Chapter 644

Gap

Earlier:

Cam drove Vanna to Palmdale. She listened to the conversation between Vanna and Allison. She didn't like to 'share' Vanna with others, but understood Vanna's needs and previous commitments.

She could always see the human girls could 'connect' with each other on a deeper emotional level. A Metal girl was superior for sex, but the human girls needed more on a personal level. A human female was always able to 'love' better than a Metal girl could.

Vanna and Allison talked the entire way there. The conversation was varied and personal.

Cam could hear the nature of the conversation change as they drove. It was very somber at the beginning. There was even a little abrasiveness. It confused her a little until she understood it. The abrasiveness was actually Vanna's and Allison's desire to be with each other expressed through frustration. It was clear to her she should have done a little more to assist the relationship rather than be so selfish and try to monopolize Vanna's time.

She understood the real possibility of losing Allison to Cameron's future. There was no doubt Vanna was going to go with her. She most certainly wouldn't be allowed to go, at least with her current appearance. There was a good chance Cameron would prevent Holly and her from going at all so the girls could focus on each other and Allison's baby.

Cam made the final turn.

"We'll be in front of the house in two minutes." Vanna said.

Vanna ended the call. She looked at Cam. She felt a little self conscious about everything. She knew it was always tough on the Metal girls to turn the ones they loved over into the arms of another. She felt the 'rules' were laid down and established at the beginning of the relationship with Cam. There were certain things which already existed.

"I really appreciate this." Vanna said.

Cam didn't have much choice. She felt it was true on several levels. If she was viewed as some type of impediment to Vanna's and Allison's well-being, Cameron would deal harshly with her in the most negative way.

"I understand." Cam said. "Allison is your true love."

Vanna knew it was true. She would do anything for Allison. They may be separated by distance at times, but she would never allow them to be separated by time again. She didn't want Cam to view it as some type of affront.

"She is, but I love you no less." Vanna said.

Cam knew the best she could hope for was 'third place'. Allison and Cameron would always be in front of her in Vanna's heart.

"I understand." Cam said.

What else was there to say?

They pulled up and parked.

Holly didn't like to 'share' Allison with others, but understood Allison's needs and previous commitments. Cameron made it clear she needed to recognize, understand and accept them, or she was the one who would be gone.

"Vanna and Cam will be here soon." Holly said.

Claire was in the kitchen. She seemed excited by the prospect. She looked forward to seeing Vanna and Cam.

"Really?" Claire asked.

Holly wanted to keep things in perspective.

"Yes." Holly said. "She's coming to see Allison."

Claire didn't care too much for the last part of Holly's statement. She hurried to her room. She made sure her hair was in order and put some makeup on. She wanted to keep it subtle. She knew Allison and Vanna would share. She hoped Cam and Allison would too later on. She really wanted to be with Vanna, even if it was for a quickie. She would like to spend some alone time with Cam as well. She knew Cam was a clone of Cameron. It was about as close as she could get, well, for now anyway.

Hanna was with Summer. She noticed what Claire did and understood why. It made her a little jealous. Vanna was physically identical to her. It was the human connection Claire sought. It was something she could never match, even if she tried to emulate it. It was just different between the human females and the Metal girls.

Holly looked over towards Allison's room. She left earlier to give Allison some privacy when she saw the direction the phone call was going. It was evident their past held the girls together like a magnet. Sometimes the magnet was reversed and it pushed them away from each other. Other times the magnet attracted them to each other and held them tight.

"They're here." Holly said.

Hanna looked over.

Allison came out of her room.

Claire was a little surprised at what she saw. So were Hanna and Holly.

'Cameron' stood there.

Allison evidently fixed herself up during the phone call. It was clear she wanted her true mate. She certainly wanted to present the best physical version of herself to Vanna. It was a reminder to everyone of Allison's true beauty. Cameron's beauty was Allison's beauty.

Claire figured she wouldn't get lucky today. She figured Allison would probably be her best at everything she did today with Vanna. When it came to love making, there was a depth to it where she could only ever hope to come in second place to Vanna. She only needed to remind herself her daughter's happiness came before her desires.

Allison looked stunning.

Summer opened the front door. Cam walked in followed by Vanna.

Cam stopped in her tracks and Vanna bumped into her. She looked at Allison and knew Cameron's beauty was not her own. It belonged to Allison. It meant hers did too. It was confirmation she would never be able to get above 'third place', no matter what happened. Allison's beauty was magnificent.

Vanna didn't expect Cam to stop so abruptly. She bumped into her a little. Cam didn't move so she moved around her. She paused too once she did. She sucked in her breath slightly. She was sure she could feel her heart flutter. Her heartbeat was already elevated in anticipation of seeing Allison. Once she viewed her and saw her true beauty, her heart really started to pound. Look at her. LOOK AT HER!

Allison and Vanna looked at each other. They moved forward and embraced. Their hearts' beat for each other. All they did was hold each other close. Nothing felt better to either of them. They survived death like this. They felt there was a future like this. They were elated just to be in the company of each other.

They backed up some and kissed once.

Allison silently led Vanna to her room.

Everyone else was gone at this point. They all knew true love when they saw it. It wasn't anything any of them could compete with.

Cammy and Savannah sped to get to where Cameron was at. They would be there in a very short time.

Savannah was very worried about Cameron because she was alone. She asked CamNet to give her a secure line to Cameron.

"Cameron, we're about five minutes out." Savannah said. "We are going to assist you."

It isn't what Cameron wanted to hear from Savannah. She now carried Vanna's baby. Savannah shouldn't be in combat. She should be on her way to see Allison, both of them. She would need to find out why Cammy disobeyed her again. She found her current situation less than ideal in every respect. It was about to get messy.

"NO." Cameron said. "I have hostiles showing up all around me. You mustn't enter this area. I'm going to need to fight my way out."

Savannah quickly told Cammy to have Cameron's drones scramble at maximum speed and tell CamNet she personally requested additional personnel to assist Cameron and her. She wasn't about to turn her back on Cameron.

"You're alone." Savannah said. "How many assailants are there?"

Cameron could only go by what she saw with her own eyes. Her proximity to the suspected Skynet location was bound to spawn more.

"There are thirteen so far." Cameron said. "I'm sure there will be more. I expect the drivers of the two vans to join them."

Savannah thought it sounded like a lot of the enemy to suddenly appear for what was to be a simple recon. Cameron was probably light on weapons too.

"How much gear do you have?" Savannah asked.

Cameron felt a little under gunned at this point. She wanted to let Savannah know she didn't intend to be in the situation she currently was.

"It was only supposed to be a recon." Cameron said. "I don't have much of anything."

It worried Savannah more since it hadn't started out as an assault. Cameron would most likely be dressed to blend in, she wouldn't look like she was ready for a battle.

"Do you have a vest?" Savannah asked.

Cameron only carried two weapons beside herself.

"No." Cameron said. "I only have my Glock and a Taser."

Cammy thought the prudent move was to withdraw for now.

"Can you evade them?" Cammy asked. "We can always come back later. What's your vehicle?"

Cameron didn't like to run. She didn't want to give the enemy time to prepare for an assault later on either. She wanted to get things wrapped up before Savannah arrived. The more of the threat she could eliminate, the less danger Savannah would need to face. Her 'vehicle' wouldn't offer her much protection if she could even reach it. She believed the nature of the attack by the enemy warranted an appropriate response.

"I have a motorcycle I 'borrowed'." Cameron said. "I don't wish to evade them. They've come for me. I don't want to disappoint them. Instead, I'll come for them."

Savannah wanted to assist Cameron. It didn't need to be a direct assault.

"Cameron, you'll have two drones shortly. Try to elude them until you have more support." Savannah said. "Is there any way you can lead them into an ambush we can set up?"

Cammy knew the layout of the area as of two days ago.

"I have the satellite files of the area." Cammy said. "So does Cameron."

Cameron quickly gave Cammy a rundown of what was happening, where she was at, as well as where she could go. She wanted things kept low risk for Savannah. There was one location which appeared it would be the perfect ambush zone.

"Cammy, Savannah must be protected at all costs." Cameron said.

Cammy thought the best way to keep Savannah safe was for Cameron to pull out. The current situation wasn't on her. It was on Cameron. She didn't need to be told about Savannah safety.

"It's always understood." Cammy said. "You know I'd do no less."

Cameron could see the men started their search in the wrong area. She already changed her position twice since her arrival. They were at the original location.

"I'm moving now." Cameron said. "So far they haven't spotted me, at least my exact location."

Savannah doubted all of the men were Grays. What they encountered on many occasions were 'contract employees' who worked for the Grays, not knowing their true boss was Skynet. The humans who would confront Cameron weren't her biggest worry.

"How many Terminators are there?" Savannah asked. "We'll be in position soon."

Cameron hadn't identified any Terminators yet. Odds were good there were some, or would be. They wouldn't have far to go from the building down a few and across the street.

"It's unknown at this time." Cameron said. "I have to figure it will be more than one."

Cameron moved down from the second floor where she was. It was mainly for observation purposes. To launch her attack, she needed to be at ground level so she could move from location to location. Because the men about to attack her were spread out, it would be difficult for her to engage all of them simultaneously. She hoped to receive a minimum amount of damage during the process. With an ambush location set up, she would be able to lure any of those she couldn't terminate herself into.

Once she reached the ground floor she quickly ducked behind the stairwell. Someone passed by the side entrance, but didn't enter. She figured they would try to trap her inside.

Cameron ran at full speed to the other side of the building. There were two men moving up as she exited to the outside. It was time to draw first blood. She fired her Glock twice and both men went down. She grabbed the MP5 one man carried as she passed his fallen body. She never slowed her pace.

"It just went hot." Cameron said. "They're trying to trap me."

Cammy knew there was no easy way out now. She continued to implement the plan Cameron and her worked out.

"We heard. How soon until you reach our position?" Cammy asked. "We're just about ready."

Cameron planned to thin the herd before she led them to Cammy. The best way to do it was have them come to her.

"I need to get some more people to follow me." Cameron said. "It shouldn't be too hard."

Cameron previously directed Cammy and Savannah where to go. She needed to buy them some time so they could get into position and set the ambush up. In the process she hoped to get the ones she didn't kill outright first to follow her into the ambush site.

She jumped the fence into the next property. It was a block wall. Bullets began to hit around her as she disappeared over the top of the block wall. The wall took the punishment as she moved into the new area on the other side.

Cammy and Savannah reached their ambush point. They were now concealed and somewhat protected.

"The drones are still five minutes out." Cammy said. "We're in position and waiting. We have good cover."

Cameron knew she wouldn't be able to wait five minutes. She actually hoped to have everything concluded in the next few minutes. She landed on her feet on the other side of the wall. Two more men were caught by surprise. She fired the MP5 into them. First it was into their chests. They wore some type of body armor. They didn't fall as they took the bullet impacts. The body armor would make things a little harder. She then fired into their heads. They were down now.

"They have protective vests on." Cameron said. "Make sure you do head shots or use Coltan rounds."

Cammy and Savannah would do both things.

"We have it covered." Cammy said.

Cameron took a hit. It upset her. She turned and fired off the rest of the magazine of the MP5. She dropped it when it was empty. Her target was down.

She reached for the AK47 from one of the men she just shot when she came over the wall. She didn't care for the type of firearm. It was incredibly inaccurate. It was basically a 'spray and pray' firearm. In her current situation it would most likely be how it was used, well, except for the pray part. There wouldn't be a deity involved. It would simply be her against the enemy. She dodged away and inside the next building. She smashed through a door. Five more men came around the far corner and a hail of bullets preceded them. She was not hit again. Not yet anyway.

Savannah was worried about the volume of gunfire. Cameron was most likely taking hits.

"We hear a lot of shooting." Savannah said. "Have you been shot?"

Cameron thought the Grays were 'trigger happy'. They seemed to use the 'spray and pray' technique. No doubt there were a lot of 'contract employees with' them.

"Most of it's not me." Cameron said. "I've only taken one hit. The attack force is undisciplined and poorly trained. They shouldn't pose too much of a problem when I lead them to you."

Cameron ran toward the back of the building. She reached down and ripped the 'roll up' door open. It snapped up with a loud noise. It 'gave away' her position. She wanted to make sure they followed her.

The five men entered the building. They heard the commotion of the 'roll up' door and fired a flurry of shots at Cameron's departing figure.

Cameron ran outside and jumped back over the wall she just came over when she left the first building. She saw three men already climbed over to her side, from the side she jumped over earlier. They were caught off guard by her sudden appearance, and just as sudden disappearance.

There were eight of them she was able to get bunched together now. Cameron ran north alongside the wall. The eight men were all on the other side. When she saw they started to climb over after her, she jumped the wall back to their side. She was near the extreme end of the fence. It was where she wanted to be.

She decided to use a 'sucker play' and make them think she was an easy target.

Cameron jumped back over the wall and landed 'heavily'. She limped around the back of the building dragging her leg as bullets impacted behind her. She was behind the cover of the building in seconds. The bullets still impacted where she was earlier. There was no longer a target for them, but the bullets continued. The attackers seemed to have poor fire discipline. The inaccuracy of their firearms also worked in her favor.

The men thought they cornered her now. It seemed she was 'hurt' and appeared unarmed. The eight men ran after her.

Out of their eyesight, Cameron regained her speed after fooling the men. She ran towards a gap between the next two properties. To make it look good, she dropped to the ground. She drug herself into the gap as the men came around the backside of the building as they ran after her. It looked like they could capture her if they hurried. The more they hurried, the less caution they would use. It was the whole point.

Cameron knew they were hooked now. She came quickly back up to her feet once she was out of sight and passed through the gap. She climbed a fence and went over into the next property and back south along the wall. She wanted to pop up behind the men on the other side of the wall as they entered the gap. It was the kill zone. The men, and the gunfire, would all be in a confined area.

The eight men saw a female come over the wall and she appeared to be hurt. They didn't know if she was shot. They imagined she probably took multiple rounds with all the gunfire they directed at her. They followed her around the back of the building. They watched her 'struggle' down on the ground as she drug herself around another corner. They closed up fast. They KNEW they were going to get her.

They bunched together in pursuit of her. They wanted blood to avenge their fallen comrades. Some of them made plans for her if she were captured alive. Others made plans for her anyway, even if she wasn't. Her body would still be warm. Some of them would miss the screaming and crying though. It was most of the thrill for some of them

The men were in the gap before they realized the female wasn't there. Instead, they found Cammy and Savannah waiting for them.

Cammy opened up on them. She was the primary source of engagement. She was already advised they wore body armor. She wanted to hit them where the armor wouldn't be. It would bring them down. He was much the same way a lion went after its prey. It always attempted to disable the rear legs so the prey could no longer run. She fired across their thighs as she emptied her magazine. The men all fell.

As the men went down, Savannah opened up on them from the side. She fired on the fallen figures. Cammy changed magazines and now delivered head shots into the writhing and screaming figures.

Two men held back as six men entered the gap. Cameron jumped up and clung to the wall with her right arm. She looked to make sure there were no others coming. There weren't. She leaned over the fence behind them and fired her Glock with her left hand. Both men went down even before their brethren were finished being terminated by Cammy and Savannah.

Cameron took one more look for any other troops. She dropped back behind the wall and went north again. Savannah and Cammy were already withdrawing when she caught up to them.

Savannah handed Cameron a vest. It was fully loaded. She handed her an M4 after she put the vest on. They made it to Cammy's SUV and piled in.

Cameron worried about Savannah's safety. She was also pleased they helped her.

"You shouldn't be here, Savannah." Cameron said. "But thank you, both of you."

Savannah didn't want to make a big deal about any of it. She tried to make it sound like it was more of a trivial matter than actual combat.

"I knew you didn't have your vest on." Savannah said. "I brought one for you. It was just a little mop up on our part. You did all the heavy lifting."

Cammy was worried some of the men might have survived. She didn't know what the size of the force Cameron actually dealt with was.

"How many were taken down?" Cammy asked. "I finished six, with Savannah."

Cameron thought she could have taken all the men herself. She may have taken a few more rounds though. She wanted to follow up their attack by one of her own.

"I dropped seven." Cameron said. "None of them were Terminators. I know there are some Terminators somewhere. I want to hit the factory building."

Savannah checked over Cameron's damage. It was only cosmetic.

Cameron was sure she was painted with a laser on a targeting system of some weapon earlier. Now it was time for her to target them.

The event wasn't over. It was about to get started.

They still didn't know what all was involved.

Young Allison listened to the battle unfold. The drones weren't in position yet so she didn't see much. Only Cammy and Savannah wore vests and body cams.

They watched the ambush take place. It only seemed like it was a few seconds.

"Everything happened very quickly." Young Allison said.

Anna knew they didn't have a lot of time to get things set up. Savannah and Cammy made it to the rendezvous point ahead of Cameron and laid the trap.

"Everything worked out fine." Anna said.

Young Allison thought it was still risky.

"It was some serious crossfire." Young Allison said. "It was a classic 'L' shaped ambush. Cameron was able to fire on the two rear targets from behind the wall to make sure there was no retreat."

They were aware Cameron now wore the vest Savannah gave her.

"Cameron has prevailed." Anna said. "She's better protected now."

Young Allison knew Cameron took most of the risk to make it happen. She did have assistance.

"She did with a little help from Cammy and Savannah." Young Allison said.

Anna was pleased with the outcome. She believed Cameron was always on the offensive, even if it appeared she was on the defensive.

"Cameron was always in control." Anna said.

Young Allison saw it a little differently. There could have been a different outcome with a few variables.

"You knew she would." Young Allison said. "But what would have happened if she were hit with a Taser or ran into a Terminator?"

Anna thought it would have been covered.

"It's what Cammy and Savannah were there for." Anna said. "They would have gone in after her. The initial reports by the enemy should have indicated there was only one target they were in pursuit of. The arrival of Cammy and Savannah were unknown to them."

Young Allison didn't like the needless risk to Cameron.

"They were only there because Savannah insisted they go." Young Allison said. "John disrupted Cameron's operation by going out needlessly. He doesn't even know what's happened."

Anna didn't agree with John being out in the field either. It did endanger Cameron. Maybe there was a lesson there.

"John Henry's warned them to be on the highest alert." Anna said. "John Henry knows. He also sees no need to tell John right now what's happened. Tell me why."

Young Allison understood what a failure his efforts would have been if John would have tried to send help.

"Like you said, John would have sent his force to help. They would never have arrived there in time. John would be exposed to danger then." Young Allison said. "He still doesn't know what danger he faces. It's better if he has a heavily armed force in case he needs it."

Anna wanted to see how Young Allison would play it now.

"What happens with Cameron's team going forward?" Anna asked.

Young Allison knew it would be dark soon. It would provide them some more flexibility. The enemy would also be alerted with the loss of so many men.

"They can use the drones to hit the factory. Unless Cameron thinks she can get a look inside. With all of the gunfire, it seems doubtful at this point." Young Allison said. "There will be at least one Terminator. They've probably already been dispatched to deal with Cameron."

Anna knew Cameron would use less caution than Savannah or Cammy.

"The drones are on station, but orbiting off to the side. Waiting." Anna said. "What's Cameron's next move?"

Young Allison knew how Cameron operated.

"It will be to attack." Young Allison said. "Cameron doesn't like loose ends."

Anna received an update from the Command Center.

"It is almost completely dark now." Anna said. "John Henry has sent two more drones at high altitude to watch for any approaching hostile drones. Cameron's are ready for a strike on the ground or the structure."

Young Allison checked the update.

"There are four more drones dispatched to John's location." Young Allison said. "John Henry just informed John."

Anna knew there was more help on the way for Cameron's team.

"CamNet has directed some of Cameron's Terminators to assist her. They were dispatched as soon as Savannah contacted CamNet. She asked for any available Terminators to head for Cameron's location." Anna said. "They'll be arriving soon."

John Henry picked up a new threat. He was most worried about where John was at. He sent out the warning.

"I just detected hostile HK drones…." John Henry reported. "John, have your team get ready."

It appeared things just went from bad to worse. It really wasn't a surprise to anyone.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Vile And Evil

A storm rages in my consciousness
Lightning flashes, thunder roars
The windshield wipers work hard
But I still can not see what soars

A blanket of thick fog shrouds
All before, behind and around me
Only right here and right now
Is what I am able to think I see

My consciousness is the storm
It strikes like a violent tornado will
Tearing apart all it touches so deadly
Hurting all it contacts, leaving a chill

Something this ugly, vile and evil
Needs to be violently destroyed quickly
Full of insane emotional delusions
Seen only as a fiend and sickly

Nobody