Chapter 1109
Not Always The Case
Young Allison and Anna watched the drone footage from the Young bunker. There was a small blur across the screen and the roof of the building exploded. It was followed a second later by a massive secondary explosion.
They went over the results of the missile strike.
"It looks like you were justified in your decision." Anna said.
Young Allison felt confident in all of her decisions, even the ones where she caused the deaths of the enemy. Everyone always asked her if it bothered her. It didn't. They were fighting a war for survival. There was no need to feel remorse or pity for the people out to kill them and destroy the world as they knew it. She felt justified in every action she took. When they asked her if there were any regrets, she could only think she should have hit harder sooner. War was Hell. She was there to make sure Hell was delivered to the enemy.
"I think I've been correct so far in all of the cases." Young Allison said. "I know it may not always be the case. I'm prepared for the eventuality as well. Every action has a reaction. I'm responsible for my actions and whatever those actions result in. I'm worried about collateral damage more than anything else. I've tried hard to make sure there wouldn't be any when I've acted. I know it's something which occurs in wartime."
Anna thought Young Allison acted very responsibly so far in her actions. As far as collateral damage went, there was always the possibility. The situation may dictate where Young Allison would need to act. She would have to weigh her actions against the goal in a situation like it. She was sure Young Allison would do it, but only to a certain extent. She believed Young Allison would act to protect their troops. She didn't think Young Allison would hesitate to have collateral damage if she needed to protect Savannah and Cameron. Well, maybe John too. She felt Young Allison was ready to 'up her game'.
"You've acted very professionally." Anna said. "I know you want to step up tomorrow."
Young Allison wanted to help or assist, not take over. Anna warned her bypassing John and John Henry was much the same thing. She tried to have CamNet notify John Henry in advance if possible. Sometimes he was only given a few seconds notice. She needed to remember Savannah's suggestions about her actions. She didn't think she did anything wrong when she acted on her own the times when she needed to. It was about protecting their troops. It was about taking down the enemy. She didn't want to get caught up in a meaningless discussion about what should or shouldn't happen when something needed to be done right away. She would try to do better.
"With the assistance and guidance of CamNet, John Henry, and you, I think I can be of some assistance and make a contribution." Young Allison said. I want to be a team player, even if I'm not now."
There would be input from several sources on Young Allison's choices.
Anna wanted Young Allison to think things through. She wanted to make sure she didn't act too rashly. She could tell the strike against the suspected Fanatic target was basically revenge. The fact there was a massive secondary explosion confirmed it was most likely the Fanatics.
"You're going to need to get a consensus on your actions." Anna said. "It's something to think about when you have the time. I do understand it's not always the case."
Young Allison was sure of her decisions. Maybe others could offer some advice or direction. It never hurt to get another point of view or any fresh ideas. So far it wasn't the case. She actually thought if she could get one or two other opinions they would be from Savannah or Summer. She knew Summer would be able to calculate all of the variables very quickly and she was trained by her to act like her. Summer might be the only one who could prevent her from acting if her decision was questionable.
It would also apply to Savannah. She was aware Savannah would be more reserved than Summer would be. She started to wonder why she even included Summer. It was just another idea which popped into her head. They seemed to do it from time to time. It wasn't even something she thought about before.
"I'm willing to listen to others." Young Allison said. "It may or may not change my decisions. I also have to consider the response time if it's an emergency. If I need to act, I'm going to act. I'm going to make sure our troops are protected."
Anna felt Young Allison didn't always listen to others. She knew it was because Young Allison was sure of the choice she already made. It was why she made it. She didn't want anyone to second guess her, or question her actions. If anyone was to comment in a negative way about her decisions, Young Allison would view it as them questioning her judgment and ability. She tried to come up with a diplomatic answer which wouldn't sound accusatory.
"I don't believe taking advice from others is something you do well with." Anna said. "You seem to be independently minded most of the time. It doesn't mean they're questioning your ability or you. They may see things a little differently. Not everyone sees things the same way even if what they look at is identical."
Young Allison followed her training by Cameron. She believed it was the way she was supposed to respond since it's the way she was trained. Cameron told her on multiple occasions they didn't always like the way she did things. She still did them anyway because she believed they were the right things. She believed they were the things which needed to be done when she did them.
"I do what I think is right." Young Allison said.
Anna wanted to point out there were others who could offer sound advice to Young Allison. They were as qualified as Cameron since they were 'Cameron'.
"Cameron's advice is always close in hand, even when Cameron herself isn't. Cammy and Cam are both 'Cameron'." Anna said. "Don't be afraid to seek their advice. You need to know dealing with them is almost the same as dealing with Cameron. It's only their directives about John which are changed from Cameron's program. They are also out of date from Cameron as to the moment they were created. They don't know of any of your recent interactions with Cameron in regards to your training or any personal discussions."
Young Allison believed Anna offered her the best choice of advice. Anna was 'Cameron' and 'Savannah'. She felt comfortable working with Anna since they spent almost all of her waking hours together.
"So are you." Young Allison said. "You're 'Cameron' too. I'm here with you. You're here with me. I want your advice. Like earlier, you delayed my decision to strike the building and go through the Command Center to run it by John and John Henry first. Even if I seem irritated, it's what I need to hear. It's what I want you to do."
Anna wanted Young Allison to always consider sound advice. She wanted her to think first before she acted.
"Who should you rely on the most?" Anna asked.
Savannah was the first name which came to Young Allison's mind. Well, it was actually the second.
"I want to say 'myself'." Young Allison said. "I know it's a team effort. I should seek out Savannah. She'll always help to keep me from overstepping or pushing too far. I know I can trust her with anything and she'll always watch out for me when it's possible. I also understand she'll always do the right thing. It's something I may not do."
Anna used the 'Neural Interface' on a regular basis with Savannah to be as much like her as possible.
"Savannah will stand by your side." Anna said. "She'll protect you. She will do the right thing. You will too."
It seemed to Young Allison it was Savannah who took all the risks. She believed it was her duty to protect Savannah. She didn't think it was the other way around, not yet anyway.
"What do I need Savannah to protect me from?" Young Allison asked. "I'm in a bunker making decisions. She's the one on the battlefield. She's the one dodging bullets and watching nuclear devices count down to zero. She's the one who's actually been shot, more than once, and her vest stopped the bullets."
Anna was sure Young Allison couldn't see the answer. It was too close to home, even if it was right in front of her. She thought she should spell it out clearly.
"Savannah will protect you from yourself." Anna said.
Young Allison didn't like her answer. She didn't believe she needed to be protected from herself. She felt her actions were just and with merit. If someone needed to be dealt with or punished, there was a good reason. Someone needed to do something. Obviously not doing anything only propagated the behavior of the offender. She decided to move on. There was still an urgent matter which needed to be resolved.
"I want a follow up on how the SUV was targeted and attacked." Young Allison said. "Whoever did this is still out there right now. We need to find out who did it and how they did it. They need to be terminated."
Anna checked with John Henry and CamNet.
"CamNet and John Henry are searching." Anna said. "They don't know how the vehicle was targeted yet. Neither one of them think it was a missile or a rocket. There's no indication it was any type of projectile."
Young Allison wasn't done with her retribution. She thought about the ways terrorists sometimes attacked their targets. Most of the time they wanted to get away and there was an easier way to do it than from a car or truck. Sometimes the terrorists didn't want to get away and they blew themselves up along with their target. It actually reminded her of how the Fanatics seemed to act. They believe they would reach 'Ascension', if they died remaining loyal to SkyMaster.
"I want a target." Young Allison said. "I think the best way to carry out this attack on a moving vehicle in traffic is on a motorcycle. It was one of the things which led us to the location in the first place. It was one of the first things Sheila spotted when she arrived. There may be a whole fleet of them as far as we know. They could be cruising around right now looking for additional targets. We don't know how much of our team they identified earlier. They definitely targeted one SUV which was no longer in possession by our group."
Anna passed on the information. It did seem like the most logical choice. She knew Young Allison's summation was correct. There was evidence the Fanatics used motorcycles in the previous attack at the auto body shop and the motorcycle used as bait in the building which was now smoldering rubble.
A motorcycle, especially with a rider on the back of it, could be used as an offensive weapon in multiple situations. The rider could shoot at someone with an automatic weapon, toss grenades, place a bomb with some type of adhesive on a vehicle as it passed by in traffic, or even throw it in the window if it was open.
John wanted to speak with Young Allison. He wondered if he should wait for Savannah to be there with him. Maybe he could just have Savannah talk to her. He knew he felt nervous about it. He wasn't sure why. The atmosphere was always sexual in nature, even if it wasn't, nor anyone did anything. It was because of the groundwork Cameron laid. She always pushed the 'Natural Order' on him. Then he would remember the idea was Future John's fault, HIS fault.
Maybe it was his earlier conversation with John Henry. It was about Young Allison and Cameron being the 'same'. He was told for years how Cameron was making Savannah and Young Allison into the human versions of herself. It was clear with Young Allison it was true, right down to her appearance. Maybe it's what bothered him. Cameron was going to make Young Allison irresistible to him. Maybe she already was and it's what made him so nervous. He knew he could never make the first move, even if he wanted to. He didn't think he would need to either. Young Allison would be the one to do it.
He was well aware if Future Allison would have stayed around a little longer, she would have seduced him. He would have been seduced willingly. The allure she radiated was very captivating. It was clear when Young Allison returned from the past she was going to be five times more alluring than Future Allison was. She was literally going to be the same girl he met on the first day of school in Red Valley. The first time he met an 'Allison'. It was really Cameron operating in infiltration mode.
The time for thinking was over. It was time to act. He needed to grow a backbone if he was supposed to be the General. It really was the term he wasn't comfortable with.
"I want a secure line to Young Allison." John said.
John Henry didn't question the request. He had it ready instantly. He wondered if it was of a personal nature. He wasn't going to ask. He might be able to hear a few things without actually eavesdropping or monitoring the entire call. He was sure it was something CamNet would do.
"It's done." John Henry said.
The phone rang and Young Allison answered. She knew who was calling. She didn't want to hear any negative feedback. It was time to use her infiltration training. She took control of the conversation from the first sentence.
"Hi, John." Young Allison said. "Did you call to ask me out on a date before your honeymoon? A little snack will do you good before the main course. Everything is fresh too."
John was already thrown off on what he wanted to say. It was clear she took control of the conversation. It put him on the defensive and her on the offensive, in more ways than one. He tried to stick with the issues he wanted to deal with. He felt they were important.
"No." John said. "I called to thank you for your input on the recent action."
Young Allison decided to play it straight. Maybe the opener was a little harsh. She wasn't really sure where the words came from. Just seemed to pop into her head and out of her mouth.
"Sometimes one needs to act and not fool around." Young Allison said. "An opportunity right in front of you can slip away."
John was sure her statement wasn't about the operation. It reminded him of what he just thought about Future Allison if she would have stayed longer. Now he started to think about Isabel-Cameron and Metal Summer. He needed to refocus and get back on track. He didn't like his mind all over the place. He didn't like it down in the gutter either but he sort of liked what he thought about when it was down there. It was still very appealing to him.
"Yeah, about that…." John said. "I know you are going to step it up when I'm away with Cameron."
Her answer was swift and confident.
"It's the plan." Young Allison said. "We'll all do what we can to help."
John didn't want Young Allison to become obsessed with things. He didn't know how much time she actually spent with Resistance matters. He didn't know if she was involved with any of Cameron's 'off the books' operations either. He wouldn't put it past Cameron. Young Allison possessed a fresh young mind. He didn't know if it was more susceptible to Cameron's manipulation or not.
Her opening statement to him earlier indicated a high level of involvement by Cameron on how to respond to him. Her crack about the snack actually intrigued him. He wondered what it would be like to 'pop' Young Allison, and then go on his honeymoon with Cameron. He would probably see Cameron as Young Allison for the entire cruise if it happened. Somehow it seemed exactly like something Cameron would want him to do. If Cameron pushed the refractory time a little too much, maybe it's what he would do anyway. It should give him a little extra boost to get things going. His mind was drifting. He needed to get it together.
"I don't want you to overdo it and spend too much time doing this." John said. "You have other interests in life too. I don't want you to neglect any of your personal or private interests either. You're entitled to have those as well."
Her answer sounded like 'Cameron' speaking to him.
Young Allison spoke what she believed.
"I'll do what's necessary." Young Allison said.
John wanted her to have a life of sorts.
"I want you to maintain your studies and stay with your exercise and swimming. You have your music and dance to practice also." John said. "This isn't your life, not yet anyway. You deserve a little more while you can still have it. It's what I want for you. I also want any choices you make, to be your own choices, not the choices someone else made for you, to make you think they were your own choices."
John already knew how lame it sounded.
Her answer showed she still controlled the conversation.
"I bet you wish Savannah or Cameron would have called me instead about now." Young Allison said. "They didn't. You made the choice to call me. Never be afraid to talk to me about anything. Never be afraid to offend me. If I make a mistake, tell me. If I do something wrong I need to hear it. Those same rules apply to you if I talk to you about something as well. It's a two-way street, even if there are four of us."
Someone else speaking to Young Allison was exactly what John thought. He actually believed he was going to be better able to handle the conversation and be the one in control. He was supposed to be the General after all. Now he seemed to be at the mercy of a young woman. He really didn't know how he would be able to deal with her once she was in his bed. He wondered how Cameron and her would interact then.
He was sure Cameron would be subservient to both Savannah and Young Allison. Cameron wanted them in his bed and she was more than likely going to have to use herself to keep them there. He wouldn't mind sharing with one of them while the other two shared with each other. He shouldn't have thought about it. Now 'Little Willy' was on the rise.
"I do wish it, but it's not the case." John said. "I heard everything you said. I always listen. I may not always do a good job. If I don't, I need to hear about it. I also wanted to call because I care about you."
Young Allison made her point with two words.
"You do?" Young Allison asked.
John was waiting for something about the 'Natural Order' to come up. It didn't, yet.
"Yes." John said. "I know some of the struggles you face and the hardships. I faced many of them myself, and so did Savannah. When my mother was away, I was little more than a juvenile delinquent. I made bad choices along the way. I hurt people I love and care about. It's easy to make a mistake. You know the right thing to do, but you don't do it. There were people who died because of me. I got them killed. No one should need to die because of me. I know we all need to work together."
Cameron's influence was written all over Young Allison.
"It's the nature of our lives as dictated by the future." Young Allison said. "We're all along for the ride."
Young Allison looked to what the future held for various reasons. What she wanted the most was a relationship with Savannah. She wanted more than the emotional relationship they now shared. She wanted a physical relationship as well. She wanted what Vanna and Allison shared. She wanted it for herself. She knew her promises and her duty were to John and to protect the future. She would do what she needed to do to make it happen.
It was her desire to share with another female more than anything. She also desired to share with John. She really didn't know how things would play out.
John felt his original message was being distorted or lost. He cared about Young Allison in more ways than one. There were a lot of ideas in his head about her and what he wanted to do with her and share with her. He still worried about her as a person. He didn't like to see people hurry her life along when it didn't need to be. Sometimes he was a little guilty of it himself.
"It's 'a future'. It's 'one future'." John said. "The point here is I'm calling you because I worry about you and I do care."
Young Allison was pleasant in her response. She could see John tried to reach out to her in a meaningful way.
"Thank you, John." Young Allison said. "I care about you too."
John didn't want to bring up the 'Natural Order', nor did he want to deny it.
"We can worry about future 'events' in the future." John said.
Young Allison wanted to plant an image in John's mind.
"When you see Cameron's smiling face on your honeymoon, I want you to remember where her appearance, mannerism, and attitude come from." Young Allison said. "I want you to remember the future and think of me. I know I won't be able to compete with her at first, but I am my own individual self."
John knew he was going to end up thinking about Young Allison now, even if he didn't want to. Her earlier comment was still in his head as well.
"The future hasn't arrived yet." John said. "I mean at least not one future anyway."
She thought a little reminder would do John some good.
"It's coming." Young Allison said. "The 'Natural Order' can't be changed. The future has already happened. I'm ready and willing to do my part. It is my choice. It is what I want."
There it is. John figured it was coming. He knew Young Allison really believed it too. Cameron pounded it into her head ever since she was a small child. She literally heard it her entire life. It seemed as if both Savannah and Young Allison were indoctrinated 'child brides' waiting for the 'official' ceremony. It seemed both of them were willing to skip it and 'get down' to business. He was sure their true desire would be with each other and with Cameron. As long as they didn't forget about him every now and then, he should be happy for whatever he was able to share with the three of them.
"I know Cameron believes it." John said.
Young Allison thought John should have a little more respect. She sent out a painful reminder.
"She should believe it. You should as well." Young Allison said. "You programmed it into her."
John felt defensive and ashamed. He didn't want to take the responsibility for something he didn't actually do.
"It was Future John." John said quickly.
Young Allison carried home the 'attack'.
"Where did Future John come from?" Young Allison asked. "Who's he?"
John was defenseless.
"Me…." John said.
Young Allison stuck to the facts. Maybe it was a reality which was hard to understand, but either way it was reality.
"Don't forget it." Young Allison said. "I'm Allison. I'm Duplicate Allison. I'm Future Allison. I'm 'Cameron'. They're all ME. You and I are the originals who have spawned all of this. It's one wild ride we're all ready to take it. Everyone has a ticket to ride."
John was silent for a long time. It wasn't the conversation he expected. What was worse was, she was right. It was clear she was well advanced beyond her physical years. Maybe she was light years ahead of him. He really didn't know. It was obvious she believed everything she said. Maybe the trouble with all of it was he believed it now as well. He just wanted her to have a real life. He really didn't know if it was possible. He wanted to get back to why he originally called her.
"Just don't overdo it." John said. "It's all I'm asking you."
Young Allison wanted to end on a playful note.
"Are you going to 'order' me?" Young Allison asked.
With everything John was thinking, it just slipped out. He never could 'order' Cameron because she was his wife. He actually felt like he was talking to Cameron at this point.
"I can't 'order' my wife." John said.
Young Allison wasn't expecting his comment. She was the one thrown off guard now.
"What?" Young Allison asked.
John needed to 'fix' his statement fast.
"I mean, there needs to be order in life." John said quickly.
Young Allison heard what he said. She was as thrilled as she was shocked. She felt 'goose bumps' on her arms as she thought about it. Maybe the future was closer than she thought. Her desire to be with him was very strong. She just wanted to try it one time to see what it was like. Wait. Where were those thoughts coming from? She let him off the hook.
"Sure, John." Young Allison said. "I'll do as you ask. In this regard."
John clearly understood the meaning of the end of her statement. He would take what he could get for now.
"Thanks." John said.
Young Allison felt a compulsion to say a little bit more. It emanated from deep inside of her.
"John…." Young Allison said.
There was a long silent pause.
John knew what was coming next. He didn't want to hear it. Even if he knew it.
"Please don't say it." John said.
Young Allison didn't need to verbalize what the four of them knew. She felt she made her point clear.
"I don't need to say what we all feel and know will happen." Young Allison said. "Please make Cameron and yourself happy for a week. Good luck on this honeymoon. It won't be your last one either. Bye."
Before John could respond, the connection was cut. He thought about calling her back. What would he say? What could he say? Maybe it was best if you left it alone and stayed away from it.
John Henry thought John looked a little ashen. He didn't monitor the call so he didn't know exactly what was discussed. Nor did he listen. He tuned everything out with a Young Allison's opening statement. He didn't want to be involved in any of it.
"How did it go?" John Henry asked.
John looked tired. He wanted to talk about it, but he knew it wouldn't do any good. Everybody was caught up in the future and they all wanted it to happen even if they didn't. Young Allison was correct. They were all on the same page.
"It was my worst nightmare." John said.
John Henry knew nightmares only existed in the mind.
"Nightmares don't really happen." John Henry said. "They're not reality."
John knew it would happen in this case. He thought about what it would be like to be able to be with Savannah, Young Allison, and Cameron. It was a dream come true if it happened, but he was sure the dream would turn into a nightmare. He didn't seem to have any control over it. He wondered how much of his own life he ever actually really had control over. It didn't seem to be very much.
"This one is going to be." John said. "There's no way to stop it."
John Henry could tell what the source of John's discomfort actually was. It was the same thing which always caused him discomfort for some reason. All of his files indicated it should be something John would be pleased with. It would be something every male would desire. In this particular case, the future depended upon it.
"The 'Natural Order' is unstoppable and inevitable." John Henry said. "It should be embraced."
John really didn't want to hear any more from anyone. He needed to get his mind off of the girls and back on Cameron. The image Young Allison planted in his mind called to him. She told him when he looked at Cameron on their honeymoon, it would be her one day. He felt the need to get away from it all. He hoped the cruise would do it, but right now he just needed to get away from it all.
"Excuse me." John said.
John Henry wondered if he said something wrong. He was going to inquire but it didn't look like John was in a talking mood at this point.
John got up and headed out the door of the Command Center. There was a lot on his mind. He literally bumped into Claire. She was walking with Jesse, they were holding hands. He was worried he may have touched a little more than he should have. He didn't feel it was his fault since he didn't know they were there when he came out of the doorway of the Command Center. It was a simple mistake which could have happened to anyone.
"I'm sorry." John said. "I didn't see you."
Jesse was a little surprised to see John suddenly appear. She noticed the bulge in the front of his pants.
"Hi, love." Jesse said. "It looks like you were expecting us."
Claire felt a rush of physical excitement when John came into contact with her. She felt him touch her right breast. She wondered what it would be like to be held in his arms as he pounded away in her and brought her to 'heaven'. She was more than ready to step up. She would do what Cameron wanted. It was what she wanted as well. She wanted to remind him what was available.
"Hi, John." Claire said. "There's a lot more to see."
Claire winked at him.
Jesse quickly caught Claire's drift. She actually felt a little bit jealous, but she knew how things worked. Nobody owned anybody. Everyone was free to make their own choices.
"I can vouch for it." Jesse said with a smile.
Jesse wanted to tell him they could make it a 'three way', but didn't.
John looked at Claire and Jesse and could feel the 'tug' of them on his being. They were both ripe for the 'picking'.
He felt his heart pound in his chest. He looked at both of them. He wanted both of them. He would take either one of them right now. Claire was able to reach him on a different level than the other girls were able to do. He wasn't really sure why. He couldn't help but feel guilty. He just thought about being with her daughter only seconds ago. The proof was in the front of his pants right now. He hoped they didn't notice. Now here Claire was and the same thought to be with her was very strong as well. He felt very guilty. He tried not to think about the 'mother-daughter thing' but somehow it made it even worse and he did.
"Excuse me." John said and hurried away.
He heard Jesse and Claire talking as he departed.
"Did he cop a feel?" Jesse asked.
Claire wished he would have. She knew any contact was accidental.
"No, but he wanted to." Claire said. "All he needs to do is ask. I'm ready for more."
Jesse could see John was off his game.
"He seemed a little off." Jesse said.
Claire was concerned about John's well being.
"I hope it wasn't anything he ate." Claire said.
Jesse thought the answer to it was quite clear. She saw it on many people's faces and in their mannerisms. It included both males and females.
"No, love." Jesse said. "It's what he knows he's going to 'eat'."
John hurried away even faster. He did KNOW it. It was all coming.
Claire was all for it but what she wanted from John was something the girls couldn't give her. She wanted to know what it was like to be with the male and be able to 'finish'. She desperately wanted it. It was something which eluded her for her entire sexual life. She really wanted it, even if it was one time.
"He can do it to get things warmed up." Claire said. "I want a little bit more. I want it all. I want the whole enchilada."
Jesse thought about some of the marital aids and sex toys Sheila kept in her room. Maybe she could stop by there and see if she could give Claire what she wanted from a male. It wouldn't be exactly the same thing, but it would be pretty close in every way, except the feedback to her. It wouldn't be about her. It would be about Claire and her true desire.
Anna wasn't impressed with the direction and nature of the conversation Young Allison just conducted with General Connor. Unlike John Henry, she listened to the entire conversation. She heard what each of them said.
"Is it the conversation you wanted to have with the General?" Anna asked.
The conversation left Young Allison with a few things to think about. Maybe she said some things she shouldn't have, but she actually wanted to say them anyway. It was probably why she did. If it was all going to happen, what difference did it make?
"It sort of just happened." Young Allison said. "The call was with John, not the General."
Young Allison felt the call was more personal than operational in nature.
Anna didn't like the aggressiveness and suggestiveness of the call. She felt the need to point it out. It appeared to be very unladylike.
"You seemed rather forward." Anna said.
The words already seemed to be in Young Allison's mind and ready to spring forward on their own. It was like she couldn't stop them. She didn't want to either.
"It's just how everything came out." Young Allison said. "I really don't know why. It was like the words were in my mind already. It makes me wonder why and how it happens."
Anna knew it was the nightly 'conditioning' which did the talking.
"It must be what you want." Anna said.
It made Young Allison wonder sometimes. She didn't really know what she wanted. She did know she wanted to share with the girls. She wanted to share with all of them. She wanted to share with Savannah, Cameron, and Anna. She also wanted to share with CamNet but she couldn't express her secret desire to anyone. She didn't know it was the one thing which really was her own thought and desire. Sometimes she really didn't know what to do.
"It's what someone wants for me." Young Allison said.
Anna didn't want Young Allison to start thinking about it.
"Isn't it what you want?" Anna asked.
It was a little frustrating for Young Allison. Everyone knew what was going to happen and with whom. If it was inevitable, what was everyone waiting for? No, really, why wait for anything else? All of them were ready. Time and years were being wasted. She was more than ready to get 'popped' years ago. She wanted to be with Savannah long before then. There was an awful lot of sexual frustration built up inside of her.
"It's what I want." Young Allison said. "I don't see what I need to wait for, for any of it."
Anna did know the answer to it. She was more than aware the problem didn't reside with Young Allison. She didn't need to be urged forward at all. She needed to be held back.
"You need to wait for the others to catch up to you." Anna said.
Young Allison thought about what she asked and then 'ordered' Anna to do for her. She didn't want her future altered in any way. She didn't trust herself to not alter it herself. She already experimented on herself extensively and was ready for more.
"I don't want my 'order' rescinded." Young Allison said.
Anna wanted to have some clarity based upon some of the other events which occurred without her knowledge in a very clandestine manner.
"Do you mean about who you can 'touch'?" Anna asked. "Or who can 'touch' you?"
Young Allison focused on what she really wanted. She wanted to be with Savannah first. She wanted to be with Savannah now. She wanted to be with Cameron after Savannah. She wanted to be with both of them before she was with John. She wanted to be with Anna and CamNet as well. She didn't care if they were before John either.
"Yes." Young Allison said. "I want to make sure it's Savannah."
Anna wasn't so sure how it could play out. It was the most likely scenario but there was no guarantee. She wanted her to think about one of the other players.
"What about John?" Anna asked.
Young Allison remembered what she told John to think about when he looked at Cameron on their honeymoon.
"I wouldn't worry about him." Young Allison said. "He'll be 'seeing' me sooner than he thinks."
Anna listened to Young Allison put an image into John's head. She thought it was very creative, even if it was rather crude.
"I heard what you did." Anna said. "You made it so he would think it."
Some of the words or statements were a surprise to Young Allison also.
"It just popped into my head too." Young Allison said. "It was like certain words he said caused me to say things back automatically. I didn't even think about it. They just came out."
Anna was sure it was from the nightly 'conditioning'.
"The 'Natural Order' is very dominant." Anna said.
A line popped into Young Allison's head. It was triggered by Anna's statement.
"I'm going to be too." Young Allison said. "See, there's another one. It just came out."
Anna really needed to redirect the conversation. It was getting too close to Young Allison's 'conditioning' at night. She didn't want her to think about it. She received new information before she could speak. She decided to roll with the latest development instead.
"CamNet may have something." Anna said.
Young Allison welcomed a directional change in the conversation. The thoughts which kept popping into her head were rather discomforting. She needed something to refocus her mind. Maybe it just arrived.
"I hope it's a target." Young Allison said. "I want to bring them down if it is."
Anna offered another choice over instant death.
"What if we can capture them?" Anna asked.
Young Allison was ready to get her hands dirty. Doing it under controlled conditions would be even better.
"I want to interrogate them with Sheila." Young Allison said.
It was a 'non starter' for Anna.
"I don't think Cameron will allow it." Anna said.
Young Allison knew she was going to have some independence.
"Cameron will be gone for a week." Young Allison said.
Anna thought about Young Allison's statement for a moment. She was correct John and Cameron would both be gone for a week. It would give Young Allison more flexibility. Not everyone was going to be gone though.
"Savannah won't be." Anna said.
There were ways around it.
"Savannah won't always need to know where I am or what I'm doing." Young Allison said.
Anna thought Young Allison needed some ethics refreshment.
"If you try to do something behind anyone's back, it means you know it's wrong." Anna said. "Otherwise you would do it in front of them. Is it the way you want to be treated by the others? I don't think it is. I wouldn't want to be treated in such a way. I really don't think you would either."
It seemed to Young Allison the future was filled with 'wrong' things.
"I know a lot of what I'm going to do is 'wrong'." Young Allison said. "It's the nature of the future. It is only 'wrong' because someone else thinks it is. How much of what we do is wrong for the future?"
Young Allison knew 'blanket' laws didn't take each individual into account based on their experience or education level. While they may be good for many people, they weren't good for everyone. How many people her 'age' worked and operated on a graduate level? Did any of them deal with the future? How many of them were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of others, if not thousands by now? Not everyone was the same. She wasn't a murderer, but she was definitely a killer.
Some video files popped up from CamNet. Anna reviewed them quickly.
"Here, look." Anna said. "This is how the SUV was attacked."
Anna showed Young Allison a file from CamNet.
"Do we have a hard target?" Young Allison asked.
Anna knew what the new target for the drones was.
"The drone which fired the missile is searching." Anna said.
Young Allison wanted a target, or even better, a captive.
"Would it help if the drone were to drop down in altitude for the search?" Young Allison asked.
Anna wanted moderation.
"It would, but it's unadvisable." Anna said. "Traffic cams or surveillance cameras are where a positive hit on the target will first occur. The drone can be used for tracking them from where it is, at fifty thousand feet."
The urge to seek justice surged through Young Allison.
"As soon as we get a hard target, I want to know." Young Allison said. "I want to know first. Make it clear to everyone, as in John Henry and CamNet. No one else needs to know yet."
Young Allison wanted action and it was going to be decisive. She wanted payback. She wanted blood. She wanted to be the one to make the call. There were a lot of things happening in her head right now and she wanted to get some clarity. She was sure a termination of some type would help her with it.
Closing monologue by Cameron:
Not Always The Case
When the love is strong
After a heart one will chase
They don't really care
What challenges they'll face
It doesn't matter much
If it's through time or space
They don't care or worry
If they're way off base
When love drives one
To enter the race
They don't want to fail
They don't want to feel disgrace
To seek love returned
They search for a trace
They desire desperately
For the first loving embrace
They hope they're the one
That will come in first place
The sad truth about it is
It's not always the case
Nobody