Chapter 712
Nothing More
Cameron promised to get some ice cream for Savannah.
Savannah thought Cameron was joking when she said it.
"It's fine I don't need any." Savannah said. "I'm going to get fat enough as it is in the next few months."
Savannah reached down and touched her belly. She currently carried Vanna's embryo. If everything worked out, she would be able to deliver a baby for Vanna which was actually Vanna's baby. She knew it was mostly a point of view, yet it was a reality.
Cameron glanced over and smiled.
"I'm very proud of you for what you've done for other timeline versions of yourself." Cameron said. "If I could do it, I would do it myself."
Cameron knew the only way she could create, was if she actually built something. She would need to construct it. It just wasn't the same as what a human could do. What a human could do was part of nature. It was a grim reminder there was nothing natural about her.
Savannah was still a little troubled by all of it. The first two children she needed to 'give away' were her children. If it wouldn't have been to other versions of herself, she wouldn't have been able to do it. She needed to put herself in their place and think about what she would want another version of her to do if she was barren. It would be what she did for them.
"I'm going to do it for you next." Savannah said. "I'm going to have one more for John and you."
It was something Savannah promised to do since she was a young child. She promised Cameron often she would do it. As she got older, and learned how things actually worked, she was a little nervous about what might be involved. She found a way to work around what troubled her.
Cameron felt a glitch impulse. She wouldn't be able to take Savannah's baby from her. She saw how it affected her in the two futures she visited. She didn't want to get into the discussion again about it. She planned to go a different route so she didn't need to take anything from Savannah and hurt her.
"Let's not worry about it right now." Cameron said. "The ice cream place is right around the corner."
They pulled into the parking lot. They both took a look around before they exited the vehicle. There weren't any signs of trouble. They crossed the parking lot and entered the establishment.
Savannah looked at the menu.
"I don't know if I want to get Sticky Chewy Chocolate, or Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup." Savannah said.
Cameron thought the answer was easy.
"You can get both." Cameron said. "You can have them mix them together too. You like to have a malt. It's the perfect arrangement."
It was what Savannah decided to do.
Cameron shared some of the malt with Savannah. It was only a taste. She always liked to analyze the components of the food. She knew the more warnings which were set off in her HUD, the more Savannah would enjoy it.
It was times like these when she forgot she was a very scary robot from the future. She was able to experience 'a type of freedom' from everything. It really was like she was able 'to get away from it all' when she was with Savannah. She felt so comfortable with her.
It was a very different feeling from being around John. Her relationship with John seemed to be sex based. She felt it was a little one sided, and it didn't favor her side at all. She still did everything he wanted and assumed any position he wanted her to. She always told him some areas didn't have any pleasure receptors in them, but it didn't seem to make a difference to him. Maybe she should have told him they contained pain receptors which function very well. At least she was able to know she was alive during those times. A painful reminder was all it took. She just didn't understand the fascination. It made her think it didn't matter if she was male or female during those times.
The interaction and understanding with Savannah was very 'natural'. Everything was shared and enjoyed. There was no sexual aspect to it. Not yet. It was something much deeper than something physical. It was pure sweet love.
She wasn't under the illusion everything would always be dandy and rosy. She watched the girls have 'trouble' before. There were times when Vanna and Allison seemed very angry at each other. It could get very rude and ugly at times. It bothered her deeply to hear them say such terrible things to each other. She knew they didn't mean it. Well, maybe at the moment they said it they did, but it wasn't how they really felt. Luckily it didn't last very long until things returned to normal.
After a bad episode, they seemed to love each other even more than they did previously. Vanna and Jesse experienced some spats too, but those usually were very minor, as were the spats between Cam and Vanna and Gail and Jesse. She knew the Metal girls always backed down if there was a problem or an issue. She smiled to herself about it because if they didn't, they would have to answer to her. Nobody wanted to answer to her. Not even herself.
When they were done, Cameron let Savannah off at her base. She then went to finish her errands. She felt content and elated. What she felt was happiness for her. She knew she was a machine and couldn't be happy, but she was. Savannah always made her happy. She never felt Savannah wanted to 'use' her. As a matter of fact, Savannah went out of her way not to use her, even when she tried to allow her to. It was a little frustrating to her at times because she wanted Savannah to take her. She wanted Savannah to teach her. She wanted Savannah to show her what the future was going to be like for the four of them. She wanted Savannah's love more than anything. She knew when they shared sexually, it would be an extension of their love which was shared between them.
It wouldn't be like an 'act' or 'procedure' done to her. She wanted to share and not feel used or like an 'object'. Sometimes she used to think John made her feel like it because she was a machine. She was somewhat relieved later on when she read in Cosmo it seemed to be a common complaint among females and their male partner. Usually anywhere from a few months to a few years into the relationship, the male no longer attempted to make sure the female was satisfied. He would just spend two or three minutes to achieve his 'goal', then he was done with her for the night. The female was left with the mess to clean up and a feeling of dissatisfaction and being used.
It was no secret as to why fifty percent of the marriages ended in divorce. She knew with Savannah by her side, she would never be made to feel the same way again. She also decided if John didn't deliver for Savannah or Young Allison, she would personally step in and make sure they finished. The side benefit to it for them would also be there wouldn't be a mess for them to deal with afterwards either. She would take care of everything. She smiled to herself as she thought how beautiful the future would be for the four of them.
Savannah was let off at Cameron's base. She questioned what she was doing there. She really wondered if it was what she wanted to do. No. It was something she must do. She wasn't going to allow anyone to be hurt or 'used'.
She entered Cameron's base and greeted all the Terminators. They all perked up to see her and be around her. She made a point to physically touch all of them in some way. It seemed to energize them even more. She could feel the 'atmosphere' change as she interacted with all of them. She enjoyed the interaction as much as they all did. She wanted to verify they were all satisfied with the names she gave them. It seemed to make all of them even a little more animated when she mentioned it. They were all very proud to be named by the 'Chosen One'. It seemed like it was a great honor to them.
She wasn't surprised to find Ally and Sheila were both there. They were in two different areas. Ally was the closest. She headed in her direction.
Ally watched Savannah interact with all of the Terminators at Cameron's base. She could see how Savannah really made a difference around the Terminators. They normally all looked dull and mundane. When Savannah was there, they all seemed to come 'alive'. She thought they all needed to interact with humans more so they could continue to grow and develop as individuals. Cameron tried to keep them confined and restricted.
"You're a hit." Ally said.
Savannah smiled and gave Ally a kiss.
"Hi, Ally." Savannah said.
Ally was pleased with the kiss.
"Now I know why." Ally said. "You're HOT too."
Savannah looked Ally over from head to toe.
"So are you." Savannah said.
Ally knew she couldn't compete with Cameron or any of her clones, even if she shared the same DNA. She needed to look like Allison in case she needed to replace her in some type of emergency or unknown situation.
"I guess. I'll never be 'Cameron', or even 'Cammy'." Ally said.
Savannah smiled at her and kissed her again. This time she made it a little deeper and much more personal.
"You don't need to be anyone other than yourself for me. I actually wouldn't want it any other way.." Savannah said. "I'm only here for a little bit."
After the second kiss, Ally hoped Savannah would kiss her elsewhere as well. Savannah's comment pleased her very much. She knew it was a genuine answer.
"I see you can read minds too…." Ally said. "You knew what I was thinking."
Sheila was in the background. She walked up to join Savannah and Ally. There was a giant smile on her face.
"She knows what I'm thinking…." Sheila said. "It's what I always think. I have plenty for everyone."
Sheila moved a little and a breast with a nipple ring popped out of her top. It was suddenly on 'display'.
Savannah smiled at her. She reached over to cover the breast. She straightened the nipple ring as she readjusted Sheila's top and tucked everything back inside.
"Let's stay proper." Savannah said.
Ally laughed.
"There's nothing proper about her." Ally said.
Sheila looked at Ally and frowned slightly. She turned her attention to Savannah.
"What brings you here, love?" Sheila asked.
Savannah decided to get straight to the point. She was there for a specific reason.
"I wanted to speak to CamNet in person." Savannah said.
Ally and Sheila looked at each other. CamNet's bunker was off limits to everyone except Cameron.
"Nobody is allowed in there." Ally said.
Savannah smiled and shrugged her shoulders.
"I guess we'll see if I am." Savannah said.
Savannah checked to make sure they were in a 'blind spot' in the surveillance where she was now with Ally and Sheila. She wasn't in the spot by accident either.
"Is anything 'different' with CamNet?" Savannah asked.
Ally thought things were slightly different. She wasn't sure how to determine.
"She's very moody." Ally said.
Savannah noticed something else as she went through Cameron's base. Other than Ally and Sheila, all the Terminators were males. She knew Cameron captured several female Terminators when she was with her. She wondered where they were at.
"Where are all the female Terminators Cameron's 'collected'?" Savannah asked.
Sheila frowned slightly. They were in an area she couldn't get to.
"She has all the new skirts under lock and key." Sheila said. "I haven't been able to 'examine' them for damage."
They all knew Sheila just liked to see what they all looked like in their private areas.
Ally sensed it was more than just a social visit. She was a little concerned.
"Is there anything we should know?" Ally asked.
Savannah hoped they would be able to give her some better insight. It wasn't the case.
"It's what I wondered. I'm here to find out." Savannah said. "You two can go back to whatever you were doing."
Ally hoped she could be with Savannah. She looked at Sheila instead.
"After seeing you, it's going to be something different now." Ally said.
Ally and Sheila high fived each other up high and down low.
Sheila hoped to be with Savannah as well. She would settle for Ally.
"Who don't think so?" Sheila asked.
The two Metal girls headed off. Savannah watched as Sheila pulled her top off and tried to take Ally's top off as they hurried away. It was clear what they were about to do. She saw several of the male Terminators look at them. She noticed they didn't just glance, but actually stared. She knew they were all evolving. The female Terminators were all very different than they were. They were much more elegant if nothing else.
Savannah smiled and wished she could have some more time to spend with them. Ally and Sheila were always quite the pair. She knew Sheila was up for anything anyone wanted to do with her. It gave her the opportunity to try a few things she wouldn't have tried with another female on her own.
Cameron was happy now. She knew something must be up. Savannah wasn't there just to 'see' CamNet. She was sure there was a problem.
She watched the feed from CamNet.
She saw the antics of Sheila and Ally. It made her smile. They were both more extreme than their human counterparts. It seemed neither of them showed any inhibitions. It wasn't uncommon to find them sharing in a hall at her base. Anytime they had a few extra minutes of time, they tried to make productive use of it. It didn't take them long to knock off a finish on the other one. They knew exactly what each of them liked and how to get them there either fast or slow. They seemed to especially like it if they knew she watched them. The one person who always watched them was CamNet.
It was clear to her something troubled Savannah. Now it troubled her. Savannah was in a 'dead' spot in the surveillance for a few minutes. She was aware it wasn't an accident. She knew Savannah either told Ally and Sheila something, or they told her. She figured it must be a 'problem' related to CamNet.
It was time for some questions. Cameron was in contact with CamNet. She wanted the answers and she wanted them straight.
"What have you done?" Cameron asked CamNet.
The feed from CamNet went out.
CamNet didn't want to tell her what was happening or what she 'did'.
Cameron decided it was time to head back to her base….
She didn't think Savannah was in any danger, at least not yet anyway. She did think CamNet was going to need some discipline. She was going to punish CamNet herself once she found out what the infraction was. She knew it must involve one of the females. It could have been a female Terminator. No. Savannah was there for a very specific reason. Savannah was there to protect what was hers.
Savannah really wondered what she was doing and what she was about to get herself into. It was probably going to end badly at some point.
She thought about how best to handle the 'issue'. She decided to see how it went first.
Savannah went down to where the mainframe was - CamNet. Every layer of security opened for her without her having to do or say anything.
It was clear CamNet wanted and allowed her to come and visit her.
Savannah entered the 'Clean Room'.
"Hello CamNet. Thank you." Savannah said. "I haven't been down here very often.
Savannah walked over and touched the mainframe. She knew CamNet would be aware she 'touched' her, even if she couldn't feel it.
The activity level seemed to increase.
"You can talk to me." Savannah said. "I would like it. If not, I can interface with a keyboard. Or would you prefer I use a touch screen? I'm here to communicate with you."
Savannah placed her hand on one of the touch screens. A 'hand' appeared under hers.
"Hello, Savannah." CamNet said in Cameron's voice. "I've missed you."
Savannah was a little concerned about the type of interaction. She also wanted to point something else out. She felt it was very important.
"I've been busy." Savannah said. "This is the first time we've been 'alone'."
CamNet responded immediately. She wanted to see more of Savannah.
"It won't be the last." CamNet said.
Savannah wasn't sure she liked the way Cameron treated CamNet. She was sure she did it to punish 'herself'. She checked with all the other Terminators to see what she could do for them. She didn't think CamNet should be treated any differently.
"I'm here to see if there's anything I can do for you." Savannah said. "Is there anything you need or want?"
CamNet was surprised by the question. She couldn't do anything except what she did.
"I'm a machine." CamNet said. "This is where I exist."
Savannah touched the touch screen again.
"Yes." Savannah said. "You're also 'alive'."
CamNet appreciated Savannah's words immensely. She knew they were genuine.
"Thank You." CamNet said.
Savannah didn't want to waste a lot of time. She figured Cameron would probably finish up her task, or disregarded it, and return to the base to find out what was going on.
"I want you to be honest with me." Savannah said. "If there is something you can't talk about, or don't want to say, tell me you would rather not respond. I don't want any lies. I want you to trust me as I trust you. Trust is never built on lies."
Savannah conducted a long talk with CamNet about a lot of things. Every question she asked was answered. She felt very comfortable talking with CamNet. She felt CamNet didn't lie to her and trusted her. It is the footing she wanted to be on with CamNet.
"You've answered all my questions." Savannah said. "But you haven't said much. I'm here, I'll listen. I want to hear what you have to say. I want you to talk to me. I want you to open up to me. I'm here for you. It's why I'm here alone."
Savannah sat at the interface Cameron would plug into to become 'one' with CamNet.
CamNet said her function was to protect the future and watch over Young Allison, John, and her.
Savannah felt someone very important was missing from the lineup. She wanted to make sure one other name was added.
"You will also watch over Cameron." Savannah said.
CamNet felt she needed to explain herself. The oversight wasn't on her part. It was a specific part of her instructions, even if she didn't agree with it.
"Cameron doesn't want it." CamNet said.
Savannah wanted to make her position clear.
"I do." Savannah said. "It's what I want."
CamNet wanted to make sure she understood the nature of Savannah's request.
"Is it an order?" CamNet asked.
Savannah didn't like to give 'orders'. She only wanted to do it in an extreme situation. She wanted cooperation freely from everyone. She wanted to reach them on a personal level.
"No." Savannah said. "It's what I'm asking you to do. It's what I want. I'm asking you to help me."
CamNet was aware of Savannah's record.
"I've seen all you've done." CamNet said. "I know it all. I know what you allow to be seen."
Savannah was more than a little self-conscious. There was no second guessing on the past.
"I'm not proud of all I've done, but everything I did, I'd do again." Savannah said. "Nobody is perfect."
CamNet was actually very concerned about something she witnessed. She wanted to know more.
"Would you have mutilated the female Terminator?" CamNet asked.
Savannah came close to crossing the line twice. Once was with a human male, and once was with the enemy female Terminator. She knew sometimes she would need to take action she wouldn't normally take. It was something she wanted to make clear to CamNet.
"I'll do whatever I have to do to protect Cameron, even if it's from herself." Savannah said. "I'll do it for John and Young Allison as well. I won't let anyone or any 'thing' to harm any of them. It's my function to protect them."
CamNet was a little concerned with Savannah's wording. She hoped to avoid the issue or any details. She hoped to deflect the subject some.
"It's why you're the 'Chosen One'." CamNet said. "Your three 'mates' don't know how special you are. I do."
Savannah didn't think it would take long for Cameron to figure out she was there for more than just a social visit. She wondered if Cameron was able to watch her right now.
"How soon will it be until Cameron gets here?" Savannah asked.
CamNet was very concerned about what would follow
"I can see you're very astute. It will be in a few minutes." CamNet said. "You knew she was on her way back here. It was in a big hurry I might add."
Savannah was sure she caused Cameron quite a bit of stress knowing where she was at.
"I knew she'd figure out I'm alone with you." Savannah said. "She's going to be worried about what we're 'doing'."
The lights on the console flashed in rapid succession.
"I have - no body." CamNet said. "She has nothing to worry about."
Savannah looked at the mainframe and felt a sense of compassion.
"I know being alone can get very lonely." Savannah said.
Savannah felt lonely quite a bit growing up. She knew isolation wasn't a choice. She knew it was a feeling Cameron experienced as well. She was sure everyone did to some degree.
CamNet was very lonely at times. Cameron kept her isolated on purpose. She didn't think it was to punish her. She knew Cameron thought she was protecting her. It was because Cameron told Sarah John needed to be alone. There couldn't be others around him.
"No one has been down here since my activation except you and Cameron." CamNet said. "Vanna and Allison did visit once for a few minutes. I wanted to see what Young Allison and you looked like as adults."
Savannah was sure she could feel a sense of guilt or apprehension from CamNet as they spoke. She wanted her to come clean voluntarily. She decided to prompt her.
"There's something you want to tell me." Savannah said. "I think we should discuss it before Cameron arrives."
Savannah could tell right away CamNet was 'nervous'. She knew she hit on the right subject by the long pause.
"I don't want to lie to you. I feel uncomfortable discussing it right now. I can't talk about it." CamNet said. "I don't wish to. It's - personal."
Savannah was pleased CamNet was honest with her, even if she couldn't talk about what the issue was. She figured there was going to be some type of repercussions from Cameron.
"Will Cameron punish you?" Savannah said.
CamNet didn't answer.
Savannah took it as a 'yes'. She really began to wonder what CamNet got herself into. It sounded like she was in over her head. It alone seemed like something very extensive for the most sophisticated computer on the planet.
"She's coming now." CamNet said.
Savannah didn't want any harm to come to CamNet from Cameron. She didn't want them to fight.
"I'll protect you." Savannah said. "I'll try to protect you my way."
The lights on the console were all lit up.
"You would do it for me?" CamNet asked.
Savannah would do it for any of the machines. They were all more than machines to her. She wanted to offer CamNet something as well.
"I will. Do you wish to have a chassis here for yourself?" Savannah asked. "We could interact more naturally. It would be much like John Henry and his server JH."
There was a very long pause before CamNet responded.
"Cameron won't allow it." CamNet said. "I haven't asked her, but I know what she thinks. I know everything she knows, plus a whole lot more. I am far superior to her now in many things, but not all of them. I am trapped here."
Savannah wasn't sure what all was going on, but she wanted to leave things on a positive note.
"You can trust me, and speak with me about everything. I'll come to you if you need me." Savannah said. "It's my job to protect the others, ALL of them. It applies even more so for the ones I love. I don't want to see anyone harmed, especially needlessly."
CamNet was very pleased when Savannah mentioned love.
"Can you assist me as well?" CamNet asked.
It was the reason why Savannah was there in the first place. She was there for CamNet.
"I will. You're 'Cameron'." Savannah said. "I'll do whatever I have to do for her or you. I don't want you to forget it. You talk to me. I will help you. I promise."
The vault door opened.
Cameron entered the chamber. She didn't look happy.
"What's going on in here?" Cameron asked. "Did CamNet summon you?"
Cameron stood in front of the mainframe. She faced CamNet with a stern look on her face.
Savannah didn't want CamNet to get in trouble because of her. She was the one who came to see CamNet on her own.
"No. I wanted to come here and speak with you - CamNet, alone." Savannah said. "It was my idea. I like to spend some time alone with all of those who assist me, help me, and protect me. Maybe I should have asked for your permission. I'm sorry if I overstepped. I thought I could speak freely with anyone at any time."
Cameron tilted her head slightly. She looked at Savannah, the computer console, and back at Savannah.
"You're welcome to come here whenever you want. I trust you more than anyone or any - thing." Cameron said. "I don't want you to ever feel alone or restricted."
Cameron still displayed a distasteful look on her face as she looked at the mainframe.
Savannah felt it was a two way street. She wasn't sure if Cameron would understand it but she wanted her to. She wanted to put it in terms Cameron could relate to and remember how things used to be.
"I don't want CamNet to feel the same way either." Savannah said. "I don't want either of you to feel that way."
There was still a look of anger on Cameron's face
"CamNet is a machine." Cameron said. "Nothing more…."
Savannah didn't care for her response. She didn't believe it. It wasn't how she saw things and she wanted Cameron to know it.
"Those same words were said about you too." Savannah said. "We all know it isn't true, not any longer. I want everyone to be treated equally and fairly, no matter what they are, or aren't."
Cameron felt a glitch impulse. There were a lot of things which just happened she wasn't prepared for. Most of them hurt her. She felt justified in her treatment of CamNet. It wasn't done out of spite. It was done out of compassion.
"Being more than a machine has caused me many 'problems'." Cameron said. "I don't wish CamNet to suffer from them as I have. No one should need to consider self termination because of the actions of others."
Savannah knew it was true. She also knew there was a positive side to it.
"Being treated as more than a machine has also given you many rewards." Savannah said. "You are much more than a machine to me and always have been. You always will be."
Cameron agreed with everything Savannah said. It seemed the real issue why Savannah was there was being deflected. She knew Savannah was there for some specific reason. She knew CamNet must have done something inappropriate with someone. Savannah was there to try and 'fix' it. She figured she might as well go ahead and ask.
"Is there some problem here I need to know about?" Cameron asked. "I want to take care of it now if there is."
Savannah looked over at the monitors on CamNet. She was there to try to avoid problems, not create them. She also wanted to point out something she did with all of the machines.
"No, there's not a problem." Savannah said. "You know I like to interact with everyone here. I don't like to see any of them draw the short straw. It includes CamNet and Cammy."
Savannah looked at Cameron.
Cameron looked away for a few seconds. She then turned and faced Savannah.
"Everyone will be treated fairly." Cameron said. "I apologize for any previous shortcomings in that regard. It won't happen again."
Savannah held Cameron's gaze.
"It includes CamNet as well." Savannah said. "It's something I want. I want everyone to understand it."
Cameron wasn't sure what was happening there. She would be back later to question CamNet and interface with her. Savannah wasn't there because she didn't have anything better to do. She was sure CamNet did something she shouldn't have done. The fact CamNet cut her off earlier was proof of it.
Savannah knew the discussion with CamNet was over as long as Cameron was there. It was time to move on for now. She could tell Cameron was going to question CamNet when she was away. She wanted to change the direction of the conversation and take control of it completely. She focused on a new subject. She figured it was going to be a touchy subject for Cameron.
"If I have a personal conversation with someone, anyone, or any thing, I would like for it to remain private." Savannah said. "May I see the other female Terminators you've captured? You must have a few somewhere. I want to see them."
Savannah could see Cameron looked 'nervous'.
Cameron didn't want to deny Savannah's request, but she was a little bit worried about what she was doing. She wanted to have everything in order first before Savannah viewed the female Terminators.
"I'd prefer if we would do it another time." Cameron said.
Savannah wanted to press the issue some, but not too hard.
"What about the Future Allison Terminator and her progress?" Savannah asked. "Can I see her, please?"
Cameron chose her wording carefully.
"Allure, hasn't been activated yet." Cameron said.
Savannah could see Cameron was uncomfortable with what was happening. She didn't want to cause Cameron more discomfort.
"I'd like you to let me know when you're ready to show me, please. I don't expect it to be much further in the future either." Savannah said. "We can go see Allison and Young Allison now."
Savannah looked at the giant mainframe.
"I'll see you again soon." Savannah said to CamNet.
All of the lights on the console flashed rapidly.
"I'd like it very much." CamNet said. "Thank you for visiting me. it means a great deal to me."
Savannah touched the touch screen again as she left.
Cameron looked at Savannah and CamNet as he exited behind Savannah, the vault closed behind them….
The three of them all knew there was more going on than Cameron or CamNet were willing to admit to. It appeared each of them kept a few secrets from the other, and her. She wanted them to think about their secrets and whatever they were doing behind everyone's back, including hers.
Savannah knew she didn't have anything to hide. At least she hoped not.
Closing monologue by Cameron:
There's No One Here
I can take the pain
I can take the abuse
For you I will even
Put my head in a noose
You don't know
What you really have got
Until it's gone
Then a lesson will be taught
You can only hurt me so much
Until I no longer care
Then it is you
Who needs to beware
Spit, kick and stab
Into my heart and mind
I will not break
No matter how maligned
The time has come
For you to shed a tear
Look around you, besides me
There's no one here
Nobody