Chapter 645

Irradiated

John Henry sent out an urgent warning. He just picked up a new threat.

"There are several hostile HK drones which have been detected." John Henry said. "John, have your team get ready."

John thought his team was all set to go. His concern was the strength of the enemy and their proximity.

"We're all ready." John said. "How many HK drones are there? Are they headed for us?"

John Henry was able to refine their tracking. He was a little surprised. They weren't headed for John's location. They were headed for where Cameron was at. It was probably a response to the earlier action which occurred there. From all indications, Cameron eliminated at least two squads of Grays. She did have assistance from Cammy and Savannah.

"There are two of them. They'll pass by you in the distance. They're headed for the other location." John Henry said. "It's possible they could still turn in your direction. There's no indication they'll do so."

John wasn't sure why the drones would go to the other location. The team was all at the location where he was at. He wondered if they missed something. Maybe they were all at the wrong location.

"Why would they go there?" John asked. "Is there some other type of activity going on?"

John Henry knew it was going to come out soon enough. He might just as well say it now. He thought the situation was somewhat resolved currently. He wasn't sure how much longer it would remain so.

"Cameron is currently involved in a combat operation. It originally started as a simple recon." John Henry said. "There have been a number of Grays terminated. They attacked her in her observation post during her recon. She responded accordingly."

John was upset because once again Cameron was fighting the war alone. He knew not to show his anger in front of the troops. He suddenly was aware why Cameron was alone. It made him feel sick.

"No wonder she's been so quiet." John said. "She sent all her help to protect me. Is she alone?"

John Henry was glad to report she wasn't. It was probably still going to be a point of contention as to who Cameron's help was.

"She was initially." John Henry said. "She engaged thirteen assailants alone. Cammy and Savannah have since joined her. They were able to set up an ambush for the attackers. They've taken down all thirteen hostiles so far. It was a team effort."

John was visibly agitated. Not only was Cameron alone. Now she drug Savannah into it. He thought it was just like her. There was nothing happening where they were at. He thought he could send some of the Terminators to help her.

"I need to send some of the troops from here to there." John said. "Cameron's team needs the help more than I do."

John Henry knew it wasn't what Cameron wanted.

"Negative." John Henry said. "The battle has commenced. They must remain to protect you, those are Cameron's orders. We don't know what else might be directed your way. As long as you remain near the location, you're under a threat from Skynet."

It irritated John the reason why Cameron was all alone was because of him. It was how she viewed things, not him. She was more worried about his safety than her own. He wondered if she thought about Savannah. What about Savannah, what about her safety?

He thought about the weapons Bob carried in the van. He specifically took them along to protect Cameron originally. Now they sat useless in the van when Cameron needed them.

"We have the Stingers here." John said. "I've endangered Cameron by being out here again."

John Henry thought Cameron was covered with the assistance of Savannah and Cammy.

"Yes." John Henry said. "Savannah has entered the battle to assist her with Cammy. They'll fight with her."

John wasn't happy with the situation. There wasn't a whole lot he could do about it.

"Keep me posted." John said.

John turned to the back seat. He thought the Metal girls owed him a better explanation.

"What do you two have to say about this?" John asked.

Ally didn't think the situation was on them. It certainly wasn't on her.

"Cameron wants you protected." Ally said. "What else is there to say? We're here now because you are, otherwise we would still be there to assist Cameron. She wouldn't have needed to face thirteen attackers alone."

Sheila wanted John to know what Cameron's plan originally was. He wasn't part of it.

"Cameron could have used our help and the heavy weapons Bob brought." Sheila said. "It was her plan. She would have possessed much better coverage and support. You being out in the field changed everything."

Ally thought John should have figured things out a long time ago. It happened every time he came out in the field. It was nothing new. She wondered why it was such a hard concept for him to grasp. When he entered a danger zone, he needed to be protected.

"John, you have to understand she's doing this to protect you." Ally said. "You know you shouldn't have come out on this one."

John wanted to do more to take some of the burden off of Cameron. He thought he should be out in the field instead of Savannah.

"I wanted to help." John said. "I wanted to do my part."

Sheila spotted a new development. It wasn't a good one either.

"It looks like you are going to get your chance." Sheila said. "Look over there…."

Cameron went over everything she knew with Savannah and Cammy. She wanted to shield Savannah from any heavy action. It was always important someone watched their back and made sure the way out was open, or more reinforcements could reach them. There was something specific she didn't want Savannah to need to deal with.

"I know there's going to be at least one Terminator here." Cameron said. "Only Cammy and I will engage them. If the Terminator spots you, they'll think they found an easy target. We all know it's not, but they won't."

Savannah didn't think she took any unnecessary chances. She only did what needed to be done, when it needed to be done.

"I've only ever engaged a Terminator when I've needed to." Savannah said. "I don't go looking for them. I usually just encounter them somewhere during a battle."

Savannah knew whenever there was a Terminator it needed to be brought down. She never went searching for Terminators, but she didn't run from one when she found it, or it found her.

Cameron still worried about Savannah nonetheless.

"I know, Savannah." Cameron said. "You know I'm worried about you."

Cameron was worried about the precious 'cargo' Savannah now carried for Vanna. It still marveled her some how humans could create life. She needed to be constructed.

Savannah didn't want Cameron to worry needlessly. They were there to do a job. Everybody needed to play a part.

"I feel safe and protected with Cammy and you here." Savannah said. "You need to remember I'm very concerned about Cammy and you as well. You're not the only one who worries. You'll have some more Terminators to back you up soon. The drones are coming."

Cameron was informed by CamNet what to expect. It seemed some extra help was a good idea at this point.

"I was notified by CamNet you requested it." Cameron said. "Thank You."

Savannah wanted Cameron protected.

"I want you to use all the help we can get." Savannah said. "Based upon what you've uncovered so far, it looks like we're going to need it."

Cameron received a disturbing update from John Henry. It appeared they were going to need to face threats in several different arenas.

"John Henry also reported two HK drones passed by John's area. They didn't stop to engage them. They're headed here." Cameron said. "John Henry also sent two more drones to assist the first two you requested, Savannah."

Cammy saw a new threat with the report of the two HK drones. They needed to come from some place and it wasn't either location they currently surveilled.

"It means we still have another location to find and destroy." Cammy said. "The HK drones approaching aren't from either of the two areas we're watching. I think we need to be on the lookout for even more."

Cameron frowned. It seemed there was always something additional. Sometimes it seemed they never caught a break. All there was, was more work to do.

"Apparently…." Cameron said.

The trio took a full range of weapons and armaments from Cammy's SUV. They were on foot now as they approached the target area from the rear. They were now almost exactly opposite of where Cameron was nearly trapped. They came in from the property on the backside. A frontal approach didn't seem like a good option based on the earlier gun battle. The enemy would be expecting them. The enemy would be ready.

Cameron wanted to take some preemptive action. She didn't want to deal with hostile HK drones. They would pose the biggest threat to her team since they could attack from a distance.

"I'll have John Henry's two drones go after the two hostile HK drones which are approaching." Cameron said. "They'll be stopped before they get closer."

Savannah didn't want to take any chances. She also didn't want to get caught in a sucker play. She was worried about all of their safety.

"Since they're the biggest threat, I'd like one of yours to go as well just to make sure." Savannah said. "They can all be back here in no time if we need them. Watch out for them to lure our drones away from here."

It soon appeared they would have a guardian angel, again.

"Cameron, I'm coming to assist." Gail said. "I'm in the manned drone at altitude. If the two approaching HK drones run, send only two of ours after them. I'll stay here to assist with the other two of your drones. It will be better to have the maximum firepower available with all three drones if it's necessary. There's no way to know how the operation will expand around the area where you're currently involved."

Cameron was a little surprised Gail was there, but not really. She knew she was sweet on Savannah. They could use the extra help in this case. There was always the prospect there could be additional HK drones arrive. They might already be on the way as far as they knew. They would most likely come from a different direction.

"I've got it." Cameron said.

Savannah smiled. Gail was there to look after her again.

"Thank You, Gail." Savannah said.

It appeared there was a new threat.

"Listen." Cameron said.

Cammy heard what Cameron indicated.

A few seconds later Savannah heard it as well. It left her with a sick feeling in her stomach. She knew it was way too early for morning sickness.

There was the unmistakable sound of a tracked vehicle moving.

It sounded as if things were going from bad to worse. It seemed to be pretty much on par for the course.

John thought things were bad enough already. He looked over to where Sheila pointed.

"Beautiful…." John said.

There was the whine of an HK drone starting up.

John wanted to strike first. He hoped to draw first blood.

"John Henry, target the HK drone getting ready to take off." John said. "Hit it now if you can."

There was a streak of light across the sky and an explosion where the HK drone powered up at.

John Henry watched the drone camera and saw he scored a hit.

"The target's been neutralized." John Henry reported.

John was still worried about the HK drones which were already in the air.

"What's the status of the HK drones headed for Cameron?" John asked.

John Henry was a little surprised when the two HK drones which approached Cameron's team turned tail and ran. He hadn't expected it.

"The two HK drones we spotted earlier have retreated." John Henry said. "They might have a new target."

John didn't want to lose them. They were still a threat as long as they existed. They could return at any time. They could even head for his team. He wanted the threat ended.

"Bring them down." John said. "Do you know where they originated from?"

John Henry only saw them 'pop up' a short time ago.

"Not yet. I'll try to triangulate where they came from." John Henry said. "Cameron has dispatched two drones to intercept them."

John was afraid it would leave Cameron under gunned.

"It leaves her without any." John said. "What about them? They're already in combat. Cameron needs help too."

"Gail's arrived with the manned drone." John Henry said. "Cameron's team has encountered tracked vehicles and Terminators as well."

John knew Cameron's team was in for a rough go. It was his fault too.

"I'm drawing off all Cameron's resources." John said.

John Henry spotted something from the drone camera.

"It seems like you need them." John Henry said.

John hadn't seen any new development.

"We haven't encountered any Terminators yet." John said.

Sheila looked over at the building they just attacked.

"It looks like you spoke too soon, love." Sheila said.

She pointed again.

Cameron was worried about the tracked vehicle. It was moving but they couldn't see it yet.

Savannah noticed right away the sound wasn't the same as what she previously encountered with HK Tracks and HK Treads. She wondered what they would encounter this time.

"It sounds different to me." Savannah said. "Is this a new threat?"

Cammy knew of several different types of armored vehicles. It was an older version of one.

"It's different." Cammy said. "It sounds like an M113 APC."

Cameron wasn't sure if Savannah would know what it was.

"It's an armored personnel carrier." Cameron said. "It's usually referred to as a 'Track'."

She knew it was much more successful with the US, and around the globe, than its contemporary, the M114. The M114 looked similar, but was smaller and used an inferior power plant. The manufacturer of the power plant usually came up second best in the automotive field, especially in racing with their line of power plants during the same time period the M114 was produced. It would take them more than a decade to get their power plants to perform. The M114 was quickly regulated to secondary duties when combat arose. Most of the follow up contracts were for the M113. Strangely enough, the fighting vehicle chosen to replace it was not easily amphibious like the M113 was. No doubt more than a few pockets were lined with cash to allow such an 'oversight' to occur.

Cammy knew the M113 carried a wide assortment of weapons. There were many different variations of it. The destruction it could unleash was not to be taken lightly.

"They can carry a wide range of heavy weapons, or even TOW missiles." Cammy said. "Those weapons can damage or disable Cameron and me. They will be fatal to you, Savannah."

Savannah knew Cameron would want to take the risk first. This wasn't the time. She didn't want to fool around. It sounded as if it was the biggest threat they would need to face other than Terminators. She didn't want any heroics from Cameron or Cammy.

"Gail if you have a shot. I want you to take it." Savannah said. "Strike it now. Destroy the APC. It's possible it can be a threat to you as well."

Savannah's advice was good enough for Gail to hear. She already targeted it as soon as it exited the building.

"One missile is away." Gail said. "Its track is good."

Cameron would've waited, but it was probably better to eliminate the threat first. They didn't know how many threats they would face. It could be the first of many.

There was an explosion and then a series of secondary ones. It sounded like munitions being set off by the first explosion. There was ammunition 'cooking off' in the destroyed APC.

Savannah didn't want Gail to become a target.

"Gail, watch for an attack aimed at you." Savannah said. "You're now known to be up there. Be ready to suppress any anti-aircraft fire directed at you. Make full use of your countermeasures. It's doubtful anyone who knows there's a drone up there will know it is a manned drone. Use everything to its full extent to protect yourself."

CamNet informed Cameron the two HK drones approaching their location broke off their approach. It surprised her somewhat. She hadn't expected it. It took away one major threat they would have needed to finish. It made her wonder why.

"CamNet has reported the two hostile HK drones are running." Cameron said. "They've split up."

Savannah questioned the information. She was afraid they were headed elsewhere.

"Are they running, or do they have new targets?" Savannah asked. "John…."

Cammy was updated by John Henry. John seemed to be covered for now.

"John has four drones on station." Cammy said.

Cameron wanted to make sure the two HK drones didn't elude them.

"I'm sending two drones after each one of the hostile HK drones." Cameron said.

Savannah was worried it would cut their strike capability down. She already asked Gail to act on her behalf once. She didn't want to cut into Cameron's authority on her own again. She needed to point out the obvious.

"It leaves us with only Gail." Savannah said.

Cameron planned for the two drones to fire their 'air to ground' ordinance before they left.

"My two drones will be traveling a little lighter. They have a few presents to deliver as they go." Cameron said.

Four missiles streaked down. They hit all sections of the structure. It was soon a flaming mass with multiple explosions emanating from within the burning rubble. It appeared they caused a lot of damage.

Gail spotted a breakaway of troops from the burning structure. She wanted to engage them while they were still clustered together.

"There is a group of figures headed your way, Cameron." Gail said. "Missile away…."

Savannah wasn't sure how the enemy was able to always know where they were at.

"How are they tracking us?" Savannah asked.

Cameron wondered if it wasn't her specifically they were able to track.

"They might be tracking me." Cameron said. "I was 'painted' by something earlier when I did the recon. I might be irradiated in some way."

Cammy did several different visual spectrum scans of Cameron. She wanted Cameron away from Savannah if she was. There were no positive hits.

"I detect nothing." Cammy said.

Gail saw all the figures were down from the missile strike. The trouble was, a couple of them didn't stay down.

"Two of the figures have risen from the missile strike." Gail reported. "The rest appear to be terminated or severely incapacitated. Most are missing limbs."

Savannah knew what it meant. It meant trouble, specifically for them. The only people who could get up from such an attack, weren't people at all.

"Terminators…." Savannah said as she checked her Taser.

Cameron and Cammy were ready to take them down. It appeared they may have to go one on one with the two Terminators. There could be more.

John's teams all emerged from their vehicles. Al and Dan reported they targeted the Terminator and they were zeroed. There was a very loud 'boom'.

"The Terminator is down." Al reported.

Dan carried an M82A1 with him. There was one in Bob's van as well.

Bob was still in the van with the two Stingers. He wanted to be ready in case any of the hostile HK drones got through.

John wanted the Metal girls to take over the Stingers.

"Ally, Sheila, you two can go relieve Bob. I want you to each have a Stinger ready." John said. "Bob can join Jim and me."

Ally wanted to make sure John was provided with plenty of protection. It was why Cameron specifically sent them there.

"Only one of us needs to go." Ally said. "Sheila, you go, then we can switch."

Sheila wanted to stay and assist John. She wanted to razz Ally some.

"Last time we 'switched', you wouldn't give my chassis back." Sheila said.

Ally didn't like the 'modification' Sheila made to her sheath. She wanted to see if it was permanent or not before she returned Sheila's chassis to her.

"I liked it." Ally said. "You damaged mine."

Sheila didn't think it was a big deal.

"People pay good money to have the same procedure done…." Sheila said. "Everything regenerated. It wasn't a big deal until you made it one."

Ally thought Sheila should have experimented on herself first.

"I didn't like how you did it." Ally said. "If things wouldn't have regenerated, I would've done the same thing to your sheath before we traded back. It would only have been if we would've traded back. I like how things are. Then again, I really think you should consider the same procedure, but find a way to make it permanent. Everything would 'fit' a little bit better if you did."

Sheila was highly offended by Ally's insinuation.

"Maybe you should see things a little less then." Sheila said.

Ally didn't think it would be a problem.

"There's plenty of fish in the sea." Ally said. "Some of them will be fresh."

Sheila was offended again.

"Same to you." Sheila said.

John wasn't sure what they referred to at first. Then it dawned on him. For some reason it did sound like something Sheila would do. He didn't want them to get side tracked.

"Let's stick with the operation." John said. "Don't worry about other things right now."

John didn't care for the direction the conversation started to go. He did find the subject somewhat fascinating. He looked at a few pictures on the internet about the procedure. He wasn't so sure the end result was always better than what was started with. They could be joking too, to lighten the mood. Something told him they weren't. He could picture Sheila doing something so extreme. He wondered about the pain.

He knew the Metal girls thought if they felt pain they knew they were 'alive'. It was a bad trait they picked up from Cameron. Somehow it seemed to him pleasure would be a better way to know they were 'alive' than pain. It made him wonder what exactly the definition of 'alive' was. He was pretty sure it was awareness someone existed.

John hoped Young Allison wasn't monitoring them. He wanted them to clean it up a little bit.

"Remember there are other people who can hear this." John said.

Ally realized what he meant. She hoped they didn't overstep their bounds. She didn't want to have a confrontation afterwards with Cameron about it. She wanted to get a qualifier out there to give them some cover later on.

"We were just trying to ease the tension." Ally said.

Sheila understood Ally's concern.

"We were just fooling about." Sheila said.

John wanted to drop the whole matter. It was their protection he was worried about right now. They didn't know what else they were going to encounter. They were just at the start of the operation. They were sure to be much more to come.

"OK, one of you go, and one of you stay." John said. "Bob has a Stinger hot, keep it the same way."

Sheila headed back to the van.

"I'm on my way." Sheila said. "Bob, come on down."

In a few minutes Bob was with John.

John had expected Bob to remain with Cameron earlier. He was a little upset he hadn't.

"You should have stayed with Cameron." John said.

Ally spoke up in Bob's defense. It was all Cameron's doing, not theirs. They shouldn't have to take the rap or any second guessing by anyone because of Cameron's decisions.

" Cameron ordered us to come to you. We all protested." Ally said. "She said she was replaceable, you're not."

John didn't want to get into a conversation about it. He felt he was already involved in enough of them over the years. It was time to take care of business.

"I get it." John said. "Let's move in and see what we find."

John Henry didn't want John to step from the frying pan into the fire.

"John, maybe a drone strike would be the best option." John Henry said.

John was a little irritated at the suggestion. He didn't want everybody to baby him. He was the one in charge. He was the General.

"So I'm not put in more danger?" John asked. "Hold off on the drone strike. I want to take a look firsthand."

John Henry was a little surprised at what happened next.

"Hold your position, John." John Henry said. "CamNet has initiated a drone strike."

John didn't like his orders countermanded. Somehow it reminded him of the very thing they were trying to fight.

"It's like Skynet around here." John said. "I need to talk to Cameron."

John Henry was able to view the battlefield where Cameron was at from Gail's drone. He knew she was engaged.

"She's currently fighting Terminators." John Henry said. "They just dealt with a tracked vehicle. It should wait."

John knew sometimes a Terminator would take him literally when he made a statement.

"It was a figure of speech." John said.

Sheila was in the van with an armed Stinger.

"Targets…." Sheila said.

None of it looked good.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

No Pain - No Gain

Everyone is damaged
Even those who do
The damage to others
To us, to me, to you

The damage occurs most
When we think we have value
That we matter in some way
The remittance is to belittle and argue

Would living have a point
If nothing was a challenge in life
Or is the real question
What is the point of life

In my time of - existence
I've come to question everything
While seeking something in return
The smallest scrap - anything

I've sadly learned
What I want the most
What I can't stop from feeling
Is what has hurt me the most

So to feel, want, express and share
Actually fills my heart and brain with pain
I must rethink the misguided saying
No Pain - No Gain

Nobody