Chapter 691

Not As Happy

Cameron wasn't pleased Savannah was alone. She regretted leaving Gail and Savannah earlier. She didn't think they would need to separate a few minutes later.

She was inside the back of the truck now.

Earlier when it stopped, she opened the rear door to see what was inside. There were crates. She hopped up to look inside of them when the truck started to move again.

The crates contained Coltan. She was going to take it. It was a valuable resource.

The question was, where did it come from, and where was it going? She already knew some variation of what the actual finished product would be.

Savannah checked on the trajectory between her current position and where Cameron currently was with John Henry. He was able to provide her with directions so she could close up the distance the quickest way possible. She didn't want Cameron to worry about her.

"Cameron, I'm on an intercept course." Savannah said. "I should reach you in five minutes."

Cameron was pleased Savannah contacted her to let her know what was happening, she would arrive soon. She wasn't pleased Savannah was alone. What was in the back of the truck was important to her. Savannah was more important to her than what was in the truck. She took an extra precaution to make sure she didn't lose track of the Coltan, even if they lost track of the truck at some point.

"I have the tracker in place." Cameron said. "There are crates of Coltan here. I've tagged one of the crates as well as the truck. It's more important to find where it came from, then where it's going. Wherever the current supply was obtained from, there's going to be more. I need to find where it's at."

Savannah looked around her as she drove to make sure she didn't have a tail. So far nothing was spotted. She looked forward to picking Cameron up soon.

"It's a good find." Savannah said. "I'll pick you up."

John Henry monitored their conversation. He understood the importance of finding out where the Coltan came from. It was something they needed to take control of as soon as possible. There would be a number of Grays involved in the operation. They would probably even be a hostile Terminator. There could be multiple Terminators.

Cameron felt she needed to say something to Savannah. It wasn't so much about Savannah being alone right now which bothered her, it seemed to be more about what happened earlier when she was unable to help Savannah in her endeavor at the pier. It was something which really troubled her. She was right there, but she couldn't do anything to help. She knew it was because of the limitations of her design. She really wondered if something couldn't be done about it.

"I don't like you being alone." Cameron said. "I was worried about you earlier today. I couldn't help you…."

Savannah didn't want things to become a problem for Cameron when it didn't need to be. The situation Cameron alluded to was something which just occurred. She understood Cameron was in many situations when she dealt with the enemy or something just occurred. It wasn't really time to think about it. There was only time to act. She did understand why Cameron needed to do some of the things she did, the way she did them, when she did them. The current situation would remedy itself in a matter of minutes.

"Cameron, relax." Savannah said. "I'll be there soon and then I won't be alone. You won't be either."

Cameron tilted her head slightly at Savannah's last statement. Savannah didn't want her to be alone. It was something she knew. Maybe she shouldn't have gone off when she did after all. She wanted to get out of the truck and get back to Savannah. Neither of them would be alone then. It was something to think about.

John looked at John Henry when the transmission abruptly stopped he was listening to between Cameron and Savannah.

"What happened to the feed?" John asked.

John Henry knew exactly what happened to it. He just couldn't say to John specifically what it was or why. He would need to play a little loose with the truth around the issue. It shouldn't be too hard to do since he learned from Cameron how to 'bend' the truth when necessary.

"I'm not sure." John Henry said.

Savannah called him earlier and asked no one know what happened at the pier which involved her. She didn't want anyone to make a big deal about it. It was something which needed to be done and she did it. There were others there. No one else acted. Once she rescued the child, a surfer, Surfer Joe, assisted her resuscitate them and get them back to shore.

John Henry cut the feed when Cameron started to talk about it so John wouldn't ask. He wasn't sure why Cameron even brought it up. He was sure it was from some type of internal trauma.

"They evidently aren't talking now, at least until Savannah gets closer to pick Cameron up." John Henry said. "It's nothing to worry about. You need to remember Savannah doesn't want Cameron alone any more than Cameron wants Savannah alone. It's a self rectifying issue."

John looked at John Henry for a moment and then contacted Bob. He hoped for some better news from him.

"Bob, do you have anything on Cam?" John asked.

Bob didn't believe he was going to hear anything, until Cam wanted him to hear something.

"Negative…." Bob said.

John was very displeased with the current state of the operation. There was another problem on his mind as well. He knew he shouldn't let it bother him but for some reason it bothered him greatly. The ongoing operation wasn't his only concern.

"Beautiful…." John said.

John excused himself for a minute and exited the Command Center. He called Vanna. It wasn't a subject he was comfortable dealing with. He knew Riley was a team member and important to everyone, especially Derek. He didn't want anyone to think he was showing her any extra concern because of who she was. Riley wasn't Future Riley. He knew from the future he visited pregnancies were very delicate matters which could just as often result in the death of the mother as the infant being born. Riley was from the future so he believed there was a reason to have a legitimate concern. He knew it was on the minds of all of those from the future as well.

After the pleasantries, he got down to business.

"How's Riley?" John asked.

Vanna glanced back in the direction of Riley's room.

"I think she's better." Vanna said.

John wasn't sure what to ask. He didn't know a whole lot about pregnancies from a close up view, other than what he watched his mother go through with his sister Jan. It made him think of some other complications. He did remember when the next door neighbor Kacy was taken to the hospital by his mother.

He was involved in his own situation with Cameron during the same time. Now what happened with Cameron was an episode in itself. He would have preferred not to think about it right now at this time. What he did remember the most about the entire incident was he actually saw Cameron genuinely happy when she was in the halfway house. He was the one who went to her and told her she was a machine from the future. The happiness instantly evaporated from her face. He witnessed moments since then when Cameron did look happy, but not as happy as she did when he first saw her inside the halfway house. He needed to refocus. Right now the issue was Riley. He tried to think of some of the things he knew could go wrong.

"Is there any pain, bleeding, or leaking fluids?" John asked.

Vanna was a little surprised at John's question.

"No." Vanna said.

John was still troubled by the entire incident. He really wasn't sure why.

"It worries me." John said.

There were times in the future when Vanna was around sick and dying people a lot. Riley's current situation didn't seem like a big deal or an issue based on it. She thought Jesse summed it up pretty well by saying it was a combination of a lot of little things, more than a major thing as best as she could tell.

"I've been around others when it's a lot worse. This doesn't appear to be one of those cases." Vanna said. "You did the right thing. She was clearly distressed when we found her thanks to your guidance."

John wanted to take some type of preventative action if they could. He certainly didn't want to wait around for anything to develop into a major issue, or something which would require hospitalization. If it was what was necessary, then he would make sure Riley was taken to the hospital. It sadly reminded him he needed to do it before when Riley - Future Riley, attempted suicide in the bathroom of their last house. He believed if they would have been truthful with each other, it never would have happened. She wouldn't have died the way she did either. Riley was the issue now.

"I don't want to wait for my mom to get back, if you think anything should be done, do it." John said. "I don't want anything to get worse if it doesn't need to."

Vanna was ready to take some preemptive action on her own. She wanted to OK it with John first to make sure. They never needed to use the infirmary before for anything serious, especially in this manner, or for a situation like this.

"I'd like to move her to the infirmary." Vanna said. "Cameron has a complete ER set up there."

John was well aware of why Cameron established such an elaborate medical facility. What seemed rather ironic was she did everything she could to prevent any of the humans from being around combat except Savannah. It was probably one of the reasons why no one was ever there.

"She wants to be able to treat any wounded." John said. "She has a complete medical library database of every known procedure ever done. Cameron can plug in and have a vast amount of knowledge available to them."

Vanna wondered if it was something specific Cameron established for her to use, or if any of the Terminators were good to go. She thought any Terminator with a neck port would be able to use the system as well as any other one. It was unless one of them actually obtained experience doing a procedure. She was well aware there was no substitute for experience in any situation. She knew 'knowing' and 'doing' were two different things in reality.

She wouldn't put it past Cameron to have one of the Terminators, or even herself, actually work in a hospital or medical facility to gain the experience. She didn't doubt for a moment Cameron would use other humans as 'guinea pigs'. It could happen in the past or the future with the use of the TDE, no one would know except the participants.

"Can any of the Terminators plug into it?" Vanna asked. "Is there someone with experience?"

John seemed to think John Henry indicated he was qualified to do any of the medical procedures.

"I believe so." John said. "Get her there and I'll send John Henry. I think she would feel comfortable with him there. Ask her to make sure. There aren't any female Terminators available."

Vanna thought now was a bad time to pull John Henry off of his primary position. He was normally at the forefront of all the operations which were conducted. There was one being conducted now.

"You're in the middle of a tactical operation." Vanna said. "It will disrupt it by taking John Henry away."

John Henry already discussed what would happen with John, and how the operation would go on seamlessly as if he were still there, even if he wasn't physically there. His server was able to do everything he could.

"His server, JH, can run autonomously." John said. "It's just a different interface. I've used it before. JH is John Henry."

John knew it was no different than CamNet. CamNet was a server only. As far as he knew Cameron seldom plugged into it. He also believed CamNet was now far more advanced than John Henry, his server, or Cameron herself. He was afraid Cameron created something she couldn't control. It made him understand better why the 'Chosen Ones' would be able to countermand any order. It would include CamNet as well.

Vanna didn't think it would be a problem for John Henry to examine Riley. She'd get everything started into motion and inform John Henry when she was ready.

"I'll let you know when she's there." Vanna said. "Thanks, John."

John still felt something tug inside of him he couldn't really identify. There were a lot of things he would think about at times which made him feel uneasy. He knew there were a lot of complications to life for everyone. He did think he experienced a few more than most other people since he needed to worry about the future as well as the present. He needed to worry about a number of cyborgs and several supercomputers, one which was intent on taking over the world. He was worried about those in the Resistance.

"We're all a team." John said.

Vanna agreed with him. She wanted him to remind him what else was available. She was willing to take things up a notch. She still believed it was going to happen with both Savannah and John when they were at the Young residence in Palmdale. Things didn't play out as she thought they would. It was rather disappointing. She was very pleased to be with Allison and Savannah, but she really wanted to 'give it a try' with John. She felt she was ready to be with a male in a loving manner.

"Yes we are." Vanna said. "Remember it's for everything too."

John understood the last part of Vanna's statement. He really didn't know how far he could go based upon what Cameron indicated on multiple occasions. Would she really tolerate him being with the human females? He knew they were all good to go. He knew they were all good to go at the Young residence as well. He looked in the commissary as he passed by. No one was in it. He returned back to the Command Center.

"Did I miss anything?" John asked.

John Henry would have informed him wherever he was at if anything important developed.

"No." John Henry said.

Since John Henry and John previously talked about it, he thought it was time to put the plan into action.

"They're taking Riley to the infirmary soon." John said. "I think she'd feel most comfortable with you to check her out."

John Henry looked forward to the opportunity. All females fascinated him, especially human females. He would actually be able to touch her and observe everything on her. He knew he needed to keep it professional. If a patient couldn't trust their doctor, it would be a very bad situation. He wanted to reassure John. Maybe he wanted to reassure himself.

"I have access to every medical procedure." John Henry said. "I should be able to perform with a good level of proficiency."

John didn't want John Henry to be too overconfident as he went into the procedure. He was aware things could get messy. Real life was different from a simulation or theory.

"Just be aware actually doing it is different from simulations. Real people cry, hurt, and bleed." John said. "It's not pretty."

John remembered Future Derek almost dying on the kitchen table. He saw plenty of others hurt too in the alternate future. The images still sickened him. He didn't think he could ever be a medical professional and deal with it all the time. He was with Allison on some of those times in her future and she jumped in and helped. She said it was all part of growing up in the Wastelands. Allison was used to suffering and death. He wasn't. He really didn't know if it was a good attribute or not. Maybe if he thought about the suffering of others before they suffered, he'd be less likely to put them in a position to suffer. He now realized it was exactly what Cameron did with him. Somehow it all made sense now.

He thought all of the politicians who start wars should need to do the same thing too. They should be the ones who would need to talk to the parents and loved ones of those injured and killed in combat. He believed there was too much disassociation between their decisions and the reality of the situation. It was something to think about anyway. Perhaps going forward he would need to do exactly what he thought politicians should do to prevent him from making the same mistakes. He didn't want to make the same mistakes Future John did.

John Henry felt he was more than up to the task. He actually looked forward to getting started.

"I will not fail." John Henry said.

John thought John Henry was good to go. He remembered earlier John Henry mentioned CamNet would be 'there' with him. He understood it to mean 'Cameron' would be there with him as well, even if she wasn't physically there.

"No, I don't think you would." John said. "I think there will be a lot of teamwork."

Cam spotted something earlier on her recon to the east side of the structure to view the railroad siding. She went back to check it out. She entered into the flood control channel branch. There was a large opening located on the side of the channel. There was an underground pipe which drained everything from the old newspaper factory and surrounding area into the flood control channel. She entered into it and hoped to get a closer look. It would take her underground closer to the old newspaper plant anyway. She didn't know if she'd be able to hear anything, but she might be able to detect vibrations. It was time to see where and what she could find. She figured if it was rigged as an escape route, she would probably find the connection or the opening where it was at. She thought it was worth a try.

The underground pipe divided and narrowed into several branches. Soon she could go no further. She was however at the end of the loading dock. She listened to what happened above her.

She could hear a forklift operating. She wondered what it actually did as it moved around. There were people laughing and cussing. There were many rude comments and numerous innuendos. She really disliked whoever was up on the dock. She didn't think there were any Terminators around. It sounded like the Grays were having too good of a time. She knew it was a big facility and the Terminators could actually be elsewhere. Maybe if everyone clammed up it would be an indication a Terminator was near. It would be something for her to think about anyway.

Cam brought her face up to the metal grate and was going to lift it. She wanted to take a look around to see what she could observe firsthand and close up. A boot appeared right above her face as it stepped on the grate. There was a man standing there smoking. She carefully backed down away from the surface, but not before a cigarette butt landed on her cheek. The act of carelessness angered her. She was glad there was minimal sheath damage as it hit and bounced off of her cheek. When they entered this facility, she would personally terminate anyone who possessed cigarettes.

The boot disappeared. Cam went back up to look.

Because of her close proximity to the surface, she was able to communicate with John Henry and filled him in on all the details she'd found out so far. Most of it wasn't helpful.

When she was done with the transmission, she touched the small burn spot on her cheek from the cigarette. Her eyes glowed red momentarily. Someone was going to have to pay for the minor damage done to her face. She didn't even think about how she could be shot up before the operation was over. The act of carelessness was a personal matter to her at this point. She would make sure she saved all the smokers for last when it was time for interrogation and then termination. She hoped she would find some flammable liquids somewhere inside the structure so she could deal with them properly as they were terminated.

John was very pleased they reestablished communications with Cam.

"OK, we received Cam's report." John said. "She's right up there at the loading dock."

John Henry didn't think they gleaned too much information from her adventure.

"She'll need to return." John Henry said. "It's too early for her to do anything from the position she is currently at."

John noticed John Henry straightened his clothing and made sure his hair was in order. He figured he was about ready to leave.

"Do you want Jim to plug in when you go to assist Riley?" John asked.

John Henry actually already notified Jim. He should arrive momentarily.

"He may do so. The experience will be good for him." John Henry said. "He's done it before."

He knew both Bob and Jim were plugged in when he experienced some difficulties before. He was very grateful for their assistance.

Jim arrived.

John Henry filled Jim in and departed. He arrived at Derek's room and knocked.

Jesse answered the door.

John Henry took in here petite figure. He scanned her breasts through her tight fitting halter top. He could tell her nipple rings were in place. He only needed his regular vision to see them. The top was so tight they clearly stood out.

"I'm here to examine Riley." John Henry said.

Jesse received the distinct feeling she was just 'examined'. It was fine with her. She'd be more than willing to take her top off, or all of her clothes for that matter, if he really wanted to examine her. She'd really like to 'give it a go' with the male Terminator one time, just to see what they could do.

"We were just about ready to head over to the infirmary. Vanna and Kyle already left." Jesse said. "They went to get everything ready."

John Henry thought now was a good time to point out the previous procedure Jesse indicated he could perform on her. He thought she was actually a little young for the procedure, but there was no reason not to get an early start. Preventative care was very important for humans.

"Jesse, I can also perform the breast examination you've indicated you wanted as well." John Henry said.

Jesse looked at John Henry for a moment and then a giant smile blossomed on her face. She remembered when she joked with him several times before. It wasn't quite what she meant. It was close enough.

"It wasn't what I was indicating, but it couldn't hurt." Jesse said. "It gives me an excuse to go topless."

She wondered if she should volunteer for a cervical exam as well. John Henry would get to see it all up close. She would wait and see how the breast examination went first before she suggested it.

John Henry tilted his head slightly to the side. Jesse was often topless, especially in the hall where the girls' rooms were at.

"It seems you don't usually need one." John Henry said.

Jesse liked having an audience, even if it was voyeurism.

"Really?" Jesse asked. "You see everything that goes on around here don't you?"

John Henry didn't want her to be alarmed. He didn't realize she wouldn't be.

"Yes." John Henry said. "I'm not allowed to discuss personal matters, affairs, or hookups. Everything I do needs to be done for security and operational matters only."

Jesse would like to have a little insight to anything else which happened she missed, or wasn't a part of. John Henry would be able to give her a heads up if there was something she wanted to be a part of. She was pretty sure there were ways she could motivate him to assist her.

"Maybe I could persuade you." Jesse said.

John Henry looked stone faced.

"It's unlikely." John Henry said.

Jesse knew how to play the game and play it well. She expected to catch John Henry off guard and surprise him.

"Is it?" Jesse asked as she slipped her hand towards John Henry's crotch. "I hear you received a 'package'. Maybe we can test it out. There are several different methods I could use to assist you."

John Henry was ready for the advance. He was ready with a comeback. He didn't see any need to mention the manual stimulation he experimented with previously.

"What makes you think I haven't?" John Henry asked.

Jesse's eyes widened some at his remark. She could see he wanted to play the game.

"I bet it was Sheila." Jesse said. "There's no need to settle for second best. It's time for the real thing. I would like to hear how we actually compare."

Derek emerged from Riley's room a few seconds ago and caught the tail end of the conversation. He was a little surprised at the nature of it.

"What's going on here?" Derek asked.

Jesse didn't want to get specific.

"Nothing…." Jesse said. "I was just joking with our Terminator friend. He's a real friendly bloke."

John Henry looked nervous.

Derek frowned slightly.

"I bet." Derek said.

Riley emerged from the bedroom, she looked a little shaky.

"OK, I'm ready." Riley said. "I feel a little dizzy."

John Henry stepped forward to pick her up.

"I can carry you." John Henry said. "It won't be a problem."

Derek looked at John Henry and Jesse. He felt it was his responsibility.

"I'll carry her." Derek said.

Derek picked up Riley and headed out.

Jesse looked around. She still wanted to mess around with John Henry some.

"You can carry me." Jesse said.

John Henry looked a little concerned.

"Are you ill?" John Henry asked.

Jesse reached up and pulled her top a little tighter. It made everything inside a little more prominent.

"Nope…." Jesse said. "Not physically anyway."

John Henry scooped Jesse up in a swift motion.

Jesse was a little surprised.

"Gail's a little gentler." Jesse said.

John Henry wanted to offer her unique proposition.

"I can switch chips with her." John Henry said. "Any of the males can."

Jesse was intrigued by the idea, but she didn't want to push things too far, especially under the circumstances. She was very pleased with her interaction with John Henry.

"You better put me down before you get deactivated." Jesse said. "We need to help Riley now. You're a funny bloke. Did you know that?"

John Henry smiled. He was glad he pleased and amused Jesse.

"Cameron has insisted we all work on our social skills." John Henry said. "I'm trying."

John Henry was serious about switching the chips. He would like to explore a female sheath as his own for a short time. He would mention it to Gail at an appropriate time. In fact, he could take Jesse up on her 'offer' as both a male and female. He would then be able to determine what the superior sheath was. It would require further study. He lifted Jesse a little higher as he walked so she wouldn't notice his 'current condition'.

Savannah closed up on the truck Cameron was in the back of.

"Cameron, I'm right behind you." Savannah said.

Cameron moved to the rear door of the truck.

"I hear you." Cameron said. "Is it clear?"

Savannah took a quick look around. She didn't spot anyone.

"Yes." Savannah said. "Go now."

Savannah pulled off to the driver's side of the truck more to give Cameron cover and not be observed from within the truck through the side view mirrors.

The 'roll up' door only opened about two feet and Cameron rolled out. She closed the door behind her. She secured the latch.

She hopped in on the passenger's side. The entire move was blocked from the driver's view by the closeness of Savannah's SUV to the back of the truck.

Savannah previously flipped her sun visor down to block her face from view of the driver's side view mirror. She didn't want any accidental recognition or a description later on. It was just a precaution. She figured all the Grays would be dead soon.

She didn't really feel she would be responsible for any of their deaths. Whether they were actual Grays from the future, or employees working for them, which she felt could actually be viewed as mercenaries. They were collaborators if nothing else. They were the enemy.

Savannah knew Cameron initially appropriated another vehicle to follow the truck. She wondered what happened to it. She hoped it wasn't sitting in the middle of the street.

"Where's the vehicle at you followed the truck in?" Savannah asked.

Cameron wasn't too concerned about it.

"It was a delivery van, one of the brown ones." Cameron said. "I left it on the roadside. They seem to have a lot of them. I think they'll figure it out."

Savannah thought it was best if they didn't return to the area.

"Let's not go back the same way." Savannah said.

Sheila and Ally were headed back towards the old newspaper plant.

"We can play tag with you." Sheila said. "Our truck parked back where it came from. Ed is still there. He has the area under observation as well as the surveillance equipment which was installed."

Cameron gave Sheila some specific instructions.

"I have the truck and load double tagged. We can fall back and track him." Cameron said.

Savannah was concerned about Gail. She was bothered by the fact she needed to 'send her away'.

"Gail, how are you doing?" Savannah asked.

Gail was pleased to receive Savannah's direct communication.

"I tagged the big rig. Al and Steve picked me up." Gail said. "Thanks for checking."

Savannah wanted Gail to know when she split the team it was no reflection on her. It was a matter of necessity.

"If our two teams get closer together, we'll pick you up again." Savannah said. "I'd like to keep our team together. Thank you for doing what was necessary when it needed to be done. We have an elusive enemy to deal with and need to be able to track them whenever we can."

Gail was very pleased to hear it.

"I'd like to team back up." Gail said. "Thank you."

Cameron looked at Savannah but didn't ask her. She knew Gail was 'sweet' on Savannah, big time. She 'checked' on Savannah and heard what she did with Gail and the getting 'dressed' routine. She later did it with John. It seemed to please him. She smiled at Savannah.

"I want you to be happy." Cameron said.

Savannah looked to see if Cameron's hand started to glitch, it didn't.

"I've been very happy." Savannah said. "But not as happy as I will be…."

Savannah looked deeply into Cameron's eyes.

"Me too…." Cameron said as she gave Savannah a wink.

They both knew the future offered many things.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

I Can't Be Happy

Instead of being insulted
With words that demean
I would be much happier
If I were treated as a Queen

In the smorgasbord of life
I remain an unknown cuisine
I don't like it myself at all
When to me people say things mean

With you at my side
The world is ours to glean
You will forever be safe
I'll insulate against the unseen

My appearance can be pleasant
I can radiate a sheen
For YOU I want to look Tight
So I continuously preen

There is so much more
That can't be seen
I can't be happy
If I am treated like a machine

Nobody