Chapter 665

Heat Wave

Earlier:

Young Allison wanted an additional helicopter available to back up the team on the mountain. She contacted CamNet and informed her what she wanted. She bypassed the Command Center to do it. She wanted the Metal girls to do a little more than they were currently doing to take some of the pressure off of Savannah. If they weren't going to do it, she would do it herself. She made it perfectly clear it's what would happen. Nobody doubted her.

Cam and Hanna left the Young Residence. There were some nervous 'goodbyes' from Vanna and Claire as they left. They assured everyone they would only be flying a helicopter on their new assignment. They didn't know if it would be true or not, but it's what they were informed by CamNet they would be needed for.

They arrived at the nearby airport and found everything was in order and the helicopter was waiting for them. It was a UH-1 Iroquois. It was often referred to as a 'Huey'. The name Huey wasn't official, but was the most common name used to reference the particular helicopter. Most people didn't know where the name came from. It originated from the original designation of the helicopter which was HU-1. People begin to pronounce HU-1 phonetically as 'Huey'. It was much the same as the way a B-1 bomber was referred to as 'Bone' as in 'B One'.

Cam and Hanna did a 'once around' the UH-1. They checked to make sure everything was in order before they boarded the aircraft.

There was one more 'adjustment' or modification they wanted to perform before they departed. It was something they did on any aircraft a Terminator would fly if they were presented with the opportunity. They were clearly presented with the opportunity right now.

Cam opened the engine compartment and reset the governor. She planned to push the engine a little harder than normal. An extra fifteen percent of performance wouldn't be a problem. For a limited amount of time, an extra thirty percent of performance would be the maximum red line. She would be able to judge the characteristics of the aircraft since she would be the pilot.

They strapped in and took off. They knew Sheila and Ally were in the process of procuring a UH-1 of their own. Once everyone was airborne they would set up a rendezvous point and fly together as 'wing men'.

Previously:

Sheila and Ally were previously on assignment for CamNet. CamNet alerted them they were going to be needed soon when it was determined there was a problem with the Blackhawk helicopter. They were the two closest Terminators to an airport where they could procure another rotary winged aircraft.

The helicopter rental company found all the records in their computer files about the upcoming rental and the funds were already paid. Sheila and Ally gathered up a selection of wiring and wiring harnesses from the maintenance area. They told the mechanic to put it on their bill. None of them were specifically for a Blackhawk helicopter, but they knew the Terminator crew of the Blackhawk could improvise something. They were just electrical wires which needed to be replaced. How hard could it be?

The helicopter rental company also found copies of all the paperwork, licenses and permits for Sheila and Ally on file.

Sheila and Ally were aware CamNet did the same for Cam and Hanna.

Ally opened up the engine cover and adjusted the governor. It was the same thing Cam and Hanna did with their helicopter. The helicopter would have more power available to it. To push the 'red line' little wouldn't hurt. The two Metal girls did a pre-flight check of the helicopter and fired the turbine up.

Sheila reported to John Henry they were 'burning and turning'.

The loud 'thump' of the rotor picked up to a steady 'chop' and the UH-1 lifted off.

Cam and Hanna called them and told them to hold their speed down and they would catch up with them over Pomona.

As Ally and Sheila flew along they took in the view. They looked forward to the rendezvous with Cam and Hanna.

Just before Pomona, Ally spotted Cam and Hanna.

"I see them." Ally said over her headset. "They're coming in hot from our eight o'clock."

The two helicopters rapidly closed up the distance.

The other UH-1 pulled up alongside them.

Cam brought the Iroquois in close to Ally and Sheila's Iroquois.

Ally thought they were a little too close.

"Watch the rotor." Ally said to Sheila. "Hold it steady."

Cam wanted to push things a little. She brought her Huey in closer. She pulled up six feet in altitude and drifted in closer. The rotors now overlap each other by several feet. It was a very close formation for two helicopters.

Sheila was known for showing off. She thought it was a little risky. She felt Cam made her point. She thought about making a joke if Cam brought it in closer one of them could jump from one helicopter to the other. Somehow it didn't seem like a good idea. She knew when to push things only so far.

"OK, she can fly." Sheila said. "It's the 'Cameron' in her."

Ally noted both Cam and Cammy were known for 'pushing' things at times because they were both based on Cameron's program. They were both actually clones of Cameron. They didn't know for sure, but they figured Camille would probably do the same things. They didn't see her much because she was usually in Australia. For some reason they didn't think Anna would be quite as outgoing, or reckless, depending upon how one wanted to term it. They believed it was because she shared the 'Neural Interface' with Savannah, instead of Future Allison.

"Cam is 'Cameron'." Ally said. "A 'Cameron' anyway…."

Sheila always thought it was a little power play on their part. She also felt it served as a reminder to anyone around them, including Cameron, they could assume the role of 'Cameron Prime' at any time if it was necessary.

"The clones never want us to forget." Sheila said.

Cam finally backed off and drifted fifteen feet away. It was still a close formation for two helicopters.

Ally was a little relieved to have some distance between them, even if it wasn't much. She would have been all over Sheila if she was the one who initiated the maneuver. She believed there was only so much she could say to Cam without it creating a problem. She was ready to move on.

"It's time for some tunes." Ally said.

'Heat Wave' by 'Martha And The Vandellas', flooded the speakers.

The two Iroquois flew towards the disabled Blackhawk at the temporary desert base. The chop, chop, chop, of the rotors was dominating, especially with two helicopters in such a close formation. Both of the helicopters pushed the red line to make up time. They all knew they were needed to backup the operation on the mountain top. They would most likely need to ferry some troops to the top of the mountain, but far enough away so they wouldn't be detected.

Savannah was alone in the SUV with her thoughts. She kept track of the time. She knew Gail and Jesse should arrive soon. She still kept an eye on the suspicious looking individual who moved around the parking lot. They didn't seem to have a predetermined objective in mind based on their movements.

She determined they were probably looking for a target of opportunity to steal something from someone's vehicle. She didn't care for thieves or crooks. Most likely the individual would end up as a Scavenger in the future.

Savannah soon spotted Gail and Jesse coming up the mountain road. They arrived and pulled up about ten cars away from her. She called Jesse and told them about the suspicious man as soon as she saw they were near.

She watched the man move from vehicle to vehicle. It was clear to her at this point he was a thief. If Cameron were there, she would challenge him and 'teach him a lesson'. Cameron wasn't there. Not yet anyway. She didn't want to jeopardize the mission and confront him herself.

They packed a lot of firepower in their SUVs and she didn't want someone to 'find' it. The car burglar was a threat. She informed Gail and Jesse about her new concern and the weapons they carried in their SUVs. Gail said she would take care of it.

The suspected thief opened a door and removed something from one of the parked vehicles. His action just proved he was more than a suspect. He went back to his car and looked around. He opened the back of the car and put the stolen laptop in his trunk. The trunk lid was still open.

Jesse didn't like Scavengers in any time period.

"Did you lose something, love?" Jesse asked.

The thief was startled and quickly turned around.

"No." The thief said.

Jesse and Gail dealt with future Scavengers on a regular basis when they went out. Confrontations like these were nothing new to Gail or her. Because of the setting they were currently in, and the nature of the mission they were about to go on, they wanted to keep trouble to a minimum.

"Then it's time to move on, mate." Jesse said. "Leave now and no one gets hurt."

The thief looked over at Jesse and then started on a string of profanities directed at her. He didn't see her as a threat.

Jesse wasn't surprised. It seemed to be common behavior for the lowlifes.

"It's your funeral, not mine." Jesse said.

The thief was focused on Jesse and never saw Gail move up behind him.

"I don't like Scavengers." Gail said.

Gail slammed him into the ground between his car and the one next to it.

"I don't like your foul mouth either." Gail said.

The thief was both stunned and hurt. He didn't let anyone treat him in such a manner, especially a couple of gussied up sluts.

Jesse gave the thief one more chance to live. She doubted he would take it. None of them ever did. If anything they attempted to double down. It seemed future Scavengers were all slow learners.

"Get back in your car and drive away now." Jesse said to the thief. "I won't say it twice."

The thief started on another string of profanities. He attempted to pull something out of his pocket.

Jesse just shook her head.

"Watch his right hand." Jesse said.

He never made it. It was a switchblade.

Gail snapped his neck.

"Now you end up dead in the trunk of your car." Gail said to the dead thief. "Next time show a little respect."

Gail took a quick look around to make sure there was no one who would observe them. She tossed him in the trunk.

Jesse took the perpetrators keys. It wouldn't hurt to have another vehicle ready to go in case they needed it. The thief certainly wouldn't be using it again. She also took the laptop out of the trunk before she closed it on top of the dead thug.

Gail was irritated by the thief. She didn't like what he did and she didn't like his mouth. She also agreed with Savannah's assessment about their vehicles.

"I didn't want him snooping around our SUVs." Gail said. "We carry a lot of ordnance."

Savannah exited her SUV when she saw Gail and Jesse were going to confront the man. She joined them now. All of the action was over. It all happened in a very short amount of time.

"Cameron would have done the same thing." Savannah said.

Savannah gave each of the girls a quick hug. She handed them their coats and packs with the sweatpants.

They each broke down their M4 and geared up with their vests. They concealed everything with the large beige coats. They used the backpacks for everything else. They were loaded with extra magazines, explosives, and grenades.

They heard an announcement for a boarding number over a loudspeaker.

Savannah already obtained new tickets for the three of them. She looked at the tickets.

"We're on the next cable car up." Savannah said. "It's our number."

Jesse looked up at the narrow canyon. It looked like a long way up.

"Are we going way up there?" Jesse asked. "There's snow up there."

Gail was aware of the weather report John Henry gave Cammy earlier.

"Yes, and even further." Gail said. "It may snow more up there tonight."

Jesse was a little apprehensive, but ready for a new challenge. She wasn't often in a cold climate.

"I'm in." Jesse said. "There wasn't much snow where I'm from."

Gail opened the door of the car the man stole the laptop out of and placed it back inside. She set it on the floor so it was less visible. She locked and closed the car door. If there was no missing property to report, there shouldn't be anyone investigating anything around the area.

The three girls entered the base station. They joined the line which already started to board the cable car.

Jesse looked around and at the cable car itself. She thought it was pretty small. She wasn't claustrophobic, but she knew she was going to be packed in with a lot of people in a confined space. A confined space packed with people reminded her of prisoners being held by Scavengers. She knew Skynet prisoners were treated the same way. She was very aware when people thought that they were going to die, the 'animal' in them came out along with the 'animal actions' they did to others. She was repeatedly abused in similar circumstances, more than a few times.

She pushed those thoughts from her mind for now. She figured she should be able to tap into the anger and revolt later on when she dealt with the Grays. The fact they actually had a female prisoner and most likely already abused her repeatedly would only add to her anger and retribution when she faced them. She liked the abusers to 'pay for their sins'. It wasn't always possible, especially dealing with anything Skynet related.

Between the thief, thoughts of the past, and the justice she would be able to deliver soon, Jesse was amped up and ready to go.

Savannah briefly looked at Jesse. She could see she dealt with some personal issues. She just dealt with some of her own a few minutes before they arrived. It seemed everybody carried some baggage around with them. She knew some of the baggage was a lot worse than others. She really wasn't sure there was any way to deal with any of the baggage other than to just plow through it and keep going.

Cammy made a circle around the Gray's bunker. She noted every detail. The shift change, if it is what it was, hadn't taken place yet.

She met back up with Steve. She looked over the array of antennas and electrical equipment which was at the top of the mountain. Even if Skynet took control of everything, they didn't need as many people up there as there were, something didn't make sense. There must be more in play where they were.

"What do they need all these people for?" Cammy asked. "They don't need more than two people here. Everything could actually be done remotely once it was set up."

Steve thought a lot of things didn't add up about this operation so far.

"It's unknown." Steve said. "There are currently plenty of targets with more to arrive."

There were a few other things which didn't make sense to Cammy either.

"Why is the 'Metal Bitch' up here?" Cammy asked. "None of it seems right."

Steve didn't think it was just the Grays in this particular situation which were confusing.

"All humans are illogical." Steve said. "They do things they shouldn't do all of the time. It seems even if they think about it first, they still go ahead and do it anyway, even if the chance of failure is one hundred percent."

Cammy knew it was true, but not everybody up here was human.

"The 'Metal Bitch' isn't." Cammy said. "She shouldn't do anything illogical."

A group of men exited. Some of them were still adjusting their clothing. They were all laughing.

Cammy was sure what was just done with the female detainee who was recently brought up.

"At least this one was still alive." The first Gray said.

"She was nice and smooth." The second Gray said.

"I liked everything about her, she wasn't used up yet." The third Gray said.

"There's no reason we can't go another round." The first Gray said.

"I think things are going to be a little slack by then." The third Gray said.

"Not if we roll her over." The second Gray said.

The Grays all laughed again.

It was clear now why the shift change took so long. The Gray's all wanted to have some involvement. They most likely took it too. There was a good chance they would return for more. She was sure part of it was because she heard the female say she would do anything they told her to do, as long as they stopped hitting her. She doubted they stopped hitting her when she was on the 'comfort bunk'. It was doubtful she would ever get off of it alive.

Cammy still thought she should have taken them all down earlier on the trail. Based upon the conversation she heard previously, she knew the female was already abused repeatedly. If she hadn't heard it, she would have taken them down. She was pretty sure the female was a 'working girl' who got caught up in a little bit more than she anticipated when she signed up for her new 'gig'. It was water under the bridge. She wanted retribution anyway. There was one thing she wanted. She wanted to make it clear.

"I want all of these individuals terminated." Cammy said.

Steve wondered about the fate of the female prisoner.

"What about the female?" Steve asked.

Cammy was on plenty of operations with Cameron, Sheila, and Ally on some of the 'off the books' operations. She was aware of what happened to females in such situations.

"We might be able to spare her life. As you can hear, we're too late for anything else." Cammy said as her eyes glowed red. "Even if she is used to the activity, it's not normally done under duress. It certainly wouldn't be like anything the Grays were going to do."

Cammy started to move forward toward the bunker.

Steve reached out and stopped her. He didn't want her to jump the gun. He wanted to keep things in perspective.

"Stop…. There's another group headed this way." Steve said. "You know Bob is tracking them. It's better if we know where everyone is at when we bring them down."

Cammy looked back at the bunker with disgust. She tried not to imagine what was going on now as they waited outside. She could only think of the stories she heard from Vanna and Jesse. She just found it hard to imagine what it was like to be held down and watch a line form, knowing what was about to come next.

"We'll wait." Cammy said. "What's done is done."

Cammy didn't like what was most likely happening right now. The mission needed to come first.

Steve wanted an update as to what was happening. He didn't think he'd be able to control Cammy much longer.

"Bob, have you acquired your targets yet?" Steve asked.

Bob hurried after the other group of Grays. He'd made good time even though he was still off the main trail. He could follow the route Steve took on one side of the trail and the route Cammy took on the other side of the trail. He used both of them in case anyone would attempt to set up an ambush. There was a fifty percent chance he would be able to avoid it if it wasn't detected beforehand.

"Negative…." Bob said. "I haven't made contact yet."

Cammy was ready to thin the herd. She wanted the operation concluded. She didn't want Savannah to need to face any more of a threat than she needed to.

"Steve, I want you to stay here and keep us posted." Cammy said. "I'm moving back down towards Bob." Cammy said. "We can take the new group out first. There's a chance they will send out a few others to look for them. We can start to eliminate them in small and isolated groups."

Steve didn't think it was a bad idea. He nodded once at Cammy.

"Bob, which side of the trail are you on?" Cammy asked.

"I'm on the side Steve came up on." Bob said. "I can see his footprints. I was on the side you were on for a while."

Cammy wanted to cover all the bases. She would go down on the side she came up on since she was familiar with it.

"I'm moving back down on the other side. I'm familiar with it." Cammy said. "Those Grays should be between us."

"Affirmative…." Bob said.

The goal was to bring them down without the use of gunfire if it was possible.

Cameron closed on the location where the white van was stopped. There was no one visible. She knew the lead needed to be checked out. She was still irritated it took her away from what she wanted to do and join up with Savannah. Gail and Jesse were now with her. I took away some of her worry. They were about to go up on the cable car.

She looked around the area. There was nothing here. The white van was parked in a dry wash. She wasn't sure the van was parked, and actually hadn't gone off of the road. It didn't give her a good feeling. Her exposure with Sarah, John, and Savannah on an operation set off what they would call a 'red flag'.

Cameron threw the SUV in reverse and backed away from the area. Something was off there. She quickly contacted John Henry for an update. She needed to know more about what was going on there.

"How long has the van been at the location you gave me?" Cameron asked.

John Henry double checked the transponder reading.

"Eight minutes." John Henry said. "Nine minutes."

The timeline sent up another 'red flag' for Cameron.

"Are there any traffic cams or security cameras along the route it took to get here?" Cameron asked.

John Henry checked again.

"There are none, it's a remote area." John Henry said. "The only traffic cams are in and around the Palm Springs area."

Cameron had been in enough of these types of situations to know things weren't right.

"Put all our forces on highest alert in this area." Cameron said. "I think we've been made. I may be under observation as we speak. Everything we do might be part of an ambush."

John was instantly alarmed. He thought about how Cameron was targeted at the previous site they took down. He wanted to know the severity of her situation. The last time it was very directed.

"Are you being targeted?" John asked. "Are you 'painted'?"

Based on her remote location, she figured her vehicle was compromised. There weren't any others around. There was no traffic to blend into. She certainly didn't want to be in it any longer than possible at this juncture.

"It's unknown at this point in time." Cameron said. "I'm pretty sure I need a new set of wheels."

John thought she should check out the situation a little further. She was already there.

"What about the van?" John asked.

Cameron looked at the van where it was in the dry wash. It just didn't give her a good feeling. Somehow it seems like it was a trap. Maybe it was because it was off of the road and in the dry wash. It would cut down any collateral damage, other than someone who specifically went to the van to check it out.

"I think it will explode if I get near it." Cameron said.

John was further alarmed by her statement.

"Do you think it's booby trapped?" John asked.

Cameron was pretty sure she was currently under observation. She didn't know from where. If she did, she would head directly there and pay them a visit. It would be a very personal visit. It would also be a very short one. It wouldn't take her long to convey her displeasure for their efforts.

"I think it will be 'command detonated'." Cameron said. "It means someone is watching it and me."

John Henry thought because of the remoteness of the location Cameron might be able to spot something.

"Can you see anything around you?" John Henry asked.

Cameron wanted some resolution to this current situation.

"No, but I bet they're close by here." Cameron said. "I'm going to find them."

She needed to look around the area further.

John was aware Cameron was going to push the issue because she felt threatened. He regretted his earlier decision not to allow Savannah to act as she wanted. She was a moderating influence on Cameron.

"We should've let Savannah go to Cameron earlier." John said. "She tried to tell me."

John Henry was aware of Savannah's current position.

"She's half way up the aerial tramway now with Gail and Jesse." John Henry said. "There isn't much anyone can do."

John was very upset about his previous decision. Savannah tried to warn him.

"Damn!" John said. "I should've listened."

John Henry thought the original decision was the correct decision.

"You made the right decision at the time." John Henry said.

There was a disgusted look on John's face.

"It is not right now." John said. "Cameron's going to push it."

John knew Cameron was in danger if what she suspected was true. At this point he could only hope there was more to the new situation. Maybe more wasn't the correct way to see it. He hoped there was less to it.

Young Allison received the updated information with Anna.

"Cameron should withdraw if she suspects an ambush." Young Allison said. "She's only moved back a short way."

Anna knew what Cameron was after. She hoped to draw the enemy out and expose themselves. If the enemy was hidden, it was an effective strategy to lure them out.

"She thinks whoever is trying to spring the ambush is still there." Anna said. "Terminators don't like to run."

Young Allison thought it should depend upon the situation.

"It's not about 'running' to obtain more information in a situation like this." Young Allison said. "Nothing there needs immediate action."

Anna knew exactly how Cameron thought. She ran her program after all.

"Cameron doesn't like loose ends." Anna said.

Young Allison looked at the satellite map with the trackers on it.

"How far out are the two helicopters?" Young Allison asked.

Anna was pretty sure what Young Allison was after.

"They're fifteen minutes from the temporary desert base and another five minutes added to it to where Cameron is at." Anna said.

Young Allison hoped someone else would be a little closer to assist Cameron.

"What about any of Cameron's Terminators?" Young Allison asked.

"The two who were on surveillance duty at the old packing house have already been sent by CamNet." Anna said. "They're still ten minutes away."

Young Allison knew there was another resource which could be there much quicker than anything else and do much more damage when they arrived.

"The two drones can be there in a few minutes." Young Allison said. "Are they ready to go?"

Anna thought it was a bad idea. It was still the middle of the day.

"It's daylight, they may be observed." Anna said.

Young Allison became irritated with Anna's reply. She wanted her question answered.

"Are they ready to go?" Young Allison asked again.

Anna was prompted by CamNet to respond correctly.

"They are." Anna said. "Should we risk sending them into the unknown in daylight? It may blow the whole operation."

Young Allison wanted Cameron protected.

"There are no other options." Young Allison said.

Anna wanted Young Allison to think.

"There's still one." Anna said.

Young Allison already considered the unspoken option.

"It's to let Cameron do her 'thing'…." Young Allison said.

Anna knew Young Allison didn't need a reminder. She gave her one anyway.

"It's what she was constructed for." Anna said. "Remember, she's a machine."

Young Allison knew Cameron was a machine. She saw some of her damage before. Cameron wanted to remind her exactly what she was as she showed her. She did understand, but it didn't make a difference in the way she felt.

"She's much more than a machine to me." Young Allison said. "Hold the drones for now, but I want them ready to go in a moment's notice, daylight or not. If anything happens with the Blackhawk to improve its flight status, I want to know immediately."

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Trips

Everyone wants to change
They never go anywhere
Maybe the bottom line is
They don't actually care

Some push and shove
Others give and take
What is ever true or real
Who is nothing but a fake

Many are cruel by nature
It's a true human trait
Put it all away or behind
It's time to clear the slate

Make the path followed
One that is free and clear
Otherwise sooner or later
One will shed many a tear

Living offers many choices
Go ahead and play life's chips
Don't get bogged down in the past
Get up from the falls and trips

Nobody