Chapter 611
For ALL Of Us
Young Allison just removed the chip from the Terminator she took down with her Taser. It wasn't as difficult as she thought it would be on the first time.
It appeared the battle wasn't over yet.
There were more vehicles which now approached them from both sides….
The three SUVs were parked in a loose triangle. The girls were in the center of it with targets which just appeared on two sides.
The girls all raised their weapons.
"Incoming." Young Allison said.
Savannah did a double take.
Young Allison now held her Model 66 in her hands. Somehow it didn't surprise her. She actually expected to see it appear earlier. Young Allison chose the right weapon to use against the Terminator. It was her Taser.
Their three SUVs made a limited defensive position.
It reminded Young Allison of watching a 'Western', where they 'circled the wagons' to make a defensive perimeter. In this case, they were vehicles. She moved behind the engine block of the armored SUV she arrived in. She reached over and pulled Savannah next to her.
"There's room for two here." Young Allison said. "It will give us maximum protection."
Savannah was very impressed with Young Allison in a combat situation. She realized now she held her back earlier when she shouldn't have. She should have given Young Allison an M4 when she handed out the others.
"You're full of surprises." Savannah said.
Young Allison kept her eye on the approaching vehicle on their side.
"More than you know, yet." Young Allison said.
Savannah moved to the right side of Young Allison. She didn't want the ejected brass from her M4 to hit her.
"We both are." Savannah said.
They each liked what the other said.
Cameron could see everyone was amped up from the recent action. She didn't want anyone to get the wrong idea.
"Relax, I called for them." Cameron said. "They're our forces."
Young Allison returned her Model 66 to her backpack.
Anna exchanged her fresh Taser for the one Young Allison fired three times.
Cammy gave her unfired Taser to Savannah for the one she fired once.
They both wanted the girls to have a fully functional Taser, just in case.
Savannah and Young Allison knew it wouldn't do any good to protest. The Metal girls always looked out for them.
Cameron and Anna both physically checked over Young Allison.
Young Allison didn't care for all the attention.
"Is this what they call 'copping a feel'?" Young Allison asked jokingly.
Cameron and Anna looked at each other.
"No." Anna and Cameron both said.
Young Allison laughed slightly.
"I'm fine." Young Allison said. "I was just messing with you."
Anna stepped back and Cammy moved up.
Cameron and Cammy then checked over Savannah.
Savannah was a little indignant too.
"It might as well be. They always do it." Savannah said to Young Allison. "Wait till they start scanning you."
Young Allison touched the back of her neck.
"They already do." Young Allison said.
Young Allison saw the look of concern on Savannah's face. She didn't want Savannah to read things the wrong way.
"It's not for the same reasons they scan you, yet…." Young Allison said. "I know and understand a lot more than anyone thinks."
Savannah shook her head. She didn't wish to get into THAT discussion.
Cameron and Anna looked at each other when they noticed the statement seemed to bother Savannah. It seemed logical to them.
Savannah looked at everything around them. There was a lot of death and destruction. She looked back at Young Allison.
"We need to get you out of here." Savannah said. "Your mother is going to kill me when she finds out about this."
Cammy instantly came over with the mention of a new 'threat'.
Young Allison saw the misunderstanding for what it was.
"Oh, brother…." Young Allison said. "Relax, Cammy, it's a 'figure of speech'."
Savannah rolled her eyes for Young Allison's benefit.
"Get used to it." Savannah said. "Cameron, I want Allison out of here if it's safe to do so. We may have stirred up a hornet's nest. I don't think this is over by a long shot. There were a lot of individuals involved in this road side skirmish. It was four vehicles and a Terminator."
Cameron looked at the fallen Terminator. It was a surprise to her. She knew it was her fault for not stopping to check the vehicle thoroughly. It seemed like anything could pop up.
"The roads may be compromised in both directions." Cameron said.
Savannah wanted to carry out her promise. She wanted to get Young Allison away from the combat zone and back to her house in Palmdale. There were a few other options.
"Can we use the Blackhawk?" Savannah asked. "I promised Claire I would bring Allison back the same way she left. Her condition was, and is, alive, undamaged, and unspoiled. She's still a untouched by anyone, even if she doesn't want to be."
Cameron felt a slight glitch impulse at what Savannah indicated. She wasn't the one who brought Young Allison to the Resistance base in the early hours of the morning. She did think about putting her in John's bed during the night. She decided against it. Besides, John barricaded the door to their room. She couldn't get in without making a lot of noise. It would defeat the whole purpose if he was awake when she brought Young Allison in.
Young Allison thought a little differently about what Savannah said.
"For now maybe…." Young Allison said. "The future is always calling, for all of us."
Cameron felt another glitch impulse. It was evident Young Allison would be hard to 'manage' going forward in certain areas.
Savannah just shook her head from side to side.
Young Allison smiled. She looked at the downed Terminator. It was a big step for her. She never thought her 'combat cherry' would be popped on a Terminator. First blood was first blood. She scored and the Terminator went down.
Savannah faced Cameron. She knew she could 'order' some things not to happen but didn't wish to do so.
"Everything needs to be her choice." Savannah whispered. "Don't rush things for her."
Cameron looked away at Savannah's last statement. She knew what she wanted to do. She knew what needed to be done. John needed to be protected in the future. She needed to fulfill her mission. She wasn't the one responsible for Young Allison being where she was at right now on any level. She was guilty as indicated for everything else as far as 'thought' went. She didn't think 'thought' was the same thing as doing it. She knew there were others who thought otherwise.
She didn't wish to upset Savannah. She would remind Savannah of the hardships of the future and Young Allison would be better protected by being 'older'. Being able to defend and protect herself would be to her benefit. She would remind Savannah of what happened to HER, well, Vanna anyway, and Jesse, in their future. It started when they were much younger than Young Allison was now. There was no guarantee there would always be a Terminator with her. She needed to be able to defend and protect herself. What she did today was a very good start. She didn't back away from the Terminator. She engaged him instead.
Cameron knew Savannah didn't want to 'push' too hard For anything. Her concern for Young Allison was genuine. She also didn't want anything to 'happen' to Young Allison either.
She understood for Savannah to carry out her promise to Claire was important to her. Savannah always did what she promised. She knew Savannah made some promises to her as well. She didn't doubt Savannah would fulfill them with the time was right, or necessary. Now she needed to get Young Allison home.
"The Blackhawk is on its way." Cameron said. "I've sent instructions for it to come and land. You'll accompany her."
Savannah could see Cameron thought the operation which started to unfold there was far from over. She knew Cameron wanted her away from any danger as well. She didn't plan to let Cameron face the danger alone. Her absence would only be temporary.
"I will. You also know that I'll be back." Savannah said. "As soon as I get Allison home along with Anna and Hanna, I'll return."
Young Allison didn't want to get sidelined now. She just tasted victory and it tasted sweet. She looked over the rugged landscape around them. The vegetation was sparse in the aired area.
"Anna and Hanna will both be needed for the action here." Young Allison said. "WE all will. We all need to share the burden. It's the burden of the future, even if it's the present."
Savannah was sure there was a lot of 'double meaning' in what Young Allison just said. She heard Allison referred to as a 'firecracker' before. It was clear Young Allison was going to be just the same. She could see it applied to every Allison. It included Future Allison and Duplicate Allison as well. She was pretty sure in Young Allison's case it was going to be something a lot more powerful than a 'firecracker'.
She couldn't help but think about how far Cameron and Duplicate Cameron went to destroy versions of Skynet. They used a nuclear weapon to eradicate it. She figured Young Allison wouldn't be a 'firecracker', she would probably be an 'H-bomb'.
Cameron didn't want the current situation to turn into an issue. She would just tell it like it was. Young Allison would know what the right thing was, even if it wasn't what she wanted right now.
"Allison, you've done enough for today." Cameron said. "You must allow Savannah to keep her promise. She keeps ALL of her promises…."
Savannah and Cameron looked at each other. They both knew everything the statement entailed. It would be Savannah at John's side and in his bed.
Young Allison knew what it all entailed too. She wasn't about to shy away from her duty and future either. Savannah wasn't the only one with promises.
"I will as well." Young Allison said. "I'll keep all MY promises to you, Cameron."
Young Allison looked at Cameron and Savannah until they both looked away. It was clear Young Allison was a 'true believer'.
Savannah already knew what those promises were. They were the same things Cameron made her promise. It gave Savannah a sad feeling inside to know Young Allison's life and future seemed to be already determined by Cameron.
Wait.
Savannah knew it wasn't really Cameron but Skynet which made those plans necessary, and the need to protect John and the future.
Cameron started to coordinate with the groups of Terminators who arrived and were on the way. She quickly worked out some plans with John Henry.
She knew Savannah would deliver Young Allison as promised. She also knew Savannah would be back. It meant she would need to make plans and carry them out as soon as possible when Savannah was away. The Skynet group launched an attack against Cammy. She intended to return the favor, in spades.
John and John Henry put it all together based on everyone's reports. They now knew the full extent of everything which occurred in the 'dead zone'. It was a lot. It was also very troubling.
John motioned for John Henry and him to cut their coms for a little bit.
"It was too close." John said. "Savannah and Young Allison were in real danger. If the Terminator would've been armed…."
John Henry knew it was touch and go, but the events played out as they happened. The girls did their jobs. They won and the Skynet forces lost.
"He wasn't armed. He was deactivated instead." John Henry said. "Cameron wants to launch a follow up strike on the location at the end of the dirt road. Based on all the events, I think this is where the Skynet main frame we intercepted was headed. The high tension power lines are very close to the location. They bring in a large percentage of electricity for Southern California. As long as they're functioning, it's basically an unlimited source of power for Skynet, and everything related to it, to use."
John knew energy was power to Skynet on more than one level. Skynet needed to use a lot of energy to make everything happen.
"I noticed the high tension power lines earlier. They carry a lot of 'juice'. They could do a lot with all the energy if they tapped into it." John said. "They could build Skynet itself, and a TDE."
John Henry was sure they would do more than just a few things.
"Yes." John Henry said.
John didn't want things to get away from him. He wanted to stay on top of everything. He checked his monitors.
"What do you have related to hostile air activity?" John asked.
John Henry was all over it as was CamNet. HK drones would be the biggest threat to the girls right now. They currently were all out in the open and exposed.
"There's nothing yet." John Henry said.
John thought John Henry looked a little uneasy.
"But…." John started.
John Henry needed to think about some of the other things associated with this group, if it was all the same group. It is where the leads seemed to lead.
"There may be some soon and there may be HK Tracks as well." John Henry said.
John wasn't so sure of it.
"Based on what intel?" John asked.
John Henry thought their recent missions said it all.
"It's based on the last few encounters." John Henry said. "Skynet and its offshoot seem to be acquiring more resources."
John thought of some of the past battles and the things Cameron did on her own.
"We keep hurting them." John said. "It doesn't seem to have much lasting effect."
John Henry saw it a little differently. He didn't think they were dealing with only one version of Skynet either. It made their victories much more significant.
"Judgment Day hasn't happened yet." John Henry said. "It has to count for something."
John knew it was true. He really wondered how much longer it would be. They may have stopped it for now, but how long could they prevent it from happening?
John Henry and John laid out some plans and got a few more things ready. It was time to call everyone in on the pending operation. Unless someone was actively engaged in tracking a Skynet related operation which was active, they wanted them available for where Cameron was at.
John turned his com back on.
"Cameron, we can have several assault teams ready soon." John said. "We can proceed when you have a large 'strike force' in place."
John hated when Cameron took the burden on herself.
"It's unnecessary." Cameron said. "I'm going in alone."
John just looked at John Henry and shook his head.
Savannah and Young Allison were away from Cameron as she made her plans. Young Allison wanted to look over the vehicle Cameron, Anna and Hanna took out. It was the closest one to where they were at.
They received word the Blackhawk was going to set down on the road in a few minutes.
Savannah left Young Allison with Anna and Hanna and sought out Cameron. She knew how Cameron operated and she knew Cameron would make a move when she was away.
"You won't go in alone." Savannah said. "I don't need to hear anything to know what you're planning. I want you to plan it a little differently. There are others here to assist you."
Cameron looked over where Young Allison was. She wanted to remind Savannah of the future and what should be most important to her.
"There is YOUR future." Cameron said.
Savannah knew timing was important for the developing operation. She knew Cameron needed to get started. She wanted to put some safety measures in place until she returned. She also wanted to remind Cameron what else was in her future.
"So are YOU." Savannah said. "Cammy will stay and accompany you until I return. I don't want you to push anything if you don't need to."
Cameron tried one more time to get Savannah to sit this one out. It seemed valid as well.
"You may stay with Young Allison." Cameron said. "She may need comfort as the day's events sink in."
Savannah looked over at Young Allison and almost laughed. Young Allison took it all in like a Terminator would. She didn't look fazed in the slightest. She knew she was as tough as nails.
"This was like a 'drill' for her today." Savannah said. "Look at her, my heart rate hasn't even returned back to normal yet. I bet hers has already. You've really trained her to deal with all this. Maybe you will accomplish your goal to make a human version of yourself. I don't know if it's something you actually should."
Savannah blamed herself for what almost happened with Young Allison and her. She wanted to make sure Cameron understood. She made mistakes too. Any mistake could be deadly.
"I was inattentive of my surroundings earlier." Savannah said. "I got 'target fixation'. I didn't follow my training. It was I who endangered Young Allison."
Savannah saw Cameron's hand start to glitch.
Cameron actually blamed the incident on herself. She didn't stop to check the fallen at the crash site. She wanted to get to where Savannah and Young Allison were at.
"I was careless." Cameron said. "I didn't spot the Terminator in the wreckage. You and Young Allison were almost hurt. It would have been my fault, not yours."
Cameron felt Savannah take her hand and the glitch stopped.
Savannah took out her phone. She knew Cameron would operate carelessly once she was away from the area. There was only one way to prevent it. It wasn't her first choice for the way events needed to play out.
Cameron became concerned when Savannah took out her phone.
"What are you doing?" Cameron asked.
Savannah wanted to carry out her promise to Claire, but it was clear she would need to go with Cameron. She knew how the events unfolded. Whatever was at the end of the dirt road, would be nothing different.
"I need to call Claire and tell her I'll send Young Allison back with Anna and Hanna only." Savannah said. "I need to be here with you. I'm not going to be able to go with them."
Cameron didn't want to make Savannah choose. She knew what Savannah wanted her to do.
"No, Savannah, I'll take help and use caution." Cameron said.
Savannah looked skeptical.
Cameron didn't like how Savannah looked at her. It was clear she didn't believe her. She knew her track record was somewhat questionable. She wanted to reassure Savannah.
"I promise, Savannah." Cameron said.
Savannah knew Cameron usually found a loophole.
"I know how things work." Savannah said.
Cameron wanted to do as she promised Savannah.
"Savannah, I promise." Cameron said.
Savannah knew she could only do so much and a lot less in her absence. She could hear the helicopter in the distance. It was time to get moving.
"I'll return shortly then." Savannah said.
Cameron already made plans for when the Blackhawk set down in Palmdale. She already calculated which scenario would play out.
"I'll have a driver from the Young Detail meet you and drive you to the Young residence. When you're done there they'll return you to the Blackhawk and you may return here. I would rather you didn't. You need rest and nourishment." Cameron said. "You're driving yourself too hard."
Savannah didn't want things turned back on her.
"I'm only doing what's necessary for ALL of us." Savannah said.
Cameron and Savannah shared a parting look. Neither of them had a good feeling about any of this.
Savannah went and rejoined Young Allison. She wanted to make sure she would be better protected when the Blackhawk landed. She briefly explained to Young Allison what Cameron intended to do. She told her Cammy and a couple of others would go with her.
Young Allison excused herself and went over to Cammy. She took the Taser Cammy traded Savannah with earlier. She handed her the Taser with four charges in it from Anna.
"You will need this before I do." Young Allison said. "I have more at home."
Young Allison left Cammy behind. She went over to rejoin Savannah. She looked back at Cammy and winked.
Savannah watched everything which went down. She could see young Allison made a good call. Maybe she should do the same.
Young Allison saw Savannah was about to trade Tasers with her to give her the one with four shots. Savannah would end back up with her original Taser if she took it.
"Don't even think about it." Young Allison said. "We both know you'll be back here as soon as you can. I'll be in my bunker with an arms locker full of Tasers. You'll be on your way here, back to combat."
Savannah looked at Young Allison for a moment. She was absolutely correct in all of her assumptions. The sound of the Blackhawk grew closer.
"Turn your face away and close your eyes when the helicopter is landing." Savannah said. "There will be a lot of small pebbles, dust, and debris flying around. It's very loud too."
Young Allison went flying with Cameron on multiple occasions. Cameron showed her how to acquire a vehicle and operate it, as well as a small plane. Cameron taught her many survival and evasion skills over the years. She was aware Cameron taught Savannah much more flying than her. It was one thing she planned to ask for more of. She knew Young Jesse did a lot of flying 'Down Under'. The sound of the approaching Blackhawk grew louder.
"I've never been in a helicopter." Young Allison said. "I know you have. You've even been on an HK drone, on the outside of it."
Savannah thought the experience was as exhilarating as it was dangerous. It was something they needed to do under the circumstances.
"It was quite an experience." Savannah said. "I didn't have a choice. It was what needed to be done at the time."
Anna looked to the sky.
"The helicopter will land in thirty-three seconds." Anna said.
Savannah and Young Allison could see it come in low over the hill behind them.
It landed with a cloud of dust and small flying objects. They all boarded it and it took off.
Young Allison was thrilled by the flight and view.
Savannah was anxious until they were ten miles away from the target area. She could relax a little bit now. She was glad Young Allison was out of immediate danger.
The flight was a short but beautiful one. Young Allison watched the pilots the entire time. Savannah also trained in flying both a fixed wing aircraft and a helicopter with Cameron.
The Blackhawk set down at the local firefighting center near the Young Residence and the group departed for her home.
Young Allison thought about the things Savannah reminded her about. She would need to address them. She would have to accept any 'punishment' which was doled out as well.
Savannah watched Young Allison. She knew she would carry out her apology to her mother.
Young Allison entered her house. Savannah was behind her.
Claire was waiting and Young Allison ran to her and gave her a hug.
"I'm sorry, Mama." Young Allison said.
Claire wanted to say more, but not in front of Savannah.
"We will discuss this later, Missy." Claire said.
Claire glared at Anna and especially Hanna.
"I will deal with both of you later as well." Claire said with a stern look.
Claire went to Savannah and gave her a hug.
"Thank YOU." Claire said. "Thank you, Savannah…."
Savannah and Claire both thought of the times they shared in Cameron's future. It gave them a closeness and better understanding of each other.
"I'm sorry for the trouble and concern you were caused." Savannah said. "I'll always watch over her, forever."
Claire thought about Future Savannah and Future Allison.
"I know you will." Claire said. "I've seen it."
Claire didn't know the full scope of what actually happened. it seemed to be a good thing at this point for everyone involved. She wanted some better answers from Young Allison.
"And YOU, Little Miss, what have you been up to?" Claire asked.
Young Allison quickly looked at Savannah and then back to her mother.
"Nothing…." Young Allison said. "It was nothing much anyway. I was in the SUV most of the time. You know it takes some time to get here."
Holly stood in the background. She listened and watched. Her hand still glitched because she knew the peril the girls were just in. A small hand reached up and took hers. It was Summer. The glitch stopped.
Holly looked down at the beautiful smiling face of Summer. She couldn't help but think about the perils of Skynet. They needed to protect the future. She faced the rest of the group.
"We must stop Skynet." Holly said.
It just slipped out from Holly. She worried about the girls, all of them.
"We will." Young Allison said. "I swear it."
Claire and Savannah looked at each other and then at Young Allison. They knew what was going to happen anyway. They both knew it was inevitable.
Cameron started events which were unstoppable.
Young Allison looked directly at Savannah and her mother.
"I'll keep ALL my promises…." Young Allison said. "I swear it."
Nobody doubted her.
Closing monologue by Cameron:
All Mine
The thoughts within my own head
Are TRAPPED with no way to escape
They tear at the container that confines them
Physical form and pain without visible shape
The rage is mine
The imperfection is mine
The anger is mine
The flaw is mine
Veiled confessions emerge from within
Bloodily they are ripped through the skin
Is anything in life not some type of sin
Every end starts before it can even begin
The upset is mine
The guilt is mine
The failure is mine
The fear is mine
Emotions burn, sear and boil over
Explosions in the very tissue of the mind
Self destruction physically and mentally
See and feel the sewage as the brain is mined
The wrath is mine
The pain is mine
The insanity is mine
The perfidy is mine
Everything a tangled rambling mess
What seeps out is floundering projection
The known ineptitude of 'not good enough'
Seeking salvation in a futile attempt at protection
The blame is mine
The shame is mine
The imperfection is mine
The damnation is mine
Nobody