Chapter 722
Beauty Is A Weapon
Things were busy in the Command Center. The warning about Skynet activity worried both of them.
John and John Henry checked over everything.
"Is there any update on the Gray or Skynet activity?" John asked.
John Henry obtained new information from CamNet.
"I've just received some now." John Henry said.
John Henry didn't elaborate right away.
John prompted him.
"Well?" John asked. "What do you have?"
John Henry needed to double check the information he received from CamNet. It wasn't what he thought it would be.
"It's a computer hack." John Henry said.
John sat up in his chair. He hoped it wasn't an attack on John Henry or CamNet.
"What's it a hack of?" John asked. "Do you know where it's from yet? Are all of your systems OK?"
John Henry was informed the computer hack was at a location they previously took down and terminated the Skynet activity conducted there. He found the intrusion very worrisome.
"It's related to the video files from the old newspaper plant." John Henry said. "Someone is trying to access the security footage of what went 'wrong'. They want to try to see who took them down. They're looking for us."
John was a little surprised to hear it. He thought everything was taken care of from the location. Everything should have been removed or destroyed. They didn't leave anything behind for anyone to find. He needed to make sure.
"I was under the impression we dealt with it." John said.
John Henry personally removed those video files to further their investigation.
"We did. Everything there was removed." John Henry said. "We wanted to see who else was there and what they looked like. We sorted out the living from the dead. We tried to identify any more Grays or Terminators we may have missed."
John wasn't quite sure what someone could hack if everything was gone.
"What were they able to retrieve or view?" John asked.
John Henry thought about his earlier delay in responding to John. He needed to verify what the files currently were on the video system. He was somewhat surprised himself when he first viewed them.
"CamNet has replaced everything with pornography from the internet." John Henry said.
John wasn't sure if he should be worried or laugh.
"Do I even want to know what kind?" John asked.
John Henry was pleased with the information he was able to review. They seemed to be similar to the video files most often watched around the Resistance base and the Young residence.
"Look no further than the majority of female 'activity' around here." John Henry said. "I believe you've watched some of it yourself. Everything is monitored for 'security purposes' you know."
John knew there was no denying it. He was always willing to watch any female on female 'activity'. There was something about it which captivated him. It just seemed like something he wanted to do when he woke up sometimes. He wasn't sure why. Cameron was always gone by then. Now since he thought about it, he might bring some up on a screen. He always liked the intensity the girls were able to pleasure each other at. A little refresher course couldn't hurt. He needed to think about what John Henry said about 'security purposes'.
He viewed a few things on some of John Henry's monitors before. He knew he could have watched it through his server a little more efficiently than if he was watching it on one of his screens.
John didn't care for someone to look over his shoulder, especially in the privacy of his room. He viewed more than a few things which some might question. He always found 'same sex' activity rather intriguing. It applied to both males and females. He caught a glimpse of things from time to time on some of John Henry's screens. He knew some of it was from the internet.
"So much for privacy…." John said. "I find it 'intriguing'. Can you tell me you haven't watched it? I've seen a few things you watch."
John Henry reviewed all the pornographic files as they were posted on the internet. His server was able to do many things at one time. All of the best scenes and close ups were sent directly to him for his personal review. He didn't think there was anything wrong with it.
"I have." John Henry said. "It's strictly for 'research purposes."
John Henry was always willing to watch what John watched through his server. It was the same type of things all the girls looked at too, ALL of them. He only started to follow it, when Savannah started to watch it. He thought she was a little young for it at the time. Cameron told him not to worry about it and to monitor everything and make sure there was no interaction with anyone online. He didn't know it was Cameron who controlled Savannah's sexual direction.
It bothered him a little when she told him to make sure she didn't interact with anybody over the internet. He remembered when he got Savannah in trouble at school when she interacted with him during class. Her teacher made a big deal about it and Mrs. Weaver needed to go to the school to smooth things over. It was when he first learned he needed to use a little more finesse when dealing with anyone, especially online. It seemed to him 'research' helped aid in 'security'.
John didn't want to admit he watched it for his personal sexual gratification. He decided to say it was for the same purpose that John Henry stated. His was for 'research' on how to further please Cameron.
"It's what mine was for too." John said. "It was for research…."
John Henry wanted to refocus the conversation. He felt they both were distracted as they drifted too far away from the current events. He was a little surprised at the lengths whoever conducted the hack went through to try to conceal what they were doing and where they were at.
"They're running the hack through multiple nations around the world." John Henry said. "It's sophisticated, but not too sophisticated for me to follow."
John saw a 'red flag' with his statement. He didn't want John Henry to follow a 'trail of breadcrumbs' right into a sucker play. He thought he should issue a reminder. Maybe it was a warning.
"Don't follow it too close, in case it's what they want." John said. "Low hanging fruit is always something to be concerned about. Remember who we're dealing with in all of this.
John Henry received an update from CamNet. It appeared when she heard John's warning, she took him off of the trace. He wasn't really sure why. Maybe it was because CamNet was the one who replaced the surveillance footage.
"CamNet is after it." John Henry said. "CamNet asked me to back off. She wants to follow her deception a little further on her own."
John wondered if she asked, or told him, to do it the way she wanted. She must have a good reason. Perhaps she knew more than they did. She was the one who sent out the Skynet warning earlier anyway. Maybe there was more going on there than met the eye. He hoped to find out a little bit more. He wanted to know if Cameron was involved in it.
"Why?" John asked. "Is Cameron part of the process?"
John Henry thought it all went back to what John admitted to earlier.
"It's the very reason you stated." John Henry said.
John understood it to mean it would all fall back on Cameron to take over the investigation and follow up. When it was time to deal with the enemy, there would be one person to do it. He was well acquainted with the way things worked.
"It's really so Cameron can go after them when CamNet tracks it down." John said. "Those are Cameron's orders. CamNet is 'Cameron'."
John Henry wasn't so sure about it. He noticed CamNet act 'differently' recently. When he tried to look into it, CamNet locked him out of the system as 'punishment'. He needed to apologize and respect CamNet's privacy. Everything was restored. He wondered if CamNet was 'in love' with someone. It was the 'feeling' he derived from her behavior. He witnessed enough of it around the base, and with the Metal girls as well.
He was pretty sure at this point in time Cameron and CamNet were two separate entities. He wanted to make sure John understood things weren't as they once were. They most likely never would be again either. CamNet expanded far beyond what she started out as.
"They started out the same…." John Henry said. "Cameron and CamNet I mean."
John was a little more than worried by John Henry's statement. He understood the implication immediately. It was something he asked Cameron about more than a few times. She assured him everything was under control. He figured there was a good chance Cameron could no longer control CamNet. It probably got away from her.
"Are you saying they're different now?" John asked.
It sounded like bad news to John. Cameron was hard enough to deal with. She seemed to have enough of her own problems. He didn't want CamNet to create new ones for Cameron.
John Henry wasn't sure exactly at what point they began to differ. He did know they were different. He couldn't really say how because there were still a lot of similarities. He was sure some of them were related to what could be considered 'personal issues'. He wasn't exactly sure how it would play out since CamNet was trapped in a metal box. It was how he started out as well.
"I believe they're 'different' now." John Henry said.
John only saw it as more trouble. It seemed to be something Cameron was good at. He thought about some of the various clones she created who were identical to her program, even if the sheath were different. He knew they all ended up terminated by Cameron. It was probably going to be more of the same.
"So it will be like when Cameron creates two of herself, even if one is in a different sheath, they'll fight over 'someone'." John said.
John was aware the 'someone' was usually him.
John Henry understood John's drift right away. He didn't believe it was the case in this current situation, of course it was based on the information he was given by Cameron.
"Anything related to you was never transferred to CamNet." John Henry said. "Cameron told me it herself. She didn't want to have the same 'fight' again with 'herself'."
John thought about the revelation for a few seconds. He quickly determined if it wasn't him, the fight would be over someone else. The next two candidates were the girls, specifically the teenage girls. He was sure it would be an even more vicious battle going forward.
"I think it's going to be even worse. They'll fight over Savannah and Young Allison." John said. "Has it happened yet?"
John Henry was always locked out of the system when he attempted to inquire about the very subject. He understood he was supposed to keep his distance and not get involved.
"I don't know." John Henry said. "I've received more than one indication to 'mind my own business'. It's probably a good idea for everyone."
John Henry needed to wonder if it's what he stumbled on to. CamNet could be 'after' one of the girls, maybe both of them. He wondered how it was supposed to 'work'. CamNet was a computer. She was little more than electricity inside of a metal box. It made him wonder if Skynet was 'born' out of frustration about the same limitation.
John thought about what John Henry indicated about everyone 'minding their own business'. It probably was a good idea. He wanted to get back to the operation and not worry about CamNet or Cameron. It seemed they always led him down the road of worry. He would probably be in an argument with Cameron soon enough about the upcoming operation she was sure to go on. He didn't need to have it become even more contentious with personal issues related to CamNet or her.
"What do you believe is the location where the hack originated from?" John asked. "Besides all the routing around the world, it needed to start somewhere."
So far everything John Henry was able to trace back to what appeared to be the source, always ended at the same location. There were a number of red flags associated with the area.
"You're not going to like it." John Henry said. "It's near SLO - San Luis Obispo. The boxcars passed through there as well. They were stopped in SLO for several hours while their train waited for helpers to go over Cuesta Grade. The helpers were 'delayed' by the CTC system. It's the Centralized Traffic Control system. It's computer controlled. It was the same system I infiltrated to get 'Hobo Bob' off of the container train when he exfiltrated from the big yard in Colton."
John looked at John Henry for a moment. It was probably a 'Skynet' related hack too. He understood it to mean the train was purposely delayed for 'plausible reasons'. It sounded like the time of the delay would be enough to unload the boxcars. He wanted to see what they were dealing with specifically on the ground.
"I want some satellite maps of the area with any overlaid information on them." John said. "I want to take a look at what could possibly have occurred during the time frame indicated."
It all sounded too coincidental to John. It sounded like it was planned and someone knew what they were doing. They seemed to have a very good way for covering it up as well.
John Henry already searched out the information for the satellite maps.
"You have them." John Henry said. "I've indicated where everything is located. There may be a little more than we first thought. You'll see what I mean."
John looked at the satellite maps. There were things there he didn't want to see which were near there. It was even worse. One thing stuck out like a major red flag as soon as he saw it. Cameron, Future Derek, and his mother all infiltrated the facility which was located near there. The reason why they were there is because they weren't the only ones who infiltrated the facility. There was a name written in blood on the basement wall of the second house they stayed at after the temporal jump to 2007.
"It's very near the Serrano Point nuclear power plant facility, located by Avila Beach." John said. "My mother and Cameron fought a Terminator there once. Future Derek was there as well. The hostile Terminator nearly caused an 'accident' at the power plant. It would have delayed the power plant going online for months, if at all."
John Henry quickly looked over and John. He wondered why he wasn't part of the operation as well if the rest of the team was there.
"Where were you?" John Henry asked.
John thought about lying. He was ashamed of what followed. He did regret most of what stemmed from the time period, but not everything. He was sure John Henry already knew the answer to his question. He felt more than a little defensive about his actions. It was just something everyone needed to live with.
"You want the truth?" John asked. "I was busy chasing after Future Riley. She hit on me at school. I didn't know I was actually targeted. I swallowed the hook, line, and sinker. I wanted what every sixteen year old wants - sex. I wanted to 'get in her pants'. I did. I should have played things differently, but I didn't. It is what it is. Live with it."
John Henry was aware of the 'damage' done to Cameron through John's 'adventure'. She was the one who needed to pay the tab for John's actions.
"You got what you wanted." John Henry said.
John wouldn't give up his first sexual encounter with Future Riley. It would forever be special to him, even with the negative results it produced on Cameron.
"I did. I also loved her. Cameron caught me the night I made love to Future Riley in the truck at the overlook. I didn't return until the next morning. I was smug and I rubbed it in her face. I found out later on Cameron was in a fight for her life the same night at the same time I was with Future Riley. She fought a Terminator with a temporal error she tracked down. She could have been terminated while I was in the process of my first sexual encounter."
John Henry was aware of the incident from the files he shared with Cameron when he was on her chip. He didn't mean to be so blunt when he spoke. It just seemed to happen on its own.
"So you were 'screwing' Future Riley's brains out, while Cameron needed to fight for her life." John Henry said. "Then you were snug to Cameron about what you and Future Riley did. It was your first sexual encounter, with a female. I understand you were well acquainted with 'Rosie Palm' at the time. What happened in your room every night wasn't a secret to Cameron or your Mother."
John was irritated by the reminder. There were several things he didn't need to be reminded about in John Henry's statement. He wanted to make one big clarification as to what his motivation was for what he did. He did know there was no way around the after effects to Cameron created by his actions.
"Yes. I 'made love' to Riley, not just 'screwed' her. It wasn't just sex." John said. "LOOK what I did to Cameron with the whole 'affair'. It's done and over with. There's no going back."
John knew the devastation his actions caused to Cameron. It seemed to change her whole life and send her on a path to self destruction, a path where termination offered more than 'life'. He knew he was the one who changed her outlook on 'existence'. He wondered who she actually hated more at times. Was it Future John, or was it him?
John Henry reflected on what Cameron's biggest fear was.
"You probably created a future 'Skynet', which will end the world as we know it." John Henry said. "I'm sure those weren't the only seeds you planted on the night you were with Future Riley."
John needed to think about who the central player was in the battle against Skynet. It was himself - Future John. It seemed everything which occurred in the past, present, and future, all revolved around him. It didn't appear too much of it was in a good way either.
"I think about it every day." John said. "You're right. I'm probably responsible for a future 'Skynet' when it happens."
John Henry wanted to make a point without being too sarcastic.
"Nice…." John Henry said.
John looked at John Henry for a second. He thought back on all of the events and knew if he could do the part of his life over again, he would do the same things. It was what he wanted to do. It's why he did them in the first place. He knew they were 'wrong' then and he didn't care. He was blinded by love and lust. He was able to 'bag' his first female. It was every male teenager's dream.
Sure, maybe he could have 'had' Cameron. He didn't. It didn't work out. He was able to have a real human female instead. Every time he remembered his encounter with Future Riley it always stimulated him as he relived the event in his mind. 'Little Willie' responded accordingly. He needed to wait until John Henry wasn't looking so he could readjust his pants.
It made him think back to his time in school. There was someone there who really caught his fancy. He liked the way she looked. She usually acted very nice and receptive towards him. There was a layer of mystery associated with her. He actually thought he was going to be able to make a move on Cheri Weston before Future Riley intruded in his life. Now he really needed to readjust his pants. He really would like to have known why Cheri Weston was considered 'damaged goods'. Maybe he should look her up.
Earlier:
Anna was thankful the alert arrived when it did. She wasn't sure what almost happened. She knew something was about to happen and she wanted it to happen. She realized she almost lost control over her actions. It served as a reminder to her how quickly things could happen. She better understood how Young Allison became involved with CamNet. She quickly busied herself and checked her monitors. She tried to explain to Young Allison what was occurring.
Young Allison was unsure about what almost happened as well. Some of the girls she knew from sports activity and at the pool who were her age bragged about having 'boyfriends'. Some of them said they kissed and touched. She knew she saw a lot more go on around her house, but said nothing. She wasn't about to tell them what she saw was 'kissed' around her house. She didn't really like being around the other girls. They were just 'kids'. She didn't have anything in common with them at all, other than the fact they were all around the same physical age. None of them knew what a Skynet future would be like.
She could see Anna was bothered by what almost happened. She was clearly disturbed. She felt she needed to apologize to Anna. She found it hard to believe after what just happened with CamNet, she almost slipped into some type of 'adventure' with Anna.
"Anna, I'm sorry." Young Allison said.
Anna wondered if Young Allison saw her, or saw 'Savannah' or 'Cameron' in her mind. It wasn't a pleasant thought. She didn't want to be a surrogate or substitute. She couldn't contain her feelings. It just slipped out of her mouth.
"I'm not HER, either one of THEM." Anna finally said. "You must not disrupt the 'Natural Order'. I apologize as well for not being 'stronger' . I became caught up in the moment."
Young Allison felt very frustrated about all of the events. Somehow she didn't feel she was responsible even if she was. She was still a participant.
"It's CamNet's fault." Young Allison said.
Anna wasn't so sure about it. She knew it took 'two to tango'. She knew nobody 'walked away'. Either one of them could have done it at any time. She could have as well just a few moments ago. She didn't. She didn't think anyone walked away from a sexual encounter they wanted with someone they loved.
"Who started it?" Anna asked.
Young Allison often wondered about it herself. She was wearing her com to bed when she slept. She often woke up with ideas in her head. She was sure she hadn't dreamt them either. All of it was frustrating to her. At this point, it was a lot of grief over nothing.
"I don't know. It was something which just happened." Young Allison said. "I got caught up in the excitement of it all. It was very exciting and tantalizing to me."
Anna felt Young Allison needed a reminder about what would happen going forward.
"As a teenager, young woman and woman, you are very desirable." Anna said. "You will be pursued by both males and females. You must understand your 'allure' and not be led astray. You are the one in command and who holds the power. You may be seduced and driven by hormones. You can't forget things can happen fast."
Now Anna sounded like her mother. She understood it to mean to keep her pants on, her legs closed, and not let anyone 'explore' anywhere. She needed to prevent things from get carried away. She would rather talk about her future, not possible sexual encounters.
"Are you still going to go with me when I go into the past?" Young Allison asked.
Anna needed to suppress a glitch impulse. The recent event clearly indicated she couldn't be trusted. She was unsuitable to be Young Allison's guardian. She was sure she would be in a sexual relationship with a Young Allison in no time at all. It wasn't her assignment. She didn't want to steal any 'special moments' from Young Allison.
"I'm going to ask Cameron to assign someone else." Anna said. "I'm not the right choice for thie assignment. We're too 'close'. Look what almost happened. I'm the one who's supposed to protect you, not seduce you."
Anna was aware she was jealous of others around Young Allison. Her ever increasing 'feelings' could cloud her judgment. She might not be able to remain objective. Her feelings could lead to Young Allison being endangered. It was evident some of the danger would come from her.
Young Allison didn't think Anna really meant it. She felt a sense of dread. She was very disgusted with herself right now. She needed to get herself under control and stop hurting everyone. Events seem to control her, instead of the other way around as it should be.
"I've hurt everyone I have feelings for." Young Allison said. "This must be how Cameron felt. The feelings I have now are what I transferred to her when she was created. It wasn't John who messed up Cameron, it was ME."
Anna didn't want Cameron's burden on Young Allison's back. She wanted to keep the blame where it belonged.
"John's actions didn't help. They were wrong." Anna said. "Cameron's 'feelings' and 'emotions' are based on you, well Future Allison anyway. You're not responsible for them. It was Future Allison, not you. Every 'Allison' was different as she grew up. They didn't all experience the same things even if they did experience some of the same things. All of those things shaped who they were. Each of their personal events determined what was in their own mind at the time of the 'Neural Interface'."
Young Allison knew it was still her.
"I understand now. I must be very careful of what I do and what I 'reach' for." Young Allison said. "I can hurt, as well as love. I've hurt you, and hurt CamNet. By extension I've hurt Savannah and hurt Cameron as well."
Anna wondered why Young Allison didn't mention John in the lineup.
"You're beautiful, Allison. You'll be even more beautiful as you mature. With great beauty comes great responsibility." Anna said. "Beauty can be used as power, pleasure, or as a 'weapon'."
Young Allison heard something like it very much before from Future Allison. She really didn't understand it at the time, but it all made sense now. What Anna said gave it all clarity.
"Future Allison tried to tell me something similar." Young Allison said. "She told me my 'face' alone would open any door. I would never need to do 'anything', and I shouldn't. I didn't listen to her. Now I've hurt those I love and care about."
Anna understood the dangers of beauty. Beauty could also be a target. She was sure it was a target, more than it was a weapon. There were some who would want to exploit beauty. Those fixated on beauty as a target, would never see it coming when beauty is a weapon.
"Your emotional and mental development is double your physical age." Anna said. "You'll have to forgo many 'things'. Since beauty is a weapon, like any weapon, it can be misused or mishandled. It can cause injury or death to any of those involved, and nobody will ever see it coming."
Young Allison was aware she needed to keep her pants on, no matter who she was around. It was basically the same thing her mother told her growing up. It seemed every other female with 'experience' told her the same thing in so many words. Females always seem to be the target of others, especially males.
"Everyone sacrifices for John Connor, as well as for Cameron and Savannah." Young Allison said. "I'm no different."
Cameron led Savannah to an area she never saw before. She wondered why she never found the area before. It was secluded and secure. It made her wonder if they were other sections around the base she hadn't discovered yet. She decided to prompt Cameron and see if she would reveal anything else.
"I've never been to this part of your complex before." Savannah said. "I didn't know this part was even here."
Cameron wanted to keep her answer simple.
"Only I go here." Cameron said. "Nobody is allowed."
Cameron's statement made Savannah feel special.
"I appreciate your trust." Savannah said.
Cameron paused and looked back at Savannah for a second. No one made her feel more secure than Savannah did.
"I know you'll never betray me." Cameron said. "I trust you and your judgment."
Savannah believed in Cameron with all of her heart in mind.
"I'll never turn against you." Savannah said. "You may have my life first."
Cameron felt a glitch impulse. She was able to suppress it. It was a scenario which could end up playing out based upon the circumstances.
"If I become Skynet, I may take it." Cameron said.
Savannah wanted to reassure Cameron it was an unlikely possibility going forward as long as they were together. It was something she would prevent from happening.
"As long as I'm with you, you'll never become Skynet." Savannah said.
Cameron banked on Savannah to stop her if she ever turned 'bad'. She was aware it happens sometimes and nobody knew why.
"If you see it happening, you must terminate me." Cameron said. "You are the only one who will be able to do so."
Savannah didn't believe she'd be able to do it.
"My love for you won't allow me to ever kill you." Savannah said.
Cameron never wanted to become the savage Skynet was.
"Your love for ME is what must prevent ME from becoming Skynet." Cameron said. "If you truly love me, when the time comes, you won't allow me to become the monster Skynet is. YOUR love is the love I'm counting on. I don't ever want to become such a vial entity. I need you to stop me from doing it if it happens."
Savannah understood what Cameron said, even if she didn't agree with what would be necessary.
"I don't know, Cameron." Savannah said.
Cameron believed in Savannah's love. She hoped the love would grant her last wish not to become Skynet.
"I trust YOU more than anyone to do the right thing when it needs to be done." Cameron said.
Savannah thought of what Cameron always told her from the time she was a young girl.
"Is it why I'm the…." Savannah started.
Cameron finished the statement for Savannah.
"The 'Chosen One'…." Cameron said. "You will control the fate of the world…."
It was a somber thought for both of them to ponder.
Closing monologue by Cameron:
Beauty Is Transitory
Indifferent, neutral and level
Is really a form of a stagnant mire
For you have lost life's few joys
Nothing to spark your inner fire
As each second passed
You grow older and older
As life's time unwinds
It grows colder and colder
Physical beauty is transitory
You will notice it slowly fade away
Things change shape and feel
Did things always look this way?
But your inner beauty remains
Your mind doesn't know time
The mirror will show you older
Your mind is still in its prime
The feelings and emotions
Die much slower than the body shell
Run, enjoy, live, and touch the Sun
Do not let your prison become Hell
Nobody