Chapter 663

Don't Tell

Savannah lost sight of the sports car as it sped up the mountain road. It still drove in an unsafe and reckless manner. She looked in her side view mirror behind them. She didn't want to turn around and look in case there was a Terminator in the van. They might notice her do it. She didn't want to blow their cover before the operation even got started, at least their part of it.

Bob noticed Savannah looked in the mirror instead of looking back over her shoulder to see what was behind them. He was pleased with her caution.

"The van is still behind us." Bob said. "They're driving at the normal speed limit. I don't think they will attempt to pass us. I can see there are at least three inside. I don't know if any of them are a Terminator."

Savannah was a little worried about their cover being blown if they parked too close to the other vehicle when they stopped. They were informed as to the nature of the tiered parking lots.

"Let's make sure we park away from them." Savannah said. "I don't want them to notice us as anything 'different'."

Bob wondered if she referred to him specifically with her statement. It could be because of her red hair too. He was sure the fact she was female, and they knew the Grays already possessed a female detainee, probably bothered her. He picked a spot he could get out of quickly to park in. He would normally back in but the occupants of the van might look at them more closely if they passed by them. He didn't want to take any chances this early in the game. He was actually a little surprised where the van ended up at.

"They didn't park by either of the other two vans." Bob said. "We need to obtain our tickets."

Savannah thought she would be a little more inconspicuous than Bob. She felt it would be best if she acted alone for the first part of the operation. The basis behind her suggestion would be two fold.

"Let me go in first. I'll buy the tickets. You check out the vans after they go in." Savannah said. "I don't want any additional surprises behind us. If you detect anyone inside of the cargo section, don't even bother to stop. We don't know what they're up to yet."

Bob didn't want Savannah to go in alone, but there were other people out and around. There were quite a few people at the base station. They should have no reason to suspect her, even if they noticed her among the crowd. He was a little leery, but it seemed like an effective strategy to get things going and cover their six.

"Please use extreme caution." Bob said. "We don't know what any of these people know. If something looks out of place, get out immediately."

Savannah didn't want Bob to worry. She was fairly certain she would be able to blend in with the crowd. She didn't want to get into any type of gun battle with the enemy if it could be avoided, especially in such a crowded area. From the information she was given by John Henry, the base station would become even more crowded later on.

"I'm not going to look for any trouble until we link up with Cammy and Steve. We need to get up to them first to assist them." Savannah said.

Savannah took her Glock and Taser with her. She stuffed her hair up into a tan cap and took off. She made it inside ahead of the three men from the van. They stopped and took something out of another one of the vans. It clearly showed they were all from the same group. If there was any doubt before, it was currently erased. She didn't know what they collected from it. She sure hoped they didn't have any more females in one of them. If they did, they were probably deceased.

She looked up at the mountain where the cable car would go. She saw the patches of snow around the header station and heavier snow on the mountainside above it. She entered the base station and bought the tickets. She then hit the gift shop. She bought two long coats. Both of them were a light tan color. She also picked up two sets of light gray sweatpants, two backpacks, and a cream colored scarf. Cammy previously left word on what was available in the shops at the base station and what they might need. There was no need for them to stop anywhere else along the way before they arrived.

The three Grays entered the terminal. Savannah watched to see if any of them kept a watch on the vans, they didn't. She notified Bob of the Grays apparent lack of attentiveness. They never even looked around. She quickly slipped back outside and headed back to their SUV. She carried a bulky package with her.

Bob received Savannah's message and proceeded to look around the white vans. He nonchalantly tried the doors to see if any of them were open. None of them were. He looked in through the front windows and didn't spot anything which appeared Skynet related. There were no weapons spotted either. More than likely they carried all of their weapons with them. He rejoined Savannah at their SUV when he saw her approach.

They both put their vests on inside the back seat of the SUV so no one could see what they were doing and then put on the bulky long coats over them which hid everything.

Bob felt they were going up a little light handed for the amount of Grays they knew were already on station up at the top of the mountain. He broke down an M4 for each of them. He hit the two push pins on the lower receivers and they were apart in seconds. He stowed everything in the two backpacks. He also took some extra items he decided he would carry. He didn't want Savannah to have too big of a burden. Extra ammunition and explosives were unnecessary weight for her to carry when he could do it. He knew there would be less oxygen where they were headed. It was something which would take a little time for a human to get used to.

"I'll carry the extra magazines, grenades, and explosives." Bob said. "The air will be thinner at the top. You should adjust after a while."

Savannah was aware the higher altitude would have an effect on her, especially if she carried any extra weight. They would need to climb in the cold and snow as well. Cammy reported the trails were good. They may need to move off the trails. Such a necessity would make the going even harder.

She covered her head with the 'off white' scarf and put the cap back on. No trace of her red hair showed. Her eyebrows were a different story.

Bob and Savannah entered the building. Bob wore a cap and sunglasses. They looked like most of the other tourists and hikers. Most of the patrons held their coats, rather than wear them like they did. They all knew the temperature would be forty degrees colder at the top of the tramway. The difference between them and the other patrons was what was under their coats.

Savannah watched the cable car come down and slow for the docking procedure. They were given a ticket with a 'group number'. There were a lot of people waiting. They would be called for boarding by the number. There were quite a few people who waited to go up.

"We still have one more cable car to wait for. Our number is after this one." Savannah said.

The Grays who entered after Savannah moved up to the front of the line. It appeared they were going to board the next cable car ahead of the rest of the patrons.

"Where are the Grays going?" Savannah asked.

The three Grays moved up alongside the front of the cable car line when it started to load. They showed something to the attendant and went out onto the boarding platform.

Bob zoomed in his vision to see what they flashed at the worker.

"They have some kind of a pass." Bob said. "They get priority service."

Savannah quickly saw there was going to be a dilemma. It appeared Cammy's and Steve's safety was going to rest on her back. She wasn't going to have it. Bob would need to move fast without her.

"They'll be up there forty minutes before us." Savannah said. "I'll slow you down to track and catch up with them. You'll have to go without me."

Bob looked at Savannah. She wanted him to leave her behind. He wasn't going to do it unless she 'ordered' him to do it.

"I can't leave you alone." Bob said. "I can't let anything happen to you."

Savannah didn't feel threatened in the base station surrounded by dozens of other patrons. She didn't think the header station would be any different. The safety of the team came first. Bob could make up the time differential, she couldn't. There was no guess work to it. it was a fact.

"You will help the others instead. I want Cammy protected as well as Steve." Savannah said. "Our forces are severely outnumbered. You have long guns for them. I'm only going to make things worse because of the time delay."

John Henry and John monitored the situation which began to develop at the base station from the Command Center.

John was appalled at the idea of leaving Savannah alone with known Grays in the area, at either station. He felt he needed to intervene in the situation. They were just some risks they shouldn't take if they didn't need to.

"It's a firm negative on Savannah being left alone with hostiles around." John said as he came over their coms. "It's too big of a threat."

Savannah didn't want the situation to get away from them. She indicated to Bob not to acknowledge the transmission. She hoped they could blow it off.

Bob did as she requested and didn't respond. He didn't think it was something they would be able to get away with for very long. There was nothing wrong with communications twenty seconds ago.

John was irritated when neither one of them responded. He looked over at John Henry.

"I know you both can hear me." John said.

'Damn….' Savannah thought.

She didn't want it to turn into an issue. She quickly thought of an excuse. It seemed like a pretty good one. There were a lot of other patrons in the confined area. It seemed all of them were talking. It was actually very noisy inside of the base station.

"There were some people right next to us." Savannah said. "I'm sorry for the delay."

John wasn't sure about it, but he decided to take her at her word. They did respond. It was what he wanted.

"It's understandable based upon the situation." John said. "We do know who some people are. We don't know who anyone else is."

The next voice which came over the com system was a little surprise to everyone, even if it wasn't a surprise based upon who it was.

"We're twenty minutes out from the aerial tramway." Gail said. "Bob can go after the Grays and we'll meet up with Savannah and follow him up. It will take additional firepower up to Cammy and Steve quicker. We will be able to bring up additional resources."

John was glad Gail went to backup Savannah on her own again, but it didn't seem like she was alone.

"We?" John asked. "Who else is with you?"

The response was immediate and very distinct.

"I'm with her, love."

John was a little surprised, but he recognized the accent.

"Sheila?" John asked.

There was a playful giggle.

"No, love, I'm the real deal." Jesse said.

It caught John off guard. He hadn't expected Jesse would be out in the field. He wasn't sure exactly what Gail and her were up to prior to their choice to join the operation. He didn't think it was something they planned to do from the Resistance base. He was sure they changed whatever they were doing when they were out so they could back up Savannah. She wanted to make sure.

"Jesse?" John asked.

Jesse knew she wasn't the only one of 'herself'.

"I'm one of five we know about." Jesse said. "There are plenty of me to 'go around'. I think I do a pretty good job by myself though."

John found the idea somewhat stimulating. It sounded like a bounty of booty.

"The surplus is noted." John said. "Savannah, I want you protected."

Savannah didn't want to cause a problem. She did want extra protection for Cammy and Steve. They didn't have any long guns with them. Currently Bob could take two of them up. He carried extra ammunition as well as other munitions. She wanted to reassure them she would wait in a secure location until Gail and Jesse arrived.

"I'll wait at the header station for them at the top." Savannah said. "Bob will go after the Grays."

John still saw it as a risk to Savannah. There were an undetermined number of Gray's up at the top of the mountain already. She could end up in a compromised position with no place to go if a situation developed.

"I don't like it." John said. "You won't have much room to maneuver if you need it."

Savannah really didn't think it would be a problem for the limited time she'd be alone. She thought maybe she should offer John a choice and let him decide. There was another situation she would like to do something to rectify anyway. Now there was an opportunity to do so.

"I'll be fine for a half hour on my own." Savannah said. "It's unless you want me to acquire transportation and meet up with Cameron."

Savannah wasn't surprised Gail came to back her up, but she was surprised Jesse was with her. She knew the girls from the alternate future all wanted to do more. She wanted to know more about when they decided to head for Palm Springs. She was sure they were already out.

John mulled over the choices. He didn't like any of them. He was sure if Savannah went to where Cameron was at, it would actually put her in more danger. It would also put her out on the road without any type of backup. With the number of Grays in the area, it was possible someone might spot her and attempt some type of interdiction.

"Savannah can ride up with Bob as planned." John said. "He'll take a look around to make sure you're secure and then head out after the Grays."

Savannah thought about the various options available to her. She knew it was going to cause a problem with those in the Command Center if she went up to the header station and waited for Gail and Jesse to arrive. She could take some preemptive action and have everything ready for them to go when they arrived. It would actually make everything much easier for both of them.

"I have a new idea." Savannah said. "I'll exchange my ticket and buy two more. I'll get the coats and packs for Gail and Jesse. I stand a better chance of evasion or escape, if it's needed, on the lowest level with multiple vehicles to acquire, or even carjack one, if it's necessary to get away. We already know the area of the base station is relatively secure."

John liked her new idea even better. It did give Savannah more options for evasion and escape. She wouldn't need to deal with the snow or altitude at the header station if a situation developed. There were plenty of vehicles she could access if she needed one.

"Roger on the change." John said. "Hold for Gail and Jesse and get the supplies ready. You three can come up together and bring additional munitions. Cammy, Steve, and Bob should let you know what else they need."

Bob preferred the course of action as well for Savannah. If there was any type of reception committee waiting for him when he arrived at the header station, he would rather deal with it on his own than have Savannah with him. There was no indication he was 'made' by any of the Grays. There was no way to tell what would happen. He believed Savannah would be much safer in the company of Gail and Jesse as three females, than she would be traveling with a male Terminator who might be recognized.

"The Grays are already gone." Bob said. "I'll be on the next cable car up. Savannah will be secure in the current location."

Savannah didn't want John to worry. She didn't want anyone to worry about her.

"John, we have it covered." Savannah said.

Savannah knew it was low risk. She also knew more Grays or Terminators could arrive. If there were any Terminators, one of them could make a 'lucky spot' and she would be targeted. She checked her Taser. It was ready to go, just in case she needed it. She knew she needed to get the tickets in order for the three of them to go up as well as acquire the rest of the supplies they would need when Jesse and Gail arrived.

Cameron was on the move. She was about ready to enter one of the packing sheds. She listened to the exchange between Savannah and the Command Center and didn't care for the decisions being made. The latest development wasn't to her liking. She decided to abort her current mission and return when it was dark. It would be easier for her to take a look around then. She placed some explosive charges. The timers were set to go off in the early hours of the next morning. The charges could be 'command detonated' earlier, or turned off to not detonate at all. If the situation changed, she possessed more control this way.

She made her way back out and headed for her SUV. There was no indication anyone followed her. She left it parked several miles away. She was going to go back up Savannah herself. She knew Bob would only leave Savannah behind because she told him to do so. It was clear Savannah put the mission before her own safety. It didn't surprise her in the slightest.

It did make her feel guilty about not allowing Cammy to communicate with Savannah earlier. She could see Savannah was willing to risk her own safety to make sure Cammy and Steve were protected better with Bob's assistance. The long guns with extra ammunition would prove very beneficial in a firefight.

Cameron communicated with her Terminators before she took off and warned them of the 'fireworks' display which would happen later. They could also activate the explosives if necessary before then, or change the times. They could also enter the structure and change the placement as needed. They could all be 'command detonated' immediately if the need arose for some type of diversion for them to move away from the area.

She headed for the aerial tramway. She didn't feel comfortable with Savannah by herself. She hoped to arrive before Gail and Jesse. It bothered her as well Jesse would be there too. She really wondered what they were up to before they decided to commit to the operation. They probably changed their plans as soon as they received word Savannah was on her way from Palmdale with Bob.

Anna kept a close eye on Young Allison as the decisions were made at the aerial tramway. She wanted to get an evaluation from Young Allison. She wanted to know what she would do the same, or what she would do differently.

"What's your call on Savannah's move?" Anna asked. "How would you play it?"

Young Allison didn't like the call, but it appeared to be the correct choice under the current circumstances.

"I think it's risky, but within acceptable limits." Young Allison said. "She wants to make sure the mission is protected and provide Cammy and Steve with additional support. They're all alone facing an unknown force which is larger than theirs. It keeps getting larger on top of it."

Anna wanted to point out there could be complications.

"What if Savannah is attacked?" Anna asked.

Young Allison saw there was only one choice which would guarantee success.

"She will need to fight her way out." Young Allison said.

Anna wanted to point out the situation was different from the realm they normally operated in as there were a lot of innocent bystanders in the area.

"There are a lot of unaware people around her." Anna said. "What about them, then what?"

Young Allison thought it would be a good time for Savannah's marksmanship to be tested and proven to be true.

"She'll need to shoot straight and not miss." Young Allison said. "There is no second place winner."

Anna wanted to remind Young Allison Savannah wasn't the only player on the field. Savannah might play by the rules, but what about the other players? Skynet operatives weren't known for 'staying within the lines'.

"What about the Grays?" Anna asked. "Will they care?"

Young Allison didn't care for the choices Anna provided her with.

"Savannah will need to be faster and shoot first." Young Allison said. "She'll need to hit them and then evade. Her best course of action would be to draw them out into the open, away from the other people."

Anna pointed out there could be casualties.

"How many wounded Grays will be left behind?" Anna asked.

Young Allison thought the nature of the combat spoke for itself.

"None." Young Allison said. "They'll all be fatalities…."

Claire listened from the doorway to the bunker. She held her hands over Summer's ears as Young Allison and Anna talked. It didn't do much good since Summer knew exactly what her sister said, with or without any audio confirmation.

As a mother, it was still disturbing to her. It was her daughter down there. She spoke like a battle hardened adult, or one of them. She sounded like a Terminator. They made her daughter think like a stone cold killer. She was sure it was exactly how she would act if she were out in the field. It wasn't just a speech, it was what she believed. It was what she would do.

Hanna noticed what was going on with Claire. It was time for her to step in and do her job.

"Claire." Hanna interrupted her. "It's time I start Summer's lessons for the day. Her education is very important."

Claire reluctantly released Summer's ears and turned her over to Hanna.

"I'll assist her." Cam said.

Claire looked back down into the bunker. What exactly were they teaching her daughter? What was it they taught to Young Allison? Why did she think like them? Why did she think like a killer? Were they going to do the same thing to Summer? It was all very unsettling to her. She turned her attention back to the two Terminators.

"What are you doing to her?" Claire asked. "Who decides what Summer is taught or to be learned?"

The Metal girls believed it was an established fact already.

"Cameron." They both answered.

Claire watched as they took Summer away. There was a deep inner fear which gripped her and squeezed her insides. She could see she was losing control of all of her daughters. She didn't need to look any further than Allison to know exactly how Young Allison would turn out. Her interaction with Future Allison was additional proof.

The future turned Allison and Future Allison into warriors. It turned them into killers. They both needed to kill to survive. They both were abused when they were younger. Would it prevent Young Allison from suffering the same fate? She was sure of one thing. Young Allison was going to be a warrior and a killer. She wasn't so sure it would be a bad thing once everything was put into context. It still wasn't what she wanted for her daughters, especially Summer.

Cammy moved past the Grays. She was in front of them again. She knew where they were going from the description the backpackers provided her with. She asked the backpackers what the 'UFO' let off. They told her they didn't know. They hid when the UFO took off. When they thought about checking before they came down in the morning, they smoked the rest of their narcotics instead. It seemed safer to them. They were worried they might find some dead bodies if the aliens were done 'probing' someone. They didn't want their DNA anywhere near crime scene.

She knew Savannah and Bob were on the way up along with more Grays. She was glad Savannah was on her way to back her up. She hadn't heard the conversation where Savannah wanted to back up Cameron instead at one point.

CamNet chose to let her hear it. She too felt guilty about how Cammy was 'punished' earlier. Both Cameron and CamNet knew it caused a lot of personal discomfort and stress for Cammy. They both knew Cammy didn't point the finger at them, or blow the whistle on them, yet. It was possible it might change later.

Cammy hadn't heard from Steve for a while. She wanted an update.

"Steve, do you have anything new to report?" Cammy asked.

They both updated each other.

Steve's report was very disturbing.

"I have the communication arrays under observation." Steve said. "Based upon what I can tell, it appears all of them have been compromised."

Cammy could see it was going to be a bigger problem than she anticipated

"Where are the Grays who are already there located at?" Cammy asked.

Steve was able to observe them and got a good fix on their location.

"There's some type of concealed bunker." Steve said. "They were moving supplies into it. It must be what the HK drone left off early this morning."

Cammy didn't want to walk into an ambush or a roving patrol.

"How many guards or patrols do they have?" Cammy asked.

"There are two guards I've identified. No patrols have been spotted." Steve said. "I've also found two barely buried bodies."

Cammy felt her anger build. She was sure her eyes glowed dull red right now.

"Don't tell me, both of them are female." Cammy said.

There was silence.

"Steve?" Cammy asked.

He answered her immediately.

"You said don't tell you…." Steve said. "Both of them are females. They have been abused."

Cammy faintly smiled. She would explain to him later it was a figure of speech.

Steve spotted a new development.

"I think they are doing a shift change." Steve said.

Cammy thought it only compounded their situation in a negative manner.

"Great, so now we have doubled the personnel to deal with." Cammy said.

Steve saw it as an opportunity to take down more targets. The more of them there were concentrated together, would make the kill ratio higher and easier to deal with the bodies.

"The bunker will make a nice tomb for all of them." Steve said.

Cammy liked the idea. She would make one slight modification to it though.

"The 'Metal Bitch' and the female will leave with us." Cammy said. "The rest can stay forever. It appears they've already dug their own grave."

Steve tilted his head slightly. He couldn't disagree with her assessment. It did appear the enemy dug their own grave. Now it was time to put them in it.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Don't Tell

It seems to some
Secrets are a way of life
The bottom line proves to be
They cause a lot of strife

Why they can't always
Say what's true
It remains a mystery
It taints all that they do

Who will be reliable
Who will be true
Maybe it's the question
They should ask of you

Sometimes it all comes down
To who one can trust
The bridge built between two
Is easy to combust

Upon past events in life
Are where many choose to dwell
Who will actually listen
When the other says don't tell

Nobody