Chapter 954
Not Fade Away
John wanted to know more about the HK equipment they captured over the last few days. They took in more HK Tracks and HK drones. He was always worried about a 'Trojan Horse'. Skynet may tag one of the pieces of equipment, or some other of the HK products, with a hidden tracker. Cameron was very adamant from the beginning everything would be taken to different remote locations to be thoroughly checked first, before it went to its final storage location. The method seemed to have worked so far. No trackers were ever found. Maybe Skynet was overconfident in its abilities. Since it dominated the future, it didn't fear the past. It was overconfident. It was a mistake.
"How is everything we appropriated checking out?" John asked. "I know our people need to put a lot of work into it."
John Henry always made sure there was no significant deviation in the construction of the equipment. If there was, it indicated a different version of Skynet at play. It evidently was the case when they found the drones with the new quieter power plants in the Palm Springs area. They never knew which version of Skynet they would deal with. They needed to worry about alternate futures they may have inadvertently created. The one constant in all of it was each version of Skynet wanted to be supreme and wouldn't work with another version for very long before one tried to take control. The more they battled each other, the less the Resistance needed to do.
"It's all standard Skynet designs." John Henry said. "There's little deviation from what we've previously confiscated."
John was worried about different versions of Skynet.
"Do you think it's all from the same Skynet or more than one?" John asked.
John Henry was confident everything confiscated recently was all of identical construction, and therefore from the same version of Skynet. He didn't want John to worry about it.
"Everything over the last few days was from the same source." John Henry said. "We know we've dealt with more than one at the same time before. It doesn't appear to be the case in this situation."
John felt any version of Skynet was bad enough. His real worry was with SkyMaster and the fanatical Grays associated with it. The Fanatics were the most illogical followers of any version of Skynet they ever encountered. They didn't just 'work' for SkyMaster, they 'believed' in it. It was more like a religion to them, and SkyMaster was their god. If there was ever a false god, it was definitely SkyMaster. He really wondered what kind of a messed up future they must have come from where they turned Skynet into a god as SkyMaster. Even the name was kind of creepy the more he thought about it. Who would let a machine be their master?
The future the Fanatics came from must have been in total disarray. There was probably chaos and a lot of inviting. It was usually the case in areas where different groups existed. They would cooperate with each other when there was a common enemy who was a real threat to all of them, once the threat was neutralized, they all reverted back to their old ways and started fighting each other. When the Fanatics Unearthed some version of Skynet, they saw it could offer control and what they believed would be peace.
The new version of Skynet changed its name to SkyMaster when it realized how some people were willing to follow it without any type of coercion. The Fanatics who followed it were lost in their own misguided reality. SkyMaster battled all forms of Skynet in the past.
"What about anything on the hard drives from the Fanatics?" John asked. "Those are the most disturbing ones to me right now."
John Henry was aware of the threat the Fanatics posed. If they were unable to poison themselves before capture, they would attempt to blow themselves up, along with everyone around them. More often than not, there was going to be an explosion of some type whenever they dealt with a group of Fanatics.
"I agree." John Henry said. "We are going through everything. Nothing has changed since you last asked me. I'll let you know if we find anything of significance. So far you know it's been rather elusive."
When they saw where the armored car went earlier, John was adamant Cameron not enter the mine to see what actually was in there. He was concerned for her safety and survivability if she would have entered the mine. The downside to the caution was they didn't know what exactly happened in the mine.
"Do you think we destroyed a version of Skynet inside the mine with the H-bomb?" John asked.
John Henry was sure there was 'a Skynet' in the mine of some type. Maybe it was SkyMaster and it took control of the Skynet already there. If it was done properly, the Grays and Terminators there may not know. Another Skynet builds a 'nest' and tries to get established. SkyMaster, like a cuckoo bird, comes along, lays its egg, and takes over the 'nest', while everyone else still serves it. It would allow someone else to do all the heavy lifting, and SkyMaster shows up late to the party and takes over. He was sure of one thing, whatever was in the mine was eradicated from the face of the Earth.
"Yes." John Henry said. "We have no proof one way or the other, but I believe we did."
John was aware it fell on his shoulders. He saw it as a 'Catch-22'.
"We have no proof because Cameron wasn't allowed to enter the mine." John said. "I think it was a good thing. I know we lost a lot of information without an on site inspection, but it was the safe way to go."
John Henry doubted any way was safe. At best he would agree some ways were a little safer than others. Everything came with a price of some kind. Someone would need to pay the fare. As long as it was no one from their group he didn't care.
"It was." John Henry said. "None of our group was terminated."
John hoped they could determine what time period SkyMaster originated in. It would give them a better clue as to how events played out. There needed to be some type of problem in the future SkyMaster originated from. If it was actually from a different timeline, it would be less worrisome.
"What about the Fanatics?" John asked. "Can we tell what future they're from or how far in the future?"
John Henry always found it to be a source of contention. They were unable to establish a firm date as to when SkyMaster existed, and when the fanatical followers were sent back from. If there was a timeline divergence, it would be very difficult to determine when and where the change actually occurred.
"We only know they're from a further future than Cameron is from." John Henry said. "As to what timeline, we've been unable to determine it. 'In some future' where Mrs. Weaver and the Duplicate set of girls are at, there was no one from the Resistance team found there. There was also no record of any of them. It was as if none of us ever existed."
John Henry could only speculate on what Cameron says she thinks she did in one of her lifetimes, if she was really living her life over. She sent everyone into the past so they would be free of Skynet for the rest of their lives. It didn't account for what happened to the Terminators in the Resistance if it's what Cameron did. A hundred years in standby was nothing for Terminator. If it was the case 'in some future', the Terminators should have been there. Maybe Cameron actually sent them into the future, specifically River's future. There were no facts to back any of it up.
He was left with the unpleasant thought Cameron may have gone bad in River's future and she is what turned into SkyMaster. He knew her biggest fear was she turned into Skynet. She may have taken things a step further and become SkyMaster. He didn't think she would have any trouble obtaining followers who would become Fanatics. Everyone in the Resistance would follow her right now. He didn't think it would be different in a further future, even if it was past River's future. He only needed to remind himself Savannah always said Cameron was invincible and eternal.
John was worried about the danger everyone in the Resistance faced whenever they encountered the Fanatics. None of them wanted to be captured alive. They all refused to talk, even when 'enhanced interrogation' methods were used. The Fanatics chose the easy way out.
"We do know they all choose death over divulging anything." John said.
John Henry knew 'belief' was a powerful force. When someone 'believed' in something, it didn't matter if it was true or not. They 'believed' it was. Therefore, it made it real and true to the followers. Like all religious fanatical followers, they were very dangerous to everyone else. Reality and facts meant nothing when someone 'believed' something different. It didn't matter how illogical or idiotic it seemed.
"Their version of Skynet - SkyMaster, is their god." John Henry said.
John understood with most of the religions there was a hierarchy involved which was like a pyramid down from the top.
"If Skynet - SkyMaster is their god, then the Terminators associated with them are its disciples." John said. "Maybe it only took a small group of Terminators to help reestablish Skynet - SkyMaster, when they determined it was time to take control.
John Henry wasn't sure exactly what the Terminators were. He did know they were a threat.
"Apparently…." John Henry said.
John wondered how fanatical the Terminators were who worked for SkyMaster. If they were programmed in the same manner the fanatical followers believed, they would be even more dangerous to deal with.
"It sounds more like they are Disciples Of Destruction." John said. "The Fanatics were in contact with something when Cameron's team took them down. Maybe they were spying on the version of Skynet we just destroyed. As far as we know, they could have been influencing it."
John Henry knew it was only speculation. They didn't have any facts.
"Maybe the Fanatics were controlling it." John Henry said. "The Fanatics may have been the ones behind trying to build the Cobalt bombs as well. They could have influenced the version of Skynet in the mine, the same way Skynet influenced the Syndicate to do its bidding with those it wanted to control.
John wanted some answers.
"We need to find out." John said.
John Henry wanted the information as well. He didn't like the fact he was targeted specifically at the casino hotel. He wanted some payback for the direct threat upon himself and the Resistance team. He personally didn't normally face a directed threat. He knew it was a threat Cameron faced all of the time. In fact, Cameron ended up in a fight for her life with the 'Metal Bitch' on top of the elevator on her way to come up and attack him.
"Both CamNet and I continually search everything to find the rogue version of Skynet - SkyMaster." John Henry said. "Skynet may be what sent the 'Metal Bitch' to our location. She received the information from someone. It could have been her Skynet overlord, or SkyMaster as well."
John Henry wondered if the Fanatic's Skynet - SkyMaster, was exerting control over any other things besides Skynet. It may be advanced enough to make another Skynet do its bidding and set them up as patsies. It may be able to exert direct control on other things. Maybe SkyMaster was the force behind what actually happened at the Syndicate casino. It was more than likely something they were going to have to look into in much greater detail.
Some version of Skynet, even if controlled by SkyMaster, needed to have something to offer the Syndicate to establish their relationship. It was possible somewhere higher up in the Syndicate chain of command, they may have replaced a key individual with a Terminator to assume the person's identity, purpose, and function. They could have found additional ways to help the Syndicate to launder its illegally obtained money. If the Syndicate did its bidding, they already possessed a network and enforcement arm in place and already established.
John was sure any fanatical group which preached 'the end of the world', or the 'rise of the machines', would draw plenty of nut jobs. With a little indoctrination and proper handling, SkyMaster could get their followers to do anything, including 'drink the Kool-Aid'. In SkyMaster's case, it was to have the Fanatics take poison or blow themselves up. They might be able to pick up a 'newly established group' attempting to pick up recruits.
"I want you to look into other fanatical or cult groups." John said. "The Fanatics will be able to find followers in some of those groups. They'll be able to create their own fanatical Grays here. The people who sign up will be more than willing to follow it the more extreme the agenda is. There will be plenty of people willing to cover themselves with the purple shrouds and wear the tennis shoes as they 'drink the Kool-Aid'."
John Henry found it somewhat amusing John finally came to the same conclusion. It was something he already looked into earlier.
"I was notified of the same thing by CamNet earlier in the operation." John Henry said.
John looked at John Henry for a long moment. He understood what it actually meant.
"Don't tell me, it came from the Young bunker." John said.
John Henry knew he was supposed to respond, even though John told him not to. He also thought a lot of good ideas originated in the Young bunker. So far every one of them was the right call too. They all seemed to be things they didn't think of in the Command Center, or the Control Center at the casino hotel.
"There have been many 'good calls' which came from there the last few days." John Henry said.
John slowly nodded his head in agreement. He felt some of the calls made in the Young bunker were very bold and aggressive. They all worked too.
"I think all of their ideas were better than ours." John said. "I don't disagree with any of them. They may have seemed a little rash or extreme at the time, but they were still the right call for the situation."
John Henry didn't think John would have much choice to agree with them or not since CamNet acted on her own and made sure all of them were implemented. They were going to happen, with or without any input from the Command Center. He was aware of John's previous aversion to Cameron possessing her own nuclear weapons. He was adamantly dead set against it earlier.
"Does it include the use of the H-bomb?" John Henry asked.
John didn't think the decision specifically came out of the Young bunker. From the information they knew, it all happened in the past, which was actually in the future for the people who went to the past, since none of them left yet. He needed to look at the result and determine if it was worth it or not. Cameron, Savannah, and Young Allison were all safe. It was what really mattered in the end.
"I don't condone the use of nuclear weapons by anyone, but Cameron and all our people are safe and accounted for." John said. "There was no significant radiation increase."
John Henry needed to think of a bigger threat. He wanted John to think about it as well. If Skynet tried to build a C-bomb, they most likely weren't done yet. It may have been something they actually tried to do several times so far. The first time may have been in the past. They still needed some type of proof or evidence to verify the theory.
"What about the Cobalt?" John Henry asked. "The concept of its use to create a C-bomb goes back more than half a century. Skynet attempted to create several of them in the present. More than likely it will attempt to construct some going forward into the future."
John wanted to know more about it. They never found any conclusive proof there was Cobalt in the mine. It was all speculation. They did know the Skynet forces put the grab on at least three nuclear weapons capable of creating a C-bomb if they were encased with Cobalt.
"I wanted to ask you about it." John said. "Where did the Cobalt idea even come from on this operation? We don't even know if it was a part of it for sure. They have been up to something else? There may have been more than one thing going on. I know we don't have any facts because I wouldn't allow Cameron, or anyone else on the team, to go inside the mine."
John Henry thought the Cobalt situation may have existed twice. It may have existed in the past and was dealt with then, and it may have re-emerged in the present with what they just took care of in the Nevada desert. There was no way to know for sure. Not yet anyway.
"It was something we only have fragments of." John Henry said. "It may have been something from when Cammy and Sheila were in the past they stopped then. At this time, they are unsure of everything they did."
John wondered about it. Cameron and Young Allison hadn't left yet, but whatever they did in the past was already done. What if it was Cameron and Young Allison from a different timeline? Cameron in a different timeline would want to do the same things. The things he programmed her to do. Somehow it always came back to 'him' even if it was Future John.
"I want you to watch for more missing nuclear weapons." John said. "Find out what you can about the Cobalt. I don't know if we can control it the same way we control the Coltan. It may mean something we need to watch. It seems if someone wanted to construct C-bombs, it really wouldn't take a lot of Cobalt to do it if they possessed the nuclear weapon to begin with."
John Henry felt he needed to remind John not everything needed to happen in the present in regards to Skynet. He was sure it was part of the issue with the current situation in the Nevada desert.
"John, Skynet could do this in the past as well." John Henry said.
John tried to piece it all together. It was pretty hard to do.
"I think they were and it's what someone in our group uncovered." John said.
John Henry felt it opened the door to a lot of things which may have happened in the past. Whatever they were at this point, it was what they knew currently. There could also be divergent timelines which were created at some point as well.
"I'm afraid to know what else was 'uncovered'." John Henry said.
John let out a slow breath. There were some things which always seemed to turn into a problem when they tried to deal with them. He knew Cameron was often less than forthcoming with the truth. He knew it for a fact because she even told him the same thing when he asked her previously. Fortunately for him, Cameron might not be the only one involved with some of the activity in the past which occurred. He was sure he was more than likely to get honest answers out of one individual. He wasn't sure to what extent they would actually go to if they wanted to 'protect' the ones they loved, meaning Young Allison and Cameron
"Savannah will be able to tell us if she goes back." John said. "She won't lie to me."
John Henry wasn't so sure of it. He knew Savannah would try to be as truthful as she could, but she was going to protect Cameron. It was more than likely some important facts would be omitted from any reports she made. He knew she would do the same thing for Young Allison as well. It could also depend upon the timing of where she was at and when it was.
"Savannah won't be there often." John Henry said. "She may not lie to you, but she may withhold facts. She may not know all of them either."
John had to think about it a little bit. He knew John Henry was right. He also knew the reason why Savannah may not be as forthcoming with all the information as she would be on her own.
"Cameron is a bad influence on her." John said.
John Henry wanted John to think about his statement a little deeper. He didn't view most of what Cameron did as 'her fault'. He felt she was more a victim of her programming.
"Is she?" John Henry asked. "Cameron's doing what you programmed her to do."
John really didn't want to hear about Future John right now.
"She did tell me she lies to me sometimes, even about important things." John said.
John Henry didn't think it was anything unique.
"Everyone lies." John Henry said. "I'm sure you've had a few events occur in which you may not have been completely factual about what happened. I don't know anyone who hasn't lied about something. It's usually not about being dishonest about something on purpose, more than it is the individual not wanting to look bad about something they may have done, which in reality isn't a big deal, but somebody could make it one."
John quickly looked at John Henry. He was a little worried. He knew there were certain things he held back on himself. Now he wondered if there was anything in the Command Center he needed to know about.
"Do you?" John asked.
John Henry felt there were personal issues which sometimes didn't need to be discussed. He also thought some things were best left unsaid.
"It would be a lie to say I haven't." John Henry said. "I can say most of them were related to personal issues of things I witnessed. I usually wasn't a participant in any of them."
It made John wonder about what and when. It didn't matter, life goes on. He knew he was guilty as well. He tried to keep his 'close encounter' with Cammy in the Honeymoon Suite to himself, but Cameron found out anyway.
"We all have." John said. "We all have…."
John didn't think there was anything stellar about his life. He certainly didn't have any shortage of shortcomings. Who was he to judge? Everyone needed to make their life work. Sometimes the rules needed to be bent or broken. Sometimes people needed to be less than truthful, or even lie. There were certain things which would have hurt an individual to know. It was better not to mention them in their entirety if they were asked about it.
Vanna led Gail to her room. She could tell Gail was acting differently. It wasn't a good sign. She would try to be subtle to find out what was wrong. She didn't want to force the issue. She didn't think it was related to her specifically.
"You seem a little 'off'." Vanna said. "We've done this before."
Gail tried to smile a little.
"I know." Gail said. "I enjoy sharing with you."
Vanna could still see the things were a little off. She wanted to make sure it was nothing more severe. It looked like she would need to use a more direct approach.
"Is something wrong?" Vanna asked.
Vanna felt Gail wanted to say something, but was unsure what to say or how. She waited.
Gail didn't say anything.
Vanna looked at her for a long while. Then it hit her. Gail and Savannah must have shared.
"You and Savannah…." Vanna said. "You were together…."
Gail didn't say anything. She didn't want to compromise Savannah, but word would get out, it always did. There were no secrets at the Resistance base. Even if someone didn't see something with their own eyes, there were usually enough clues to put it all together.
Vanna smiled to herself. She would allow Gail to have a treat and compare the two of them. She didn't know it was only a short time ago in reality when it happened.
"Now you can 'compare'." Vanna said as she started to strip.
Gail felt a little guilty being with Vanna after being with Savannah. There were different types of love at play there.
Gail wanted to explain herself. She felt it was important.
"I love her." Gail said.
Vanna was pretty sure everyone loved everyone else at this point in time. It certainly seemed like it anyway.
"We all love each other." Vanna said. "ALL of us."
Gail felt a deeper calling inside of her.
"It's more than that." Gail said. "I really, really love, love her."
Vanna could see Gail was headed for a slippery slope. She knew the rules and she needed to stay within them. She would give her a little reminder.
"She's 'spoken' for." Vanna said. "You know this."
Gail frowned a little. She did know everything. It still didn't change her feelings.
"I do." Gail said. "I'm not trying to cause a problem for anyone, especially myself."
Vanna wanted to help Gail. She could see she was a little lost. Maybe she was overwhelmed by everything which occurred. She thought the best thing to do to help Gail was to offer her everything.
"We're here now, you and me." Vanna said. "I want to share with you, if you'll have me."
Gail looked at Vanna.
"I would like to very much." Gail said.
Vanna moved up and kissed Gail. She wanted to remind her how everything worked. Seldom did anyone get everything they wanted all of the time. It just didn't happen. Everything in life was a certain amount of give and take. Sometimes when somebody obtained something they thought they wanted more than anything, they soon find out otherwise. It happened with everyone.
"We don't always get to be with the one we love. Sometimes we can love the one we're with." Vanna said. "It's why we all have multiple lovers. It keeps the pain from overtaking us. To share makes us feel 'alive'. We don't need the pain to feel alive."
Gail was aware the pain of losing Duplicate Jesse was no longer in her thoughts constantly as it was before Savannah shared with her. The pain and guilt of nearly being terminated wasn't either. Savannah was still with her. It didn't even matter if her sheath was damaged. Savannah still wanted to be with her, because it was her. It meant everything was OK.
She looked at Vanna who already removed her top. She stripped hers off as well.
As she undressed, Vanna noticed Gail's back. It caused her to worry. She wondered if there was something involved with the damage which was responsible for Gail's hesitant behavior besides being with Savannah.
Vanna moved over and looked. She was concerned about what must have happened.
"You're damaged." Vanna said. "May I look?"
Gail was glad most of her damage already repaired itself.
"Savannah patched me up." Gail said. "I'm almost healed. Thank you for your concern."
Vanna wanted to make sure everything was fine. She was sure the damage was part of the reason why Gail seemed a little bit off as well. Her sheath wasn't at one hundred percent. She knew it was something which bothered all of the Terminators. It especially bothered the female Terminators. She could understand. There were many times she felt very self conscious about her scar.
"Safety comes before pleasure." Vanna said as she checked the almost healed wounds.
Gail was very grateful for all of the things Savannah did for her personally. She thought she could give Vanna a quick rundown of what happened.
"It's almost exactly what Savannah said." Gail said. "She took care of me. She prevented me from being shot up and all of us from being damaged severely in an explosion. She was almost term… damaged by staying to protect me."
Vanna wanted to refocus Gail's thoughts. She knew it was part of Gail's problem currently. Her mind was all over the place. She was a little concerned when Gail said Savannah was almost killed. She would have to look into it later on and see exactly what happened. It seemed whenever Savannah was out with Cameron anymore, the chance of it happening went up exponentially. She didn't want to go off on a tangent right now. She wanted to soothe Gail.
"Now it's us and there is minimal danger here for us." Vanna said. "Now it is the time for sharing and pleasure."
Gail wanted to share with Vanna. She knew sometimes Vanna needed a little more 'work' than the other girls. It wasn't a problem for her. It was always her goal to make sure her partner made it.
"I know it takes you a little longer than the other girls." Gail said. "I'll deliver. I promise."
Vanna was ready for a little escape of her own. She knew Gail would be able to do it. Gail was very accommodating when one of the girls wanted to push it a little further. She was aware she took Jesse all the way to the edge and beyond it. Jesse needed to be revived more than once when she reached the realm of eternal pleasure.
"I know you will." Vanna said as she gently pulled Gail to her bed. "Keep me 'going' when I get there, even when I beg you to stop. I'm ready to go a little further."
Gail was much more excited at this point. She planned to push it to a higher level this time.
"I will." Gail said. "I know what you like and how. I'll make sure you get even more."
Vanna smiled. She knew she was in for an intense ride.
"I would turn off the light and say 'pretend I'm her'." Vanna said. "But you can still see it's me and I really am her anyway. Even if Savannah isn't me, I am her. I'm Savannah Weaver too."
Gail often imagined Vanna was Savannah. It wasn't hard to do since she really was.
"I'll love you as if you were her." Gail said. "It's easy to do because you ARE."
Vanna always liked to hear it. There were times she wondered if people forgot she was Savannah Weaver too.
Gail shared and loved Vanna, like Vanna never experienced before.
Time passed quickly at the diner.
The girls all danced some more, but it was getting late.
There was really something in the wind the three girls all felt.
Savannah and Young Allison could really 'feel it'. It was obvious Cameron did too. The three of them together all felt so content and peaceful. It all felt so natural…. The three of them together was a perfect harmony of love.
The music stopped and they all headed back to the table.
The waitress didn't 'bother' them anymore. She indicated what she wanted and was available. She then backed off. She was at work, not a patron. She didn't want to lose her job. Cameron eyed her some more. She didn't think she was done with her yet.
Cameron decided to have Anna keep a better 'watch' over Young Allison when they went out. It was obvious males weren't going to be the only 'problem'. The aggressive females in the past would be fewer, but those who exerted themselves would be forceful.
Savannah was ready to get Young Allison back home. She knew she needed to go by and see CamNet. She needed to thank CamNet personally for her assistance on the operation over the last few days. She also needed to fulfill several other obligations she promised to CamNet. She really didn't know where things were going to go. She did know where they would end up at some point. It was something she looked forward to more than she was hesitant about.
Cameron noticed something troubled Savannah.
Savannah looked up and saw Cameron look at her.
Another song was about to finish up as the girls gathered their things. Savannah smiled and got up. She looked at the songs on the jukebox and selected one.
Cameron looked at the waitress again. She decided to leave another tip at the table. She wasn't sure why, but she thought the waitress may have some future 'usefulness'. For what, she wasn't sure, but she was young and attractive.
She might serve as a 'treat' for some of the females in the Resistance. It would be a mutually beneficial endeavor for all of them.
Cameron stood as Savannah returned. Savannah and Young Allison each took one of her hands. It's how the three of them walked out.
Cammy, Anna, and Holly followed. They knew the 'Natural Order' when they saw it.
The waitress went to clean the table and saw there was another large tip waiting for her. She looked at the group of females on their way out the door. She couldn't help but feel a sense of loss for not being able to hook up with any of them. They were the finest group of females she ever saw in the diner. She really wanted to be with one of them. She really hoped they would return on another day. She wondered if they might have some friends who would want a little more.
'Not Fade Away' by 'Buddy Holly', echoed in their ears and hearts as they departed.
Closing monologue by Cameron:
Not Fade Away
Love once kindled
Is easily extinguished
It's better to be unique
And be distinguished
Run of the mill
Is more of the same
One needs to work harder
To keep up love's flame
It's easy to become lax
Some want to coast
Those are the ones
Who end up as toast
To make love flourish
Is a lot of work
It can die on the vine
If someone is a jerk
Always listen to what
The other one will say
It's the only way for love
To not fade away
Nobody