Chapter 650

A Few Minutes

Previously:

Cameron was very worried about the continual growth of Skynet. It seemed every time they knocked it down, it sprang back up. She experienced what humans knew as 'depression'. She was as unable to deal with it, as she was with her other budding 'emotions'.

She wanted to stay close to John. She couldn't let anything happen to him. She needed to protect him in the present. The same 'function' would fall to others in the future. She knew her termination was only a matter of time. She could 'feel' it. It wasn't something she wanted to shy away from either. It was just how things would be. The future was always knocking. At some point she would need to answer the call. She was ready. She believed she was more than ready.

Cameron came by to see John and perform her 'wifely duties'. Once John was 'finished', she would leave. It was usually only for three to five minutes. It didn't take very long. She could fit it into her schedule from time to time. She was more of a recipient than a participant. There were a lot of things she needed to do and take care of.

She felt obligated to be with John. It was just part of her 'job' now it seemed. She was sure Future John must have programmed the 'feelings' into her. The only problem was, she couldn't find the programming. She asked both Cammy and Cam to search as well. She wanted to find where the files were hidden and delete them.

Future John must have programmed her to 'love' Past John - HER John - John, so he wouldn't be alone. The fact she was with him is what ended up making him 'alone'. There was a selection of females, both human and cyborg, available to John. He would be able to be with two or three of them everyday, with a rotating selection, if she wasn't there in the way. Because of her and John's past actions with Future Riley, he didn't partake in the variety of bountiful booty.

Allison, Vanna, Jesse, Claire, and Savannah were all available to him. He shouldn't ever have to be alone. It was very frustrating to her when he was. She wanted him to be happy and expand as an individual. There could be females at his side every night. She needed to protect the future. There was a WAR to fight. It was her job. She tried to fight it herself. She didn't want to spend hours laying in the darkness doing nothing while John snored next to her.

Cameron decided if Allison wanted to go to her future, she would bring Future Allison there. Future Allison knew what to do since she was already doing it…. If Future Allison took over the physical 'function', it would allow her more time to fight the war. There was something disturbing her thoughts. It was very annoying and persistent. She wished it would stop. it did.

"…Cameron…."

"…Cameron…?"

"…CAMERON…?"

Cameron opened her eyes and looked around. She remembered where she was. She allowed John the use of her chassis to 'expend' himself. She disabled all of the 'pleasure receptors' on her sheath. The pleasurable sensations were too easy to 'get lost' in. He must have already finished. She was glad it was over. She would deal with everything else and then leave.

"What?" Cameron asked. "Are you done already?"

John wondered why she always said the same thing. It was like her chassis was there, but she wasn't. Maybe it's why he stopped all the foreplay. It seemed the only one deriving pleasure from it, was him. It was old news anyway. He already viewed everything thousands of times. It was just more of the same. He was ready for some fresh meat. He could think of a couple ways to interpret it.

He hoped he hadn't mentioned the 'wrong name' at some point. Cameron was 'Future Riley' earlier in his mind. It was why he finished so quickly. Once she stopped responding, she was every actress and celebrity he could think of. Depending on the position she was in, most of them were female.

Cameron picked up her underwear, pants, and shoes. She grabbed a couple tissues on the way out. She silently left. She didn't even remove her top or bra anymore. Once she was in the hallway she finished dressing and headed off to fight the WAR. She tossed the soggy tissues in the trash.

'What a waste.' Cameron thought.

She was irritated because the five minute interruptions cost her time she should be concentrating on Skynet. The war didn't take 'comfort' breaks. How was she supposed to do everything on her own? There was a lot to do. They were always new things. There were always more things. There wasn't enough time.

Presently:

John lay in his bed alone. He stared at the ceiling in the darkness. He reflected on the day's events and how he endangered Cameron, and then Savannah and Cammy by extension, by being out in the field. Cameron, who was in a dangerous situation, sent all her help to him. He didn't think he needed the extra help.

When the area he was in actually picked up with enemy activity, the extra help was there for him. Ally, Sheila, and Bob all played a part in defeating the enemy. In retrospect, it was the others who did everything. They would have done the same things without him there with more efficient results, because they wouldn't need to watch over him. He was in the way.

He wondered where Cameron was at now. He knew about some of the internal demons Cameron needed to face daily. He knew he didn't know them all. He really wondered how many of them there were. He knew there was a lot on her plate. She seemed to be the one who dished it up for herself. She tried to protect him, the future. She needed to fight Skynet and its offshoots, and worry about everything and everyone else.

At least Cameron stopped by earlier for a few minutes. It was all the time he needed anyway. It saved him the effort of having to do it himself - again. It looked like 'Rosie' would get the night off, at least for now anyway.

John drifted off to sleep.

Savannah lay in her bed alone. There was a new life growing inside her. It wasn't 'hers', even though it was in a way. It specifically belonged to Vanna.

She got up. She felt so conflicted. She knew what she was supposed to do. She knew what she needed to do. She knew what she must do. She knew what she wanted to do.

She stripped off her bed clothes and underwear. She wanted to see the damage done to her body. It seemed to get worse and worse.

She looked at herself in the mirror. Her body was still a mass of bruises. She told the specialist she was in a car accident recently when he asked about the condition of her body. He didn't seem convinced. He believed she was a victim of domestic abuse. He was reluctant to continue with the procedure. She needed to tell him everything was fine and she wanted the procedure done. At one point, she was afraid Cammy might terminate him. She needed to remind Cammy they might need his services in the future.

She wasn't convinced Cammy, or Cameron, once she found out about the reluctance, wouldn't go back and terminate him anyway. She was sure if he made any type of domestic abuse report, he would be terminated. She knew CamNet would be all over everything he did going forward. His fate was in his own hands.

She was a participant on the battlefield. She wasn't a victim of domestic abuse. How could they tell anyone the truth? If they talked about how they were battling very scary robots from the future, they would view them as insane. They all knew what happened to Sarah when she told the truth.

Savannah threw on a dress and nothing else. She headed out. It was one of the dresses she kept for River. She liked the carefree feeling it gave her. She was fairly certain it was all River wore herself. She wasn't sure if River wore any type of underwear or not. She was sure Cameron knew. Maybe when it was the proper setting, if there ever was one, she would ask Cameron about it.

She thought maybe a little sexual activity would help calm her down. She really wanted to be with Jesse. She went by everyone's room but they were all quiet. She paused for a moment in front of Riley's room. She couldn't help but feel an extreme sense of guilt for not being with Riley before. She knew she didn't treat Riley fairly. She did it because she didn't want to offend Cameron.

Savannah moved on to Sarah's room. She really wondered what it would be like to be with Sarah. She knew Sarah possessed a lot of experience. She was sure she would learn a few things. Everyone could offer something different, even if everything was the same.

She moved on to the next room. She stopped in front of John's door and listened. It was quiet. She was by there when it wasn't before…. She turned the door handle. It was open. All she needed to do was push it open and walk in. It was time….

Savannah was afraid the more her body was damaged, the less John would ever want her. She knew it was being damaged on the outside as well as the inside. She was very aware the real damage was being done in her mind.

She figured she would just go for it and give it a try. It was time she was with a male. She at least wanted to try it one time. What could it hurt? She really didn't want to die a virgin. She actually didn't really want to die at all.

The manned drone received damage in the latest operation.

Gail worked to repair the manned drone. She felt the damage was her fault and responsibility. If she would have been more attentive on the battlefield, she might have been able to avoid it. She didn't know for sure, but it still left her with an uneasy feeling. When she was damaged in battle, there were others who attended to her, even if they didn't need to. She could have prepared the damage herself. They helped her anyway. It was always Vanna and often Savannah. Sometimes it was nice to have help.

Cameron came up behind her.

Gail stood, turned, and faced her.

They looked at each other for a brief moment. Things were somewhat abrasive initially. Any misunderstandings or ill feelings were long gone.

Cameron moved forward and hugged Gail.

"I want to thank you for being there for me earlier." Cameron said. "You saved me a lot of damage a few times. It was a risk to you."

Gail didn't see it as a big deal. It just seemed to be part of the job. It's the same thing she would have done for anyone. When a team member was in danger, the proper thing to do was to step forward and deal with it. All she needed to do was think about her battle with the two Terminators. Savannah stepped in and engaged both of them.

"You needed assistance. I was able to render it." Gail said. "Everyone would have done the same thing. I'm just glad I was able to help. Sometimes it's nice to have help."

Cameron was still grateful anyway. Her damage was minimal because of Gail's assistance, especially against the HK Track. The HK Track was a serious threat to the manned drone. Gail needed to move into gun range to engage it. It also put her in gun range of the HK Track. It could have easily hit her with gunfire, as she did it. It was because Cammy and Savannah engaged the HK Track why it didn't happen.

"Thank You, no less." Cameron said.

Gail smiled at Cameron.

"You're welcome." Gail said.

Cameron thought Gail looked very pretty when she smiled. There was seldom a smile on her face. It just seemed to be her nature. She was the least 'emotional' of all the female Terminators. It did make her wonder if being with Jesse was part of her delayed development. Jesse was very sex oriented as opposed to emotional needs. It seemed Gail followed the same path. She thought there might be a solution which could help Gail out.

"Savannah wanted to thank you too." Cameron said. "She knows you were there for her."

Gail looked away. She felt a little self conscious.

Cameron reached out and gently turned Gail's face back to hers. She understood what was troubling Gail. It was a problem she faced often. Many of her current problems were based on her lack of 'activity' and trying to hide who she really was.

"Never be ashamed of your feelings." Cameron said.

Gail was ashamed of her feelings. They were feelings she didn't believe she would ever be able to act on. Somehow it made it all worse.

"I can't help it." Gail said. "I love her."

Cameron wanted Gail to know Savannah tried to find her when she returned to the base. It was the first thing Savannah did.

"Savannah looked for you earlier…." Cameron said.

Gail was tied up earlier. Jesse was 'all over' her when she returned. It seemed Jesse needed to release some sexual tension. Jesse always seemed to have a lot of it. Every time when Jesse needed to finish, it always needed to be multiple finishes, one after another. She was able to give Jesse thirty two in a row one time. She only stopped when Jesse stopped breathing. The breathing ability returned after a series of chest compressions. It took a long time for Jesse's vision to come back and for her to remember how to speak.

"I needed to reassure Jesse I was undamaged and fully functional. I showed her until she fell asleep or passed out." Gail said. "She's sleeping now. They worry about us as much as we worry about them."

Cameron wanted to 'reward' Gail. There were various ways to do it. She wanted Gail to see there were more things than just sexual things two people could share.

"Maybe you can go by and see Savannah." Cameron said.

Gail's eyes widened and she perked up. Savannah should be in her bed. She wondered what Cameron meant.

"Isn't she asleep?" Gail asked.

Cameron passed by Savannah's room several times. Savannah's earlier sadness at the combat site bothered her.

"No. She's troubled." Cameron said. "She wants to talk to someone."

Gail was a little confused. Savannah already had someone 'assigned' to her. They were supposed to meet all of her needs, including all of her sexual desires.

"Isn't Cammy there?" Gail asked.

Cameron was a little upset with Cammy. She heard what Cammy said to John and it didn't please her. She was more than willing to send Cammy away when she asked to go. She was very tempted to send her on a temporal mission to get her out of the way for a while. Maybe it would make her reconsider some of her choices and negativity. The longer she made the assignment in the past, the more time Cammy would be able to reflect upon her improper actions. Even if Cammy returned thirty seconds after she departed in the TDE room, a number of years could have passed for her on her assignment. It really seemed like something she needed to do to punish her.

"No. I sent Cammy to the Palm Springs area earlier. She was very upset about something." Cameron said. "She asked to go."

Bob and Jim worked alongside Gail the entire time Cameron talked to her.

"We can finish up here." Bob said. "We will be done soon. Gail already completed most of the repairs before we arrived."

Cameron took the tools away from Gail. She started to work with Bob and Jim.

Gail cleaned up. She straightened her clothes and left.

Bob watched Gail walk away. He was a little concerned about her.

"She's never been the same since she was in the fight with the two Terminators at the old helicopter base." Bob said. "She's 'damaged'."

Cameron knew the damage wasn't real physical damage.

"No, Bob." Cameron said. "Only her heart is damaged."

Bob tilted his head slightly.

"She doesn't have a heart." Bob said.

Over the years Cameron learned many things about 'feelings' and love. Most of them were very painful to learn. She did learn she wasn't alone about the way she felt most of the time. It was true the human heart only pumped blood. It wasn't where the pain emanated from.

"The 'heart', is really the mind, Bob." Cameron said.

Cameron's revelation sounded more serious to Bob than he originally thought.

"Do you mean her chip is damaged?" Bob asked.

Cameron was aware the issue was much more complicated than simple physical damage to a Terminator's chip. She believed her own defects illustrated the problem she stated.

"I wish we could blame it on something so simple." Cameron said. "We can't. The damage is in the mind and it NEVER goes away. Look at what it's done to me."

Bob cringed a little. He hoped to never suffer as he saw Cameron suffer. He never thought a Terminator could be in such pain. There were enough things which occurred in his own mind. They seemed to expand as time passed.

"I have. It's why I refuse any 'advanced' programming." Bob said. "Every male Terminator has refused it."

Cameron felt a little defensive. She didn't believe everything was her fault. It was a fault which was built into her. It was the result of someone's ill advised programming.

"It's part of all the female infiltration unit's programming." Cameron said. "It allows us to get closer to our targets. We can influence them in many ways, or terminate them easier."

Bob didn't really want to get into the topic. He was curious though as to why Cameron would want Gail to do what he knew she wanted to do.

"Why did you send Gail away now?" Bob asked.

Cameron was aware Savannah and Gail were both troubled. They weren't troubled about the same things, even if they were. She believed they could help each other because they developed a special connection. Gail's emotional programming was very limited. Savannah knew how to reach every Terminator.

"Both Gail and Savannah need to talk." Cameron said.

Bob was aware humans used many metaphors to describe sexual acts. Cameron seemed to be privy to all of those. What she just indicated wasn't one of them. He wanted some clarification.

"Do you mean just to talk?" Bob asked.

Cameron actually believed in this instance it was what was needed for both of them. It would keep them grounded. It would build on the foundation between them. The stronger the foundation was, the more sturdy something could be built on top of it.

"Yes." Cameron said. "It's what they both need."

Bob learned to recognize sexual desire when he saw it. It was easier to spot in humans. The female Terminators all displayed it as well.

"I think Gail wants to do more than 'talk'." Bob said.

Cameron believed everyone was free to choose their own sexual partners. Over the years she learned no one owns anyone. When someone felt they owned someone else was when the real problems started. It was something she learned firsthand the hard way.

"It's up to them." Cameron said. "I would encourage it."

Bob, like everyone, knew Cameron wanted to be with Savannah herself. They also knew the extent of her jealousy. They were all able to witness it more than a few times when different scenarios developed which Cameron didn't agree with.

"Doesn't THAT bother you?" Bob asked.

Cameron looked at Bob and smiled. She never ever wanted Savannah to feel like she did. She wanted Savannah showered with love. She did everything she could to make sure it happened. She tried to make sure every female was with Savannah. She hoped one day it would include Sarah, and even Riley. She knew Riley drew the short straw around the Resistance base. She did everything she could to treat Riley fairly. She knew the others hesitated because they didn't want to offend her. She actually found the feeling quite discomforting. Savannah's happiness, well being, and peace of mind came first.

"No, actually it doesn't." Cameron said. "I never want Savannah to feel alone. The more love she feels and shares is good for her."

Bob needed to say what he thought. It was a question which begged for an answer.

"Why can't you go to her?" Bob asked. "It's clear to everyone you both want to."

Cameron developed a 'far off' look in her eyes. She knew the depth of Savannah's devotion to her. It truly was love like no other. Savannah promised she would never abandon her. The sad part about it was she watched Savannah to stay to 'die' with her when she could have left to save her own life. Savannah didn't do it. She stayed with her. It truly was love like no other. Savannah never thought less of her, or shied away from her, when she was damaged, no matter how bad the damage was. Savannah loved her for more than just her appearance alone. It really meant something to her.

She believed even if her sheath was gone, and the only thing left was her metal endoskeleton, Savannah would love her no less. She didn't believe John would do the same thing. She was sure John only loved her appearance. She also believed his main desire was for one of her female attributes specifically. It was actually as irritating as it was derogatory to think about. There was something else she would rather think about. It would be her chance to get away from it all.

"When it happens, Bob, and it will, I'll never leave her." Cameron said. "None of this will matter to me any longer and we will leave this time period."

Bob thought it seemed like speculation. He didn't see anything factual in it.

"How can you know it will be the way you describe?" Bob asked.

Cameron possessed files from previous daydreams. She was sure they were more than daydreams. She believed they were events which already happened.

"I've done it all before. At least I believe I have." Cameron said. "When Future Allison gets here, I'm taking both of them."

Bob tilted his head slightly. He was a little confused.

"Future Allison is coming here?" Bob asked.

Cameron was aware of the problem she created by trying to help Future Allison. She took something from Allison here she shouldn't have. She took a child away from her. Claire carried it for Allison. She took Claire to her future to deliver the baby there. She gave the baby to Future Allison. Allison felt cheated.

"If I don't take Claire into the past soon to have Allison's child, she will." Cameron said. "Allison will go to My Future to be with her baby."

Bob was very fond of all the human girls. He enjoyed being in the presence of their company and associating with them. It always left him with a very pleasant feeling inside. Sometimes parts of his sheath would react on their own when he was able to view the females either partially clothed, or without clothing. He wanted to look away, but he couldn't. He didn't realize his own emotional programming developed anyway on its own, even if it was at a very slow pace compared to the female's programming.

"As much as I want to see Future Allison again, I don't want to lose Allison." Bob said. "What are you waiting for with Claire?"

Bob didn't want to lose Cameron either.

Cameron tried to think of an answer. There wasn't one.

"I don't know." Cameron said. "I really don't."

Gail came around the corner and spotted Savannah. She stood outside John's room with her hand on the knob. It was already turned, but she didn't enter. She just stood there.

She decided not to say anything or make her presence known to Savannah. She knew where Cameron was. She knew Savannah wanted to make a decision. She tried to make one anyway. It would be a life changing choice. It would affect her future. It would change everything going forward from this point in time.

Savannah finally looked back and saw Gail watching her. She was a little surprised. She slowly released the door handle and walked toward her. She looked back at the door to John's room one more time before she reached Gail.

Gail felt the need to explain herself. She knew Savannah reached a crossroad and any choice she made needed to be her own.

"I'm sorry. I didn't want to disturb you or influence your decision." Gail said. "I should have turned around and gone the other way. I'm sorry to intrude."

Gail could see Savannah looked so ravishing in the simple dress with her flowing red hair. Savannah seemed to 'float' towards her and hugged her.

Savannah was very pleased at all the assistance Gail provided her with. She understood all of the feelings involved with it. She wasn't sure if Gail did though.

"I wanted to thank you earlier for being there for me and all the other times you've been as well." Savannah said.

Gail was unsure what else to say.

"You're welcome." Gail said.

Savannah was a little concerned about the time. It seemed like an odd time for Gail to wander around the corridors. She was pretty sure there was some 'outside influence' involved. She would let Gail disclose it on her own, if she wanted to.

"It's 4:00 AM." Savannah said. "Why are you here?"

Gail thought the question was a two way street.

"I just finished up some repairs on the manned drone. I felt responsible for the damage it received. It bothered me. I fixed it." Gail said. "Why are you here?"

Savannah wasn't really sure herself. It was deeper than just wanting to knock off her first sexual experience with a male. She did want to get 'popped' so to speak, even though there was nothing left to 'pop'. Vanna, Allison, and Jesse all told her to at least try it once on her own. All of them were abused when they were younger. She felt a very strong desire to try it for years, but somehow it didn't seem the desire was really her own. It was more like something she was supposed to do and it always bothered her. She didn't know Cameron drilled the thought into her head through nightly 'conditioning' for years, since she was a young girl.

The true calling of every Savannah Weaver was in a different direction.

Savannah looked around where they were. She didn't want John to come out of his room, or Riley, or Sarah. It could be Derek and Kyle too. It might lead to uneasy questions, especially since the time of the night it was.

"I don't know." Savannah said. "Let's talk elsewhere so we don't wake anyone else up."

Savannah reached down and took Gail's hand as they walked.

Gail felt a 'surge' rush through her. It was such a simple thing to do, yet it was so beautiful. They walked along hand in hand for a while. It felt so comforting.

Gail needed to ask. She didn't fully understand the thought process. She understood the physical act involved in what Savannah contemplated earlier. Jesse told her the act could last from as little as thirty seconds, to continued activity all night long.

"Why didn't you go in?" Gail asked. "You want to. It's the 'Natural Order'."

Savannah looked at Gail's giant breasts. She was attracted to everything female. She did know she needed to be careful with what she did with Gail and how far she took things. She didn't want to do to Gail what John did to Cameron.

She didn't know why she didn't go in. She wanted to. She wanted to try it one time just to see what it was like. It would be over in a few minutes. She was very worried about her appearance. She was worried about a lot of things.

"I don't know." Savannah said. "I really don't."

It seemed to be a question there was no answer for.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Covet

There are those
We may covet
When they become aware
They say cram it

There are those
We may worship
When they become aware
The finger to us they flip

There are those
We may want
When they become aware
They see it as a stupid stunt

There are those
We may desire
When they become aware
They throw our heart into the fire

There are those
We may love
When they become aware
Away us they shove

Nobody