Chapter 923
The Plan Changed
John Henry and John were able to watch much of what went down in Las Vegas from the two drones high overhead. One of the drones concentrated on the armored car which contained 'The Enforcer' and several Grays. The other drone did recon around the area to look for any irregularities and watch over the girls.
John hoped the armored car would lead them to a bigger prize. He needed to try to keep Cameron in check because she wanted to take down the known threat, which was the male Terminator. She didn't want him to get away and disappear. It was hard enough to find him the first time.
"Let's hope Cameron allows us to keep tracking them with the drone." John said. "I know she wants to act. We just need to make sure we don't wait too long and additional enemy resources show up."
John Henry was concerned about two things. The first one was an ambush set up to attack anyone who tailed the armored car. The second one was the possibility of the arrival of enemy HK drones. Both of those would pose a serious threat to the girls.
"I haven't detected any hostile HK drones in the air." John Henry said. "It doesn't mean there aren't any."
John was aware their drones were at fifty thousand feet. It put them well above the level of commercial air traffic. It wasn't above the level of military air traffic. It was something they needed to keep an eye out for and make sure anything was directed away.
"Are you searching above our drones as well?" John asked. "The enemy could always try to operate at a higher altitude."
John Henry masked their drones from all radar tracking. He didn't believe anyone knew they were there. At the elevation they were at, they would be very hard to spot. He rerouted all air traffic ten miles away or more from where their drones operated at. There was currently no military air traffic.
"It's assuming the enemy even knows what we're doing." John Henry said. "HK drones were never designed to operate at high altitude. Since their primary mission was ground attack, they generally operated at much lower altitudes. It is doubtful any HK drone would be able to reach anywhere near the altitude one of our drones is capable of operating at. Ours have all been specifically modified to operate at the high altitude. Our drones are also equipped with air to air missiles which HK drones don't normally carry. Ten miles high in the sky with a relatively small profile would make them very difficult to detect, unless someone knew exactly where to look at any specific point in time. In order to determine anything, they would need some type of telescopic device. The same applies to the ten mile perimeter I currently have around them. It's only if we bring them lower in the daylight when anyone might even have a chance to spot one."
John didn't think anyone should be under the impression they were safe. He wanted to give John Henry a little reminder about what happened earlier in the morning.
"Somehow someone directed the 'Metal Bitch' to come over to look in the hotel for you, for us." John said. "Communications should have been blocked from any contact being made with her, to send her where we were. Someone pulled a fast one, a really fast one. It could have ended quite differently."
John Henry didn't think the Skynet forces knew exactly what they were looking for when they sent the 'Metal Bitch' to the casino hotel where they stayed at. Much of what he did was directed through his server, JH. He was sure he must have triggered something when he attempted to directly access the traffic signal system. He tried to make sure the Resistance teams were all given green lights. It didn't always happen like it should have. It made him wonder if the system Barbara Chamberlain designed wasn't implemented in some type of backdoor fashion somewhere. It could be in multiple cities in sleeper mode. It was something he would discuss with CamNet. The backdoor computer virus Charles Fisher unleashed was taken over by CamNet. They would need to look further for any traces of the 'Automated Real-time Traffic Information Exchange' system. It was known as ARTIE.
He needed to stay focused on the attempt to find him.
"They didn't know what they were really looking for or would find." John Henry said. "If they knew there was a force of Terminators waiting for them, they would've done things differently."
John was still worried Skynet sent a Terminator for them earlier in the day. If they did it once, they could do it again. Skynet needed to know whoever took down the casino earlier in the day was still out there. The armored car made perfect bait for someone to follow and attempt to take down again.
He knew because of the actions of 'The Enforcer' and Grays, the Syndicate would think all of the robberies were done by the Skynet group. The Skynet group knew they didn't do it, but there were other groups who could have. They didn't know who.
"It's where we're at currently." John said. "Maybe Cameron is correct. We can take down what we know now and worry about the rest later. We don't want to walk into an ambush."
John didn't like to think about it, but he knew once the enemy Terminator was disabled, they might be able to capture a Gray or two alive when they brought down the armored car. They might be able to get some information from them before they were terminated. He knew Sheila was with them. He didn't condone abusive behavior or enhanced interrogations. He would let Cameron decide what happened and didn't happen out in the field.
John Henry knew any ambush could be deadly. He didn't think the Skynet forces would be able to employ any of their HK equipment without him being able to detect it first. He could be wrong too.
"We know they have every type of HK equipment." John Henry said. "If they're on the road, it would be hard to deploy any of those against us, except HK drones."
John needed to worry about more than just the Skynet forces. There were also the SkyMaster forces out there in the form of the Fanatics.
"Plus we have the Fanatical Grays somewhere." John said. "They will fight us and the other versions of Skynet. They seem more than willing to die for their false god, SkyMaster."
John Henry felt too many of their resources were tied up going over the captured equipment. He believed the operation was far enough along they could reduce some of the personnel involved. He would like to make better use of them. He knew it was important to make sure there weren't any hidden trackers on any of the captured HK equipment. It could turn into a touchy subject with John or Cameron.
"We should be able to free up some of our personnel going over all the captured equipment." John Henry said. "We don't know what we're going to face in the Las Vegas area, but we know we're going to face something. It wouldn't hurt to have a few extra Terminators available."
John wasn't sure he wanted to do it yet until he knew none of the captured HK equipment could be tracked, or send out a signal as to where it was currently at. He felt it was something very important. If the Skynet group could identify where any of the captured HK equipment was, they would know where to send an HK drone strike, or ground troops.
"I don't want it to be rushed and miss anything." John said. "I want everything done properly and thoroughly."
John Henry felt adequate precautions were taken to prevent it from happening, if it did, the damage would be minimal.
"It's why everything was taken to secure remote locations for inspection and evaluation." John Henry said. "There are safeguards in place."
John still felt a little frustrated. He looked at the satellite overlay map along with the current tracking of the armored car as well as the direct drone footage of the drone above it. He wanted to have some idea of what was in store for them. He was really concerned for the safety of the girls.
"Can we tell where the armored car is headed?" John asked.
John Henry could only monitor what they could observe. As to exactly what the destination of the armored car was, so far it remained unknown.
"We only know the current location and direction." John Henry said.
John worried more and more about the girls being led into an ambush. At this point he believed Cameron's plan was the one to go with. If they left the populated areas, he planned to let Cameron act. He also wanted answers. He was willing to look the other way if he needed to.
"I think once they are away from the city I'll give Cameron the green light." John said. "If any of the Grays are captured alive, Sheila is with them…."
John Henry tilted his head slightly to the side with John's last statement.
"I thought you disapproved of Sheila's 'methods'." John Henry said.
John frowned slightly. It wasn't anything he wanted associated with a Resistance operation. He believed because of the involvement of the Syndicate it could be classified as one of Cameron's 'off the books' operations. He wanted his troops protected. If the Syndicate money was 'recovered', it would definitely be an 'off the books' operation.
"I do disapprove of enhanced interrogation on any Resistance operation." John said. "I disapprove of our people getting damaged or terminated even more."
John Henry didn't believe John was being consistent. He believed John was willing to cut corners because of his personal involvement with Savannah. He felt the recent 'interaction' clouded John's judgment. He didn't want to address the issue specifically. He did want to give John a reminder however.
"Do the ends justify the means?" John Henry asked.
John didn't want to compromise himself or his beliefs, but he wanted his troops protected even more.
"The current situation started with an 'off the books' operation when Cameron and the Metal girls robbed the Syndicate casino. The corruption with anyone associated with the Syndicate, even if they are Gray, made their choice when they threw their lot in with Skynet. They knew what it was. They knew what the Syndicate was." John said. "Let's see where the path leads us while we still have the upper hand. Let's give Cameron the go ahead."
John was aware the longer they waited, the more time they gave the Grays to set up an ambush. With the 'Metal Bitch' missing after she went to investigate something, it surely raised suspicion with the Grays. It wouldn't be any Syndicate thugs from a different 'Family' which could have brought her down. It needed to be someone from the future. It left it open to another group of Grays, the Fanatics, or the Resistance. They hoped when anyone ever thought of the Resistance, they would think of the radical anti-Metal faction. The Skynet forces would be more than willing to engage all of them in a battle. It would be even more so if they thought they held the upper hand.
The Resistance always tried to play it low key if possible. They liked to make it look like a 'different Skynet' was involved. The more they kept Grays looking for each other, the less time they looked for them. The discovery of the Fanatics only added to the confusion for Skynet. It was clear the Fanatics were an extreme and volatile group to deal with under any circumstances.
Cameron currently caravanned with the two other vehicles full of Metal girls. They didn't follow the armored car directly because there was a drone over it and tracked it. The drone also had it locked up for a missile shot if necessary. The threat of an ambush set up somewhere for them was very real. They needed to worry about any Grays, or 'The Enforcer', exiting the armored car.
It was a tactic they saw used a few times when they tailed a group who thought they were being tailed. Several of the individuals thought they might be able to escape by separating from the main group. It never worked. They were always able to track them down.
She wasn't pleased with having to wait. She wanted action and she wanted the operation over with. The sooner she could get Savannah back to a less hostile environment, the better. She didn't like to put Savannah in danger, but it happened sometimes. At least this time they would have plenty of Terminator support if it was necessary.
Now Cameron needed to deal with John. She was pleased with all the quality time she was able to spend with him earlier. Things just didn't work out as she planned them on several levels. Now they were going to battle a Terminator and group of Grays.
She thought of her various options. She still liked the idea of a direct assault on the armored car to take out 'The Enforcer' and the Grays. She was a little surprised at her next update from the Command Center.
"Cameron, we've gone over the choices available to us. We determined as soon as it is clear, your team can take down the armored car." John said. "We don't want anyone led into a trap or an ambush."
Cameron could still call for a drone strike. It would leave a lot of wreckage and involve a major clean up. If they used a missile, it would actually leave them in the target zone longer. Maybe it was better to just attack the target head on.
It was what she wanted to do all along. She was glad John saw things her way.
"I was going too anyway." Cameron said. "I don't want to get led into an ambush."
John was a little concerned at the route the armored car took. They purposely stayed away from more heavily trafficked areas. It only further seemed to indicate an ambush was in the works. It would be easier to identify any vehicles tailing the armored car as the number of vehicles diminished.
"It looks like they're staying off the Interstate for now." John Henry said. "The traffic around you has thinned out."
Savannah was a little more concerned about the choices available for the armored car to go. It began to look more and more as to what would end up as the destination.
"I'm looking at a map of this area and where we're headed." Savannah said. "We're headed toward the mountains to the northwest. It's the old 'silver country'. Most of the silver wasn't on the surface."
They all knew it meant silver mines. There were hundreds of them. Some were still active, most were abandoned. The shafts and tunnels were all still there. Combined, there were hundreds of miles of tunnels running through the ground. It always seemed to be the type of place where Skynet wanted to hide. All the excavation work was already done for them. They just needed to set up shop. The locations were usually deep enough to be bunker buster bomb proof. It was why Cameron and Duplicate Cameron both took a nuclear weapon to the mainframe itself to destroy it. It was the only way to be sure.
Savannah's reminder only served to reinforce what John wanted to do. It was to go with Cameron's original plan.
"We're not going there for now." John said. "It's why we're taking them down or soon will anyway."
Cameron went over the satellite image she had on file. She was able to supplement it with the images from the drone on recon when it passed in front of the armored car by several miles. She wanted to set up an ambush for the armored car instead of waiting for one to be set up for them.
"Based on the landscape from the satellite photos, there are numerous areas to spring an ambush on the armored car." Cameron said. "The only trouble is we're behind them by several miles."
John Henry went over his satellite images as well. The prospects didn't look good for the girls.
"There are several roads they may take." John Henry said. "I see four routes they could take."
Cameron was aware of the problem. The first problem was there were only three vehicles. The second problem was none of them were in front of the armored car.
"We understand the uncertainty of the situation. We only have three vehicles and all of them are behind the armored car." Cameron said. "We are currently at a major disadvantage."
John possessed the ability for other ways to attack the armored car.
"We still have the option for a drone strike." John said. "We have them locked up."
Cammy reviewed everything as well. She was dissatisfied with the choices.
"There are too many variables." Cammy said.
Cameron glanced back at Samantha. She was still willing to play the card.
"Samantha thinks they'll stop for her." Cameron said.
Savannah disagreed with the option. She believed it was more Cameron's suggestion that it was Samantha's idea or choice. She felt there were a number of problems with it.
"It's too risky for her." Savannah said. "She would be alone."
Samantha was willing to take the risk. She knew her existence was temporary. The thought the Grays might pull her chip and use her chassis still bothered her, even if she was deactivated.
"I can do it." Samantha said. "It won't be a big deal one way or the other. Whatever happens, happens. There's always the option for a missile strike if I'm unsuccessful and captured."
Savannah was concerned about one possible route the armored car could take.
"I'm looking at a map. They can still head for California and come in the back way." Savannah said. "Our team has dealt with them before in the area."
John Henry was aware of the specific area Savannah referred to.
"I keep those areas under surveillance." John Henry said.
Cammy knew there were ways around the surveillance. Their team did it all the time.
"They may have found the cameras and looped them." Cammy said.
Cameron took precautions to make sure it didn't happen.
"I've personally returned to every location we have been from time to time." Cameron said. "I check all of them."
John was aware Cameron acted on her own accord often. Maybe this was the explanation as to what some of those expeditions were.
"I know you've taken out the manned drone." John said. "Is it what you were doing?"
Cameron used various forms of entry into the target zones. There were other things she needed to check on and observe as well.
"Sometimes…." Cameron said. "I've also gone in on foot or by vehicle."
Savannah often worried about any location they took down in a raid. The chances of everyone involved with the operation being there at any particular time were slim. Some of them must have slipped through the cracks more than a few times.
"We figured we've missed some of the Grays on some of the operations." Savannah said. "We have a pretty good indication there are more Terminators out there."
Cameron needed to worry about more than just Skynet.
"We're also aware there are different factions of Skynet, probably from different futures too." Cameron said. "Plus there are the Fanatics and the anti-Metal group."
John felt the bottom line belonged to Cameron. She was the one on the ground and in the battle zone. He would support whatever her decision was.
"Come up with a plan you're comfortable with and we'll implement it." John said. "I think this needs to come to an end before something tragic occurs."
Cameron would prefer something tragic happen to the enemy instead of her teams. She was ready for it to come to an end as well. She needed to think of the best way to do it. So far there was no good way she could see.
Savannah wasn't thrilled with the options they discussed. There was an idea which popped into her head. It would involve road damage. It might be a problem for other motorists later on.
She motioned for the others in the SUV she was in to cut their coms. It was doubtful her plan would 'fly' at the Command Center. Still she wanted to put it out there anyway for Cameron.
"Cameron, what if we do a missile strike and have the missile hit in front of the armored car?"
Samantha tilted her head slightly. She wondered if Savannah meant the engine compartment. She was sure the damage would still be extensive to the armored car.
"Do you mean to have it hit the front end of the armored car?" Samantha asked.
Savannah's plan was a little less invasive on the armored car itself. It would however severely damage the road.
"No." Savannah said. "I mean hit the road directly in front of the armored car. It would damage the road and most likely disable the armored car. Hopefully it would cause it to crash. It may overturn it as well."
Cammy quickly processed the variables associated with Savannah's suggested strike.
"None of the occupants other than the driver would be terminated." Cammy said. "We would still need to deal with the Terminator and at least three Grays."
Cameron liked the idea. If they were able to find a remote section of the road it would be even better. She was glad one of her girls came through with a plan.
"The money would be undamaged with such a procedure." Cameron said. "The armored car would be incapacitated. There would be nowhere for the occupants to go."
Samantha thought if the occupants of the armored car would stay where they were, it would give them a certain amount of protection against an attacking force.
"They could stay in the overturned armored car." Samantha said.
Cammy considered the possibility the shrapnel could do considerable collateral damage and set the disabled armored car on fire.
"The armored car could start to burn." Cammy said.
Savannah was a little worried what would happen after the missile disabled the armored car. There was no way to know. She still thought the armored car would get stuck in whatever crater the missile blew into the road. It wouldn't be a big crater but she was sure it was where the armored car would come to rest unless there was enough time for them to attempt to swerve. It would then probably roll over. Even if they didn't come out, it would soon start to heat up inside of the interior of the armored car from the desert sun. If the armored car was on its side, they could approach it from the underside of the vehicle where there were no windows or gun ports. They could toss a Thermite grenade on top of it and force the occupants to come out or be burnt alive.
"There are a lot of variables." Savannah said. "It was just an idea. You can do what you want."
Cameron liked Savannah's idea. She just needed to figure out the best way to implement it. She also wanted to have some contingency plans in place.
Gail and her team listened and awaited their instructions.
"Gail, your team will head towards the north at the next intersection." Cameron said.
Cameron proceeded to give them detailed instructions.
"We have the information." Gail said.
Gail looked at Ally and Sheila. They heard everything as well.
Ally checked her image of the satellite map in her file. She didn't like what she saw. She was sure they just got shortchanged.
"We're getting sidelined." Ally said.
Sheila wasn't so sure about it. There were still several options available after they took the turn off.
"We don't know it's the case." Sheila said. "They can still take the route. It all has to play out.
Gail reviewed her image of the satellite map. There was actually a way for them to get ahead of the armored car if it stayed on the route it was on. It would require some intense driving.
"If we push it, we can get ahead of them." Gail said. "We can even head back toward them from the divergent route."
None of the Metal girls wanted to be left behind. They all wanted a piece of the action. They all wanted to protect Savannah. They wanted to bring down 'The Enforcer'. They all wanted the threat to end on their terms.
Cam and her team listened and awaited their instructions.
"Cam, your team will cover the southern routes." Cameron said.
Cameron proceeded to give them detailed instructions.
Cam would have preferred a little better option. There wasn't one. They needed to cover all the possibilities with their limited forces.
"We're on it." Cam said. "We'll make our turnoff."
The Metal girls in Cam's vehicle talked after they received all their instructions.
Holly didn't like the fact they would lose their ability for mutual support.
"I don't like splitting our force up." Holly said.
Hanna felt they could deal with the armored car but if things took a turn for the worse, they could end up a little short handed.
"I don't either." Hanna said. "We can handle the Grays and Terminator ourselves if we have to."
Cam was up to the challenge. She would like to be the one who brought the armored car down along with 'The Enforcer' and put the grab on the money.
"It may come to it." Cam said.
Holly was worried about drone support at first. She quickly realized if the drones stayed with the armored car, whatever team engaged it would have drone assistance.
"The two drones should stay with the armored car." Holly said. "We should have drone support if they do. It's where the action is going to occur in the end."
John checked the satellite photos. It looked like they covered everything. The two teams of Metal girls headed off to the north and the south.
Cameron was aware her team was on its own. She decided it was time to act. There was no need to endanger the other girls when her team could take the armored car.
"OK, John, the teams are all set." Cameron said. "We will pass and overtake the armored car to get ahead of them."
John quickly looked over at John Henry when Cameron spoke.
What the Hell?
"It's not the plan we just went over." John said.
Cameron looked around at the girls in her SUV. They all nodded.
"The plan changed." Cameron said.
John was upset by the fact the other two teams of girls were just sent in different directions. They wouldn't be able to back up Cameron's team.
"I'm not going to approve the change in the plan." John said.
Cameron suppressed a glitch impulse. It always irritated her when John attempted to second guess her from the Command Center. She didn't intend for it to be an obstacle to her.
"I wanted to inform you what's going to happen. This is a battlefield decision. I'm on the battlefield." Cameron said. "Cammy will stay with Savannah in the vehicle. I will acquire another one with Samantha. We will pass and overtake the armored car."
There was a new development. John Henry was alerted by the footage of the drone over the armored car.
"It appears they're slowing." John Henry said. "They may have 'made' you."
Cameron was further irritated by the suggestion they compromise themselves.
"We're not in visual range." Cameron said. "They didn't 'make' us. It must be something else. Look further around the area."
Savannah looked at the drone image. She looked where the dirt road led from the paved highway. She really disliked what she saw.
"They're going to head for those small mountains to the northwest." Savannah said. "It looks like it's where the dirt road leads."
John looked at John Henry. They both knew what it meant, a mine.
The satellite footage seemed to confirm it was where the dirt road led.
It was about the last thing they wanted to see.
Allison and Vanna returned Precious to Riley.
"You look very happy." Allison said.
Vanna looked at Allison and smiled.
"I am." Vanna said.
Allison felt Vanna looked even happier than happy.
"You're 'glowing'." Allison said.
Vanna was personally pleased with her life currently. It was seldom the case.
"I have a lot of pleasant feelings right now." Vanna said.
Vanna was happy Allison was back at the base for now, even if it was temporary. She was pleased with her new found ability to help Precious. She would need to thank Cameron personally for the opportunity she provided her.
Allison was happy for Vanna, but there was still a big worry in the back of her mind.
"I want to check on our girlfriends." Allison said. "I want to see what kind of danger they are in."
They both were aware of the operation ongoing since yesterday.
"We shouldn't disrupt the operations." Vanna said.
Allison didn't want to do it. She just hoped for a little update. She wanted to eavesdrop.
"I only want to listen to see if we can hear anything." Allison said. "We don't have to stay long if we do."
They headed for the Command Center. Vanna didn't think they were going to like the things they heard. Active operations usually tended to be rather involved and violent.
Allison and Vanna passed by the commissary and decided to wait outside the Command Center and just listen. If they did, they wouldn't be a distraction inside of the Command Center. They soon heard talk of some old silver mines. It wasn't what either of them wanted to hear.
Vanna was very worried about the direction the operation just took.
"We can't let them get near the mine." Vanna said. "Savannah almost died in the last one. I read the reports and saw the visual files. Allison, she almost died. At one point, it looked like she did. They were all almost terminated. Savannah needed to fight for her life several times in the mine. It was terrible."
Allison was also able to view some of the video files of those events. They were extremely disturbing as well.
"Things like it have happened multiple times." Allison said. "I've asked Young Allison to show me. She has access to 'everything'. We need to do more. We need to share some of the burden. I know no one wants to hear it. I don't want to say it. We both know it needs to be done anyway."
Vanna didn't want Allison to create a problem in the Command Center.
"We can't interfere with the operation." Vanna said.
Allison thought they could use an indirect approach.
"We can call our cyborg girlfriends." Allison said.
Vanna didn't see what it could accomplish. She was sure it would cause the Metal girls even more stress. They would start to think about them instead of the operation they were on. It seemed like a bad idea.
"Then what will happen?" Vanna asked. "They're already there. They know, we know, they're on an operation. They're going to think something's wrong or they're in danger. You know what I mean. More danger than they're already in, or actually in."
John came out of the Command Center. There was a look of deep concern on his face.
"Will you join us?" John asked. "John Henry told me you two were out here and looked very worried."
Allison was a little surprised when John came out. She didn't see any reason not to tell him the truth.
"We are worried." Allison said. "We're worried about everyone currently involved."
Vanna was aware they already disrupted the operations in the Command Center. She didn't want to make it worse.
"We can come in for a while." Vanna said. "We don't want to be in the way or cause a problem. We can leave at any point."
John wanted to get back to his station. He motioned for the girls to follow him.
"Come in and sit down." John said. "It looks like things are going to happen soon."
Allison was a little unsure of the wording. It didn't sound good.
"What kind of things?" Allison asked.
John hoped Cameron's team would deliver a fatal blow to the enemy.
"Hopefully it will be bad things for the Grays and the Terminator." John said.
Vanna wanted to make her specific concern known.
"I'm worried about all of them, especially about Savannah." Vanna said. "She's burning the candle at both ends when she is out with Cameron."
John Henry hoped to give Vanna some reassurance. He wasn't sure if it actually would or not.
"Cammy is with her." John Henry said.
Vanna and Allison looked at each other. Cammy was with Savannah when she almost died in the last mine. Circumstances could negate any assistance or help, depending upon what the situation was.
John was worried too but he felt confidence in Cameron's team.
"Relax, I'm worried about all of them as well." John said. "You know this is how these things always go."
They did know how these things went. They both repaired horrific battle damage to Cameron numerous times. The same damage to Savannah would be fatal in most cases, or leave her horribly scarred and disfigured if she survived. Either one of those options was unacceptable to the girls.
Closing monologue by Cameron:
The Plan Changed
Even the best laid plans
Seldom seen to come to fruition
What was once a clear path
Is now divided by a partition
You were being directed
In a safe and secure direction
Everything looked very good
For your best future and protection
Suddenly between us
A wedge was smugly driven
Events soon out of control occurred
Which will never be forgiven
Once the train
Was off the tracks
It leaves everyone open
To an onslaught of attacks
Everything was set in motion
It was already prearranged
Then you became estranged
The plan changed
Nobody