Chapter 506

Nice

Earlier:

John Henry monitored various seismometers around the area. He noted a very minute change in several of the readings. It was followed by a second one a few seconds later. He specifically triangulated the area where Cameron was at to watch for anomalies. It was more than a truck going over a bump with a loose load. He didn't think the news was going to go over very well with those in the Command Center.

"I believe I've detected an explosion." John Henry said. "There's been a second one now as well."

John was instantly alarmed. His worry was for Cameron. He hoped it wasn't a power cell that ruptured. Wait. Cameron didn't have one of her Nike warheads with her did she? No, he didn't think so. He tried to push the thoughts from his mind. It must be a more localized event.

"What kind of an explosion? How large was it?" John asked. "Is anyone in our group close to it?"

John Henry didn't have any concrete information, only two minute spikes on several seismometers. He wouldn't even have paid attention to it under normal circumstances. The circumstances with Cameron missing weren't normal. He redirected one of their drones.

"I don't know yet. I've dispatched a drone to investigate." John Henry said. "It wasn't large at all based upon triangulation of several seismometers. It only shows up as a very brief and minor anomaly. It was different than 'normal' for the area. Based on past experience with some of our other 'activities' I know it is a small explosion underground."

John wanted some answers now. He wondered how come there were no drones close enough for a better look?

"How long will it be?" John asked.

John Henry didn't think it would be a problem. The closet drone was almost there. He was a little alarmed at what he witnessed. It wasn't what he expected.

"There's some video for us now." John Henry said. "There are no details as to what we're viewing."

They could see from the drone video feed there was a burning figure crawling away from a manhole in the sidewalk. It was next to a storm drain in the street. It was a location where they expected to see Cameron emerge from. The legs were missing and the back was burning. The figure still attempted to crawl away from the flames behind them.

Everyone in the Command Center could see it was a Terminator. it was clear it was heavily damaged. The metal endoskeleton was partially exposed on the missing legs. The long hair was unmistakable.

"It's a Terminator.." John Henry said. "It's a female Terminator."

Savannah gripped John tightly. The initial fear was it was Cameron. She refused to believe it was Cameron. She tried to give John some assurance. Maybe she tried to provide the assurance to herself.

"It's not Cameron." Savannah said. "I know it. It's NOT Cameron."

John really wanted to believe her, but there was no way to tell yet. Cameron was severely damaged if it was her. Her lower female anatomy appeared to be 'gone'. Only metal was visible in the area.

A second later, a thrashing and screaming, burning human figure came half way out of the manhole, and then stopped moving. Now it only burnt….

There was an uneasy feeling in the Command Center. Everyone wanted to believe Savannah, even if they didn't believe it themselves. There was no proof it was Cameron. It was still very unsettling to view.

It was sickening to see the female Terminator try and crawl away with her legs missing and her back on fire.

It was a fate fitting for the enemy, not the Resistance.

Seconds ago:

Hanna and Cammy were in the drainage system. They followed a path which was marked by Cameron. They could see several spots where she needed to backtrack. They didn't have to and made good time. Since they followed her markers, they figured only Cameron was in front of them. There shouldn't be anyone behind them either.

Cammy heard the explosion in front of her. It wasn't that far ahead. Cameron's path was easy for them to follow. They picked up the pace even more since they knew where to go. A few seconds later there was a second explosion and then some screaming.

They knew the screaming wasn't Cameron. It indicated there must be one or more Grays with the 'Metal Bitch'. It was clear contact was made in a very violent way. The confines of the drainage pipe, the explosions would seem to magnify their effects.

Cammy and Hanna now moved as fast as they could in the cramped quarters. There was no longer a need for stealth. Cameron may need their help….

Whatever happened up ahead already went hot. It was clear Cameron faced more than one assailant. They were her backup.

Cammy decided to throw caution to the wind. It was possible it could result in damage to her. It could possibly lead to her termination. She needed to assist Cameron immediately.

"Let me go ahead." Cammy said.

Hanna didn't want to split up. If there was trouble, they would face it together.

"No." Hanna said. "We'll stay together. Cameron needs us. Let's go."

The Metal girls moved as fast as they could through the drainage system towards the sound of the explosions and screaming. They made very good time. They didn't think it mattered how noisy they were. They actually moved quite quietly as fast as they could in the confined space.

Ally and Sheila closed in on the two men they tracked. They were sure they were Grays and not a couple of homeless men. The nature of their footwear indicated military grade equipment.

"They've stopped." Ally whispered.

Sheila was concerned because the men stopped suddenly. It was probably not good for them. They may have advanced too quickly. They might be in danger already.

"Do you think they made us?" Sheila whispered back.

Ally was able to get a good look at them. She zoomed in her vision for a detailed look. It didn't look like a walk in the park.

"Maybe…." Ally whispered. "They have a Stinger and some other heavy armament."

Sheila sensed a set up. There was no reason for the men to stop. They must be about to do something. She hoped they weren't already in an ambush zone. They needed to act immediately.

"We need to fall back and get out of this channel. We should approach them from the flanks." Sheila said. "They might set a booby trap. I really don't feel like walking into one. We need to stay staggered and know where the other one is at."

Sheila and Ally backtracked….

They didn't want to trigger an explosive device. They checked along the way earlier. Now it would be for real. The parallel route seemed more secure. The Grays would look for their enemy behind them. Not next to them or in front of them.

Cameron heard a drone approach her location. She was sure it was theirs. A second later she was in contact with John Henry. She didn't want them to worry about her based upon the appearance of the combat zone.

"I'm clear." Cameron said. "The targets are neutralized."

From The Command Center they watched Cameron come up from across the street and take control of the battlefield. It was a lot of worry about the obviously damaged Terminator until Cameron's appearance. It was a long few seconds for all of them.

"We saw you emerge from the other side of the street and deactivate the damaged Terminator." John Henry said. "It appears heavily damaged. We were a little concerned when we first saw the drone image."

Savannah was relieved to see Cameron up and around. It didn't mean she hadn't been damaged. She needed to know. She beat John to ask the question himself. She hoped by her asking the question it would get a more honest response. It was important for her to know what Cameron's status actually was.

"Cameron, are you damaged or undamaged?" Savannah asked. "I want it straight. I need to know."

John was pleased Savannah beat him to the question. He knew Cameron wouldn't lie to Savannah since she asked for the truth. He was glad Savannah asked it. He knew he wasn't as persuasive with Cameron. She would lie to him so he didn't worry. If she was damaged, she wouldn't come around until she was repaired. Every time she was gone for days at a time he figured it was what happened. He understood it was his fault for berating Cameron for being damaged while she was alone. She just left him out of the equation so she didn't need to hear his criticism. He didn't scold her because of what she did, it was the way she did it. In most cases she could have received assistance.

Cameron was glad she wasn't damaged worse. It could have been. A quick look at the female Terminator was proof of it. It was a good thing the female Terminator only had a fragmentation grenade rather than a Thermite grenade. She was sure her damage would have been worse otherwise.

"I'm mostly undamaged." Cameron said. "I have some shrapnel damage. It's very minor."

John and Savannah both relaxed. They seemed unaware they were holding each other. It was clear they were both deeply worried about Cameron.

They quickly separated. We try not to look at the others in the room. They were sure all eyes were upon them.

John looked around nervously and Savannah smiled. He was a few shades more 'red' than she was, quite a few.

Savannah didn't see it as anything other than 'natural'. Humans sought comfort in each other, especially the ones they loved or cared about.

Sarah and Kyle pretended not to notice. It only made it more obvious they were staring. How couldn't they? It was their son and his 'destiny'. Besides, they did the same thing when the damaged female Terminator was first spotted. They embraced each other without even thinking about it.

John Henry wanted Cameron to know assistance was on the way.

"Cammy and Hanna followed you." John Henry said. "They should be there shortly."

Cameron figured someone would.

"I left a trail for them to follow." Cameron said. "It will save them a lot of time. There were a few times I needed to backtrack. They were almost able to get out of the drainage system before I caught them."

The drone shot widened out some now. Other things came into view, things which didn't seem to fit in. It appeared to be more than just coincidence or chance. It looked more like a threat.

"What's the truck parked near you?" Savannah asked. "It shouldn't be there. It's out of place. I think you need to be wary of some type of counter attack."

Cameron was about to check it out when she made contact with the Command Center.

"I'm going to investigate it." Cameron said.

John was as worried as Savannah was. The truck didn't belong there.

"It may be a trap." John said. "There are other Terminators on the way to assist you. The drone over you can use a missile or switch to the gun."

Cameron made the same determination about the truck the moment she spotted it.

"I'll use caution." Cameron said. "So far nothing has happened."

Savannah wanted Cameron to wait.

"There will be other Terminators there very soon, Cameron." Savannah said.

John was just as wary.

"Cameron, wait another minute for help to arrive." John said.

Cameron believed the situation was under control.

"I'm good." Cameron said. "The drone can back me up if I need it. Have it respond with the weapons I indicate if it becomes necessary."

As she approached the truck, it started. The rear tires squealed and it took off. It must have been sent there to retrieve the version of Skynet the female Terminator tried to salvage.

Cameron thought of giving chase on foot, but decided to let the drone handle it. She didn't want to leave her 'prize' behind. She didn't plan to let it out of her sight until she knew it was secure with another Terminator.

"Light him up with the drone." Cameron said. "Use the gun."

The drone fired its minigun. It nearly ripped the panel truck in two. It lost power and slowed. It coasted and rolled up on an embankment. Its forward momentum stopped and gravity took over. It then flipped over on its side. It almost seemed to happen in slow motion. It landed with a loud 'crash' as it impacted the ground.

Cameron looked back as she heard two vehicles approach her. John Henry told her it was some of their troops. They were out searching for her and responded once contact was established. They knew where to go now.

Seconds later Dan arrived in an SUV, thirty seconds later so did Bob. Cameron loaded the deactivated female in Bob's SUV along with her 'prize'.

Cameron told Bob to remain there.

"I want you to keep an eye on what I believe is a version of Skynet." Cameron said.

Bob could see it was important to Cameron. It was important to all of them.

"Affirmative…." Bob said.

Dan and her approached the panel truck. One bent wheel rotated to a slow, squeaky, wobbly stop as they neared. Their weapons were ready. So far there hadn't been any movement from inside.

They peered inside the panel truck. There was a Gray torn to shreds still strapped in the driver's seat. They wanted a better look inside so they decided to tip the truck back upright. It would have been problematic to search it on its side.

Dan and Cameron lifted the side on the ground and then pushed the vehicle back onto its wheels. It rocked wildly back and forth a few times before it stabilized. For a second it looked like it almost was about to flip onto its other side. They entered the back compartment. They looked at the items scattered about in disarray. There were a few things which immediately caught her eye. She knew bad news when she saw it. It was the extent of the bad news which was the problem.

It appeared the night was full of surprises….

Cameron knew why she didn't like surprises.

She really wondered how much worse things were going to get. It wasn't a matter of if. It was a matter of degree.

Ally and Sheila carefully climbed out of the shallow channel, now one was on each side of it. They kept track of where each other was at in case gunfire broke out. By prearrangement Sheila would engage the front target. Ally would engage the rear target. They watched the two Grays. They hoped to hear something which might be useful. They could take them down at any point now.

From past experience they knew once the' mark' was captured, it didn't matter if it was a Gray or a future Scavenger, they tried to lie about everything. It didn't take much effort to know when the individual was lying. A broken bone usually helped refresh their memory.

"Hold up, Jack." The first Gray said. "This thing is heavy."

The Gray indicated the Stinger.

"I carried it for twenty minutes." The second Gray said. "We all need to 'hump' the gear."

The first Gray looked back.

"Did you see anything?" The first Gray asked.

The second Gray looked down the path they arrived on.

"No." The second Gray said. "If you really see something, I need to know.

The first Gray frowned at the reference to 'really see' something.

"I thought there was someone behind us." The first Gray said.

The second Gray looked back again. He hoped they weren't being pursued.

"I don't see anyone." The second Gray said. "I haven't heard a drone either for a long time."

The first Gray looked up. He felt there was a missed opportunity.

"We should have taken the shot when we had the chance." The first Gray said.

The second Gray was glad they hadn't. He wasn't the only one who hesitated either.

"You didn't see the 'bucket head' take a shot did you?" The second Gray asked. "It would have given away his position. We would have done the same. There were at least three drones. We would have been zeroed in nothing flat. You know they all work together."

The first Gray looked back in the direction of the compound. It went from a flaming wreck, to mostly collapsed burning and smoking rubble.

"Do you think many got out?" The first Gray asked.

The second Gray looked back in the direction they came from.

"I doubt it." The second Gray said. "There might be one or two who hid and then made a break for it."

The first Gray wasn't satisfied.

"I have a frag and some C-4" The first Gray said. "Let's rig a booby trap in case there's someone after us. I don't like the thought of having come this far and then getting 'popped' in the back when we're not looking."

The second Gray looked back again and didn't see anyone. Maybe it was better not to take any chances. They could be the sole survivors of the compound. He hoped some hiker or kid didn't trip it accidentally later on. If an animal did, he didn't care. He wanted to get it done and keep going.

"Whatever, dude." The second Gray said.

Ally and Sheila watched them rig a trip wire. The C-4 was wrapped around the hand grenade. It would make a powerful explosion. There would be a lot of shrapnel.

The two Grays were satisfied with their work. One picked the Stinger back up. They were ready to continue on their trek.

Ally and Sheila silently moved alongside the two men who paused. Ally remained there alongside of them as Sheila moved ahead of them. The men's only retreat was now the way they just came.

"Boo…" Ally said as they turned to face her.

Both men were startled. The two red glowing eyes added to it. They knew it was a Terminator.

One man went to run forward, the other man turned and ran back the direction they came from, he dropped the 'Stinger'.

Sheila grabbed one man, who literally ran into her.

The man attempted to struggle and quickly realized he couldn't.

"Let go of me you, 'Metal Whore'." The man said.

Sheila punched him hard in the gut. The man doubled over in agony.

The other man who fled back the way they came, tripped the booby trap they set for the Metal girls.

There was a violent explosion and a muted scream. The man died nearly instantly. His lower body was torn apart.

Sheila disarmed the man she took into custody.

Ally retrieved the fallen armament.

The man cussed and screamed at them.

Sheila refrained from ripping his tongue out. She choked him out instead. She could still do it later. Depending upon how mouthy and insulting the Gray was, would determine the extent of his 'punishment'. His fate was already sealed. He would be terminated no matter what. He could either do it the easy way or the hard way. She actually preferred when they chose the hard way, especially when it was a future Scavenger.

She remembered the 'comfort bunk' they found inside of the building soon after they entered. Cameron wanted everybody terminated because of what they discovered there, and what it represented. The Gray's fate was sealed in more ways than one.

"Watch him." Sheila said.

Sheila went to where the dead man was at and bent down.

Ally saw Sheila's knife out. She looked away.

Sheila came back with a section of the dead man's shirt.

"I'm going to gag this moron." Sheila said. "I don't like what he called me and said he was going to do to us. He called me a 'Metal Whore'."

The Metal girls were sensitive about terms of such a derogatory nature. Cameron forbid them from sexual relations with a male. They were technically all virgins still. The only male they would ever be allowed to be with was John. It seemed like a dim prospect. They were all glad there were plenty of females around.

The man regained consciousness.

Sheila already gagged him. He passed out again when he saw the two sets of red eyes.

Ally checked over the armament. The Stinger was undamaged.

Sheila hoisted him up and carried him away. The gag kept him quiet.

Ally cleared Cam to overfly the area. They wanted to make sure there was no one else. They heard the men speculate there could be other stragglers in the vicinity.

Cam returned to their location once they made their move. She directed one of their group to pick them up. They could be reached by a vehicle after it traveled down a dirt service road to their location. It was going to take a few minutes. They went quite a ways.

Cammy and Hanna could see the flames ahead of them as they approached. They could see the junction for the other drainage pipe which ran under the street. They came up from the storm drain where Cameron came up from earlier at the same manhole. Hanna returned the manhole cover to where it belonged.

They crossed the street and looked over at the burning figure who was still half in and half out of the manhole.

"I'm glad it was a Gray." Cammy said.

Hanna looked at the charred blackened skeleton.

"Better him than one of us." Hanna said.

Bob was aware of the drone images being transmitted back to the Command Center. There was one image he didn't want them to see further. He walked over to the burning manhole on the other side of the street.

He used the manhole cover to shove the still burning remains of the Gray back inside. He placed the manhole cover back on as well. It would be the man's tomb. It was only until the next heavy rain. At that point, the runoff rain water would carry his remains away. He would then 'sleep with the fishes'.

Hanna retrieved the SUV with the deactivated 'Metal Bitch' in it and drove up to where Cameron was at. Bob did the same with the other SUV.

Cammy joined Cameron.

Cameron was very displeased at what she found inside of the van.

"Look what we have here." Cameron said to Cammy as she looked inside the panel truck.

Cammy took a look. She didn't like what she looked at. She felt an immediate sense of alarm.

"Nice…." Cammy said.

Hanna joined them and looked too. She was just as disgusted.

"Who don't think so?" Hanna asked.

None of them liked what they saw. It was clearly bad news for the Resistance. If they didn't nip the new group in the bud, they were all in serious jeopardy going forward.

Savannah watched the feed from Cam as Sheila went to the fallen man. She was disappointed in what Sheila apparently did. She thought it was an issue which should've been resolved based on their earlier discussion. She looked closer. She then realized Sheila removed a piece of his shirt. Sheila then picked something else up off of the ground. She saw from Sheila's body cam what it was. She made him think she did 'something' to him, she actually hadn't done.

John was pleased they captured a prisoner. He hoped to get some answers. Sheila was good at it. He didn't like the way she conducted some of the interrogations. He decided to let her know his preference.

"Sheila, I want you to interrogate him." John said and then added. "I mean properly interrogate him."

Sheila wanted some specialized assistance. She wanted Savannah to watch her work.

"Sure, love." Sheila said. "I'd like Savannah to come as well."

Savannah looked at John. He nodded. She was ready to go right now.

"I'll be there." Savannah said. "I'll go with Gail or Jim and meet you at Cameron's facility."

Savannah knew she couldn't go anywhere alone and always needed a Terminator chaperone. It was the same way for most of her life. It was a part of her life. It didn't take her long to understand it was to keep her alive. She saw what happened to her nanny and Future Derek when the first attempt was made on her life. She learned of the attack against her 'mother' at her place of business. John Henry and Mr. Ellison tried to explain things to her as best as they could.

Sheila was pleased Savannah would assist her.

"I'll keep him quiet for now. He has a very foul mouth." Sheila said. "We should get a lift soon."

John Henry nodded at Savannah. He indicated a Terminator would be ready to take her.

"I am headed out now." Savannah said.

Sheila wanted to get to Cameron's base so she could get started on a 'proper interrogation'.

"See you soon, love." Sheila said.

Ally didn't want to feel left out.

"I'll be there too." Ally added. "Don't worry."

Savannah wasn't worried about anything as much as she was Cameron who was damaged in some way. She was worried about all of them. Terminators by the nature of their design and construction were very durable. They were more than just machines to those in the resistance. We were individuals who were very much like humans in many respects. She often thought of them as mechanical humans.

"I'm worried about Cameron and Cammy and the others." Savannah said. "Things may not be as wrapped up as we think they are."

John gave Savannah a quick final hug. Their hands lingering as they slowly drew apart.

Sarah was very worried about the operation and Cameron's involvement.

"We all are, Savannah." Sarah said. "And we're all worried about the rest of them too."

"We're worried about ALL of them." Kyle said

John thought about how much his mother 'evolved'. It was a good thing.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Nice

When people look at art
Few see the same thing
Even though it is the same
Different interpretations it will bring

There are many different faces
There is no universal beauty in all
Some may catch a fancy of another
While others never get the same call

Some of the faces are beautiful
On that most people can agree
Maybe not at the same intensity
But to a different degree

Physical beauty is transitory
It will wither and fade with time
Such is the nature of existence
No one is forever in their prime

To speak ill is not good advice
One should always think twice
From the pie of life enjoy a slice
Always try to be thoughtful and nice

Nobody