Chapter 913
One Way Or Another
John wasn't pleased with the way things played out. He didn't see the need to enter the hornet's nest in such a bold and potentially aggressive manner. It seemed the risk of discovery was too great. It seemed to him since Sheila, Ally, and Cammy were there previously and won big, he was afraid they might be recognized. It was actually the least of his worries.
"I can't believe they want to go back to the casino they robbed." John said. "Someone is bound to recognize them."
John Henry reviewed all the security camera footage from the casino. Everything originally there was taken away by CamNet. Everything he reviewed indicated there were no survivors.
"Anyone who saw them previously is dead." John Henry said. "They terminated everyone they encountered."
John thought it might be true for everyone they saw, but what happened if they didn't see everyone? There were other patrons who would have been around. What about the casino employees who weren't Syndicate thugs?
"We don't know it for sure." John said. "What if they missed someone?"
John Henry didn't think it would be a problem for the Metal girls.
"Then they have a new target." John Henry said. "Since they were all wearing bikinis and covered with a 'see through' wrap, I don't think too many people actually looked at their faces. There were other areas where their eyes would choose to focus. It includes both males and females. I think it's part of the reason they chose to go out so skimpily dressed in the first place. It's actually a tactic Cameron's used more than a few times as a distraction. It always works too."
John thought it may be true. Just the fact they would return to the Syndicate casino as customers seemed preposterous no matter how he looked at it. What was the payoff to the risk? He didn't see it. The threat of a hostile Terminator still loomed in front of them.
"We need to find the male Terminator, 'The Enforcer'." John said. "We don't know what he knows, or what he'll suspect. We don't know what he'll do."
John Henry was a little disturbed they hadn't turned up a positive hit on his location. They continued to search all available traffic cams and surveillance cameras in the Las Vegas area. Everything continued to come up empty.
"Both CamNet and I are on it." John Henry said. "He's proven elusive so far. It's only a matter of time."
John wanted him found and terminated. He believed the sooner it occurred, the sooner the Las Vegas endeavor would be over. He wanted Cameron, Savannah, and the rest of the team away from there. There were way too many close ones associated with everything in and around Las Vegas. The run in with the Fanatics was proof of it. The fact the Metal girls decided to knock off the Syndicate casino only added to the danger level. He still didn't agree with them returning to the Syndicate casino as patrons.
"If we can bring him down, this operation will be concluded." John said.
John Henry strongly doubted it. Past experience indicated otherwise.
"Nothing is ever concluded." John Henry said.
John Henry doubted this operation would be ended any time soon. Cameron would still want to go after the Syndicate, even if all the Grays were terminated. The Syndicate targeted Cammy, Ally, and Sheila. It didn't matter if the Metal girls beat the system with their Terminator abilities to win big. The Syndicate crossed the line and threatened individuals Cameron cared about. It was over money. What they planned to do to the Metal girls because they thought they were human girls was completely unacceptable over something which actually only possessed value in people's minds. It was simply paper with green ink on it. There would need to be some type of retribution delivered. He was sure it would be more on the scale of 'a reckoning'.
He didn't think Cameron would leave the Skynet operation intact in any way once she started to eliminate the remaining personnel. If there was some version of the Skynet computer associated with the group of Grays and Terminator still remaining, Cameron would track it down and personally destroy it. It was what she always did.
Gail's SUV followed Cameron's SUV. Cameron turned onto a small side street.
Cameron motioned for Gail to pull up alongside her.
They wanted to make sure they knew everything they were going to do. They wanted to leave the Command Center out of their final planning.
Cameron's SUV and Gail's SUV pulled up together down the street from the targeted casino. They were side by side now. The girls rolled down the windows to talk.
"I think we should leave one vehicle at another casino. Some of us can ride the elevated tram to the target casino." Ally said. "It would be similar to the tactic the Fanatics used to attempt to avoid a tail. We won't all arrive at the same time."
Cameron planned to drive in. The SUV contained the weapons and their body armor. They wouldn't be able to wear it in unless they put on some type of coat. They would seem out of place. She wanted to have the firepower close in case they needed it.
"You can." Cameron said. "I'm driving in."
Sheila wanted to point out one small thing. It usually wasn't an issue. It was true most of the time anyone who saw more than two of them who looked the same together usually didn't live long. The situation in the hotel and casino was a little different. It would be more than two of them who shared the same DNA.
"We need to worry about three of you looking 'similar'." Sheila said.
Ally instantly shot Sheila a fiery look. She was highly offended. She needed to maintain her appearance the same as Allison's appearance. It was the whole point of her creation. It was so she could seamlessly replace Allison if the situation arose. Allison was beautiful with her natural beauty, even if she didn't look like a 'dolled up' beauty queen.
"Thanks a lot." Ally said. "You could have said the 'same'."
Sheila didn't want there to be any problems. She tried to fix it.
"Take it as a compliment, love." Sheila said. "You're one of a kind. Your beauty is unmatched."
Ally didn't take it as a compliment. She knew her DNA was identical to Cameron and her clones. She wasn't exactly sure what was going to happen if Allison was ever able to bring a pregnancy to term. They wouldn't be identical after a few months.
"It's easy for you to say." Ally said. "You and Jesse are identical."
Sheila could think of a few differences. She decided to point out the most noticeable one.
"Not any more." Sheila said. "Her norks are bigger than mine. I think it's fair to say she actually has a set of knockers now. I have something which trumps size. I still have my nipple rings. If we were topless she would generate a double take. I guarantee I would generate a triple or more look from everyone who saw her and me together. I'm one of a kind in every regard. I'm unique now."
Ally pulled out her knife and flashed it at Sheila.
"If you were a male, I'd make you something like that." Ally said.
Sheila didn't feel threatened in any way by Ally. They went through similar events all of the time. Even though they seemed aggressive and rude, it was actually more playful between them because of their deep love for each other. It was something they always denied in public.
"I dare you to try if I was a male." Sheila said. "I can guarantee you wouldn't collect 'a pair' from me."
Ally was still upset about some changes Sheila made to her sheath when they switched chassis previously. She would have returned the 'favor' in spades if she would have known before they switched back. Now she knew why Sheila didn't want to share one last time before they switched back.
"After what you did to my sheath before, I wouldn't hesitate." Ally said. "I'm still upset about it whenever I think about it. What if it would have been permanent?"
Sheila really didn't think it was a big deal. She knew it was something human females paid good money to have done. It was actually a simple outpatient procedure. Everything regenerated so she didn't see what the problem was.
"All is as it was." Sheila said. "You're as good as new. I can personally attest to it from my continual close contact with the area in question."
Cameron was in no mood for bickering, even if it was good natured. Ally and Sheila always tried to lighten up the moment some. It didn't seem like the right time based upon what they were about to do. She really didn't want Savannah to need to hear them banter over such things. She wanted to get things moving along.
"Enough…." Cameron said. "Gail, your team can ride in on the tram. Head over to the casino near the Syndicate casino now. Don't stop along the way. I'm going in with Cammy and Savannah."
Gail wanted to know exactly what they were going to do.
"Are you going to get a room?" Gail asked.
Cameron still wanted to consummate her love with Savannah. There was no reason they couldn't get multiple rooms.
"WE might." Cameron said as she looked at Savannah. "I can get a separate one for you four as well."
The Metal girls all looked at each other.
If Cammy was going to be around the hotel and casino area, she wanted to have some fancier clothes to wear. They actually had some at the other casino hotel but they didn't have them anymore.
"What about our clothes?" Cammy asked. "You sent all our other ones back to the Resistance base."
Cameron didn't think it would be a problem. The same thing would happen there which happened at the casino hotel.
"CamNet will have more ordered for us." Cameron said. "I'll have them delivered to the two rooms."
Cammy would like to have a little additional privacy if it could be arranged. She planned to be with Savannah as well and she really didn't want an audience. She wouldn't mind, but she thought Savannah would. If it turned into a 'group session', it would be a different story. She didn't really like to share if she didn't have to. Cameron's desire for Savannah was already revolting enough to her.
"Can we get three rooms again?" Cammy asked.
Cameron wanted to do like they did at the other casino hotel. The arrangement worked out well for them, especially when a problem developed.
"I'll have CamNet rent an entire floor." Cameron said. "I don't know what the current room situation is, but I'm sure she can make it happen without too much effort."
Ally wanted to know how much heat they were going to pack.
"What about weapons?" Ally asked. "What kind of a response are we going to mount in this hotel or casino?"
Cameron didn't think they would need a whole lot of fire power. They would be able to deal with any threat which arose without weapons.
"We are weapons." Cameron said. "I suggest only Tasers and pistols. We don't want to advertise, and we don't want to make a scene. We have to remember the incident which occurred before, and not make anyone think it was about to happen again. Even if there are no survivors from last night, words to me have gotten around."
Sheila wanted to make sure what they would need to leave behind.
"It looks like we leave the body armor and long guns." Sheila said.
Ally wanted to remind Sheila she could bring her favorite toy.
"You can still bring your knife." Ally said.
Savannah knew they all needed to carry a knife. It was easier to cut open the scalp of a Terminator if they needed to use their Taser, than try to rip the sheath material off to get to the chip port. Any of the Terminators would be able to do it. She would need some type of cutting implement. She wanted to make it simple for all of them.
"We all need at least a small knife to deactivate 'The Enforcer' when he arrives. We don't know which group will encounter him first." Savannah said. "Use your Tasers first, ask questions later. If it starts to become a problem with anyone around you try to drag his chassis away. If anyone is persistent, well, you are Terminators. You will still have your Taser and pistol if it becomes necessary."
Ally was still upset over Sheila's previous comment about her. She saw there was still the potential for a problem with some of Cameron's clones.
"What about when Cam's team arrives?" Ally asked. "Then there really will be three of YOU who look the same."
Cameron wanted to assess the situation in the casino and hotel before she brought in the third team. She needed to get a feel about what they would actually face. It would determine what they could do.
"I'll have them wait to arrive at the casino." Cameron said. "I want to see what is happening before I send them in."
Savannah didn't think it would be a problem for two of them.
"Hanna and Holly can enter separately." Savannah said.
Savannah wanted to remind Cameron they weren't usually in combat. They were assigned to watch over Claire and Allison. She didn't want to make a big deal about it. She knew everyone took a risk of getting shot up on any operation, including her.
Cameron thought back to when she 'destroyed' Holly in her future. A glitch shot through her hand. The images still haunted her. She never wanted to see Holly in combat again. She was aware any of them could end up looking the same way at any time. She was able to prevent the event from ever occurring with the use of 'temporal management'. It made her think of the mess she was in when John foolishly sent her into the jail to get Sarah out. She knew Savannah wouldn't endanger Holly if trouble broke out.
"Holly will be assigned to Savannah." Cameron said.
Gail hoped to draw the assignment to be with Savannah. She decided to cut herself in anyway.
"I'll assist her as well." Gail said. "Savannah will have better protection with two of us. If Holly and I show a lot of cleavage, it will keep wandering eyes off of Savannah."
Cameron didn't have a problem with it. It was actually a technique she used whenever any of the Metal girls or her were out in public with Savannah, or any of the human females. It always kept wandering eyes on one of the Terminators showing a lot of sheath material. She wanted to make sure Savannah was protected. There would be Grays and Syndicate thugs throughout the building.
"It's fine." Cameron said. "I want two Terminators with Savannah at all times."
Savannah didn't want it to become a 'free for all' either for Cameron. She knew where she needed to be and she wanted to set the record straight.
"Cameron, I'll be with you." Savannah said. "I'll have plenty of protection then. What do you want to do about Cammy and Hanna?"
Cameron quickly redid the assignments.
"Hanna can join up with Ally and Sheila." Cameron said.
Sheila and Ally were pleased with the news, they 'high fived' each other.
"The Three Musketeers ride again" Ally said.
Savannah looked over at Cammy.
"What do you want to do about Cammy?" Savannah asked.
Cammy looked a little sad.
Cameron could tell Savannah wanted Cammy to be with them. It wasn't what she wanted to happen. She needed to think of Savannah's happiness. It was her goal to never make Savannah feel rejected or neglected. She never wanted Savannah to feel like she was replaced either. Cammy and her could work in conjunction with each other very well without verbal communication. Cammy ran a modified version of her program, so virtually everything was the same with both of them. It was what a clone was.
"Maybe Gail and Holly can pair up then." Cameron said. "Cammy can join up with you and me."
Ally was anxious to join up with Hanna.
"Let's get crackin'." Ally said.
Sheila wanted to mess with Ally.
"I'll show you some 'crackin'." Sheila said.
Ally wanted to see the full package.
"Will it be the front or back?" Ally asked.
Sheila didn't believe in doing things halfway.
"It will be the front AND back." Sheila said. "I'll give you both at the right angle. Feel free to jump right in at any point when I do. Don't stop until you deliver a finish either. There are a few things you are good at."
They both laughed. It was clear they were both ready for some action. They didn't like being tracked down to be robbed by Syndicate thugs, just for winning a few hundred thousand dollars each.
"It's time to break the bank." Ally said.
Sheila didn't want to leave out the best part.
"Then we can rob it again." Sheila said.
Gail didn't think much changed with the assignments. She wanted to be ready for a fight.
"So we're back to the two vehicles with everyone how they are now." Gail said. "We should transfer the long guns and vests to Cameron's SUV so we have them closer to the casino."
They all thought it was a good idea.
Now everything was back to how it already was for the two teams when they pulled over. Nothing really changed other than the weapons transfer. They needed to make sure the area was secluded before they began to handle the weapons from one SUV to the other.
"See, it wasn't so hard." Cameron said.
Everyone wondered what she actually referred to. Nothing changed in the assignments of those there. More than likely things were going to heat up before too long.
Savannah was already worried about Cameron. She was sure Cameron was going to make everything personal at this point. She knew when things became personal to Cameron, she used less caution. Her concentration became focused on settling the score and to attempt for a personal victory. She would attempt to dish out as much retribution and she could. She knew Cammy, Sheila, and Ally would all want to do the same thing. She really couldn't blame them since they were the ones who were directly affected earlier.
Cam placed the chip in the 'Metal Bitch'. They needed to wait for the boot up time to pass. It seemed like it took forever as they stood there watching her. She powered up and her eyes opened. She sat up on the work table. Her hands touched her naked body. They lingered on the damage from the projectile which pierced both breasts.
"This sheath is damaged." The 'Metal Bitch' said.
Cam wanted to tell her it was a lot worse in the back, but didn't want to get into it. It already irritated her because she mentioned about the damage on the front side of her sheath.
Hanna figured they better come up with a better name to call her by other than the 'Metal Bitch'. It was obviously going to make anyone look when they heard the name.
"What designation do you desire to be referred to as?" Hanna asked.
The 'Metal Bitch' tilted her head slightly to the side. She wanted something simple as her designation. She decided to choose something reflective of the current assignment.
"'Vegas', will suffice for the mission." The 'Metal Bitch', now 'Vegas' said. "I will only exist for one mission."
Claire was intrigued by the name. She wondered if 'Vegas' would have used her previous name. 'Vegas' sounded very bold but she wasn't sure it was the right way to go.
"'Vegas'…. It's different." Claire said. "It shows a certain sense of style. What name did she use before?"
'Vegas' tilted her head slightly to the side.
"This chassis was formerly known as Samantha Smith." 'Vegas' said.
Claire really liked the first name.
"It's a beautiful name." Claire said. "I like the name Samantha better than 'Vegas'."
Claire looked at 'Vegas' in detail since she was active. She liked what she saw when she repaired her sheath before. Since she was up and 'alive', she liked what she saw even more. Not only did she think her previous name was beautiful, she thought her sheath was as well. It excited her to look at it and see Samantha 'alive'.
Hanna believed the name Samantha would draw less attention in a crowd as opposed to calling someone 'Vegas'. She really didn't like the implication either.
"Maybe we should use the name Samantha then." Hanna said. "I like it too."
'Vegas' began to examine herself.
"I'll think about it. Who did the repair work on my sheath?" 'Vegas' asked as she looked at the repairs.
Claire wondered if there was some problem. Maybe she needed to fix something.
"I did most of it." Claire said. "It was my first time. I hope it's satisfactory. I tried to do my best for you."
'Vegas' was very pleased with how everything was done.
"The workmanship is excellent." 'Vegas' said. "This sheath will heal quickly and perfectly very soon. Thank you for your assistance."
Claire wanted to know how much 'Cameron' was in 'Vegas'.
"So are you 'Cameron'?" Claire asked. "Are you identical?"
'Vegas' tilted her head slightly.
"No, I'm 'Vegas'." 'Vegas' said.
Claire thought she hadn't made herself clear.
"I mean Cameron's program." Claire said.
'Vegas' just finished her first self diagnostic.
"This chip has been modified." 'Vegas' said. "It's not Cameron's replacement chip. I have her basic programming. This is only a limited program for this one mission. I have none of her past events on my chip. In essence I'm no more Cameron, than I am of any of the other cyborgs here."
Cam was very careful about what she actually transferred over. Since they were about to send 'Vegas' into the lion's den they didn't want too much information on her chip in case she were captured.
'Vegas' kept her eye on Claire. She could see the human female paid her a lot of attention. She could see the other cyborgs did as well. She took the opportunity to look all of them over.
Cam wanted to give everyone a brief explanation of how things went down with the chip.
"I copied essential parts of Cameron's program onto the chip of the 'Metal Bi…' - 'Vegas'." Cam said. "I erased all Skynet related programming. I only left in her 'association files' so she can blend back in with the personnel at the casino. She will know their names and faces, and some limited previous interaction with them. We have images of all the key players there now as well as 'The Enforcer'."
Claire thought the name 'The Enforcer' sounded very intimidating and dangerous.
"Does 'The Enforcer' have another name?" Claire asked.
'Vegas' contained a lot of information about 'The Enforcer' on her chip.
"The name he uses is 'Keith Jones'." 'Vegas' said.
Claire wondered how long the charade would be able to last in close quarters. Terminators were very intelligent and perceptive. They were bound to notice any small changes.
"Will he be able to tell you've been 'altered?" Claire asked.
'Vegas' figured it would depend on several different things.
"Yes, eventually." 'Vegas' said. "But not at first, I hope. If he sees my damage he may know sooner. He hasn't been able to communicate with me for a while either."
Cam felt they were done there and ready to leave.
"Get dressed." Cam said. "We need to go."
'Vegas' stood up. The girls there could all see how attractive she was.
Claire wanted to take one more look at her handiwork.
"Samantha - 'Vegas', may I inspect everything since you're standing?" Claire asked.
'Vegas' stood still while Claire looked at her back. She moved around to the front and looked at her breasts. One bullet passed through both of them. It actually seemed to have caused more damage as it passed through the second one. She wondered if it was from the bullet expanding, or actually tumbling. It was the one bullet they weren't able to recover. It was most likely at the bottom of the elevator shaft.
Claire reached out to touch the stitching on the left breast but stopped. She looked over at Hanna.
'Vegas' wondered what the pause was for.
"You can touch me." 'Vegas' said. "It's not a problem. It's just my organic sheath covering with female attributes."
Hanna nodded at Claire.
Claire looked at the exit wound on the left breast.
"I would like to redo this one side." Claire said. "Since you're standing the breast has 'plumped out' from your prone position earlier. You're actually much larger than I first thought."
Cam looked impatiently at 'Vegas' and Claire. She wanted to leave.
"We need to roll." Cam said. "Cameron's waiting for us."
'Vegas' didn't want to become a problem.
"It will be fine." 'Vegas' said. "I've experienced worse."
Holly was updated by John Henry.
"The jet is waiting." Holly said. "We should be wheels down in Las Vegas in an hour and a half from now. We still have to get to Van Nuys. There are vehicles for us to use at the Las Vegas airport."
Claire moved to Hanna and gave her a hug and a kiss. She was worried about her. Hanna seldom went out on operations anymore. She was worried about all of them.
"Please be careful." Claire said.
Hanna was aware there were no guarantees in combat. Anything could happen at any time. It could all happen in an instant.
"I will, but I also have a job to do." Hanna said. "You need to remember the mission comes first."
Claire felt she made herself clear. She looked over at Holly.
"Holly, do you want to see Allison before you go?" Claire asked.
Holly already contemplated the very question.
"It may be better if I don't. It will only worry her." Holly said.
Cam felt the same way about Vanna. She didn't want to disrupt her production with needless worry about anything.
"It's why I don't want to see Vanna either." Cam said. "She will worry. I go out much more often than Hanna or Holly do."
It seemed to Claire like there was more which wasn't said.
"Is It the only reason?" Claire asked.
Holly and Cam looked at each other as 'Vegas' organize her clothing to dress.
"Allison and Vanna have re-bonded." Holly said.
Claire was aware from past experience it shouldn't be a problem. It was really an opportunity for everyone to expand and grow.
"There is room for everyone in the relationships." Claire said. "We all share with each other. You'll see. Everyone can still share."
Cam and Holly didn't look convinced.
Claire was even more worried when they didn't respond. She wanted to make her position perfectly clear.
"You know I care about both of you too." Claire said as she looked at them. "I don't want either of you to do anything foolish."
The door to the lab burst open.
Allison and Vanna hurried in. They heard the last part of Claire's statement.
"They won't." Allison said.
Allison went to Holly and hugged her.
"Will you?" Vanna asked as she hugged Cam.
Claire was relieved to see Holly and Cam perk up. To see their human lovers come to see them off seemed to make their day. It was clear Vanna and Allison cared deeply about their cyborg lovers.
'Vegas' was off to the side when the girls came in to wish their cyborg lovers good luck. She could see how concerned all of the human females were about the Terminators.
"I'll watch over them and Hanna." 'Vegas' said. "I'll protect them."
Allison and Vanna looked at 'Vegas' questioningly. They liked what they saw. They both checked out her nude form. The battle damage didn't bother them. They saw worse damage, much worse on Cameron.
"Who is this?" Vanna asked.
Claire felt an introduction was in order.
"This is Samantha, or 'Vegas'." Claire said. "She's new. I like the name Samantha myself."
'Vegas' looked over the two human females. She noticed the way they both looked at her. It was the same way Claire did earlier. She knew her mission status was very limited.
"I'm only temporary." 'Vegas' said. "I will only exist for this one mission."
'Vegas' put her pants and shoes on as everyone watched her.
Vanna wanted to know a little bit more about what was actually going on.
"Are you running Cameron's program?" Vanna asked.
'Vegas' put her top on as she faced Allison and Vanna.
"It's only part of it." Vegas said. "We need to go."
It was clear she allowed them to see her.
The girls all gave the Metal girls a final hug and a kiss.
Vegas watched the parting farewell gestures.
"Do I get one too?" Vegas asked.
Claire was more than willing to do it. She didn't want to cause a problem for Hanna or any of the Metal girls before they left.
"I will when you get back." Claire said. "I promise."
'Vegas' was aware her mission may end in her termination.
"It's if I get back." 'Vegas' said as she exited the lab.
Cam, Holly, and Hanna all followed her.
Allison watched them leave the lab. She continued to look at where they went until the door closed tightly. She looked over at Vanna.
"It didn't sound good." Allison said.
Vanna felt it was pretty much standard fare for a mission.
"Does it ever?" Vanna asked.
Claire could see Vanna and Allison were both as worried as she was.
"No, it never does." Claire said. "I need to go check on Summer and call Allison."
Allison didn't want her mother to seem too overbearing.
"Give Allison some room." Allison said. "She's fine, Mom. You know Anna is there with her. There won't be any problems."
Claire couldn't help but think of the damage she just repaired on the back and breasts of 'Vegas'.
"Is she?" Claire asked. "She's going to be doing THIS real soon, one way or another."
Allison felt a little frustrated. She attempted to step up more than a few times. It always went nowhere.
"I'd take her place in an instant if I could." Allison said. "I've tried. I'm the 'wrong' Allison, even if I'm the same Allison. I was her, even if she will never be me."
Claire reached over and touched Allison's cheek as she smiled at her.
"You're my daughter." Claire said. "You can never be 'wrong'."
Allison reached up and pressed her mother's hand against her cheek.
"Thanks, Mom." Allison said.
Claire didn't feel too guilty when she wondered when Ally would be back. She felt an overwhelming urge to be with her again.
Closing monologue by Cameron:
One Way Or Another
Some want to play
Like their hard to get
Those are the ones
That everyone will forget
Love like life to many
Is just a drawn out game
They don't really care
Who they maim or shame
Then there are others
Who play fair and square
They are the kind of person
Who will always be there
It's what's inside them
That makes them who they are
It's the kind of person
Where things can go far
It soon is evident
They are better than any other
They must be together
One way or another
Nobody