Chapter 606

I Was Not Joking

Savannah took Cameron to the lab because she wanted a better look at her. There was some type of issue with her. It needed to be determined what it was. John Henry directed John to go to the lab as well. Currently Cameron held both John and Savannah in an embrace. It was the three of them together.

John and Savannah were both aware whoever Cameron let go of first wouldn't be the one she loved the most. They both wanted to be the last one Cameron hugged. They both also didn't want to hurt the other one by it happening either.

They heard some noise in the hall. It was a 'discussion' of some sort.

"Trouble…." John and Savannah both said simultaneously.

John and Savannah both slipped out of Cameron's hug at the same time. Both were aware of what they were doing and tried not to hurt each other. They also both knew it would have been Savannah who Cameron would have held longer.

The noise grew louder. It wasn't an argument but more a discussion of concern.

The voices grew distinct.

They were female voices.

"Get in there, NOW." Jesse said.

Jesse ushered Gail along. She all but pushed her into the lab.

Gail heard the others talking before they entered. It was another reason why she resisted following Jesse's urging.

Cameron knew who was coming before the door actually opened. It wouldn't be a problem for her. Wait. Depending upon what was wrong, it might be.

Gail was only half dressed as she entered the lab.

It was impressive for John and Savannah to see Gail's top open. She really packed quite a 'pair'.

Jesse was surprised to see them in the lab. She didn't know anyone else was inside.

"Hello, everyone." Jesse said. "I didn't expect to see anyone here."

They all exchanged pleasantries with each other.

Gail became apprehensive when she saw Savannah was there. She tried to turn to leave. She didn't want Savannah to see her less than perfect.

"STOP." Jesse said.

Gail looked uneasy.

"I'm fine." Gail said.

Jesse wanted to explain what was going on. She looked away from Gail to Cameron for a moment. She turned her attention back to Gail.

"It's what they all say." Jesse said. "Gail has some battle damage. I want to attend to it properly."

Gail's words hit home with Cameron. She used them many times herself. She always did say she was 'fine'. She wanted to make Gail feel less self-conscious about her damage. She was about to have hers examined by Savannah.

"I do as well." Cameron said. "We were in combat earlier. We won and the enemy lost."

Cameron could see Jesse, and especially Gail, were both distressed. It brought her back around. Her earlier apprehension and uneasiness was gone. There were others she needed to help. She was responsible for all of them. She couldn't let anything happen to them.

Vanna appeared a few seconds later. She looked a little sleepy.

"I came as soon as I got dressed." Vanna said.

Jesse looked over and smiled. She was glad Vanna was there.

"Undressed would have worked too." Jesse said.

Everyone laughed. It lightened the mood some. There was still a lot of tension in the air.

Vanna was surprised to see Cameron, John, and Savannah were in the lab as well. Jesse only told her about Gail.

When the other Terminators came in earlier, they were left with the impression it was all of those who suffered anything but the most minor damage. It evidently wasn't the case.

Vanna looked at both Cameron and Gail. It seemed someone didn't report everything accurately. It made her wonder about the damage to Cam. She would need to call her again and find out exactly what her condition was. She figured she should inquire about Cammy as well. It most likely would be similar circumstances. She turned her attention back to the two Terminators in front of her.

"Are both of you damaged?" Vanna asked. "There was no report of anything more than minor damage from either of you."

'Savannah never complains.' Cameron and Gail both thought.

Cameron didn't want John to see her. She also noted the way he took in the view of Gail. She really couldn't blame him. It was rather impressive. It reminded her of the time when the upper frontal torso section from Ginger was on her chassis. It was very similar in appearance, but still not as large. Everything long ago Resequenced back to her 'normal appearance'. She looked like Allison again, everywhere.

"John, everything is under control, why don't you get some rest." Cameron said.

Cameron basically just told John to leave. They all knew Cameron didn't like John to see her less than perfect.

It was the same feeling Gail felt about Savannah. She wasn't sure why other than it was her appearance. Then again, she knew Savannah would touch her to help her.

Vanna didn't need any headaches. It was time to get to work.

"You know the drill, John." Vanna said. "Nothing's different. Scram."

John was hesitant to leave. He still didn't think he needed to go other than it was what Cameron wanted. He felt as the General he should be able to be wherever he wanted to be, especially if it was in regards to his troops. He did need to understand there were some personal issues involved. He was still worried about Cameron no matter what.

Cameron was irritated he hadn't left yet. She made a point to look at John, Savannah, Vanna, Jesse and then back to John.

John knew what was coming next. He waited too long to leave. The smart choice would be to run from the lab right now before Cameron spoke again. He was too slow to act.

Cameron wanted to offer John some variety and a choice.

"John, there are others here who are undamaged if you desire comfort." Cameron said. "Any of them are a worthy supplement. You are welcome to visit their rooms, or they may visit your room as desired. The combat burden isn't the only thing which needs to be shared with others."

Savannah, Vanna, and Jesse all looked at each other. Cameron was a little more pointed than she normally was with her statement. It was something each of them desired as well.

They all knew Jesse was most likely the one who would act first. Savannah and Vanna were both a little hesitant for different reasons.

John headed for the door. He noted Cameron said 'supplement' this time not 'replacement'. It was different. He also thought it was even better. Cameron never let up. She kept hitting home with the same ideas. He couldn't help but look at the females in the lab. He went out the door and departed.

Savannah, Vanna, and Jesse smiled at him as he exited.

Cameron looked more than a little distressed. She wanted them to take her seriously. She took a moment to look at each of the girls herself. She did want their assistance. There were so many things she needed to do. She wanted to make sure they understood her position.

"I was not joking…." Cameron said. "Please…."

Gail tried to rescue the situation. She took her top off now and removed her pants. It quickly refocused everyone's attention.

Everyone was reminded she was the biggest on the top and the smallest on the bottom.

"Let's get started." Gail said.

Jesse moistened her lips slightly. She wanted Gail to know she wouldn't be deterred by her appearance, even if there were a few sutures here and there.

"When we're done here, I plan too…." Jesse said.

It broke the tension in the room and everyone laughed. No one doubted what she said either.

Everyone went to work….

The damage was always sobering to all of them. Jesse wasn't used to seeing Gail damaged. It was a little traumatic for her, but she was aware how things worked. It was nothing new in reality. She dealt with plenty of damaged Terminators.

Gail remembered Savannah told her before Jesse would love her no less if she was damaged. She saw it was true and it seemed to actually make Jesse love her more. She hoped it made Savannah feel the same way. It also showed her Jesse and the others really cared about her and her well being.

It made her think about some of the things Cameron said. She didn't feel she received fair treatment when she first returned to the past. She understood there were some humans who were upset about what Skynet did. They were all tainted by Skynet's actions. She never worked for Skynet. She was created by Mrs. Weaver as a Restorator.

John started on his way to go back to his room. He was in the hall near his door.

He saw Savannah walking towards him. Vanna was behind her and someone else was behind Vanna. They just left the Command Center. He knew it was impossible. His mind may have drifted some based upon what Cameron indicated. It couldn't have drifted as much as it appeared.

Wait.

He just left Savannah and Vanna in the lab only a short time ago. They were dressed differently too. It could only mean it was someone different.

"Anna?" John asked. "Hanna?"

They both smiled at him.

"Yes." They both said.

Someone squeezed between them.

"Hello, John."

John looked in disbelief.

It was 'Cameron', as a young teenager. They looked identical for all practical purposes. He knew it wasn't an accident either. It was all intentional.

John could see Young Allison was growing fast. His eyes lingered on her a little longer than they should have. It was clear she was dressed to be noticed. He noticed.

"Allison?" John asked.

He was perplexed by the whole thing.

Young Allison smiled. She was confident in herself. She was even more quick witted than Allison was. She didn't mind using it when she could either.

"It all needed to start somewhere." Young Allison said. "I've monitored all the events of today and I've come to see Cameron and Savannah."

John wondered why. It wasn't a normal procedure.

"And you too." Young Allison quickly added as an afterthought.

John knew it was late or early. It wasn't a normal time for a visit.

"It's three o'clock in the morning." John said.

John heard the stories about what Cameron planned for Young Allison. He wondered if it was why they were there. He hoped not…. Well, he was open to some of the things. He looked at Young Allison again and thought of the movie. He was up to some of the things with the thought. Isn't it what Cameron just told him two minutes ago? Didn't Young Allison just say it all needed to start someplace? He needed to 'check' himself. He really was 'up' about it now with those latest thoughts. He needed to refocus. Cameron was a bad influence on him. She was a bad influence on everyone.

Anna wanted to set the stage and keep everyone focused.

"Allison was very concerned about Cameron and Savannah." Anna said. "She asked to come see them."

John was going to ask if she shouldn't be in bed and if her parents knew she was out this late. Somehow it seemed like a bad idea. He was sure it would draw the most negative attention from Young Allison if he did.

Anna didn't like the way John started to look at Young Allison. She wasn't pleased they were there either. They were outside John's room. It wasn't intentional. Wait. Young Allison is the one who told them to leave the Command Center as she watched the security monitors. Maybe none of it was chance. She didn't need any other added issues.

"It would be best if you don't worry about it." Anna said as she cut his thoughts off. "Go back to bed."

John didn't want to get into it with 'another Cameron'. He knew Anna's base program was Cameron's program.

"It was nice to see all of you." John said. "We can see each other at a more proper time later on."

Anna ushered Young Allison away.

Young Allison managed to turn and wave bye to John. It was clear she was very pleased to see him.

Anna turned back and winked at him.

John made a hasty retreat to his room and locked the door. Who knew what Cameron, or one of her clones, would pull next? He didn't want to find out. He thought about moving a chair under the door handle to make it even more difficult to open the door. He wouldn't put anything past Cameron.

Now with Cameron out of the picture for at least a day, and someone on his mind, it seemed like the inevitable was about to happen. It was bedtime. He looked forward to sweet dreams. His hand bumped the box of tissues on the nightstand next to the bed as he turned off the light.

Vanna and Savannah started on Cameron.

Cameron asked Savannah to assist Gail first. She was aware of what Gail did and why. Maybe she wanted to 'reward' Gail. She also liked to see her troops taken care of first.

Savannah understood Cameron's thinking.

Jesse helped Savannah. Gail was a little nervous at first but soon realized the girls wanted to help her and her damage didn't matter to them. It was part of the job.

They finished up with Gail.

Jesse indicated for Savannah to run her hands over Gail's sheath in the damaged ares and elsewhere. Savannah understood. She gave Gail a final check and said she would be as good as new in a couple of days.

Gail looked very pleased.

Savannah thanked Gail again for watching over her.

Jesse and Gail left. Gail looked back at Savannah and smiled. She was beautiful when she smiled.

Vanna watched it all. She knew where she was going to go after they were done in the lab. She would remind Gail she was Savannah Weaver too.

Savannah thought Gail looked really pretty when she smiled. She didn't smile much. Maybe it was something she could work on. She turned her attention to Cameron.

Cameron watched Gail and Jesse go. She knew they both wanted Savannah. It didn't bother her. No sooner were they out the door than she turned and looked back at the door. There were voices outside.

Anna, Young Allison, and Hanna walked in.

"Surprise." Young Allison said.

Everyone did look surprised. It was really late, or really early.

Cameron smiled. She was a little concerned CamNet didn't alert her to what just transpired. She figured Young Allison asked their arrival be kept under wraps. CamNet would be compelled to respect her wishes, even if it wasn't an 'order'. It would be something else she would need to look into. She didn't believe Young Allison would be as conservative with issuing 'orders' as Savannah was. She didn't have a problem with it either.

"This is a surprise." Cameron said. "It's one I like. Hello, Allison."

Young Allison moved up to give Cameron a hug. She saw Savannah was right next to her. She reached out to hug both of them at the same time.

Savannah took the embrace and held it. It reminded her of doing the same thing with John and Cameron earlier in the lab.

Young Allison looked at Cameron's nude figure. She liked the way it looked. She knew one day soon she was going to look exactly like her, hopefully without the bullet wounds.

She was very concerned and troubled by the various events Savannah and Cameron went through earlier. There were several major incidents. Her mother was even more traumatized by them.

"I was very worried about both of you today." Young Allison said. "I asked Anna to bring me to see you."

Savannah gave Anna a stern look. She didn't think Young Allison should have been brought to the Resistance base at this time.

"It's really sweet, Allison, but it is the middle of the night." Savannah said. "You need your rest."

Young Allison looked a little indignant.

"You're up." Young Allison said.

Savannah figured making repairs was a pretty good reason to be up still. She hadn't gotten back too long ago either. She knew there needed to be a certain amount of travel time for Young Allison to arrive. She figured it must have something to do with her arrival back at the Resistance base. There was a two hour delay before they got out of the SUV. She was asleep for most of the time. She didn't think Young Allison slept any during the same time.

Vanna thought it was a little late, rather than early, for the trio to make their appearance at the Resistance base.

"We're repairing some damage to Cameron now. We finished with Gail earlier, she just left." Vanna said. "We're almost finished."

Vanna gave Hanna a stern look as well.

Young Allison looked over Cameron's naked form. The damage was a little more than she would have expected.

"Cameron, how many times were you shot?" Young Allison asked.

Cameron didn't have a problem with it. She wanted Young Allison to see the reality of the future. She knew Young Allison looked over Cammy, and even did a live fire test to see what it was like to actually shoot someone. Maybe she should offer to allow Young Allison to do the same to her.

"It wasn't many." Cameron said. "It was only fourteen this time."

Everyone was a little surprised at the next statement.

"You should have reported it, or notified someone." Young Allison said. "You were supposed to report it when everyone else did. You need to follow the same guidelines as everyone else when it comes to important things. Being damaged is important. We noticed you changed your pants."

Savannah was pleased Young Allison subtly gave Cameron an admonishment. Not many people would have done it. She believed it was only the other human females who would. She was also worried about something else.

"Is it why you're here?" Savannah asked a little more than worried.

Savannah was afraid they came to take Young Allison into the past. There was no way she was ever going to let them, especially Cameron, take Young Allison into River's future….

Young Allison looked at Savannah.

"Yes." Young Allison said. "I was worried about both of you. I wanted to come first hand because I don't think either one of you would take my concern seriously if I didn't. You both know what I'm talking about."

Cameron could see Young Allison look her over. She asked Young Allison to inspect her damage closely before she got dressed. If they were alone, she would have shown Young Allison anything she wanted to see in detail. They were the same anyway. She just showed a little more.

Young Allison couldn't take her eyes off Cameron as she dressed. Even with some damage, Cameron was stunning. She could hardly wait for the day she would look as beautiful. She hoped she could look as beautiful. She also wanted to have more involvement. It was time she got into the daily flow of operations. She could move into her room, which was next to Savannah's room, or even move in with Savannah. It would be her first choice.

"Next time, I want to help." Young Allison said.

Savannah wasn't sure if Young Allison was talking about the repairs or the combat. She knew if she asked Young Allison would say 'both'. She wanted to put the brakes on both of those things.

"You don't need to start doing it yet." Savannah said.

Young Allison looked at Savannah. Her eyes went from the top to the bottom and back up again on Savannah.

"I want to be ready for when I get back." Young Allison said. "I'll be ready for a lot of 'things' then, even if I'm ready now."

The room went deathly silent.

Cameron's phone rang. Moments later so did Anna's and Hanna's.

Savannah and Vanna heard only one side of the conversation.

Cameron looked at Young Allison before she spoke.

"Hello, Claire." Cameron said and listened. "No, I'm not doing it, yet."

Pause.

"When Holly and Allison are done talking to Hanna and Anna, you can discuss it with them." Cameron said. "I've been out on operations all day. I only got back a little while ago."

Pause.

"I'm having some battle damage repaired." Cameron said. "Savannah is undamaged, physically."

Pause.

"Yes, I do know she's been losing weight." Cameron said.

Young Allison looked at Savannah. She walked up and held out her hand for Cameron's phone.

Cameron looked at Young Allison. She was pleased Young Allison 'demanded' the phone without demanding it.

Young Allison looked at the group and turned her back to them.

"Mom, hang up. You're embarrassing me." Young Allison said.

Pause.

"Mom, it IS going to happen." Young Allison said.

Pause.

"Mom, you know it is the 'Natural Order'." Young Allison said.

Pause.

"OK, Mom, chill out." Young Allison said. "I know it's late or early or whatever. I'll come back tomorrow then."

Pause.

"Of course I'll still be the same age." Young Allison said.

Pause.

Young Allison glanced back at the others.

"I don't know if it will happen." Young Allison said quietly. "You know it will happen soon enough."

Pause.

"Look, Cameron is shot up and Savannah's exhausted." Young Allison said.

Pause.

"I'm going to start going with them soon and assist them." Young Allison said. "I'll protect both of them and John. I'll protect Summer and you as well."

Pause.

"Even if it was a bad idea, you know it is still going to happen anyway." Young Allison said.

Savannah didn't care for the direction and tone of the phone call. She walked over to Young Allison and held her hand out for the phone. She'd heard enough of all of everything. It was time to take control.

"Claire, this is Savannah. I'm really sorry about all of this." Savannah said.

Pause.

"No, I'll personally make sure she is in bed within fifteen minutes." Savannah said.

Pause.

"I'll make sure it is the right bed." Savannah said. "I promise."

Pause.

"I'll bring her back tomorrow, exactly the same way she is now." Savannah said. "I promise."

Pause.

"I'll see you tomorrow." Savannah said.

Pause.

"Yes, I guess you can still trust someone…." Savannah said.

Savannah looked at the others in the lab one by one.

Pause.

"Bye." Savannah said.

Savannah looked at Anna and Cameron. She gave Cameron her phone back. She silently took Young Allison away. Her actions let them know Young Allison was 'off limits' for any last minute 'plans'. There wouldn't be any changes either.

Nobody was going to question her. They were all pleased to see the 'Natural Order' assert itself.

Sheila and Ally were still out. They went to four different locations. They went through everything from top to bottom. So far they hadn't found a single Gray or a Terminator. They gathered all the intel they could. Most of what they found were living quarters. Each of them contained one bunk with a rope at all four corners. It was clear the Grays needed to restrain their female 'company'. It was a carryover from the treatment of captured Resistance females in the future.

"Maybe these blokes are all terminated." Sheila said.

Ally hoped so. She would personally terminate any Gray she could get her hands on, especially if he came from a location where there was a 'comfort bunk'. She was just as upset at the female's disposition as she was what was done to her by the Grays.

"We've set up a few surprises if anyone turns up." Ally said. "With all the activity today and yesterday, maybe none are left. I'm more than a little upset to see each of the locations is equipped with a 'comfort bunk'."

Sheila looked at the 'comfort bunk'.

"It worries me because none of them actually contained a female in them." Sheila said. "I think they dumped all the females before they went out."

Ally came to the same conclusion.

"They were most likely terminated." Ally said.

They left and went to the final destination they had a location for.

They did a drive by. They noticed something different right away.

"There are two of those white vans parked on the side." Ally said.

Sheila knew this current group seemed to have a fleet of them. The white vans were present at multiple locations, including where Cameron was at earlier with the box truck.

"Maybe we'll find something here." Sheila said.

They parked two blocks away and walked back.

They paused at the side of the gate. It was closed.

Sheila spotted something. It would mean some additional trouble for them.

"It looks like a camera on the side." Sheila said.

Ally looked.

"This is the first place with them." Ally said. "There will be more."

They retreated back two buildings. They contacted CamNet and were provided with satellite photos of the area. It gave them a better plan of action. The security cameras were not online or linked to anything other than the building itself. Otherwise CamNet would have been able to loop the feeds. They carried a device like the one Cameron used earlier at the building where she ran into the three HK Tracks. It would allow CamNet to control the system.

They moved onto the property of the building next to the target location. They moved along the side where there was a large block wall which separated the properties. They hoped to find a blind spot in the security system of the target building.

Ally looked at Sheila and jumped up. She caught the top of the wall and pulled herself up so she could look over the side.

"There's a blind spot here like we thought." Ally whispered.

Sheila took one look around them and jumped up too.

"It looks clear." Sheila said.

They both pulled themselves up and rolled flat over the top of the wall and dropped down to the other side. They came down between the two parked white vans. They paused for a moment as they looked in both directions to make sure they didn't trigger any type of alarm. They still needed to worry about being spotted by a Gray, or a Terminator.

Sheila and Ally moved between the two white vans and headed for the security camera. It faced away from them at this point. Sheila placed the device on it after Ally boosted her up.

CamNet contacted them three seconds later. She took control of the security system.

The Metal girls moved around the outside of the building, but stayed up close to it. There were a dozen vehicles parked in the back. They all looked in operating condition.

Everything was locked.

"There's no exterior roof ladder." Sheila said.

Ally noticed it too.

"It means there's an internal one, with roof access." Ally said.

Sheila looked at the drain pipe on the building.

"You first, love." Sheila said.

Ally looked back at Sheila as she started up.

"You just like to look at my caboose." Ally said.

Sheila laughed.

"I see plenty of it as it is." Sheila said.

Ally continued up the pipe and pulled herself over onto the roof. Sheila followed her a few seconds later. They found the roof access hatch. It wasn't secured. They carefully opened it and went down the ladder. They were in total darkness. The ladder was located in a storeroom. They listened at the door but didn't hear anything.

They opened the storeroom door and began to search the building. It appeared empty. They photographed everything as they did at the other buildings and allowed CamNet access to the hard drives. The sleeping quarters showed the same thing as the others. There was one bunk with four ropes on the corners.

"I really wonder what happened to the females they had in these places." Ally said. "It seems no one misses a homeless female when she disappears."

Sheila figured what happened to them.

"As long as they don't put the grab on someone anyone cares about, I don't think anyone pays any attention." Sheila said. "You know the authorities don't care about the homeless, especially if it's a female."

They set up some additional security devices and went back out the way they arrived.

They hadn't found anyone at any of the locations. CamNet would monitor them to see if anyone turned up. They may have ended this Skynet cell's existence. It remained to be seen. There may still be one or more out there.

They were fresh out of leads unless CamNet turned up something in the hard drives they allowed her to access.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

I Was Not Joking

Many things are said
Some of them are in jest
Perhaps a choice of words
May not have been best

People have their thoughts
They have their own feelings
It seems it is often forgotten
When engaged in personal dealings

Everything said or done matters
Even if some don't think so
It's often where seeds of discontent
Were planted and began to grow

Who is the one we worship
Who is the one we disdain
Sometimes one can be both
It makes one a little insane

One needs to be careful
When at another they go poking
Remember when I strike back
I was not joking

Nobody