Chapter 1015
Thumbs Up
Moments ago:
Cameron was the pilot of the B-25. She was on a combat mission. It started out as a training flight for Savannah. When Derek's team picked up a tail, it morphed into a combat operation. Four of the eleven guns on the aircraft were functioning M2 machine guns. They were the four guns mounted on the sides of the fuselage, with two on each side.
Savannah watched as Cameron closed the distance and sighted in on her targets. Everything seemed to happen very quickly. Cameron told her what it would be before it happened.
Cameron fired two quick bursts which were almost indistinguishable as one as they passed over Derek's truck. She witnesses multiple hits on both targets. Both cars were almost stopped dead in their tracks. The multiple AP and tracer slugs did their job. The four 'fifties' produced the same effect the 'quad fifties' or 'meat choppers' on the half track would produce.
She kept up the narration as she firewalled the throttles. The B-25 pulled up out of the canyon. She climbed and banked hard. She made the big radial engines work. She came around and lined up for a second pass on the targets. She approached from the side this time and could strafe both targets with a slight movement of the rudder. She could 'work' the guns back and forth between the two targets if it was necessary.
If there were two aircraft attacking in conjunction with each other, they would repeat the process in a cloverleaf type pattern so one of them was always on the target a few seconds after the other one was from a different direction. Each aircraft would be able to attack from all four directions with four passes and not conflict with each other. It wouldn't provide the enemy with much cover either since the direction of the attack continuously changed.
Cameron saw Dan and Frank arrive to check out the shredded cars. They were in the chase vehicle which tailed the two Syndicates sedans. They wanted to make sure there were no survivors so there could be no type of enemy action taken.
Derek's truck turned around and approached the strike site as well.
Frank signaled the threat was neutralized. Cameron cut back on the power and flared up some to bleed off speed. She picked up a little more than she wanted with the aggressive combat maneuvers.
The B-25 passed overhead a few seconds later.
Scratch two.
Mission accomplished.
Seconds ago:
Derek watched with awe. He didn't even see where the B-25 came from. It was just there in front of them. He stayed on the gas as he saw the guns along the sides of the fuselage come to life. He knew the projectiles would pass over him. He knew the thugs in the cars behind him wouldn't be as lucky.
The B-25 thundered overhead as the four M2 machine guns fired.
"DAMN, that was HOT." Derek said.
Derek watched as both targets were hit in his rear view mirror.
He slowed and turned around. He wanted to approach the Syndicate vehicles.
Al needed to caution Derek. He didn't want him to be put in any more danger than necessary. It was possible there could be a survivor amongst the shredded vehicles.
"Let the other team approach first." Al said. "They'll check for threats."
Mel zoomed in on the two disabled sedans.
"They're almost there." Mel said. "I see no movement from either vehicle."
Derek wanted to move closer and check things out himself.
He approached the two shredded cars. There were two Terminators who checked for any survivors to terminate. They were Frank and Dan. They signaled it was all clear.
As Derek slowed he heard the B-25 approach again. It was low and slower on this pass. He stopped at the two shredded sedans and got out to wave.
The Mitchell thundered above him, everything vibrated and shook. The wings wagged for him.
"Awesome." Derek said.
The current situation was an even closer experience for Derek, and a Mitchell with a combat response.
He witnessed one with the eight gun nose shred Skynet Metal before in the past, the future. It saved his patrol. That was then, this was now. The end result was the same.
It was a reminder one didn't need a phased plasma rifle to combat the enemy. There were also other weapons available to do the same thing. It didn't matter if they were human targets or Terminators. Enough firepower could bring anything down.
In the Command Center, John was just as fascinated. He watched as Cameron strafed the targets from the drone footage. It was almost like watching a movie. The difference there was, people died for real.
"It was impressive." John said.
John Henry watched everything from the drone footage overhead. He saw it for what it was. It was a simple ground attack. The manner in which it was carried out is what made it impressive. Not only was it unusual in the way it was done, it was also quite effective.
"It was done rather efficiently." John Henry said.
They watched as the Mitchell came around again and lined up for a second strike if necessary. It wasn't and the plane climbed out of the canyon a second time.
There was still a nagging question in John's mind. The timing of everything was what worried him. He wanted to think somehow Cameron was responsible for everything. He just didn't see how she could orchestrate all of the events to turn out like they did. Maybe things were just the way they seemed. He really wanted to know a little more. He wasn't sure if he would get a straight answer or not.
"How was Cameron able to be there exactly when she was needed?" John asked.
John Henry didn't think there was anything to hide. It was a simple training mission with Savannah which turned into a combat operation.
"Cameron was on an unrelated training mission and was within range to respond." John Henry said. "The plane just happened to be armed and she was close enough to make a difference. Even if the timing was off by a few more minutes with everything, events would have played out differently than they did."
John felt all John Henry's answer did was seem to create more questions. Why was Cameron in the air, in the bomber? Why was the plane armed? What type of operation was being conducted? Why was it being conducted then? Where was Cameron supposed to be at during the same time period? Who all was involved? He was pretty sure if he pushed too much too soon, he wouldn't receive any answers.
Cameron always told him when she was out on her own conducting an operation, usually for surveillance or reconnaissance, it often went hot. She said things just happened and she needed to act. There wasn't time to do anything else. It seemed the incident which occurred today was a similar type scenario. It was something completely unexpected. Cameron needed to step up to the plate and hit a home run. It's what she did. He didn't think any of the situations Savannah was involved with where things got dicey were too much different. The mission just expanded on its own.
He wanted more information. It still seemed there were a lot of unanswered questions and timing issues.
"I want a full report on the event." John said. "What kind of a training mission was Cameron on?"
John Henry didn't have all the details.
"Everything indicates it was what it was. Cameron wanted to instruct Savannah on how to fly the B-25." John Henry said. "It was Savannah's first flight in the Mitchell."
The revelation now made John wonder who was at the controls of the strike.
"Was it Savannah flying or Cameron?" John asked.
John Henry could only formulate his answer on what he was able to witness.
"Based on the surgical placement of the projectiles, I would have to say Cameron." John Henry said. "The minimum number of rounds were used to do the most amount of damage to the targets. There was actually a slight pause in the firing of the weapons between the two vehicles to minimize damage to the roadway. It was quite impressive."
John still wanted to know more. He would like to have been on the flight as well. He wondered if Cameron would have conducted the attack if he was. Was she more willing to risk Savannah's life than his? Based upon all the combat Savannah was involved with, he would need to think so.
"I want to know all about it." John said.
John Henry received an update from CamNet when John spoke about the mission.
"CamNet has informed me Savannah was flying until four minutes before the strike." John Henry said. "There wasn't a whole lot of time for Cameron to plan anything. It seemed your hesitation to bring a drone in low for a gun attack is what prompted CamNet to contact Cameron with the 'fire mission'."
John was glad everyone was safe and the threat was neutralized. Going forward, he wanted the Syndicate out of the way and out of their operations. He was aware there was some limited action, but obviously it wasn't enough to keep the Syndicate busy elsewhere.
"I want the Syndicate out of the picture." John said. "They're an unknown problem and a threat."
John Henry was well acquainted with the plan the Young Allison set forward. It was clear that CamNet would take the heat for the plan.
"CamNet has a plan in the works." John Henry said. "Savannah needs to approve it."
John thought he missed something. Why would it need Savannah's approval instead of his? He was the General. He was the one who was supposed to be in charge.
"Savannah? John asked. "Shouldn't I be the one to approve it?"
John Henry understood the issue with the plan was its worldwide scope and reach. It seemed everyone wanted Young Allison to show restraint. They didn't want her to operate outside of the command structure of the Resistance. She believed it should be handled the same as one of Cameron's off the books operations. It's basically what it was, but on a much larger scale. It didn't target a specific local geographic area. It targeted the entire world.
"CamNet has stated you will be informed once the plan is determined." John Henry said.
John wanted to be involved in the process. He could see at this point he wasn't going to be.
"Beautiful." John said.
John Henry thought John would receive what he asked for. He wanted a plan.
"You asked for a plan, a solution is being devised." John Henry said. "Team members are working on one. Everyone wants to help contribute to solve the problem."
John could see the real issue there. He was pretty sure where this plan came from in its entirety.
"It's actually Young Allison's plan, isn't it?" John asked.
John Henry could see where this issue was headed. It wasn't something he wanted to deal with. He didn't want to become involved in what may turn into a personal issue.
"CamNet wasn't specific." John Henry said. "She only stated Savannah needed to approve it first."
John took it to mean someone needed to put the brakes on Young Allison. He was very aware of all of her recent involvement with the Resistance operations. There were many things done which normally wouldn't have happened from the Command Center. They all proved to be the right call.
It really made him wonder sometimes who the leader of the Resistance would be going forward in their current timeline. He knew it should be Cameron based upon all of her actions and hard work. He understood with the anti-Metal faction, it never would be. They were too blinded by their hate to see the reality of the situation. Savannah and Young Allison could both step up as well. He really wondered which one of them would take the forefront. He knew they would both be pegged as 'Metal Lovers', quite literally.
"What's Cameron's input on this?" John asked.
John Henry didn't believe it was much if anything at all. He was sure everything came out of the Young bunker. He understood there was only so much Anna could do to restrain Young Allison once her mind was made up. Young Allison also possessed the power to 'order' any of the machines to do what she wanted done. Savannah possessed the same ability. It actually made Savannah and Young Allison the two most powerful people on Earth. CamNet would do their bidding. She was in every computer system there was on the planet.
"Cameron was notified when I was." John Henry said. "She wasn't involved with the planning of the operation CamNet wants to initiate."
It was a surprise to John. It was obvious there was a lot going on behind the scenes. CamNet operated outside of the Resistance on many matters and it appeared Young Allison did as well. It was clear by now CamNet would respond to all Young Allison's demands or suggestions.
He wanted Young Allison to work in closer association with him. Maybe it wasn't the best terminology to use. He needed to remember there was a reason why Cameron conducted her 'off the books' operations outside the scope of the Resistance. Since most of them were not directly related to Skynet activity, she didn't want the Resistance tainted by her actions. It was clear Young Allison was going to operate in the same realm.
"I need to go to Palmdale." John said.
John Henry didn't see what it would accomplish. There was no one there currently. He wasn't sure how his next revelation was going to go over. He figured it was best to just get it out there and be done with it. It was going to come out soon enough at some point anyway. There was no need for John to make a wasted trip to the High Desert.
"Young Allison is with Cameron and Savannah." John Henry said.
John's statement worried John some. He wasn't sure if it was the implication or the wording or both. He was worried she was in the plane which just carried out the attack. He didn't know if she should be so close to danger. He didn't realize if she could have, she would have flown the plane and attacked the target herself. There also seemed to be the implication of something a little deeper.
"Is she an older teenager now, you know what I mean?" John asked.
John Henry didn't see it as an issue. He wondered if John wanted to be with her how she currently was before she would come back as an older teenager. He would need to see if John watched his favorite scenes from the movie.
"Physically she is still the same, at least for now." John Henry said. "She's very desirable as she currently is. They're all in the same aircraft. They started out much the same way they did with the operation which expanded in Las Vegas. It was when we discovered the two box cars with Skynet equipment on their way there. They went out for a day of flying and everything else expanded from there."
John wondered if he should have dropped the conversation several minutes ago. He certainly didn't want it to go on from where it currently was.
"STOP…." John said. "I don't want to go there."
John Henry knew once Young Allison returned from the past as an older teenager, John would have a 'hard time' NOT going there.
He didn't doubt for a moment when Young Allison came for John, she would be able to take him. He doubted any person would be able to turn her down. He didn't think it would matter if they were male or female.
Cameron was very satisfied with the results of the strike.
Savannah was totally amped up. She could feel her body was primed for combat.
"It was an adrenaline rush." Savannah said. "Between high performance maneuvers and the guns firing, it really made my heart pump."
Cameron could see Savannah was stimulated. She personally felt no different than she did before the attack. It was simply a job which needed to be done. She was there to do it, so she did it. She was pleased everything went as planned and there was no damage to anyone or the aircraft.
"It was a successful mission." Cameron said. "It's all that matters."
Cameron went over everything she did with Savannah again. Savannah asked her a few more questions.
They were ready to continue with their original training mission.
Cameron called for Young Allison to return to the front section of the plane. She was there in a few seconds. She still wore her body armor.
She climbed up to eight thousand feet and leveled off. Anna took up her position in the top turret as she searched for other air traffic. Steve and Tom did as well in the waist gun positions.
Cameron looked at Young Allison and Savannah. She wanted to give Young Allison a treat. She would ask Savannah to sit in the nose for a little bit.
"You can check out the navigator's station." Cameron said to Savannah. "You can let Allison take the copilot's seat for a few minutes."
Savannah moved out and took off her vest. She removed Young Allison's vest as well.
Cameron ensured her there wouldn't be any additional combat operations in the near future. She didn't think we were done with the Syndicate yet.
Young Allison carefully moved into the copilot's seat. She felt an adrenaline rush. She felt it as well when the guns fired and the plane maneuvered aggressively. She would have liked to have been in the front section to watch everything happen. She didn't feel she needed special protection. She realized it was probably done more for Savannah's peace of mind than it was actually done for her.
Savannah made sure Young Allison was secure and then she dropped down and moved to the navigator's position in the nose. She didn't want to be a distraction for Young Allison as the copilot. She didn't want Young Allison to feel like she was looking over her shoulder.
She thought the view was fantastic from the navigator's position. They just passed over PCH, or Pacific Coast Highway, or Route 1. and were headed out over the Pacific Ocean now. There was the pier at Malibu. It wasn't too far away from where they met the coast. She could see Santa Catalina Island. It was usually referred to as 'Catalina' by everyone in the local area. It loomed before them as the plane headed in it's direction. Some of the other Channel Islands were visible off to the starboard side.
Young Allison plugged in her headset after she strapped in. She looked at the map and heading. She checked the compass and the airspeed.
Cameron gave her instructions on what to do and not to do. She knew Young Allison read the manuals and watched the instructional videos. She knew Young Allison only needed to read them once. She developed an excellent memory.
Anna called out another aircraft at the eleven o'clock position coming towards them. It was two thousand feet below them, the range was ten miles. It was a single engine Cessna. They passed it without incident.
It only took them a few minutes to go from the mainland across the channel to Catalina Island. It was approximately twenty-six miles from the San Pedro and Long Beach area as the crow flies. It was a little longer from the Malibu area by a few miles.
They flew along the north side of Catalina Island. Young Allison pointed to the small airport on the island as they passed it. There was a large cruise ship sitting just off the island with smaller boats being used as tenders to ferry passengers to and from the cruise ship. They were taken to the 'Green Pier' in Avalon Bay. The cruise ship was way too big to dock there. There was a large circular building located to the west of the small community of Avalon. It was known as the Casino. It was based on an Italian word which translated into a 'gathering place' rather than a gambling establishment. There was never any gambling there, at least any type of legal gambling. They banked and turned along the east side of Catalina Island.
Young Allison watched the combat earlier from the drone footage on her phone. She sat on Tom's lap. He watched it with her. His chassis served as 'armor' to her in case there was any return fire. There wasn't. She realized, more than likely, she would be in a similar situation with John. She doubted it would be very long before it happened. They wouldn't be wearing body armor. They wouldn't be wearing clothes either. She at least wanted to try it once. She really didn't see what the point in waiting for anything was. She still wasn't sure it was something she was going to care for. Other than to try it, the desire just wasn't there for more.
She thought the big ship which sat right outside the very small harbor looked like something fun and exciting. It was something else she would like to try one time just to see what it was like. It sure seemed like something exciting when compared to the four walls of her bunker or bedroom. She could see there were four pools of various sizes on the upper decks. No. The one at the rear was actually down one deck lower than the other three were. This flight was a major plus too. The company she was with was an additional bonus.
"I'd love to go on a big ship like the one below." Young Allison said. "It seems as if it could offer a lot of opportunities I'm not currently exposed to. It would be in a very controlled environment since it's at sea most of the time. I could use a vacation, from myself."
Cameron looked over at Young Allison and smiled.
Young Allison thought she felt her heart flutter a couple of times. There was a desire she wanted to do. She looked around. Anna was behind them in the top turret. Savannah was in the nose. She made sure her headset was unplugged for a few seconds. She looked directly at Cameron.
"I still want to fly under the Golden Gate Bridge too." Young Allison said.
Cameron was aware it wasn't something which could be done under any normal circumstances. She would need to come up with a few 'creative' ideas. She didn't let 'rules' constrain her actions. If anything, it would be a challenge. When someone told her she couldn't do something, the urge to do it became very powerful.
"We'll see." Cameron said with another smile.
Young Allison was sure her heart skipped a few beats this time. She plugged her headset back in. She figured Anna heard her, but she knew Savannah didn't. She didn't think Savannah would approve of her doing it. As far as what Cameron would do, she really didn't know. She did know if anyone could make it happen, it was Cameron.
Cameron decided to let Young Allison have some flight time. She knew her twin engine time was very limited. She also knew her ability was very profound.
"I think you can take it for a few minutes." Cameron said.
Young Allison was a little surprised. She actually thought it was going to happen sooner or later. It was a little sooner than she anticipated. She was ready to give it a go. She was always ready for a new adventure, or any new challenge. She was trained to face the unknown 'head on'.
Cameron was aware Young Allison liked to take things a little further than intended. She didn't think the current situation would be any different. She wanted to give her a verbal reminder as to some of the rules.
"I want you to keep it simple." Cameron said. "You got it?"
Young Allison was more than ready at this point.
"I got it." Young Allison said.
Cameron instructed her on a series of simple maneuvers as well as climbing and descending. Everything was done slowly and smoothly. There were no problems.
She gave Young Allison fifteen minutes in the copilot's seat before she called Savannah back up to the flight deck.
Cameron quickly got up and Savannah climbed back in. She hooked up her headset and strapped in.
Young Allison figured her flight time was over. She looked over at Savannah.
"You got it?" Young Allison asked.
Savannah checked everything over and gave Young Allison a 'thumbs up'.
"I got it." Savannah said and took control.
Young Allison checked everything again. She showed Savannah their position on the map and got up so Cameron could take back over in the copilot's seat.
Cameron was willing to let Young Allison remain in the copilot seat longer. She did appreciate the fact Young Allison didn't try to take more than she should. She strapped in and checked everything. She pointed to a spot on the map. It was where she wanted Savannah to fly to.
Young Allison headed back into the nose and reported being strapped in at the navigator's position. Everyone else reported they were secure.
Savannah wanted to feel out the B-25 a little more. She looked at Cameron who nodded at her.
Savannah moved the throttles to increase the speed as she entered into a tight bank to starboard.
It didn't take her long before she was 'one' with the plane. THIS was flying, Savannah thought. The 'puddle jumpers' weren't going to cut it anymore. It was like after being with a Metal girl, it was evident 'polishing her pearl' just wasn't the same or as rewarding. There was so much more a Metal girl could do with it than she could do with it herself.
Previously:
Derek watched the B-25 disappear over and behind a ridge as it headed toward the ocean.
He checked over the two sedans. No one was alive. He knew what the plan was. He understood the element of time was critical as well. They didn't want to leave the canyon road blocked for too long.
"We need to get these cars off the road." Derek said.
Frank already knew what the plan was. He pointed to a spot down off to the side of the road.
"They're going to be set down in the deep ravine for now and retrieved in the darkness." Frank said. "It will be very similar to the operation conducted earlier in the morning."
Derek wondered how it was going to happen. Most of the tires were flat. Maybe the Terminators would roll them over on their sides to do it. He didn't think they'd have any trouble doing it. He figured he could help them shove, but he didn't think his contribution would add very much to anything.
"Are we going to push them over the side?" Derek asked.
Dan knew it was the original plan. It wasn't anymore.
"It was the plan." Dan said. "The plan changed."
Frank liked the new plan better as well. It would speed things up later on when the two sedans we retrieved and hauled out into the ocean.
"We have a better plan now." Frank said.
They checked to make sure both sides of the canyon were still blocked. They were. A police cruiser which came off of 'code seven', or a meal stop, and approached the area of the canyon entrance. John Henry directed it elsewhere. It was now headed to a suspected 'four five nine', or burglary in progress, location a few miles away. Any other errant squad cars would be handled the same way. Any which were persistent received an 'officer needs assistance' call. The type of call always drew any law enforcement unit away. All of the law enforcement personnel were eager to assist one of their own. We all knew it could be them on the other side of the microphone who needed the assistance if things took a turn for the worse.
The two Resistance teams gathered any intel they could from the deceased thugs and the cars.
There was the sound of a helicopter as it rapidly approached their position.
Derek looked in the direction of the sound. There weren't any warnings. None of the Terminators seemed concerned. He wanted to verify the situation.
"I hope it's a friendly." Derek said.
He hoped that it wasn't the police helicopter. He didn't think he would like to need to explain what they were doing with two car loads full of dead bodies.
Al could see Derek was a little worried. He wanted to ease his mind.
"It's our Blackhawk." Al said.
Derek was relieved to hear it. He backed his truck away and watched as a cable was run under the roofs of the two shot up cars. The Blackhawk lifted both of them and moved them off the road and into the ravine. He could see it was a spot which couldn't be easily viewed from the road. Dan went down and unhooked the cable. A camouflaged net bundle was dropped down, the cars were covered and the Blackhawk flew off. It would be back at the 'Witching Hour' to retrieve its cargo. It would then be hauled off into the 'deep blue' to join the vehicles from last night. Davy Jones's Locker contained plenty of room for any errant vehicles they needed to dispose of.
Any smaller debris which weren't blown away by the rotor wash were tossed into the back of Derek's truck. Mel took an entrenching tool, which was a small shovel, and tossed loose dirt on the fluids which leaked out of the shredded cars, including the blood.
Dan would stay and watch over the two shredded sedans from the far hillside. Frank would be nearby backed in on a dirt road. Several large tumble weeds were moved in front of his SUV to mask its presence. He wouldn't be easily visible from the road. If he needed to move out quickly, the tumbleweeds wouldn't offer much resistance as he knocked them out of the way.
There was always the possibility there might be some tracker they missed, or some other way for the Syndicate to verify the location of the two sedans. If someone came looking, they would join their fellow thugs. Their vehicle would vanish as well. It wasn't something they thought would happen, they were ready for it if it did.
Derek wanted to wait with them, but John told him to return to base. Mel and Al assured him the situation was contained for now. Derek hoped to find out more about the B-25 Cameron flew. He was informed it was now part of the Resistance Air Force. It indicated there were probably other aircraft as well. It seemed to open the door for more adventures.
The roadblocks were lifted at each end of the canyon. The two 'street' crews would remain in the area to observe traffic going over the canyon road. They would block it again if necessary when the Blackhawk returned to collect its cargo early the next morning.
Everyone would keep an eye out for any more sedans. The Syndicate was bound to come looking for what happened to its troops. They'd lost everyone last night and today sent out by them. They all disappeared without any type of communication. They were in contact with them at one point and then there was nothing. None of the Syndicate soldiers were ever heard from again.
Closing monologue by Cameron:
Thumbs Up
Many seek validation
They want the other's approval
They hope to forestall
An early removal
They see which way
The wind will blow
They look at the herd
To see where they will go
Everyone has a brain
Few seem to use it
They're dull and mundane
They lack any wit
They would rather goose step
Than grow a pair
They never do much
For those they claim to care
Try and be the same
Pass the bottle or use a cup
They'll smile and agree
So they'll get a thumbs up
Nobody