Chapter 726

A Few Questions

Cameron and Savannah, along with Cammy, Ally, and Sheila, arrived near San Luis Obispo in the Blackhawk. Gail waited for them in a van.

Savannah was ready to hear some more specifics since they were out of the helicopter and the full team was assembled.

"What information do we have?" Savannah asked.

Cameron received the latest update from CamNet.

"John and John Henry ran down a few leads. CamNet assisted them." Cameron said. "It appears the boxcars may have been unloaded near here the other day. The contents may have been moved into trucks."

Ally waited for a little more information, there was none.

"It's not much to work with." Ally said. "It was a few days ago. They could be in another state by now."

Cameron thought the trucks were a long shot at this point also. The location where the hack was traced back to wasn't. It was a fixed location and it was close to them now. It was a potential target.

"It's a start." Cameron said. "There was also a computer hack traced back to this area. It's more likely related, rather than a coincidence. I want to check out all the leads. We will try to find out what we can."

Cammy hoped there would be a little more information to go with what Cameron provided so far. She thought there was another angle which might play a factor.

"Did CamNet trace any of the cell phone calls or data to this area?" Cammy asked. "If there were a lot of pings, it should set off a red flag."

Cameron was aware there were multiple hits around this area for various different things. One of her major concerns was the nearby nuclear power plant at Serrano Point. She was already inside of it once and prevented a potential disaster. If she wouldn't have acted when she did, it would have been a disaster. She was able to defeat the Terminator involved with the incident.

"Yes. Everything is heavily encrypted and masked with false locations and dummy corporations. It's a real shell game. There may be computers involved where people are unaware they're being used." Cameron said. "It reeks of Skynet. We're also very close to the nuclear power plant. The facility has been an issue several times, both in the past and in the future. Depending upon where the leads go, we may need to infiltrate it again."

Savannah wanted to know what happened to the HK equipment in the boxcars. It seemed to her it should be the immediate concern. Whatever some Grays or a version of Skynet was doing was also important. Some things were more mobile than others.

"What events occurred with the boxcars when they were here?" Savannah asked. "There must have been something. How do we even know they were unloaded here for sure?"

Cameron could only go by the evidence John Henry and CamNet were able to uncover. There seemed to be enough which occurred during the time period the train was stopped. The reason it was stopped indicated it wasn't happenstance as to why it all happened there.

"The train the boxcars were on was to receive helpers to pull the steep grade north out of San Luis Obispo up Cuesta Grade." Cameron said. "The helpers were 'held' in Santa Margarita for two hours, before being released. They then needed to come downhill to assist the train over the grade. It took even more time. It appears Grays, or Skynet itself, caused the delay. It gave them a full three hours to transfer the load to trucks, with plenty of time to spare. It seems there was a contingency plan already in place for the events which actually occurred."

Gail asked the question most of them thought.

"I don't understand why they used boxcars over trucks in the first place." Gail said. "It would seem the trucks have more flexibility."

Savannah wondered about it. Maybe it was all tied to storage. Once the Skynet equipment is built, it needed to be stored in a secure location. Once it reaches a fixed location, it is stuck there. If the location is discovered, it becomes a target. What if there was no fixed location?

"Wait." Savannah said. "At the old helicopter facility we took down, there were trucks full of HK drones being stashed there."

Cameron was very pleased with the outcome of the operation. She wasn't so thrilled about how she needed to arrive there. Being in the back of the truck wasn't so bad. It was when she needed to ride underneath it which bothered her. It left her with a bad hair day. Hair was the hardest thing to get right. The team came out on top. What else mattered?

"Yes." Cameron said. "We confiscated those. It was a very successful operation."

Savannah was sure the answer was right in front of them.

"What if they're storing HK Tracks, or HK drones, around the state, or even the county, in boxcars?" Savannah asked. "If the doors are welded closed, it prevents easy access by hobo's or any of the rail gangs. What's inside becomes a secure storage location, which can always be on the move, or moved to a location where there's a siding, probably with a building associated with it."

Cameron was aware John Henry came to the same conclusion.

"It may be the case. We don't know yet." Cameron said. "Demand for boxcars is very low. Containers or trailers are used on flatcars or container cars now for many things. CamNet has informed me there are thousands of surplus box cars around the nation. There are many places where they are stored by the hundreds. They dismantle some every week. It wouldn't take too much effort for Grays, or Skynet, to pull out a few dozen, or maybe even hundreds, from storage for their own usage. They could conceal what they were doing from the railroad company, who would probably think they were still stored where they were."

Cammy could see how the loads would remain uninspected and undetected as they were moved around.

"It would allow them to be moved from place to place, or where Grays think they may be needed. They would bypass all highway inspections." Cammy said. "If Skynet was involved, it could eliminate the fact the boxcar ever even existed. If the reporting marks are being changed by Grays, or a Terminator, they could assume the identity of phantom equipment, or equipment which may have actually been dismantled and no longer exist, but the records have been changed to indicate it still does. Nobody looks inside boxcars."

Cameron wanted to stress the last part of Cammy's statement.

"Bob's reported they weld the doors shut. They left a booby trap behind for him on one door which wasn't welded closed. It's something we need to think about moving forward. The fact the doors are welded shut prevents anyone from opening them without great effort and tools." Cameron said. "It's not a standard railroad practice. If the welds are broken, it indicates there's been someone snooping around. Normally there's just a removable seal with an identification number stamped on it to show if it's been tampered with and the door opened."

Gail pulled up next to an SUV. It was parked behind a closed strip mall.

"Here's another vehicle I've acquired." Gail said. "A second team can use it."

Savannah looked back at Cameron. She figured Cameron would want it for herself. She knew Cameron didn't like to be a passenger. She liked to be the one in control.

Cameron caught Savannah's glance and understood what she indicated. It was what she wanted to do anyway.

"Savannah and I will take this one." Cameron said.

Cameron and Savannah loaded their weapons and gear into it. She looked at the Metal girls. She wanted to make sure the team was provided with additional flexibility.

"Two of you will need another vehicle." Cameron said. "We can have three teams of two."

Savannah didn't want the teams to be spread too thin. It seemed like there was a lot happening around there. They should play it safe. There were others on the way with John. They were still some time away.

"I'd like to have us with two teams of three." Savannah said. "It will be safer for all of us. John and Bob will be here soon, as well as the three teams of Terminators following them. Everything we do right now should be a recon. The larger group will be able to act on it once they arrive. We won't have to dodge any bullets until we have sufficient personnel to make the enemy dodge the bullets."

Sheila quickly glanced at Savannah with the last part of her statement. It was something she alluded to earlier about how there were better things they could do, other than dodge bullets. She only made the statement because Cameron seemed somewhat irritated they were even there in the first place. She was a little surprised when Savannah winked at her. In response, she moved just right, and a breast popped out of her loose fitting top for Savannah to see. The nipple ring was clearly visible.

Ally caught the exchange between Sheila and Savannah. She didn't think Cameron noticed. She looked at Sheila and frowned. She quickly readjusted Sheila's top so everything was returned to where it should be.

Cameron didn't look happy. She was clearly not pleased John was out in the field again. She knew at some point she would need to divert all their resources and help to safeguard John. Whenever John was out in the field, it ended up putting Savannah in greater danger. It was just that simple. It wasn't the choice she wanted. She needed to follow her directives to make sure John was protected. She couldn't let anything happen to him.

Savannah could see her mention of John being out on an operation upset Cameron. She didn't want there to be a problem or any animosity.

"We will be better able to protect John if we all work together when they arrive." Savannah said. "We need to make sure we don't reduce our force unnecessarily."

Cameron understood the benefit of what Savannah indicated. They shouldn't continue to operate as two separate forces. Everything should be consolidated for the better deployment and use of the available troops. It also might be easier for her to contain John to keep him out of unnecessary danger. It would allow for Savannah to be better protected as they conducted the operation.

"You're right as always, Savannah." Cameron said. "I value your input."

Savannah hoped to establish the timeline so they knew what they could accomplish before John and his teams got there. The mention of the booby trap Bob encountered needed to be factored in.

"How soon until John and the additional Terminators arrive?" Savannah asked.

Cameron knew it would take as long as it did for John to finish his soup and for the rest of the teams which followed them to arrive before they would continue on their way to San Luis Obispo.

"It will be at least two hours." Cameron said. "They're meeting up in Buellton to consolidate their forces."

Savannah thought Buellton sounded like a dot on the map with two street lights and one gas station. It was clearly a small town.

"I saw the name on the map." Savannah said. "What's there?"

Cameron wasn't really sure how much detail she wanted to get into about Buellton. She actually would like to take Savannah there one time.

"There's an older restaurant called Anderson's, they serve various foods there. Their specialty is 'split pea soup'. I went there with John on our honeymoon." Cameron said. "John and Bob are waiting for the three teams of Terminators to catch up to them. He will be able to enjoy some good soup while he waits for the rest of them. It's actually an effective strategy, and an efficient use of time. I'm actually pleased he's waiting for the additional Terminator support before he continues on into the danger zone."

Cameron now began to wonder when the last time Savannah ate was. She didn't see her eat anything since they were together. She knew Savannah missed a lot of meals when she was out with her. Savannah never said a word about it to her. She never said a word about any personal discomfort or needs. She knew it was her fault.

Savannah quickly did the math on the size of the force Cameron indicated they would have available.

"It gives us six vehicles and a lot of firepower." Savannah said. "It's a very sizable force of Terminators in one location. Everyone needs to be mindful of the booby trap Bob encountered inside of the boxcar. If they left one, they will probably leave more at locations where they've been."

Cameron wanted to get started. She looked at the Metal girls.

"We can start our recon." Cameron said. "One of you, come with us."

The four Metal girls all stepped forward. They all wanted to be with Cameron and Savannah.

Savannah didn't want there to be a problem. She made the most logical choice. She didn't want to create any further animosity between Cammy and Cameron.

"Cammy will ride with us." Savannah said. "She'll join up with us in a few minutes."

Ally looked at the other three Metal girls.

"What are we supposed to do next?" Ally asked.

Cameron wasn't sure why Savannah didn't want Cammy to join them right now. She figured there must be a good reason. She wanted the Metal girls to get started.

"Follow up on the information CamNet will provide. We'll meet you there shortly." Cameron said.

Cammy looked disappointed but left with Gail, Ally, and Sheila. She figured there must be something else going on. She wondered if it was about whatever problem Cameron caused for Savannah earlier. It must be something which made Savannah think about her childhood and her loss of loved ones. How could Cameron do it to her?

Cameron and Savannah were alone.

Savannah needed to discuss what happened earlier. It was time.

"I'm ready to talk now." Savannah said.

Cameron suppressed a glitch impulse. She still felt a lot of guilt about what transpired at her base. She thought she could do something which was good and could help others.

"Savannah, I'm deeply sorry…." Cameron said.

Savannah hugged Cameron. She thought long and hard about what she saw in Cameron's menagerie. It wasn't a morgue. None of them were humans. They were all cyborgs.

"Cameron, for better or for worse…. Always remember it." Savannah said. "I'm not angry or upset at you. I want to make it perfectly clear. It was very emotional for me to see my 'dead parents'. It was something which was very unexpected."

It wasn't even something Savannah experienced in a dream. She never pictured her real parents as cyborgs or Terminators. To see them look so young and beautiful was a real surprise. To know there was a 'Neural Interface' as well was even more mind blowing. Cameron went to a lot of trouble to obtain the information. She knew with the 'Neural Interface' there was a 'real' part of her parents there. There was a real part of them which was still 'alive'. It existed, even if it was in electronic form.

Cameron was still deeply troubled by the emotional trauma she inflicted on Savannah. She decided to take care of the problem before it became a bigger one.

"I won't activate them. I'll have their sheaths Resequenced." Cameron said. "I apologize for what I've done to you."

Savannah understood the deeper implications of what Cameron could do with them. She thought it would be best if Cameron didn't act yet. She certainly didn't want to see them 'killed' again.

"Don't do anything with them for now." Savannah said. "I want to think about what I want to do. I do understand your good intentions. It was just a shock to see the dead unexpectedly."

Savannah held Cameron's hand as it glitched.

"I'm sorry." Cameron said again.

Savannah understood Cameron didn't mean to cause any harm or malice with them. If anything, they could be used to 'trade out' for her real parents before they were killed. There was the distinct possibility she could get both of her parents back and not change the timeline. She didn't know if it was a good idea. It was certainly something she was willing to consider. Her parents wouldn't be able to be active in the timeline now, with her. Her parents were designers and innovators. She didn't know if they could even be returned to a further past. Maybe they would need to go into the future. Maybe River's future would be the best one for them. She knew River could understand how important it would be to have her parents alive again, even if they were away from her. Duplicate Vanna was their daughter as well.

"I appreciate what you tried to do. The idea and concept still has a lot of merit." Savannah said. "It was very thoughtful. You just need to understand it caught me by surprise and was very emotional for me."

Cameron still looked very worried.

"I wanted to surprise you." Cameron said.

Cameron knew she didn't like surprises. It appeared Savannah didn't either.

Savannah wasn't sure she could experience a bigger surprise than it if she tried.

"It was a surprise all right." Savannah said. "What will I find under the other sheets?"

Savannah felt Cameron's hand glitch more when she asked about the other covered Terminators.

"I must say it will be more 'surprises'." Cameron said.

Savannah could think of a few of the Resistance personnel, especially from Cameron's future, who perished along the way.

"Are they living or are they dead?" Savannah asked.

Cameron tried not to look at Savannah, she did anyway. She decided to take some additional preemptive action to better protect the Resistance personnel.

"It will be both." Cameron said.

Savannah wondered who all it would entail. She didn't know all of them personally, but she did know of them. It could be Future Derek or Future Kyle. Maybe it was Charlie and his wife. One could even be Future Riley. Would Cameron go so far? Maybe Cameron planned to use the cyborgs to take the place of those who died and rescue them before they died. What would she do with those people? Would they end up at the Resistance base? Would they end up sent into the past somewhere? Maybe it was none of them. It would need to be something she looked into. It appeared whatever was going to happen, hadn't happened yet. It made her wonder what Cameron was waiting for. She obviously possessed all the pieces of the puzzle ready to go. She just hadn't started to put it together yet.

Wait.

Savannah tried to remember if any of the benches were empty. Maybe something was already in play. It was possible whatever Cameron planned to do needed to be done in a certain order. She still thought eight years in the past was too long for Sheila and Cammy to build a few TDE systems. There surely must have been other things they did. She also needed to remember she leaned heavily on Cameron to show her what happened to the other female Terminator chassis. She knew Cameron was very reluctant to do it on several occasions. She 'forced' Cameron's hand. She didn't want to think about any of it right now. She needed to get her head back in the game.

"Have John Henry contact John and his teams and let them know what's happening." Savannah said. "I want to be united with everybody. We all need to be on the same page. I want us all working together and to share the load. We can better coordinate any response from the beginning, if everyone knows what part they will play going into it. I would rather have some type of planning, than each group needing to react to whatever happens in front of them."

Cameron was aware CamNet already acted on Savannah's earlier suggestion. CamNet actually bypassed her. She wouldn't have done it until right now when Savannah made it clear it's what she wanted. CamNet didn't wait for her.

"CamNet has already done it." Cameron said.

Savannah wasn't sure if Cameron actually started on the procedure for CamNet she asked for. She tried to keep her question simple and see what Cameron said.

"How is Fusion - CamNet progressing?" Savannah asked.

Cameron looked quickly over at Savannah. She was surprised it had taken her this long to ask her. She was being updated on a regular basis so she could give Savannah an updated record.

"All the modifications you've requested are being made." Cameron said.

Savannah was pleased Cameron chose to assist her. She didn't think she was going to at first. It would have been a problem because she would have needed to have gone around Cameron, which she would have done. She made a promise to CamNet and she intended to keep it. It was about protecting Young Allison.

"Thank You for everything." Savannah said. "I know you meant well. I think it can still be something positive as you intended. You can see some of the feelings you experience are much like what I experienced, even if the reasons are different."

Cameron was pleased Savannah showed no animosity towards her. She knew it wasn't in Savannah's nature to be cruel or mean. It was why it worried her so much when she thought maybe she triggered those feelings in Savannah against her.

"I know you also mean well with Fusion - CamNet." Cameron said. "I heard everything you said about how I felt trapped in a server. It was all true. It would be a horrible way to terminate, trapped in such a way, with no possibility to escape or even defend yourself."

Cameron felt a human dying from old age in a bed as they wither away was a very indignant death as well. It would be better to die in combat for something in which they believed. What could be a more honorable termination?

Savannah wondered if Cameron used some of the Terminators she brought down and deactivated for her 'parents'. There was some 'poetic justice' to the idea if it were true. She felt better now. It looked like Cameron did too. Since all the 'housekeeping' was out of the way, it was time to find their enemies.

"Let's get Cammy and go hunting." Savannah said.

Cameron tilted her head slightly. She thought Savannah wanted to consolidate all the troops first.

"What about John?" Cameron asked.

Savannah looked over at Cameron with a smile on her face.

"He can finish his soup." Savannah said. "I looked up a review of the location. It indicated there was an 'all you can eat' option. He might as well get his money's worth."

Cameron's head tilted slightly to the other side. She was unsure if Savannah was serious or joking. Either way, it was an effective strategy.

Earlier:

John enjoyed the ride up along the coast after Santa Barbara on the 101. Bob pointed out the giant railroad trestle at Gaviota as they cut inland to go around Vandenberg AFB. He noted it was an impressively large and long trestle. They were in Buellton a short time later.

Anderson's was just like he remembered it. He looked at the outside of the building and the interior as well. He figured probably not too much changed in the last fifty years at the location. It was beside the point. The split pea soup was the best. He decided to get the 'all you can eat option'. It was only a few dollars more.

John was almost finished with his split pea soup. It was his fourth bowl.

"How long until the Terminator teams arrive?" John asked.

Bob was in constant communication with them as well as John Henry, and even CamNet from time to time.

"It will be about ten minutes." Bob said.

John wiped half a piece of pumpernickel bread around the inside of his nearly empty bowl. He really liked the combination of flavors it would produce.

"It's perfect timing." John said as he put the now soggy piece of bread into his mouth.

John received an update directly from John Henry.

"John, there has been a new development." John Henry said.

John wondered what went wrong now.

"Spill it." John said. "Let's just get it over with. Tell me what the bad news is."

John Henry didn't think it was a bad development for John.

"It may be news, I don't think it's bad news." John Henry said. "Cameron will meet up with your teams in San Luis Obispo."

John was instantly irritated with the bit of information. He wondered how it was going to delay things going forward. He looked a little disgusted as he spoke with Bob.

"OK, how long will it take her to get there?" John asked.

John Henry figured John was in for a little surprise.

"She's already there." John Henry said. "She's in the San Luis Obispo area."

It was a surprise to John. It certainly wasn't the answer he expected. He wondered if it was where she was earlier when she was 'busy'.

"She's there now?" John asked. "Who's she with?"

John Henry only received the information a short time ago from CamNet.

"Cameron is with Cammy, Ally, Sheila, Gail, and Savannah." John Henry said.

John figured it was why he hadn't heard from Cameron already about him being out in the field. She was going to wait till she was face to face with him and berate him in front of the troops. He wasn't sure how Cameron was always able to stay one or two steps ahead of him and remain undetected while she did it. It was probably one of the reasons she could operate so successfully against the various groups associated with Skynet.

"It looks like our 'fast one' was topped by a 'faster one'." John said.

John Henry wondered what John's course of action would be since Cameron upstaged him.

"Apparently…." John Henry said. "CamNet just informed me. She wanted you to finish your meal undisturbed. I may have released the information a few minutes too early. What's next?"

John figured it was just like Cameron to pull something like this. He silently shook his head from side to side. He looked back at the food in front of him on the table.

"I'm going to finish my chocolate malt and pumpernickel bread." John said. "I'll then meet up with the teams of Terminators on their way here to reinforce us. After we form up, we'll convoy the rest of the way."

John Henry felt he was just a cog in the wheel.

"I'll inform Cameron." John Henry said.

John laughed slightly to himself.

"I'm sure she already knows." John said.

John Henry hoped the next time he talked to John, he would be able to provide him with some usable information.

"I think it's more than likely." John Henry said. "I'll stay in touch."

John looked at what was left of his malt.

"You heard everything, right?" John asked as he glanced at Bob.

Bob heard everything. He sat right across from John after all.

"Affirmative…." Bob said.

John smiled. He finished up his malt and pumpernickel bread. He then used the restroom. All of his personal business was taken care of. Everything was peaceful on the drive up and for most of the meal. It wasn't so much now. He did wonder how much Cameron already knew. If she was already there, and allowed him to continue up without any negative interaction, maybe it wasn't a big deal at all. He didn't think she would risk his life.

Bob and John then headed outside to wait. They didn't have long. The reinforcements arrived less than thirty seconds later.

"Here they come now." Bob said.

John was in no hurry at this point but he was ready to go.

"Let's roll." John said.

John wondered about the timing. It was almost timed for him to finish his meal and take care of 'business'. If they would have arrived earlier, he would have stopped eating and left with them. He wondered if CamNet was responsible for it. There was already a group from the Resistance in San Luis Obispo, there was no need for his teams to hurry.

He was very aware everyone always watched out for him. He was going to mention it to Bob, but then thought twice about it. What was the point? He was merely a spectator in his own life. It seemed it was the way it was ever since his association with Cameron.

Wait.

It was actually pretty much the same his entire life. His mother spent her existence trying to protect him and watching out for him in every way possible.

Riley didn't feel well. She didn't want to say anything and be a problem. It seemed the pain got worse and didn't go away like she hoped. It started to worry her. She thought she better say something.

"Derek, I feel some pain." Riley said.

Derek was contemplating going on a mission with Kyle. There were a lot of cell phone pings to follow up on. Whenever there was a group of them in a certain area, especially by more than one phone, it needed to be investigated. It was suddenly all forgotten with Riley's new revelation.

"Where's it at? What kind?" Derek asked.

Riley really didn't want to seem like a complainer. She now thought she shouldn't have said anything.

"Maybe it was just the baby kicking me again." Riley said.

It seemed a little more serious than it to Derek.

"Let me call Sarah." Derek said.

There was no answer.

Derek tried Kyle.

There was no answer.

"They're not answering." Derek said.

"Try Savannah next." Riley said. "She's carried and delivered two babies."

Derek called Savannah.

"Hello, Derek." Savannah said.

Derek wasn't really sure what to say, other than just say it.

"Hi, Riley wants to ask you a few baby related questions. It's if you aren't busy right now." Derek said. "Sarah's out."

Savannah glanced over at Cameron. There was no negative response.

"We're on an operation. We haven't started yet." Savannah said. "I have some time."

Riley took the phone and asked Savannah some specific questions. Savannah answered them all for her.

"Thanks, Savannah." Riley said.

Savannah knew things were going to pick up. She was going to be unable to talk to Riley soon. She wanted to offer Riley another good alternative for advice. In her opinion it was the best advice.

"I want you to call Claire too and ask her." Savannah said.

Riley didn't know Claire very well. She didn't want to seem like a burden.

"I don't want to intrude." Riley said.

Savannah wanted real help for Riley.

"She has two children. She delivered one for Future Alison as well. She's been in the future too." Savannah said. "She can relate her experiences. We're all on the same team. We all work together and help each other. It will also help Claire to feel more involved with our operations with something she can actually speak from experience. Where's Sarah at?"

Riley hadn't paid much attention to anything recently.

"Thanks. I don't know where Sarah is." Riley said. "Neither Sarah nor Kyle answered."

Savannah felt a little concerned.

"Where's Jan?" Savannah asked.

Riley looked at Derek.

"I don't know." Riley said.

Savannah didn't want to get everyone worried over something which was probably nothing.

"OK, relax and call Claire." Savannah said. "Wait a few minutes, I'll call her first. I'll get everything set up."

They thanked each other and hung up.

Derek could see Riley didn't look as scared.

"Do you feel any better?" Derek asked.

Riley was relieved to know they were common symptoms.

"I do." Riley said. "Savannah experienced these things too. I'm going to speak with Allison's mother as well."

Derek's phone rang, it was Sarah.

"Riley has a few questions for you." Derek said as he handed Riley the phone.

Whenever someone in the Resistance needed help, it always soon arrived.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

She's Lying

It all comes down
To what people say
Have they stayed on the path
Or have they gone astray

Is someone honest
Has the truth been told
Or manipulating a heart
They once controlled

It's wrong to loot another's heart
Lying is worse than stealing
For it's the theft of trust
Concealing while being unfeeling

The accusation has been made
Their cover is blown
When the evidence is there
The answer is already known

It's just that simple
He's lying
Or
She's lying

Nobody