Chapter 601

Pick A Door

Cammy wanted to go back to the second building because she knew Gail and Savannah were under attack. She needed to protect Savannah. She couldn't let anything happen to her.

She left the two dead Grays with Cam to finish up and make sure neither of them were a Terminator. She ran back toward the building Savannah was in. She knew Bob would combat the attackers at the large door so she headed to the side door.

Cammy looked for any threats along the way as she ran.

Cameron decided it was time for the cat to pounce.

Bob's team did its 'drive by' and scored hits on all the targets. They continued on their way to backup Savannah and Gail and secure the cargo in the big truck.

Cameron was on the move as soon as Bob's team opened up. She sprang from her place of concealment and advanced on the targets. They tried to ambush her. Now they were going to die. She would personally make sure they were all terminated.

Cam arrived seconds later. She was in a flanking position and advanced with Cameron.

The three targets turned to face the new threat of Bob's team as they did the 'drive by'. They all took hits. Cameron and Cam opened up on them also. The three figures were torn to shreds.

Cameron saw the figures were down. She quickly spoke with Cam.

"Stay alert for Skynet Terminators. Gather any intel from them and rejoin us back at the big truck." Cameron said and took off running to help at the location.

Cameron was worried about Savannah. She couldn't let anything happen to her.

She kept her eyes open for any additional threats along the way.

Previously:

There was a battle for control of the building with the big truck inside.

Savannah slid into position next to Gail. She handed Gail her M4 when Gail's pistol went dry. Gail fired both of them now on semi auto. It was to conserve ammo and keep the Grays out.

The Grays were unable to advance into the building. So far the only one who made it was the Terminator which Savannah shot in the legs to stop his forward progress. He was still in the fight.

Savannah took the M79 and fired an HE round at the last place she saw the Terminator she incapacitated. She fired the HE round under the trailer to hit closer to where he was. She loaded the Thumper and fired another HE round at the side door. She cracked the M79 open and loaded another round. She chose a buckshot round this time. She pulled a hundred round magazine from Gail's vest and loaded it in Gail's M4 for her, as Gail continued to fire with her M4.

Savannah hit the bolt release and handed it back to Gail. Gail handed Savannah back her M4 without ever taking her eyes off the target. Savannah loaded a fresh hundred round magazine in it. Gail took it as well. She continued to fire on targets at both doors.

Gail kept both doors under control. She could keep an eye on each one of them. No one other than the Terminator made it inside alive. There were bodies lying inside both of the doors. She'd fired into all of them again to make sure they were dead. They were.

Savannah covered the rear door with the M79. She was worried about the earlier incursion.

Cammy heard the M79 fire from inside the building. As she came around the corner another HE round from the Thumper exploded. She opened up on the two attackers who were still in the fight. They both appeared to have heavy injuries. They fell as her slugs tore into them. She checked in back of her before she moved forward towards the side door. She knew she was going to need to use some caution.

Bob's Team drove up in the SUV. They fired from both sides of it. They could see a small group outside of the building. The group of attackers was driven back outside the big door from Gail's accurate gunfire. Most of them looked like they were hit already. They looked like they were about to retreat. Bob's team blocked their path. They took them down with concentrated firepower.

They exited the SUV and looked around them. All of the Grays were targeted. None of them moved as they were shot again. There was no one else in sight. They advance towards the large door. They knew they were going to need to use some caution.

Savannah heard gunfire outside the back door. She turned and saw movement at the rear door. She aimed the M79 and fired the buckshot round into the face of an attacker. His face disappeared in a crimson spray.

There was a mass of firing at the large door and at the side door too.

Bob and his team arrived at the large door at the same time as Cammy did at the side door.

"The side is clear." Cammy said. "Savannah, I'm coming in."

Cammy moved into the doorway.

"The large door is secure as well." Bob reported. "Don't light us up, Gail."

Bob's team entered the building.

Savannah wasn't sure about the Terminator. She hadn't heard any movement since the last HE round was fired in his direction.

"There was a Terminator between the wall and the big truck. I know I damaged him two separate times." Savannah said. "He may still be active."

Bob moved to the far side of the big rig. He held his Taser up along with his M4. He spotted the feet of an individual first. He could see the legs were shredded from gunfire. Savannah indicated she disabled him from advancing on her position by taking out the knee joints. He moved his Taser a little further forward. He got to look at the rest of the enemy Terminator. He could see the Terminator wasn't going anywhere.

"He's terminated." Bob said. "Half his head is missing."

Gail was worried about the two incursions from the back door.

"Let me check the rear." Gail said.

Savannah took her M4 and followed her.

Seconds ago:

Cameron approached the back door of the building Savannah and Gail were in.

She saw one Gray enter. He led two others. She opened fire on them. She dropped the last two where they stood as they readied themselves to enter.

Cameron heard the Thumper fire. She figured it must have been a buckshot round since there was no explosion. The man who entered fell back out the rear door. His head was a mess. His face was torn apart. It was a buckshot round.

"Savannah, Gail." Cameron said. "I'm approaching the back door."

Cameron looked at the dead men outside. She made sure they were all dead and then entered the rear door. Gail and Savannah were there with raised weapons. They were glad to see each other.

Savannah was relieved to see Cameron return. Now they were all there and accounted for.

Cam said she was on her way back. She would make one sweep on foot around the entire area before she returned.

Savannah took stock of the devastation. There were a lot of dead Grays, but only one Terminator. It seemed light to her for Terminators. She wasn't sold it was all there was.

"I've only spotted one Terminator." Savannah said. "Has anyone else encountered any? We need to worry about Cam, she's still out there."

No one else saw any. They all knew it didn't mean there weren't any.

Cameron thought about what Savannah indicated.

"Savannah's right." Cameron said. "There should be more. Everyone stay on alert. Cam, watch yourself."

Bob's team set up security while the Metal Girls went through the dead for intel.

Cam entered the building thirty seconds later.

"I didn't see anything else." Cam said.

The Metal girls needed to search the fallen Grays for any intel.

Savannah started to go through the dead for information.

Cameron didn't like Savannah to have to do the 'dirty work'.

"You don't need to do this, Savannah." Cameron said.

Savannah wanted to be useful. The Grays needed to be checked by someone. She figured it might as well be her too. She felt everyone needed to do some dirty work.

"We'll share the burden, equally." Savannah said.

Savannah resumed the bloody search of the dead.

The Terminators who were there all watched Savannah in battle. They noted she seemed to always be one step ahead of the Grays. She possessed very good combat instincts. They all knew it was Savannah who engaged the Terminator, disabled him, and terminated him. It was her second Terminator for the day along with an HK Track. Those accomplishments weren't lost on any of them.

The battle ended a few minutes ago. The Terminator in the box truck wanted to know it was clear before they entered the target area. Bob checked with his security teams. They indicated they didn't see any threats. The box truck was clear to proceed. It arrived and was directed where to go. It backed in up against the rear of the big truck. The big rig was now a shot up wreck leaking fuel and fluids. It was hit dozens of times and from shrapnel from the two booby traps, as well as the HE rounds of the M79.

Several Terminators entered the back of the big rig and began to push the crates into the back of the box truck. They wanted to get this version of Skynet transferred and out of there. The box truck sat slightly lower than the big rig. They were able to get the crates moved in no time.

Cam looked up.

"I hear drones." Cam said.

John Henry was able to give them a positive report in this case.

"They're our drones." John Henry said over their coms. "They detected no movement other than our team. All of our members are accounted for."

In the Command Center they followed the battle as it unfolded. Everything happened on the ground. The drones arrived after the battle was over. If they'd arrived ten minutes earlier, they would have dominated the battlefield. The building never would have come under attack. They would have engaged all the targets before they reached it.

They were able to scout the area around the building where the big rig was parked. They checked all of the surrounding structures as well as the land on either side of it and along the street. No movement was detected. They would continue to monitor the area to make sure there were no Grays hiding or another Terminator as they suspected might be associated with the group. They needed to remember there were two of them in the back of the big rig earlier. All three of them were deactivated.

John noted the effort the Grays went to get back what was taken from them. He was surprised they didn't withdraw earlier when they met such fierce opposition from inside the building. He figured they all needed to act under threat of termination from the Skynet Terminator with them.

The fact they continued to press the assault after the Terminator fell indicated there should be another Terminator somewhere else who would 'discipline' them if they failed in their task. They all fought to the death. They didn't accomplish their task.

"It looks like we've gotten a hold of something someone wants back really bad." John said. "Maybe this is really Skynet, 'a Skynet', in the making."

Vanna was pleased with the outcome. She was sure some of their Terminators were damaged. Things didn't always get reported without some prompting. She wondered how Cam fared but didn't ask. She knew it didn't matter in reality. If she was damaged, she was already damaged. It was what it was. As long as no one was missing limbs or experienced some type of damage from fire, everything should be able to be patched up and back to normal within a few days. She could still feel her heart pounding in her chest from listening to and watching what they could of the battle from the body cams.

"It was a heck of a battle." Vanna said. "Nobody is reporting any damage, but I know there has to be some. Come on, Jesse, let's get set up."

Jesse was keyed up herself just from watching the battle. It was intense. She wanted to know how Gail was but didn't ask specifically. She knew they couldn't play favorites in the scope of the Resistance, even if they wanted to personally.

"Sure, love." Jesse said. "I hope the worst is over."

Vanna and Jesse left. There were sure if there was a problem with Cam or Gail they would be notified.

Kyle and Sarah were both still in the Command Center.

"It did sound like a few close ones." Kyle said.

Sarah didn't like the fact Savannah was in the middle of a major battle, again.

"Cameron having to face danger like this is one thing, and bad enough, but you ran Savannah through this too, John?" Sarah asked.

John felt he didn't have any control of Cameron. The operation began much differently. He didn't see it as his fault.

"What can I say?" John asked. "It all started out as recon earlier today."

John Henry didn't want John to get blamed by Sarah for Cameron's actions. He knew how she operated. He knew the operation grew and expanded on its own from a simple reconnaissance at the first two locations. Cameron only moved in on the big rig because they were worried the SUVs of the other Terminators may have been compromised. It was done as a safety feature to protect the Resistance team.

"Things happen when Cameron is involved." John Henry said. "She tries to watch over all of the others. He needed to expand her role several times for the safety of the others."

Sarah waited until Vanna left. She made sure the others muted their coms. She wasn't happy about what she just witnessed. She wanted to make her position very clear to John. She could see how ferocious the battle was, even if it was relatively short in duration. There were a lot of bullets flying around in all directions, plus the explosions, and the shrapnel associated with them.

"I hope you all realize it's only a matter of time until Savannah is shot or killed." Sarah said. "No one can be lucky forever."

John Henry saw it differently. Savannah was extremely capable and versatile.

"Savannah is the 'Chosen One'." John Henry said.

His statement made Sarah think of all the injuries she suffered over the years. It was more than a few. She pointed out the raw reality of it all.

"Tell it to a bullet." Sarah said. "They don't know anything other than to go in the direction they were fired. Eventually they're going to hit something."

She then headed off to check on Jan and Riley before going to the lab to assist Vanna and Jesse.

John saw Kyle look at him. He figured the dressing down wasn't over yet. He was ready for some more. He still felt it was a very successful operation no matter how it was viewed. There were dangers with everything they did. They were able to control the danger somewhat by being prepared. He didn't think it was going to change the inevitable.

"Say it…." John said. "You're going to anyway."

Kyle didn't have much to say. Sarah already covered all of the bases. He was glad everyone emerged relatively unscathed. He was glad Derek wasn't injured earlier either.

"Sarah is right, you know." Kyle said. "You both know it."

John didn't have a defense. There was no defense to fact.

"I do know it." John said. "We ALL know it."

John Henry felt they covered Cameron's move pretty well. There was little time for any preparation. Everything seemed to happen in real time without much planning involved. Everything was fluid once the truck was rolling. He thought it was a good decision to take it to a remote location to do the initial inspection as to what was inside of the big rig. Based upon what occurred later on, it would keep the incident very isolated.

"It wasn't planned this way." John Henry said.

John shook his head. It was just the way Cameron operated.

"It wasn't planned at all." John said. "It seldom is."

John did think the planned take down of the first building went off without a hitch. He didn't need any credit for it. Then again, Cameron laid out most of the groundwork for it. It made him wonder about the concern for the four vehicles the Terminators drove when they surveilled the big rig. The way it played out there just happened to be a Terminator force ready to take the building down once they were 'sent away' to obtain new vehicles. He was sure their concern was justified about the vehicles being targeted if they were identified. The amount of Gray's which attacked the building the big rig was parked in was proof there was a sizable enemy force out there.

It really made him wonder if it wasn't all part of Cameron's plan from the moment the big rig arrived at the location to be loaded. They didn't know what was going to happen once the big truck arrived or when it left. No doubt Cameron ran hundreds if not thousands of calculations as to how things could play out. When things got to a point which fit one of her plans, she probably initiated it then. He knew it was never a smart idea to try to out think Cameron, by anyone.

Earlier:

The tension was high in the Young bunker as the battle unfolded.

Young Allison watched and listened to the entire battle. There was nothing they could do. There was nothing she could do but watch and listen. It was over. Wait. It was over for now. It may be far from over.

"There were some close calls…." Young Allison said.

Anna thought some of the encounters were touch and go.

"Yes." Anna said. "Our teams were very fortunate today."

It angered Young Allison because Savannah needed to face all of the danger. She wanted to do her part. She felt it was her duty to share the burden with Savannah.

"I need more involvement." Young Allison said. "I NEED to help out more."

Claire listened from the background. She wanted to tell Her Allison she should be hanging out with friends and doing girl things, not want more training and to be in a fight for her life.

Did she really want Her Allison to experience the same things she did when she was in high school? She still didn't know how many males were with her when she was drugged or drunk at a party. The thought of it revolted her. Would it be better than dodging bullets? She couldn't help but think it would be even as vile as it seemed.

She knew what she was going to do to keep Allison from rejoining the 'madness'. It was a done deal in her mind already. She would talk with Savannah and see if she was going to do the same for Vanna, this Vanna. She knew it would keep Savannah safe for a year, even if it was only five minutes of time here in the present.

Claire looked at Anna, who looked back at her, neither of them said anything. There was nothing to say. Everything that was going to happen already was determined by Skynet in the future and Cameron in the present. There didn't seem to be a way to change anything. It all just kept happening.

They all needed to do what the future determined they needed to do.

To Cameron the 'Natural Order' was written in stone, but everything else was fluid.

Cameron and Cammy both personally checked Savannah for any wounds.

Savannah was a little irritated by it. She told them she was fine, but they both pawed over her. She suggested they cop a feel while they were at it. Cammy did to lighten the mood. Cameron looked at her when she said it. She knew it was something Cameron wanted to do. She actually wished she would have after Cammy did. She knew whatever Cammy would do, was the same thing Cameron wanted to do, even if she didn't. She tried to brush everything off.

"I just have a few scrapes and bruises." Savannah said. "I can see everyone else here has bullet wounds. I'm thankful I don't. I know it's because all of you helped to protect me, even if it was done indirectly."

Savannah started to check them over. She approached Gail. She could see a couple of bullet wounds. She knew it was going to be a problem going forward. She would need to apologize to Jesse because Gail was damaged watching over her.

"I see you're damaged some." Savannah said.

Gail seemed a little self-conscious. She received more damage and faced more threats in the last few weeks than she faced in years. She didn't like Jesse to see her damaged.

"Yes. I've taken a few hits." Gail said. "I know Jesse's going to be upset at me."

Savannah felt the Terminators all suffered damage because of her. They all rallied around her to protect her. They may have fought the battle a different way. They would have taken the fight to the enemy. She believed they would have suffered more damage if they did. She thought they all showed a little moderation when she was around. She was sure because of her presence, all of the Terminators were less damaged than they would have been if she wasn't there.

"I'm not upset at any of you." Savannah said. "We just did our jobs. I want to personally thank you for coming out to watch over me today and every day. You didn't have to be here. Thank You. You helped protect me. I couldn't have done what you did by myself. I'm in your debt."

Gail knew she normally wouldn't have been there at all. She went out on her own to watch over Savannah. She was pleased she did. Since she started to do it, Savannah was already in several major battles and close to death in all of them. She was deeply in love with Savannah.

"I just needed to come." Gail said. "I know you understand."

Savannah intended to tend to Gail personally when they returned to the base.

"I do." Savannah said. "I'll personally help you with your repairs when we get back."

Gail smiled at Savannah. She wondered if it was the only way she could ever get Savannah to 'touch' her. She decided she would start going out on more operations…. She could act bolder and more like Cameron too.

She was bothered by Savannah being out on all the operations. It was clear Cameron endangered Savannah, not protect her. She felt compelled to protect Savannah.

Savannah was a little concerned about how Gail viewed her injuries and how Jesse would interpret them. Jesse wouldn't be upset at Gail for being damaged. She would be upset because it was the Skynet forces who damaged Gail.

Sheila and Ally collected everything from the Grays. They made sure everything was shut down this time. They didn't need any more surprise visits. They were lucky the Grays went to the wrong building. The homeless female was the one who caused it to happen. They set her free. Ally opened the rear up. Sheila carried the Gray out the back. Their SUV was parked in the back.

Sheila wondered if the female would return.

"Are you sure that sheila is gone?" Sheila asked.

Ally watched her run off with a wad of cash in her hand. She was the one who placed it there. In general, they found out if they were to give any of the abused females they encountered a handful of cash, they were more than willing to 'disappear' to keep the money.

"Yes. I saw her go." Ally said. "She didn't look back. I think she knew how close to some violent abuse she was, and then death. It wouldn't have been a swift one at the hands of the one Gray."

Sheila wanted to 'work' on the Gray.

"I'm disappointed I couldn't have a 'discussion' with him." Sheila said.

Ally went to open the door on their SUV.

Sheila thought of something.

"Wait." Sheila said.

Sheila dropped the Gray to the ground. His head hit the pavement first. There was a loud 'crack' sound.

Ally wondered what it was all about.

"Wait for what?" Ally asked.

Sheila looked at their SUV.

"We better make sure no one tagged our SUV, or put a bomb in it." Sheila said.

Ally thought it sounded reasonable. It was exactly her worry the first time she left the building they just exited. The cure to the problem would be the Grays and Terminators involved.

"I hope we got all of them." Ally said.

They carefully searched the SUV. They each did it separately from the other. If one of them missed something, the other might find it. Neither one of them wanted the other one to find something they may have missed. Their personal competition would play to their favor in such an endeavor, especially when it involved survival.

They were aware of the big battle which occurred. They would have liked to have been involved instead of their current assignment.

"Maybe we should just terminate this loser and head over towards where the action is, or was." Ally said.

Sheila didn't think so.

"We're a day late and a dollar short." Sheila said. "The main battle is over."

Ally didn't like what Sheila said about her earlier. She heard a different unbiased opinion.

"The homeless female said I was pretty." Ally said.

Sheila looked at Ally. She wanted to mess with her.

"I think she meant pretty stuck up." Sheila said.

Ally wasn't deterred. She knew it was a compliment even if it wasn't meant to be in the context it was used.

"We both know it wasn't the case." Ally said.

Sheila moved away from the SUV.

"Whatever." Sheila said. "I didn't find anything."

Ally finished her sweep.

"I didn't either."

Ally opened the SUV up.

Sheila put the Gray in the back seat. She sat next to him.

Ally got in the driver's seat and started the SUV.

"Let's go find a new location and get some answers." Ally said.

Sheila was all for it.

"These Grays all came from somewhere." Sheila said. "I intend to find out where."

CamNet informed them she would have a team collect the white van and the other SUV. They would make a determination if they wanted to burn both of the buildings the dead were in or remove them.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Right Choice

We face the paper
With what we want to say
We can let our emotions
Guide us each day

The paper is white
Ready for our ink
Now it's our turn
To say what we think

Reach down deep inside
Who knows what you will find
Some may find meaning
And treat you kind

Others are quick to judge
Hard feelings create a grudge
Our belief remains strong
Our position won't budge

You have a right
To share your voice
Give it a try
It's the right choice

Nobody