Chapter 700

Who Protects Them

The Resistance teams begin to act. There was a lot of activity going on. There were several locations to take down. Everything was underway. They closely followed all the operations in the Command Center.

John was pleased with the rapid progress and the mission success which was achieved so far.

"The three side operations all went down well." John said. "So far, there have been no major problems."

John Henry looked over the damage reports. All of the Terminators were one hundred percent functional.

"We've only incurred damage to four Terminators. None of them are seriously damaged." John Henry said. "We've been very fortunate. I believe it's because we possessed the element of surprise at every location so far."

John was a little worried about the element of surprise. He didn't know if they would still be able to have it when they attacked the old newspaper plant. He was sure Cameron wouldn't have it at her location by the time there were enough troops there to actually conduct a raid. He looked over the list of the items reported collected from the three sites.

"It looks like we confiscated a lot of material." John said.

John Henry went over the preliminary reports from Cam about her observations from where she was at. There was a lot she couldn't observe from her current location, but she could still observe quite a bit.

"We should be able to get more than a few items from the old newspaper plant as well." John Henry said. "We'll be able to storm it with enough Terminators. It will still leave a safety net of a few more on protection duty outside."

John didn't want to overextend themselves. He was still upset he couldn't get more help to where Cameron was at. There was a dead guard who was going to be found sooner or later. It was probably going to cause the location to go to a defensive alert.

"Let's see how things finish playing out first." John said. "We still have one big location to take down, along with an entire complex at another location. We're far from being finished."

John knew it could all go bad in an instant. He relied on his troops to pull it all off. He wanted to use as many Terminators as he could at the old newspaper plant. He still didn't know what Cameron was on to yet. It could lead to anything happening still. He began to wonder about exactly what she was doing at this point. She went quiet a while back, and they weren't updated.

Additional reports came in to the Command Center.

The operations were successful with Ed's team, as well as with Dan and Frank's team at the 'furniture store'.

They terminated all the Grays. No Terminators were encountered. They took all the materials and sub assemblies they were in possession of. The raids provided them with a windfall of materials. There were five fully loaded box trucks headed to secure locations. Everything was to be inventoried and checked. Three burning buildings were the only thing left behind. There was no 911 response to any of them. Once the burning structures collapsed in on themselves and were burnt out hulks, the emergency response would be unblocked. There was no record of anyone reporting anything. All police and fire personnel were kept away from the locations as long as John Henry wanted them kept away. They used the same techniques many times over the years. Not only did they know how to take down Skynet related locations. They know how to make sure they stayed down.

There were a few times when certain structures weren't destroyed. It was intentional. Surveillance was set up instead to see who, if anyone would return to the location to investigate. Most of those observations didn't produce anything of relevance. Usually the only individuals to enter those locations turned out to be thieves. It was people looking for copper wires to rip out of the walls, and steal fixtures for resale elsewhere. When they were apprehended, justice was served. Since the District Attorney seldom prosecuted criminals for their crimes, they used their own prerogative to prevent additional future Scavengers.

They were ready to make their move on the old newspaper plant. The teams were consolidated and given specific assignments based on information from Cam who was inside of the structure.

Now it was time for the 'main event'. At least the first one, it was still undetermined what Cameron would turn up.

The newly freed up teams slowly moved into position around the location Cam was in. Ally and Sheila reinforced Al and Steve. While they waited, Ally put twelve stitches in Sheila's cheek.

Sheila looked in the little mirror on the back of the sun visor.

"The Bitch got me good." Sheila said. "We should have brought her with us. I could be working on her right now. I'd be able to show her parts of her body she couldn't easily see before as I held them up in front of her face."

Ally wanted to know more about what actually happened. She was pretty sure when Sheila went off on her own, she knew the female was wherever she was at. She wondered what Sheila planned to do before she killed her. She didn't want to get too specific and make Sheila clam up.

"How did it happen?" Ally asked. "You must've been inattentive."

Sheila looked at Ally for a long moment. It looked like she was going to tell her what she was really doing, but then she hesitated.

"I was inattentive." Sheila said. "Leave it at that. It won't happen again."

Ally knew Sheila must have tried to 'do something' to the female and not paid good enough attention. If Sheila wanted to tell her later on what happened it was fine. What was done was done. There was no need to worry about it.

Sheila put the sun visor down again and looked in the little mirror at her face as she touched it.

Ally could see Sheila was concerned about her appearance. She was a little bored herself, sitting there waiting. She thought everybody should be in position by now. It seems like they should make their move before they became alarmed at the loss of communication with the other facilities and went on the defensive.

"We have everyone here." Ally said. "What are we waiting for?"

Sheila knew the communications block was already in place. The clock was running, but they were all just sitting. Someone was bound to trigger an alarm at some point from inside the old newspaper plant. She decided to make her concerns known at the Command Center.

"They're going to start wondering why they can't contact anyone." Sheila said. "John, we can't wait too long or for them to arm up and hunker down. Right now we still have the element of surprise like we did at all the other locations. None of the people there were ready for what happened. Most of them terminated with a look of astonishment on their faces."

Ally wanted to take the scenario one step further. Since they knew they had various types of HK equipment there, anything could happen the longer they waited.

"Or they could go on the offensive." Ally said. "If they get HK drones up or HK Tracks online, it will be a bigger problem for us. We need to act before any of the HK equipment gets activated."

They all knew the time ran out the longer they delayed. It seemed more than likely the Grays and Terminator at the old newspaper plant would be ready for an attack.

They needed the element of surprise to minimize their damage and avoid massive amounts of gunfire and maybe HK drones and HK Tracks coming into fight against them.

John Henry wondered what the delay was. Even CamNet contacted him to inquire about it. He decided to expand on Sheila and Ally's concerns.

"It's a good question. What are we waiting for?" John Henry asked.

John noted the concerns of his troops. He knew the longer he waited the more he would endanger them. The trouble was, he wanted Cameron to get her operation into position before the big attack started. It seemed her operation would best be conducted under the cover of darkness. It was mainly because there were multiple buildings involved where she was at.

"I want Cameron to have time to get into position on whatever she's going to do." John said. "The longer we wait, the closer we get to darkness."

John Henry was aware of the danger to Cameron. He still thought John put the entire operation at the old newspaper plant in jeopardy by delaying the assault. He understood John's concern but felt he missed the bigger picture.

"They have HK drones and HK Tracks where Cam is at. They most likely have the same things at the old steel mill." John Henry said. "We need to strike before they become alarmed. We can't wait for the equipment to become active. We're not set up to deal with a battle of bigger magnitude."

John could see he endangered everyone by thinking of Cameron's safety. He still felt justified in what he wanted to do. He knew everyone wouldn't think the same way he did about it. He still tried to get his point across.

"Cameron will have an easier time infiltrating at night." John said.

John Henry thought it was a mistake to delay any longer.

"I think we need to 'go for it' at the old newspaper plant." John Henry said. "They should have less finished 'product' than what Cameron will face. We still have the element of surprise. We don't know how much longer it will last."

John was under a lot of pressure to act now. He knew the longer he waited to give Cameron more time, the more he endangered the troops at the old newspaper plant. He needed to worry about Derek and Kyle as well. He assigned them to Jim and Bob respectively. They needed to watch the perimeter while the attack went on to make sure no reinforcements arrived, or any HK drones took off or showed up.

"I want Kyle and Bob ready with several Stingers, as well as Jim and Derek with some Stingers." John said. "We need perimeter protection. They don't need to be part of the assault. They already did one earlier."

John Henry already took care of all the details.

"I've already set it in motion." John Henry said.

John thought the only early warning they would receive inside the compound would be from the roving patrol. Their behavior was somewhat erratic and not easily predictable. It seemed the troopers on patrol liked to take frequent breaks for an indeterminate amount of time. It made it harder for anything to be planned without knowing when the roving patrol would show up.

"Al or Bob, where is the security patrol at now?" John asked.

Al currently had eyes on them. He thought they were very inefficient.

"They're on the north side about to go down the east side." Al said. "They never change direction, but their timing is slower sometimes than others."

John hoped to capture some of the constructed HK equipment rather than destroy it. He made sure the Terminators took precautions to deactivate the HK equipment.

"Does everyone have the 'sticky shockers' for HK Tracks and HK Treads?" John asked. "We've experienced too many run-ins with them to take any chances. They should work on an HK drone as well, provided it is close enough at the point of contact. It would most likely need to be when it was about to take off and first went airborne."

John Henry already set everything into motion and everybody was ready to go. They couldn't keep waiting for nothing. Time worked against them in the current situation.

"Everyone's ready to go." John Henry said. "We can't keep delaying. The old steel mill is isolated. They may not attempt to communicate with one of the other locations for hours. No other big trucks arrived at the old newspaper plant so they shouldn't be expecting any additional deliveries."

John wanted to give Cameron more time. He knew he was now endangering everyone at the old newspaper facility even more by waiting. It was clear to everyone what he was doing. He understood the concern of all the teams waiting to strike. He was going to have to make a hard decision.

The UH-1 Iroquois set down at the local municipal airport near the old steel mill. The flight was uneventful.

Cammy enjoyed her flight to the current location. It seemed flying the UH-1 gave her some time to 'unwind'. It was two machines which worked as one. She was sure some type of autonomous control could be developed for the helicopter if they wanted to eliminate the need for a pilot. She didn't think having a pilot was a bad thing currently.

"I liked flying the Huey." Cammy said. "I'd like to fly it in formation so I could overlap the rotors."

Hanna quickly looked over at Cammy when she said it. She wondered for a few moments if it was a 'Cameron thing' since both Cammy and Cam were 'Cameron clones'. She thought maybe Cammy was trying to play her. She wanted to find out a little bit more.

"Cam already did it." Hanna said. "But you probably already knew it."

Cammy tried not to smile but did anyway. She was aware of the risky maneuver. She felt it was only risky if someone lacked skill and proficiency. There could always be some type of mechanical failure, but it could happen with any machine, including them.

"I did." Cammy said.

Hanna wondered how extensive Cameron's clones shared information with each other. She knew they already shared their human lovers with each other.

"Do you both know everything the other 'Camerons' do?" Hanna asked.

Holly looked uncomfortable at the conversation. She hoped to stay out of it.

Anna didn't want them to pursue this conversation anymore either. She also ran Cameron's program.

"It's enough of this." Anna said. "Our rides are waiting. Nobody needs to get sidetracked."

Cameron's team was waiting for them.

Cameron didn't seem very pleased to see the new arrivals. She was very worried about Sarah's safety. She wanted to watch over her personally.

"Take Sarah to our SUV please, Savannah." Cameron said. "Cammy, you go with Savannah as well."

Cameron walked up to the three Metal girls. She faced Holly, Hanna and Anna. It was clear she wanted to set them straight. She already gave them specific duties they were supposed to follow. Going out on an operation wasn't one of them.

"NONE of you three should be here." Cameron said.

Hanna didn't feel they did anything wrong. It wasn't like they were the only ones there.

"Sarah and Savannah are here." Hanna said. "Did you want the other humans here as well?"

Holly felt justified for being there.

"Cameron, we're here because of you and Savannah." Holly said. "Don't get upset at us."

It was clear Cameron was still steamed. She walked over to Anna.

"And YOU…." Cameron said.

Anna felt she needed to set Cameron straight, the 'technically' wasn't any of their doing.

"Young Allison wanted me to come to aid Savannah and you." Anna said. "She wanted all of us to come and assist."

Cameron was already aware of the fact.

"Did she 'order' any of you to come?" Cameron asked.

The Metal girls didn't need an 'order' to know what Young Allison wanted and why.

"NO." They all said.

Anna decided to spell it out.

"She wanted you and Savannah safe. She cares deeply about both of you." Anna said. "She's wanted me, us, to help you before."

Cameron knew Young Allison lacked the sexual bond the other Metal girls shared with their human lovers. She felt the lack of a 'personal connection' allowed Young Allison to act more freely with the Metal girl's well being. She was more willing to sacrifice one of them because they never shared together. She wanted to use them for what they actually were, Terminators.

"It's because she hasn't been 'involved' with anyone at her age." Cameron said. "After our trip to the past it will change, I want her to be with all of you when she returns. I want her to view all of you a little differently than she currently does."

Anna, like all of the Metal girls, looked forward to such an eventuality. She just didn't think there was a need to rush any of it. She knew Savannah would back her up with the same belief. Savannah wanted Young Alison's choices to be her own choices.

"Don't rush things." Anna said. "You don't need to force the issue."

Cameron could see there was no point in arguing with Anna. It was literally like arguing with herself. She turned her attention to Holly and Hanna.

"You two both have a lover. You shouldn't have left them to come here." Cameron said.

Holly wanted to make it clear it was their human lovers who asked them to go help Savannah and Cameron. It may have been Young Allison's idea, but Allison and Claire were both worried about Savannah and Cameron as well.

"They both asked us to come to help Savannah and you." Holly said. "Do you think they want us damaged? They want you and Savannah safe too. They care about both of you too."

Holly wanted to mention Allison volunteered to go herself first, when she learned of the situation. She in turn volunteered to go in Allison's place. Allison was very worried about Cameron and Savannah. She was just glad Allison didn't insist on going like Sarah did. If Cameron continued to push the issue, she would point it out. She figured her presence there was much more justified than having Allison there under any circumstances.

Cameron was a little calmer now. She still was dissatisfied they were all there.

"Who protects them now?" Cameron asked. "Who's there to watch over them and guide them now?"

Anna thought the answer was obvious. It was 'Cameron' herself as CamNet.

"Nobody…." Anna said.

Cameron looked at Anna for a few seconds with her response. She knew what she meant by - Nobody. She didn't doubt for a moment drones would be scrambled if any threat appeared to manifest near the Young residence. If CamNet didn't scramble them herself, she didn't doubt for a moment Young Allison would hesitate.

"CamNet will not fail them." Cameron said. "This will never happen again. I'll speak with Young Allison myself about this and make sure she understands why you're there for each of them. CamNet reported to me Young Allison gave her vest to Jan."

Anna was willing to bet if Cameron tried to give Young Allison an 'earful', she was going to get one back from Young Allison about why she did what she did. She also didn't think Cameron should be surprised Young Allison was willing to sacrifice for the rest of them.

"Would you expect anything less from her, or anything less from Savannah for that matter?" Anna asked. "She's not going to sit on her rear end and do nothing. How long do you think it's going to be until she 'orders' us to bring her into battle? If we didn't act on what she wanted, it's exactly what would happen right now. You know it would too. You've created something which you can no longer control, even if you think you can. The only one who will have any influence over her, is the same one who has influence over you, for exactly the same reasons. Who would know better than me?"

It was clear Anna indicated it would be Savannah. Savannah would be needed to moderate Young Allison's responses, much the same way she needed to moderate Cameron's responses.

Cameron thought about everything for a few seconds. She knew everyone was there to help her and Savannah. The more she thought about it, the more surprised she was Young Allison wasn't there herself. She knew the more she pushed it, at some point Young Alison was going to be there herself regardless of whatever age she was. She remembered sometimes it was nice to have help.

"No, I wouldn't expect anything less from either one of them." Cameron said. "Forget I said anything. Everyone's trying to help. I'm sorry. I can't let my personal feelings get the best of me. I understand she's looking at the big picture, not the small one."

Cameron was worried about everyone as well. She always was. She was still upset at John for whatever she was upset at him for earlier. She didn't even remember now what it was. Sometimes she wondered if maybe they just liked being upset at each other for no apparent reason, other than to be upset.

Everyone was there to help Savannah and her. It was the only thing which really mattered. John didn't have anyone else to send. CamNet already used her Terminators to help support John's operation. It was what she wanted done. Young Allison thought outside the box to reinforce Savannah and her. She was actually surprised Young Allison didn't send the entire Detail as well.

She wondered about it a little more. She was fairly certain once it was dark, she would ask CamNet to provide her with at least four drones and commit her Detail anyway. The drones would take over their duties from the sky. She understood Young Allison wanted her family protected, all of them.

Holly, like all of the girls, Terminator or otherwise, worried about Cameron and Savannah all the time.

"You and Savannah must be protected also." Holly said. "It's what Allison wants too, both of them. You need to understand Young Allison is going to act. She's going to act to make sure Allison doesn't. You're often with Savannah on operations. Don't think Young Allison is any different. I'm with her all the time, well, most of the time. I know what she's capable of. I know how far she'll go. It's all the way. You wanted her to be like you, well, look in the mirror. You'll see 'Young Allison' when you do."

Now Cameron felt bad about saying anything negative in the first place. She should have thought it through a little bit more before she opened her mouth. She felt she needed to make it up to everybody. They also needed to get the operation started.

"Let's all get together and go over my plan." Cameron said. "I appreciate the fact you're all here to assist me. You know sometimes my emotions get the best of me, even though I'm not supposed to have any. I worry about all of you. I worry about everyone."

It was because Cameron did worry about everyone why she attempted to do as much on her own as possible. The more danger she faced, the less danger anyone else would need to face.

Hanna pointed at Pete and RePete.

"What about them?" Hanna asked.

Cameron wanted to make the best use of her limited troops. She would decide more as they went along. She wanted to see what kind of a plan they could come up with.

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

Savannah felt she sat on the sidelines long enough. She let Cameron run through her little tirade. She knew it was going to happen. It was over now. She thought it would be better if she wasn't there so Cameron could blow off a little steam. She doubted Cameron would do so in front of her. She didn't want to hold Cameron back. They needed to concentrate on the job at hand. She felt whatever help was available should be utilized. She indicated all the Terminators who arrived on the helicopter.

"I do." Savannah said. "I'm glad they've all come to help us. We can use all the help available. We have a big task in front of us. It is not in a confined area either."

Savannah knew Cameron was angry Holly, Hanna, and Anna were there. It looked as if the situation may have already diffused itself. She was on her way over to end it otherwise. She was prepared to 'order' everyone if necessary, even Cameron. They needed to do a job and the more help they were able to have, helped all of them.

She went over and talked to Pete and RePete.

Cameron and her group could all see how their faces lit up when they interacted with Savannah.

Savannah smiled and laughed as she spoke with them. She touched each of their cheeks with her hand.

Holly noticed how 'stiff' Cameron's Terminators acted on their own. They didn't act the same way in the presence of Savannah.

"They seem almost 'normal' when they are around Savannah." Holly said.

Cameron didn't want her Terminators to suffer any emotional trauma and pain like she experienced. She thought she protected them by keeping them isolated and restricting their interactions with each other or the humans. Humans were responsible for most of the negative activity directed at her. She always noticed how Savannah could reach anyone almost instantly.

"Maybe I've been too restrictive on their emotional development and the rest of my Terminators as well." Cameron said. "They all light up when Savannah is around them. Savannah has asked all of them to pick names. They all want her to give them one. They use them around her."

Cameron was aware they all felt honored to be named by the 'Chosen One'.

Anna wanted to remind Cameron of something she already knew.

"Love hurts sometimes, but it also has its rewards." Anna said.

Cameron quickly faced Anna.

"It's the 'Savannah' in you talking." Cameron said.

Anna wasn't about to back down. She knew Cameron as well as Cameron knew herself.

"YOU know it as well." Anna said. "I know."

Cameron did know.

"Bring the gear." Cameron said to Pete and RePete, and then added. "Please."

Savannah smiled at Cameron. She thought they could always learn something from each other. She wanted Cameron's Terminators to know they were more than just machines to her. They were individuals who mattered and she would do her best to make sure they were as well protected as everyone else.

The strained atmosphere level in the Command Center was near a breaking point.

John knew he couldn't wait much longer without endangering the operation at the old newspaper plant.

CamNet urged John Henry to get things started.

It was decision time for John. He thought maybe he should run it by Cameron and let her have the final choice.

"Cameron, we're ready to move on the old newspaper plant." John said. "Do you want us to wait? We need to know what will work out best for you and your operation."

Cameron was actually irritated John hadn't started the attack already. She was going to tell him as much but refrained. She realized he tried to buy more time for Savannah and her. She felt with the Metal girls and the others there now, they could take care of themselves. She also remembered it was Young Allison who set it up for her, not John.

"No. Don't delay any longer at the old newspaper plant." Cameron said. "We'll take down what we can. You'll be able to capture material and equipment there. You need the element of surprise so nothing there can be activated to combat our team."

With Cam's help from being inside the building, John possessed a better idea of what his team would face. There was no indication at all what Cameron would face. He wondered if she'd collected any more intelligence.

"Do you know what you're up against?" John asked.

Cameron felt a little frustration over her lack of knowledge as to what was at the location. She would like to be inside already. She wasn't. She knew it would cause some issues when she tried.

"I don't know." Cameron said. "I think we'll find the finished product there. I've been unable to get inside to look. I hope to change it very soon."

John Henry monitored what he could from the old steel mill and what Cameron and Savannah previously encountered.

"We know the area is guarded with observation posts." John Henry said. "What about any patrols around the compound? If there's a roving patrol around the old newspaper plant, there's bound to be at least one, if not more, around the old steel mill."

Cameron decided to act and make it a solo mission.

"We haven't spotted any roving patrols." Cameron said. "I'm headed in alone to scope it out. I hope to be able to provide some inside intelligence the same way Cam has been able to do inside the old newspaper plant."

John was worried about all of his troops. He was worried about Cameron and everyone with her. Some of them were of a more personal nature than others. He knew it shouldn't be an issue or even mentioned, but he wanted to do it anyway.

"Be careful, Cameron." John said. "Watch over Savannah and my Mom."

Cameron didn't intend to let anyone down.

"We all have a job to do." Cameron said. "I'll do mine now."

John was bothered by the earlier tension which existed between them. He wanted to say something to clear everything up. He didn't know if this was the right time or not.

"Cameron…." John started.

There was an unspoken pause. They both felt the same thing. The words were actually unnecessary.

"I do too, John…." Cameron said.

John was ready to act. He decided it was time to get all the players on the field.

"Steve, I want you to lead your team down to the first box car when the patrol passes and heads around to the south side." John said.

He was ready to go. Sheila and Ally joined him along with Al.

"Affirmative…." Steve said.

John confirmed the next team's orders.

"Dan, you and your team will follow them as far as the office area." John said. "You will all breach at the same time."

Dan was ready to move.

"Affirmative…." Dan said.

John was a little concerned about the third team. They were headed right into the 'lion's mouth'. They hoped the Grays would open the door when they arrived since they knew the truck. If not they would need to blow the door open.

"Ed, you will drive the box truck we took from the first location we encountered with a group of Terminators in the back of it. You'll back up to the dock and they will start the assault from there."

Ed's team was all set to move.

"Affirmative…." Ed said. "I'm loaded and ready."

Bob had eyes on the patrol from his location. They were just about at the spot to trigger the attack.

"The patrol just came around to the south side." Bob said.

John hoped for an update from inside the building.

"Is there anything new Cam?" John asked.

Cam was more than ready to act.

"The building door is still open to the boxcar." Cam said. "I'm getting out of the crate and moving down to the workroom floor. I'm ready to strike."

John saw all the pieces were in place.

"It's a GO." John said.

The teams all started their movements. They would attack the building from three different sides simultaneously.

It was 'Showtime'.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Fix Me?

Fix me?
I'm not broken
Why would you fix me
Have I misspoken

As each day dawns
I often dread
Things that happen
Things that are said

There are many who fear
My very existence
Especially those who
Put up a - resistance

It is very cruel
Unkind and mean
To treat someone
Like a mindless machine

When you know it's time
For something about me to fix
You'd better come armed
With more than a crucifix

Nobody