Chapter 1065

Is It Wired

Cameron, Ally, and Sheila were at a location which turned up as a 'hit' on a captured Fanatic hard drive from Las Vegas.

The Fanatics were from a further future than they experienced previously. They worshiped their version of Skynet as a 'god' called SkyMaster.

Cameron wanted to get things started and hopefully taken care of before Savannah and Cammy arrived. She wanted to check out the area for any surveillance equipment. She moved around to the far side of the building.

Sheila and Ally went to check the other side and rear of the building. There were no windows or doors in the back or on the other side. There were there now. It was their report. They were both headed back to the front.

"What do you think about this location?" Sheila asked.

Ally looked behind them as they made their way towards the front.

"I don't care for it at all." Ally said. "It reminds me of another location we checked before."

Sheila needed to agree.

"This place is bad news." Sheila said. "Cameron needs to use good judgment going forward in whatever she does here."

They both hoped someone in the Command Center, and someone else on the way, would hear their concern about the operation.

Cameron was at a door on the other side. It was locked. There was a transom window above the door. It was painted black. She knew if this place was Fanatic related, it was probably wired, like the last place was. The events at the last place ended explosively. She wanted to know more about the front. She hadn't taken the time to look at anything in detail in her rush to get to the side with the door on it.

Ally and Sheila looked at the chain link fence and gate which went around the front of the property.

"The fence and gate aren't wired." Ally said. "They don't look like they've been used for a while either based upon the debris buildup in the corners."

Cameron thought it sounded like a good entry point. They could go in 'Terminator style'. They always went in the front door because they weren't afraid of what was behind it. It was a good philosophy in most scenarios, especially if someone didn't know what a Terminator was.

"Then let's go in the front door." Cameron said.

Cameron decided to break a link in the chain, rather than the lock itself. She would snap the chain at a weld and twist a link open. She could always re-hook the next link on the chain and twist it back closed. If it turned into a dead end, they would set up surveillance and see if anyone returned at some future date. Even if it wasn't the Fanatics who returned, it could be Grays. It could also be the anti-Metal faction.

Cammy and Savannah were currently on their way to the target location. They left Cameron's base after the other teams were already headed towards the target location. CamNet used traffic management to speed them through every intersection. They made very good time.

Savannah listened to the conversation through her com. She picked up on Sheila's and Ally's concern. She didn't want Cameron to take any chances. She knew first hand how dangerous the Fanatics were.

"Cameron, use caution." Savannah said. "We'll arrive in less than a minute. I want you to wait for us."

Cameron frowned at the news. She hoped to have the recon a little further along before Savannah's arrival. The majority of the recon was out of the way. She was ready to act. Now she would need to wait. She didn't want to create any problems with Savannah.

"I'll wait, Savannah." Cameron said.

Cammy wanted to reassure Cameron they were near. She wanted to know what Cameron wanted for their approach to the location. If she knew initially what it was, it wouldn't need to reposition themselves later on.

"We're almost there." Cammy said. "Where do you want us to go?"

It gave Cameron an idea. She wanted to use the SUV to boost herself up. She could stand on the SUV to easily look in the window over the door. She thought about jumping up and attempting to hold herself in position next to it as she took a look inside. She would like to use the easier solution.

"Cammy, can you pull up on the east side?" Cameron asked. "There is a door with a window above it. I want to climb on top of your SUV and see if I can get a look inside."

Cammy needed to know how close to the side of the building she should park.

"Does the door open in or out?" Cammy asked.

Cameron noted the door opened inward, as most doors do on a building. She knew the original concept was so the person who opened the door could prevent someone outside from pushing their way in. If the door opened outward, the person outside could pull it open from the person inside. She believed it was just the opposite when someone wanted to force their way into a location. Kicking the door inward to enter a structure was relatively simple, even for a human. For a Terminator, it was like stepping on a bug.

"The door opens inward." Cameron said.

Cammy wanted to be able to back Cameron up. She thought she came up with a pretty good plan to do it.

"I'll pull up so the driver's side is right against the door. I can shoot inside the building if the door opens and I need to. The vehicle will prevent anyone from easily exiting the building from the side since their path will be blocked." Cammy said. "Savannah can get out on the other side if necessary. She can use the body of the SUV for cover and return fire from there."

Cameron looked at the front again. There were four roll up doors which faced the front. All of them were closed. It was the only other visible way in or out of the structure. She didn't want any surprises. She wanted to make better use of the Metal girls.

"I want you two to cover the front." Cameron said to Ally and Sheila.

Ally and Sheila both wore their vests, Cameron didn't. They both put theirs on when they saw the area was deserted and there was no one in plain sight around the area and the other buildings.

Sheila knew Savannah would see Cameron wasn't wearing a vest and would offer to give up hers to Cameron. She wanted both of them protected.

"Here, take my vest. You don't want to cause anyone any worries." Sheila said. "Ally can watch the front while I get another one out of our SUV."

Cameron was going to tell Sheila to keep it, but knew Savannah would be there very soon. She didn't want Savannah to give away her vest. She knew she would. She understood the reason why Sheila did it. She liked how everyone watched out for each other. She knew there were a few rough spots every now and then. Somehow in the end everything always worked out.

"Thank you." Cameron said as she took it. "Your reasoning was very thoughtful."

Cameron and Sheila looked at each other for a long moment as Sheila took the vest off. It was evident Sheila cared about Cameron and Savannah and wanted Cameron to know it. They may butt heads from time to time but they were all on the same team. It showed there were no hard feelings for any of the things which occurred previously.

Sheila hurried away to get another one.

Cameron headed back to the side door. She looked back once at Sheila as she hurried away. Maybe she needed to cut her a little slack. She put the vest on as she walked. Cammy should be here any moment. She was glad she wouldn't cause Savannah any unnecessary worry now. She wondered why she hadn't put hers on when she saw the area was unoccupied. For some reason the thought hadn't crossed her mind. She was fixated on trying to get the recon done before Savannah arrived.

It was a reminder it was never a good idea to hurry when it wasn't absolutely necessary. It was much easier to make mistakes and overlook things when one hurried. She needed to remember who they currently dealt with. The Fanatics were very dangerous. Anything related to the Future was dangerous.

Cammy and Savannah put their vests on before they left Cameron's base. They knew they were headed for a danger zone. Cammy was able to get everything ready for Savannah including weapons. She tried to make productive use of her time and not dwell on whatever Savannah and CamNet were doing. It wasn't her concern, but somehow it was anyway. The more she tried not to think about it, the more she thought about it. It seemed to be a vicious cycle. It always produced the opposite effect.

Savannah was a little anxious as they neared the location. She knew things could go hot fast. Her biggest concern was a bomb. The Fanatics were known for blowing things up, especially themselves. The destruction of the daycare center in Las Vegas was complete and total. Anyone who remained inside of the building would have been terminated. She was very thankful she 'ordered' everyone out when she did. She was even more thankful everyone obeyed her 'order'. It's what Cameron told her what happened whenever she gave an 'order'.

"I don't care for the looks of this neighborhood." Savannah said. "It just gives off a bad vibe."

Cammy looked at Savannah as they neared the building.

"If this goes hot, I want you to get out and move away to cover." Cammy said. "The SUV might become a target. It will be parked right at the door to the building."

Savannah wasn't about to leave Cammy and Cameron to face the threat alone. She would back them up.

"I may move away, but only to get a better firing angle." Savannah said. "It's the best you are going to get from me."

Savannah actually wondered if they shouldn't rethink things. They seemed to progress rather rapidly. She looked at a past satellite image of the location, as well as the current drone footage. She knew both John Henry and CamNet would look for obvious differences. She wanted to get an idea of what was what, and if there were any good locations to take up a firing position.

Cammy knew not to push it. If she did push it, Savannah might not leave all. She put down the driver's window as she approached.

Savannah held a Taser and M4 ready for either Cammy to take to use, or use them herself.

Cammy drove around the corner. They both spotted Cameron up ahead.

"There's Cameron." Cammy said. "She's waiting for a boost."

Cammy pulled up right next to the door and took the Taser and M4. She pointed them at the door. The door was made of metal. Unless someone was using AP rounds, or Coltan like they did, she wasn't worried about someone firing through the steel door.

Even before Cammy stopped completely, Cameron clambered up the bumper onto the hood and was on the roof of the SUV in seconds. It created a very metallic sound. Her new vantage point would allow her to have plenty of height to look down into the building's interior through the small window.

Savannah could hear some scraping sounds as Cameron scratched off some paint from the transom window. She got out and went to the back of the SUV. She wanted Cameron to use caution and double check for a booby trap.

"Do you need a glass cutter or are you going to break it?" Savannah asked. "Is it wired? You need to know first. Remember who we're dealing with."

Cameron was able to scratch off some of the black paint. There were some things she could see, as well as some she couldn't.

"I can't tell if it is wired." Cameron said. "I can see inside."

Moments ago:

John watched what was happening from the drone footage. Everyone's body cam was transmitting too. He really didn't like the way things unfolded. Cameron just took another big chance. Cammy and Savannah were right there with her.

"It's a risky move." John said.

Young Allison thought it was acceptable because of the earlier drone scans. It gave her a little more confidence than she possessed previously.

"With the drone input, it's a calculated risk." Young Allison said. "If we didn't have the drone feedback, I wouldn't allow Cameron or Cammy to do it. I don't think there's anyone inside the building. What we don't know is if it's wired. I think it's a better than even chance it is."

John looked at Young Allison. He knew Cameron gave Savannah and Young Allison the ability to 'order' ALL Terminators, including Cameron and CamNet. Maybe working with Young Allison could turn into a good partnership. It was clear Savannah and Young Allison would protect Cameron as much as they could. It was also clear they could do a better job of it than he could. He thought about some of the horrific damage Cameron suffered under his leadership. The girls held an advantage over him which was undeniable.

Then again, it's exactly what Cameron wanted to happen. She wanted to draw him closer to Savannah and Young Allison. He also knew one day when he arrived at the Command Center, Young Allison would be an older teenager who would look just like Future Allison and be waiting for him.

"…about it?" Young Allison asked.

John was caught off guard thinking about the 'future'. It seemed he was caught off guard more and more often, especially in his dealings with John Henry.

"What?" John asked. "I was trying to calculate something."

Young Allison didn't repeat her question. Cameron provided new information before she could.

"I can't tell if it is wired." Cameron said. "I can see inside."

Young Allison didn't want to risk an explosion. She decided to become directly involved. She bypassed Anna and CamNet.

"Cameron, don't force it open. We need to know more first." Young Allison said. "Tell us what you see."

Cameron's answer was a little ominous for all of them.

"I see death." Cameron said.

It appeared the danger level just went up quite a few notches.

Gail was almost to the location. She was there to help protect Savannah and assist the team. CamNet asked for her assistance.

Gail turned down the street. She could see Savannah by the rear of Cammy's SUV. Cameron was on the roof of it. She appeared to be looking in a small window above the door.

Savannah spotted her and waived for her to come closer.

Gail pulled up part way alongside of Cammy's SUV. She was back enough so she could open her driver's door and Cammy could get out on the passenger's side of her SUV if she needed to.

Savannah moved around the back of Gail's SUV and approached the driver's door.

Gail opened her driver's door and Savannah stood behind it, next to Gail in the driver's seat.

Savannah tried to assess the situation as best as she could. It was impossible from her current location.

"If Cameron goes in there, I want you to follow her." Savannah said. "I'll follow you with Cammy behind me."

Gail got out of her SUV ready to move. Savannah quickly checked her vest and gear. Savannah gave her a smile when she was done. She appreciated Savannah's concern for her.

They both watched Cameron as they checked what was happening around them.

It was clear no one liked the surroundings.

Cameron was glad the transom window was painted over from the outside. She was able to scratch enough paint off to see inside. She gave her report.

The faint heat signatures the drone detected were the rotting bodies on the floor.

There were three bodies lying on the floor and a tangle of wires on several tables. It was clear whoever was working there was gone. They either took their computers with them, or they were killed and their computers were taken from them.

It could mean the location was under observation, or it was wired to explode, or both.

If it was wired to explode, was it booby trapped, or command detonated? Maybe it was both. If it was command detonated, it meant they would need to be under observation. Whoever was waiting to push the button would try to draw as many of them in as possible before they detonated the explosive.

John watched Young Allison. The news of the dead didn't seem to bother her. It didn't surprise him based on the operational calls she made over the last few weeks. He knew Cameron wanted to acclimate her to death. He was pretty sure she succeeded. He didn't know how many deaths Young Allison was directly or indirectly responsible for, but he did know it must be a lot. Those deaths were more than just Skynet related deaths as well. They also included a number of deaths from the Syndicate and the Cartel.

The new information from Cameron was troubling in the Command Center.

"It isn't a good report." John said. "It means we're not the only ones who know about the location either. We don't have a clue as to if it was Grays or Fanatics inside the building who are deceased. We need to worry about the anti-Metal faction as well."

Young Allison didn't like the set up.

"The place may be under surveillance from whoever did this." Young Allison said. "They need to be ready to withdraw or fight. I don't think whatever is going to happen there has occurred yet."

Anna dealt quietly with CamNet and John Henry. She let Young Allison do the talking. If she needed to prompt her, she would. It hadn't been necessary so far. It seldom was. Young Allison was very good at being able to quickly 'read' a situation and take action.

"There are two drones over the area in counter rotating overlapping orbits and the other two are out on wider orbits." John Henry said. "They haven't detected any movement. There's nothing to indicate a force might be ready to strike or move in to their location. It doesn't mean there isn't something out there."

Young Allison previously halted two of their Terminators from arriving at the location. She wanted them to be ready to intercept anyone who tried to enter or leave the immediate vicinity.

"Steve and Tom are in the area as well." Young Allison said. "They're two blocks away and holding on the route Cameron entered the area from."

John Henry checked the status of the drones. He was a little surprised to see they were all ready for action.

"All four drones are now hot." John Henry said.

John knew the drones being 'hot' meant they were ready for immediate action. It indicated there was usually a target. He wasn't sure if he missed something.

"Is there some new trouble?" John asked.

Young Allison didn't like the setup. It seemed to her like something was fishy. She didn't want the girls to get caught up in whatever it was. She thought maybe she should get John up to speed.

"No. I did it." Young Allison said. "We have to consider an ambush, or even a strike against the girls if they're being surveilled by whoever killed those inside. I want all communications of every type jammed in case the building can be command detonated by a remote device. It could be hard wired too."

John liked Young Allison plan. He liked what she did so far. She was definitely at least a step or two ahead of him. He wanted to see what else she planned.

"What about our personnel?" John asked.

Young Allison looked at the satellite overlay map. She already considered a few possibilities of what they could do. She laid them out for John.

"Gail should block the street at the back of the building where Cammy is parked." Young Allison said. "Sheila should do the same with an SUV since she is closest to one at the front along the side."

Anna wanted to clue John in as to what would normally happen in this situation. Young Allison and her would be in the Young bunker and CamNet would be the interface with John Henry. Young Allison liked to remain in the background as much as possible.

"CamNet would usually relay the information." Anna said. "By Allison telling you directly, she's bypassing CamNet, John Henry, and myself. This would all happen seamlessly like it normally does."

John Henry watched the 'recommendation' go into effect.

"CamNet apparently has." John Henry said. "Gail and Sheila are moving into position."

John watched it all. He was impressed. He was sure a lot of the information they received from CamNet during a normal operation was actually from Young Allison as he suspected. He was very pleased with her actions. He did think some of them were a little rash, and even risky. He wanted some more support.

As the seriousness of the situation unfolded, John thought additional drones would be a good idea since it was darker. He didn't like to risk using them in the daytime unless they were at extreme altitude.

"I want four more drones up." John said.

Young Allison looked briefly at John. She hadn't waited around for him to act. She knew of his reluctance to do certain things. It seemed to her the best thing was just to do them rather than notify him what was happening as it was done. She knew it was very important to make sure there wasn't a time lag involved with anything.

"They already are." Young Allison said. "Plus the manned drone."

John was unaware she already did it. He never saw or heard anything to indicate it happened. He didn't even know the manned drone left the base.

"Who's piloting it?" John asked.

Anna didn't think it should be an issue.

"Hanna is." Anna said. "She recently became available for duty."

John wondered if it was related to Gail being on the operation, and Jesse seeking 'comfort' elsewhere. She would most likely seek out Claire. He could see there was a strong bond between the two of them. He wasn't really sure how it worked out since they seemed to be the exact opposite of each other. Then again Jesse had become much more domesticated recently. Since Claire received a new partner, it in turn freed Hanna up. He wondered how much outside involvement there was in any of it if it was the case. From what he witnessed, it was probably better not to know. He certainly knew they were things he wouldn't do on his own.

He wanted more information from Cameron. He didn't want her to get ahead of the rest of the team. He was also worried if the building was booby trapped. He hoped she was able to make a determination the easy way. He certainly didn't want to find out the hard way.

"Cameron, can you tell if the building is wired?" John asked.

Cameron scratched more paint off of the glass to try to get a better look at the transom window itself. The more she was able to view, the less she liked all of it.

"I think the building is wired." Cameron said. "I don't think this window is."

John and Young Allison knew it would be bad news for Savannah if there was an explosion.

"Savannah needs to withdraw." Young Allison and John said at the same time.

Young Allison and John quickly looked at each other but no one commented.

It didn't seem right now was the time for them to press their luck.

"Don't chance it with the window, Cameron." Young Allison said. "Until we know more, we need to assume the entire building might explode if anything is disturbed or opened."

Young Allison was convinced they would need an alternate way into the building if Cameron wished to continue to gain access to the interior. What they were doing right now was not the right path to continue to follow.

Savannah was still near the rear of Cammy's SUV since Gail was sent to another position, she heard the conversation. She didn't want Cameron to chance it either. She thought of another way to enter the building. It wouldn't be the first time they used it. Under similar circumstances, they gained entry into a building in San Luis Obispo near Avila Beach, and the Serrano Point Nuclear Power Plant.

They didn't use a conventional point of entry to gain access. The building there contained dead people as well as nothing but wiring left behind. It was really very similar to what they currently faced.

"Cameron, maybe we can gain access through the roof and look down into the inside. It would give you a look without actually being in the building." Savannah said. "We've done it before on other operations."

Savannah knew Cameron would prefer a direct approach. She was going to insist Cameron avoid any type of direct approach going forward based upon what they already knew.

John thought it might be a less risky option at this point.

"I like the idea." John said. "It's less likely to set off a booby trap. We did use the method previously and discovered the building was wired everywhere."

Savannah developed an understanding of buildings. Generally, if there wasn't an outside ladder to access the roof, there was an interior one with a roof opening. It was normally only accessible from the inside to open it. There was still a certain amount of danger involved with it. There was a good chance there may be neither. Some buildings needed to be accessed with a ladder which was brought over and put up against the side of it. The building itself was not a large building, not like any of the other locations where assembly lines were attempted to be set up.

"Since there's no outside ladder, there may be roof access from the inside." Savannah said. "If there is, it may be wired as well."

Cameron looked at the height of the roof above her. She thought of several possibilities to get around the threat of a booby trap if there was a roof opening. She looked at the best way to get onto the roof since there wasn't a ladder outside.

"Cammy can stand where I am and I can climb on top of her to reach the lip of the roof. If there is no roof access hatch I can make a hole in the roof, or rip out the ventilation ducting." Cameron said. "It will work. It's going to make a lot of noise, especially inside of the building."

Cammy was out on the passenger side of the SUV even before Cameron finished talking. She climbed up onto the roof of the SUV next to Cameron. She knew Savannah didn't want Cameron to go off on her own. She thought of a way to accompany her.

"I'll climb up on you." Cammy said. "Then I'll lean over and pull you up."

Savannah watched as Cammy did it. Cameron held out her hands and Cammy stepped onto Cameron's hands and Cameron extended her arms. She lifted Cammy even closer to the lip of the roof.

Cammy was able to easily reach the lip of the roof and pull herself over the top. They would be able to bring all their gear with them.

Cameron looked down on Savannah.

"Savannah, you can pull the SUV up to Ally's position and wait there for now." Cameron said. "Cammy and I can easily jump down from the roof with no problem if we need to leave in a hurry. There's still a chance the building is booby trapped and could explode."

Savannah could tell Cameron was really asking her to be at a safer distance in case things got worse. She understood what it meant. She also wanted to issue some advice of her own.

"I'll do it." Savannah said. "If you see the building is booby trapped, I want you to withdraw. The occupants are already dead and the computer gear is gone, there's no need to enter if it is rigged to explode. We will blow up the building ourselves. Anything of value will be gone and this may be a trap. We don't want to get involved in someone's sucker play. Remember whatever happened here was done by either the Fanatics or Grays to each other. There's a good chance someone wants to know if anyone else shows up to investigate the location or try to salvage anything."

Cameron still wanted to investigate. She hoped to find some more clues. She would like to learn who the decedents were if it was possible. If she didn't find a 'poison tooth' in the mouth of the dead, it most likely meant they were not Fanatics. It would indicate they were Grays. She was still going to need a closer look one way or another.

"I'll let you know before I enter." Cameron said.

Cameron wanted to know more but maybe there was no more to know. Maybe only her fate awaited her. She heard enough warnings to heed them.

Cammy made a quick evaluation of the roof. There were no apparent traps spotted. There were no skylights, or a roof access hatch. The drone scan indicated a small housing with a door, but it was for the air conditioner. It didn't lead into the interior.

She went back to where Cameron was standing on the roof of the SUV. She was ready to pull her up.

She watched Savannah climb into the SUV so she could move it away and to a safer distance as soon as Cameron was off of the top of it.

Cammy reached down and pulled Cameron up to the edge of the roof. She easily finished her climb over the top.

Cameron and Cammy watched Savannah drive the SUV to where Ally was waiting.

Cammy issued a warning to Cameron.

"Don't make Savannah need to use the TDE." Cammy said. "You know she will. I'm not up here with you because I didn't have anything better to do. Keep it in mind. You heard what Savannah said. We're to withdraw if the situation looks 'dicey'. I would have to say from what I've observed so far, everything looks pretty 'iffy'."

Cameron looked at Cammy and nodded. She did hear what Savannah said. It wasn't an 'order', but it was like the same thing anyway. She knew Savannah wanted to allow her some leeway as long as she used good judgment.

She only needed to remember Savannah used the TDE before to prevent irreparable damage to her sheath. It was one part of her sheath which was still original. Cameron could operate without a sheath, but it would limit her effectiveness. It would also leave John high and dry. She grew accustomed to her sheath and liked its appearance. Everything seemed to indicate everyone else did as well. There were several other perks. She also liked the pleasure she was able to derive from certain parts of it.

In other words, she didn't want to be blown up.

"We'll follow all of Savannah's and Young Allison's recommendations." Cameron said. "We all want to go home at the end of the day and to the people we belong to."

Cameron planned to knock a few more off with John as soon as she returned. She wanted to make sure there was still a place for John to knock one off. She didn't want anything to damage her sheath before their Honeymoon Cruise.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

It's Nice To Have Help Sometimes

At times it seems
That we're all alone
In life's misery we wallow
Until we atone

We can complain a lot
As we moan and groan
We will only stand tall
Once our inner self has grown

The knife of life is sharp
It can cut to the bone
When a mind is closed
It soon turns to stone

If into ourselves
The love is not sewn
It will leave us to reap
The emptiness we've sown

It's nice to have help sometimes
When we reach the unknown
All we need to acknowledge is
What to everyone is already known

As we rise from the rubble
Where our heart has been thrown
Our true love will embrace it
And place it on their inner throne

Nobody