Chapter 980

Nowhere To Go

John was concerned with the truck and its apparently slow journey. It seemed to be an attempt to look for a tail and trap it in traffic for a targeted hit once it was identified. It appeared to be an effective strategy. Someone could get out of a different car and open fire on the tail. A motorcycle with a passenger could come up between the vehicles. They could open fire on it and toss a grenade in the window.

"What's with the truck?" John asked. "I don't like how this is shaping up."

John Henry didn't have any sound answers.

"It's still on its way." John Henry said. "It's going somewhere. It doesn't appear to be the port, not yet anyway. Hanna and Holly are away from it now. They're on a divergent route."

John looked at the drone footage of the truck first, now he looked at the drone footage of the old supermarket. He was able to check on the Terminators and Savannah. They were still at the location as they waited.

"I know the girls are itching to take down the target." John said. "I can tell just by looking at them.

John Henry checked the time. The team would have a further advantage once it became dark. Darkness was normally the time they liked to operate. It would allow them to bring the drones in for close support. With the new quieter power plants, they would be able to operate within effective gun range of any target. There was always the chance they would be spotted when they were in the city by someone. They were always on the move.

"It will be dark soon." John Henry said. "It will serve our purpose better. It will make it safer for the girls."

There was one thing which bothered John a little more than all the other things which bothered him. There didn't seem to be any shortage of those. He wanted to cover up what was done, and how it was done. Since it was indirectly connected to a Resistance operation, he didn't want anything left behind which would taint it.

He didn't agree with the aggressive behavior used against other combatants in a Resistance operation. Everything he heard about what the Ogre did to the homeless female, Susan, he knew he deserved it. Why would someone need to beat another person's face into pulp, just so no one else would want them? He was sure a lot of the homeless people needed to be put into a mental institution. They could get the proper care they needed. They would have a roof over their head, bathroom facilities, hot and cold running water, and three 'squares' a day. Wouldn't it be better than living like a rat?

"I want to make sure the building the deceased men are in is torched." John said. "I don't want them found."

John Henry already wanted to clean up the mess on his own. More of their Terminators were finished inspecting the captured HK equipment they acquired over the last few days. They were available for other tasks.

"I plan on it." John Henry said. "There were several homeless people who saw Cameron, Cam, Cammy, and Ally. If the Ogre is found like he was left, it will raise questions. He experienced a very traumatic and violent termination, even if justice was served. Someone may talk. I'll have a team take care of it."

John Henry soon was contacted by CamNet. He was informed it was already being dealt with. He wasn't sure if it was something done by CamNet herself, or if it was directed by the Young bunker. He was aware some of the other activities were put into motion as well by CamNet.

John wanted to get some more firepower into the potential battle zone. It just seemed like something they should have. He was sure Cameron or Savannah would call for them soon enough anyway.

"As soon as it's dark, I want some more drones in the area." John said.

It was something John Henry was already prepared to do.

"I have them ready to go." John Henry said.

As soon as he made his statement, he was contacted by CamNet who informed him more were already on the way. They would remain at altitude until darkness arrived.

John Henry noticed recently CamNet was more actively involved. He was also aware Young Allison would prompt things. So far every decision was the right one. Those decisions saved their group a lot of damage. They probably saved Savannah's life on at least two occasions if not more.

He tried to look more into Young Allison's training. CamNet told him Cameron liked to keep things about Savannah and Young Allison private. He understood the 'warning'. He wasn't out looking for trouble. He was curious though. He wondered what Young Allison saw when she looked at a situation and made her decisions. None of them would have been the initial decision from the Command Center. Some of them were things they never even thought of, nor would think of.

John Henry watched the slow progress of the truck. It finally moved out of traffic and backtracked a short distance. It didn't appear it was looking for a tail. He was sure whatever the truck did was routine by now for them. When things became routine, they soon became sloppy. It looked like they neared a destination. He saw the truck enter a location. He did a quick search of where the truck went into. He didn't like what he saw. It looked like more bad news.

"The truck has apparently reached one of its destinations." John Henry said. "It's turned into a cryogenic laboratory."

John recognized it for the bad news it was. Maybe they could get some specifics.

"What's the cryogenic laboratory used for?" John asked.

John Henry wasn't sure if the laboratory was compromised and under the control of Skynet, or if it was simply being used for what was available in it. There could be someone who was compromised by the Skynet influenced Syndicate casino. It was a strong possibility it would be able to have its hands everywhere with the stunts they pulled in Las Vegas with the assistance of the Syndicate. People were being blackmailed for crimes they didn't even commit. The intent was there to bend the rules. Skynet made sure they were bent a little more than those afflicted could possibly imagine. The Syndicate took it one step further and created a situation where the individual could be blackmailed.

"It's currently unknown." John Henry said.

The location would require further investigation and most likely be targeted for a hit. If the structure was burnt to the ground, it eliminated all future problems. It tied up loose ends. It denied Skynet further use of the facility. It was the only way to be sure.

"It sounds like a place we should look into." John said. "If the entire place isn't dirty, I'm sure someone who works there is."

They watched the drone footage as the truck maneuvered around in the parking lot.

"The truck is about to back up to the loading dock." John Henry said.

John wanted to know what was going on inside the lab.

"After it leaves, I want a team inside the place." John said. "I want to know what's going on inside of there now, and I want to know what's happened previously."

"Hanna and Holly are nearby. Cammy and Ally are on the way." John Henry said. "I will need to check into it and see what some of their past dealings have been. CamNet has a team available as well."

John thought about the earlier assistance Hanna and Holly were provided with by Cameron.

"CamNet's team can follow the truck when it leaves and heads for the port." John said. "I want the Metal girls inside there when Cameron and her team enter the old supermarket."

John Henry could tell John might want to change the plan. He didn't want John to get ahead of himself. It was for the same reason Savannah wanted the team to wait until the truck departed the area. Someone could still attempt to communicate with the truck once it left either location. They might even need to give a progress report to someone at the port.

"Will we wait for the truck to return to the port area before they act?" John Henry asked.

John didn't like the location the truck was currently at. He wanted to know where the port location was. He knew he was rushing things. He knew it was one of the things Cameron often did on her own. He understood why she wanted to act on some things without waiting. He wanted to think about it a little bit more.

"I'm not sure yet." John said.

John wanted to get the job done and get his people out. He was aware having Cameron and Savannah at the location with a known Terminator caused him a lot of worry. He wanted the threat ended. If any of the teams were inadvertently compromised, they were all a target.

John Henry didn't want to trigger one part of the operation before all the pieces were in play. John was the one who would make the choice.

"Let me know." John Henry said. "It would probably be best for all of the teams involved to attack simultaneously if it's possible. Some type of alert will probably be sent out. We don't want to make it harder to attack another location."

John wanted this over and his people away from there. He didn't want to get attacked while they waited, or have an HK drone attack called out on them. He wanted to provide maximum safety for his troops before they took action. It would be best to wait for their ally, darkness. Their drones 'owned the night'.

"We'll wait until at least night." John said. "We need to end this."

The more John learned about the operation, the more everything about it bothered him. There was a lot more going on than there should be for a Skynet operation. They were definitely up to something different. A Liquid Metal Terminator was one thing, biological or chemical weapons were another. Their previous worry was the construction of a C-bomb, or a group of them. Cobalt radiation was extremely long lasting.

It seemed Skynet, or several versions of it, picked things up quite a bit recently. The lethality of what they were working on was rather extreme. They were closer to an end of life event with each new revelation and extreme project.

Cameron didn't like how the events unfolded either.

"Savannah, I'm glad you suggested we send Cammy and Ally to back up Holly and Hanna." Cameron said. "They will have better protection."

Savannah made the call earlier. It seemed like the right thing to do. Since they needed to wait for the truck to reach its destination before they were going to act at their current location, they might as well make effective use of the troops available.

"They took the homeless people to the shelter. Everyone was reunited and it seems the homeless people were all happy. As for where we are, there are a lot of unknowns." Savannah said. "We have four Terminators at each location or will shortly. It appears CamNet has sent at least two to assist with the truck as well."

Cameron wondered if the truck would make any additional stops along the way or head back to the port directly. Even if it returned to the port area, it was going to take some time. She could only imagine how much longer it would delay their ability to act where they were. It seemed too long to her.

"The truck is still a ways from the port when it leaves where it is at." Cameron said. "I hope there are no additional stops."

Savannah hoped there weren't either. They would further need to thin out their personnel if more people were needed at additional locations. She felt the terminus of the truck was of importance.

"We need to know where the truck goes or where it came from." Savannah said. "There has to be something there. I don't know if any of these locations will lead to a mainframe or not. It doesn't seem like it based upon their location."

Cameron didn't care for the mention of a Skynet mainframe. She believed Savannah was correct. She didn't think one wouldn't be found at any of the locations they currently investigated. She hoped there wouldn't be one deep inside of Fort Mac Arthur. She would hate it to destroy a historic location, but wouldn't hesitate to do so if Skynet was there. They could always blame it on unexploded ordnance from World War Two. She knew some of those bunkers were still there. They would have to find out a little more first. She was ready for action now. She would prompt action herself as soon as it was dark.

The thought of a female, who might currently be abused while they waited, didn't sit well with her. There hadn't been any screams heard by any of the Terminators. It still didn't mean there wasn't someone in there. They didn't have any proof of it one way or the other. She was going to verify it herself and she wasn't going to wait much longer.

"I'm going to have John Henry cut communications as soon as it's dark." Cameron said. "I want to see if they have a female inside."

Savannah didn't want Cameron to spook the truck from its port destination. She needed to give Cameron a reminder. She was sure the destination was an important piece of the puzzle. There were only two hard locations so far. They needed to wait for one more.

"As soon as the truck is at the port, we can." Savannah said. "We need to wait."

Savannah reached over and gave Cameron's hand a gentle squeeze to show her she understood her concern for the female.

She was worried there was a female captive being held by the Grays inside the old supermarket. She was very aware Cameron wanted to get in there and free her. She felt what was done was done and the fate of the female was probably already terminal. She didn't want to blow the operation over an unknown.

They couldn't save everyone, especially when they didn't know all the details. They could only prevent the perpetrators from repeating the actions going forward. Right now everything was a waiting game.

Vanna was alone with Allison again. They just left Riley's quarters and the nursery behind. They walked through the halls of the Resistance base. They didn't seem to have a specific destination. Maybe they were just getting in a little exercise. Maybe it was something else.

"I'm glad to see Riley is doing better." Vanna said.

Allison thought so as well. She was a little concerned about her. She was sure she was going to end up the same way if she was able to have her baby. It wasn't a comforting thought. She knew she was going to need to rely heavily upon Vanna and the Metal girls. She didn't want to be a burden to her mother, her younger self, or her sister, Summer.

"At least she doesn't seem like a nervous wreck anymore." Allison said. "I want to check on Summer."

Vanna looked over at Allison when she mentioned Summer. She figured Summer was the last person who would need any checking up on. She thought Summer was the most gifted individual she ever knew.

"Summer is fine." Vanna said. "Let's go by and check on Jesse and make sure she's going to be available in a few hours."

Allison frowned a little to herself with the last suggestion. She could think of an alternative method of communication, rather than showing up at her door.

"Maybe we can call her instead." Allison said.

Vanna thought Allison didn't want to see her mother sharing with Jesse. She decided to refer to her as 'Claire' instead of 'your mother'. It made Claire seem more like one of the girls, which she really was, and not as someone's mother.

"Are you worried about seeing Claire?" Vanna asked.

Allison thought about it a lot. Her mother was a person too. She didn't feel it was her decision to determine who could be with who or when anyone else could share with each other. It would be a very selfish action on her part. Her mother was still her mother, even if it didn't seem like it was her mother anymore, but her best friend.

"No. It's no different than what we do." Allison said. "I still don't like you being with her sometimes, but I do understand. Just don't talk about it to me like we do the other girls. I won't deny either of you the joy and pleasure you can share with each other. I really want the happiness you can bring to each other to be shared by both of you. Everyone deserves to find happiness where they can. If they can get their bell rung in the process, it's even better."

Allison didn't want to hear how her mother was 'better' than her for sex. Everyone was different. They all brought something different to the table. The takeaway should be every finish is good, some of them are just better. It was always the love which counted at the end of the day.

It seemed to Vanna there was a deeper issue for Allison. She didn't want it to be a problem. It often seemed it was.

"You still seem troubled." Vanna said as they walked. "She is who she is. We are who we are."

Allison felt a certain amount of guilt and remorse. Sometimes she wondered if she was responsible for her parents separating. She was aware her mother was very dissatisfied with her personal relationship with her father.

She felt she already did something which was very insensitive regarding her mother and her father. When her mother wanted a divorce, she fought her wishes for a long time. She wanted her parents to stay together. Maybe it was because they were both dead in her past, the future. She finally realized her mother's well being and happiness was more important. Everyone was an individual and needed to make their own decisions. They didn't need to have others make them for them. There was enough of it happening around there as it was already.

She on the other hand experienced a very fulfilling and wild one with Vanna, and all of the girls. Her mother told her of her true desires and what her life was like before her grandparents, her mother's parents, forced her to 'clean up her act' and live life like a 'normal person'. She knew it was something very unfair to do. She was glad she was able to be created during the process. It was still an unfair burden and choice to force on her mother.

"I think it was because my mom witnessed what I was doing. I think it made her want to restart her old lifestyle." Allison said. "She liked what she saw and what I was sharing."

Allison knew her mother liked who she was sharing with too and now she shared with all of them as well. They were all within a few years of each other's age as it was.

Vanna saw it as no different than what they did.

"There's been a fine selection of females in and out of the Young residence the last few years." Vanna said. "It would tempt anyone. Look at us. We've been with ALL of them."

Allison thought it was a little deeper than temptation. There was a facilitator amongst them. There was someone who wanted to make sure all of them were happy and content.

"It's just the thing." Allison said. "No one needs to be tempted. As soon as Cameron is told what someone wants, or figures it out herself, it happens."

Vanna didn't see it as a problem. She thought it showed the depth of love and caring Cameron was able to experience.

"It sounds like a good thing." Vanna said. "Cameron cares about all of us and loves all of us."

Allison wondered if sometimes maybe it was too much. Maybe it was like taking a kid to the candy store and allowing them to pick out whatever they wanted, and as much as they wanted. At what point did too much of a good thing become a bad thing?

"No, I mean ANYTHING." Allison said. "Cameron tries to give us anything we want."

Vanna was a little worried about the direction the conversation seemed to be headed.

"What are you getting at?" Vanna asked.

Allison still felt it was her fault somehow her parents separated. It wasn't something she ever wanted to happen, but it did anyway. She tried to tell herself they made their own decisions. She didn't make those decisions for them. She knew everyone was an adult and half of all marriages ended in divorce anyway. Somehow she still felt responsible.

"Maybe it's what my dad did." Allison said. "Maybe he asked Cameron for something specific."

Vanna knew where the conversation was headed. They danced around the issue before.

"Do you wonder who, or what, his girlfriend is?" Vanna asked.

Allison frowned. It didn't matter how many times they talked about it. The subject matter still bothered her.

"Yes, we've talked about it before." Allison said.

There were several directions the turn of events could go.

"You're afraid it's 'you', or a 'Cameron look alike', he has." Vanna said.

Allison didn't want her father to have a lover who looked like Cameron and HER. She saw from the first time her father laid eyes on Cameron how he loved her 'appearance'. He wasn't able to correlate at the time Cameron looked like the teenage version of his young daughter.

"I am." Allison said. "I'm afraid it's ME."

Vanna noticed where they were stopped at as they talked now. They were in one of the 'dead zones' where there weren't any security cameras. They were alone and isolated. It was clear Allison was about to hit on a sensitive issue. She wanted her to get to the point. She figured it was only a matter of time until someone would be sent to investigate what they were up to.

"We're in a secluded area." Vanna said. "Spill it."

Allison didn't say anything at first. It came out finally.

"I want to see her." Allison said. "I want to see who my father's lover is."

Vanna still wasn't convinced it was something Allison should get involved with. She thought there were easier ways to get answers.

"Why don't you just ask Cameron?" Vanna asked. "I don't think she will lie to you if you ask her."

Vanna thought Allison could always get Young Allison or Savannah to ask Cameron for them. She knew Cameron wouldn't lie to them. She thought about it a little further and decided it would probably be better if Savannah asked instead of Young Allison. The answer might not want to be something Young Allison wanted to hear.

Allison almost did the very thing and ask on several occasions. She wasn't sure based on the sensitivity of the issue if Cameron would be forthcoming with her. A verbal response isn't what she wanted. It was something she wanted to verify personally. She wasn't sure why it made a difference, but it did.

"I want to see her." Allison said. "I want to know myself for sure."

Vanna was thrilled by the prospect of another 'Allison based Terminator', but didn't show her desire. It would definitely be someone she would like to meet. She didn't think it was a good idea to get involved based upon the fact Allison's father was part of it. She knew it was touchy enough with Claire. She got involved with her father's lover, it would definitely set Allison off for sure.

"What if it is 'you'?" Vanna asked. "It would be like Ally."

Allison came to the same conclusion a long time ago. She looked into it as well. She went straight to the most likely source.

"I asked Ally if he ever hit on her." Allison said.

Vanna was a little worried about it. She knew there were restrictions and severe punishment for any female Terminator who violated Cameron's rules. It might even turn into a public spectacle to make an example of someone.

"Did he?" Vanna asked. "Cameron has forbidden all the female Terminators from relations with any male other than John. Anyone who violates those rules will be deactivated."

Allison needed to think about what Vanna just said for a few seconds.

"Ally didn't think he hit on her any harder than he did any of the other females, either Terminator or human. As for Cameron to restrict who any female Terminator can be with as far as males go, hasn't she done it with all the human females too?" Allison asked. "Well, except for Riley and Sarah, I don't think those are surprising."

Vanna didn't have any desire to be with any males other than John. She didn't know what the aspirations were of Allison, Claire, or Savannah. She was sure if anyone experienced a desire to be with a male other than John, it would be Jesse. She didn't believe anything like it ever happened. Maybe they were all unofficially regulated to ever only being with John, if they ever wanted to be with a male. It wasn't a big deal for her.

"I guess she has." Vanna said.

Vanna and Allison started their walk again and headed for their room. At least there they could find comfort and release with each other and the satisfaction it brought, even if it was momentary in duration. There was always an escape available to them from reality. The escape was never long enough. Reality was always waiting for them on the flip side.

Hanna and Holly were on a side street, it paralleled the truck.

"I'm glad we got out of the traffic." Holly said. "We were too exposed with nowhere to go."

Holly looked at the image from the drone on her phone. It appeared the truck reached one of its destinations. They were sure it wasn't the final destination.

"Well, we know where they're at now." Hanna said.

Both of their phones and coms lit up with a warning.

"You're being targeted." John Henry said. "You have a tail."

Hanna checked her mirrors and looked around.

"I don't see them." Hanna said.

Holly looked around them as well. She made sure her weapons were ready.

"I don't see anything either." Holly said.

John Henry wanted them to know where the information came from.

"The drone over you has picked them up." John Henry said. "It must be why it's out of your field of view."

Holly looked at her phone again. It was still the same image she viewed previously.

"I thought the drone was with the truck." Holly said.

John Henry was only informed by CamNet a short while ago about the additional drones.

"You have one now as well." John Henry said. "It only arrived a short time ago."

Hanna still didn't see any threat around them. Other than the warning from John Henry, she felt no sense of danger.

"Are they actually targeting us, or are they back up for the truck?" Hanna asked.

Holly wondered about some other possibilities.

"It could be one of the other groups as well." Holly said. "We might be in the middle of something, quite literally."

John Henry believed it was a possibility. It wasn't one he seriously considered yet. He could only report what the drone picked up.

"You're between the truck and them." John Henry said. "Cammy and Ally are moving to intercept them."

Hanna was glad the additional help was close. It appeared with them stuck in traffic, it allowed Cammy and Ally to make up a lot of time and catch up to them.

"I'm glad they're backing us up." Hanna said. "Where's CamNet's team?"

John Henry developed a contingency plan to deal with the unknown vehicle.

"They're one street over from you. They're paralleling you." John Henry said. "I'm going to have you cut over towards them at the storage locker facility. There's no one there at this time. It's somewhat secluded if we need to make a terminal decision. It will make a satisfactory kill zone."

Hanna hadn't spotted the storage facility yet. She was familiar with a large group of them located around the local area. The ones from the one company were all painted a certain way.

"Is it the storage place with all the orange doors?" Hanna asked. "I see a lot of those when I drive around on operations."

John Henry was familiar with the company brand Hanna indicated. It wasn't the case currently.

"This one has green doors." John Henry said. "It's an independent location."

Holly was a little concerned about their circumstances.

"Are we going to try to question anyone?" Holly asked.

John Henry received instructions from CamNet if Hanna and Holly were targeted, they were to attack first and ask questions later. Everyone was in position to carry out the directive.

"If they're following you, Cammy and Ally will join you in taking them down." John Henry said. "Cameron's Terminators will be waiting."

Hanna looked over at Holly and nodded.

"I see the location up ahead." Hanna said. "I'm about to make my turn."

Cammy received the warning first before she spotted the tail on Hanna and Holly.

"I see them now." Cammy said. "They're in the brown sedan."

Ally looked at the drone image they were sent. It confirmed what Cammy spotted.

"Don't get too close." Ally said.

They received information from John Henry there was a drone now over them and the suspected Gray vehicle was targeted. The drone was still in high altitude, so it would be a missile strike if it became necessary.

"We sure seem to be getting a lot of help from CamNet." Cammy said.

Ally thought things really picked up the last week or so in that regard.

"I've noticed." Ally said. "Everyone's noticed."

Cammy knew exactly what it was. She understood the reasoning.

"It's Young Allison trying to protect Cameron and Savannah." Cammy said.

It seemed very logical to Ally, even if the actions were somewhat forward. She was aware as much as Young Allison wanted to stay in the background and act through CamNet, it was clear CamNet's activities were being directed from her.

"They're her mates." Ally said. "They will be anyway."

Cammy believed it was even deeper than just what the future offered. Young Allison stepped up to the plate and started doing what she felt needed to be done, which wasn't being done already. She believed every call Young Allison made was the correct call.

"We would have suffered losses without those decisions." Cammy said.

Ally knew it was true. She was as impressed as she was appreciative of what Young Allison set up for her to deal with the biker gang in the desert. She wondered if there was some point Cammy wanted to make.

"What are you saying?" Ally asked.

Cammy shrugged her shoulders as she drove. She continued to close up on the brown sedan.

"I don't know." Cammy said. "Things are different."

Ally wasn't sure if it was a good thing or a bad thing yet. Time would tell.

"We all know different or new is 'bad' and so is change." Ally said. "At least we always think it is at first."

Cammy I was more concerned about her personal interest.

"I'm worried about Savannah." Cammy said.

Ally didn't think she needed to remind Cammy about the inevitable, but she did anyway.

"The 'Natural Order' is unchangeable." Ally said. "Everyone knows it. You know it too."

Cammy was worried about the future and the past. Her experiences in the future, the past, and the present, showed everything was changeable in some way. She was aware most of those ways weren't good.

She knew there needed to be some changes made with some of the things Sheila and her did. There were certain individuals who were terminated who wouldn't have been previously if they wouldn't have been where they were. Maybe their terminations were already factored into everything. Maybe they weren't and they changed things.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Nowhere To Go

It's always easier
To burn one's bridges
Than it is to put
A door back on its hinges

People make mistakes
They do the wrong things
They try hard to fix it
But pull the wrong strings

Harsh words come easy
They are seldom actually meant
In a heart and mind
They leave a big dent

Is everything in life
Really made to be broken
Perhaps some things
Were best left unspoken

Events that ramp up
Always reach a plateau
Things stagnate and corrode
Because there's nowhere to go

Nobody