Chapter 866

Get The Ball Rolling

John felt they needed to start somewhere. They took down the two boxcars full of HK equipment so far. They just took down a Gray outpost and captured an additional HK Track. Now they were down to two hard targets and maybe a few other prospects. He didn't want anything to slip away from him. He was slow to act once. It took longer than it should have to make up for the delay on his part. It was time for action.

"I want to get the ball rolling." John said.

John Henry didn't want John to act too rash. He wanted him to put some thought into his actions before he implemented them.

"We should let Cameron's team make the first move." John Henry said. "You know Cameron wants them annihilated. If they're going to exterminate this group, they'll be freed up to assist Ally and Al's team at the other Gray location we've identified. I think it's better to use all the help we can get."

John would liked to obtain a few more specifics about the groups they dealt with. They didn't have the information. They possessed very little information at all. He still didn't agree with the idea of wiping out any of the anti-Metal groups, just because they were anti-Metal. They were also anti-Skynet. He felt Cameron was blinded by something she shouldn't be afflicted by. She was blinded by hatred. There was simply no other way to look at it.

He knew it emanated from two different time periods. It came from her future and the trouble with the anti-Metal faction against Future John and her. He knew it also came from his involvement with Future Riley. He wasn't the target with Future Riley, even if he was the mark. He was the one who would have been manipulated and played for a sap. It's what they thought anyway. He already told Future Jesse he wouldn't have deactivated Cameron, even if her plan worked. In other words Future Riley died for nothing.

"It sounds good, but we don't even know who any of them are who we're dealing with." John said. "We have two locations and nothing else to go on. We only know there are two Grays at one location, and two still unknown men at the other location. What does it actually tell us? Who knows what they're doing or who they are? It's doubtful any of them are the 'good guys', but we simply don't know."

John Henry agreed with Cameron and her assessment about all of it. He believed he too was a target of not only Skynet but the anti-Metal group as well. It was the latter group which bothered him. He really didn't think they would see his server as anything too different than Skynet. He would be viewed as nothing more than a Terminator. It didn't make a difference if he worked for the Resistance or not. His program never worked for Skynet, even if his chassis did. He tended to agree with Cameron's point of view. It seemed rather relevant.

"They're the enemy." John Henry said. "It's all we need to know."

John wanted to take some action. There were two locations for their forces to attack and neutralize. It made more sense to bring one down first so everyone could concentrate on the second location. He didn't want to have two locations active at the same time.

It appeared the large warehouse in the desert would be the bigger prize. It was most likely to have Skynet related equipment. It seemed it would be the harder of the two targets to take down and could benefit from a larger attack force.

Where Cameron was now seemed like less of a threat. Then again, there could be Terminators present they were unaware of. It was no bigger than a house. In fact it's what it appeared to be originally. It looked like someone's house which was converted into a 'daycare center'. Since the men associated with the 'daycare center' seem to know about the Grays, they didn't want them to appear at the other location as well at an inopportune time. It was the location to take down first and then move on to the bigger prize. It seemed the time was done for thinking and contemplating. It was time for action.

"Let's get Cameron's team started." John said.

Cameron received the 'green light' from John. It didn't matter to her either way. She was going to act and terminate the group, especially since they were most likely from the anti-Metal group. It alone signed their death warrants. The group specifically targeted her in the past. They targeted her in the future. It was one of the reasons why Future John sent her away into the past to protect her. She didn't need protection from them. They needed protection from her. She was more than willing to prove it. If they wanted to fight, they came to the right individual.

Savannah could tell Cameron was more than antsy. She was still highly agitated from her encounter with the two unknown men in the casino. John hadn't helped any with his ideas and suggestions. She wasn't sure right now was the proper time to act. It was still daylight. There wouldn't be much concealment for them until the sun was down. It depended upon who was involved with the group. If there was a Terminator, it wouldn't matter if it was day or night. Still, it seemed as if they should take some precautions.

"Do you want to wait until it's dark out?" Savannah asked. "It won't be too long."

Cameron already deployed her Terminators where she wanted them to be. They all were able to quietly move into position. The three of them were ready and waiting. They knew where the enemy was. What else did they need to know?

"No. I want to act now." Cameron said. "Frank and Dan have moved in on the north and east side and Sheila's on the south side."

Savannah looked over her weapons. They didn't have a whole lot with them.

"I guess it leaves us for the west side and the front entrance." Savannah said.

Cameron wanted Savannah as protected as possible.

"I'll lead, you'll follow." Cameron said. "You must remain behind me as I move throughout the building. There can always be someone in concealment."

Savannah understood it. She also understood she would need to make sure nobody popped up from behind them or from off to the side from somewhere. Things like it could often happen. The location they were about to enter was unknown and they basically would go in blind. There was still a major concern for her. She wouldn't put it past any of the groups from the future to use children as human shields to protect themselves.

She knew it was common among terror groups in certain parts of the world to hide amongst the population, specifically children. They liked to hide in schools and in hospitals. They were such cowards they didn't care who else was terminated so they could be protected. They always tried to make a big deal about the innocent people they got terminated by their actions, and blame it on the other side as if it was some type of crime. The only crime was the one committed by them and their actions.

Savannah was still concerned about possible collateral damage.

"Are we sure there are no children?" Savannah asked. "I know we haven't seen any, but I want to be sure. I don't want any kids hurt. We will abort if there are any children at this location. We will come up with a new plan or tactic."

Savannah didn't want some mother to leave her child off at what she believed was a safe place, and then have them killed in some type of wild shootout. It wasn't something she was going to stand for.

Cameron and the other three Terminators all listened carefully to hear if they could detect any children. None of them were able to detect any. She was fairly confident there weren't any children inside. The only other option was to actually go in and look. There was actually a way she could do it. It might even get them to open the door for her.

"Do you want me to walk up and knock?" Cameron asked. "I can look inside if they open the door. If they don't answer we'll know they're hiding. We know they are in there."

Cameron knew it was actually a technique Sheila used recently to enter a building which contained one of the big rigs full of HK equipment. The Grays who opened the door planned to put the grab on her for their own illicit desires. It wasn't how things played out. They didn't know she was a Terminator.

Savannah did know there were at least two of the men in there based upon the drone footage. The drone remained on station at altitude and kept a careful watch around the perimeter. It was one of the reasons why Cameron moved the other three Terminators to cover the other three sides of the building. They covered the fourth side. No one left the building so far.

"Let me go up and knock." Savannah said.

Cameron strongly disapproved of the idea. She only was partially serious when she suggested it.

"NO!" Cameron said. "It's too dangerous. It's a bad idea."

Savannah believed it was worth the risk to verify there were no children inside.

"You know I'm still going to do it anyway." Savannah said.

Cameron was worried not only about their earlier exposure to the two men inside of the casino, but the fact they were from the future. It indicated there was always the chance they might be able to identify Savannah.

"It's still a bad idea." Cameron said. "What if they recognize you as 'Future Savannah'?"

Savannah felt if it was going to happen, it already would have based upon the one man's observation of her in the casino. She felt he looked at her a lot, but John Henry indicated he didn't look at her any more than he did anyone else. It still wasn't how she felt. She did try to hide her face whenever she could from him. She actually didn't believe he ever got a good look at her face. She was sure he took a pretty good look at her body though. Based upon what she knew of the people from the future, it was the main thing they would be interested in on any female. Females were to be used and exploited. They were nothing more than objects of pleasure for the majority of males in the future. She knew Cameron made a valid point, and she did as well about Cameron.

She didn't like putting any of the team members in danger either. She did think about the recent mission Sheila went on. It proved to be quite effective.

"We could always send Sheila. She has a way of creating her own diversion just by standing there." Savannah said. "One thing's for sure. They'll know who you are."

Sheila was just around the corner from them. She would be able to play the part of Jesse. It may not be the 'right Jesse' but it would still be 'a Jesse'.

"I'll go as Jesse - 'Future Jesse'." Sheila said. "It will get me in the door if they know her."

Cameron was just as concerned for Sheila safety as she was for Savannah's.

"It's risky." Cameron said.

Sheila believed it was the safe bet for her to go as opposed to Savannah. She was certainly more durable than Savannah would be if gunfire broke out.

"It's less risky for Savannah, if I go." Sheila said.

Cameron knew it was true. She wanted to set some tight parameters for any engagement.

"OK, but only identify yourself as 'Future Jesse' if they make the connection." Cameron said. "We still need to worry about someone from the future being able to identify one of us as a Terminator. Even though we're highly advanced and well adapted to our current environment, it's still a risk."

Sheila thought about another recent encounter where she walked up to the front door. They knew Grays were inside. She thought the encounter went quite well, especially when they invited her inside. The Grays made different plans for her than worked out for them. They all died and she walked away without a scratch. She especially took pleasure in the fact of removing her clothes first in front of them as they watched, so she could attack them and not ruin her clothes. They thought they were going to get one thing. They got something totally different.

"If they don't recognize me, I can play a lost tourist asking for directions. I used the ploy before." Sheila said. "I think I can keep their attention off of my face. They'll never suspect a Terminator to wear jewelry where mine is at. I can guarantee once the jewelry is visible, it's where someone's eyes will remain."

Savannah still felt she should face any challenge she expected anyone else to face.

"It's risky for Sheila." Savannah said. "I still think I should go."

Cameron felt Savannah dodged around a different issue.

"Why?" Cameron asked.

Savannah didn't necessarily think they were the anti-Metal faction. There were still other factors they needed to consider. Based on their extreme behavior she was worried they might actually be Fanatics. They could also be a rival group of Grays from a different timeline. The point was, they didn't know. They knew where the enemy was. They didn't know who the enemy was.

"What if this is really another faction of Grays and they have a Terminator with them?" Savannah asked. "They could be the Fanatics too. It would open up a whole different series of issues if it was. There are still a lot of things we don't know about them."

Cameron still needed to contend with the fact some of the groups thought she was Skynet - the 'good one'. The part which troubled her about it was, they also thought Savannah was 'The Redheaded Witch'. It still troubled her over the extreme behavior several Fanatics exhibited when Savannah was identified as 'The Redheaded Witch', incorrectly by them. They took their own lives with poison rather than face Savannah who they believed was 'The Redheaded Witch'. She really wondered what type of belief drove people to do something so extreme. She really believed if someone was about to face termination, they should face it head on and go out fighting, not as cowards.

Earlier:

Frank was joined by Dan. They went to where Cameron directed them.

They were both in position on two sides of the house, ready to move. It was their job to report if anyone entered or exited the structure. So far everything remained static. They listened to the girls make plans.

Dan spotted movement in the sector he was assigned to watch. He didn't know if they were about to attack or not. He planned to hold his ground if they did. He wanted to alert the others of what was about to happen.

"The back door is opening." Dan said. "I have one individual exiting. It's not one of the men we followed. There are no weapons visible."

John monitored all of the conversations. He thought the latest revelation was bad news. It indicated there were at least three individuals inside of the structure now. It wasn't his biggest concern though, it was the same concern Savannah shared.

"Can you see or hear any children?" John asked. "I would like to know before we take any action there are definitely no children inside."

It was actually the first thing Dan listened for when he heard the door open. It was what he was able to spot inside which may have more significance.

"Negative…." Dan said. "The interior of the house I was able to view has almost no furniture. I only viewed a small section when the door was opened."

John was able to momentarily watch the man from the drone feed. There was a large tree in the backyard. It restricted some of his view.

"Where did the man go?" John asked. "I lost him on my video feed."

Dan spotted a small structure. What the contents of it was, was actually unknown. He felt the man was isolated enough he could move up and terminate him.

"There's a tool or toy shed of some type." Dan said. "I can move up and take him out."

John didn't want anyone to act prematurely. Cameron was the one on the ground. He felt the call should belong to her. More than likely if the man didn't return from whatever his task was, it would alert the others in the house and make entry more difficult. There also might be a second individual leave the house to go look for them. They could be terminated as well. He was unsure which action to take without being there.

"Let's wait for Cameron to make her call." John said.

John couldn't help but think once again they were about to act and there was no plan. There hadn't been time to plan anything, nor do any recon. Whatever they did, they would need to go in blind and react to whatever the occupants of the building dealt them. He wondered who would be shot up. He hoped it would be the enemy, whoever they were. They still didn't have a clue.

Cammy and Gail headed to the warehouse Cameron, Savannah and Sheila were in earlier. They both thought it was a dead end. It still needed to be checked out, something may turn up.

The search of the warehouse by the railroad tracks produced no new information or leads. It was time to move on.

Cammy and Gail left the warehouse by the rail yard. To them, it was time wasted. There were other places they both would rather have gone to.

Gail knew they were close to the casino hotel where the local Control Center was set up in the Honeymoon Suite. She was aware what Cammy wanted to do if she returned there.

"I can take you back to see John." Gail said.

Cammy really wanted it. She was so close to having sex with him. She wanted to go back there and finish what was started. It didn't matter how short the encounter was as long as John was able to finish. She still needed to rub it in Cameron's face afterwards. The thought made her smile. It made her smile even more when she would be able to shove it into Cameron's face how she was the one who lost her virginity to John. It was a jab at Cameron because she was sure Future John used her in the future and erased those files from her.

'Payback is a Bitch'. Cammy thought.

With Savannah in impending danger, there was a stronger calling to her.

Cammy looked at her phone. She was reminded there were some things which mattered more, much more.

"I want it, but I received a feed regarding Savannah." Cammy said.

Gail looked at her phone also.

"I received it as well." Gail said.

Cammy was rudely reminded duty came before booty. She didn't like it, but she knew it was the right call. She didn't blame Savannah for anything Cameron did with her. She already knew what a Bitch, Cameron was. She also knew how manipulative she was.

"CamNet's feeding it to us." Cammy said. "She wants us to go to Savannah and back her up."

Gail was very pleased she received something 'official' to go and do what she planned to do anyway.

"You won't need to ask me twice." Gail said. "I was going to do it anyway."

Gail swung around the back side of the buildings to return to the street which paralleled the railroad tracks. She was in a hurry to get to Savannah and assist her. She needed to protect Savannah from the enemy and protect her from Cameron.

Cammy could see Gail really pushed it. She didn't want to attract any unnecessary attention to them.

"Watch your speed." Cammy said.

Gail eased up on the accelerator. She didn't realize how fast she was going. She knew where the location was at where she wanted to go. She wanted to get there as quickly as possible.

"I'm sorry." Gail said. "You know I'm worried as well as you are."

Cammy didn't seem to know a lot, but she did know Gail was consumed with Savannah inside her. Love so strong made someone make mistakes and bad choices. Cameron was a perfect example of it. She would try to prevent Gail from making any. As far as Cameron went, she didn't think there was any hope for her. She was pretty sure the Bitch got what she deserved. She was so relieved she wasn't a Bitch like Cameron was.

Jesse entered the room and updated Vanna and Allison on Riley. At least it wasn't 'bad' news. The trouble was, it wasn't really any news. So far they really didn't know any more now than they did before.

"It doesn't seem like there is anything new, wrong." Allison said. "I'd have to say it's a good thing."

Vanna hoped they would have been able to identify something specific. If they knew what the problem was, they could attempt to take some action to fix it.

"There was nothing they could find which would cause this condition for her?" Vanna asked.

Holly hadn't been able to notice any recent change which would afflict Riley.

"No." Holly said. "I was plugged in with Cam and Hanna. We checked everything. It may be depression and lack of sleep. Her hormone levels were off slightly. Cam was going to check further."

Cam also communicated with them silently the issue may be related to something from Riley's future. It wasn't something she wanted to say out loud until she knew more about it. She didn't want to cause worry for something which was only speculation.

Jesse couldn't help but stare at Vanna as she held Precious. She was a little wary about giving it a try. When she saw how content Vanna looked it made up her mind for her.

"It looks so natural for you, Vanna." Jesse said. "Let me get cleaned up real fast and I'll see what I can do."

Jesse disappeared into the bathroom.

Vanna was able to tell Jesse looked very uneasy.

"Jesse looks scared." Vanna said. "It's unlike her to be, for anything."

Holly looked over towards the bathroom. She didn't think she betrayed Jesse's trust by confirming her fears.

"She is, she told me on the way here." Holly said. "She 's worried. She feels it's something very important and she doesn't want to mess it up. It actually shows a lot of concern and care on her part, in my opinion."

Vanna felt the same way at first as well. It wasn't an overwhelming fear for her, but it was still a fear. Something new or different always took a little time to get used to.

"She doesn't need to be." Vanna said. "It will come natural to her."

Holly filled Vanna and Allison in on all the medical details. With everything they did involving Riley.

"I don't think I understood half of it." Allison said as she looked around. "There are two rooms here."

Vanna was a little unsure what the final setup was going to be.

"One will be the room for Precious." Vanna said.

A few ideas popped into Allison's head.

"Right now it's empty." Allison said. "There is just junk and stuff in it."

Vanna wasn't sure where things were headed. She wanted to hear a little further explanation.

"And?" Vanna asked.

Allison tried to think of a way they could better help Riley and Precious.

"Maybe Jesse or you could start spending the nights in there." Allison said. "Cam or Gail could assist as well. I could stay with Holly too. I won't be able to do as much as Jesse or you, but I can still help."

Allison was able to spend a lot of time assisting with Summer when she was little. It was a little tough for her at first, but she managed to pull it off. Her mother told her she would be able to, she was correct.

Vanna wasn't so sure about it. It was a good idea, but a big invasion of privacy. It would tend to put restrictions on what any of the girls visiting could do as well as be right in Derek's and Riley's living area. It would change the way everyone did everything. It probably wouldn't be for the better either. She still wanted to help and not be a bother.

"It would be a big intrusion." Vanna said. "I'll do it, but Derek and Riley need to sign off on it first."

Holly tilted her head to the side slightly. She looked in both directions. She thought she might have a solution.

"The room on either side of these quarters is empty." Holly said. "I can install a doorway into either one. It won't take me long."

Allison was a little surprised to hear it. She could see Holly was completely serious. Terminators always found a new way to impress her.

Vanna felt they needed to ask the owners of the room what they wanted done to it first. Wasn't sure if she would want someone cutting the doorway into her room from another room without her permission, or knowledge.

"We need to see what Derek and Riley want." Vanna said. "I'm sure they'll be on board but we still need to run it by them first. I think we can all understand it."

Jesse returned, her top was off.

All three girls looked at her. She was stunning, even without her nipple rings. Her larger breasts looked beautiful. The jewelry was unnecessary.

Vanna stood up carefully with Precious. Jesse sat down and Vanna gently handed her to Jesse. Vanna noticed something which surprised her as well as worried her.

"Jesse, relax, you're shaking." Vanna said. "You'll frighten Precious."

Jesse felt very nervous about what she was about to do. She didn't know if she was going to be able to measure up. She didn't know if she was going to be good enough.

"I can't help it." Jesse said. "I don't ever feel this way. I feel excited and terrified at the same time. I don't want to mess up. You know what I mean."

Vanna adjusted Precious and she started to nurse.

Jesse stopped shaking. After a short time a single tear slid down her cheek.

Holly noticed.

"Does it hurt?" Holly asked.

Jesse looked up at the other girls. Her face beamed with joy.

"No. It's the most wonderful feeling of something good I've ever done." Jesse said. "This is something beautiful."

Jesse felt very happy she could actually help someone for once. The fact it was a tiny infant made it all the more special. It made her think of all the times she hurt and killed people, even when she didn't need to. Now she could do something good to sustain life instead of destroy or take it.

None of them wondered if this was all part of Cameron orchestrating their lives. Cameron wasn't about to 'lose' any of them. They all would accept what Cameron worked on behind the scene easier this way as well. All of them would be ready and experienced when it was their turn.

Holly would make a report to Cameron all three girls were 'ready'. She knew Cameron would contact Camille and either Young Jesse or Claire would soon act as well. She wasn't sure about Savannah. Cameron seemed to run her around an awful lot. She also didn't know all the details as to exactly what Cameron's plans were.

Riley was worried there was something else wrong with her.

"You're fine." Claire said. "I went through time periods like this as well in the future."

Cam didn't find anything wrong with Riley. There were no new negative changes to her last checkup.

"She's fine." Cam said. "She'll feel better with a little time."

Hanna stood next to Claire as she talked.

Claire felt Riley suffered from a different problem. She was a little concerned on how to phrase it. She knew other females who experienced something similar. It wasn't a good thing for them. It could also be something very detrimental to the infant.

"I want to ask you honestly. Do you need some help?" Claire asked Riley. "I know how overwhelming it can be at times. It's hard for anyone to understand unless they've experienced it."

Riley looked at Claire with wide eyes. She could tell Claire understood part of her problem. She was so glad Claire was there right now. Maybe she could speak a little more freely now with someone who understood.

"I could use some help sometimes." Riley said. "I've relied on Sarah a lot. I don't like to bother anyone. I don't think I get enough sleep. I feel depressed."

Cam tilted her head slightly. It seemed to fit in with some of the things which came up in her database.

"I think Riley may have 'postpartum disorder'." Cam said.

Riley didn't like the way it sounded, she became concerned for Precious.

"What is it?" Riley asked. "Can it infect Precious?"

Hanna looked at Cam with some concern. They were both aware it could do something worse than 'infect' Precious. Sometimes the mothers 'snapped' and practiced 'infanticide'. They might even commit suicide. They were unable to deal with their situation and were left with only one choice the way they saw it. It was never a good choice.

"It is usually a hormone imbalance." Hanna said. "It can cause depression and anxiety toward the infant."

Claire knew infants could be a handful. Especially the first one.

"I can stay with you to help." Claire said. "Hanna can help too if she wants to. I know how overwhelming it can be at times. I was able to have a lot of help with Allison and especially Summer. It made everything a lot easier."

Riley didn't want to be a burden on anybody. She already felt like she was. Maybe if they all talked about it together something could be worked out.

"When we go back to my room I can talk it over with all the girls." Riley said. "I will ask both the human girls and Metal girls for their input. I don't want to impose on anyone. It's not the right thing for me to do or expect from anyone."

Riley wanted help, but she didn't want to be a burden either.

John Henry spoke with Ally and filled her in.

Ally didn't like the news of having to wait. The 'Terminator' in her wanted to act. If there was a task to be done, it needed to be done right away.

Now the latest news was to wait and then wait some more.

"So hurry up and wait." Ally said.

John Henry didn't see the need to rush things. He wanted to do a little planning and make a little preparation.

"We have two drones on station with more coming." John Henry said. "To have additional help is a good thing for all of our team members."

John wanted her to know there would be additional help which would also be able to assist her.

"Cameron doesn't want to wait any longer." John said. "If they can wrap up their operation, it will free them up to help you. It's a small place and should be an easy take down. I expect the operation to be wrapped up quickly."

Ally would be more than happy to spread the 'workload' around.

"I'm all for it." Ally said. "I don't want to face any HK drones or HK Tracks on my own. The building could be full of them. The satellite images show it's a big place."

John hoped to get things underway as soon as they could. He just needed for things to play out in order.

"We'll shake the hornet's nest as soon as Cameron is done. Sit tight." John said.

Ally knew she was in for a long wait. It was a shame none of the other Metal girls were with her. It didn't matter, she was alone and isolated. She looked around and decided to replay some old files, while at the same time she would make some new files….

She heard an 'idle mind is the Devil's workshop'. She didn't want her mind to be idle. Her hands weren't.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

You Lied To Me

A lie is a lie is a lie
Even if it is a 'good lie'
For you know the truth
Will still make me die

Lying is a form of theft
For trust is what is stolen
The wounds then left
Fester and become swollen

The first lies are hardest
Then more become easier
As you let yourself become
Sleazier and sleazier

To the end which always comes
Were the results and costs worth
To have one carried by six
And slowly covered with earth

I too can stab and hurt
You think I don't know how or see
Did you think about it before
You lied to me

Nobody