Chapter 721

Electric Sphere

Young Allison worried about the repercussions of her action and how they may now have 'hurt' others. Life could get complicated very fast. It seemed where there was 'pleasure', there was also 'pain'. Savannah spoke with her honestly and openly about things like it. She told her how complicated things could get and they happened fast. She also reminded her of the 'Natural Order'. She said it would all happen in time.

Time seemed to be the issue. Time went by so fast, but yet so slow. Time was constant. It was the perception of events around it which varied. She read a house fly perceived time differently than humans did. It was why it was able to fly away before someone could swat it. To the fly, humans 'appeared' to move in slow motion. Time was still time for both of them.

Time as a measurement all seemed to happen in one's head. Perhaps time didn't matter. It was events which did. With the ability to use a TDE, time was irrelevant. Time was only something which drained away the lifespan of a human, or any other organic creature. Was it the effects of a meteorite impact, or a 'super volcano' which terminated the large dinosaurs, or was it time? One Terminator was in standby for half of a century so it could complete its mission on time. Time didn't matter to everything, even if it did.

Anna was well aware of everything at this point. She watched Young Allison very closely now. She could see Young Allison wasn't her usual self. She didn't know if she could soothe her. She didn't know if she should soothe her or not. Maybe now wasn't the right time. Young Allison was vulnerable right now. She felt she needed to do something.

"Allison, you seem a little down." Anna said.

Young Allison felt more 'guilty' than anything, especially with some of the events which transpired. She hoped they wouldn't get into any of those.

"I am." Young Allison said. "There's a lot on my mind."

Anna wanted to help. She knew sometimes humans liked to talk about things. She knew it wasn't just humans either. Since she ran Cameron's program, there was plenty Cameron wanted to 'talk' about. She was able to do it through her rhythmic short stories, her poems. Maybe she didn't 'talk' to another individual directly, she still said things she needed to say.

"Can we talk about it?" Anna asked. "It can help sometimes."

Young Allison felt she needed to take responsibility for her actions. She was a willing participant. She could have 'walked' away. She didn't. She always came back for more. The 'contact' made her feel good inside. It excited her. It sexually stimulated her. It made her touch herself more at night. It seemed the more stimulation she did, the more she wanted. It was like a drug.

She quickly realized she was no different from Allison or her Mother. Based on her personal observations, it seemed neither one of them could ever 'get enough'. She understood how things could get away from someone. It became something more than what one wanted. It became something one needed. It was like an addiction.

"I did something wrong." Young Allison said. "I still did it anyway, even though I knew it was wrong."

Young Allison knew it was 'wrong', but when she did it, it felt 'right'. It was just something she needed to do. She wondered who was the one who got to say what was right and what was wrong. Not everything done the same way could always be considered right or wrong. It really seemed to depend upon the circumstances.

Anna wanted to know about the motivation. She knew humans were afflicted with many flaws. It seemed cyborgs patterned after humans suffered from many of those too. The use of the 'Neural Interface' only seemed to heighten those flaws. Sheila was a perfect example of extreme behavior, both sexually and aggressively. She decided it was best not to think about such things. She didn't want to have to address her flaws. Anyone who thought they were flawless, was flawed.

Cameron removed much of her interaction with John from her program when it was copied. There were certain things she did leave. One of the things Young Allison just said, was very much like what John said to Cameron one time. It was when she was on his bed next to him. She tried to have a frank and realistic discussion about Riley and how she was in danger because of them. He said even though everyone thought it was a bad idea, he was still going to do it anyway.

The concepts of right and wrong weren't always black and white. There seemed to be a lot of gray area between them where most things actually occurred.

"Did your heart tell you it was wrong?" Anna asked.

Young Allison realized Anna was aware of what she did. It made her wonder why she didn't say anything or intervene.

"You knew?" Young Allison asked.

Anna nodded. She knew some of it anyway. She listened outside of Young Allison's bedroom door at night when she was supposed to be asleep. It was clear she wasn't asleep. She was in a conversation with CamNet. She also was involved with a lot of self sexual gratification.

"I did." Anna said.

Young Allison wanted some advice. She knew she needed to put the brakes on, even if it wasn't what she actually desired.

"What should I do?" Young Allison asked.

Anna believed Young Allison already knew. It was what she should have done in the first place, even if she didn't.

"You should do what you know is the 'right thing'." Anna said.

Young Allison was worried about what Savannah knew and thought of her actions.

"I promised Savannah." Young Allison said.

Anna wanted Young Allison to make her own choice.

"Is it the 'right thing'?" Anna asked.

Young Allison didn't want her personal choices to afflict others, or cause them grief. It seemed as if they did. She saw it seemed to be the case with everyone to some extent about everything, at some point in time.

"It is." Young Allison said. "I don't want to hurt Savannah or anyone."

Anna wasn't sure Young Allison thought her decision through.

"Do you want to hurt CamNet?" Anna asked.

Young Allison clenched her jaw some. It was the last thing on Earth she wanted to do. What she tried to do was just the opposite. She wanted to help CamNet. Things just escalated rapidly and she was caught up in them.

"I'd rather die first." Young Allison said. "I'd never hurt her on purpose."

Anna pointed out something from her 'Savannah files'. She noticed Savannah learned it from Sarah.

"Sometimes when you love someone, you need to let them go." Anna said. "Love is also about sacrifice. Sacrifice is the true test of love."

Young Allison already felt a lot of things. It looked like sacrifice would be added to the list. She just wanted to get away from it all. Maybe it was time to go into the past. Maybe she wanted to run from her problems. Maybe she was about to make them worse, or make even more problems. Maybe she was unsuitable for anyone. She wanted to escape.

"I want to go into the past, now." Young Allison said. "I want YOU to take me there."

Anna wasn't surprised to hear it. It was something which was discussed quite often. It usually wasn't quite as direct.

"It's not time yet." Anna said. "Other events must be in play first."

Young Allison wanted to run now. Why did she need to wait for anything else? What was wrong with right now?

"Why?" Young Allison asked.

Anna was aware of Cameron's timeline. There were certain things she wanted to play out in a certain order.

"Cameron has everything pre planned." Anna said.

Young Allison didn't think it mattered for what she wanted. Why would it?

"I don't care." Young Allison said.

Anna did care. She needed to follow some guidelines.

"I don't think your current train of thought is the right attitude." Anna said. "Until your mother agrees, I can't comply. There are other promises which must be adhered to."

Young Allison wondered about her ability to 'order' a Terminator. It wasn't something she intended to do, yet. She wanted to know what limitations she might face when she did.

"Do you mean you can't, even if I 'order' you to?" Young Allison asked.

Anna was bound by a previous commitment. Certain things needed to play out in a certain order.

"Yes." Anna said. "Cameron's promised your mother she would never 'take' you from her. It would be a grievous disservice to Cameron's integrity if we were to do so. It would surely put Cameron into a very negative state because her word was now meaningless."

Young Allison wanted to go on her own. Nobody would 'take' her. She could go right to the source.

"I'll ask CamNet myself then." Young Allison said. "She can MAKE it happen."

Anna knew it was time for Young Allison to listen to herself and think. Is it how she wanted to do things? Is it how she wanted to be known? She needed to think about others. There was an overall situation which needed to be dealt with. It wasn't just about her.

"It's true, CamNet has the power to control Terminators and they'll follow her directives. She can send an energy bubble to any point in the past or future. There's always the risk of a temporal error too." Anna said. "Is it how you want to use the power Cameron has given you? Is it the 'right thing' to do? Does anyone else besides yourself matter?"

Young Allison felt sick now. She was demanding and abusive. She tried to get her way. She attempted to use all the means available to her. They were all wrong too. She knew it. What was wrong with her? She knew better. She knew right from wrong. She knew her duty. Why were there so many thoughts inside of her head? Why did everything seem to be a jumble and conflict with each other? She realized it was time to 'grow a pair'.

"No. It's not the right thing." Young Allison said. "Everyone matters. With great power comes great responsibility. Thank you for reminding me. It isn't about me, but about protecting the future. It's my function. It is my responsibility. John and the future will depend on me. I need to protect many things."

Anna didn't see any of it as 'new' to Young Allison. It was all right in front of her.

"You knew the answer all along." Anna said. "All you need to do is look within yourself. Everything you need to know and do is already inside of you. It's what your life has been shaped around."

Young Allison only knew the life Cameron planned out for her. She made her promises to Cameron and intended to keep ALL of them. She was unaware of what her own desires and wishes were, and what Cameron 'programmed' into her through 'conditioning' during her sleep. Much of what was in her mind was 'planted' there by Cameron.

"I've seen Allison, Duplicate Allison, and Future Allison." Young Allison said. "Can I ever live up to be the women they are? They're all so beautiful and loved."

Young Allison wondered if she would ever be 'good enough'. It was a fear which plagued her. She knew it was a fear Cameron shared. It never occurred to her she may be the origin of Cameron's fear of being 'not good enough'. Maybe it originated with her. Maybe she picked the feeling up from Cameron.

Anna believed Young Allison was 'in' all of them. In all of the cyborgs who ran Cameron's program.

"Yes. You're the original." Anna said. "You'll be the best 'Allison' of them all. You are Allison Young in any form or variation."

Young Allison knew one 'Allison' stood out above the others.

"Can I be better than Future Allison?" Young Allison asked.

Anna was aware Cameron planned much more for Young Allison.

"Yes. When Cameron returns you from the past, YOU will be the best 'Allison'." Anna said. "You will be the human version of Cameron."

Young Allison doubted she could ever look as good as Cameron. She knew she would never be able to do everything Cameron could do. There was only one thing she knew she could do Cameron couldn't. It was the ability to reproduce. It was the ability to have children and nurse them. It was the miracle to create 'life'. It was something the human body was designed to do.

It was all some very 'heavy' thought. She needed to run through the chain of events again.

"Cameron was created in my image from Future Allison." Young Allison said. "Cameron went back and saved me - Future Allison. She made her a better version of herself than she was when Cameron was created from her. It in turn helped Cameron to be better than she was by doing it. She was able to learn and grow herself."

Anna thought she summed it up nicely.

"You're correct." Anna said.

Young Allison saw it was a vicious circle.

"Now, the 'better' version of Cameron is going to make me 'better' than Future Allison, which in doing so will make Cameron 'better'." Young Allison said.

Anna ran Cameron's program. She knew almost everything Cameron did and planned.

"You're correct." Anna said.

It was all a little mind boggling to Young Allison. It seemed like even more variables than Cameron could control.

"How do we know any of this will happen the way Cameron has planned?" Young Allison asked. "It seems like a million things can go wrong or change beyond our control. There are things which go wrong all the time. Things happen which no one can foresee. There can't be planning for every eventuality."

Anna knew what Cameron thought, even if there was no proof.

"Cameron may have done this before." Anna said. "She doesn't know for sure, but believes she has. You must stick to what is real."

Young Allison drew closer to Anna.

"You're real." Young Allison said.

Anna didn't back away. She loved Young Allison dearly.

"I am." Anna said.

Young Allison drew nearer still to Anna.

Anna still didn't back away. She possessed her own desires as well.

Young Allison held Anna's gaze as she moved closer….

There was a special moment which built between them. It was clear they both wanted more.

Anna's phone buzzed a special tone.

Young Allison and Anna looked at each other….

The 'moment' was lost.

Cameron was finally about to kiss Savannah in a real shared loving mutual kiss. It was something she wanted for years. Something they both wanted. Their lips just started to touch….

Cameron's phone buzzed a special tone.

Savannah and Cameron looked at each other….

The 'moment' was lost.

Cameron couldn't believe it happened again.

"NO. Not now." Cameron said.

Savannah wasn't sure what happened. She knew something must have happened.

"What's wrong?" Savannah asked.

Cameron knew it was her ever present enemy.

"Skynet has been detected, some version of it anyway." Cameron said. "All Terminators have received the alert."

Savannah understood the threat for what it was.

"Do we need to go on 'lock down'?" Savannah asked. "Where is it?"

Savannah moved towards an arms locker. She didn't want to be caught flat footed.

Cameron didn't want to raise undue alarm.

"It isn't an imminent attack." Cameron said. "Not yet."

Savannah didn't want to take any chances. She knew what was important. She knew who was important. She knew where Cameron was at.

"Where are John and Young Allison?" Savannah asked. "Do we need to warn them?"

Cameron received additional information.

"Not at this time. They have Terminators with them." Cameron said. "Only CamNet has detected the activity."

Savannah wasn't as sure as Cameron it was 'Skynet'. She knew CamNet could become 'Skynet'. It's what she wanted to prevent. She knew of Cameron's adverse reaction to various and past 'events' she previously was subjected to. She was afraid CamNet would feel the same way. Maybe this was the first step in such a direction for CamNet. Maybe something 'bad' was going to happen. It was possible CamNet experienced jealousy or was about to have a fit of rage, a temper tantrum. She wanted more information herself.

"Can John Henry verify anything else?" Savannah asked.

Cameron was troubled by Savannah's question. She understood the unspoken implications. It was actually more disturbing than the alert itself was.

"I've received no alert from him." Cameron said. "Let me look into this further."

Savannah was worried. Whatever it was, might be her 'fault'.

She knew she was about to go down a narrow path on shaky ground. It was a path she needed to follow no matter where it led, even if it was to her own termination. So be it. She planned to go down fighting for what was right.

It was possible for anyone to go down the right path and still make all the wrong turns. Not everything would always be as it seemed. Few things played out the way one actually thought they would.

Minutes ago:

John looked over the tracking information on the boxcars. He tried to determine where they were at any time they were stopped, and what was physically around them.

John Henry checked every nation's satellite photos of the areas involved. There were 'spy satellites' in orbit from more than one nation. There are actually quite a few of them. Other satellites could be repurposed to gather the same information as a spy satellite.

"I want to find out where those boxcars were unloaded." John Henry said. "CamNet should be able to assist us."

John wasn't sure of CamNet's global reach.

"Does CamNet have all the information?" John asked.

John Henry wanted to keep the story simple.

"Yes." John Henry said. "A Skynet operative, a Gray named Fisher, installed a Skynet 'roving back door' into defense systems nationwide, which spread worldwide. CamNet detected the 'back door' and took control of it. She encoded it with River's encryption. No one can break the code. CamNet has since become 'invisible' and appears to be 'gone', but is really everywhere."

John Henry's server and phone buzzed a special tone.

John looked at John Henry. He knew trouble when he heard it.

"Is it trouble?" John asked. "What's the problem?"

John Henry understood the threat for what it was.

"CamNet has detected Skynet activity." John Henry said.

John sat up and began to check everything. He hoped Skynet hadn't detected them. He couldn't help but think they were in some type of a 'game' with the two boxcars they were tracking for several days. Bob was just in physical contact with them a few hours ago. Maybe this was the response to their response.

"What's the alert status?" John asked. "Do we need to lock down everything?"

John Henry was a little concerned by the lack of any follow up information. They didn't need to 'jump the gun'. There should be more information available. So far it wasn't.

"Not yet." John Henry said. "This may be nothing more than a Gray trying to do something."

John was more worried about the bigger picture. Their actions may have prompted Skynet to speed up its time table. He only needed to remember there was more than one version out there they dealt with. Cameron destroyed every version they could identify. The heavy action at the old newspaper plant and the old steel mill cost Skynet a lot of valuable resources and personnel. It was clear it still had operatives in the field. Maybe they were closer to Skynet than they knew and it was ready to fight.

"What if it's Skynet trying to take control?" John asked.

John Henry was ready for the initial 'combat' if Skynet tried to make a move. The first battle wouldn't be a physical battle in the normal sense of a battle. It would happen in the cyber world.

"Then CamNet and I will fight it in the 'electric sphere'." John Henry said.

John hadn't heard it put the same way before. He wasn't sure what the 'electric sphere' was, but figured it was the realm where Skynet would try for a power grab. He wondered how often any battles happened behind the scenes. He was worried about three individuals specifically.

"Where are Cameron, Savannah, and Young Allison?" John asked. "I need to make sure they're protected."

John Henry received a response before he could even inquire. It was clear CamNet was on top of everything they did. It was a switch from the way things happened recently. The news was good news anyway.

"Savannah is with Cameron and Young Allison is with Anna." John Henry said. "They're all protected and alerted. They can both be inside of a hardened bunker, if they're not already in one."

John thought about how it was the 'inverse couple' of a Terminator and human together. The 'Natural Order' was always trying to assert itself. He was tired of fighting it. He was ready to bag a couple of virgins. It would be nice to wake up with at least one female in his bed every morning. He could knock one off every night before he went to sleep. He could knock another one off before he got up in the morning. He would really like to retire 'Rosie Palm'. He needed to refocus. There were others he needed to worry about as well.

"What else do we need to do right now?" John asked.

John Henry still hadn't detected anything. He was unsure about the alert. He needed to believe CamNet must have found something. He just didn't know what.

"There's nothing more yet." John Henry said. "We need to wait for CamNet to tell us more. I'm checking everything again myself."

John Henry was sure there should be more information. Where was it?

Savannah questioned the timing of the alert as much as anything.

"Let's go see CamNet." Savannah said.

Cameron tilted her head slightly.

"Why?" Cameron asked.

Savannah hadn't experienced an 'alert' quite like it.

"So we can find out more." Savannah said.

Cameron knew the threat level. It was the first stage alert.

"There is no 'more' yet." Cameron said. "This is a pre 'yellow alert'."

Savannah felt they should do something. Something triggered the alert.

"So what do we need to do now?" Savannah asked.

Cameron knew it was a waiting game.

"There's nothing to do yet." Cameron said. "We've been alerted, but aren't ready for action or an attack."

Savannah was dissatisfied with the answers so far. She wanted to be involved.

"Where and when was this 'activity' detected?" Savannah asked.

It was clear Savannah didn't think the alert was 'real'. Maybe it was because the moment between Cameron and her was 'lost' again. It always seemed something got in the way of their first loving kiss. It always seemed to happen at the last second.

Savannah felt her phone vibrate and looked at it.

The brown eyes looked at her and a single tear slid down on the screen.

Savannah realized CamNet was upset she didn't believe her. It bothered her greatly. Maybe because it was true, she may have let her personal feelings get in the way of 'work'. She needed to worry about people's lives.

Cameron wondered if the phone call would add anything. She hoped there was some new information. She wasn't quite sure why Savannah would be the one to receive it on her phone.

"Who is it?" Cameron asked.

Savannah felt a sense of guilt and pettiness. She didn't want to explain herself, or the response. Now she questioned her own personal actions earlier with Cameron and the fact she doubted CamNet.

"It's personal." Savannah said.

Savannah looked at the security camera.

"I'm sorry." Savannah said.

Cameron thought Savannah was speaking to her. She just told Savannah a short time ago her personal life wouldn't be affected by anything they did going forward. She wanted Savannah to continue all of her personal relationships with the females, even once the 'Natural Order' was established. She believed personal connections were very important. She wanted Savannah to have as many as possible.

"You don't need to be. I want you to have a personal life." Cameron said.

Cameron knew the more choices which were available to Savannah, the more Savannah would never need to feel alone or rejected. She never wanted Savannah to feel like her. It was why she 'opened up the door' for Savannah when Savannah told her she needed someone. She made sure she got someone. She made sure it was everyone. For all practical purposes it really was everyone.

Savannah looked back at Cameron. There was something else which bothered her. It was Cameron's 'collection' of female Terminators. She asked about it previously and was told things weren't ready for any further review or discussion. She didn't believe it. She knew there was something. She wanted to know what it was. She decided to ask again.

"Can I see the female Terminators you've 'collected'?" Savannah asked.

Cameron was aware she may have stepped over the line. She didn't think now was the proper time. She was worried there was going to be some type of negative reaction or backlash. It was bound to be directed at her. She believed she attempted to do something to help the others. There were things which involved more than just Savannah even if some of them were directed specifically at her.

"I'd rather you don't." Cameron said. "I'm working on some things."

Savannah could feel Cameron's hesitation. She still needed to carry out her plans. She personally captured more than a few female Terminators herself. She felt she was entitled to at least one of them since she needed to risk her life to fight them, defeat them, deactivate them, and capture them. She was the one who did it.

"I need one for CamNet. I need a female Terminator chassis." Savannah said. "I intend to keep my promise. I believe I've earned the right to at least one of them for my efforts to assist the Resistance and you personally."

Cameron turned and started to walk away.

Savannah felt her phone vibrate again. She paused and looked at it.

The brown eyes looked at her and one winked. 'Thank You' appeared on the screen.

Cameron glanced back at Savannah. She noticed she was on her phone again. She wanted to ask again, but thought better of it. She felt she was already on shaky enough ground with Savannah as it was. She didn't want to make anything worse. They seemed to have a way to get worse on their own.

"Follow me." Cameron said.

Savannah looked up at Cameron and back to her phone as two hearts appeared on the screen. They slowly overlapped. 'Cupid' appeared and shot an arrow in slow motion. It passed through both hearts and stopped. The arrow bound them together as they overlapped.

She swallowed hard. She was unsure what she got herself into….

Things didn't develop how she imagined they would. No wonder Young Allison was captivated and enticed by this type of activity. This type of communication needed to stop. An emotionally underdeveloped girl being subjected to such attention and behavior couldn't help but be captivated by it. She was sure CamNet initiated it. CamNet may have waited for her to be with Allison, while Young Allison watched, and then made her move. If it was the case, it was cold and calculating. She would have been able to 'offer' Young Allison something, other than the heartache she currently witnessed in front of her own eyes.

She couldn't help but think she was responsible for it then as well. She knew it was wrong to pursue Allison, especially in front of Young Allison. She should have used more tact when she shared with Allison. She knew Young Allison was there, but her desire, lust, and greed drove her to pursue her own sexual conquest. She was sure it would have bothered Young Allison less, if it would have been her Mother she pursued, rather than an older version of Young Allison herself. It was all a very complex, intertwined, and complicated nightmare. It wasn't really a nightmare though. It was more like a dream come true on every level, except for Young Allison. She took her eye off the ball.

It didn't matter what was what. She would protect Young Allison. She would do anything to protect her. She was aware she may have 'sold her soul'. It was time to pay the price and make sure Young Allison was protected from any further 'emotional assaults' and abuse. It was she who needed to deal with CamNet.

As much as she wanted to put all the blame on CamNet, she wasn't sure if she actually could. What would she do if she was lonely and knew what was out there? Her experience in the two futures she visited were proof of what she would do. She pursued every female who would have her in both of the futures.

She also needed to think about something else she did. She did it all in front of Cameron. Cameron was the one she really wanted to be with, just like Young Allison was. She didn't believe her actions spoke very well for her character. If anything, it seemed to speak to the lack of it. It wasn't a good thought no matter how it was looked at. She really didn't think Cameron needed to think so negatively of herself at times. She thought it was something they all needed to do as well.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Sometimes They Go Bad

Has it not been said
About everyone at some point
Sometimes they go bad
Even one our heart will anoint

Many things can occur
Many things go wrong
We can be rejected
Told we don't belong

Things beyond our control
They can happen at any time
If we falter, fail or error
Our own existence we begrime

We have the power
Deep within ourselves to resist
To the one we've hurt
Even if we've never kissed

It's said, love conquers all
Even rejecting one's very nature
When it actually happens
Love is more than nomenclature

Nobody