Chapter 860

Drop Back

Savannah didn't like the unknown man to be so close to her. She knew Cameron was nearby. She was armed if she needed to defend herself and she wouldn't hesitate to do so. John Henry would cover up whatever happened as she would make her escape.

She watched the man look around and then back in her direction. She checked her time and got up when he turned away. She decided to head for the area of the side door and wait there. She wanted to move there ahead of him, not after him. She was sure it would raise too much suspicion if she did.

She moved away without looking back at the man.

"John Henry, keep me posted." Savannah said.

Savannah moved through the casino. She would rely on John Henry to be her eyes behind her. She knew Cameron was behind her as well. If the man tried to intercept her, she would receive a warning from John Henry. She also knew Cameron would move up to act. She would need to join the fight as well in case it was all staged to draw them out. The way the two men operated so far, it seemed anything was possible. She continued along without incident.

It disturbed her somewhat to see the fresh faces just entering the casino area. She really wondered what the people thought was going to happen. She wondered how long it would be until the jubilant looks on their faces slowly faded away as their money evaporated into nothing. She was sure they were all first time visitors to a big time casino. She strongly doubted those addicted to habitual gambling ever entered the facility with a smile on their face. Either way, they all thought they were going to hit the big one and go home rich.

She left the main gambling floor behind her. She was near the side entrance now. She expected the man to arrive shortly behind her based upon his conversation with what she believed was the other man who was on the tram earlier with him. She still needed to consider the prospect there were others involved with them.

John Henry watched Savannah move away on the security cameras. He also focused on the man to see what he did next. When the man turned around, he saw Savannah was gone. He looked around to see where she went. He didn't spot her. He went over to where she was sitting and looked around. He pointed it out to John and notified Cameron. He wanted to update Savannah on the man's curiosity.

"Savannah, the man looked back at where you were playing on the machine." John Henry said. "He then looked around to see where you went. It might be coincidental. He might not be looking for you specifically. Where he's at now does move him closer to where we believe he's headed. I don't believe he spotted where you went."

John wasn't sure he believed in coincidences when some version of Skynet was involved. If the man specifically was searching for Savannah, it wasn't a good thing at all. Since he was about to leave, he was worried they might try to 'put the grab' on someone. He knew what happened at the location where Cammy and Gail were currently inside. If the two men were some type of a Gray, they may attempt to do something similar.

"Savannah, make sure you don't end up in a position where the man can force you outside to the other vehicle when it arrives" John said. "I'm a little concerned about the way everything is unfolding."

Savannah was away from everyone at her new location. She checked her weapons. She originally thought she would use her Taser on the man. Now she decided something a little more terminal might be in order. She touched her pistol. If he approached her, or even came too close. She decided she was going to take him down.

"I'll stay alert." Savannah said. "I'll shoot him if it becomes necessary."

Savannah felt there was something off about the whole thing. It just didn't add up.

Cameron watched as the man looked around in Savannah's direction. She wanted to terminate him even more. She saw Savannah get up and head for the side entrance when the man looked away. It looked like she got away clean.

The man looked back for Savannah. When he saw she was gone, he looked around to see where she went. She thought he was a little too interested in Savannah. Based on his earlier actions it irritated her, his new interest in Savannah sealed his fate as far as she was concerned.

Cameron advanced towards the man. Now she really wanted to terminate him.

John watched both Cameron and Savannah through the monitor. He thought Savannah made the right move to move away when the man was distracted. His attention now focused on Cameron. It appeared she was about to make the wrong move. Maybe it was the right move but it was the wrong time and the wrong place. He knew Cameron heard both John Henry's warning, and his specific warning to Savannah.

"Cameron, take it easy." John said. "Don't make a scene unless it's necessary."

Cameron thought about earlier when Savannah and her almost 'shared'…. She wasn't about to let anything happen to Savannah. She wanted to complete the experience. She knew it was going to be something beautiful and it was interrupted and taken from her. It was the fault of the Grays. The unknown group only compounded things. She was very dissatisfied with it. It too was the fault of all of these people. They all needed to be terminated.

She really didn't need any feedback from the Command Center whether it was at the Resistance base or in the casino in Las Vegas. She was the one on the ground and she was the one who was responsible for Savannah. It wasn't anybody else, it was her.

"I need to protect Savannah." Cameron said. "The unknown man is a threat. I don't like all the attention he's paid to Savannah. She's done nothing to draw any type of scrutiny from him yet. I think he's a predator. There's no cure for such abusive behavior other than termination. I can assure you he will never touch Savannah in any way. He certainly isn't going to force her into their vehicle either."

Cameron moved closer to the man.

The fact she didn't know who the man was, and all the cloak and dagger routine, only irritated her more. She wanted to know who these men were and what they were up to. She was sure they would need termination. She was ready to hand out their sentences. If he made any move to get closer to Savannah, it would be his last move. She would end his existence and terminate him with extreme prejudice.

Cameron smiled to herself. She looked forward to it.

John was worried about Cameron. She seemed a little off and predetermined to terminate the man she was supposed to observe. They needed to find out who they were and what they were up to. It was clear by this point there was a lot more going on they didn't know about. Whatever the two mystery men were up to, might be the real issue in Las Vegas. It probably wouldn't be the Grays. Based on the last thing he heard from where the two Grays were at, it sounded like their time was limited anyway.

He really didn't want to make an issue about it, but he thought for the safety of the team he needed to look into it. He collected his thoughts for a moment before he looked at John Henry.

"Do you think Cameron is having a problem?" John asked.

John Henry quickly looked at John when he asked the question and just as quickly returned his attention back to his monitor. He didn't want to be the one who made such a determination. He could only comment on what he could observe.

"It's possible." John Henry said. "I don't see her hand glitching yet. I don't think it's a personal problem. I really don't know. I don't believe she came into contact with the electrical third rail with her unconventional exit from the tram car. I'm sure it would have knocked her completely offline if such an event occurred. She didn't report any problems at the time. I would suggest you ask her, but I'm pretty sure we both know how it's going to play out if you do."

John kept an eye on Cameron and Savannah in the casino. He worried about everyone else too. He didn't have eyes on the other Metal girls. It bothered him some because he couldn't follow what was happening with them a little closer.

"I'm worried about Ally as well." John said. "I'm worried about Cammy and Gail too. Everyone is isolated and the help is in short supply."

John Henry hadn't detected any shooting where the Metal girls were at.

"It appears Cammy and Gail have everything under control." John Henry said. "At least it seems they do."

John wanted to scoff a little bit. He strongly doubted it.

"Do they?" John asked. "Is anything ever under control?"

John doubted everything was ever under control. Every time things seemed under control, they ended up meeting a new challenge. The Grays at the location where Cammy and Gail were currently at was associated with a Skynet Terminator. They didn't know where they were at, or where they would show up at any given point in time. It was a big unknown and it was an important one. One Terminator was capable of considerable damage.

Now the Metal girls and Savannah were at several different locations. He couldn't forget about Dan and Frank. Sheila was alone right now. Everyone was spread out. If things went hot at any of the locations with a larger group of individuals, each of the groups would be in serious trouble. He didn't doubt the ability of his troops, he didn't want any of them to get shot up. The cover up might be problematic as well.

He saw on the news there were often disputes between different gangs of bikers. They all seemed to be into various types of narcotics as well as human trafficking of females. He knew there were altercations from time to time between the different biker gangs. It was usually when one larger biker gang was able to encounter a much smaller group of the other biker gang. If shooting erupted inside the casino, he would have John Henry spin it as something related to a known occurrence with the biker gangs.

He didn't need to remember anything else about biker gangs other than what River needed to deal with when she was inadvertently brought to their time period. It was with Duplicate Cameron and one set of the Duplicate girls. None of them understood the situation at the time.

Sheila was unable to join Dan and Frank and not be spotted by the man driving the blue sedan. She needed to acquire some transportation.

She went back into the parking structure and watched. She waited for someone to arrive who looked like they were going to stay for a while in the hotel and not just visit the casino. She was sure they would carry some type of luggage with them. It isn't something anyone would bring just to go into a casino to gamble.

A new Escalade pulled into the lot. A man and a woman exited. They each carried an overnight bag. They both talked on their phones as they walked inside. She waited until they were completely inside before she made her move. She went to the Escalade and disabled the alarm and started it. She backed out of the parking spot and headed out after Dan and Frank. She was a few minutes behind them, but she knew right where they were at, as well as the destination of the blue sedan.

"John Henry, let Cameron and Savannah know I have a ride for them." Sheila said. "I'm three minutes behind the blue sedan if I make the signal on to the main street, if not, then it will be four minutes."

Sheila gave John Henry a description of the Escalade. She gave him the information on the vehicle so it wouldn't be reported as stolen, even if the people found it was missing and attempted to report it stolen. It was standard practice for any vehicles they needed to appropriate to complete their tasks. She also asked to be filled in on what was happening with Cammy, Gail, and Ally. She was worried about them and didn't like Ally being on her own. She didn't like the desolate area where Ally was headed. She wanted to be with Ally so she wasn't alone in the middle of nowhere.

She would never admit it to anyone, but she loved Ally dearly. She was also heavily involved with Cammy due to their eight years in the past together. Eight years alone with someone is a long time. A lot can happen and does. Right now it was Ally who was her concern.

It seemed as if Cammy and Gail were in control of their situation. She would really like to be with them for the next part of their interrogation. The elusive behavior of the two men they were after also would warrant her private attention when it was time to terminate them.

Frank and Dan stayed ahead of the blue sedan. They headed for the casino where Cameron and Savannah were. The blue sedan fell back one signal and then another. It didn't seem to be an accident. It seemed to be intentional.

The two Terminators noticed the new tactic immediately. The change in driving habits seemed to indicate another 'fast one' was about to be pulled.

"This doesn't look good." Frank said. "I think he's going to bolt."

Dan watched the blue sedan through the mirror on his door.

"You're right. The guy might try to pull a fast one." Dan said. "It's possible they may have another vehicle somewhere and he could do a switch. If it happens in back of us, we won't know what the current vehicle is."

Frank watched him through the rear view mirror. Neither one of them wanted to physically turn around and look. The unknown man might be on the watch for someone to do that very thing. If they used the mirrors, he wouldn't be able to tell he was under observation by them.

"It looks like he is going to pull a fast one." Frank said.

Frank and Dan were both aware Sheila was behind them by three minutes.

Dan wanted to give them some additional options. Because the unknown men were very erratic, they would need some more flexibility to tail them properly. Two vehicles weren't enough for someone who was experienced in watching for a tail.

"We may need additional vehicles." Dan said. "If we get one more light ahead of him, I'm going to get out and obtain one. I don't want to lose the individual."

Frank kept his eye on the blue sedan through his rear view mirror.

"I agree." Frank said. "This guy is super paranoid. Who knows what he's going to pull next. As far as we know, he'll turn around and go back the way he came. Maybe the other man in the casino will get back on the tram and go in the direction they came from as well. It would surely indicate anyone they already spotted earlier, and spotted again, would be someone on to them."

It was evident by the man's actions he was experienced in ways to draw out anyone trying to track him. They knew where he was headed and they knew where the other man was at he was supposed to pick up. It still looked like he was going to take some convoluted route to get there. It really didn't make much sense. Maybe they would end up back where they started.

Cammy and Gail wanted justice for the dead female in the other room and for the 'redhead' one man abused in the future and bragged about. His revelation was what did it for Cammy. It was him bragging about what he did. He seemed very proud about it, even years later. She knew it wasn't Savannah, what if it was Vanna? What if it was Future Savannah? They were all still versions of Savannah.

John Henry contacted them once to find out what exactly was going on. Cammy simply informed him they were going to question the men 'Terminator style'.

Cammy and Gail worked the men over until they were almost dead. They obtained the information 'Terminator style'. It was the use of brute force with a lot of choking. It would all escalate soon.

Once they obtain the information pertinent to the Resistance, they would be on their own time with the two sexual abusers. The terminated female in the other room was proof of what the Grays did in the present. The admission about what happened with the 'redhead' in the future was also viewed as a confession.

Cammy looked at the battered and bloodied men. They were at a point now where they didn't get very much new information. It didn't appear they would get anymore either.

"This is going nowhere." Cammy said. "I've grown tired of doing this. I'm tired of doing it this way."

Gail understood what Cammy meant. They already learned anything of value from the two men. Their usefulness was now over. There was the issue of the abused female which needed to be addressed.

"Is it time to go 'Sheila' on them?" Gail asked.

Cammy looked at the two battered forms with contempt.

"It's going to happen anyway." Cammy said. "Especially the one who talked about abusing the 'redhead'. His confession alone is his death sentence."

Gail looked at the two Grays.

"Which one was it?" Gail asked.

Cammy decided to step it up. She glanced at Gail and then at one of the men. She didn't think it really mattered. Both of them were probably responsible for multiple abuses against females in the future. It was time to pay the toll. She was there to collect it.

So far they found out the Grays arrived in the last days of Skynet from Cameron's future. They were battling what they believed was another Skynet related group of Fanatics. The Fanatics seemed to be the ones who killed themselves rather than talk. The Fanatics 'worshiped' a resurrected future version of Skynet known as SkyMaster. They worshiped it as their 'god'. She could see why they were considered Fanatics. Each version of Skynet wanted to be the only version of Skynet.

Cammy and Gail were aware they encountered some of the current Skynet group before, as well as the Fanatics.

"I think it's time we give our official report." Cammy said.

Gail understood what Cammy meant. They would probably be a few omissions as well as some spin put on it.

"I'll back your play completely." Gail said.

Cammy made a report to John.

"They have a Terminator working with them." Cammy said. "They are reluctant to divulge information. I believe there are more."

John hadn't heard very much of the interrogation. It appeared they turned off any of their devices which would pick up what the conversation was about. It was either that, or CamNet decided to filter what they would be able to hear in the casino Control Center. Somehow it seemed like a more likely scenario. They weren't the only ones CamNet needed to filter things for. He hoped to get a straight answer about something. He really didn't think Cammy was the one to ask.

"Gail, what's the condition of the men?" John asked.

Gail knew the condition of the men didn't matter in the slightest. They both already gave themselves a death sentence by their actions in the present, as well as in their past, the future.

"Neither will survive." Gail said. "Their time seems very limited."

John hoped they would be able to get a heads up on the HK equipment they were in search of. Since these men physically changed the reporting marks, they should have a good idea how many different sets were still out there.

"Did we at least find out how many boxcars we're looking for?" John asked.

It was some of the first information Cammy and Gail were able to beat out of the men.

"They reported three sets are still roving the western US." Cammy said. "There appears to have been more sets which have gone into storage around the area. They weren't aware of the ones we took down."

John actually found the last part to be a little strange. It appeared Skynet, or its handlers, tried to cover up whatever losses they suffered. It was probably to keep any of the Grays from attempting to leave. If the Grays knew their forces were being decimated on a regular basis, it was doubtful most of them would want to continue to stay around and face termination. They would be better off to take their chances on their own. He wanted to know the million dollar question.

"What about Skynet?" John asked.

Cammy was very dissatisfied with what little information she could find out about Skynet.

"They're establishing one somewhere." Cammy said. "They don't know. It might be in the desert."

John and John Henry quickly glanced at each other. They both knew it was the direction Ally was headed. They might already be on to something.

John thought the Grays should know a little bit more.

"Maybe they don't want to say." John said.

Cammy was offended by John's question. She'd done a thorough interrogation.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Cammy asked. "We've beaten them senseless."

John could tell he hit a nerve and now Cammy was agitated.

"…OK…." John said.

Cammy was further dissatisfied by John's response. She could make leading statements as well.

"OK - what?" Cammy asked. "If you have something to say, just say it. It's probably something you should do more often anyway. I think you catch my drift."

John thought it was something in regards to Cameron. It was certainly something he didn't want to discuss. He didn't want to get into it with Cammy either. He did want to know about the female who was a captive there.

"Where's the female they abused and killed?" John asked.

Cammy didn't need to be reminded about the abused female.

"Don't forget she was mutilated as well." Gail said. "They abused a 'redhead' in the future too…."

John looked over at John Henry when he received the last bit of information. It didn't sit well with him either. John Henry gave him a slight nod.

"I understand now." John said. "Finish up as you see fit based upon the circumstances. Let me know if you come up with a location for anything else."

Cammy smiled to herself. It appeared John was now culpable in anything which occurred going forward. She did appreciate the green light to do as she saw fit.

"Will do, we're on it." Cammy said. "Thank you, John."

Cammy and Gail cut their coms again.

Gail hoped for something a little more definitive out of the conversation. It wasn't the case.

"John didn't give us specific instructions on what to do or not to do." Gail said. "Is it the 'green light' we both want?"

Cammy believed it was based on John's response. He didn't tell them to take it easy. He told them to finish up as they saw fit. If it wasn't a green light, what was?

"It is for me." Cammy said. "What happens next can never be divulged to anyone. It must stay with us."

Gail nodded. She didn't think it would be a problem. She already heard 'the saying'.

"What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas." Gail said.

Cammy tilted her head slightly. She believed the statement was in regards to sexual encounters, not what they were about to do. She wanted to make herself clear.

"I don't want what we do next ever discussed." Cammy said.

Gail understood what Cammy didn't want known and why.

"You don't want Savannah to know." Gail said. "I don't either."

Cammy looked at the two battered forms sprawled on the floor of the building. She didn't want anyone to know.

"I'm going to HURT them now." Cammy said.

Gail planned to be a part of everything going forward. The reference to the 'redhead' in the future bothered her immensely.

"It could have been a future version of Savannah they were talking about." Gail said. "I'm going to hurt them even more."

Cammy and Gail checked around both the front and back of the building. They it several times to make sure they weren't exposed, and no one else showed up in the front or back. They even barricaded the door Cammy knocked off its hinges. They didn't want any surprise guests either.

They were mindful of the Skynet Terminator the men mentioned. They weren't able to give an accurate location on him either.

Cammy returned with the dead female and gently set her down between the men.

"They're going to receive everything they did to her." Cammy said.

Gail looked at the deceased female with some sadness. Justice needed to be served.

"I agree." Gail said.

Gail and Cammy stripped and tied the men.

Cammy was aware Gail's eyes glowed red ever since she entered the building.

"This is for 'Savannah'." Gail said. "All of them, in whatever future."

Cammy agreed. Bad things seem to have occurred in every future to Savannah.

"Payback is a Bitch." Cammy said.

Gail couldn't agree more. They didn't need to have Sheila with them.

"Metal Bitches in this case." Gail said. "I've learned a few things from Jesse…."

Ally shadowed the box truck on her own. She didn't have any more side roads to parallel the box truck on. They were about to head into the open desert.

"I'm going to be on the same road as them in the next turn." Ally said. "There are no other roads."

John Henry didn't want Ally to get in too close.

"You will need to drop back." John Henry said.

Ally already contemplated her options. They weren't good. She needed to keep some kind of a visual on the box truck.

"If I drop back too far, I may miss where they turn off." Ally said.

John wanted Ally to play it safe. Even if the truck turned off, they would be able to search for it over a wide area very soon.

"Ally, we have two drones on the way." John said. "Keep the truck in your Terminator eyesight for now. Don't let them lead you into an ambush."

Ally was a little surprised at the daylight drones. She figured the Nevada desert was a pretty good place for them. After all, they weren't too far away from Groom Lake and Area 51. She was sure any reports sent anywhere around the area didn't go very far before they were shelved. The Air Force wouldn't want anyone looking over their shoulder, or second guessing them.

"What is the ETA on the drones?" Ally asked.

John Henry tracked their progress on a regular basis.

"It will be in approximately seventeen minutes." John Henry said. "They'll be at fifty thousand feet."

Ally quickly calculated the travel time of a missile from fifty thousand feet. It shouldn't be a problem. The missile would have gravity working for it.

"It will only slow the arrival of a missile by seconds." Ally said. "It works for me."

John wanted her to know she would be protected. If any of their drones were needed at a lower altitude, he already instructed John Henry to violate the hard deck and give support where it was needed.

"The drones will also search for hostile HK drones." John said. "If you feel you need close support or the 'gun', ask for it. Don't hesitate. The gloves are off on this one. The remote area will work in our favor in multiple respects."

John Henry wanted her to know he wouldn't let her down.

"Once you start across the desert you'll be isolated much of the time." John Henry said. "I'll bring the drones right down on top of them if it's needed."

Ally kept a Terminator eye on the truck ahead.

"I watched them make their turn three minutes ago." Ally said. "I'm now three minutes behind them. I can still see them ahead."

John checked on the arrival time of some of the other teams on the way.

"I have more teams headed your way." John said.

Ally knew she was the Lone Ranger in the middle of nowhere with no backup or support, yet.

"Right now, I'm it." Ally said.

John felt a little guilty. He always berated Cameron for operating alone. He was the one who sent Ally out alone. They didn't have any spare personnel at the time.

"Yes." John said. "I'm sorry."

Ally didn't want him to feel bad. She was a Terminator after all.

"John, this is what we do." Ally said. "This is what Cameron needs to do most of the time."

Ally wasn't afraid, but she would be cautious. She hoped to avoid being shot up as bad as Cameron was at times. She did wonder if she was damaged if she would think she was Allison. She really wondered what it would be like. Maybe it was a way to get away from it all. There were times when Cameron thought she was Future Allison.

Allison opened her eyes.

Savannah looked into her eyes.

Wait.

It was Vanna who looked at her. She must have been dreaming. She didn't feel bad being with Vanna and dreaming about Savannah. It was really the same thing, more or less. They were both Savannah Weaver.

"Hi, Allison." Vanna said with a smile.

Allison wanted to play it cool.

"Hi, Vanna." Allison said. "I think I drifted off for a while. I don't sleep."

Vanna knew it was Terminators who didn't sleep.

"What?" Vanna asked.

Allison quickly understood the error in her statement.

"I mean, I don't sleep much anymore." Allison said. "I experience a lot of restlessness."

Vanna still smiled at Allison. She was very pleased they were there together.

"We can wake up like this everyday again." Vanna said. "At least for three or four days a week."

Vanna moved on top of Allison as she gave her a kiss and then a deeper one.

"You're firm again." Allison said as she reached up and touched Vanna's breasts.

Vanna already knew it before Allison woke up.

"You know what it means…." Vanna said.

Allison thought about her baby, Destiny, in Cameron's future. She knew what she would want for her. There was a purpose to what was done with Vanna and Jesse.

"I think it means we call Riley and see if she needs 'help' first." Allison said. "Precious needs to come first."

Vanna looked disappointed. She quickly remembered the mission.

"You're right." Vanna said. "It's what this was supposed to be about in the first place."

Vanna made the call. After some small talk, the subject came up.

"How's the feeding going?" Vanna asked.

Allison listened.

There was a pause.

"No." Vanna said. "Really?"

Allison sat up. She could see Vanna was concerned.

There was a pause.

"You should have called me." Vanna said. "We'll be right there."

There was a pause.

"Not Jesse, it's Allison." Vanna said.

There was a pause.

"No. But I'll check with Jesse too." Vanna said. "She hasn't started to produce much yet."

There was a pause.

"We will take care of Precious." Vanna said.

There was a pause.

"There are three Metal girls who can 'plug in' and check you out." Vanna said. "We'll be there in sixty seconds."

Allison threw on a top and some shorts, they were Vanna's.

"Go get Jesse and meet me at Riley's room." Vanna said.

Allison took off.

Vanna grabbed a pair of pants and a top, they were Allison's.

The girls didn't care, they shared everything.

Life was good in Paradise. They wanted to keep it the same way for Riley and Precious too. It appeared they were about to have the first real life test as to what would actually happen with Cameron's long range plans for Precious. Everyone wanted to help.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Drop Back

It seems they lose focus
When they stare at the rack
Everyone already knows
They really want the crack

It's their own moral fortitude
In which they fail and lack
They really don't understand
They act like a raving quack

What belongs to another
They will gladly hijack
If the road gets bumpy
They know where to fallback

Is what they really desire
Little more than an attack
It's more like who's available
That they will gladly shack

Any love that they feel
Is only an unwanted setback
To get what they want
The deck they will stack

To stay on their track
They dodge the flak
When the day turns black
They just drop back

Nobody