Chapter 727

All My Fault

Savannah was glad she spoke with Cameron and hopefully cleared everything up. She wanted Cameron to know she wasn't mad or angry at her. It was just an emotional shock to her. It wasn't a Future Shock to her, it was a Past Shock. It took some processing and thought to put it all in perspective. It also allowed her some time to think of some possibilities it opened up. She would need to think about those later. They were about to start an operation.

They were headed to pick up Cammy at the recon location when Savannah received the call from Riley.

Cameron heard Savannah discussing some of the experiences she endured during her two pregnancies. She was with Savannah both times and saw some of the difficulties she needed to go through. It wasn't under the best medical conditions either. They were all very upsetting and disturbing to her. She was surprised Savannah was ready to do it again so quickly. Now she would do it again for Vanna. Savannah never complained, not even once. The pains and problems spoke for themselves, even if Savannah didn't.

Savannah was worried about Riley and her baby. She knew part of what Riley's problem was. A lot of children didn't survive birth. A lot of mothers didn't either. She remembered how worried everyone was in both of the futures she went to. She was young, strong, and healthy. It gave her a big advantage over the other females in both futures she went to. Claire was as well in Cameron's future. Neither one of them were exposed to the toxins, chemicals, nor biological hazards of a Skynet future.

"Do you think Riley is OK?" Savannah asked.

Savannah could tell Cameron seemed even more disturbed than she was.

Cameron decided to take some preemptive action.

"I don't know." Cameron said. "I sent a message for Cam to go and check her over for any underlying problems."

Savannah didn't know how she would be able to help Riley currently. She did tell Riley to speak with Claire. She really did think Claire was the best choice. Claire was involved in some larger support groups when she was pregnant with Young Allison. It wasn't the case with Summer. She wanted to set it up.

"I need to call Claire." Savannah said. "She should be able to answer some of Riley's questions and give her some emotional support if nothing else. I told Riley we were about to start an operation."

Cameron heard everything which they discussed. She thought Savannah's plan was an effective strategy.

"I think it's a good idea." Cameron said.

Savannah dialed the number. Claire answered. After the pleasantries, she asked for her to call Riley and help her with any pregnancy related matters or questions. Just to talk to her as a previous mother to an expectant mother. Riley could use a friendly voice of wisdom.

There was another issue which troubled Savannah. She needed to ask.

"How's Allison?" Savannah asked.

Claire thought about the females in her house. She wondered if Summer was the only one who didn't seem to have any type of problems. She didn't think it was just because she was younger either. Sometimes she wondered if it was because she experienced less exposure to the problems of the future.

"She's feeling depressed." Claire said. "I mean both of them. Something's wrong with Anna as well."

The new revelation wasn't something anyone wanted to hear.

Savannah glanced over at Cameron. She hoped to determine the nature of the problem. She didn't want Anna to become a danger to anyone.

"Is she malfunctioning?" Savannah asked.

Cameron listened to the conversation. This may be a new 'threat'. She knew she was the base program for Anna. It was possible it could explain why Anna was 'defective', if she was. She immediately called Hanna. She wanted her to check Anna out and make sure she didn't try and terminate Young Allison, or anyone else. She told Hanna to deactivate Anna if it was necessary. She figured they could always pull her chip and replace her program with a more stable one from Holly.

Claire's observation was it was nothing mechanical, or cyborg related, as far as she could tell. It seemed to be what human females suffered from. She was down the same path more than a few times.

"I don't think so." Claire said. "I think she's having 'emotional' problems."

Savannah was sure what those would revolve around. It would be Young Allison. It sounded like she was going to need to make another visit there to find out what was actually wrong. She wanted some type of resolution for everyone with the best possible outcome. She knew when someone was upset, it was easy to make the wrong choice.

"We're on an operation now." Savannah said. "I'll come to see all three of them. I'll get everything straightened out for everyone."

Claire believed if anyone could help the girls, it was Savannah.

"I know you'll take care of my Allison, BOTH of them." Claire said.

Savannah just recently experienced a refresher course in what emotional trauma can do to someone. In her case it was related to her family. For the girls at the Young residence, there would be several issues.

"It's all very complicated." Savannah said. "I'll do my best for everyone."

They shared some more small talk and ended the call. Claire said she would call Riley as soon as they hung up.

Savannah noticed Cameron called both Hanna and Holly while she spoke with Claire. She hoped Cameron would be able to give her some additional insight as to what the situation actually was.

"What's the story on Anna?" Savannah asked.

Cameron was very displeased with what she was told.

"Holly and Hanna both said Anna wants to be reassigned." Cameron said. "It's unacceptable."

Savannah hoped they'd be able to get the operation wrapped up relatively quickly. She wanted Cameron to take her to Palmdale. She knew how much Anna's plan to be reassigned would hurt Young Allison. It would hurt Anna as well.

"We'll go and see her, them." Savannah said. "I'll try to fix things."

Cameron felt responsible for the events currently happening related to CamNet. She knew where the finger pointed back to. It pointed back to her.

"This is all my fault." Cameron said.

Savannah just didn't see it the same way. Cameron was no more responsible for what CamNet did, than she was responsible for what Cammy, Cam, or Camille did, or Anna for that matter. She wanted to point out there was a difference in who did what.

"It's more CamNet's fault than your fault. She was the one who was involved directly." Savannah said. "You didn't do anything wrong to anyone."

Cameron wasn't so sure about Savannah's last statement. She thought she was responsible for the trauma she caused Savannah earlier because of what she did. It made her think about the lengths she would go to accomplish something she wanted to do personally for herself. She thought it would be something very much like CamNet did.

She took a moment to look at Savannah. She desperately wanted to be with Savannah. She didn't think she was the only one. She wondered how far CamNet would go to achieve the same goal. It left her with a very uncomfortable feeling the more she thought about it. She wanted to alert Savannah of her suspicions.

"CamNet is my program." Cameron said. "I feel this is all being done so what you're doing now, or planning to do, would happen. I think you're being manipulated. I want to alert you to how low I can go."

When Savannah found out about Young Allison and CamNet. It was her first thought as well. She didn't say anything to Cameron at the time because she didn't want CamNet to get in trouble and be punished by Cameron. She didn't have any proof of it so it was only speculation. It was still the underlying feeling she got out of everything.

"I do too." Savannah said. "I didn't want to mention it. I didn't have any proof. I still don't."

Cameron wasn't sure why Savannah wanted to continue with what she started if she thought it was all a ploy. She should ask to have CamNet deactivated herself. She was going to have to have a stern conversation with CamNet about everything.

"Are you still going to do it?" Cameron asked. "I don't think she should be rewarded for this type of manipulation."

Savannah not only considered the immediate implications, she also considered the long term implications. If she didn't step in at this point, then CamNet would continue to pursue Young Allison instead. Either way, CamNet would be able to 'get' one of 'them' for herself. She actually believed she would be able to have a little more 'influence' over CamNet if she was 'closer' to her.

"I will protect Allison - MY Allison, any way I can." Savannah said. "I won't allow her to be hurt or used. She's everything to me. She's my future. I won't allow anyone to abuse her or mistreat her. She's not a Pawn. I will kill or terminate anyone I need to in order to protect her. I swear it."

Cameron didn't doubt Savannah's resolve in the slightest. What Savannah just described about Young Allison is exactly how Cameron saw what was about to happen to Savannah. She also felt the same way. Someone needed to atone for the illicit actions. It wasn't Savannah, Young Allison, or her.

"Neither are you, you're not a Pawn either." Cameron said. "CamNet will be punished for this. I will go as far as you will."

Savannah personally observed how Skynet reacted in two different timelines when it was faced with defeat. She doubted CamNet would be any different. She didn't want to find out. Punishment wasn't the solution.

"No. I don't want anyone 'punished'." Savannah said. "I don't want anyone 'hurt' further by any of this. I need some time to try and fix all of it and make everyone happy. Please, give me some time to get all things straightened out. I believe I can do it and come to an amicable solution for everyone."

Cameron determined Savannah's love for her would be stronger than any feelings she would develop or any other machine based entity.

"This is why YOU are the 'Chosen One'." Cameron said.

Savannah was always open to a fresh encounter. She didn't like it though when it was a forced encounter. She believed she could turn it to her advantage and be in control of the situation with whoever forced the encounter.

"I understand everything which needs to be done and why." Savannah said. "I don't like it, but I understand it."

Cameron near the location the Metal girls were sent to check on. She spotted their other vehicle, the van, and headed for it.

"There they are." Cameron said.

Earlier:

Gail drove the van to the location given to them by John Henry. They did a 'drive by' one street over from it, but couldn't see much.

Ally wasn't impressed.

"It doesn't look like much." Ally said.

Sheila wanted to point out why.

"It's because we haven't gone in and introduced ourselves yet." Sheila said.

Cammy didn't want them to get ahead of themselves.

"It's just supposed to be a recon for now." Cammy said.

Sheila and Ally looked at each other and laughed.

"We all know it doesn't stay a recon for very long." Sheila said. "I'm ready to go take a look."

Gail didn't want them to create any problems.

"We need to run it by Cameron first." Gail said. "Everyone needs to wait for a few minutes."

Cammy wasn't pleased with the delay. She knew Cameron upset Savannah somehow earlier. It didn't leave her with a good feeling.

"They should be here by now." Cammy said.

Ally didn't want Cammy to get sidetracked.

"Let's keep the focus on the building in front of us." Ally said. "There could be bullets flying in the next few minutes."

Sheila moved to the door of the van.

"I'm ready to find out now." Sheila said. "I'm ready to trade a few of my own in return."

Ally scoffed.

"You just want to get your hands on a live one." Ally said.

Sheila smiled.

"I can assure you they won't be alive for very long." Sheila said. "I like to make them sing."

Cammy didn't want any issues.

"Just wait a few minutes." Cammy said.

Sheila spotted Cameron and Savannah. She looked back at Cammy.

"Here comes your ride, love." Sheila said.

Cammy already saw them.

"It took them long enough." Cammy said.

Ally could sense some discord. She knew Cammy was upset because she couldn't go with them earlier.

"I can go in your place if you want." Ally said.

Cammy looked at Ally and frowned.

"I'll go." Cammy said. "Someone needs to look after Savannah. We all know it won't be Cameron."

Gail was a little upset by the entire encounter. She went up to the San Luis Obispo area earlier because she figured Savannah would end up there sooner or later. She wanted to look after Savannah as well. She felt much the same way Cammy did.

"I want to try to stay close to your team, Cammy." Gail said. "All of us will be better able to protect Savannah. If Cameron and you are going to have some kind of trouble, I can go in your place."

Cammy flashed all of them a smile. She touched Sheila on the arm as she went to get out of the van.

"I've got it." Cammy said as she exited.

Ally didn't care for the way Cammy touched Sheila when she got out.

Cameron pulled up and Cammy got in.

"This location seems inactive." Cammy said. "Sheila and Ally are going to check it out on foot."

Sheila and Ally exited the van.

Cameron thought they should reinforce the operation since Sheila and Ally were out. They were there now so there's no reason why they shouldn't.

"I want Gail to move down to the west side. We will move to the east side." Cameron said.

Savannah wanted to make sure everyone was properly covered.

"Maybe Cammy should stay with Gail as backup." Savannah said. "Or I can. I don't like anyone being alone when there's so many unknowns we're dealing with."

Cameron and Cammy looked at each other. They were both aware Gail was madly in love with Savannah. They were unaware of all the 'interaction' which occurred between them.

Cameron wanted to be responsible for Savannah.

"You'll stay with me, Savannah." Cameron said.

Cammy looked at Savannah and got out. She didn't say anything. It was clear she was unhappy with the decision. She went and rejoined Gail.

Ally and Sheila were already out on foot.

Cameron and Gail drove off to their designated areas.

Everything seemed a little awkward. There was a lot in play and a lot of tension in the air. There was the issue with Riley and the incidents at the Young residence. John being out in the field only seemed to add to it.

It just went to show nothing turned out to be simple when it should be. It seemed everyone was a little unhappy about something. Some were a little more so.

John and Bob were back on the road. They were headed directly for San Luis Obispo. He reflected on the journey so far.

"There's been a lot of open countryside around here since we left Santa Barbara." John said. "The view of the Pacific Ocean was spectacular. I saw four of the Channel Islands."

Bob kept track of the few smaller communities they passed through. He remembered it was where they encountered a hostile Terminator on John's honeymoon. The incident actually happened further up the coast on Route 1. The road was very isolated from everything else.

"We've gone through a few pockets of population." Bob said.

John could see the community they were currently in was rather extensive. It was the largest location since they left the Santa Barbara area. He was a little antsy about when he would need to face Cameron.

"The Pismo Beach area seems the biggest." John said. "How long will it be until we link up with Cameron?"

Bob knew they were close to their destination. He was aware of the current operation in progress.

"It should be just under ten minutes." John Henry said. "I'm in contact with them now. Ally and Sheila are about to search a structure. Cameron and Savannah, along with Gail and Cammy will back them up."

John sat up in his seat. He didn't realize they already started an operation. He wondered how long Cameron and the others were actually there. It made him wonder what else they may have done.

"Do they want us to reinforce them?" John asked.

Bob thought it was a discussion he was best left out of. He was pretty sure how it would go down. He doubted it was going to be pleasant. He felt the best thing was for the General to deal with his troops.

"I'll put you in direct contact with Cameron." John Henry said. "You can discuss it with her."

John frowned when Bob mentioned it. He figured the same thing Bob figured would happen.

Bob made the connection.

Cameron got right down to business. She wasn't pleased John was even there.

"Hi, John, proceed to the secondary target with half of your force, John Henry will fill you in. Send the other two teams to the third target." Cameron said. "We will operate as three teams with two vehicles each from this point on until we come up with a solid target. Everything has been reconnaissance up to this point."

John thought the conversation went a little better than expected. It was still rather curt. He would try to be amicable and deal with Cameron as an equal.

"Hi, Cameron. Do you wish to remain in control of the operation?" John asked. "I mean since you've already started. You've already laid all the groundwork. You were here before the rest of us arrived."

Cameron wanted John to know she was very displeased with his presence without her actually saying it.

"No. The 'General' is here now." Cameron said. "You run your teams, I'll run mine."

John and Bob looked at each other.

Bob was very glad he wasn't part of the conversation.

John hoped for a further explanation from Cameron. There was none.

"What does it mean?" John asked.

Cameron didn't want to get too specific but she did want to give him at least a partial explanation.

"It means I'm not having a pleasant day." Cameron said.

John wasn't exactly sure what she referred to, so he made a general statement.

"Is there trouble in Paradise?" John asked.

Cameron tried not to look over at Savannah as she spoke with John.

"Aren't they one in the same?" Cameron asked.

John nodded his head in agreement.

"Yup…." John said. "Same thing, different spelling…."

It seemed anything good didn't stay the same way for very long. Things seemed to fall apart rather rapidly. It didn't really matter what they were.

Hanna found Holly as soon as Cameron called. They both went to see Anna. They didn't know what they were going to find. Maybe she started to malfunction, maybe it was nothing. They all suffered some emotional trauma from time to time. Either way, they would be ready for anything which might happen. They both carried their Taser with them. It was standard procedure anyway except for when they shared with one of the females. They didn't anticipate they would need to take anyone down. They hoped they wouldn't have to deactivate her. They thought if the procedure was necessary, Cameron should be the one to do it. They also knew if there was a problem, they wouldn't be able to take any chances. They would need to act. Cameron could deal with it when she returned.

Hanna and Holly tried to talk to Anna. They could see she was highly upset as well as agitated.

Anna felt very frustrated. She believed she followed all of her directives and guidelines. Somehow all the blame was at her doorstep now.

"It's all my fault." Anna said. "I did nothing to stop it. Now we all will suffer. I thought it was what she wanted. I was told she was allowed to choose."

Hanna tried to brush it off.

"Nobody needs to suffer." Hanna said. "It will all blow over."

Anna didn't think it was about what would 'blow over'. It was about what was already done. There were personal feelings involved regarding more than one individual.

"Young Allison has been hurt by everything." Anna said. "It's something which never should have happened. I should have prevented it. I failed to protect her. I'm unsuitable for my function."

Holly thought about a similar experience she went through with Allison. She found out no matter how far she went, she couldn't run away from her problems. They seemed to have a way to follow somebody. If nothing else, they would still be waiting when the person returned. They always returned.

"Don't you think getting yourself 'reassigned' will hurt Young Allison even more?" Holly asked. "Maybe you better think about her. You're going to end up hurting her even more. She's going to blame herself for everything like you're doing right now. You're going to damage her even further."

Anna experienced all the fears, frustrations and feelings Cameron experienced over the years, even if she didn't know it was what occurred.

"I've failed Young Allison." Anna said. "I looked forward to being Summer's Guardian once Young Allison assumed her place in the 'Natural Order'. I'm unsuitable for dealing with things."

Holly wanted Anna to know it was a normal part of their cyborg development and their interaction with the human females.

"Look at your 'Cameron programming'. Look at all of us. We've all experienced these same feelings before." Holly said. "I have. I still do at times. They always creep up when things go wrong."

Hanna felt she had pretty good insight into where Anna would find the answers she sought.

"What does the 'Savannah' in you say?" Hanna asked. "It should be what guides you in times of trouble. I look to the 'Vanna' within me for those times.

Anna accessed her files. Her head tilted slightly. The information was quite clear.

"They say to fix it." Anna said. "If I'm not part of the solution, I'm part of the problem."

It was the same answer Hanna found when she searched her files of 'Vanna'.

"There's your answer." Hanna said. "Nothing gets done thinking about it."

Anna quickly realized it was the solution to any problem. Things didn't get 'fixed' thinking about them. They got fixed by dealing with them and solving them. Maybe it was time to 'grow a pair'. On second thought, it might not be such a great analogy. She actually thought 'a pair' was very unsightly to view.

Young Allison worked on her studies as she monitored the events which started to unfold around the San Luis Obispo area. She looked around, she was alone. The bunker seemed cold and empty. She hurt CamNet, and drove Anna away. Everything seemed to happen so fast. She didn't like the emptiness and the coldness associated with it.

She knew it was all her fault for reaching out to CamNet. It was fun at first and then it became more 'involved'. It went from being a game to something more. CamNet always pressured her for more. Once she did more, CamNet wanted even more. She could have said 'no', but she didn't want to. She was afraid to lose what she was able to share. She never was so close the same way with someone who she could share with and 'touch', even if the touch wasn't - real.

Savannah was always protective of her. Savannah was much younger than her age from when she could first remember. She watched her turn into a teenager and young woman before her eyes. Savannah was beautiful. As she developed, she became even more beautiful. She wanted the same thing for herself too. She wanted to look like Cameron. What could be more beautiful than Cameron, besides Savannah?

Young Allison knew her future and what was supposed to happen or be. Cameron and all the Metal girls drilled the 'Natural Order' into her head. Cameron made her promise 'things'. As a young girl they seemed like things she should do. Now she wasn't sure of anything.

She was more aware of her body now since she was older. She did some 'experimenting' with it. The more she 'experimented' the further she wanted to 'experiment'. She saw what happened around her house. She watched what others did on the internet in videos and images. She seldom viewed anything she actually thought she would like or would feel comfortable to do, especially with a male. She didn't want to say it repulsed her, but the things she viewed which happen with a male did. Why did some of those thing need to be done the way they were done?

Through her clandestine sexual studies, she was sure she would rather be with Savannah than with John when it was time to share. She wasn't so sure others should be allowed to 'use' her body. With everything pounded into her head, she felt she needed to be submissive and do as the others wanted her to do. She felt she didn't have any say in what would happen to it and her in the future. It left her with a very uneasy feeling to think about it. She was sure Savannah would look out for her, as she always did.

She didn't have any real friends her age and she didn't have anything in common with any of the other kids her age she ever was around, even as a small child. They were all so 'childlike'. Her only true friend was always Savannah. She tried to be closer to her, but Savannah always maintained a 'distance'. Savannah always protected and respected her as she waited for the future. She began to realize now Savannah wanted to make sure it was her choice as to what she chose for herself. She realized Savannah could have been with her years ago. It specifically never happened because of Savannah's restraint. She actually could understand the depth of Savannah's love better now. Savannah protected her from everyone, including herself.

Then there was the future. What was the future anyway? Now it turned out there was more than one. She checked with the girls, and all the Metal girls. The one constant in every future was Savannah Weaver and Allison Young - together. John and Cameron weren't in all the futures, but they were. Savannah and her were. They were the best of friends and lovers…. They were ALWAYS lovers.

Maybe she needed to get away from it all. Cameron delayed taking her into the past. With all the trouble she caused, she really wanted to get away. Now she hurt her only other 'friends', CamNet and Anna.

Cameron taught her how to survive on her own. Cameron taught her how to avoid Skynet and Terminators, and how to elude detection. Cameron taught her how to 'escape'.

Young Allison felt ashamed of herself.

She looked around. She took her backpack and put her Taser in it. There were 'survival' packs with food, money, and precious metals in them. She took one of those. She wanted to leave the others for Summer, Allison, and her mother - just in case.

Maybe it was time to get away from it all.

She wasn't sure where she was going to go, or do when she got there, wherever it was. She knew being kidnapped and forced into the sex trade was a real possibility. She didn't plan to give up her virginity easily. She knew it would be the first thing taken from her. She went back and got her Model 66. She wouldn't be taken without a fight. Whoever thought they were going to be the first to 'pop' her, was going to get 'popped' instead, with a .357 Magnum round. She was trained to kill. She only deactivated a Terminator, but felt she could kill whoever she needed to if the situation arose. How hard could it be?

Young Allison went through the escape tunnel. She hurt too many already….

She questioned why she ever needed to be created in the first place.

It was clear she was 'not good enough'.

If she had only one wish it would be, never to have been born.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

On The Table

When the time has come
To make love's decision
It's into your own heart
You must make an incision

It may not be possible
With more than one to care
Is it fair to say
Only two can truly share

Everyday is a challenge
Many factors can come into play
Who do you keep
Who do you throw away

We think tomorrow will offer more
Maybe tomorrow never comes
Can you hear and feel the beat
Of true love's pounding drums

It's time to make a choice
Open your heart, if you're able
Put everything you find
On the table

Nobody