Chapter 695

Pray

Cam made a bold move to enter the compound of the old newspaper plant. She currently clung to the underside of a parked boxcar. She just arrived from outside the compound underneath it. She made it this far seemingly unobserved and undetected. It might be about to change. She heard the door to the building being unlatched and opened. It was a roll up door.

There was a groan of disgust from whoever opened the door.

"Typical." Someone said. "Are those guys blind or something?"

"Those lazy clowns didn't even spot the boxcars correctly - again." Someone else said.

"I'll fix it." A gruff voice said.

Someone jumped down between the boxcar and the wall, they moved along the narrow gap. Cam heard the handbrake released. With a mild jolt, the boxcar she was under moved forward a foot and a half. It meant whoever just pushed the two box cars was a Terminator. The handbrake was set again.

The figure moved back along the narrow gap and back inside the building. Seconds later, the boxcar door was slid open with a grinding screech. There was the sound of a forklift starting. A ramp was placed between the building and the boxcar with a loud 'clang'. It reverberated through the floor of the boxcar.

Cam felt the boxcar rock and shudder as the forklift moved inside of it. The boxcar must have brought something. It was clear they weren't only going to load it. The question now was, what did it bring? They knew the other boxcars left with something in them. They didn't know what either.

She thought the operation might be bigger than they first thought. It seemed well established. The Grays were moving things by truck and rail cars. It looked more like this operation was multi-state related. There was no doubt in her mind they needed to bring this operation down and do it soon. It was also evident there were Terminators there. She doubted it was only the one who pushed the boxcars forward.

She decided to stay in her current position for now. She would see what she could learn by listening. If she felt confident enough later on, she would drop down and try to look inside the building. It would depend on what they would be doing inside at the time. She would need to watch out for any roving patrol moving along the east side when she made her move.

Cam was aware she could be trapped between the roving patrol and those inside the building.

Minutes ago:

Bob watched as the train crew completed its task at the building. The locomotive with the two box cars on it reconnected with the rest of the cars sitting on the main line. The brakeman reconnected the air line and moved back towards the locomotive. As soon as he was on the step of the locomotive, the engineer opened the throttle. As the locomotive revved up from idle, there were twin columns of black smoke which shot into the air.

There was some 'clanking' as the slack was pulled out of the couplers and drawbars. The ground vibrated as the train began to move. The engine revolutions continued to increase, as did the volume of black smoke pouring out of the two exhaust stacks. Once the train was moving, the engineer eased off the throttle and the black smoke all but disappeared.

Bob needed to move his position when Cam enacted her latest unconventional endeavor. Surprisingly enough, it went off without a hitch and Cam was now inside the compound. He let the train pass before he took up his new position. He took one look in each direction to see if there would be any other rail activity. The block signal was red to the east. The block signal to the west, in front of the direction of the train was green. He was now able to view the south side and the east side of the building. The rail siding was on the east side of the building. It gave him a better view of where Cam was at.

He heard some type of activity where the boxcars were. It appeared as if one of the doors on the side of the building just opened. He was unable to spot Cam, but he spotted someone else jump down out of the door in the side of the building and move between the boxcar and the wall to the rear of the boxcar.

"I see someone on the ground in back of the boxcars." Bob said.

John didn't care for this new development. He wondered why someone would be there. Maybe they knew Cam was underneath one of the boxcars and they were going to attempt to trap her there.

"Where did they come from?" John said. "Are they armed? What are they doing?"

Bob heard the door on the side of the building open before he saw them. It was all speculation on his part, until someone actually appeared.

"They came out of the building after they opened the door on the side." Bob said. "I don't see any weapons. They haven't looked underneath either of the boxcars. Wait. It looks like they're about to do something with the boxcar itself."

Bob watched the man shove the two boxcars forward after he released the handbrake. It was obvious the man was not a man, but a Terminator.

"The individual is a Terminator.." Bob said. "They just shoved two boxcars forward around two feet. Even if the load is on wheels, it is still quite a few tons to move."

Bob checked his M82A1. He charged the weapon from its loaded ten round magazine. He wanted to be able to give Cam some support if some type of altercation took place on the east side of the building. He would be able to get a few shots off before they spotted him.

The Terminator was clearly a threat no matter what they were doing. The fact they were there spelled danger.

John wondered if anything else was happening.

"Where are they now?" John asked. "What are they doing? Is anyone else there?"

"I only saw the Terminator shove two boxcars forward a couple of feet." Bob said. "They went back the way they came. They evidently went back into the building, or into the boxcar itself. Cam is going to have to remain 'dark' for awhile. She doesn't appear to have been spotted or in immediate danger."

It didn't sound to John as if Cam was discovered yet. It only seemed like they needed to reposition the boxcar slightly to line up with the door.

"Where are the guards, the security patrol?" John asked. "I'm worried about Cam being so close and alone."

Steve was disgusted with the performance of the Grays. He currently had eyes on them as they moved along the west side of the building.

"They're approaching the north side." Steve said. "They've stopped by the truck loading dock in the shade to have a smoke. They're very undisciplined and appear lazy."

John Henry was worried about the overall implications of the location and what it contained.

"With a Terminator there, we know we have a major target." John Henry said.

Based on where the other trucks went to, or were in transit to, it was clear there were additional targets.

"It appears we have several." John said. "Bob, keep an eye on Cam's position."

Bob checked over his weapons. He moved a second magazine for the M82A1 up next to the rifle.

"I have the Barrett ready." Bob said.

John Henry thought about the movement of the boxcars. He wondered if there was some significance to it. The boxcar door should be ten to twelve feet wide. The door into the side of the building should be the same. It shouldn't make too much difference for a normal load if it was off by a foot and a half to a couple of feet. If the boxcar door needed to be lined up perfectly with the opening, it indicated something big would either come out of the boxcar, or go into it. He was sure it was going to involve HK equipment of some type.

"We need to find out what they're unloading and loading if we can." John Henry said. "I don't know if Cam will be able to see what it is or not. She needs to take into account the Terminator there, and not get spotted. I've already relayed the information to her and advised her to determine why the boxcar needed to be lined up perfectly. I'm sure it was for more than just aesthetics."

John didn't know what they would find. He didn't even know if they could find out without being detected.

"Whatever Cam does, she needs to use caution and good judgment." John said. "I don't want to trigger a reaction in any of the locations we have under observation, or are following."

John once again could see the events were going to control them, instead of them controlling the events as they unfolded. He wondered how Cameron's team was doing at this point. He could see they were still on the move. He wondered at what point her operation would fall apart and turn into a 'free for all'. He figured it wouldn't be too long after the vehicle arrived at whatever its destination was.

"Cameron, what's your situation?" John asked.

Cameron wasn't pleased with Cam's bold move. They were stuck on the freeway following a big rig. It sounded like the action was all back at the old newspaper plant, and the satellite facilities which seemed to support it. Maybe it was time for her team to return.

"We're still tracking the truck." Cameron said. "I may turn this over to some of my Terminators to follow it and determine what's happening." Cameron said. "It sounds like I need to return to the original target area."

John actually preferred Cameron where she was at. It sounded less risky to Savannah being on the freeway than around a building full of Grays, HK equipment, and at least one Terminator.

"It's not necessary." John said. "We have more team members we can move into place."

Cameron was instantly offended by John questioning her judgment. She was the one who would decide what she did and when she did it, not him. She wanted to make sure he understood it and anyone else who was listening.

"I'll make the judgment." Cameron said.

John raised his hands up in the air in an abrupt motion. Only John Henry could see his frustration. He looked angry when he spoke.

"Whatever…." John said.

Savannah heard the exchange between John and Cameron. She personally thought Cameron was a little harsh. She thought things could have been handled in a more diplomatic way. It would have caused less contention between the parties involved.

Cameron noticed Savannah listened to her conversation. The nature and tone of the conversation bothered her now because it happened in front of Savannah. She felt she needed to say something and be truthful about it to Savannah. She wanted to let her know it was more of a personal issue rather than an operational one. There were times when the two butted heads.

"It's not all fun and games, Savannah." Cameron said. "It will have its ups and downs."

Savannah purposely refrained from commenting or trying to tone down Cameron during the conversation. She knew it was more a personal matter than it was an operational matter between John and Cameron. Cameron's statement to her seemed to confirm it. She was under no illusion every day was a picnic. Actually it seemed those days where the rarity.

"I didn't say anything." Savannah said. "I know how it works…. It's just the way it is for everyone. I think if it wasn't to some extent, it would actually be a problem in itself."

Savannah was well aware of the difficulties all the couples faced, everyone from Vanna and Allison, to Sarah and Kyle. They all experienced rough spots and 'fought' with each other. She knew she was very lucky she didn't need to fight or argue much with anyone. It was always the way it was since she was at the Resistance base. She seemed to get along with everyone, especially the Terminators. She didn't ever seem to need to argue with Cammy. She was glad about it. It never seemed pleasant for any of them when they argued.

She was aware sometimes after a major argument, there seemed to be a wild love making session which followed later on in the day, or in the days which followed. It used to seem very strange to her when she was younger. She understood it now. Everyone still loved everyone else, even when it seemed like they didn't. They wanted to reaffirm their love. She was able to watch and learn from them and everything they did.

She knew what Cameron wanted. She also knew she didn't want to hurt Cameron. The girls all shared and seemed to get along well with each other. The only arguments which really bothered her were the ones mostly between Vanna and Allison. It bothered her because she knew it was her in there with Allison in reality. She always thought their fights were so vicious because of their deep love for each other. They always soon made up with a long love making session. She mainly used it as a learning experience as she listened outside the door to what was going on inside. She would peek inside an unclosed door to 'learn'. Now she knew what all the different sounds were, and the reactions they caused. She made all the same sound now too.

Cameron looked at Savannah with almost desperation on her face.

"Please, Savannah, you know what must be." Cameron said. "John needs to have more 'companionship' than I can provide. I'm unsuitable for anything other than his sexual needs. I'll provide those for him so you don't need to."

Sometimes Cameron felt her sheath was John's play thing. She did whatever he asked, and allowed him to do whatever he wanted to her. Some of the things she didn't like to do. Some of the things he did to her she didn't like. She told him several times there were no pleasure receptors in the one area. It didn't seem to matter to him. Unfortunately, there were pain receptors in the area.

Even though Savannah was willing to try intercourse at least once, just to see what it was like, she wasn't sure it was something she would enjoy. She didn't know if it was from what she picked up from Vanna or not. What she viewed on the internet did nothing to increase her sexual appetite to be with a male. It actually turned her off. She still wanted to lose her virginity though. She would rather John have it, than a group of Scavengers.

She honestly hoped Young Allison would be more acclimated to the 'traditional activity' as she seemed to be in the future as Future Allison. She knew Future Savannah would be with Future John occasionally, but the 'duty' seemed to fall to Future Allison and Duplicate Cameron. Future Savannah preferred to be with Future Allison and Duplicate Cameron whenever she could. She was pretty sure her sexual appetite wasn't going to be very much different. She believed the 'Natural Order' would play out a little differently than Cameron originally anticipated.

"It will be Young Allison's role." Savannah said. "I'll need to be your companion. You will tie all four of us together."

Savannah knew Cameron needed her to calm her and keep her from going 'Terminator' more often. It may be Young Allison and her together in the future, but she looked forward to the separate times with Cameron when Young Allison would be with John. It was all in the future so it didn't matter right now. None of it may ever actually happen. If it did, it did. She would still share John's bed to protect him and do what she needed to do. She would keep all her promises. She was aware everyone sacrificed for John Connor.

"It's the 'Natural Order'." Cameron said.

Savannah was aware of Cameron's plans. It didn't matter if she agreed with them or not, they were still going to happen. When it did, she was more than willing to allow Young Allison 'cuts' to visit John's bedroom. Young Allison could tell her what it was like then.

"Yes, it is." Savannah said. "As soon as you have Young Allison 'ready', it will all come together."

The uneasiness Cameron felt earlier with her 'discussion' with John, faded away with Savannah's comment, her girls were all very important to her. She believed Young Allison was more than ready for everything. It was the others who didn't understand it. There were other events she hoped to control when it came to the other females.

"Once this operation is concluded, it all goes into play." Cameron said. "I'm not losing Allison or Vanna. I'm not losing anyone. I need them."

Savannah took Cameron's hand again when it started to glitch. She brought it to her lips and kissed the back of it. She felt some fear inside her. It was a fear she saw Cameron express herself.

"I only hope I can be 'good enough' for you, Cameron." Savannah said. "It's my greatest fear I won't be what you expected and desired. I may not be what you expect or even want."

Cameron felt a deep sadness inside of her. It was how she felt about her relationship with John. She wasn't real. She knew it was why John was dissatisfied with her. It was something she couldn't do anything about to change it.

"Oh, Savannah, no…." Cameron said. "It's my fear."

Savannah was still troubled by the thought. It caused her much anxiety at times when the thoughts were in her head.

"It's mine as well." Savannah said. "I've felt your poems."

Cameron sometimes wondered if her poems weren't more of a catalog of her inadequacies.

"Those are my failures and shortcomings." Cameron said. "They seem to be limitless."

It worried Savannah greatly she too would be a failure in the eyes of ones she loved.

"They're mine as well." Savannah said. "Cameron, I…."

Gail saw the truck ahead they were following move swiftly to the side.

"I'm sorry." Gail interrupted. "The truck is exiting the freeway."

Cameron looked around and checked her internal satellite map file. She spotted a location of interest. It was the only logical choice where the big rig would go.

"I know where he's headed." Cameron said.

Savannah wondered how since the truck hadn't turned left or right.

"He's still on the off ramp." Savannah said.

Cameron didn't want to seem like a fortune teller to Savannah.

"I checked an image of a satellite map I have on file. He's headed for the old steel mill area." Cameron said. "It's full of abandoned structures. The area behind it has seen extensive past mining activity, some of it was open pit. There should be a lot of machinery inside capable of lifting heavy objects."

Gail figured it would be better for her not to exit behind the big rig and be made as a tail, if Cameron was certain where the big rig was headed.

"Do you want me to exit?" Gail asked. "You seem certain you know where they're headed. I don't think it will be too hard to reacquire the big rig if it isn't. If I make the same move to get off, we're going to stand out."

Cameron thought it was a good idea not to exit. There was no need to alert anyone to anything if they didn't need to. Cam was already in the hot seat. There was no need for them to be as well.

"No, go to the next off ramp and we can double back on side streets." Cameron said. "There are only a few ways in or out of the area, they all 'dead end' up against the mountains at some point."

They followed the tracking of the big rig from the Command Center. John Henry noticed an irregularity almost immediately. He needed to find out why.

"Cameron, we've noted the truck exited the freeway." John Henry said. "Your team didn't exit when the truck did, but kept on going past it on the freeway. Is everything alright?"

Cameron glanced at Savannah and suppressed a smile.

"Look at your satellite map and you will soon see where he's headed." Cameron said. "The destination is obvious. There's no need for our vehicle to raise any suspicion unnecessarily."

There was a slight pause.

"Yes." John Henry said. "I see it now. It's an old steel mill."

John was still upset about his prior conversation and confrontation with Cameron. He thought he'd put a little dig in on her right now.

"Do you still wish to return?" John asked.

Cameron was instantly irritated again by his statement and implication. Her previous statement was based upon what was actually occurring. There is no way for her to know at the time where the truck would exit the freeway and head for. She glanced over at Savannah before she spoke. Maybe it was a good thing Savannah was there.

"I'll let you know." Cameron said.

Cameron wanted to go back to the main operation, but this one seemed to be near some type of conclusion. It may be nothing, it may be everything. There was only one way to find out. She knew she was going to have to go in for a closer look.

Anna asked Hanna to notify Young Allison of the latest developments. She came up from the bunker. She needed to speak with Young Allison. She was aware of the new turn of events with Cameron's team. She also saw the entry into the compound by Cam.

Young Allison looked up as Hanna approached. She was pretty sure what she was going to tell her.

"Things may start to happen soon." Hanna said.

Young Allison nodded. She looked at the others who were in the room with her, she didn't want to be rude.

"Excuse me." Young Allison said. "I need to attend to the operation. It looks like a few things may develop."

Sarah was intrigued to see what was about to happen. There was always some type of danger with every operation. Maybe she would check to make sure Kyle was still back at the Resistance base. No. She better not. He was with Derek and Riley earlier, she didn't think anything changed.

"Can I see?" Sarah asked.

Young Allison didn't have a problem with Sarah viewing the operation. It only seemed to be her mother who became 'uptight' as an operation developed. She was always glad when Hanna, or sometimes Holly, would lead her away. She understood what the Metal girls were doing. She wasn't sure if her mother did or not. They influenced and controlled her mother through sexual activity. It wasn't hard to notice it was something her mother never seemed to be able to get enough of. It was much more so than Allison. She also noticed when anyone might have a choice between Allison and her mother, they all wanted to be with her mother. She quickly refocused her attention on Sarah.

"Yes." Young Allison said

Sarah followed Young Allison down. She wondered how big of a damper on Young Allison's life all of the Resistance things presented.

"Do you always do this?" Sarah asked.

Young Allison was very thrilled and excited to be a part of the operations. She tried not to get too involved, but sometimes she did. CamNet would always back her play.

"Yes. I have been ever since CamNet came online." Young Allison said. "I need to learn every aspect of what's happening, and why decisions are being made when they are."

Sarah wondered how deeply entrenched Young Allison actually was to the operations.

"Do you ever get directly involved?" Sarah asked.

Young Allison felt justified with any of the actions she took to assist the Resistance.

"I have, when I saw some things I thought were overlooked or should be different." Young Allison said. "Normally I'll let Anna or CamNet forward the information most of the time. I don't want to be a problem or seem like a pest. I don't want to step on anyone's toes."

Sarah understood Young Allison to mean John. She didn't doubt Young Allison could offer a fresh perspective on some things. She didn't think it would be a bad thing. From what Cameron indicated, Future Allison advised Future John directly on some matters. She was aware how complicated and violent some of the operations could be. Almost always there were dead people somewhere along the way. She was just glad they weren't from the Resistance.

"It's a lot of responsibility and worry for a very young lady." Sarah said.

Young Allison viewed it all as a matter of perception. She wanted to make sure Sarah knew she was ready to step up and assume all of her duties right now, regardless of her physical age. Age was just a number to her. Her body was capable of assuming everything laid out for her, including being at John's side, or in his bed, the way it was right now. She was very aware he would prefer to use her body how it was now, rather than when she looked exactly like Cameron. She actually worried about how John would view her as compared to Cameron in an intimate situation. They might look the same, but obviously they're response and performance were going to be two different things. She wondered if John would choose sex over love.

"Only my body is young lady." Young Allison said. "We all know I'm far beyond it mentally. I've trained and interacted with Terminators everyday, ever since I can remember. Allison and my mom help me with all my 'girl things'. Savannah does too whenever she can. Cameron has her tied up a lot. She told me you did a lot for her and she appreciated it greatly."

Sarah was pleased to hear Savannah was helped by her efforts. She needed to butt heads with Cameron a few times over things. The girls from the future always backed her up. Nothing was ever a major issue. Is was more about the details.

She watched as Anna brought Young Allison up to speed on the development there was a Terminator who was discovered at the old newspaper plant, the locations of where the box trucks all ended up at, and where Cameron and Savannah were headed. It seemed it was near the flash point for a lot of things to happen.

One of the screens showed an 'area' satellite map with all Resistance personnel and Terminators as well as Cameron's Terminators. She could see everything where it was located on smaller satellite maps as well. The satellite maps weren't in real time, but they were fairly recent.

Sarah excused herself. She was training Jan, but not like this. She knew Cameron heavily trained Savannah as well. Savannah proved herself in multiple combat operations and experiences at Cameron's side. Many of those put her at great risk.

Sarah looked back at Young Allison and knew she would be a fine woman and a good mate for John. It was obvious Cameron wanted to create a human version of 'herself' for John. The very thing Cameron could never be was a human female. A human 'Cameron' was being created more and more everyday with Young Allison.

Sarah watched Jan and Summer play. She suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of guilt and responsibility for everything which happened. She walked over to Claire and hugged her.

"I'm sorry about all of this." Sarah said. "It all started with me."

Claire was pleased to receive the hug. She returned it in kind. She didn't think it was Sarah's fault in any way. Skynet was the one who came after her. Sarah needed to react to it to survive.

"The sad part is, I actually understand it now." Claire said. "I've lived it. I know the importance of everyone. I've been in the future and saw how it all functioned with everyone together. I know what needs to happen and why Skynet must be defeated."

Sarah wasn't always on board with everything but as the years went by she understood everything better.

"I do too." Sarah said. "I don't agree with it. I don't like how some things are done, but I too understand it."

Claire glanced towards the bunker.

"I hate Skynet." Claire said.

Sarah thought about all the death she witnessed around her.

"Not as much as I do." Sarah said.

The two mothers watched their two girls play and have fun. It was clear they were the best of friends.

Sarah wished they could grow up and just be girls and then teenagers. She knew when she thought about it, they were there anyway. Time waited for no one, especially her. Sometimes it was hard to see how much a child could grow. One day in her mind she remembered when they were little. When she looked in reality they were nearly grown. It was the same way with John.

"What are we going to do?" Sarah asked.

Claire swallowed hard. She didn't think there was a way around it.

"Pray." Claire said. "It's the only thing left."

Sarah gave up on religion a long time ago. Cameron told her faith wasn't part of her programming. She told Cameron she didn't think it was part of hers either, especially after all the things she saw and went through.

"I'm not much on religion or faith." Sarah said.

Sarah wasn't sure if there was a God, but she was sure there was a Devil.

Claire knew her current lifestyle strayed from the path she was raised on. It was a big problem for her parents before. They made it a problem for her as well. Now she was the one in control.

"Maybe I can help you with it." Claire said.

Sarah looked at Jan and then back at Claire.

"Maybe you can." Sarah said.

Cammy returned from her patrol of the neighborhood and went to the Detail house. She gave specific instructions on what she wanted done around the neighborhood. There were certain 'elements' she didn't want around the girls and neighborhood any longer. She really didn't care how it was done as long as it was taken care of.

"If we can't buy them out, we'll burn them out." Cammy said.

The Terminators on the Detail knew Cameron used various techniques over the years.

"It may be easier to terminate them or plant drugs in their house and let the police take care of them." One of the Detail said.

Cammy wanted things to happen but she didn't want anyone to know other than the Terminators.

"Just get it done, start tonight." Cammy said. "I don't want 'scum' or 'trash' around the girls. Keep it quiet and discrete. I don't want the Young family to know what's happening."

Cammy went down the bunker entrance and through the tunnel to the Young residence bunker. She decided to arrive unannounced.

Cammy came around the corner and Anna pointed an M4 at her.

"I could fight you." Cammy said to Anna.

"Zap. Zap." Young Allison said. "Not anymore."

Cammy turned around.

Young Allison was behind her. She held her Taser.

Cammy hadn't expected it.

"I missed you hiding there." Cammy said.

Young Allison smiled faintly.

"It was the point." Young Allison said. "You thought you faced a bigger threat with what was in front of you. You were careless as to what was behind you."

Cammy was pleased with the scenario.

"I'll pass this favorable report on to Cameron." Cammy said.

Young Allison thought things were already taken care of.

"I bet CamNet already has…." Young Allison said.

Cammy was impressed Young Allison could have 'zapped' her several times on two different occasions. It was possible she may end up better trained than Savannah. It in itself was a tall order, but it looked like Young Allison would fit the bill. She would really like to see her in combat. She was sure she would be superior on the battlefield to all those who opposed her, especially other humans.

Anna wanted to tell Cammy to mention the fact she 'lost' both times she tried to get the jump on Young Allison. She decided not to say anything. She didn't want to cause any animosity before the upcoming operation. She wasn't sure if it really mattered in the long run. Cammy would be just as aware as she was of what went down.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Pray

When two start out
Will they go all the way
Or do things flame out
They only make it halfway

Does one play all their cards
To make everything risque
Or do they cut to the chase
To start on the foreplay

How long will it be
Until one will betray
It probably wasn't the beginning
Of when things started to decay

Soon one is filled
With feelings of dismay
They try to hang on
The end, they only delay

Sooner rather than later
They're at the doorstep of Doomsday
Any spoken words and pleas
Sound only like a bray

So always be careful
With what's put on display
More often than not
One will the other slay

One seems to have two choices
It can be to honor and obey
When it all falls apart
The only thing left is to pray

Nobody