Chapter 876

Fallen Into Disrepair

John tracked the teams to see where everyone was at in relation to the desert warehouse. It would determine how soon they could move forward.

"I think Cameron's teams are close enough." John said. "We need to start finalizing things."

John Henry thought of his earlier conversation with Ally. It was to see if they could draw off some of the Grays to go to the other location Gail and Cammy took down previously.

"Do you still want to stir the hornet's nest?" John Henry asked.

John took stock of his personnel on the ground. He still needed to worry if they tried to draw off some help, the Grays who remained would be on alert at the desert warehouse, even if there were now fewer of them.

"I don't know." John said. "We'll have nine Terminators there and Savannah."

John Henry wanted to remind John of the substantial drone force as well.

"Plus there are twelve drones there now." John Henry said.

It seemed under the current circumstances the extra drones available for the operation were a plus. He really wondered who was behind the amount. He was aware most of them were dispatched by CamNet. They were far outside of their normal operating area. He knew the earlier activities in the day they went through stretched a lot of their resources. He was always upset about Cameron operating on her own, without any type of backup or support. The current situation was very different from the normal procedure. He wondered about it as well.

"I don't disagree with the amount of drones for the way the operations developed with the three different target locations we needed to deal with." John said. "Did CamNet send everything on her own?"

John Henry believed it was more of an indirect route. It seemed to be based on Young Allison's desire to make sure the teams were protected. Since they were currently in a different State from where their normal operations were conducted, there weren't a whole lot of other resources available to assist those on the ground. He realized the use of their drones was an effective strategy.

"Young Allison told CamNet to 'help' Cameron, Savannah, and Ally." John Henry said. "CamNet made sure there was plenty of drone firepower available. It was the 'help' she could send and get to the different areas the quickest. Since it's now dark, it gives them more freedom of movement than they were able to do earlier in the day. I know the drones were given orders to violate the hard deck if the team ran into trouble. CamNet says those were the instructions given to her."

John figured the 'directive' came from the Young bunker. He wondered about Young Allison. It made him think of Future Allison and how pretty, alluring, and seductive she was. Cameron promised him Young Allison would be all she was and more. He could see why Future John wanted the same thing for him. He wanted the same thing for 'himself' at an earlier date. He still regretted not taking Future Allison up on her offer to 'be with him'. She told him she was with him often in the future, as Future John. He knew it was the same thing to her, even if it actually wasn't to him. No matter what, it was a mistake not to accept her offer when she visited.

There was one thing he really wanted from Young Allison and Savannah. It was their virginity. He didn't know what would happen with the relationships after the initial contact. He no doubt would like more of what was available, but he didn't know what the girls would actually want. Vanna and Allison seemed perfectly fine with their current relationship. Savannah and Young Allison may want the same accommodation.

John didn't want to start thinking about it right now. He was worried about the impending action. He was worried about one individual more than others.

"I want Savannah protected." John blurted out.

John's statement caught John Henry off guard.

"What?" John Henry asked.

John mulled it around in his head multiple times. He could see the recurring things Young Allison did. She tended to do a lot of 'backdoor meddling', but it was always based around a common theme. It was based around protecting Savannah or Cameron. The fact CamNet would back her up was one way to circumvent the Resistance, specifically him or his decisions. Technically CamNet supported Cameron's base and her operations.

"It's what Young Allison is trying to do. She's always trying to protect Savannah or Cameron." John said. "Maybe we're not doing it enough. We should do it as well."

The thought of it made John wonder if he was doing an adequate job or not. In retrospect it didn't seem like it. Maybe he should have attempted to make sure Cameron was better protected on her operations. Maybe he shouldn't have criticized her for acting on her own. She always told him the job needed to be done, when it needed to be done. He could see more and more it was how everything tended to unfold. There wasn't always time to plan. There was only time to act.

John Henry was well aware of what Young Allison tried to do. She tried to protect all of them from the sidelines. CamNet would do her bidding. Nobody could stop her from doing it.

"Things are different now on several different levels." John Henry said. "The 'Natural Order' will be protected, John, even if it requires temporal management."

John really wasn't sure it was the answer he wanted to hear. He thought about it. How far would anyone go to 'save' someone at this point? He was sure Cameron would do it. Maybe Savannah and Young Allison would too. Maybe at this point he would as well. Would he want to lose anyone if they could 'prevent' it? It was just a matter of how far someone was willing to go.

It made him think of the 'fallen'. It would mess things up if he were to go back and save his father, Future Kyle. He would like to save Future Derek and Charlie too. They didn't deserve to die the way they did. He would also like to save Future Riley. He remembered how he cried in his mother's arms after Future Riley was killed. He went to examine her, well, her body in the morgue. It was still her to him. He wanted to know more about how she died. He thought it was something important to know. It turned out it was.

To know how she died was one thing. It was 'why' she needed to die he didn't understand. It always seemed to him somehow and there was more to it than he was able to figure out. It was also senseless. It was all for nothing. He wouldn't have done anything different anyway. It all still bothered him any time he thought about it. It was clear to him how much he loved Future Riley.

John wiped a tear from his eye. It always angered him as much as it upset him because Future Riley was killed for nothing. He actually thought about the circumstances involved in Future Riley's death. He wanted to think none of it was his fault. Somehow it was all his fault. The entire event and affair was perpetrated and enacted around him specifically. It still hurt. He knew he was drifting.

"Would CamNet do the same things on her own initiative?" John asked. "Would she conduct 'Temporal Management'?"

John Henry wasn't fully aware of CamNet's interaction with both Young Allison and Savannah. He would be surprised to know how far some things already progressed by both of the girls with CamNet. He wasn't sure if 'Temporal Management' would be the proper term. He was sure there would be a certain amount of 'Temporal Malpractice' involved as well.

"I have no doubt it would happen. Cameron will do anything to protect Savannah and Young Allison." John Henry said, as an afterthought he added. "Oh, she would want to protect you too."

John asked about CamNet, but John Henry responded about Cameron. He was sure they were no longer the same in many ways. Cam and Cammy were different from Cameron. They may look identical, but they developed different traits. They shared Cameron's program with modifications. Their interactions with the girls shaped their direction as well. He was painfully aware it seemed to be a more positive direction too.

It did make him wonder about the two Duplicate versions of Cameron out there. Their programs were all identical. He was sure both of them were distinctly different from Cameron now as well. One Duplicate Cameron was in River's future, the other Duplicate Cameron was in Cameron's future. He was willing to bet the Duplicate Cameron who interacted with River would be a much better version of 'Cameron' than the one who interacted with his future self, Future John.

It seemed both Cam and Cammy, and more than likely Camille, didn't have the same emotional 'difficulties' Cameron seemed to. He was informed by Cameron all of her 'personal interaction' with him was firewalled from their programs. She said it was the only thing firewalled and tucked away inside of them. It seemed to indicate Cameron's problems revolved around her interaction with him. It didn't leave him with a good feeling about himself.

Earlier:

Al and Steve watched the warehouse. The drone left on station while they were gone showed there were no changes. The box truck was backed up to the loading dock. No external movement of personnel was seen.

They moved in on foot after the drone ride. It was very 'stimulating' to them to be transported like they were. It was a new experience for both of them.

"It was quite a ride." Steve said. "Cameron has done it a few times."

Al thought they experienced a pretty good view of the encounter with the bikers. They were each on top of one of the drones which opened up, as the three drones each fired a three second burst of their minigun. It was nearly a thousand rounds of ammunition fired in the short amount of time. The bikers were terminated almost instantly. They hadn't even been able to use any of their weapons.

"I liked the ride too." Al said. "It was a real slaughter house with the bikers."

Steve liked how smoothly everything happened. He thought it showed a certain sense of style.

"It was done very efficiently." Steve said. "CamNet 'cleaned house' on her own with a little guidance from the Young bunker. All we needed to do was throw away the trash."

Steve and Al shared some more small talk about the biker incident and the flight on the drones to and from the target area. They needed to keep track of the time. So far they were the only ones in place. Everyone else was still on the way.

"We still have twenty minutes until Cameron's teams get here." Al said. "Ally should be in position soon."

Ally left the dead bikers and the abandoned building behind. She continued down the highway towards the junction she would need to take to clandestinely approach the target building. There was very little traffic.

The drone which accompanied her alerted her to the fact there were two motorcycles headed towards her. A zoomed in image didn't show any indication they belonged to the biker gang she dealt with. Their bikes were the type used by weekend enthusiasts. They possessed a lot more amenities on them. They were also dressed in a much more civilian manner. There was no indication of any type of gang affiliation whatsoever.

Ally spotted the headlights as they approached. She glanced over at the two bikers as they passed by. They didn't look like trouble to her. She wondered if either of the riders would end up in a biker gang or not. She also needed to consider the possibility they may have left one as well. Some people tried to clean their lives up, others didn't. She knew from personal experience dealing with Cameron's 'off the books' operations, most of them didn't. She watched them disappear down the highway in her side view mirror.

She was glad they weren't part of the other group she dealt with earlier. If they were, she would have felt the need to terminate them. It wasn't the case.

Ally drove down the deserted road to a predesignated location. She moved up to the point where she needed to leave her SUV and approach on foot to get into position to cover the warehouse undetected.

She parked her SUV two miles away and walked in with all her gear. The drones on roving patrol would watch it for her. It was parked in a dry wash around a bend from the main highway. It wasn't visible from the road. It should keep anyone from approaching it or investigating it. There was no one around when she took her 'off the road' excursion to park it there. If anyone showed up, the drone on roving patrol would most likely terminate them if they approached the vehicle to tamper with it.

Ally went on her clandestine hike. She would have preferred to have driven a little closer. She arrived at her predetermined location and took up observation of the west side of the warehouse.

"I'm here on the west side." Ally said. "I see nothing. I just arrived a few minutes ago."

Steve and Al were located almost directly across from her on the other side of the structure. They're concealed position gave them a good vantage point for observation.

"We're able to view the south and east side." Steve said.

Ally thought it was good 'eyes on' coverage in addition to the overhead drone surveillance. It seemed one side still needed to be covered.

"What's happening on the north side?" Ally asked.

Until Ally arrived, Steve and Al could only observe two sides of the building from their location. They relied on the drone coverage for the other two sides.

"I don't know. There are eight drones overhead and four more on the way with Cameron's teams." Steve said. "They haven't alerted us to any threat."

Ally looked to the north from her current position. If she were to move to the north side a little more, they could have all four sides under direct observation. If a door were to open on one of the sides she would be alerted to the fact. It seemed like she should have a better view.

"Maybe I can shift my position to catch the north side as well." Ally said. "If they open a door, maybe I can see something inside. I would at least be alerted if someone were to exit with firearms, or if they look like a patrol."

After her conversation with Al and Steve, she decided to move her current position and get a better look at the north side as well.

She was in a gully now. Only her head was above the level of the surrounding ground. She started northeast through the gully to get a view of the north side of the building, while she maintained a view of the west side. She spotted a fence up ahead. She wasn't sure if it's going to be an obstacle or not until she got closer to it. It wouldn't be.

"The gully I'm in has undercut the perimeter fence." Ally said. "The fence looks like it was either electrified or used electronic sensors on it at one time. It appears to have fallen into disrepair. I don't believe the network is still active, at least it's not in the location I'm at."

John listened to the reports from the team on the ground. He wanted to gather whatever intelligence they could before the attack started. Ally's report confirmed what they noted in other locations they dealt with other Skynet forces.

"The lack of maintenance shows they've become complacent." John said. "Without the constant threat of the future, it seems they all lose their edge rather quickly in the peacefulness of the past."

Ally was aware what John said was true. They experienced it numerous times. There was also another more sinister factor to consider. It was never a good prospect.

"Or they have a Terminator or two to protect them instead." Ally said. "If they took an HK Track to the other location, it's a good bet there are more here. In open terrain like this, nobody could get past one of those things, let alone a whole fleet of them."

Ally didn't like the thought of HK Tracks getting out onto the desert terrain. They would own the ground in a very short time. They would be effective against surface and airborne targets.

John Henry wanted to keep everyone on their toes. It didn't do any good to speculate but if they were going to speculate he might as well give them one more thing to think about.

"They may have HK drones as well." John Henry reminded everyone.

Ally personally didn't think it would be too big of a challenge if they only launched a few of them. If they launched a lot of them, then their troops would be in trouble. She felt they would still have an edge in any type of drone to drone confrontation.

"So do we, and ours have air to air capability." Ally said. "I think where we're at has the potential to be a major battle."

Ally wondered if there was a better way to handle the location. She didn't like the current state of affairs. She didn't like not knowing what was inside of the building. She began to wonder if there was something she could do to change the situation.

Cameron and her teams neared the target area. She was aware Ally, Al, and Steve were all in position. They currently watched all four sides at ground level. There were a number of drones which searched the area and the sky around the location. They didn't want any surprise visitors to show up on the ground or in the air.

"We'll arrive in a few minutes." Cameron said.

Savannah didn't think they should take all of their vehicles close to the target area. If there was some type of surveillance, it would be better if the enemy didn't know what all of their vehicles looked like.

"Do we want to stash one of the vehicles out here a ways?" Savannah asked. "It could always give us something to fall back to or provide a vehicle they haven't seen before."

Cameron contemplated the idea. They didn't know the nature of the assault they would launch yet. She would like to look over the area herself first if it was possible. She could only tell so much from the drone images. She wanted a better 'feel' of the layout of the land. She knew it would depend upon how the operation actually unfolded as to what choices would need to be made going forward

"We could." Cameron said. "If we go for a ground assault, we most likely would go in on foot as long as we have the element of surprise."

Savannah wanted to make it two teams of three Terminators.

"Dan can rejoin Sheila and Frank." Savannah said. "Everyone will be a little better covered."

Cammy was concerned about what they would do with the prisoner when they went to approach the building. She didn't think they were going to take him with them. There was too much chance he would give away their position, either on purpose or inadvertently.

"What about the Gray Fanatic?" Cammy asked.

Cameron hadn't followed the interrogation closely.

"I'll need to check with Sheila to see what she found out so far." Cameron said.

Savannah didn't think they should leave the prisoner unattended even if he was securely bound. There was always the chance he could get away or someone could find him and he would be able to alert them as to what they were about to do. He would be able to give them detailed information about those in their group he encountered.

"If he's still alive, one of us will need to watch him." Savannah said.

Gail didn't think it was necessary. She didn't want Savannah to be the one to stay behind to watch him either. She knew there was an easier way to take care of business.

"Or we can terminate him." Gail said. "I'll do it."

Cammy was a little confused as to which choice Gail actually wanted to use.

"Do you mean you want to watch him?" Cammy asked.

Gail reached back and touched her sheath. She didn't like what she felt.

"No. I'll terminate him." Gail said. "They damaged my sheath. He needs to be held accountable for it. We were almost all terminated by his fellow Fanatics. Some of us suffered more damage than others."

Gail was very displeased she received severe damage to her back. She was glad Savannah tended to her, but she didn't like Savannah to see her damage. She understood better now why Cameron didn't like John to see her damaged. Who wants to look at someone's sheath cover if it looks like hamburger?

She briefly wondered why it was referred to as 'hamburger' if it was actually derived from the bovine family of animals. It didn't have anything to do with the swine family of animals.

Earlier:

Sheila 'worked' on the Fanatic. He was really surprised to wake up to a mouth full of blood and no teeth. She pulled them out one at a time with her fingers. They were aware one of the Fanatical Grays bit his own tongue off before so he couldn't talk. It actually happened at Cameron base.

Frank observed Sheila as she worked on The Fanatic. He listened to everything discussed and said. So far the Fanatic hadn't revealed anything.

"He hasn't given us any useful information." Frank said. "He should be terminated and dumped along the roadside."

Sheila hadn't even really started to work on him yet. She knew how messy a full interrogation could become. It could happen rather quickly.

"I haven't started cutting on him yet." Sheila said. "It will total the interior of the SUV when I do."

Frank received new information about the consolidation of their forces.

"We're to pick up Dan and stash the other SUV for now." Frank said. "Cut on him then."

Sheila liked the idea. She was almost done with her current round of motivation techniques.

There was a 'crunching snap' sound. The Gray let out another long scream.

Sheila briefly admired her handiwork.

"I've broken every bone in both his hands so far." Sheila said. "I will crush each finger, one by one next. When we stop, I'll rip the crushed fingers off, one at a time. No. I'll rip them off at each joint, one at a time. If he won't talk, I'll start cutting then."

There were a series of small knolls coming up.

Frank could see things were about to happen.

"Dan is pulling over." Frank said. "He's going to park in back of those small hills."

Sheila smiled and took out her knife. She was tired of the Fanatic refusing to talk. It was time to make things happen. She paused and looked down at her clothes. She really didn't want them messed up any more than they already were. Right now they showed dirt stains and a few small tears and snags. It was when they needed to take cover as the building blew up. She ended up with a fair amount of debris on top of her.

She didn't want to get blood on them as well. She took one more look at her damaged clothing and punched the Fanatic hard in the gut. He doubled over in agony and blacked out. It probably caused some additional internal damage because of the force of it.

"Get ready to feel some real pain" Sheila said. "You have no idea."

Hanna and Claire were currently in the Command Center. Hanna didn't want to stop in the Command Center in the first place. She believed it was a mistake for Claire to follow any of the operations. They always made her upset and worried. There was nothing she could contribute to them or change about them. All she ended up doing was causing problems and discomfort for those who needed to actually monitor them.

"Claire, I want you to really think about what you just said earlier." Hanna said.

Claire thought she said a lot of things. She was most concerned about her daughters. Why shouldn't they be her top priority? Who was anyone to question it?

"I don't know." Claire said. "She's going to do it anyway."

Hanna wasn't sure exactly who Claire referred to.

"Who?" Hanna asked. "Do you mean Cameron?"

It was her older daughter which concerned Claire the most. She watched the Terminators around her house train and guide Young Allison for years. She was actually unable to view most of the real training. Cameron was another concern of hers. It was for different reasons, even if some of them were the same.

"Her too." Claire said. "I meant Allison - Young Allison. It's her destiny."

Hanna looked around. They were in a 'dead spot' in the surveillance. She moved closer to Claire. She wondered if there was something Future Allison confided in her she was unaware of. Her program was on Holly's chip in Holly's chassis for the temporal excursion. There were often times when they were separated from each other, even if they were close by. There were a lot of 'hookups' which went on behind the scenes.

"Was Future Allison in combat?" Hanna asked.

She knew for a fact when she arrived in the future, Future Allison was with her everyday, even if it wasn't for all of the day. She never saw her in combat even if she did see her in combat gear at times. She was always told it was for training purposes.

"No." Claire said. "She has a baby to take care of."

Hanna was aware of that as well. She wanted Claire to think a little more.

"Is our Allison in combat?" Hanna asked.

Claire was aware ever since Allison moved back into their home in Palmdale she hadn't been on any combat operations she was aware of. There was something else she attempted to do instead.

"No." Claire said. "She's trying to have a baby to take care of."

Hanna wanted Claire to think about the full implications of what she did for two Future versions of her daughter.

"You're helping her stay out of combat with what you're going to do for her." Hanna said. "It was the same for Future Allison."

Claire thought about Hanna's indications and how they both revolved around children for her to 'older daughters' from the future. She really didn't like the direction the conversation was headed. It actually made her feel quite uneasy.

"Are you telling me if Young Allison becomes a mother as soon as possible, she won't face the dangers I've seen before and saw earlier today?" Claire asked. "Is it what you're telling me? Is this just to get my approval to breed her?"

Hanna didn't want it to sound like Claire made it sound.

"I only made an observation." Hanna said. "You know I love you."

Claire loved Hanna dearly. She knew Hanna loved her just as much as well.

"Thank you." Claire said. "You're looking out for me and her."

Hanna knew there were ways to 'game the system'. They needed to be done a certain way though.

"It has to be John's baby…." Hanna said.

Claire wanted her daughter protected. She didn't want her in combat.

"I understand. Will you get into trouble for 'mentioning' this to me?" Claire asked.

Hanna wanted what was best for Claire and for Young Allison. She watched the bullet slam into the wall next to Savannah's face. She didn't like the fact Savannah was even there. She didn't want Young Allison to end up next to her and face the same thing either.

"Probably…." Hanna said. "Young Allison or Savannah can prevent my deactivation. They would be the only ones who could stop it."

Hanna was sure if Young Allison were to become pregnant as soon as possible, she would never need to see actual combat. In Cameron's future, Cameron made Future John promise to keep Future Allison and Future Savannah out of all combat. It should apply to the present as well. She knew Young Allison would be considered young by many social norms to become pregnant. She also knew it wasn't uncommon in the third world, or in the inner city, for females Young Allison's age to become pregnant. She watched a program on television where some of the females in the inner city were grandmothers at twenty five years of age. She felt it was all a matter of perception.

She also knew only two hundred years ago females of Young Allison's age needed to get married and start a family because they would be dead by the time they were thirty or thirty five years old. It was all the longer the lifespan was two hundred years ago and all of time before then for the common people. Again she thought it was all a matter of perception. History didn't lie.

Bob had been left in charge of Jan and Summer earlier. He found the assignment as rewarding as it was entertaining.

"Here comes your mother now." Bob said.

Jan knew her mother wanted to be alone with her father for a while. It was usually the same way when he returned from a mission.

"My mom didn't want to be disturbed for a while." Jan said.

Bob thought maybe he should have made himself a little clearer.

"It's Summer's mother." Bob said.

Summer always enjoyed spending time with Bob.

"I want to stay with you, Bob. You're more fun." Summer said.

Jan felt they made a good threesome.

"I think so too." Jan said.

Bob wanted to stay with the girls longer but there was some construction work which needed to be done.

"I'm going to need to do some work in your Aunt and Uncle's room." Bob said.

Claire arrived with Hanna.

Summer looked a little disappointed. She didn't want to go home.

"Are we going back already?" Summer asked.

Claire wanted to make other plans for the evening. She figured since she was at the Resistance base, she might as well partake in some of the 'amenities' it offered.

"No." Claire said. "I want to spend the night here. It'll be your bed time soon."

Summer thought she saw an opportunity to spend more time with Jan.

"Can I sleep in Jan's room?" Summer asked.

Claire actually liked the idea. She wouldn't have to keep an eye on Summer then. Kyle and Sarah would be able to do it for her.

"It's up to her parents." Claire said. "I don't have a problem with it."

Bob hated to intrude but he needed the assistance of some additional Terminators.

"I need to borrow Hanna for an hour." Bob said. "We're going to help install the doors in Derek and Riley's room. It's all part of the plan to make dealing with Precious easier for those who will assist her."

Bob and Hanna left.

Claire watched Jan and Summer interact. They both looked so happy and without a care in the world.

She knew moving to the base would be better for her because she could 'interact' with Vanna and Jesse. She could also see Riley, Precious, and Sarah. Summer and Jan got along great. They studied and played well together.

There was also a downside to moving to the base. If she brought Allison there, HER Allison, she would be closer to the combat operations and would want to be a part of it even faster.

It would also put Young Allison closer to John. If she was a teenager here and anything like Future Allison, Claire knew should be a grandmother again real soon. Her daughter would be 'safe'.

Claire made up her mind to ask Cameron to take them into the past immediately. The image of the bullet almost hitting Savannah in the face haunted her. The explosion seconds later didn't help either.

It was clear to her Savannah was almost killed twice tonight and she was still in the fight. She watched Savannah pull a metal bar out of Gail's back. The image sickened her. Gail was right behind Savannah when it occurred. The piece of metal would have ended up in Savannah's back if Gail wasn't there. The team was still out. The shooting and destruction wasn't done yet.

Maybe she would ask Hanna to see if she could move things along as per what Cameron wanted to do with Young Allison. She wanted her daughter 'safe'. She didn't want to breed her or make her a 'young bride', but she didn't want to bury her either. There was really no choice between those choices for her.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Fallen Into Disrepair

There are often times
When a heart is laid bare
The pain can be so great
It's hard to take and bear

No one wants to be
The one that they compare
It can leave one shattered
In a state of despair

It seems to be worse
When one thinks they're a pair
Then one day their made aware
They've gone nowhere

It comes to pass that
Life itself can be very unfair
As if one is caught in a snare
They didn't pass the dare

There are some who may think
They weren't treated fair
When their heart will tear
It's because they didn't prepare

They become the victim
Of someone else's affair
No one answered their prayer
Their mind has fallen into disrepair

Nobody