Chapter 602

It Is Unnecessary

John was pretty sure they worn out their welcome. He wanted his people away from the battle zone. Skynet sent a group there once to attack them. They could have others on the way, or even HK drones. He didn't want his troops to stick around and find out the hard way.

"We need to collect the crates and get our people out of there." John said.

Cameron needed to collect all the intel she could before they left. The battle only ended a few minutes ago.

"We're working on it." Cameron said. "We have quite a few bodies to dispose of as well. Are there any changes around our area?"

John Henry was able to keep everything contained. He wouldn't have been able to do it if this battle took place at the location in the city.

"There's no hostile activity on the ground or in the air that's apparent." John Henry said. "I've suppressed any 911 reports. No emergency services have been notified or dispatched."

Cameron was worried about Savannah's earlier assessment. It was a valid concern based upon the situation. She didn't think they missed a Terminator hiding at either the building Bob's team took down, or the building the big truck ended up in.

"Savannah was concerned there may be additional Terminators in our area. There was only one Terminator taken down in the assault force." Cameron said. "There should've been more."

John Henry worried about it as well. He didn't want to discount the two Terminators in the back of the big rig. It tied three Terminators to the group. It was possible there still could be more. He knew they checked to make sure all of the dead Grays were humans and not a Terminator waiting to rise up and attack them.

"I wondered about it as well." John Henry said. "Perhaps some of the surveillance equipment we left at either location will turn something else up. A Terminator isn't always readily identifiable."

John received a call from Vanna. She informed him they were ready to make Terminator repairs. He thought he needed to prompt Cameron a little about it. He knew he couldn't get too specific, especially about her. It more than likely would end the phone call before he found out the information he wanted.

"We haven't received any damage reports from your team." John said. "Vanna, Jesse, and Sarah are all set up in the lab to initiate repairs. An ETA would be good for them to know what to expect."

Based on Savannah's concern, Cameron wasn't convinced the battle was fully over. Their Terminator force was one hundred percent operational. Most of any damage appeared to only be superficial. She knew Savannah looked over all of the Terminators herself and inquired about their damage. She was certain if anyone required any type of attention, Savannah would have reported it to her. Any damage was cosmetic at this point.

"We haven't concluded our operation yet." Cameron said. "It's too early to make any reports. Savannah spoke with everyone on the Resistance team earlier. I'm not sure at what point we will be finished. There may be more fighting. I think the girls can leave everything where it is in the lab and take it easy for a while, or get some rest first."

John was a little more concerned than he was ten seconds ago after her statement. He looked over at John Henry to see if he picked up on Cameron's wording. He could see him look over all of the monitors. John Henry shrugged his shoulders slightly. It was an indication he didn't know anymore than he did. Hopefully Cameron would be a little more explicit with her assessment.

"Are you expecting more activity?" John asked. "Is there anything we don't know about happening there? If you know something, or even suspect it, you need to share the information with us. Right now we don't have anything which indicates there is any follow up activity."

Cameron agreed with Savannah's earlier concern. It seemed to make the most sense. There should have been more Terminator involvement for the amount of Grays they dealt with at both locations. If the crates were as high value as it seemed, it would indicate there should have been a larger Terminator presence.

"I think Savannah is correct. We may have more hostile Terminators nearby." Cameron said. "If there is, the fighting isn't over. I want to err on the side of caution. I don't want to get complacent and face a counter attack. We also need to worry about anyone attempting to follow any of our group."

Cameron was worried about Savannah's safety. Maybe it was the whole point of Savannah being there. It was to make her not as aggressive, or take as many chances. John Henry told her before how John thought Savannah acted like a part of her programming that was 'missing'. She was aware she took fewer chances when Savannah was with her. In doing so, she sustained less damage. Maybe there was something to what John thought.

It would indicate things were as she always suspected. She was defective. The way she felt at times, she was sure more than a few parts of her program were 'missing'. The longer she existed, the greater the feeling was. She valued Savannah's input on everything. Savannah never indicated she might be defective. If anything it was just the opposite. Maybe others viewed her as defective. Savannah didn't. She would need to think about it some more.

John Henry wasn't sure about additional enemy Terminators, or more Skynet assistance. He believed he was in control of the communications. There was never any indication of some type of enemy transmissions.

"I've suppressed all communications throughout the areas we've conducted activity in today." John Henry said. "They would have trouble communicating with each other."

Cameron looked around at the dead Grays they just processed. There were more than a few of them. How was it they were there? How did they know where to go?

"They found the big truck." Cameron said. "They tracked it somehow. They knew where to come to. We took down the chase vehicles. They didn't get the information from them. They knew the specific area to go to to find us."

John caught on to Savannah's earlier concern. They didn't know how the first group knew where to go. What if there were additional groups which already knew where the first group went, even if they weren't in communication with them? Maybe they needed to come from a further distance.

"It means more hostile troops could be headed your way to investigate or attack." John said. "It's only if they could track the truck or its contents."

Cameron grew more leery of the concept with every minute. It was the truck itself, or the Terminators in it, which were somehow tracked.

"It was Savannah's concern as well." Cameron said. "Have our drones detected anything?"

John Henry wondered after all of Skynet's losses today, if they weren't about to try something different. It would seem to be the logical choice. To repeat what already failed would be logical. They would need to use a different tactic.

"No. Nothing has been identified." John Henry said. "The enemy may wait for us to move it and attack then, or when they think the location is our base. They would like to make a strike at our location as we did theirs."

Cameron was sure there was some communications device they hadn't found yet. There was no other explanation. They were still checking for it. They would need to go through everything again before they departed. The longer it took them to depart, the more likely the enemy would attempt to strike them again.

"We're searching for any device which could have summoned them." Cameron said. "I'll keep you informed."

John was ready to pull more Terminators from other duties and send additional help. He didn't think Cameron would ask for them. Maybe it was better just to offer them in hope she would accept them.

"I have more Terminators ready to assist you." John said.

Cameron looked over her teams. They were almost finished. She wanted to depart soon.

"It's unnecessary." Cameron said. "We have the situation under control."

John wanted to remind Cameron of something she told him once. He hoped it was at least something she would think about.

"Sometimes it's nice to have help." John said.

Cameron knew it to be true. She wanted to get Savannah out of the area. If there was the chance of another attack, she didn't want Savannah further endangered.

"The additional troops can finish the clean up." Cameron said. "I'm moving out as soon as the box truck is loaded."

John wondered what was next. He wasn't sure exactly what her plan was.

"Moving out to where?" John asked.

Cameron wanted the contents of the crates. She also didn't want to take any chances.

"We'll move everything to a secure location." Cameron said. "I have my Terminators waiting. We'll run through several ambush sites along the way. I want to make sure we're not followed."

Cameron was aware the cargo was almost too hot to handle. She wondered if she shouldn't destroy it now. She also wanted to use the equipment to make CamNet stronger and more powerful. She could also use it to establish another location, maybe one only she knew about. Everything was a gamble.

John motioned for John Henry to cut their coms.

He was very dissatisfied with his recent conversation with Cameron. The more he thought about it, the more irritated he became.

"Let me get this straight. Cameron, who thinks she may become Skynet, may actually have some version of Skynet now herself?" John asked. "It looks like she wants to 'play' with it."

It seemed the same way to John Henry. He hadn't been able to look it over yet. He wondered if he would even be able to at this point. If it was some version of Skynet, he knew it was bad news. It seemed like an even worse idea for Cameron to associate her program with it in any way.

"Apparently…." John Henry said.

John wanted to know where the questionable mainframe ended up at. He wasn't sure anyone would be told. They needed to take some additional measures. He wasn't sure if they would work or not.

"Can we track her?" John asked.

John Henry knew it wasn't so simple with Cameron.

"We can only do it if she allows us to do so." John Henry said.

John was disgusted. He didn't seem to have any control over Cameron.

"Beautiful." John said. "Absolutely beautiful…."

John was unaware one idea Cameron considered was to connect CamNet to their system full time. The knowledge would've worried him even more.

Savannah watched the activity occurring around her. She collected any phones, identification, or information any of the fallen Grays carried on them.

It was a challenge for Savannah to move the dead Grays. Gail decided to assist her. They would work as a team.

Gail did all the lifting for her. It seemed beneficial on several counts.

"It will go faster if I do all the manhandling." Gail said. "It's not a strain for me."

Savannah appreciated the help. She also wanted to assist.

"Thanks, Gail." Savannah said. "I want to do my part as well."

The condition of some of the bodies bothered Gail. She didn't want Savannah to come into contact with any type of biohazard.

"You do your share and then some." Gail said. "This is bloody work. I won't be affected by any contaminants in their body fluids. It is something you need to avoid."

Cameron stopped by to look over the collection of electronic devices.

Savannah noted one of the devices was unusual. She pointed it out to Cameron right away.

"This one was taken off what looked like a team leader." Savannah said. "I don't know what it is."

Cameron picked it up and looked at it. She started pushing buttons on it.

Savannah speculated as to what it might be. She wondered if it was part of the problem they currently faced.

"What is it?" Savannah asked. "Is it how they found the truck? Is it some type of tracker?"

Cameron turned around and looked at Savannah. A smile slowly appeared on her face.

"Yes, I think it is." Cameron said. "Thanks. It should help us find the tracker we've been searching for"

Cameron took the device to the box truck. She pushed some more buttons. She opened one crate they already inspected and removed something. She formulated a plan on what to do with what she found. Her first instinct was to destroy it. No. Since the enemy played them with it, she wanted to return the favor. She decided what she wanted to do. She just needed to do it so it didn't endanger any of their troops.

"Have one drone land, now." Cameron said.

John and John Henry looked at each other in the Command Center. The request by Cameron was highly unusual. It wasn't something which would normally occur on an operation.

John trusted Cameron's judgment. He figured there must be a good reason.

"Go ahead and do it." John said. "She's onto something important."

Cameron notified all of the ground personnel one of their drones would land in a few minutes. She didn't want any of them to be concerned as the drone came in closer to their position.

The team on the ground heard one drone land outside less than a minute later.

Cameron took the device she removed from the crate and attached it to the drone. It was time for a 'sucker play'. If it's what it appeared to be, it would be her turn to play the enemy for a change.

"John Henry, I want you to fly this drone above the streets at altitude, stop at red lights and make the same turns as a truck. Keep the speed similar to whatever is happening on the ground traffic below it." Cameron said. "Get it airborne now. I want to move it away from here. CamNet will give you a route."

It wasn't what John expected to happen. He thought Cameron was going to rush something back to the base for further inspection. It was clear Cameron was going to attempt something different. He wanted a better explanation.

"What's going to happen with the drone, Cameron?" John asked.

Cameron was irritated by John's question. He should know by now she knew what she was doing. She was the one who just fought a battle on the ground. She wanted her judgment to be respected as well as trusted. She would try to keep her explanation brief and cordial.

"Savannah helped me locate the tracking device they hid inside a crate in the truck. It was disguised. It's now attached to the drone. I want to have it simulate the movements of a truck." Cameron said. "John Henry will bring it to a remote location. I will have one of my Terminators drive a truck there and we'll put the device in it when it arrives. The two events will happen separately from each other."

John understood the deception. They would be in control, but Skynet would think they pulled another 'fast one' as they tracked the 'truck'. It would also take the heat off of Savannah and the Terminators.

"I get it. It's sucker play." John said. "It should keep any more people from showing up at your location."

Cameron smiled. She expected more company. She figured there were already more Skynet forces on their way there. She already set another plan into motion.

"They'll still come. It most likely won't be as many." Cameron said. "They'll want to check on their comrades. They've lost contact with all of them."

John wanted to know a little more.

"What will they find?" John asked. "What will be at both of those locations when they do?"

Cameron planned to deliver a 'sucker punch' with her 'sucker play'.

"It'll be a surprise." Cameron said.

John wondered about it. He knew there were some things which seemed to irritate Cameron more than others.

"You don't like surprises." John said.

Cameron suppressed a laugh. Maybe it would be a 'Sunday punch' instead. She didn't think it was anything they would expect, let alone see coming.

"They won't either." Cameron said. "I can guarantee it."

Young Allison was aware the operation was far from over, especially with what Cameron just planned. She thought one tactic was brilliant. There was still one thing which bothered her immensely. Savannah was going to be in danger for the rest of the night.

"This operation isn't over yet." Young Allison said.

Anna was sure it was going to heat up again.

"I don't think it is." Anna said.

Hanna came over to them.

"Cameron's lifted the 'lock down' order." Hanna said.

Young Allison planned to see the operation through to the finish.

"I'm staying here with Anna." Young Allison said.

Hanna thought it was a bad idea.

"You need to rest." Hanna said.

Young Allison worried about Savannah. She sometimes wondered if anyone else did.

"What about Savannah?" Young Allison asked. "She needs to rest too."

Hanna didn't want to take flak from Claire later on.

"You're still growing." Hanna said.

Young Allison didn't see a difference.

"So is she." Young Allison said.

Hanna knew there would be a problem later on.

"You know what I mean." Hanna said.

Young Allison was adamant.

"Savannah's out there facing danger and I'm sitting on my 'money maker'." Young Allison said.

Hanna and Anna exchanged a quick glance with her revelation. They wondered who she picked the analogy up from. It was true all females were equipped with 'nature's treasury'. There was always someone who would want what they could offer.

Anna could see the situation was going to be tense. She would try to help wind it down some. She wanted to downplay what might develop later on.

"I think they're finished up for the night." Anna said.

Young Allison followed enough operations to know how they unfolded. With Cameron's actions, there was sure to be two more showdowns. She believed the situation was still volatile.

"No, they aren't." Young Allison said. "I know how these things go."

Young Allison was sure there was more action to follow. It wasn't her first rodeo.

Allison came up from the bunker earlier to calm her mother down and get Summer to bed.

Holly waited for her.

Allison knew her stress put stress on Holly and her family. It wasn't her intention.

"Look, Holly, all we can do is live each day as it comes." Allison said. "It's how I grew up. I don't want to plan for 'tomorrow'. It seemed like the people who did, never saw the tomorrow they planned and thought was going to happen."

Holly didn't like the negativity. She didn't think it was a path Allison needed to go down.

"Please, don't be this way." Holly said.

Allison didn't want to hurt anyone. She thought her hormonal changes affected her in a negative way, especially emotionally.

"I'm sorry." Allison said. "I don't feel good any more, both physically and mentally."

Holly immediately scanned her. She was very worried about the physical aspect. She wasn't sure anything could be done about the mental aspect.

Allison didn't want to create a problem if she didn't let Holly do it, it would cause her further stress. She shrugged her shoulders.

"Whatever happens, happens." Allison said.

Holly now began to wonder if this was where some of Cameron's mental instability came from. She began to worry more. She sure hoped Allison didn't start to pull stunts like Cameron did before. It seemed there was a better than even chance she might.

Cameron felt she'd put everything into play how she wanted it. She planned to take care of a few problems in the process. It was time to get Savannah and her prize away from there.

"We're done here for now." Cameron said. "We're moving out with the box truck."

Savannah could see there were still some Terminators working.

"What about the others?" Savannah asked.

Cameron appreciated Savannah's concern.

"As soon as those two burnt vans are shoved inside and the door closed, they're leaving as well." Cameron said. "The vans most likely will need to be carried in. It shouldn't be too much of a problem."

John Henry noted a vehicle suddenly appeared. It was very near the target area. He wasn't sure where it originated from.

"Cameron, I have a large sky blue van approaching your location." John Henry said. "I don't know where it came from. I didn't pick them up anywhere else previously."

Cameron figured CamNet kept it off the cameras up till now. It was an additional part of her 'Sunday Punch' she planned to deliver.

"Let it pass." Cameron said. "It's bringing a 'drug lab' here, along with drugs and cash. I'm going to have them 'salt' this area with everything and make it look like a fight went on here for control of the 'drug lab', or the drugs and cash themselves."

John wondered where Cameron came up with all of the illicit stuff. He figured it was from one of her 'off the books' operations with CamNet and the Metal girls. He knew she took down plenty of them. They were all done outside the scope of the Resistance. She always told him she could do whatever she wanted during her 'off time' or 'free time'.

"Are you going to blow up the place then?" John asked.

It seemed like a good plan to Cameron. She would fill them in on some of it. There were other parts which were in motion too.

"No, they will do it when they come to investigate what happened. It's one of the surprises." Cameron said. "John Henry will alert the police when they arrive at the outskirts of the industrial area. The police should be on their way and be able to observe the complex explode from a distance. It will prevent them from harm but be an eye witness to what they find later on. It will cover our tracks."

Cameron would also send an anonymous tip to one of the local gangs. She would inform them there was a drug lab being set up in their 'territory' and a new crew moved in to 'take over'. They were informed the new gang already planned a hit on the old gang. The gang should arrive just before the police and be right in the middle of everything. The best part is, they would take the blame.

She would have one of her Terminators place several of the weapons her teams used in the trunk of one of the cars the gang used. They would either be stopped by the police in the area, with another anonymous tip about a ' kidnap victim', or caught at the site red handed. It would even be better if Cameron could orchestrate the Grays and the gang to actually fight. It would turn the 'Sucker Punch' into a 'Sunday Punch' for her enemies.

Once Cameron secured the cargo, at one of her 'black sites', and Savannah returned to the base, she might go back herself and see if she could get the two groups to engage. It would all come down to a matter of timing. Whoever 'won', she would later terminate.

"…Cameron…?" Savannah asked.

Cameron blinked her eyes and looked at Savannah. She was lost deep in thought.

"What?" Cameron asked.

Savannah came over and looked at Cameron.

"I think Cammy should drive." Savannah said.

Cameron smiled. She liked it when a plan came together.

"Sure." Cameron said. "I have a lot to think about."

Savannah wanted plenty of muscle with them. She wanted the Metal girls to accompany them.

"I want Cam, Gail, and Bob to come with us also." Savannah said.

Cameron smiled. She wanted Savannah protected.

"We can use an escort." Cameron said.

Savannah was still worried about her earlier concern over the lack of enemy Terminators. She saw it as a real threat. She wanted Cameron to give it the utmost thought.

"Cameron, there may still be hostile Terminators here or around the area." Savannah said. "They may follow us. It's what we've done before as well."

Cameron smiled again. She made plans for it too.

"It's what I'm hoping for." Cameron said. "Let's go."

The last shot was fired less than nine minutes ago.

The large van which brought the drug lab, and the rest of the team, left three minutes later.

Sheila and Ally still wanted answers from the Gray leader they held captive.

They found another abandoned location. CamNet confirmed the lack of energy or water usage from the location This one contained a large roll up door so they were able to park their SUV inside the building. They wouldn't need to check it for a bomb before they left if they could keep an eye on it.

Sheila secured the Gray to a workbench. He would be dealt with later.

"We should get started soon." Ally said.

Sheila looked at the Gray.

"I think we can work something out." Sheila said.

The Gray began to stir. The impact of his head on the pavement earlier seemed to delay his return to consciousness. His eyes slowly opened. Ally stood next to him. His eyes opened much wider.

"You're real." The Gray said.

Ally smiled.

"Apparently…." Ally said.

The Gray tried to look around but his head was restrained.

"Who do you work for?" The Gray asked.

There was a dull 'thud' sound.

The Gray let out a grunt as Sheila slammed her fist into his side.

"I'll ask the questions, whacker." Sheila said.

The Gray could see an Asian female looked intense.

"Who are you?" The Gray asked.

There was another dull 'thud' sound. It produced the same results.

Sheila smiled and leaned her face close to his.

"I'm your worst nightmare." Sheila said.

She grabbed his throat and cut off his air supply.

"I also told you I'll ask the questions." Sheila said. "If you ask one more, I'm going to pop out your left eye from the socket. I won't rip it completely loose yet. You'll still be able to see, it's just going to be from a different perspective. I'll conduct the interview."

Sheila moved her face directly in front of his and her eyes turned red. They returned to normal as she smiled at the Gray.

If the Gray felt any doubt before, it was gone now. He was being held by Terminators and it didn't look like they worked for Skynet. It also looked like one of them was unstable or insane. They were unlike any Terminators he ever encountered before. They weren't robotic at all. They looked like angry human females. He knew they weren't.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Someone

Someone to do as they say
Someone to use
Someone easily replaced
Someone to treat like trash and abuse

Someone to laugh at
Someone to cast aside and throw away
Someone who does not matter
Someone to bend and sway

Someone who is not good enough
Someone at which to yell
Someone to spit on
Someone to put through Hell

Someone to hit
Someone to push around
Someone to wound
Someone to run into the ground

Someone which to harm
Someone to flirt
Someone to cut
Someone to hurt

Someone to make suffer
Someone a mind to shatter
Someone as a slave
Someone a heart to tatter

Someone to weaken
Someone to offend
Someone to break
Someone to pretend

Someone to lose self respect
Someone which to lie
Someone just a meaningless toy
Someone to make want die

Nobody