe she should just do like she did before. She could use the genetic material from her daughter, or daughters and carry the child herself. She should be able to do it several more times without any problems. She would rather carry her daughter's children, all of them, so they wouldn't need to. They wouldn't have to physically mate with a male if everything was done artificially and given to her instead….

"…Mom…?" Young Allison asked.

Claire looked around. She was aware she was lost in thought. She wasn't sure it was a good place to dwell. She wasn't about to admit to what she just thought about.

"I'm sorry, Allison." Claire said. "I'm worried about so many things, my mind drifted."

Young Allison was a little worried about her mother. She seemed 'out of it' right now. She wanted her mother to know a lot more could happen. Currently Cameron and her group were victorious over the enemy. It was just another round. There were bound to be more rounds to follow. It was just the way it worked. There was no definitive end to it, even when it seemed like there should be. She didn't want anyone to lose sight of the danger the team still faced.

"They're OK for now, but it's not over yet." Young Allison said. "This could be just the start of a bigger and continuous operation."

The sick feeling returned to Claire. Why would Her Allison tell this to her now? It seemed to indicate only one thing.

"So, they're not safe yet?" Claire asked.

Young Allison wanted to remind her mother how things were. She wasn't the only one.

Allison was fairly quiet as the events unfolded. She knew how things worked. She was glad Summer went to their mother and calmed her earlier. She wanted to remind her mother danger was always somewhere close. She wasn't the only one.

"No one is ever safe." Allison and Young Allison said at the same time.

Allison and Young Allison quickly looked at each other with their exchange of words.

Claire looked at Allison and remembered what the future did to her. It left her savaged and sterile. Allison was abused more than a few times, but not as bad as Jesse and Vanna. She didn't know if it was why she was attracted to Vanna and Jesse. Maybe she wanted to make it up to them somehow. She wanted to share more than her body with them. She wanted to share herself with them. She suffered abuse herself. It just wasn't done the same way. It wasn't as violent, even if it was just as vile.

It was all upsetting to her. It didn't really matter in the end. One abuse was one too many. Sure it was the fault of Scavengers, but Skynet was responsible for them coming into prominence. It wasn't going to happen to HER Allison.

Her daughters needed protection.

Claire needed to talk to Cameron.

She knew the protection would come at a price. She was willing to 'pay' it.

Cameron wanted to check out the load the truck carried. There were wooden crates in the back of it. Skynet thought it was valuable enough to send two Terminators along with it.

She climbed up into the back of the big rig. She shoved the deactivated Terminator out of the back of the truck. He landed with a thud next to the other one. She reached down and pulled Savannah up with her into the back of the truck.

Behind her, Savannah heard Cammy pick up one Terminator to place in her SUV. With new chips they could be put back into service in short order. The Resequencing would take a little longer. It was a safety measure they adopted.

Cameron looked at two elongated crates. The tops were off of them. They reminded her somewhat of coffins. Maybe all these crates were in long term storage. Maybe they were headed for long term storage. She didn't know. It was all very unusual.

"It looks like two of these crates held the two Terminators. They were probably in 'Standby'." Cameron said. "We don't know if they were coming from or going to some type of depot."

Savannah thought about what Cameron indicated. If the two Terminators were in standby in wooden crates, it seemed to her like some type of long term storage was what was intended. There was also another possibility.

"Why would they put them in crates?" Savannah asked. "What if the crates ended up with other crates piled up on top of them? Do you think they were going to ship them somewhere? Would it be to another country?"

Cameron didn't like the sound of Skynet diversifying to other parts of the world. They could barely contain it in the Southern California area.

"I really don't know what was intended." Cameron said. "I do know we interrupted it. We need to see what else is here. Maybe it will give us a better clue."

Savannah looked at the other crates there. Anything could be in them. She immediately pulled Cammy's Taser. She gave Cameron back her own Taser before she went up in the back of the truck. She took a few steps back. She aimed her Taser at the closest crate.

"Open it up." Savannah said.

Cameron reached down and lifted the top off the crate. There was a 'screech' sound as the nails pulled free.

Savannah and Cameron looked at what was inside the crate.

"What is that?" Savannah asked.

Bob and his crew finished up. It was time for them to leave the building. Two of the Resistance Terminators moved through the area where the storage tanks were located. All of the tanks were empty. They weren't going to leave any chemicals behind if the tanks were full. They returned to the rest of the group about ready to depart. Everyone pulled out.

John sent an SUV from the surveillance detail to pick up some of them. The rest rode in the back of the box truck. Mel climbed into the cab as they paused at the guard shack.

The facility was cleaned out of anything the Resistance could use and all the people who were previously inside were gone. The ones they dealt with were all terminated.

Bob was now in the SUV. He took one look back as they followed the box truck out of the compound.

"It will leave a mystery as to what happened at the facility." Bob said.

John liked the fact they didn't need to use any firepower. The take downs were all done 'Terminator Style'. There were only about four or five shots fired by the Grays. The bodies were all taken away and disposed of. There wouldn't be a bunch of bullet holes or shell casings inside the building.

"Yes, everyone is gone and there is no trace of a large shootout." John said.

Bob was glad to be away from there. He felt they left a tidy battle zone. He was still troubled by the deceased female he found. He wanted to know more about where the girls were at. It was his concern now.

"We policed the brass from the few shots which were fired." Bob said. "Fill me in on Cameron's situation."

John and John Henry gave him all the details. He didn't like the close one Savannah faced against the two Terminators. He believed one or both of them was responsible for brutalizing the deceased female he found. There could be more Terminators too. He wanted to do more. He felt everything they needed was right at his fingertips.

"The situation still seems fluid." Bob said. "There are four heavily armed Terminators in this SUV. I want to back them up."

John thought about the earlier incident. He would have liked for them to have been there already. He didn't think any additional help would be a detriment to them. He liked the idea. He wanted Cameron to pull out for now. Unfortunately it didn't look like it was going to happen. It didn't seem as if Savannah was going to leave if Cameron didn't. So far none of them left. Before he sent more troops to the target area, he would like to know a little more. He was sure more troops would embolden Cameron to take even more extreme measures. Cameron was the one on the ground, he would allow her to make any battlefield decisions.

"I'll run it by Cameron." John said. "I would like it if you went. She might need something which you can pick up along the way."

Bob didn't think it was necessary to run it by Cameron. He did want to phrase his statement to make Cameron and CamNet think about what he implied.

"Don't bother, CamNet will have already notified her of our conversation." Bob said. "If she doesn't want us, she can tell us to stand down. I'm sure Savannah would appreciate our company. I think it would be better if she didn't need to face the enemy alone again, in case something happened."

Bob figured his statement would make Cameron think twice about sending them away. He knew Cameron was reluctant to endanger others, even if they were Terminators. He knew Savannah needed protection too. He hoped his words sent the message out as a warning to Cameron. Since there was no stand down order issued, things look good to go.

There were no protests so Bob asked John Henry to direct him to where Cameron was at.

Bob with his heavily armed team headed in their direction.

He was aware some type of distress signal could have been sent out by the two Terminators. It could be remote or automatic. Either way, there could be ground troops on the way or even HK drones. He would rather face the ground troops.

Savannah held her Taser ready as Cameron removed the top from a crate.

"What is that?" Savannah asked.

Cameron looked at the computer gear. She saw other versions just like it. They were in 'clean rooms'.

"I think it's Skynet." Cameron said. "It's an uninstalled version of it or maybe one of its offshoots."

Savannah stood ready with her Taser. There was no way to know what was in each of the crates until the top was off.

Cameron proceeded to open the rest of the crates. She was surprised to see all the components were there to make something really big.

"We have the makings of a super computer here." Cameron said.

John Henry listened to Cameron's observations.

"It sounds like a real version of Skynet." John Henry said.

Cameron was aware of the offshoots they'd dealt with. They were all Skynet by another name in reality.

"Yes or some version of it." Cameron said.

Cameron captured an 'infant' version of Skynet recently. It was just the program. It wasn't all of the associated equipment for it to create a large footprint through cyberspace. The rest of the equipment was destroyed when they burnt the building to the ground. It received a few Thermite grenades to ensure the metal would be burnt rather than just melted. If the infant was installed in all the computer gear they looked at, it would become a giant threat in a very short time. It wasn't a good development.

John wanted them away from there even more at this point. They possessed Thermite grenades. They should burn it and go. They were sure to draw some type of enemy response.

"I think it means more Skynet Terminators will be involved in this." John said. "I want everyone to be alert still. You should torch everything and leave."

Savannah listened to John. She wondered if Cameron did. It seemed there was something else on Cameron's mind.

"Cammy." Cameron called out.

Cammy loaded both deactivated Terminators in the back of her SUV. She checked around the building again and checked with Cam and Gail. Cammy noticed Gail was in a much better mood and more like her old self. She knew something 'happened' to Gail not too long ago and it involved Savannah in some way. She didn't have a clue it was the same thing Savannah just did for Cameron and her.

John didn't think Cameron would listen to him. He was glad Bob was on the way with a team of Terminators.

"Bob and a crew are on the way there." John said.

Cammy thought about what she wanted to do. It troubled her with what Savannah went through.

"We could have used them earlier." Cammy said. "I didn't like Savannah having to face off with two Terminators alone."

John thought it was more of an unforeseen event. He wanted them away from there. They took precautions, but there was always something which could slip through.

"I want you out of the location as soon as possible. It may be compromised." John said. "John Henry made sure all communications were blocked, but you never know. We hit these people real hard today. There's bound to be a response."

Cammy knew Cameron would want to confiscate the computer gear. She didn't want to drive around in the big rig they captured it in. With some more assistance on the way, it provided them with a few options.

"Maybe Bob can 'borrow' a box truck on his way here." Cammy said. "We can get everything transferred to a different truck and get away from here. If anyone comes looking, all they will find is an empty big rig. Let me check with Cameron and see what she wants to do."

Cameron was in the back of the big rig.

"Cammy." Cameron called out.

Cammy headed for the truck. She jumped up and walked up next to Savannah.

"I asked for Bob to bring a box truck." Cammy said. "I think this one is too hot."

Cameron liked the idea. There was one thing she wanted to know. She didn't want to think they jumped the gun, but the truck was going to what would have been Skynet's home. She wanted it to be her next target. If they didn't take down the location where the truck was headed, it would only be a matter of time until another super computer was established there. All they did right now, was delayed.

"I agree." Cameron said. "This was headed for some place. I want to know where."

Cammy knew Sheila and Ally took five Grays into custody. They should have some info by now. It was probably best not to dwell on how the information may have been attained.

"Sheila has a few 'live ones'. I'm sure she's already anticipated some questions." Cammy said. "I'll call her and tell her what to push for."

Cammy wondered if Savannah would protest Sheila's brutal treatment. Not a word was said.

Savannah knew the ugliness of the future, two of them, she understood now. Answers meant lives were saved. Not knowing or ignorance meant people were injured or killed. She didn't care much about the future Scavengers who were removed from the future by Sheila in the present. It would prevent the abuse of more females going forward. It didn't matter if Judgment Day happened or not. There were too many predators on the street with little being done to prevent their actions as it was.

She was actually quite pleased Cameron took the trouble and effort to go after both sex trafficking and drug trafficking operations. Originally she did it for the money she could glean from their operations to finance her exploits. Cameron used the money to build her own base and create CamNet. Now Cameron and the Metal girls conducted the operations because of what they represented and who they exploited. She wouldn't mind going on a few of them herself. Cameron wouldn't allow her to go.

Cameron wanted some backup and she wanted what was in the truck. She decided she wanted to have maximum support as soon as it would be available. She wanted to wrap things up as quickly as possible.

"As soon as it gets dark enough, I want some drone support." Cameron said. "I don't know if this operation is winding down or just getting started. We need to get out of here."

Savannah looked at the inside of the trailer they were in. She went to the side of the trailer wall and touched it. It appeared to have some type of interior lining.

"What is that material?" Savannah asked.

Cameron looked at it and touched it.

"It's some type of shielding. It's why we were unable to detect the Terminators." Cameron said.

Savannah was a little worried about a Skynet mainframe. They all seemed to have a few tricks up their sleeve. They were able to communicate about Cameron, even if they were destroyed. Maybe there was more than met the eye.

"What happens if we move this equipment out of this trailer and it is able to broadcast somehow?" Savannah asked. "With the door open, we're able to communicate, maybe it can too."

Cameron and Cammy looked at each other. There could be a battery back up of some type or a power cell. This future version of Skynet could be calling for help in some manner as they spoke. If it were the case, most likely the event already occurred.

Savannah wanted some additional help which would be better qualified and more efficient than her for the search.

"Cam, come here." Savannah called. "I'll take your place. Help Cameron and Cammy search this equipment. We think it may be able to broadcast in some way."

Savannah jumped down and took Cam's M4 as she passed her.

Cam jumped up into the back of the trailer and pulled the door down behind her, she heard the conversation. If Skynet was communicating, it needed to stop.

Savannah knew with the door closed Cammy couldn't call Sheila. She didn't want to encourage Sheila to torture people, even if she understood why. Maybe it was because Sheila took pleasure in her 'work'. Maybe she would call Ally.

Ally returned from the building next door. She needed to terminate a couple of future Scavengers who tried to jump her. She didn't like being ambushed. She was able to successfully defeat the attack.

She watched Sheila 'work' on the three surviving Grays. The delay bothered her. She wanted to get things wrapped up so they could rejoin the rest of the group.

Her phone rang. She was surprised to see it was Savannah.

Savannah gave her a quick rundown of what happened so far. Savannah told her Cameron wanted to know where the crates came from and where they were going. It should also be checked to see if there were more setups like the one they captured. It would give them a better idea of what new threat they faced.

There was a muffled noise in the background.

Sheila could be heard taunting her 'students'.

Ally wondered if Savannah would say anything or not. She didn't.

She told her she would relay the message to Sheila.

Ally looked at her phone for a moment. It was clear Savannah knew exactly what was going on there. There was no indication she didn't want it to continue.

She shrugged her shoulders and headed over to Sheila.

Savannah looked at her phone for a few seconds. It was clear what was going on there.

She shrugged her shoulders. It didn't matter they needed answers.

Savannah took up station with Gail.

Gail was very pleased with Savannah.

"Thank You." Gail said.

Savannah didn't see it as anything more than the job, their job. She could understand how individual situations could become very personal at times, even if they shouldn't.

"I told you before all I did was what anyone would have done." Savannah said. "We're all a team. We all help each other. I rely on Terminators to protect me. It's just the way it is."

Gail looked at Savannah and her feelings continued to expand. The more she looked at Savannah, the more her feelings grew. She was hopelessly in love.

It just slipped out from Gail.

"Savannah, I love you." Gail said.

Savannah loved all the girls, human or cyborg.

"I love you too, Gail." Savannah said.

Gail wanted to let Savannah know it was more and very specific.

"I love - love you." Gail said.

Savannah already knew it. She didn't want to encourage or discourage Gail. She wanted to be realistic and truthful.

"We all have commitments, but anything is possible." Savannah said. "I have many obligations to fill, but I also have free choice."

Sometimes she wondered if maybe she didn't take things a little further than she should have. No, she was very pleased with her current personal dealings with others, all of them.

Cameron stressed Savannah should never be 'tied down' and she should be able to express herself and share as she desired. She didn't want Savannah to feel 'confined' and 'restricted' like she felt. Maybe some of it was programmed into her.

Gail did understand Savannah's obligations. She wanted to make her position crystal clear. There was a very strong desire within her.

"Savannah, I want to be with…." Gail started.

Savannah looked out the door at the direction they arrived from. She knew a threat when she saw one.

"Trouble…." Savannah said, cutting her off.

There were two vans approaching.

Gail earlier moved all of their vehicles into the building and pulled the large door down. They watched from a small side door now. She scanned the vans in detail. They were a match to the one she helped take down earlier.

"Those vans are like the other van we took down." Gail said. "It's the same group."

Savannah needed to warn Cameron, Cammy, and Cam.

"Stay here." Savannah said.

Savannah ran to the truck and told everyone the bad news.

"Two vans of Grays just pulled into the area." Savannah said. "Gail said they're identical to the van we just took down."

All three of the Metal girls jumped down. They all took extra arms from Cam's SUV.

Savannah didn't think the building was defendable. It was a fixed target. It was where the enemy would concentrate all of their fire. There was nowhere for them to go if they remained inside. they would be trapped.

"I don't think we should stay to defend this place until a drone or Bob's team gets here." Savannah said.

Cameron looked at Savannah. She wanted to hear her say what she believed.

"Do we run?" Cameron asked.

Cameron already knew what the response would be. She wanted the others to hear it from Savannah herself. They always accused her of endangering Savannah. She didn't feel she did. Savannah was with her by choice. Savannah knew what needed to be done.

Savannah reached in the back of Cam's SUV and took some extra weapons for Gail.

"We attack." Savannah said. "We're not in the city any more."

Cammy and Cam looked at each other. It was clear to them Cameron must have corrupted Savannah. Savannah just said exactly what Cameron would do. It was also exactly the same thing they would do. Perhaps Cameron created the human version of herself after all.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

What Am I

Since this isn't going anywhere
You are like gum stuck on my shoe
I can no longer reach you
No matter what I say or do

Our wheels keep spinning
We are going nowhere fast
Out of that endless morass
There is nothing to last

You had it all
Right before your eyes
The choice you made
Was not very wise

So from there to now
There is nothing more
I can't see an encore
There is the door

I think with each other
All we will do is cry
Making me wonder
What am I

Nobody