Chapter 716
I Want This Fixed
John Henry didn't like getting played. Someone pulled a fast one and slipped it by him. He wasn't as upset as he would have been since he knew they slipped it by CamNet too. It seemed to him as if CamNet was totally distracted sometimes and didn't even communicate back to him for hours at a time, usually at night. It seemed to be after Young Allison logged off and went to bed. He would've thought CamNet would be operating at its full potential. There shouldn't have been any distractions then. Maybe CamNet was catching up on everything after her interface with Young Allison and Anna was over.
He concentrated his search on the rail yards the boxcars were switched at, especially from the two different railroads involved. He was sure the transfer of the boxcars between the two different railroads was done intentionally to create additional interference in their movement. They both could have stayed with the same rail line. Their movement through Arizona would have been at different locations, even if they were parallel by a couple of hundred miles. He finally got a hit.
"I think I have something." John Henry said.
John hoped so. He really wanted to know where those boxcars went. He was still very concerned as to what they would actually find once they were located. They would need to be searched at this point to determine what was in them, if anything.
"What is it?" John asked. "Did you locate the boxcars?"
John Henry went over the GPS information in detail. He knew it wasn't what John wanted specifically. It was however a lead as to what actually occurred with the trackers.
"It looks like the trackers were removed in Barstow." John Henry said.
The information still didn't tell John very much. The trackers were one thing, the boxcars were another. He was very concerned with the load they carried. It was a very deadly cargo on several accounts.
"OK." John said. "Where are the boxcars?"
John Henry went over the data. It didn't look like there was any easy answer.
"They may have been split up." John Henry said. "There are multiple choices available for the direction of travel, as well as the destination."
John looked at an image of a satellite map John Henry put up before him.
"What are our choices from Barstow?" John asked. "It looks like there are four of them."
John Henry looked at more information than John could see with his map. He knew the choices kept expanding the further they got out of Barstow.
"If they go northwest, they go back up the Central Valley. They could be sent out in the yard in Mojave and switched to another rail line. They could go south through Cajon Pass and end up in Colton." John Henry said. "If they go to the Colton area. From Colton they can go two directions. If they go west, they go to Los Angeles. If they go east, they go along the border to southern Arizona. If they go northeast from Barstow they go to Las Vegas or beyond. If they actually went east, then they'd pass through where we're looking now in northern Arizona."
John Henry expanded John's satellite map image.
John was very upset with what he viewed. He began to understand what type of operation they actually faced. There were multiple routes available.
"It is at least five different directions they could go, with numerous variations." John said. "So it's a shell game, and we lost them."
John Henry wasn't about to give up so easily. The boxcars physically needed to be somewhere. It's possible the trackers may have been switched more than one time in any of the yards where a train stopped. It was possible the boxcars were halfway across the nation. Maybe they didn't actually go very far at all.
"For now we may have lost track." John Henry said. "I'll find them."
John wanted to know what other resources they could use.
"Can the satellite make more passes over those areas?" John asked.
John Henry intended to put the grab on every satellite from any nation if he needed to.
"It's risky to have control for too long." John Henry said. "I'll try to pick up some of the feeds from other nation's satellites. There are scores of them in orbit collecting data, or with the ability to do so."
John was a little surprised to hear it. It sounded like a lot of work to pull it off.
"Can you do it?" John asked. "You know what I mean. We don't want to raise anyone's eyebrows as to what we're doing or what's going on. We don't need anyone else trying to spy on us."
John Henry would need the assistance of CamNet to do it. She was in every system on the planet with internet access. It didn't matter what pathetic firewalls were put up. The only encryption they couldn't break was the one River created for their TDE at the Resistance base.
"Yes, CamNet has control of everything in orbit." John Henry said. "It will limit the space launched weapons as well in the future. She'll be able to shut the systems down or destroy them in space. They can even be redeployed for targets of her choosing."
John was a little worried about the last part of his statement. He was worried about Cameron with four old Nike warheads he knew about. CamNet would be able to deploy hundreds of warheads anywhere on the globe. He wondered what CamNet couldn't take charge of.
"It's a lot of control." John said. "It's a lot of power with no oversight involved."
John Henry believed it was all a matter of perspective. It made a big difference whose finger was on the button, so to speak. He knew it would all be done electronically. He would rather see the ball in their court than in the enemies.
"It's better it is CamNet than Skynet." John Henry said.
John wondered at one point there would be no distinction between the two. He wasn't sure how difficult or easy it would be for the lines to blur. No doubt outside factors could influence either one. He was sure it would be easy for CamNet to stray.
'It might only be until one becomes the other.' John thought.
John was aware John Henry or CamNet could become 'Skynet' at any time if they wanted to. He was sure Savannah could stop either one from ever doing it. At least he hoped Savannah could stop them. He really didn't know. If it was one of the reasons Cameron referred to Savannah as the 'Chosen One'. Then it was aptly named. From his observation he knew no one could exert more influence on Cameron than Savannah. He hoped it would carry over to John Henry and CamNet as well.
He knew Cameron was really referring to something else. Maybe it meant more things than one. Maybe Young Allison could stop them too. He didn't ever think Savannah could 'go bad'. He didn't know enough about Young Allison, other than she was heavily under the influence of Cameron and the other Terminators, ever since she was a small child. She wasn't small anymore, anywhere.
At this time, no one realized there was another.
Young Allison tried to continue her conversation with CamNet. The interruption earlier disrupted her. She wasn't 'finished' yet. It left her with a very dissatisfied feeling. It was something she seldom experienced.
A soft knock came at Young Allison's bedroom door.
Young Allison stashed her tablet under the pillow.
"Come in." Young Allison said.
Savannah walked in.
Young Allison rushed over to give her a hug. She hoped to control the 'narrative'.
Savannah sidestepped and avoided the hug. It was time to play hardball.
"I already know the drill." Savannah said. "Offer the target what they want to lure them away, or to get closer to make the kill."
Young Allison didn't say anything. She didn't want to give up any information.
It was clear Savannah was there for another reason.
"You know why I'm here." Savannah said.
Savannah looked around and then lifted the pillow. She knew what she was looking for. She was a little disgusted when she found it, especially because of its location.
The tablet was blank. She wasn't in the mood for games.
"Show yourself." Savannah said. "NOW…."
Two brown eyes appeared on the screen and blinked.
Savannah touched her hand to the screen and a hand appeared below hers.
"Thank You." Savannah said. "I'll speak with you later. I want to talk with 'MY Mate' alone, please."
Savannah was a little surprised at the message. She wasn't sure it was too different from what Young Allison attempted earlier. It was just a different way to do it.
'I will obey.' Appeared on the screen….
Savannah wasn't happy. She didn't want to be rude or mean either. She wanted to be cordial, open and honest with everyone involved in the situation. An aggressive approach would only force everyone inside of themselves instead of cooperating.
"Thank You." Savannah said. "Good night."
The tablet went blank.
Young Allison stood there next to her bed and watched Savannah. It was clear she expected there to be some type of 'punishment'. She did know what happened when someone did the wrong thing in front of someone more 'powerful' than them. It didn't need to be in a physical sense either.
Savannah wasn't going to yell at Young Allison. It's not how she wanted to deal with it. She wanted to talk it out honestly. She wanted to work through the problems, not create them. She wanted cooperation and reciprocation.
"Allison, can we talk about it?" Savannah asked. "It is something very important to all of us, especially you."
Young Allison nodded her head up and down. She still didn't say anything. She knew she was caught up in a situation she couldn't control. It actually seemed to control her.
Savannah sat down on the bench stool which faced Allison's dresser mirror.
"Sit." Savannah said as she indicated the spot next to her.
Young Allison swallowed hard. She didn't know what to expect.
"Are you going to be angry at me?" Young Allison asked.
Savannah smiled and reached up and touched Young Allison's cheek. She gently pulled her little closer.
"No, I don't ever want to be angry at you, Allison." Savannah said. "I know there are times when it will probably happen. Right now, this isn't one of them. It will solve nothing, and create nothing but pain. There's already enough pain in life."
Savannah kissed Young Allison on the cheek to reassure her.
"I'm here to help you, not hurt you." Savannah said.
Young Allison sat down next to Savannah. They looked at each other in the mirror in front of them. It was just the two of them. They sat for a few moments in silence. It was a way for both of them to look directly at each other, without actually facing each other to do it. It was certainly a different perspective to accomplish the same thing.
Savannah picked up a brush and started to brush Young Allison's hair.
Young Allison could feel the tension build inside of herself. It wasn't how she expected Savannah to treat her after what she did. There were a lot of feelings cascading and colliding in every direction.
"Say it." Young Allison said.
Savannah stopped brushing. She kissed Young Allison on the other cheek and then resumed brushing.
Young Allison could feel the strength, warmness, compassion, and love radiate off of Savannah as she sat next to her and gently brushed her hair.
Savannah paused and looked at Young Allison in the mirror.
"I don't have to say it." Savannah said. "You tell me instead. It's better if you tell me honestly. I'm not here to hurt you. This is where you need to learn if you want to tell the truth and build trust, or turn things in the wrong direction which will only hurt both of us even more as time passes. I don't want to be hurt anymore than you do."
Young Allison felt a sense of relief. Maybe she felt a little trapped with what she did with CamNet. She often felt she didn't have any control over what happened. Now Savannah was at her side and she knew it was who she loved more than anyone. She wanted to be honest with Savannah and she wanted her to trust her.
Young Allison did tell her and she told her everything. She needed to tell someone and she was so relieved it was Savannah - her mate. Savannah was her true love.
Savannah smiled at Young Allison. It was clear Young Allison was in over her head. She didn't want to think she was being manipulated or groomed, but it sure seemed like it. It was in a very unhealthy way for Young Allison and for CamNet.
"We're supposed to share." Savannah said. "We will share everything. OUR lives will be as one."
Young Allison wanted it now. She wanted what Allison and Vanna shared. She knew there was one big obstacle in the way which seemed to be a 'hang up' for everyone except her.
"Everyone thinks I'm too young. Nobody can understand." Young Allison said. "I know I'm often referred to as 'Young Allison', but I'm not young anymore. You know what I mean."
Young Allison knew the term 'Young Allison' was used to differentiate her from Allison the same way the term, Future Allison, was used. Everyone called her Allison to her face. It was her name.
Savannah knew exactly the feelings going through Young Allison's mind and heart. They were the same feelings she went through during the same time period. She felt a little self-conscious to put some restrictions on Young Allison. She was with dozens of females, both human and Terminators, in the present, and in two different futures.
"I can understand, Allison." Savannah said. "You can be friends with CamNet, but you can't be 'lovers'. There's a big difference for multiple reasons."
Young Allison didn't want to say too much, but she thought she needed to say something.
"But we…." Young Allison said and stopped.
Young Allison wanted to say, 'But we love each other.'
Savannah knew the conflicted feelings coursing through Young Allison's mind right now. They were very uncomfortable feelings. She knew them well. She needed to make Young Allison understand there were varying degrees of love and sharing. Vanna was the one who explained it to her when she discussed her multiple sexual encounters, which were voluntary, with females.
"You can be friends with CamNet but you can't be lovers. You can love someone without being 'lovers'." Savannah said. "I went through all this too, Allison. I know all your feelings, wants and desires."
Young Allison personally saw how everyone interacted with Savannah. She knew everyone wanted to be with Savannah, including her mother. She was a little jealous her mother was able to share with Savannah and she wasn't. She hadn't been able to share with anyone yet, well, except herself.
"But you love Cameron and everyone." Young Allison said. "Everyone loves you."
Savannah wanted to make clear she hadn't lost track of her priorities and what her future and destiny would be.
"It's true." Savannah said. "My true loves are Cameron, John, and You."
Young Allison heard the same thing her entire life. It was drilled into her head. She knew what it was too.
"It's the 'Natural Order'." Young Allison said.
Savannah wanted Young Allison to understand much was available, but there were certain rules and restrictions which needed to be applied.
"You can have many loves and share with many people." Savannah said. "It's how our lives will be. I know you understand what I mean by it. There's nothing wrong with it. You've seen Allison and Future Allison. You've spoken with them and you've heard their stories. I know they've spoken open and honestly with you about all of those things which await you. It's the nature and foundation of their lives. Vanna, Future Savannah, and I all know it. OUR Allison Young will always be our first love. MY Allison Young will be my true love."
Young Allison witnessed most of them in the act of sharing with other females with her own eyes. It included Savannah.
"You…. They're all very promiscuous." Young Allison said. "I know there's a lot of females involved with all of you. You know what I mean."
Savannah knew it was true. She knew she personally was very promiscuous. She honestly didn't think she'd be able to turn down any female who wanted to be with her. She was aware Vanna never did in the future, even when those females were disfigured, or mutilated, or suffered from burns, or other problems. She needed to explain to Young Allison how when people got too 'involved', someone was going to get hurt. It happened more often than not, even if neither person wanted to hurt the other one. It always seemed to happen.
"Your time will come as time passes." Young Allison said. "You're going to hurt CamNet very deeply if you continue like you are and keep doing 'more'. You heard what Allison said. It's not all fun and games. The road of life is very bumpy at times. Emotional wounds can be very deep. In Cameron's case they never heal. The same thing will happen with CamNet. You have to think about how your actions will affect other people."
Young Allison felt fear grip her from inside with what Savannah just said. The last thing she wanted to do was to hurt CamNet. The thought she might do it bothered her greatly.
"I don't want to hurt her." Young Allison said. "I want her to feel 'special'."
Savannah knew it was a touchy subject on what was sure to be shaky ground. She was very aware of the difficulties Cameron went through under similar circumstances. Cameron used to speak to her for hours about it when she was younger. Cameron showed her poems and told her they were her real feelings. Cameron told her they were a window into her soul, if she would actually have one.
"CamNet's a computer." Savannah said. "You know this. She has 'limitations'. Cameron is the one who doesn't. Listen to me and what I'm telling you. If you take CamNet too far, you are going to hurt her and make her feel like Cameron did. You've read Cameron's poems. Is it how you want CamNet to feel? I'll speak with CamNet alone and tell her these same things. I don't want to see her hurt. Most of all I don't want to see you hurt."
Young Allison stood.
Savannah motioned for her to sit on her lap.
Young Allison smiled and sat on Savannah's lap.
"You're a lot bigger than you used to be." Savannah said.
Young Allison looked down at the front of herself.
"But not as big as I will be." Young Allison said.
Savannah's arms gripped Young Allison tightly.
"When you are, you know what awaits you and your future." Savannah said. "WE are the 'Chosen Ones'."
Young Allison could feel her heart pounding. She wanted to turn around and face Savannah. She wanted Savannah to 'take' her.
"We will belong to each other." Young Allison said.
Savannah held Young Allison closer and tighter.
"We already do." Savannah said.
Young Allison was overcome with emotion and feeling.
"For now and forever…." Young Allison said.
Savannah gave Young Allison a reassuring squeeze.
"Forever is a long time." Savannah said.
It was very difficult for Savannah not to take Young Allison a little further. Now would be the perfect moment to start. The only trouble was, it wasn't the perfect moment based upon the circumstances involving everything else. Everything needed to be returned to normal first. She wasn't even sure if there was a 'normal' anymore.
Savannah reported to Cameron. It seemed she needed to get some things straightened out and in order.
"I want this fixed." Savannah said. "OUR Allison belongs to US."
Cameron doubted CamNet would listen to her or respond to her on this subject.
"I'm not sure if I can." Cameron said.
Savannah decided she would have to step up. It was what she thought when she originally spoke to Allison in the backyard about it. She was the one who would have to take control. She was the one who would protect her mate.
"I'll do whatever I have to do, to do it, just as I will for John or you." Savannah said.
Cameron listened to Savannah's words and needed to suppress a glitch impulse. She knew Savannah was willing to die for her, or with her. She didn't believe Savannah's life was worth her life.
"I've seen the lengths you've gone to for me." Cameron said. "It's why you're the 'Chosen One'."
Savannah still wasn't sure what it really meant. Other than sounding fancy, she was still who she was.
"I try to be the best I can be and do what I feel is right." Savannah said. "You've allowed me the freedom to share and experience many things and many others."
Cameron's gaze drifted from Savannah's face to her lower abdomen.
"My only request is the only male to touch you, be John." Cameron said. "I know you still have the freedom to choose otherwise."
The next words slipped out of Savannah's mouth as they always had since she was a young girl.
"I promise Cammy - Cameron." Savannah said. "Sorry. Old habits are hard to break."
Cameron felt responsible for CamNet's actions. Even though she didn't feel directly responsible, it was still her program which initiated and pursued the inappropriate behavior with an inexperienced young female. She knew it wasn't an uncommon experience for predators on the internet. There were plenty of young females, and young males, who were susceptible to manipulation and exploitation by others.
"I need to let Claire know what I've done and what I'm responsible for." Cameron said.
Savannah didn't think Cameron was directly responsible either.
"It's not really your fault." Savannah said.
Cameron knew the finger needed to be pointed at someone.
"It's my program - it is." Cameron said.
Cameron knew she was on the verge of messing up Savannah's and Young Allison's future together before it was even really started. Why did these things always happen? She already watched how things played out before. Throw in a wild card like Future Riley and all bets were off. It seemed what was happening wasn't any different in reality, even if it was in detail.
Cameron wanted to be honest with Claire. She needed to atone for what happened. It was her fault, even if indirectly. There was no easy way to say or do it. She decided to just say it.
"I have very disturbing news about Young Allison." Cameron said.
The slight smile on Claire's face instantly evaporated as soon as Cameron spoke about her daughter.
"Is she OK?" Claire asked.
Cameron felt very uneasy.
"Yes - for now." Cameron said. "She's in a 'relationship'."
A million thoughts flooded through Claire's mind in an instant. She quickly ran the spectrum of all possible candidates and ended on John. She was always worried Young Allison had a case of 'hot pants'. She knew she wanted to get 'popped'. She just didn't think it was going to be this early. She knew it wasn't uncommon.
"What?" Claire asked. "She's still a girl. With who? Was it one of the - girls? Savannah? A cyborg? Oh no, not John, not already! Is she pregnant?"
Cameron pondered those possibilities. Two of them were acceptable to her, the rest were not.
"It was with - me." Cameron said. "Sort of…."
Claire looked at Cameron in disbelief. She hoped Cameron was joking, but somehow she knew she wasn't.
"With - you?" Claire asked. "How? When?"
Cameron wanted to clarify what she knew so far.
"She is involved with a - computer." Cameron said.
Claire was even more confused than ever. Not only was what Cameron said strange, it didn't make any sense either.
"A - computer?" Claire asked. "Not a person or even a cyborg? You said you were…."
It was very real to Cameron.
"It's CamNet." Cameron said. "She's only a computer, a super computer. It is my program. I've done this to her. It's my fault."
Claire felt somewhat relieved Young Allison hadn't been 'busted'. It seemed it was going to happen soon enough anyway. She actually hoped Savannah would step in before it occurred to help prevent it or delay it as long as possible. She knew sex with a male left a lot to be desired.
"It's just a computer?" Claire asked. "It's nothing physical - right?"
Cameron knew emotional trauma was bad enough. It didn't have to be physical.
"No." Cameron said. "I'm sorry about this."
Claire was somewhat relieved at the nature of the 'relationship'. She figured it could have been a lot worse. It was probably still yet to come. She knew Young Allison's advanced intelligence and education level must have played a factor.
"It's because she has nothing in common with other girls her age." Claire said. "They're all just girls and Young Allison isn't. She's at a much further stage of educational and emotional development. She's like a twenty something. She wants those same things too. I can actually understand it, even if I don't agree or like it."
Cameron felt a glitch impulse. She figured it was one more thing which could be blamed for.
"It's my fault as well." Cameron said. "I've done this to her by trying to 'help' her."
Cameron tried to explain everything the best she could and offer ways to fix it.
Claire listened and now thought if Young Allison was in the past for a few years, she would be out of this environment. Things would be different when she returned. She would learn new things and 'experience' others. She hoped they would be human, but she knew a Terminator was always an option. Cameron promised Young Allison would have free choice in all 'personal matters'.
Young Allison wasn't the only one she was worried about. It was time to make some life choices.
"How's Allison?" Claire asked. "Tell me straight."
Cameron's face remained without expression. She suppressed another glitch in pulse.
"She will lose the baby." Cameron said.
Claire swallowed hard. It was tough news, but not unexpected. It was the same thing which happened every time Allison tried.
"When?" Claire asked.
Cameron couldn't give an exact time frame.
"Soon." Cameron said.
Claire knew it was time to act.
"I'm ready to go." Claire said.
Cameron hoped to push her agenda.
"Young Allison?" Cameron asked.
Claire wanted to protect her daughter.
"If she still wants get a little older in the past, I'll allow it." Claire said. "It must be her choice. After I have Allison's baby, I'm returning to the past to be with her."
Cameron felt another glitch impulse. She didn't want Claire to burn up her years of productivity needlessly.
"You will age even more years." Cameron said.
Claire felt a responsibility to her daughter. She wasn't there for Allison. She was painfully aware of what happened to Allison and what she went through. She wanted to be there for Young Allison.
"I don't care." Claire said. "She'll need her mother for those years. I won't be dead this time."
Cameron wanted to remind Claire there would be others. Young Allison wouldn't be alone.
"Anna will be by her side as will I." Cameron said.
Something triggered in Claire's mind when Cameron mentioned Anna. She would have liked to think it was because she was observant but it wasn't. It was part of her nature to check out all females or cyborgs who looked like females. It was something she couldn't help but do. The female body intrigued and excited her. It was what she was comfortable with. She was never comfortable with a male. It just never felt right to her.
"I've noticed Anna has 'changed' slightly." Claire said.
Cameron was pleased with the Resequencing process.
"She's started Resequencing to a slightly younger age appearance to better blend in with Young Allison." Cameron said. "She will remain the same height, but her sheath will have a slight reduction in Savannah's female attributes."
Claire's right hand moved up to her cheek. She thought about what Cameron just said. She couldn't imagine a female giving up what distinguished her as an attractive female.
"You're taking her breasts and figure away?" Claire asked.
Cameron didn't plan to go so far back. She still toyed with the idea for herself. She was sure it would please John. She would stop her age regression in a few years of linear time.
"No. Her body parts will just digress to a slightly more youthful appearance." Cameron said. "I may do the same and pose as Young Allison's year older sister as well."
Claire immediately looked at Cameron's breasts. She resisted the urge to ask to touch them.
"Have you started?" Claire asked.
"No, I wanted to wait to see how Anna turned out first." Cameron said. "It's a big step to take. I know she's unhappy with it."
Claire reached up and touched her breasts.
"It would be traumatic." Claire said. "I would never want to give these up or have them smaller."
Cameron wondered if she should listen to Anna a little closer about her 'complaints'. Anna all but begged her not to make her regress very far.
She knew her appearance was important to John. It was important to her because of it. She understood the trauma of being damaged, or anything not being the same. Anna ran her program so she knew what everything was like. What she initiated was something different.
"It is." Cameron said. "It's very traumatic."
Cameron felt a light twinge in her left hand. She thought about the damage done to her breasts over the years. She thought of the times when things seemed unfixable and she would never allow John to see her damaged like she was. Not when there were others who could take her place and provide John with what he needed. She knew John's love was very much based on physical contact, in a specific area.
She was aware they were able to fix her physical damage. She was also aware they never were able to 'fix' her mental or emotional damage. She honestly didn't believe it was fixable. She was sure if it was, it would have happened by now. It hadn't.
Cameron didn't want Claire to worry.
"I'll fix it." Cameron said.
Closing monologue by Cameron:
I'll Fix It
When one looks
They may not always see
Forcing the other now hurting
To turn up the heat another degree
Any fire we start
May soon burn for another
What we so wanted
Ourselves we do smother
I feel the pain
As you slap my face
I fall to last place
I feel the disgrace
It is my being
You now watch erode
As you gaze uncaring
From your new abode
It's your poor choice
That I grudgingly permit
With a little more time
I'll fix it
Nobody