Chapter 706

What Just Happened

The Metal girls were at two secure remote locations as they went over captured equipment to make sure none of it was tagged or would present a later 'problem' for the Resistance team. They wanted to make sure Skynet couldn't activate it again at a later date to use against them.

They wanted to join the impending action where Cameron and Savannah were at. None of them were happy about not being there with Cameron and Savannah. Most of the other Metal girls were there already. They were caught up in the operation at the old newspaper plant.

Cam was at one location. She wanted to check to see how Sheila and Ally were doing. She could tell her progress was a little slower than anticipated. She felt the need to act anyway.

"There's no way we're going to make it to the 'party'." Cam said.

Sheila and Ally were at a separate location. They didn't like being sidelined either.

"It really grinds my gears." Sheila said.

Ally could see there were other Terminators there. She thought they could take over what they were doing. It didn't seem like a big deal to her.

"I think we're just about finished here." Ally said.

Cam caught their drift. There were other Terminators who could take over for them.

"I am too." Cam said. "There are others here to go over this stuff and make sure none of it is tagged. The important part is we were able to remove all the equipment and bring it here."

Ally could see they were going to break away from the routine.

"It's the same here." Ally said. "Let's go."

The girls would need to join up since they were in two separate locations.

"We can still hook up." Cam said.

Sheila hoped they could link up when they obtained a helicopter. They were going to need to find one first.

"Should we meet at the location of the helicopter?" Sheila asked. "Does CamNet have one ready for us?"

Cam was updated by CamNet. There was a helicopter available to them. It wasn't a surprise to her. The only surprise would have been if someone arrived with the helicopter to pick her up right now. She was informed what type of helicopter it was. She was a little disappointed it was only an executive type helicopter, as opposed to a more universal helicopter which could do some heavy lifting.

"Yes she does." Cam said. "It's a Jet Ranger."

It was a helicopter their group hadn't used before.

Sheila referenced the military designation.

"It's a 'Kiowa'?" Sheila asked.

All Cam knew was it was a former executive transport. There was no indication there would be military features on it.

"No. It's a civilian bird." Cam said.

Sheila much preferred the Huey she flew before. It was larger with more power and greater lift capability. She knew it was also a lot louder than the Jet Ranger would be.

"I liked the Iroquois." Sheila said. "It's too bad we're not closer to one of them."

Cam wanted to point out time wasn't in their favor. They needed to get moving.

"Look, the party starts in thirty minutes." Cam said. "We're still well over an hour and a half away, even with the Jet Ranger. We still have to get to it and then join together."

Ally didn't like to be late, but she did want to get there.

"It's better late than never." Ally said.

Cam actually thought it was better to never be late. She wanted Sheila and Ally to get started.

"OK, we're in then." Cam said. "You're the closest. CamNet will tell you where to go."

Sheila and Ally were already on their way to an SUV.

"We'll see you soon. We'll pick you up." Sheila said. "Just be in a spot where there's plenty of room for the rotor."

Cam told one of the other Terminators where she was she needed to take care of some personal business and left. She hoped CamNet would cover for her. She figured because it involved Savannah she would. She believed more so than because it involved Cameron. Savannah was the one CamNet cared about, not Cameron.

She knew they were short on Terminators everywhere right now. She was actually a little surprised Young Allison didn't do more to assist them. She figured she could have used one of her Detail to obtain the UH-1 they used during the Palm Springs endeavor. She thought about it a little more and decided if they would have been able to arrive before the 'party' started, she probably would have. She didn't really matter at this point. It was what it was. They would get there when they arrived.

Cameron was at the second to the last building. It was the one they knew the big rig they tracked was parked inside of. Anna and her avoided a roving ground patrol around the last two buildings. Those were the only ones which would contain anything. They already checked the other structures. They were all empty, except the one with all the empty containers. If all the buildings were ever filled to capacity, it would be a lot of equipment for Skynet.

They tried several small doors and windows around two sides of the structure. It left the front and the side next to the other building where they suspected there was activity. There was a large roll up door in the center of the building. There was a regular door on each side of it.

"We're starting to run out of choices." Anna said.

Cameron knew they might need to force their way in. If they did, it was going to leave an indication behind what occurred. She hoped to stick to her timetable so the MIKE Force could get into place and be able to assist her.

"Let's see what we can find." Cameron said.

Cameron looked around in both directions as she tried the handle on the next door. She felt it turn and heard a slight 'click' sound.

Anna heard the sound as well. She took another look around them.

Cameron pushed on the door a little and it opened. She paused for a second in case an alarm sounded. There was no alarm, well, not at least an audible one. She opened the door about a third of the way and went inside. She didn't spot anyone.

"We're in." Cameron said quietly.

She spoke in a decibel level so low only another Terminator would be able to hear it, if they were in close proximity. It was how they would continue their conversation.

Anna followed her inside the building. She took one more look in each direction as she silently closed the door. There was no one spotted behind them. She didn't see the roving patrol either. They knew it was there. They didn't seem to follow the same route. It made its movement unpredictable.

They started their search of the interior. The building contained several big rigs parked inside, including the one they followed there. It was much like how things were stored at the old helicopter base location they took down.

Cameron arrived at the old helicopter base underneath the bottom of a big rig. She was able to take a look around the old hangar she was in. She intended to do the same thing where they were.

Anna was a little worried about the lack of spotting many personnel. She figured at least the driver should be around. The only people she spotted so far were those on the roving patrol and the Jeep patrol.

"Where's the driver?" Anna asked. "We haven't seen anyone leave."

Cameron looked around the interior. She was disappointed. Things still weren't as she expected them to be on several levels. There were more big rigs in the hangar at the previous location. There were only a few where they were now.

"I don't know." Cameron said. "I really expected more equipment than this. I think somehow it should be a good thing, even if it doesn't feel like it."

It raised the possibility there might be other locations they hadn't discovered yet. They could also still be early in the operation they recently uncovered.

Anna knew they weren't done yet.

"Maybe it's all in the last building." Anna said. "These are all very large structures. It would make more sense to fill them up one at a time if they are going to be used for storage than spread things out over a larger area. It would be harder to secure everything if it was spread out."

For some reason, it reminded Cameron of parking military aircraft in rows side by side, rather than dispersing them because they were easier to 'watch'. They might be easier to watch from an attack on the ground, but it made them more vulnerable to an air attack than if they would have been dispersed, especially in revetments. It wasn't the issue here. She needed to refocus.

They heard some noise.

"There's someone in here." Cameron said.

They continued their search as clandestinely as possible. They still didn't know what they would find.

They found several men together in one room.

"I think there may be others here as well." Anna said.

It didn't take them long to find them.

Cameron quickly went over the positions of the seven Grays they spotted in the building they were currently in. She thought it was close enough to 'game time' to start to thin the herd.

"We have thirty minutes until the HK Track starts 'hunting'." Cameron said. "I make seven Grays in this building. I want to start taking them out."

Anna wasn't convinced there wasn't a Terminator in the building with them. It would be their biggest threat and the most opposition if they weren't taken down first. If they acted too soon, it could negate the additional thirty minutes until the time Cameron planned for the attack to start.

"There has to be a Terminator here." Anna said. "We need to identify them first and take them down. It's our main threat. We still have half of an hour until everything else is supposed to occur. We don't need to rush anything. Seven human targets won't present much of a problem if we wait a little longer."

Cameron would concede a Terminator now would be a threat. She didn't feel it was what their main threat would be. She figured it to be various types of HK equipment. She wanted to act, and she wanted to explore the other building. She knew the other building was going to be the main threat to her. She decided to leave Anna there because it would be less dangerous for her. She came up with a good excuse why Anna should remain in the second building.

"An enemy Terminator is a serious threat until a dozen HK Tracks roll out, or a group of HK drones gets airborne." Cameron said. "I want you to remain here and start taking the Grays down, one at a time, silently if you can. If several of them are together, you can get creative. I think if there was a Terminator in this building, it would have confronted us already. I'm going to take a look in the last building. You're in charge of this one."

Anna looked at Cameron for a moment. She understood what she was doing. She wanted to sideline her from the main threat. Either way, the Grays, or possible Terminator in the building all needed to be taken down anyway. She thought it was something she could do without too much difficulty.

"Savannah gave me her silenced pistol." Anna said. "I have my Taser as well."

Cameron didn't know what the Terminator threat was yet. She thought Anna should conserve the use of her Taser for a greater threat than Grays. She was aware things didn't always go smoothly if she ended up in hand to hand combat with another Terminator. They were usually equally matched in strength. Some of the older models of male Terminators were very large and quite powerful.

"You better save your Taser for any Terminators." Cameron said. "You can get banged up real quick fighting one. It's always hard to get an advantage when fighting another Terminator hand to hand. Some of the male models of Terminators were quite large and are very difficult to gain an advantage over. They are often more powerful than we are."

Cameron knew it from personal experience. Terminators were designed for killing humans, not fighting other Terminators in hand to hand combat. They could really smash each other around and through walls. She knew Anna would have the same files from her. She headed for a door in the side of the building.

Anna could see Cameron started over towards the last building.

"Are you going in there alone?" Anna asked. "Are you going into the last building?"

Cameron didn't see it as anything new or a big deal. It was just part of the job.

"Yes." Cameron said. "It's what I do."

Anna thought it was a bad idea.

To Cameron it was perfectly 'normal'.

In the Command Center they followed the unfolding operation. John was aware Cameron was going to enter the 'hornet's nest' alone, again. They were aware of the other empty buildings, and the building Anna was left in with very little in it.

It irritated John immensely to see Cameron go off on her own again.

"DAMN." John said. "The last building is probably the powder keg."

John Henry thought the same thing. If the other building didn't have a substantial quantity of equipment in it, the whole site contained very little.

"It's most likely." John Henry said. "It's what we need to find out. It's still a recon operation so far. It will help us going forward, if we know what we will face."

John understood Cameron's reasoning, he just didn't agree with it.

"I hate when she does this." John said. "She doesn't want anyone endangered, but she risks herself."

John Henry knew Cameron could only isolate herself so much. There was one person near her who wouldn't allow her to do it. It was the only person who could make her understand.

"She cares about everyone." John Henry said. "It's why she's tried to distance herself from her Terminators, and others. Savannah won't let her."

It reminded John of the stories of Cameron and Future John in the future, before Cameron was sent back. Future John was very alone and isolated.

John saw it all as history repeating itself.

"Savannah is 'Cameron', and Cameron is 'Future John', in this time period." John said. "It's history repeating itself."

It seemed to be the metric which developed. Cameron became more and more like Future John and his isolation. Savannah always followed Cameron around, like Cameron did with Future John. Savannah did much of the troubleshooting and resolved problems when they arose. The helpful act in reality allowed Cameron to become further isolated. It was the same way Cameron dealt with everything for Future John. It allowed him to become more isolated. The main difference there was Cameron was willing to conduct every operation herself and alone if possible.

Savannah prevented it from happening most of the time. In doing so, Savannah put herself at great risk to try and 'protect' Cameron. He figured he should be out there to do some of the duty. Cameron simply wouldn't allow it. She would call off an entire operation if she found out he was going to go. The few times he did make it out, he ended up getting sent all of her help. It was to watch over him to make sure he remained as safe as possible. It upset him to know by him being out in the field, it actually endangered Cameron even more than if he remained in the Command Center.

John Henry attempted to communicate with any of Cameron's Terminators whenever he got the opportunity. He hoped it would give him some insight as to what actually went on at Cameron's base when no one was around.

"I've communicated with most of Cameron's Terminators. They all hold Cameron and Savannah in the highest esteem." John Henry said. "Especially Savannah, I think Young Allison as well. Cameron tries to rotate a different one through the Young Detail on a regular basis so Young Allison can interact with them. It's an effective strategy."

John was aware he had little control over what happened at Cameron's base.

"Do they hold her higher than ME, their LEADER?" John asked sarcastically.

John Henry decided not to point out the Terminators at any base held the 'Chosen Ones' in the highest regard. He just decided to keep his answer simple.

"Yes." John Henry said.

John frowned and shook his head from side to side slowly.

"Beautiful…." John said.

John Henry kept their conversation private.

It seemed Savannah picked up on the peril Cameron was in. She was now in contact with them.

Savannah knew Cameron was going off on her own also. She figured the last building was the biggest threat as well. She wanted the Command Center to know they were available to move right now if they were given the 'order'.

"John, we can move now." Savannah said. "We don't need to wait."

John Henry wanted to give Savannah some reassurance.

"We'll try and contact her." John Henry said. "John's doing it now."

John was aware of the conversation in the background between John Henry and Savannah. He currently attempted to contact Cameron. He really hoped he could reach her. It wasn't just through the communication device either. He hoped it was on a personal level as well. If she was still upset at him from their previous discussion, which he no longer remembered what it was about, she may not respond.

"Cameron?" John asked.

No response.

Savannah figured what the problem was. She also made it known why she turned the team over to Cammy from her control. If she wasn't responsible for the team, she could act by herself.

"She's gone dark because she anticipates Terminators." Savannah said. "I appointed Cammy as team leader so I can go in on my own. I'm going to do it."

John could see right away it was a maneuver like Cameron would pull. He probably shouldn't have expected anything less than it because Cameron was Savannah's teacher. It was obvious the apple didn't fall far from the tree. He didn't think he could stop Savannah, but he did want to see if he could get her some assistance.

"NO." John said. "Anna, can you back up Cameron?"

Anna hands we're currently full. She also took a better look around the interior of the building she was in. She could see they were going to need additional help.

"Negative." Anna said. "I'm terminating Grays right now. I've taken four down and have three to go. We're going to need some drivers when the MIKE Force gets here."

John Henry hoped they could get a supply of HK equipment, he wondered what it was.

"What's in the trucks?" John Henry asked.

Anna needed to take a step back from where she currently was. Danger approached her.

"I haven't been able to look yet." Anna said. "Hold on, here comes another Gray."

They could hear the silenced pistol cough twice.

"Actually, it was two Grays." Anna said. "There's still one to go and then I can inspect the cargo. It usually makes some noise which can't always be controlled, when the rear door on a big rig is opened."

John Henry sent out an update on the force of Terminators on their way there in the Blackhawk.

"The MIKE Force is fifteen minutes out." John Henry said. "They will take out the observation posts first and set up a sniping nest along with a Stinger missile defense."

If John couldn't get the additional help to Savannah, he wanted it to go to Cameron.

"Anna, keep us posted and then go help Cameron." John said. "I mean when you're done there. Double check the area to make sure there will be no one behind you when you leave."

Anna actually needed to take care of a few things before she could do it.

"I will." Anna said. "I need to do everything Cameron asked me to do first. She's depending on me."

John Henry initiated a test program which Ally and Sheila used earlier at the building they took down. He again heard the advantage with the two Grays which Anna just took down.

"John, other than the belt fed machine guns and other heavy weapons, I think we should silence and suppress all of our weapons. It was an issue I was contacted by CamNet about. It was a suggestion originating from the Young bunker." John Henry said. "I believe this was from a 'brainstorm' of ideas by Young Allison and Savannah. It would give us an advantage. I tested the concept today at several locations. It was an effective strategy."

John was for anything which could give their troops an advantage.

"We've seen it." John said. "Obtain what you need. You might need to make some ammunition changes as well."

John Henry checked to see what was available for shipment to one of their dummy companies.

"I'm doing so now." John Henry said.

John was surprised John Henry did it right now.

"That was fast." John said.

John Henry was ompressed at what he found.

"CamNet seems to have everything ready to be procured." John Henry said. "It was all being held for your 'order'."

John looked around. He knew CamNet was 'everywhere'. He also knew it was Young Allison who prompted CamNet to address the issue.

It was clear Cameron was going to try and make Young Allison the human version of herself. John knew Cameron would steal Young Allison's life from her to do it. Then again, it seemed Young Allison attempted to accelerate the process herself. He didn't know if this was something he should look forward to, or fear it. He did know he would prefer to have Young Allison the way she looked now, as opposed to if she looked exactly like Cameron, however it was done. He really didn't think he would have much control over what happened one way or the other. Cameron ran on her own agenda. He didn't always like the way she did things.

Young Allison was aware she 'challenged' Allison earlier. It seemed to have a negative effect on Allison. It wasn't her intention. She felt defiant and confident earlier. She wasn't really sure what she thought she was doing. Now she was worried about Allison.

"You don't look so hot." Young Allison said.

Allison looked a little pale.

"I don't feel very well either." Allison said.

Young Allison nodded in the direction Jan, Summer, and her Mother were in.

"I think you should rest." Young Allison said. "It would do you good to lay down for a while."

Allison looked at the array of monitors which surrounded her. It looked like things were just starting to pick up at the old steel mill.

"What about the operation?" Allison asked.

Young Allison knew it wasn't a problem. Things would go on without them, they were just there for the 'human input', and perhaps restraint at times.

"It will still happen even if we turn everything off. CamNet has everything covered." Young Allison said. "John and John Henry are in the command center doing the same things. Technically they're the ones in charge. I don't think you need to see or hear it."

Allison looked at the younger version of herself. She thought it was a two way street. She already lived a lot of it. She wasn't so sure it was something Young Allison needed to do.

"And you do?" Allison asked.

Young Allison gave Allison a faint smile. She felt it was her fate.

"It's part of my life, my future." Young Allison said. "I'm embracing my future. I want what Future Allison has. I want all of it. I want what I've promised I'll do, I want those promises fulfilled to me in return also."

Allison knew exactly what her statement meant, every part of it. Allison knew there was no stopping any of it. She felt she needed to rest.

"Do you want me to send Mom here if I go?" Allison asked.

It sounded more like a potential problem in the making. She could do without any more problems currently. She was sure her Mother would have reacted a little differently than Allison did with whatever she saw. She was sure her Mother would be bothered by everything she would see during the operation. There was going to be a lot of gunfire, explosions, and people dying. The fact Savannah was there would already bother her. When she saw Sarah there, it would only make it worse.

"NO. She doesn't need the stress and worry." Young Allison said. "You should all rest. Have Jan and Summer clean up. Then you and Mom can. I don't think we're at risk. It was just a precaution because we're low on Terminators. We still have the full Detail outside. I haven't needed to use them for anything else yet."

Something bothered Allison. It was clear Young Allison wasn't 'her'. Not any more anyway. She felt Cameron may have intervened a little more than she admitted to in Young Allison's life.

"I could never do ANY of this at your age." Allison said. "What has Cameron DONE to you?"

Young Allison was offended somewhat by the question. She understood the future needed to be protected as well as John Connor. She knew it all of her life. It's all she knew ever since she could remember. It was just the way it was to her.

"She's done whatever she needed to do to protect the future." Young Allison said. "It's what I want."

Allison didn't believe any of it was natural. She was sure Cameron must have done something to Young Allison. She asked her directly.

"Did she take you to River's future?" Allison asked.

Young Allison wondered how it could affect anything currently.

"Would it make a difference now?" Young Allison asked.

Allison felt some pent up anger inside of her.

"YES." Allison said.

There were times when her studies were hard or some things seemed more difficult than others. She wished there was a shortcut which would help her. None was ever offered to her.

"I'm unaware if she ever has." Young Allison said. "I would go in an instant if she offered it to me."

Allison didn't like to hear it.

"It would change who you are." Allison said.

Young Allison didn't see it the same way at all.

"No. I would become what I want." Young Allison said. "I could improve myself and become a more effective weapon against Skynet."

Allison was shocked to hear it.

The computer screens all flickered.

"What just happened?" Allison asked.

Young Allison quickly looked over everything.

"I'm not sure." Young Allison said.

Actually Young Allison did know. CamNet didn't want her 'altered'. They discussed it at night before, more than several times. CamNet told her she was the only human she interacted with everyday. She asked about Savannah. CamNet said they were unable to share time as often and as much as she could with her. She made time every night, no matter how tired or sleepy she was to interact with CamNet. It was all done in secret. It was very hard to work around Anna at times.

Allison looked at Young Allison and then the security camera. She shook her head and walked away. She didn't realize CamNet was on her side.

Neither one of them wanted Young Allison physically altered in any way.

Allison left to get the girls ready to sleep. It was getting late for them. She thought she might try to see or hear a little more before she left completely.

Young Allison made sure Allison was gone. She then glanced quickly up at the security monitor.

"I'm sorry." Young Allison said quietly as she caressed her touch screen.

Young Allison touched the touch screen with her hand. A 'hand' appeared under hers on the monitor.

"I'll only go into the past." Young Allison said.

She was a little surprised her statement drew a verbal response.

"Promise me." The voice said.

It was 'Young Allison's voice' - her voice.

Young Allison moved her fingers gently on the touch screen.

"I promise, CamNet." Young Allison said.

Allison crept back up and listened from around the corner. She heard and saw everything. She cringed. She felt sick. It normally only happened in the mornings sometimes. She knew it was the kind of 'control' Cameron used to 'influence' Savannah with growing up. Now it was a different MACHINE doing it. It was a different version of 'Cameron'. She needed to tell Vanna. No, Vanna wouldn't be able to help, Savannah would.

Allison really wished Savannah was there now to comfort her. It wasn't the sharing in bed as much as it was she sharing of herself. There was beauty which emanated from within Savannah. It was the beauty which captivated Cameron as well. It was the beauty of her true self which shined through to everyone.

She really didn't know what path Young Allison was headed down, but she didn't think it was a good one and she didn't see any good conclusion coming out of it in any way. She felt there was a lot of heartache coming for both of them if they continued this. If CamNet possessed a physical body, she could offer herself instead. She wanted Young Allison to be able to choose for herself. Whatever this was, it wasn't the right choice.

Cameron entered the last building. She knew there would be at least one Terminator there. The question now was, how many? She knew the more damage she could do now alone, would make it safer for the rest of the team. They would all be in position soon enough.

She entered through a restroom window. The lights were off, but the window was left part way open. She opened it more and slipped inside. A roving patrol passed by the location thirty seconds later. It was a close call.

Cameron peeked out the door. There was a short wall in front of the restroom door. She moved to see with one eye, and looked around the wall. What she observed was more like what she expected….

It was clearly 'bad news'.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Something Is Happening

Everyone wants to reach out
They want someone to reach back
Seldom does the one wanted reciprocate
Maybe mistaking it all as an attack

People go and they try
They soon strike out
No one ever walks away
As long as they still can shout

It's never the path forward
It's only the path to doom
It's never going to spark
It was a mistake to even presume

But some don't give up
They stay and they try and try
Maybe through persistence
The can slowly a heart pry

Suddenly one day there's a crack
The unending resolve has paid off
Something is happening
The fuse is lit like a Molotov

Nobody