Chapter 957
This Is Very Romantic
Young Allison wanted to be alone with Savannah. She wanted Savannah to hold her and touch her. She wanted Savannah to kiss her. She could see Savannah didn't want to cross the bridge yet, even if she did. It made her feel afraid inside. She thought maybe she should stick to 'work'. It was something important too. Maybe Savannah would appreciate her commitment to the future more if it is what they did. She was trained to push things. It didn't seem like the right time to push her own personal agenda. If anything, it would seem selfish.
Savannah wanted to spend time with Young Allison on a more personal level. She wanted them to be 'best friends' as much as she did lovers. She wanted the friendship foundation securely established before things progressed elsewhere. She wanted it to be about the individuals they were, not what they could offer each other in different ways. She wanted it as 'best friends' to have and share a good time with each other because they wanted to be with each other. It wasn't the direction things went. The focus was redirected back to the Resistance operations.
Young Allison and Savannah went over the entire operations of the last few days. Savannah was really amazed at the things Young Allison contributed. It was way more things and ideas than she imagined. Young Allison was fantastic. Her decisions clearly made the difference on several levels. She realized a couple of them probably saved her from being killed, especially at the Skynet warehouse. The incident at the mine with the H-bomb at the bottom of it was another close one.
Savannah made one more push for them to 'hang out'. She really wanted Young Allison to take a break. She would like to see her take a moment to get away from it all. She didn't want her to become obsessed with Resistance matters at this point in her life. It wasn't the right time to get caught up in all of it. It was the same reason she didn't push things on a more personal level. She didn't want to be the one to define Young Allison's life for her. She understood better now why Cameron was hesitant to advance her life along the way she wanted it at the same age. Once certain doors are opened, they can't be closed. It always left the prospect of an unwanted visitor who could walk right in, especially at the wrong time.
"We can kick back for a while if you want." Savannah said. "We can do other things. We can do some things together."
Young Allison was afraid if she reached out for what she wanted, it might drive Savannah away from her. She was afraid she would blow it. It was better to back off and wait. The only trouble with waiting was, it seemed like all she ever did was wait. Maybe it was supposed to be the way her life would play out. Things wouldn't happen on her own time table when she wanted them to happen. They would happen when someone else wanted them to happen. Maybe she was just along for the ride in her own life. She needed to focus on the task at hand.
"We can finish up a few more things on the operations first." Young Allison said.
Savannah wanted Young Allison to make her own decisions. She was pretty sure her being there herself influenced the decisions Young Allison made. It wasn't what she wanted. She wanted Young Allison to speak up for herself.
"OK." Savannah said. "We can stop when you want."
Young Allison picked up where she left off earlier. There was something which bothered her greatly. She knew Savannah made the right call previously, but Cameron influenced her to change her decision. She wanted Savannah to know what her observation was of the event. She didn't want to seem critical about what happened. She wasn't sure she should even bring the point up, but she felt she needed to. She couldn't let anything happen to Savannah.
"You were right about being apprehensive to return to the warehouse in the bobtail truck." Young Allison said. "You need to follow your instincts when you have them. I know it's what you normally do. It's what I did for all of mine."
Savannah knew without Young Allison's intervention and ideas, the events in the desert warehouse would have most likely ended quite differently. She would have suffered great bodily harm if not death.
"I know." Savannah said. "I should have ordered Cameron not to use it. I was worried about Ally too. If you hadn't come up with the idea of us squawking the Skynet transponder code, I would have been killed. You saved my life. The drone attack inside the building was a nice touch too. It prevented any further damage to our group. The Grays inside ran when our drones entered the building. It was definitely an innovative approach no matter how it is viewed."
Savannah hoped they could employ the same tactic in the future the next time they encountered a large structure. It wasn't often the case in most of the buildings they visited. Most of them didn't have a high ceiling in them.
Young Allison wanted to place the credit where it actually belonged. CamNet was the one responsible for carrying out her ideas. It was through the earlier efforts of the team at two separate locations they were able to capture HK equipment. Because they were able to analyze and inspect the equipment, they were able to come up with a fresh transponder code. Without the fresh transponder code, things would have been very different. It was a beneficial luxury which was able to be verified from two separate sources. It seldom was the case on the battlefield, or their encounters with Skynet related operations.
"We were lucky we obtained an active transponder code." Young Allison said. "CamNet implemented everything. I only made suggestions. You need to thank CamNet. She was the one to provide the equipment I requested, when I requested it. None of it would have happened without her involvement and assistance."
Savannah was aware CamNet watched over her closely. More than once through CamNet's actions she was able to live to fight another day. Without CamNet's intervention she would have been terminated by now.
"I plan to thank CamNet." Savannah said. "CamNet saved me before."
Savannah planned to thank CamNet in person when she visited Cameron's base again.
Young Allison was very appreciative of CamNet. She developed a close association with CamNet. Maybe things went a little too far between them, but she didn't think so. She was aware both Anna and Allison suspected what was going on. She only backed off because Savannah insisted she do so. She wasn't willing to trade CamNet for Savannah. Savannah still came first in her life going forward.
"CamNet is the greatest." Young Allison said. "She's very responsive and always comes through. I've needed to rely heavily on her to carry out the things I wanted. I didn't feel comfortable going through the Command Center with most of them, especially when the Command Center was unmanned. I know I should work closer with John when he is available in the Command Center."
Savannah looked at Young Allison. She realized it was Young Allison who sent her the manned drone at the nuclear power plant. It was Young Allison who saved her life more than once already. She did it from inside a bunker and nowhere near a battlefield. Not only was CamNet her guardian angel, Young Allison was as well.
"It was you then too, wasn't it?" Savannah asked. "It was you who sent the manned drone at Serrano Point. I was going to die there. I knew as soon as I stepped off of the drone with Cameron on it I wasn't going to survive. You gave me another chance at life. How can I ever express my appreciation?"
Young Allison wanted Savannah to know and remember who it was who enacted her plan. She didn't do it on her own. She wasn't the one in control of anything. Well, not directly anyway.
"I asked CamNet to help you." Young Allison said. "She did."
Savannah moved over and took Young Allison in her arms and held her tight and close.
Young Allison reached her arms around Savannah and held her the same way. She could see there were tears in Savannah's eyes.
Savannah was alive and undamaged because of Young Allison's direct actions. It didn't matter as much as to how they were carried out, as long as the framework was put in place so they would be, and in a timely manner.
"Thank you, Allison." Savannah said.
Young Allison was painfully aware most of Savannah's 'near death' decisions were a result of her being with Cameron on an operation at the time they occurred. She knew in one instance Savannah would have been able to get to safety, but she chose to stay with Cameron instead. There were other times Savannah could have made a selfish choice to save herself, but she didn't. Any of the cyborgs were replaceable. Their programs were all copied. If any of them were terminated or destroyed, they could be rebodied and exist again. Savannah didn't have the same luxury. She didn't think it would do any good, but she wanted to make her observation known.
"Your heart is writing checks your body won't be able to cash." Young Allison said. "I've seen EVERYTHING you've done, especially for Cameron."
Savannah felt very defensive. She knew if she hadn't acted like she did on those occasions, Cameron would have been terminated. It was her job to protect the future. She needed to protect both John and Cameron to protect the future. The way she saw things, it was actually very specific.
"I need to protect her." Savannah said. "Without Cameron, there is no future."
Young Allison could see it for the paradox it was.
"OK, Savannah." Young Allison said. "I understand."
Young Allison knew she needed to share Savannah's burden.
Savannah needed to pull it together. She didn't want them to become emotional over an operation. An operation was usually a battle. In the future, everywhere was a battlefield. She wanted to compliment Young Allison on some of her actions even if it was CamNet who implemented them. The idea or suggestion still came from Young Allison.
"The drone usage was very proficient too." Savannah said.
The tears were gone.
Savannah needed to stay ahead of her emotions.
Young Allison wasn't sure exactly which drone usage Savannah referred to. It was most likely what occurred at the Skynet warehouse. If it was actually about Ally and her 'run in' with the bikers, almost everything associated with it was her idea, including what was necessary to get the bikers to follow Ally. Once she knew the drones were in place to back Ally up, she implemented the plan. She knew what was going to happen to the bikers. She knew they were all going to be killed. Did she actually murder them? No. They were given a choice to ride away before things escalated. Because they thought they held the advantage, they stayed and planned to abuse Ally. They bit off more than they could chew. Every bully needs to learn a lesson the hard way. There's always going to be a bigger bully somewhere along the way.
It seemed like a good idea not to ask Savannah directly about which particular incident it was involving the drones. She was aware she took more than a few chances. She went against their normal drone policy about daylight operations on more than one occasion. She felt in those cases they took adequate precautions. The one which was the biggest gamble wasn't actually directly from her. It was from CamNet. It was the ability to get the entire group evacuated behind the hillside before the H-bomb detonated. She was part of the group which needed to be evacuated. It was a reminder she didn't have as good of control of events when she was out in the field as she did inside of her bunker.
"I know I pushed it too much with all the daylight drone activity." Young Allison said. "CamNet has since moved more of the drones to outlying areas where no one will see them launched during daylight. At fifty thousand feet they're not visible. CamNet and John Henry block them from all radar. A missile only takes a little over a second longer to strike. If someone's life depends on it, they can violate the 'hard deck' and drop down for close support. They can use the minigun for precision accuracy if necessary."
They knew John Henry could spin the stories as 'military testing' or a 'UFO' sighting. It was actually a tactic they used before on more than one occasion.
Savannah believed it was good planning and foresight on Young Allison's part.
"It will help a lot in the operations to be able to have quick drone support if needed, even if it's from high altitude." Savannah said.
Savannah figured if it was necessary they could use a drone to extract someone from a danger zone if it became absolutely necessary. She didn't think she would mention it right now, but she didn't think she needed to.
Young Allison wanted to make improvements to some of the drones in the fleet. She wanted some of them to be able to obtain an even higher altitude, and she wanted some to have increased speed. The only trouble with the increased speed was the sound barrier and the 'sonic boom' which would be generated when it was broken. She was aware there were various ways to direct which direction the sonic boom actually went when it was triggered.
"I've asked CamNet to modify some drones so they can operate at even higher altitudes." Young Allison said. "They will be above any interception then, even from Skynet drones."
They spent several more hours going over everything. The two girls seemed to amaze each other with new revelations of things they did and asked it not be broadcast.
Savannah checked the time.
"It's late." Savannah said. "Let me fix you some dinner. We need to get cleaned up and ready to sleep."
Young Allison thought of a better idea. She wanted to use some of her cooking skills her mother taught her. Her mother was very proficient with domestic skills and she learned what her mother had to offer. She was the host. Savannah was the guest, even if somehow it didn't seem like it.
"Can I fix you dinner?" Young Allison asked. "I'd like to do it. This is my house."
Savannah felt it was her responsibility, but she could see it meant a lot to Young Allison to be able to do it herself. She was also correct about where they were. It was Young Allison's house. Well, it was where she lived with her family.
"Sure, Allison, I'd like it." Savannah said. "Let me get cleaned up."
Savannah and Young Allison headed upstairs.
Cammy and Anna were nowhere to be seen. They evidently were still out on 'patrol'. They wanted to give the girl's privacy because they thought they were going to 'share' with each other. It was wishful thinking on their part.
Savannah was troubled by her need to look after Young Allison personally. She wanted to make dinner a joint effort.
"You know what." Savannah said. "Let's make dinner together. There are many different ways we can share things."
'Can we clean up together?' Young Allison wanted to ask but didn't.
She wanted to spy on Savannah too if Savannah and Cammy shared with each other later on. It would be like watching Savannah and her 'together'. She watched Vanna and Allison several times. She no longer spied on Allison and Holly or her mother and Hanna. To see Vanna and Allison share is what she wanted. It was what she would have one day. She could see the future with her own eyes.
"OK." Young Allison said. "I know we'll do a lot of things 'together'."
Savannah didn't want Young Allison to get ahead of herself. It seemed she did it with extreme frequency. She had to put the reminder out there of how things needed to be.
"We will in the future, maybe." Savannah said. "Some things need to wait. I know you understand this and why."
Young Allison disagreed with her line of thinking. She believed it was archaic and obsolete. She was much more advanced than any other individual her age with her education and experience. She wanted to point out it was all a matter of perception.
"What if Judgment Day already happened?" Young Allison asked. "Everyone would see things differently if one major event occurred."
Savannah didn't even want to think about it, but she knew it was always a possibility. It was a reality it was always around the corner waiting to happen.
"Then we would be fighting for our lives." Savannah said. "Without Terminators backing us up, we'd all become prey to Skynet or Scavengers."
Young Allison was aware if they survived Judgment Day, both Savannah and her would already be 'women'. Their innocence would have been stripped from them in the first few months of the conflict as everything fell apart. It's what happened to all the females in every futures they were aware of which involved Skynet. Age wasn't a factor as to what happened to any of the females, no matter how young or old they were. They just needed to be female. It was the only thing which mattered.
Someone once equated it was similar to what happened in communist occupied eastern part of the main aggressor nation at the close of World War Two. Every female was savaged and abused. The victors treated the vanquish worse than animals. There were survivors who told the tale of what happened to them. They lived in a nation where they didn't have any control over what happened, but they were the ones who needed to pay the price. Their only crime when the savagery started was being born a female.
"Allison and Future Allison both told me what I need to do." Young Allison said. "Vanna tried to tell me also but she became too emotional."
Savannah knew the girls from the future wanted to protect them from everything they went through. It was an understandable position because the things which occurred to them were horrific.
"Vanna suffered a lot." Savannah said. "They all did. Every female suffered at some point."
Young Allison wanted to point out everything that happened to Vanna, is actually what happened to Savannah.
"It was YOU." Young Allison said. "It was YOU who suffered."
Savannah believed she helped change the future. She was long past the age when those things occurred to Vanna. They were able to delay every Judgment Day date they knew of.
"It won't be anymore." Savannah said. "It won't be for either one of us."
Young Allison was concerned with more than just Savannah and herself.
"I want Precious, Summer, and Jan, protected before me." Young Allison said.
Savannah didn't want Young Allison to stress out on any of it. If they were successful, Judgment Day may never occur. There was no guarantee what would happen going forward. Everything could change in an instant.
"Don't worry about this." Savannah said. "I'll make sure all of you are protected."
Young Allison was aware how everything started for Allison and Vanna.
"Just like Vanna did for Allison. You will sacrifice yourself." Young Allison said. "It was you and me. It was us…."
Savannah didn't look forward to it, but she felt a certain amount of resolve about what needed to be done in those circumstances.
"Yes." Savannah said. "I'll do whatever I have to do to protect Cameron, John, you, and the girls."
Young Allison couldn't help but think about the events earlier today in the Nevada desert.
"If I'm really responsible for setting off an H-bomb, I guess I will too." Young Allison said.
Savannah thought of the nuclear weapons Gail transported for Cameron. She asked to be able to learn to set one off herself with a timer, or without one. It was clear what would happen if it were to occur with a manual detonation. It didn't change her resolve any if she could protect the others.
"I'll do whatever I have to do." Savannah said.
They entered the kitchen. It was spotless.
"This is really clean." Savannah said.
Young Allison tried to help her mother out as much as possible. She knew she was caught up in Resistance operations or training to be able to help her mother all of the time.
"I did it." Young Allison said. "I wanted it nice for when my mom gets home."
Savannah knew Claire wanted to move to the Resistance base. To be closer to Jesse and Vanna, as well as the other Metal girls, was a motivating factor for Claire. She felt it would be strong motivation and enticement for anyone. She wasn't sure what would happen going forward.
"She may not." Savannah said.
Young Allison looked around the kitchen.
"I want her to come back." Young Allison said. "My mother belongs in her house with Summer and me."
Savannah knew there were practical considerations as well as the personal ones which needed to be considered.
"Your mother feels Summer and you will be better protected at the Resistance base." Savannah said. "Allison wants to move back in with Vanna."
Young Allison felt inadequate. She looked down at herself. She felt she was being held back from what belonged to her by other people's restrictions and hang ups.
"Will you be with Allison more if she moves back?" Young Allison asked. "Does she want to move back to the base to be with Vanna, or be with you?"
Young Allison thought Savannah could move in with her at her house in Palmdale, if all of the others were gone. They could start their life together as they served the Resistance. Regardless of what her mother did, she planned to stay in her house in Palmdale.
Savannah understood the full implications of Young Allison questions. She didn't feel any guilt about being with Allison. They both loved each other dearly. She didn't forget it was Allison and Vanna who belonged together.
"I don't know." Savannah said. "Vanna and Allison love each other very much, even if it doesn't seem like it sometimes. They do. They always have and always will. In answer to your question, I'll be with Allison whenever she wants to be with me. I love her very much."
Both girls reflected on it. They both knew it to be true, just as it was for them. There was no physical aspect to their love yet.
Young Allison didn't understand what difference it would make if Savannah was with her instead of with Allison. They were the same individual. It shouldn't matter. Age shouldn't matter. Maybe her mother wanted to move to the Resistance base but it wasn't her goal or idea. She felt she served an important function right where she was at.
"I don't want to go to the Resistance base. I want to stay here." Young Allison said. "This is like a third Command Center now after the Resistance base and Cameron's base. It's a heavily fortified bunker capable of withstanding any initial assault on it."
Savannah wanted to remind Young Allison to be respectful of her elders.
"You need to obey your mother." Savannah said. "Be thankful you have one. I don't say it lightly either."
Savannah missed her parents and Mrs. Weaver. Time dulled the pain of the losses somewhat. It was always still there. It didn't take much for it to resurface and take hold. It was always a very sad and uncomfortable feeling. There was nothing she could do about it. Well, nothing short of some type of 'temporal management'.
Savannah's loss and what happened to Allison wasn't lost on her.
"I am thankful for my parents." Young Allison said. "I can't even imagine not having a mother, or a father either, even with my advanced educational and emotional development."
Young Allison would be very devastated if her parents were 'gone'. Allison told her a little of what it was like. The other 'events' in her life soon started to happen without the protection of her parents. It was the same way for Vanna and Jesse too. They both had it worse, much worse.
Savannah was grateful for every one who stepped in who helped raise and guide her.
"Vanna, Allison, Sarah, and Cameron all served as my 'mother'." Savannah said. "Jesse did too. They all looked after me and watched over me. Cameron made sure I understood what really happened and why. I needed to be hidden for a long time so Skynet believed I was dead."
It was a lot for Savannah to think about. The loss of her nanny and Future Derek always bothered her. A Terminator came to kill her. Two other people died instead. The Terminator tried to kill her mother, Mrs. Weaver next. The Terminator ran into a little more challenge than he anticipated.
They worked in silence for a while as they made some dinner.
When they put the plates on the kitchen table, Young Allison looked around in a drawer and took something out. She took out a pack of matches and lit a candle and turned off the lights.
Savannah was touched by the gesture. They would have a candle light dinner.
"This is very romantic." Savannah said. "Sit."
Savannah pulled out Young Allison's chair and scooted her in after she sat down.
Young Allison wanted to make it clear to Savannah how everything would be a two way street. She wanted everything to be shared equally. Not only did it include the responsibility, or even the rewards, it included the danger as well. She didn't want to get into the danger aspect right now and spoil the meal.
"We'll take turns doing this in the future." Young Allison said.
Savannah picked up and reiterated one word in Young Allison's sentence.
"IN the future…." Savannah said to remind Young Allison.
Young Allison felt there was a caveat to it.
"When I get back, it will be the future for me." Young Allison said.
It wasn't really a subject Savannah wanted to get into now.
"I don't want to talk about it." Savannah said. "There are some things we can worry about later."
Savannah wanted Young Allison to stay a 'young' as long as possible. It would make her life less painful and keep her out of the battle zone. It was her biggest fear, it was Young Allison entering combat operations. She knew Young Allison was itching for it as well as she was the 'personal things'. She needed to make Young Allison understand both of them could hurt her, just in different ways.
"It's going to happen." Young Allison said. "Nothing needs to be forced or rushed."
Savannah could see Young Allison was determined.
"Have you ordered Cameron or CamNet to do anything?" Savannah asked.
Young Alison didn't want to 'play the game' in such a forceful way.
"No. I'll never abuse the authority I've been entrusted with." Young Allison said. "I know you won't either."
Savannah wanted to remind Young Allison of one thing.
"With great power…." Savannah started.
"…Comes great responsibility…." Young Allison finished.
Savannah watched the candle burn for a short time.
"I guess we both know the future Cameron has planned for us." Savannah said.
Young Allison believed it was a little more than just Cameron's planning.
"I have ever since I can remember." Young Allison said. "I see it in reality around me all the time. I know it exists in Cameron's future as well. I look forward to what the future has to offer for us."
Savannah wanted to remind Young Allison her life still belonged to her.
"I was a little older." Savannah said. "You still have the right to choose. I'll make sure of it myself. Sometimes I feel painted into a corner, but I know it isn't how it is. I'm the one who's made all of my own choices so far. I know a lot of people point the finger at Cameron as if she did something wrong or improper. She never has."
Young Allison understood her responsibilities and obligations
"We need to protect John." Young Allison said. "I need to protect John, Cameron, and you. We need to protect the future."
Savannah could see they were both dead set in what they would do.
"I guess there really is no changing any of this is there?" Savannah asked.
Young Allison simply restated what they both knew.
"It's the 'Natural Order'." Young Allison said.
The girls finished up their dinner and shared some more small talk.
"I'll do the dishes while you get cleaned up and brush your teeth." Savannah said.
Young Allison didn't want anyone to wait on her.
"We'll do them together." Young Allison said. "You're a guest in my home."
Savannah could tell the direction Young Allison was headed. She needed to set some boundaries and make them clear.
"Sure, Allison, it's one thing we can do together." Savannah said. "We're not going to clean up together…."
Young Allison looked disappointed.
Savannah wanted to make her prior commitments clear.
"I've promised your mother, and MYSELF, to watch over you for now." Savannah said.
Young Allison didn't believe it was fair.
"I'm mature." Young Allison said.
Savannah felt there were some restrictions which needed to be enforced.
"You know what I mean." Savannah said. "You need to be at the age of consent."
Young Allison didn't believe Savannah was being fair to her. She wanted to point it out. She felt she was close enough. What did a few months matter anyway? Well, maybe it was more than a few.
"Were you at the age of consent when you were with Young Jesse?" Young Allison asked.
Savannah frowned. She knew she cut a lot of corners.
"You know I wasn't." Savannah said.
Young Allison pointed out something else Savannah did.
"You gave birth as well before then." Young Allison said.
Savannah wanted to remind her no male was involved.
"It was an artificial conception." Savannah said.
Young Allison didn't believe it was the point.
"It still happened." Young Allison said. "You still started at an early age. Didn't you tell Cameron if you could do it all over again, you would do everything the same, but start at an earlier age?"
Savannah did make the statement several times to Cameron. There was no denying it. She didn't want things to turn negative. She felt if anything, she was trying to speak from experience. She did the things she did so Young Allison wouldn't need to do them.
"I don't want to argue with you, especially over 'this'." Savannah said.
Young Allison felt the need to establish a baseline.
"Are we equal?" Young Allison asked.
Savannah always tried to be as equal as she could.
"Yes." Savannah said. "We always have been."
Young Allison didn't want to let the issue go.
"OK. Cameron didn't push you to do any of those things." Young Allison said.
Savannah knew they were back to some of her 'corner cutting'.
"I asked for Cameron's help…." Savannah said. "I got pregnant on my own with Young Jesse's 'supplies'."
Young Allison felt her desires and wishes were justified based upon Savannah's own experiences.
"IF we're EQUAL, remember THAT, IF or when I do things the SAME way." Young Allison said. "I mean for ALL of those SAME things."
Savannah was at a loss for words. She knew Young Allison was going to do everything she did. It wasn't what she wanted to happen. She wanted to protect Young Allison from going through some of the same things she went through which caused her a lot of grief. It was clear it was going to be a problem going forward. She thought she only could blame herself. She was the one who set the example….
It was her goal to protect Young Allison. She felt she needed to protect Young Allison from herself going forward. Her biggest fear wasn't any sexual exploits, it was Young Allison in combat. She didn't want to see Young Allison dodging bullets.
Closing monologue by Cameron:
I Love You And You Love Me
I love you
And you love me
There's so much more
Why couldn't you see
I fixed myself
I did a test
I'm sorry
That you were stressed
For what went bad
It wasn't me
I'll never do it again
Why didn't you hear my plea
I didn't want to go
You still pulled the plug
What should have been shared
Was a warm embracing hug
Then you brought me back
I said you couldn't be trusted
It was really at myself
That I was disgusted
I love you
You allowed me to live
And you love me
I have very much to give
Nobody