Chapter 1110
Target Identified
Savannah was the pilot on the B-25. Cammy sat next to her as copilot. They were about to take off from Van Nuys Airport.
There was a strong wind blowing from the south. It blew down the length of the runway towards the Mitchell. It would give the B-25 additional lift. There were very strong winds in the Southland often referred to as 'Santa Ana winds'. They usually blew in from the Northeast. Sometimes there were strong winds which blew in from the coast. It was one of those Savannah faced today.
Savannah looked at Cammy sitting next to her. With the strong wind, an idea popped into her head.
Cammy understood right away what Savannah indicated. It was clear what Savannah wanted to do. She nodded. She would be able to give her some additional insight when to take off. She would be able to tell when a wind gust was headed their way.
"I'll tell you when." Cammy said. "I can see the wind sock."
Cameron leaned forward. She understood what was about to happen.
Savannah looked at Cameron and she nodded.
So far no words were spoken as to what was about to occur.
Savannah lined up with runway 16R, usually referred to as One Six Right. The runway was 8,000 feet long. She hoped to only use 270 feet of it or less. She ran the engines up. Everything was smooth and worked perfectly. She was given clearance for take off. She firewalled the throttles as she stood on the brakes.
Cameron wanted Savannah to wait for the optimum moment to take off. She wanted to remind her the engines could take the abuse. She was personally involved in their rebuilding process.
"Keep them revved." Cameron said. "You can push the redline."
Savannah increased the RPM of the engines further as she remained on the brakes.
Cammy watched the wind sock extend to its fullest extent.
"Now…." Cammy said.
Savannah released the brakes. The Mitchell shot forward. The nose wheel was up off the runway in seconds as it thundered down the runway.
Cameron called out the distances.
Cammy watched the gauges and the ground. It would be close.
"Pull up." Cammy said. "Just keep it level once the wheels are up."
Savannah pulled back on the yoke. The B-25 cleared the runway.
"You did it. Don't climb." Cameron said. "Hold it here."
Cameron seemed to indicate she broke Young Allison's unofficial 'record'.
The engines were still at maximum RPM.
There were about three feet off the runway. Savannah was safely past the stall speed and building air speed.
Once the airspeed started to build, Savannah retracted the landing gear. It was clear she wouldn't need to set it back down on the runway. She climbed a little but stayed low past the tower. She took it up to a hundred feet and held it there as she built more airspeed.
As they neared the end of the runway, Savannah went into an aggressive climb to two thousand feet and headed off to the southwest. She purposely didn't overfly the location of the house where Cameron first encountered Riley - Future Riley. She quietly passed word to Young Allison to always turn to the west on a take off from Van Nuys. She didn't want another incident where Cameron attempted to get out of the plane to go find what she 'lost' at the second house. It was more like what Future Riley 'took' than what Cameron 'lost'.
Either way, John needed to take a lot of responsibility for what happened. He was the one who was a willing participant. He was warned by both Cameron and Sarah to let it go. He didn't listen. He let the little head do the thinking for the big head. Future Riley ended up dead in the end. When Future Jesse's convoluted plan fell apart, Future Riley was the one who played the price with her life.
Cameron was satisfied with everything as Savannah cut back on the power once she leveled off. She took up her position in the top turret and began to search for any aircraft around them.
Kyle moved into the nose. He wasn't sure what was happening. Whatever it was, it was awesome. The short take off was incredible. He didn't know Savannah set out to break Young Allison's unofficial 'record'. He actually didn't know about any of it. No one ever said what they were doing.
Derek moved into the tail gun position. The view was very good from back there too, even if the space was a little cramped.
Bob checked everything on both sides of them from the waist gun positions. He didn't think he could fit into the tail gun position easily.
Savannah looked at Cammy and then at Cameron. She was very satisfied with her pilot skills and the performance of the B-25. The short takeoff was a spur of the moment idea since the wind was in her favor.
"Where would you like to go?" Savannah asked.
Cameron looked lovingly at Savannah. She could think of a few responses to her question. She didn't want to upset Cammy or create any misgivings from the Reese brothers. She decided to keep it civil. There was one idea which intrigued her.
"Let's go find the cruise ship." Cameron said. "We're going to be on it tomorrow."
Savannah knew Cameron never gave up. She wanted the trip to be about John and Cameron. She wasn't sure exactly what would happen if she did go and was with both of them. She was pretty sure if she went with them, they would both focus on her and not on each other. It would be totally opposite of what the entire cruise was supposed to be about. She wanted to reiterate exactly what was going to happen and why.
"John and you will be." Savannah said. "It's what I want for both of you. I want you to have a good time with each other. Neither one of you needs any distractions. I won't be going with you two."
Cameron didn't say anything. She wasn't done yet trying to get Savannah to come. She still believed it would be a beautiful honeymoon for the three of them.
She looked forward to spending a lot of time together with John. She wasn't sure if Savannah went with them how much time John would spend with Savannah. She was sure he would want to try it with Savannah as many times as possible since she was someone 'new'. It would actually apply to several things which were 'new'. It also crossed her mind Savannah may not enjoy or want what John had to offer. She was aware of what the natural preference for every Savannah Weaver was. It wasn't males. It might turn into something awkward since Savannah would be 'trapped' on the ship with John and her. If Savannah only concentrated on her, John would be left as 'odd man' out. Since she didn't sleep, she would be able to squeeze time in for John when Savannah rested.
Cameron wanted to share with Savannah. She wanted to do it for years. Ever since she was reactivated after being repaired, she seriously considered being with a female. She actually thought it was going to be Vanna. She didn't know where John was at, or if he was still alive at the time. Since she was incapable of reproduction, it didn't matter if her mate was male or female. She was a machine. Her sheath exhibited female attributes, but she was still a machine. Everything changed when Allison was sent back from the alternate future. Vanna now had Allison, and she needed to go find John.
She knew Future Savannah shared with Future John, but most of the time she actually shared with Future Allison. It was probably the best she could hope for from Savannah as well. It only reiterated the fact Young Allison needed to be ready sooner so if things didn't work out as she hoped, Savannah and Young Allison would be able to be with each other most of the time. As much as she wanted Savannah or Young Allison to go on the cruise with John and her, she thought maybe it would be better if Savannah and Young Allison established their relationship first. She didn't want either one of them to focus on her and not the other one. She suppressed a glitch impulse as she thought about it. There were so many things she wanted to happen, but it seemed timing was important on all of them. Right now the timing was off for everything.
As much as she wanted to push Future John's agenda, which everyone seemed to view as her agenda, even if it wasn't, she did feel a certain amount of guilt, regret, and remorse. She didn't want to make the girls, especially Savannah, need to do things they didn't really want to do. She would be satisfied if they at least try it one time. A few times would probably be better. She knew there would be some discomfort at first, just by the nature of things. It shouldn't be too bad for Savannah since she already delivered two children. It would still be a new experience in more than one way.
CamNet informed Cameron where the cruise ship was at and what its heading and speed were.
Cameron gave Savannah a set of coordinates once they were past the coastline. Savannah checked her map and adjusted her heading. She pointed to a spot where the ship was and where she anticipated intercepting it at. Cammy nodded. The calculation was correct.
Savannah wasn't really sure why Cameron wanted to see the cruise ship today if she was going to be on it tomorrow. She was sure it was another attempt to make her want to go on the cruise with them. She could see the luxury and opulence of the ship from when they spotted it earlier. She watched all the YouTube videos from other passengers on the ship as well as ships from other cruise line companies.
She wasn't used to the level of luxury available to the first class passengers. It wasn't a term they really used anymore, but it did apply to all of the passengers with suites. There was an extra level of service and amenities available to them the regular passengers with cabins didn't get. Her life was simple, even if her love life was complicated. She shared with a lot of females in two futures, as well as the present. It was with both human girls and Metal girls. It also included some of the same individuals as Duplicates from the TDE incident.
Currently, those in the Mitchell were unaware of the events transpiring on the ground. There was no need to cause them any worry or anxiety about the events as they unfolded.
Young Allison wanted to know exactly how the stolen SUV was targeted for destruction. Whoever did it was still out there. She wanted them terminated, or taken into custody for interrogation. She didn't really care which one would happen. Whoever was responsible was going to pay one way or another.
Anna waited for CamNet or John Henry to provide them with the information. It didn't take long.
"CamNet has the target identified." Anna said.
There were several images of two people on a motorcycle. At a stoplight, the passenger reached down and placed something under the right side of the SUV near the fuel tank. The motorcycle took off and made a right hand turn away from the SUV before the light turned green. They pulled in front of an oncoming car and were almost involved in a traffic accident. It was clear they wanted to be away from the vehicle once the bomb was armed.
It was two blocks later when the SUV exploded.
Young Allison was satisfied they knew who the culprits were. The fact there were actually two of them on the motorcycle added another layer of mystery to everything. She also realized it increased the chances of taking a live prisoner.
"Do we know where they are now?" Young Allison asked.
Anna wanted them too. She wanted them terminated. She didn't want Young Allison to 'get her hands dirty' with an interrogation, especially if Sheila was involved. More than likely Sheila would be even more extreme than usual as Young Allison egged her on. She didn't want those images in Young Allison's mind. She didn't want the blood of the individual on Young Allison's hands, quite literally.
"CamNet has tracked them at several intersections. The drone is being directed where to search since we know what we're looking for." Anna said. "I recommend termination."
Young Allison planned to act, but she wanted John Henry in the loop.
"As soon as we find them, I want you to notify John Henry." Young Allison said. "You can fill him in now with what we know."
Anna verified there were still two teams out.
"Al and Mel are out, so are Jim and the girls." Anna said. "They haven't returned yet. Remember we suspect this group is involved with the Fanatics. We don't know who they are specifically."
Young Allison understood the group of Fanatics was unsafe to approach directly. She didn't want to jump the gun and act too early. She didn't want any of the teams to do the same thing either. If the group on the motorcycle carried one bomb with them earlier, there was a good chance they probably carried more.
"I'm aware of it." Young Allison said. "Make sure the two teams know specifically they're not to engage."
Anna thought it was something Young Allison would want to happen.
"Why don't you want them to deal with the enemy?" Anna asked. "They can eliminate the threat."
Young Allison felt the attackers could see the driver of the SUV that was blown up wasn't a Gray or from the Resistance. She believed the Fanatics wanted to make a point. It appeared they wanted to send a message to whoever they believed was stalking them they were aware of their surroundings.
"The motorcycle riders must have seen the gang member driving the SUV and knew they weren't involved. They wanted to send a message to us." Young Allison said. "I sent one back. I'm about to send another."
Anna was worried about an ambush. If the motorcycle riders were able to identify the vehicle and locate it, they may not be done with whatever else they were doing. Based upon Young Allison's assessment, the motorcycle riders were aware whoever was originally in the SUV was in another vehicle now. The motorcycle riders may hope the occupants of the different vehicle followed them, so they could lead them into an ambush.
"Do you think they're setting a trap?" Anna asked.
It was 'a given' to Young Allison at this point. She figured the motorcycle was still out on the street to draw more of them closer to be targeted. They never spotted the motorcycle leave the building they blew up. It most likely meant the motorcycle came from another location, or was already out on the street. It could have been on patrol around the area as far as they knew. The trouble was, they didn't know. They knew very little. If there was another location nearby, it posed a threat as well.
"Yes." Young Allison said. "I don't want to get any of our forces stuck in an ambush. They may lead some of our group into a LAW rocket or TOW missile attack. They could also throw a bomb in a window."
Anna thought it seemed plausible for the Fanatics.
"It's wise thinking under the current conditions." Anna said. "They can be very erratic."
Young Allison wanted an advantage before they moved in on the pair of motorcycle riders. She didn't want to lose them. She didn't want them to escape. She would take precautions to make sure it didn't happen. The two individuals on the motorcycle weren't going to get away.
"I want them locked up with a missile from a drone and we'll try to follow them to a destination." Young Allison said. "I want to 'burn' them if they try to evade us."
Anna felt there may be challenges along the way. There were various ways the motorcycle riders could try to avoid them.
"They may attempt to elude us in a parking structure." Anna said. "They may try to draw us in."
Young Allison didn't want their people caught in a sucker play. She understood the threat.
"They could try to trap one of our vehicles in one as it tries to follow it." Young Allison said. "I don't want anyone to get stuck or take chances. The driver of the motorcycle could let the rider off at any point as well. If it even looks like the rider is going to get off of the motorcycle, we need to act to prevent them from going far."
Anna received new information from CamNet.
"The target has been acquired." Anna said.
It was good news to Young Allison. Retribution was on the way.
"Stay with them. Lock them up. We're not losing them." Young Allison said. "Notify John Henry of everything we discussed."
Young Allison planned to take them down one way or another. They weren't going to get away after sending them a message. She saw nothing wrong with killing the messenger. It was better to face as many of the enemy they could now, rather than in a different arena where they may hold the advantage.
Anna tracked the pair. She glanced at Young Allison. She felt Young Allison was going to do a missile strike on a city street. She would make sure John and John Henry knew what was about to happen. It would be up to them to rein Young Allison in.
Young Allison could tell Anna was uncomfortable with her decision. It didn't matter. There was a job to be done and she was going to make sure it was done. The two individuals who specifically targeted their group were going to pay a price for their transgression. She wanted to keep collateral damage to a minimum. The two on the motorcycle weren't about to get away unscathed.
There were certain things which needed to be considered. Skynet, or one of its illegitimate offshoots like SkyMaster, would be responsible for billions of deaths around the globe if it took over. There may be a few innocent individuals who might get caught up in their actions, specifically her actions. Sometimes they would need to be a trade off for the greater good. It was a line she was willing to cross.
Earlier:
John looked back one more time as he quickly moved away from Claire and Jesse. He literally bumped into Claire when he came out of the Command Center earlier. He inadvertently touched one of her breasts when he did. He was sure it would be viewed as he 'copped a feel'.
He made a quick retreat to his room. He thought about locking the door as he entered, but he didn't. In fact, he didn't even close the door tight. If Jesse or Claire wanted to join him in his room, he wasn't going to turn them down. Cameron told him on multiple occasions it was what she wanted him to do. He wondered if he would feel a little guilty or not since he was going on a Honeymoon Cruise with Cameron tomorrow. He decided he would take whatever action he could get and worry about the rest later.
He was still rather stimulated from his earlier call with Young Allison. He was more than willing to be with anyone who was available right now if it's what they really wanted.
He used the restroom and exited back into the main part of the room. He was a little disappointed to see it was empty. He was ready for some action. Unfortunately Cameron wasn't around either. He reentered the bathroom and made sure he looked presentable. If he ran into any of the girls, he wanted to look his best. There was always the hope someone would make a move.
He decided to go the long way back to the Command Center. It would take him by all of the girls' rooms if he did. He might run into Claire and Jesse again. He could also run into Vanna and Allison. If any of them invited him into their room, he was going to enter.
Wait.
What would happen if Riley were to see him and invite him into her room? Derek was currently away. Would he go ahead and knock one off?
Wait.
What was he thinking? It seemed like a lot of wishful thinking on his part. He turned around and went back to the Command Center the normal way. He was sure it was his sexual, non-sexual, conversation with Young Allison which threw him off. It seemed to trigger responses in him, he didn't expect to be triggered. He didn't know it was part of his 'nightly conditioning' to respond to those things.
John Henry was pleased to see John return to the Command Center.
"You came back early." John Henry said.
John figured he probably never should have left in the first place. He hoped they could identify who carried out the attack. It could have been against one of their active vehicles instead of one they dumped. He felt the only reason why someone attacked the vehicle they abandoned was because they didn't know where they were at or in what vehicle they were currently in. He felt it was justification for another vehicle change on everyone's part.
"Have you found anything yet?" John asked.
John Henry came up empty.
"No." John Henry said.
John hoped they could find who did it and how the SUV was attacked specifically. He was sure Young Allison was doing the same thing. He wondered if she found out before he did if she would act on her own or attempt to contact him. He realized time may become an issue if they were about to go off of the grid.
John waited a little bit before he asked again.
"I hate to keep asking." John said.
John Henry received a report from CamNet. It was good news.
"CamNet has them." John Henry said.
John was pleased at the news.
CamNet decided to send John Henry all of the information at Anna's request.
John Henry filled John in on everything discussed in the Young bunker and why.
John liked everything he heard out of the Young bunker so far. He understood the need for caution as well.
"It's all sound thinking." John said. "My instinct is to try and take them down. It may lead to an ambush against our forces."
Anna updated John Henry.
"They're locked up right now with a missile." John Henry said. "It can be fired at any time."
John didn't want it. He was worried about the collateral damage. He was sure it would spark some type of investigation as well, especially if any innocent bystanders were injured.
"I'm not going to authorize a missile strike on a city street." John said. "It looks like Young Allison isn't going to either."
John Henry wasn't so sure of it. He didn't think she would hesitate like John if she felt action was necessary.
"How do you know?" John Henry asked.
John quickly deduced what Young Allison was up to. He began to understand her better.
"She would have already done it." John said. "She's thinking strategic, not tactical now. She has the option open to her to use a missile at any time. She wants to see where they go. It could be something bigger than we anticipated. We still don't know who attacked the vehicle. I'm talking about the particular group. We currently suspect the Fanatics, but we don't know that for sure. One of the other groups could be emulating their tactics to throw suspicion off of them as they attack the other group or groups."
John Henry searched for a companion vehicle which may be working in concert with the motorcycle to set up an ambush.
"I'm checking for other vehicles following any similar traffic patterns as the motorcycle." John Henry said. "Maybe we can identify them first."
John wanted to get ahead on things. He wanted to make sure his troops had plenty of mobility. He thought it would be best if they obtained another vehicle.
"If we can identify a vehicle, then it's our new target." John said. "Have Jim keep one of the girls and the other three can acquire new transportation and form a third team."
John wanted more flexibility and to keep the strength up on the teams. He didn't want anyone to operate alone. The extra pair of eyes could help search for additional threats in case one of the team's vehicles was targeted.
John Henry filled in the two teams still in the area with updates on what was happening.
Jim looked back at the Metal girls.
"John wants a third team in play." Jim said.
Sheila was ready for some action. Maybe they could get a live one for her to 'play' with. If they did, she was going to clandestinely contact Young Allison to see if she wanted to be there for the 'party'. Young Allison made it clear to her before she was ready to up her game. She would be more than willing to accommodate her on any level.
"This is getting fun." Sheila said. "We get to boost another vehicle."
Gail was still upset how the other girls treated her earlier. She didn't like them being condescending and to make fun of her. She knew they weren't being serious, but it still bothered her. She could understand how Cameron was affected when the others said things to her like they did, but they actually meant them. No wonder she was messed up. She really didn't need to hear any more of it today. She believed Jim would treat her with a little more respect than the other Metal girls did.
"I'll remain with Jim." Gail said. "I think you three would rather be one team. Who wants a 'stiff', right?"
Ally felt bad about it. She could see Gail took everything a little too seriously.
"We didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry, Gail." Ally said. "I'll stay with Jim. You can go with Sheila and Hanna."
Sheila looked at Ally but didn't say anything.
Hanna could see Sheila wanted to remain with Ally. She was aware, like everyone else, they were sweet on each other, even if they never wanted to admit it.
"I can stay with Jim and Gail." Hanna said. "You two can make up the other team."
Sheila didn't want to upset Gail. She would own the transgression. She felt she was the one who instigated it and pushed it.
"It was my mouth which caused the problem." Sheila said. "I'll stay with Gail and Jim."
Gail was good for now. She may not be as advanced as them, but she did have feelings. They should remember it. They should also remember it with the male Terminators. They were all much more developed now than they were when they were first activated.
"We're good, Jim and I." Gail said. "I know you were only joking. Even if it doesn't seem like it, I have feelings too. Words matter when they're cruel as much as they do when they're loving. You three can be one team. It's time for the 'Three Musketeers' ride again."
The Metal girls all apologized to Gail before they left. They all promised to make it up to her. They didn't want to be 'mean girls'. They didn't want to be mean to one of their own. The niceness didn't apply to the enemy. Watch out for anybody they were able to get their hands on related to this matter. They were going to pay and they were going to pay big time.
Jim stopped and let Sheila and Ally out. They boosted a new SUV. They took off and stopped behind a building. Hanna got out and was ready with a few of the weapons to transfer over to the new vehicle. Sheila and Ally pulled up behind them. It didn't take very long at all.
The two teams separated.
Sheila, Ally, and Hanna were now in a new set of wheels along with their share of the weapons.
Both teams were ready for action. They all wanted some payback.
The more John thought about Young Allison's plan, the more he liked it.
"I don't want any of the teams to follow the motorcycle directly." John said. "Young Allison is right."
The fact the motorcycle still remained in the area raised a red flag. It hadn't gone off to an alternate location or tried to hide. They stuck around the area like flypaper waiting to catch a fly. It was most likely they didn't know the vehicles the teams had transferred to. They didn't have a clear cut target yet.
"The motorcycle should be long gone from the area." John Henry said.
John Henry checked the track of the motorcycle on the satellite overlay map.
John was aware of the implication and didn't care for it.
"I agree." John said. "They're on a wide circling maneuver."
John Henry could see John was worried. He thought John should make direct communication and work out a plan with Young Allison.
"You can always call her." John Henry said.
John looked at John Henry for a long moment. He carefully chose his words. He indicated he didn't want to bother Cameron.
"Cameron's busy." John said. "I don't want to disturb her. She needs to have some free time every now and then. She shouldn't be troubled with every little detail about what we do."
Getting Cameron involved was the last thing John wanted to do. She would most likely want to become part of it if there was some type of 'challenge'. It appeared to be exactly what it was right now.
John Henry could see John missed the real question.
"I wasn't talking about Cameron." John Henry said.
John swallowed hard when he realized what John Henry actually meant. He wasn't sure he wanted to call Young Allison. He was still a little unsettled about the previous call. He was still a little miffed at how easily she could 'control' him.
"Do you mean you want me to call Young Allison?" John asked.
John wanted to deflect the question.
John Henry was sure John knew all along. He wondered if John was still flustered about his earlier call and conversation with Young Allison. He didn't hear what it was about but it was clear John was disturbed by whatever was discussed.
"I think you know who I meant." John Henry said.
John knew. He didn't want to go there. He wasn't used to being on the defensive with a phone call. He was actually glad the encounter didn't happen in person.
"I guess I did." John said.
John Henry was contacted by CamNet and referred to Anna. He listened to the proposal and offered a solution to John at Anna's urging.
"You can always let Young Allison run lead on this one." John Henry said. "It seems it's going to happen soon enough once you're on the cruise ship."
John knew there would be more deaths associated with the operation. He didn't want it on Young Allison's conscience. He was another one who didn't understand the deaths of their enemies didn't bother her.
"I don't want to put too much pressure on her and make her feel like she's in over her head." John said. "There are too many unknowns."
John Henry didn't see it as anything new. It seemed to be something they faced on a regular basis.
"When aren't there too many unknowns?" John Henry asked.
It was something John wondered about. There seemed to be very little they knew until they knew it. They always seem to be on the tail end of someone else's operation. He needed to concede it was probably a better solution than them being the actual target.
Vanna worked in the lab with Allison. It was like old times again. Things seemed good all around. Cam and Holly arrived and worked on several other projects. Holly called Allison over several times to assist her.
Cam drifted over to Vanna. She looked back to make sure Holly and Allison were out of earshot. There was a sensitive subject which needed to be addressed. By bringing it up herself, it put negative pressure on her.
"Holly is very insecure about Allison." Cam said.
Vanna was afraid it would happen. She wanted Cam to spend more 'alone time' with Holly. She hoped Holly would have seen 'Allison' in Cam. It should have soothed her some. Maybe being with Cam made her miss Allison more.
"Have you been 'comforting' her like I suggested?" Vanna asked.
Cam did as Vanna wanted. She did it mainly because she wanted to be with Holly herself. She thought Holly was beautiful. She could only change Holly's focus for a limited time.
"I have." Cam said. "When we 'finish', the worry starts all over again."
Vanna wanted to make things clear. She knew they would affect Cam too at some point if they hadn't already.
"I know you understand this because I've talked with you about it so much." Vanna said. "Allison is MY lover and mate."
Cam always knew this day would come. She heard how things were many times, including from the beginning.
"You've told me from the start." Cam said. "Allison is to come first in your life."
Vanna wanted to justify their relationship. Previously she came to the conclusion her body was completely worthless after it became clear she wouldn't be able to carry a pregnancy past the first trimester. Cameron opened a new door for her. Her exposure and ability to nurse Precious reinforced what her true desire was.
"I have a new purpose in her life now when Allison has her baby." Vanna said. "I can help her raise it. I'm going to help her raise it. It's something we talked about on and off over the years."
She knew they were times when Allison attempted 'breeding sex' in the past, the future. It wasn't something she could condone, but she tolerated it anyway. She wasn't going to do it herself. If Allison could get pregnant and have a baby, they would raise it together.
Cam didn't think the news would go over well. Holly told her what her desires were in the same regard as well. She thought part of it was actually Allison's fault.
"Holly wants it too. She feels it's her rightful place." Cam said. "Allison hasn't been as direct with Holly as you've been with me. I believe she's given Holly too much false hope over the years. It's all going to come back and cause a problem. It already has."
Vanna didn't see how someone wouldn't be hurt or made to feel they were 'not good enough'. Everything was very complicated with the additional partners. For much of their lives it was just the two of them. Currently it was the four of them.
"I know it's going to cause a problem." Vanna said.
Cam would hang on to whatever she could. She didn't want to lose Vanna either. She didn't believe it mattered what any earlier arrangement was. That was then, this was now.
"I don't have a problem with the four of us together. Holly is beautiful and a wonderful Terminator. Well, actually she's a Restorator." Cam said. "She is very loving and positive."
Cam wondered if it was because Holly never had Skynet on her chip. Then again, she was created by Mrs. Weaver. She could end up being her own version of Skynet as well. So far there hadn't been any indication of trouble from the Restorators who were sent back.
Vanna could see it for what it was becoming. She wanted to address the issue and try to quell whatever fears she could.
"You're BOTH afraid we're going to dump you." Vanna said. "I can tell."
Vanna saw Cam's hand start to glitch.
Cam and Holly shared the same 'fear'. They both thought Vanna and Allison would 'throw them away'. They both knew how Cameron felt about the same thing. Cam ran a modified version of Cameron's program. Holly shared fifteen months with Duplicate Cameron on her chip. They were both well acquainted with Cameron's fears and worries. They felt very justified to feel those as well.
"I'm very worried about it and so is Holly." Cam said.
Vanna took Cam's glitching hand. She placed it on her neck. She wasn't about to give Cam up or abandon her.
"Nobody's going anywhere." Vanna said. "You're not going to be discarded. I'm not going to do it to you. Allison isn't going to do it to Holly. We're all going to make this work."
Cam didn't want to be rejected and 'thrown away'. She could tell Vanna was sincere. It didn't surprise her at all because Vanna was always sincere to her. She wanted Vanna to know how they felt.
"I hope so." Cam said. "We're both worried stiff."
Vanna thought there was plenty of selection so no one needed to ever feel alone.
"We're in a tight community with plenty to share for everyone." Vanna said. "At the end of the day we all know where we belong and to whom, even if we need to share. We know our loyalties and who has been at our side when we needed someone multiple times. It will never be forgotten on all counts."
Cam wasn't so sure about anything anymore. She loved Vanna as much as Holly loved Allison. She wasn't really sure 'machine love' would be able to compete with 'human love' in the end.
Jesse and Claire worked with Summer. Jan joined them later on. Usually it was one of the Metal girls who did most of the instruction.
Claire was afraid she became a slacker and neglected her traditional motherly duties. There was sex whenever she wanted it, as often as she wanted it. She was like a schoolgirl who just found out how her private parts could make her feel when others were involved. The excitement and enjoyment level was many times greater than a solo experience.
She spent a lot of time in her bedroom in Palmdale with Hanna and Holly, as well as any other female visitors who stopped by, which seemed to happen frequently. Now the selection was four times greater all the time. She didn't need to look for a partner. They were literally lined up waiting for her. She never really considered sex was used to 'control' her. The thought did cross her mind a few times.
"I can see how much I've slacked off as a mother." Claire said.
Jesse felt Claire was a good mother. She always feared she wouldn't be. Prior to tending to Precious, Jesse never took the thought of having a child seriously. She did wonder more than a few times why she never ended up pregnant. She experienced missing 'monthlies' on multiple occasions, but attributed it to poor nutrition. They always picked back up again after a few months.
"You're a wonderful mother." Jesse said. "I hope to learn from you if I ever become a mother. I'm the one who will be a poor mother. I'll seek your help. I'll want your help. I'll need your help."
Claire thought Jesse would rise to the challenge. To see her with Precious was proof of it. She felt the same way when Allison was born. She knew other female acquaintances experience the same apprehension and worry. Most of them rose up to meet the challenge. There were some who couldn't.
"I think you'll do just fine." Claire said. "I've seen you with Precious. You're wonderful with her."
Jesse did feel there was certain contentment to it.
"I do have to admit a lot seems to come naturally when you start doing it." Jesse said. "I still can't believe I'm nursing an infant and I enjoy it and everything associated with it."
Jesse absentmindedly touched her breasts. They were both still a little depleted. She seemed to be able to recover quickly.
Claire felt motherly instincts were hardwired into all of them as females. It seemed to be the way it was for the majority of creatures. There were always some 'bad mothers' among them. The majority of them did their job and looked after their young. They were very defensive of them, especially predators. Humans were predators.
"Somehow you'll always know what to do, when you need to." Claire said. "With all the girls and Terminators around, everything is a million times easier."
There were several ways around Jesse's problem. One was Young Jesse the other was her mother. Her mother should be able to carry her child for her. Claire did it for Allison. She even went into Cameron's future to deliver a baby for Future Allison there. It was quite evident after all the assistance from Cameron and specialists, her body was incapable of carrying a pregnancy to term.
"Maybe I'll ask my mother." Jesse said. "To help me…."
Jesse knew she could try to donate the genetic material and hope for the best, which was a failure on her part every time. She didn't want Young Jesse to have to give up a child to her. She could ask Young Jesse to donate as well. Her mother could carry her embryo too. She wasn't sure she wanted offspring tied directly to her. She didn't want any of the bad or evil to pass on.
Claire's statement reaffirmed her desire to use her mother.
"As a mother, I would rather be a surrogate than have my daughter need to have a baby and give it to someone." Claire said. "It would be tough. I know it affected Savannah greatly, even if the second time she planned to give it to Future Savannah from the start."
Jesse felt at a loss often in this unfamiliar territory.
"I don't know what to do sometimes." Jesse said.
Claire knew where Jesse needed to turn.
"Talk to Cameron." Claire said. "She'll make happen, whatever you want to happen."
The look of love filled Jesse's eyes.
"Cameron is the greatest…." Jesse said.
By the look in Jesse's eyes and face it was clear she was deeply in love with Cameron.
Claire saw it. She saw it in all of the girls and in herself too. They all loved Cameron.
Maybe it was their love for Cameron that drove all of them.
Nobody ever considered it might be part of Cameron's 'job', and Cameron used sex to control all of them. The fact Cameron herself was never part of the sex only made them all desire her more. Cammy and Cam were available whenever they were wanted, but they were still not Cameron, even if they were identical. They were both identical clones of Cameron, along with Camille.
It appeared Cameron always held an Ace to play whenever she would need to play it with any of them. It included all of the human females as well as the Metal girls. In reality it included all of the humans, and all of the cyborgs, both male and female.
Closing monologue by Cameron:
Target Identified
Where in a person
Does one actually reside
Is it really something
That one can confide
At what point do reality
And desire eventually collide
Is there anywhere to run
Is there anywhere to hide
Why is it when two are close
It causes between them a divide
When things start to go wrong
All the problems are amplified
Each other's soul hardens
Their heart becomes fortified
Why is one's own fate
The other allowed to decide
Are life's rules
Ever fairly applied
It seems some have given up
Before they've even tried
Whatever happened to love
That was once a landslide
The fact it was there
Can never be denied
Does it matter to anyone
Who can actually provide
Or does it always end the same
With a new target identified
Nobody