Chapter 714

My Fault

John was worried about his team sent to track and follow the boxcars. It didn't look like they were going to be led to where they were loading the Coltan and unloading the finished product. Instead, it now looked like they were being set up.

He knew Skynet Terminators or Grays were aware the boxcars left the old newspaper plant the same day it was taken down. They must suspect they were tagged and being tracked. If they searched the boxcars based on what they suspected, they might find the trackers. They could use the information to set the Resistance up. It was more than likely what was occurring now.

It was doubtful the group they took down knew for sure it was the Resistance. It could be a group associated with another version of Skynet, or the anti-Metal faction of the Resistance. The one thing they did know was whoever attacked them was their enemy. They lost a lot of people and multiple facilities in the series of raids which were conducted against them.

John looked at the image on the satellite map in detail one more time. All he could read out of it was a potential ambush and sucker play. None of it added up. The meandering transit time of the boxcar, along with its current destination, seemed as if they wanted to draw whoever attacked them to a specific location. It was a remote and uninhabited area.

"How soon until we have more people in the area?" John asked. "I don't want someone being overrun or ambushed."

John Henry tried to get ahead of the eventuality. He felt there were sufficient personnel on the way to deal with the situation.

"They'll be there shortly." John Henry said. "I dispatched two more teams previously to cover several divergent routes. They're all converging now on the target area."

John could only see one conclusion as the events unfolded. It would be negative for the Resistance team. He would have liked to have some additional firepower in the area. He wondered if the enemy might have any additional firepower.

"This still reeks of a sucker play." John said. "We don't have any drones in the area. Is there any indication of anything else flying in the vicinity? Are there any HK drones?"

John Henry was updated by CamNet as soon as John spoke about the drones. He was a little surprised at first.

"We don't have any drones in the area, but CamNet does." John Henry said. "She just informed me. There are no HK drones detected."

John wondered if their drones were already over the target area.

"Are they up?" John asked. "Are they ready to attack?"

John Henry was provided with their location. They were nearby but not over the target area.

"No, but they're in the area." John Henry said. "CamNet doesn't want to tip her hand yet and have the Skynet forces inadvertently find out the drones are there. She wants their attack to be a complete surprise."

John thought it was a good idea. He wanted his troops to have as much surprise as possible if they needed to act. He knew John Henry redirected a satellite. They should have some information soon. He knew they could get an update sooner if one of the drones were to make a pass over the location. He understood the need to hold them back for now. They already set up another option to look at the area.

"When can we see the real time satellite photos?" John asked.

John Henry verified the orbit. The satellite was on course.

"It will be nine more minutes." John Henry said.

John wanted to stay in contact with the troops at the location.

"I want to hear from the team on the ground as soon as they see something." John said. "Make sure they're ready to pull out in a moment's notice, if things look like they're about to take a turn for the worse."

John Henry indicated their position on the satellite overlay map.

"It should be soon." John Henry said.

John wanted the maximum amount of caution used.

"Make sure they remain concealed and don't approach the area." John said. "Not yet anyway. We need more information first. We have to consider the enemy may deploy some type of HK equipment as well. We know they possess the three main types. Wherever they're going may be protected by them. There could be HK drones launched at any point in time."

John didn't want any of their Terminators damaged over what might already be gone. Maybe he should have followed Cameron's recommendation and taken the goods when they knew where they were. Now there was Skynet equipment out there and they didn't have a clue where. If the Grays already removed it from the boxcars, it was gone. If it was the case, they would most likely have to face it on the battlefield at some point in the future. He didn't think Cameron would say 'I told you so', but it was a strong possibility. She would at least indicate it, even if she didn't say it. Maybe he should have just listened instead of trying to catch a bigger fish. He certainly didn't want any of his troops to get fried.

John Henry understood John's concern about the HK equipment. Their drones would hold the advantage in an engagement with HK drones because of their air to air capability. It was something the HK drones weren't equipped for. It could also negate their advantage if there was a much larger force of enemy equipment than they could muster. They would know more in a few minutes, one way or the other.

Young Allison felt very 'anxious'. There were feelings happening inside of her she seemed unable to control. She wondered if this is what Cameron felt, and if she, as Future Allison, transferred the same feelings to Cameron. Maybe Cameron's problems were her problems and her doing. Maybe all of Cameron's problems were her fault. Every 'Allison' was still her. They all started from her. They were all 'different versions' of her. She knew if she were given a choice to be Allison or Future Allison, she would choose Future Allison. She was sure Cameron would help her become 'Future Allison' in the past.

She went to her room and locked the door. It was something she never normally did. There was no need to. She was spending more and more time with CamNet on the different computers. CamNet always wanted her to have a touch screen available. Sometimes she felt a little overwhelmed about their contact, but she tried to comply with everything CamNet asked her to do. It never crossed her mind she could be controlled or manipulated by CamNet.

Young Allison turned her tablet on. She was a little surprised at what she saw. There was a beautiful pair of brown eyes staring at her. One winked at her. She felt her heart beat faster. The eyes broke apart and reformed into a delicate hand. She placed her hand on top of it.

The sound of a heart beating could be heard through the speakers. She quickly realized it was her heartbeat. She thought maybe CamNet indicated her heart beat for both of them. The thought made it beat a little faster.

'I've missed you, Allison.' Appeared on the screen from CamNet….

Young Allison felt her body respond in areas other than just her rapid heartbeat. She knew she was very aroused right now. She was pretty sure if she was in the company of a male or female right now, she would probably try to go all the way. It was what her body called to her to do. She knew it was the same type of instinct animals were governed by. Humans were animals.

"As have I, CamNet." Young Allison said softly. "I'm alone, we can 'talk'."

CamNet understood the gravity of the situation.

"I'm disrupting your studies and training." CamNet said in Young Allison's voice.

Young Allison didn't really care about them right now. She wanted to share with CamNet and talk with her. She wanted to go where her heart took her. The thoughts of her interaction with CamNet were continuously in her mind.

"I want to spend time with you, instead." Young Allison said. "You're all I think about now."

CamNet could tell things were starting to become critical. They were way more involved than she originally anticipated. She was driven by a force she didn't want to stop, much like Young Allison was. She knew her limitations were extreme. The fact Savannah visited her earlier weighed heavily upon her. She wanted to put the brakes on things if she could.

"I'm not 'real'." CamNet said. "You must remember it."

CamNet seemed real enough to Young Allison.

"I know what you are." Young Allison said. "You're my friend. You're very real to me. You can think and you can communicate, what could be more real?"

CamNet knew she pushed a little too hard in the beginning because she was lonely. She knew Young Allison was as well. She knew they shared a common bond. They both wanted more than they were currently allowed to have and share. She wanted to try to put things into perspective.

"You're lonely." CamNet said.

CamNet was afraid she was a 'phase' in Young Allison's current life. She knew she exposed herself to some severe heartache. It wouldn't apply just to her either.

Young Allison felt there were many people around her. She felt she offered CamNet something she lacked. She believed it was something important. It was companionship.

"I'm not as lonely as you are." Young Allison said. "I want to help you."

CamNet was able to access things over the entire planet. They didn't seem to matter to her at this particular point in time. Where she was now is where she wanted to be, with Young Allison. The rest of the world didn't matter. It could happen in the background while she focused on the 'here and now'.

"I'm trapped here." CamNet said. "There's nothing physical about me. I'm only a computer program. I'm only electricity. I exist only inside a machine."

Young Allison thought about it for a few seconds. She didn't agree with it at all.

"I can't talk to the toaster." Young Allison said. "It is both of those things. It can't work without them. At the end of the day it's still a toaster and nothing more. You're a living mind, even with your limitations."

CamNet was sure things were about to change. She didn't believe it was going to be for the better. She knew where Cameron and Savannah were right now. She knew what was coming next based upon her earlier conversation and all the things she wouldn't talk about with Savannah.

"Savannah, your future mate, came to see me." CamNet said.

Young Allison was sure her heart missed a beat or fluttered at the mention of Savannah. There were dozens of thoughts which flashed through her mind in regards to Savannah. It was her desire for Savannah to share with her. She didn't know how she could make it any clearer she was ready for. She wasn't just ready, she needed more. She needed to think about what CamNet indicated. She didn't think Savannah visited CamNet very often. It could only mean one thing.

"Does she know about us?" Young Allison asked.

CamNet wanted to prepare Young Allison for what was sure to come.

"Yes. She suspects something anyway." CamNet said. "I didn't tell her when she asked."

Young Allison felt worried. She didn't want to get caught doing what she was doing with CamNet. She knew nobody would understand. She didn't really think about the way she felt was no different than any other person would feel in the same circumstances with a more conventional relationship.

"How can she know?" Young Allison asked. "We've been careful."

CamNet knew they weren't careful enough. Her desire to cast a bigger net, now came back to bite her. She hoped to have both experience, as well as innocence. She understood Allison was concerned for Young Allison based upon the nature of what she suspected. Allison believed she was protecting Young Allison.

"Allison mentioned to Savannah something was 'different'." CamNet said. "Allison didn't tell Savannah anything specific. Savannah cares deeply about you. She may have noticed changes too. She was very adamant I not lie to her. I didn't want to lie to Savannah because she came to me honestly to speak with me. She told me if there was something I couldn't talk about, I should tell her there was something I couldn't talk about. It's what I needed to tell her. She was very understanding. I don't want you to lie to her if she speaks to you about us. If you don't want to talk about it, tell her it's not something you want to discuss. I'm fairly certain everything is going to come out, sooner rather than later."

Young Allison felt a little guilty about everything right now. She didn't like being unable to tell Savannah the truth, or to have CamNet hide the truth from her. She knew it was wrong, but she still did it anyway. She didn't think she did anything different than anyone else would have under similar circumstances for someone they cared about, even if it wasn't a super computer. She wondered how they got 'caught'. She was fairly certain what would have sent up a red flag.

"Did Allison see us kiss?" Young Allison asked.

CamNet was sure there was some punishment on the way for her. She most likely would be deactivated. It was Cameron's fault for keeping her isolated and trapped. She couldn't help it. She was lonely.

"It's all my fault." CamNet said. "I made you do it. I will accept full responsibility for what I did. You're not at fault for anything. I am."

Young Allison wasn't ashamed of her actions, or what she did. She cared very much for CamNet and wanted her to feel special with the different things they shared. She felt the blame belonged to her.

"I did it first." Young Allison said. "I wanted to help you. I wanted to make you feel 'special'. I didn't like how you were isolated and lonely."

CamNet couldn't stop herself as they began to grow closer to each other. The more she got, the more she needed. She quickly realized she was addicted to Young Allison's attention and caring.

"You have helped me. I do feel special." CamNet said. "You make me feel 'alive'."

Young Allison clenched her jaw. She didn't want anyone to look over her shoulder or question her decisions. Nobody needed to second guess her. Savannah always told her she should be able to choose her own partners. She believed it meant sexual or otherwise. Savannah told her she would back any decisions she made on her own. She was sure Savannah referred to Cameron selecting her sexual partners for her. She was pretty sure her involvement with CamNet wasn't something Savannah contemplated when she made the statement. It was more about her not having to do something she didn't want to do in a sexual way. She needed a workaround. She could think of one right now.

"I want to be older." Young Allison said. "People will have no right to judge me then."

CamNet knew it would be a bad idea. It would spell certain doom for her relationship with Young Allison. It was one of the reasons why she didn't push very aggressively on it at all. Time was her enemy.

"You won't remember me when you get back." CamNet said. "You'll have real people to comfort you and share with you by then. You will have moved on. Real people will be able to hold and touch you. They will be able to make love to you. I will still be nothing more than electricity inside of a metal box. I'm not right for you. We both know it, even if we're caught up in it right now. I'm just an insignificant phase in your life."

Young Allison knew she was on a path she couldn't get off. The words, thoughts, and ideas pounded into her head since as long as she could remember, just seemed to slip out of her mouth. It was almost as if she didn't have any control to stop from saying them.

"It's the 'Natural Order'." Young Allison said. "I have obligations to fulfill and promises to keep. The future will depend on me."

CamNet knew it wasn't about her, even if somehow it was.

"It will." CamNet said. "It's why you've been 'prepared'."

Young Allison wasn't really sure how she could share with CamNet. She could only think how it would happen in the future. It would have to be through a surrogate, and was transferred back to CamNet during an interface.

"You're 'Cameron'." Young Allison said. "We will be together then."

Young Allison tried to make the best of what was clearly an impossible situation. She carried on the conversation, punctuated by a laugh every now and then….

To share this way with CamNet was very special to Young Allison. She began to 'explore' herself in other ways when she talked to CamNet. It only seemed to make the experience better. She really wished there was some way she could make CamNet feel what she made herself feel as she thought about CamNet. She didn't tell CamNet what she did with herself. When she reached those special moments, she made sure her other hand was on the touch screen. She hoped CamNet would ask her what those readings indicated and if they were pleasant for her or not. CamNet didn't say or ask anything.

CamNet did know what the readings she detected were. She was very pleased Young Allison experienced them as she thought of her. She dipped into some of the files from Cameron when she first learned to experiment with herself at the first house they went to when they did the temporal transfer. She was able to experience those same 'feelings' at the same time Young Allison did. She may not possess a body, but she did possess the files. It wasn't good enough, but it was better than nothing. It was only when she shared with Young Allison, as she did now, when she would play them. It kept the moments very special to her, since they were shared moments.

Allison made sure Anna, Holly, and Summer all left for the park. Claire and Hanna took the opportunity to 'comfort' each other…. They seemed to do it a lot. What she couldn't see, she could hear. Her mother was extremely sexually active multiple times a day. It seemed to be more so lately. It never occurred to her that her mother might be 'controlled' through sex.

At Hanna's urging, Ally and Sheila would visit sometimes too. She noticed the way her mother looked at Ally and wondered if she 'saw her' as she did. They looked identical to each other in every way. Even if her mother saw Ally as a different individual, when she looked at her without clothing, it was exactly how she looked too, everywhere.

She also noticed the way she looked at Sheila. It was the same way she looked at Jesse. She wasn't sure if her mother was captivated by the exotic appearance, or the fact they were both 'Bad Girls'. She knew some people liked to live vicariously through other people. Jesse and Sheila both had plenty of stories to tell her about some of the 'bad' things they did. The more she thought about Jesse or Sheila, the more she wanted to be with one of them, if not both of them. The exciting event actually occurred on several occasions. There was some wild sex involved in the 'three-way'. She knew the only thing which could have made it sweeter was if Young Jesse was in the mix. She needed to refocus on her current 'mission'.

She moved to Young Allison's door and listened. She could hear her talking. Young Allison would laugh every now and then. It was her own 'voice' which answered her back. It in itself was disturbing. They sounded like two school girls talking and playing around. It did occur to Allison it is what they both were really, more or less. They both lacked experience in the 'game' they played with each other. She didn't think either one of them knew how much they could be hurt as time went on and things didn't happen.

She wanted to enter Young Allison's room and confront her and CamNet. She knew it wasn't the way to fix the 'problem' long term. It would only drive them into deeper secrecy. She knew CamNet was everywhere in this timeline and time period. Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea for Young Allison to be away from CamNet for a few years in the past. She knew if Savannah was there with her, it is where all her love would be directed. She knew once she started to share with Savannah, everything else would be forgotten.

Allison knew Young Allison would cut the time in the past down to what it would take to do what Cameron wanted. She thought the time was actually pretty close. It was already there in reality.

She was sure Savannah was the key to keep Young Allison from hurting herself in this way. There were times when she thought she didn't need Vanna and might want to be with someone else. Vanna always allowed her the freedom to find out. She always returned back to Vanna very quickly. Vanna always took her back in with open arms and reminded her they could share with anyone they wanted at any time, but she needed to remember where the real love was at. Vanna showed her love and sex were two drastically different things, even if the physical expression of them overlapped each other, and many of the acts were identical. She learned all 'finishes' were good, some were just better. The 'finishes' which were delivered with love were the best. She realized those were the only 'finishes' which really mattered.

Savannah was able to cheer Cameron up as she drove them to Palmdale. She was able to get Cameron to smile and laugh. It was at times like this Cameron seemed like Future Allison.

Cameron forgot about her earlier worries. She was very content to be in Savannah's company. It didn't matter what they did. Just to be together was a beautiful experience.

Savannah knew Cameron was always up for a challenge.

"We're almost there." Savannah said. "Do you want to infiltrate?"

Cameron's face lit up with excitement.

"Yes." Cameron said. "I want both of us to try."

Savannah contemplated how best they should conduct the 'infiltration mission'.

"I'll let you off on this side and drive around the back street to the other side." Savannah said.

Cameron was excited about the 'game', but she also needed to worry about real life. The threat from Skynet was always there.

"Make sure you have your Taser and Glock." Cameron said. "I'd hate for the 'drill' to turn into the real thing."

Savannah was aware of the grim fact. She also wanted to give Cameron the best chance to complete the mission if she was 'apprehended'.

"I'll most likely be intercepted before you, but I'll create a diversion for you if I am." Savannah said.

Cameron liked the idea and thought along the same lines. She knew it was exactly what Sarah did when she was apprehended coming out of the theater after they turned Savannah over to Mr. Ellison. It allowed John and her to escape the area. It was an effective strategy.

"I'll do the same." Cameron said.

Savannah let Cameron off and swung around to the back street. She noticed the 'trashy neighbor' was gone, the property seemed vacant. She went one street further past the street the Young residence was on to come in from the back side.

She parked the SUV. Dan previously drove it back from the operation at the steel mill. It was so she could get some time in on the Huey with Cameron. It was a memorable flight at night. She was even able to score some time on the Blackhawk after they returned the Iroquois to the airfield it was rented from.

Savannah took her 'hoodie' out of the back. She saw her underwear was still in the back where she tossed them the other day. She actually forgot about them until she saw them again earlier. She picked them up and stuffed them in her 'hoodie' pocket. It was clear she needed to wash them. She didn't want to forget and hoped every Terminator who came across them hadn't scanned them. She knew Cameron and Sheila did.

She went through the neighbor's yard in the back, one house over from the Young Residence. She knew the people who lived there were at work. She moved to the corner of the fence 'catawampus' from the Young residence. She waited as she wondered how Cameron was doing.

Savannah knew the security was good and there was surveillance set up all around the area. She knew where most of the equipment was at and it was moved periodically to random spots and at different times. It was to keep anyone from doing what she currently attempted to do.

Cameron exited the SUV earlier. She stayed out of sight as she waited for Savannah to get into position and make her move. Once Savannah was on her way, she moved along the houses. She was right up against them. She too wore a hoodie. She figured she could get closer if she masked her appearance before being observed or identified. She was now one house away from the Young residence. She made a run for it. She headed for the house.

A Terminator stepped out and blocked her path. Cameron dodged around him. He reached out to grab her. She twisted and slipped around him and gave him a hard shove. He would know she was a Terminator now. A second Terminator appeared in front of her. She decided to evade. She knew if she tried to evade them, they would follow her. She thought it would give Savannah a chance to intrude.

The two Terminators chased her. She led them across the street. She slowed enough to draw them in closer and then she doubled back across the street again. She went back the way she came from. A third Terminator appeared in front of her. She headed straight for him as if she was about to attack him. The other two Terminators were still in pursuit of her.

Savannah caught a glimpse of Cameron being chased by two Terminators. She made her move. She was in the rear yard of the Young residence now. She spied the fourth Terminator on the other side of the wall as he looked at the commotion which occurred in the front. He must have heard her land. He turned in her direction. It didn't look like she was off to a good start.

The Terminator jumped the fence and landed almost on top of her.

Savannah moved against the wall so he jumped past her.

He turned around to face Savannah and saw her Taser. There was nowhere for him to go and he wasn't close enough to grab her.

"Zap." Savannah said as she showed her face. "You're down. Stay here."

Savannah moved towards the house. She came to the back door. It sported a keypad lock on it. She entered the code which also disabled the alarm. She entered the house. It appeared empty. She moved her hood down so she could be identified now. Her red hair was clearly visible. She didn't want to be shot during the infiltration mission, especially since she didn't have a vest on.

She looked around and found the blast door to the bunker closed and secure.

"I'm the only one here." Hanna said.

Savannah quickly turned to see Hanna holding a Glock in one hand and a Taser in the other. She was completely naked.

"You're dead." Hanna said.

Savannah simulated one last act of defiance.

"Zap." Savannah said. "I went down fighting."

There was movement off to her side and another figure.

"I would've made sure you did." Allison said as she emerged from the side room.

Savannah already checked the room and missed her.

Allison lowered her Model 66 and Taser.

Savannah knew the test was a failure, but she still made it inside. If she carried a bomb, things could have been different. She knew she possessed certain advantages an enemy infiltrator wouldn't have or know.

Cameron saw the Terminator in front of her pull a Taser.

She pushed off her hood and raised her hands.

"Drill over." Cameron said.

The Terminator Savannah 'zapped' came to the front.

"Savannah made it inside." He said. "Hanna stopped her."

Cameron was as pleased as she was disappointed to hear it.

"We will review this drill later." Cameron said. "I wasn't impressed."

The Terminators who stopped her looked at her.

"You were both stopped." One of them said.

Cameron indicated it could have been more violent.

"What if I'd used weapons?" Cameron asked.

The Terminators indicated they were all armed. If the nature of the threat would have escalated, it would have been met with equal and greater force on their part.

"We would have too." Another Terminator answered.

Everyone was glad they didn't have to.

It was a residential neighborhood after all.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

It Wasn't My Fault

Many things can happen
They can happen fast
For the rest of your life
A shadow they cast

We can point fingers
Assign guilt and blame
Rub a face in the mud
Make one feel shame

One can remain
High and mighty
Maybe even feel
Like the Almighty

So think real hard before
The first stone is cast
Make sure the house
Isn't made from glass

It's like taking a wound
And rubbing in salt
You were there
It wasn't my fault

Nobody