Chapter 1207
Hasty Retreat
Steve and Tom conducted an operation for CamNet. It led them to their current location. It was the site of a previous Resistance operation. Their operation was turned over to John Henry. They needed to check out some activity at the old newspaper plant. It was where their current lead took them. Some of the security equipment left there picked up a hit. The indication was someone was inside the building.
Steve didn't like loose ends.
"I didn't expect to need to return here." Steve said.
Tom didn't like having to come back there.
"Me either." Tom said. "They should have torn this place down or burnt it."
Tom thought about doing it now anyway.
Steve knew why they left it up. It was the same with the port facility which was an issue yesterday.
"You know John Henry and CamNet are always looking for a lead." Steve said. "It's something Cameron wants too."
They both knew if Cameron wasn't on the ship. It would be her who would be where they were right now. Almost certainly Savannah would be with her. It was better they faced the danger now, if there was any, rather than Savannah needing to do it later. They were sure it was one of the reasons why their previous operation was conducted through CamNet only.
Tom was aware there were a few other possibilities, other than enemy activity, which could have triggered the alert at the old newspaper plant.
"I hope this turns out to be a homeless person, or a hobo who fell off a train and looked for a warmer place to spend the night." Tom said. "Maybe it will be some kind of animal."
They both doubted it. It was too coincidental. Their previous lead indicated where they were at now was the target's destination.
"It most likely will be neither." Steve said. "It still seems highly unusual the hit was picked up inside of the building as the person we tailed neared it."
They may be in combat soon. They were able to avoid it earlier.
"Then we'll need to deal with Grays or Terminators." Tom said.
Steve knew the two groups Cameron seemed to have a special dislike for.
"Don't forget the Fanatics or anti-Metal faction." Steve said. "There's no way to know until we engage them. It could still be in question even if we do."
They all sounded like trouble to Tom. They dealt with two or three of them earlier. They really didn't know. He hoped they were through with the Syndicate. He didn't even know if he should mention them or not.
"I don't know which group is worse." Tom said.
Steve did. The answer spoke for itself.
"They're all equally worthless." Steve said. "All of them are a threat to the Future and the present. The only cure for the enemy is termination."
Due to the unknown nature of the threat, they parked a third of a mile away from the target location They moved in on foot. They followed the railroad tracks. There was a lot of debris along both sides of the track. They hoped they didn't encounter any rail gangs. There were more of them roaming the rails. Most of them were in the country illegally from south of the border which also included individuals from Central America, and even South America. Each of the gangs tended to cluster with others from their country of origin. They seemed to dislike each other as much as they did those in their host country.
Steve really wasn't sure why individuals who dislike something so much would remain where they were. If they thought it was better where they came from, there was nothing to prevent them from returning. If they didn't like where they left from, why would they try to make where they arrived the same way? It was completely illogical.
It was still dark out. It would be sunrise soon. They crossed over the small bridge over the flood control channel and headed for the gate over the railroad siding. It seemed the least likely approach to be challenged or ambushed on. There were several other approaches they could have used. The most clandestine approach would have used the flood control channel like Cam did before. They were unfamiliar where it went when it went underground. It would also take them longer.
They were going to check the perimeter first and look for open doors or other points of entry as they progressed. They weren't exactly sure what they would find. They both kept their coms open and their body cams on.
They were ready to pull their weapons at a moment's notice. It was almost sunrise. There was most likely a termination on the horizon as well. It was the start of a new day. It would probably be the first of more than a few terminations.
Earlier:
Cameron was with Jim in the Control Center on the ship. She updated with everything which occurred at both bases and the Young residence. She also followed up on any of the ongoing operations and recons. There was a long term surveillance location which developed a hit. She was unaware of the operation Steve and Tom conducted earlier for CamNet. Both of those events seemed to be headed towards each other, even if she didn't know it. What she did know was disturbing enough.
"I don't like the new development." Cameron said. "Why was there a hit inside of the building?"
After the activity at the port yesterday, it was too coincidental. She hoped it wasn't anything related to the Syndicate. It was doubtful it was, but they didn't know. It could always be Grays of either type, or the anti-Metal faction.
Jim was provided with an update.
"Steve and Tom are there." Jim said. "They will find out what's going on."
Cameron was a little surprised Steve and Tom were there so quickly. It made her wonder what they were doing previously. It would be something she could look into later on. She checked the time. She now needed to face a new worry.
It was the same worry CamNet went through during the night. She wanted to keep Savannah and the Metal girls at the Resistance base for as long as possible. Steve and Tom were able to handle everything else with no problem.
"Savannah will be up soon. Once she finds out about this, she'll want to go and check it out." Cameron said. "I'd rather she take some time off."
Jim knew she would be protected. There should be plenty of Terminators there to assist her.
"Cammy will be with her." Jim said. "Others should be available as well."
Cameron looked at the monitors and frowned.
"I want Savannah to spend time with Young Allison." Cameron said.
Cameron knew Savannah was going to see CamNet too. She didn't like it, but understood what Savannah was doing and why. She was humanizing CamNet. It was a way to make CamNet more than a feelingless machine. She remembered what it was like to be stuck in a server. It was like prison. Vanna fixed her chassis and repaired her sheath and made her whole again. She was eternally grateful for it. She didn't like the way John left her destroyed, needlessly. Now she was sorry she thought about it. It would trouble her the rest of the morning. It troubled her every time she thought about it.
It made her think of something else which always troubled her. Vanna repaired her sheath. She could never get Vanna to repair her own body. She tried multiple times to have the scar removed from Vanna's body. It would restore her beauty. She already contacted the best specialists in the country and could have them flown in at any time. She didn't need to get distracted right now. She still felt there was a debt to be paid.
She didn't want Savannah and CamNet to progress the relationship too far. She thought it would happen anyway. It was inevitable. It was something she previously would have avoided at all costs. Right now, if it kept Savannah out of combat for even a little while, she was willing to allow it to happen. She was well aware sacrifice was the true test of love. In a bed, was better than dead. She would rather have Savannah in CamNet's arms rather than dodging bullets and dealing with explosions. It was much the same conclusion Cammy arrived at earlier. It was strange how something mattered, until it didn't.
Jim needed to attend to some other duties at this time.
"I need to get the food carts ready for the rooms." Jim said.
Cameron didn't see a problem. Everything should be ordered.
"Sheila will assist you." Cameron said.
It was better than just one individual for Jim. He would have a lot of help. It was more than he expected.
"All the girls said they'd help. We can do everyone's room at the same time." Jim said. "I want to start out with the coffee and juice carts first. I want to get those in the rooms ten minutes ahead of the food. Will give everyone a chance to wake up and get acclimated to the morning. I'll then have the food arrive ten minutes before sunrise. We can serve the couples and make everything nice for them."
Jim glanced in back of Cameron at some of his additional help.
Gail and Holly were there now.
"I'll assist with Derek and Riley." Holly said.
Holly and Gail stood in back of them as they watched everything. They waited for their instructions.
"I can take the food cart for Sarah and Kyle, or I can assist Holly." Gail said.
Jim remembered Sarah wanted him to check on her personally.
"I'll do the coffee and juice first." Jim said. "Sarah asked me to look in on her. I told her I would."
Cameron wondered where Sheila was at in all of this. It should be part of her function since she was the 'maid'. She hoped there wasn't a relapse from the incident earlier in the morning. The events which occurred during the 'Witching Hour' were very troubling. She wanted to make sure there wasn't a problem.
"Where's Sheila?" Cameron asked.
Jim didn't think an explanation was necessary after last night.
Holly gave one anyway.
"She's with Ally and Hanna." Holly said. "They wanted to make sure she was OK."
Gail knew there were several reasons.
"They didn't want to let her out of their sight." Gail said. "It's an effective strategy."
Cameron wanted John to see more of Sheila in their room. She indicated to John last night he was with her in Sheila's chassis. She actually wasn't. It was her chassis. She wanted to fool him. She thought she did because of the way she did it. He didn't protest or make a big deal about it. It was a good thing. It was always an issue before. She still felt upset he wouldn't be with her in Isabel's or Metal Summer's chassis. She planned to rectify both of those missed opportunities if she could. Right now her focus was on Sheila's chassis.
"I want Sheila to take the coffee and juice cart into my room." Cameron said.
Jim wondered how long Cameron would stay. Being in the Control Center wasn't what she was supposed to do. She put the operation before John. He didn't know if he should say anything or not. He would try a subtle approach.
"Are you going to return to John?" Jim asked.
Cameron blew him off. She knew what her priorities were supposed to be. She also needed to be concerned about the others in the Resistance. The potential for some type of action was at the forefront if the old newspaper plant was involved. She knew if things got carried away, Savannah was going to be drug into it. She needed to acknowledge what Jim said. He was correct in reminding her of what her priorities were.
"Yes. I'll see John soon. First I want to see what Steve and Tom have discovered so far." Cameron said. "This may be important and seems like a new threat. This is why we didn't destroy the building. One group or another must still want something there we missed. I don't think we'll face only one enemy there."
Cameron was sure there was more to the old newspaper plant than they found previously. She didn't know what it was. She felt it was more than met the eye. She was sure they were still boxcars of HK equipment hidden in buildings around the Southland. She wasn't sure there were any still on trains moving around. It was always a possibility. Now there was one additional worry for her to think of.
Jim checked a security monitor.
"The coffee and juice carts are on the way." Jim said.
Cameron was aware he would soon need to resume his duties as steward. She wanted to make sure the room service was flawless. She didn't want any problems. It would also give her a valid excuse to remain in the Control Center a little longer.
"Go get everyone ready." Cameron said. "I'll monitor this position."
Holly wanted to dress appropriately. She liked the way Sheila looked in her maid's outfit. She hadn't been able to try one on yet herself. It seemed like the right time to her.
"Do we get to wear maid's outfits too?" Holly asked.
Cameron didn't see why not.
"If there are enough of them available you can." Cameron said.
Cameron hoped CamNet ordered some more especially for Gail's and Holly's bigger bust size. She didn't know Gail already made some modifications. She didn't know Gail and Holly just wanted to get her 'official' approval to wear them.
Holly and Gail hurried out to head to Sheila's room. They were very excited about their new upcoming duty. It was certainly better than dealing with the lowlifes of the underworld and the enemies of the Resistance.
Jim got up to follow them out.
Cameron wanted some things to happen specifically. She didn't want to actually do them herself. She believed Jim understood what she wanted to happen.
"Ally and Hanna can assist Sheila with the suites." Cameron said. "I'll let you make the specific assignments. You probably know better who and what will work where and when. I haven't followed things too closely with the duty of those aboard the ship. I do appreciate it immensely."
Jim and Cameron shared a long silent look. He understood what was necessary.
"I'll take care of it." Jim said as he departed.
Cameron checked the time again. She stood up to leave.
She wanted to be there when John woke up.
It looked like things might start to heat up for Steve and Tom. Cameron looked around the empty room. She had total faith in John Henry and CamNet. She still wanted to have a good idea of what Savannah may face later on. She didn't like to admit it, but she knew Cammy would do everything she would do. She would also make sure Savannah was protected.
Cameron sat back down and started to communicate with John Henry and CamNet. The operation may need her input. Hopefully John would sleep in a little. She became absorbed in all the details about the operation. She missed the little details as they happened in her room. Maybe she missed them on purpose. Maybe everything she did right now was just an excuse not to be in the room.
Jim followed Holly and Gail out of the Control Center. They all headed across the private area to Sheila's room.
Ally, Hanna, and Sheila all stood there inside her room. They were plugged in together. It was one way they liked to share. They often used other ways. They all liked the physical ways too.
Their heads all turned at the same time to look at Jim. They all blinked at the same time.
Jim reached up to unplug them.
Holly gently pushed his hand down.
"Let them finish." Holly said. "They're almost done."
Jim watched Holly and Gail plug in with each other in the Control Center earlier. They were the same way for several hours. They disconnected when Cameron started to get the reports from Steve and Tom.
Sheila reached up and unplugged the tether from her neck. Ally and Hanna both did too at the same time.
Jim filled them in on what was happening and what they were supposed to do.
Holly and Gail asked about the maid's outfits.
Sheila already took stock of what was available. She wanted to make sure everyone would be covered.
"I have two unaltered outfits and the one Sarah brought back." Sheila said. "There are also two outfits that have altered tops for a larger bust size."
Sheila looked at Gail's and Holly's bust line. She knew size was always impressive. She touched her rings through her top and knew there were things which attracted more attention. Size wasn't everything. A little pizzazz went a long way too. She thought she could deliver a lot of it.
She hoped to get Gail or Holly to go with her to the nude sunbathing area. She wanted to see who would draw the most looks and the longest looks. It was a toss up at the private nude beach club they went to previously. Everything involved with the whole episode was a little bazaar. They inadvertently stumbled into the middle of some type of sex trafficking operation. If they wouldn't have been targeted, more than likely some other females would have been instead. They were able to prevent three others from being taken away before they shut the operation down. It seemed like something else she should check into with Ally later on.
Jim watched as the girls stripped and put the maid's outfits on. It would be a file he would replay over and over. He was able to view all five of them naked at the same time. He was able to compare all of them at once. He was unable to decide which sheath he liked best. They were all beautiful to him. They were all different too. Everything was different, even if it was the same thing. He did notice one thing about Gail. Even though she was the biggest on 'top', she appeared to be the smallest elsewhere. Evidently there was no correlation to bust size or other parts of the sheath. It seemed to him 'mouth size' was more an indication of other body orifices. It would need some further research.
Sheila was left with the outfit Sarah returned.
Jim didn't want Sheila to spoil the service.
"Your outfit is unacceptable." Jim said.
Sheila indicated her closet and dresser.
"I don't have any more." Sheila said.
Sheila faced away from all of them and bent over. They were all able to get a good look at everything.
"It leaves little to the imagination." Hanna said.
Sheila stood and faced them. She smiled and curtsied. She did have one more outfit but it was in the Honeymoon Suite currently.
"That's the intent." Sheila said. "The one Riley has is even more revealing. She wanted to borrow it. It is even more risqué than this one is. I can have one of you retrieve it for me when the coffee and juice cart is put in their room."
Gail wondered how something even more revealing would be acceptable if what she currently wore was already unacceptable. She quickly realized Sheila was just messing with Jim.
Sheila was going to ask Jim if he would rather she wore the shorter one but didn't. He still looked upset. By the bulge in his pants, she didn't think he was too upset. She would ask him to center her rings later on if he made any further complaints. She was aware it was an offer no one could turn down.
Ally didn't want Sheila to get carried away with the modified maid's outfits.
"I'm not sure how it would be possible to be more revealing or risqué." Ally said. "Everything is 'right there' on your outfit."
Ally took a long look.
Sheila was proud of her efforts with the other maid's outfit. She took all the guesswork out of it.
"On the one I loaned Riley, it's all 'right there' without the need to bend over." Sheila said. "It is stimulating to see or wear."
Hanna wanted to get started. She didn't want them to get sidetracked on meaningless tangents. She felt it was important they carry out their current task.
"I can help Jim with Sarah and Kyle." Hanna said.
Gail decided to help Holly so Sheila and Ally could stay together.
"I'll assist Holly with Derek and Riley's suite." Gail said.
Ally smiled at Sheila.
"It leaves me with Sheila." Ally said.
Gail couldn't help but point out the obvious.
"It's as it should be." Gail said. "You two love each other."
There was none of the usual denial from either of them. It was a first. It was probably based on the recent trauma Sheila was involved with. No one wanted to make waves. Everyone was grateful Sheila appeared to be back to normal. No one wanted to think about what could have happened. It was something they all did anyway, just because they thought they didn't want to think about it.
Sheila hoped to make use of the new option Cameron made available to them.
"Since Cameron has given us our sexual freedom, who is going to try and hit on John first?" Sheila asked. "I think it's an offer which we should all take advantage of. I know I'm going too."
She would really like to give John a crack at it.
Holly thought it was a bad idea. There may have been things said. There was also a reality which needed to be remembered.
"None of us should try. We don't want to be deactivated." Holly said. "I think we need to give it some time and see what the real policy will be."
Sheila wanted to see where it went on her own. She wanted to 'break in' her chassis herself with a male. She didn't know what the future would hold as far as Cameron's desires. She was aware Cameron could change her mind at any point. As far as she knew, Cameron could have returned to the old policy. Right now she was operating with a green light until told otherwise.
"I will." Sheila said. "I think I can score."
Holly gave Sheila another warning. Cameron previously placed a directive in all of the Metal girls to 'accommodate' John if he specifically asked them. It was to make up for all the times she was gone. Cameron didn't want him to be left without female companionship. Acting on their own was different than being asked.
"Be careful, Cameron hasn't removed our directive to share with John if he asks us for sex." Holly said. "We can't say 'no'."
Holly knew from first hand experience how respectful John was of females. It included the human girls as well as the Metal girls. For fifteen months she made herself available to him while Cameron was 'away' and believed terminated. He never touched her inappropriately once.
The new policy was fine with Sheila. She really wanted to be with John. Once John took her virginity, Cameron could use her chassis as much as she wanted. She just wanted her 'first time' to be the first time with her sheath and chassis as well. She really would like John to ask her. It would me even more if he asked her, because it was her.
"I wouldn't say 'no' anyway, even if I could." Sheila said.
Ally decided she would supervise Sheila. She was still a little apprehensive about what Cameron would actually allow, regardless of what she stated. She knew Sheila would take things too far no matter what she did.
"I'll make sure she doesn't get carried away." Ally said. "Sheila needs an 'adult' in the room."
The banter started up again between Ally and Sheila.
"It lets you out." Sheila said.
"It lets you out first." Ally said.
"I'd like to knock you out." Sheila said.
"You'd like to get knocked up if you could." Ally said.
"I'd rather knock you down." Sheila said.
Jim found the banter amusing but they needed to do a job and the time was ticking. He wanted everything timed out perfectly and served perfectly. He took his onboard duties very seriously. He wanted everyone else to do the same.
"Everyone stop fooling around." Jim said. "One of you on each team will take in the coffee and juice cart at the same time to all three suites and the other team member will bring the food up from the galley. You will make sure everything is fresh and perfect. It should all be ready and waiting when you arrive. If you see anything is off, take what you need and don't delay. You will arrive in the suites at exactly ten minutes until sunrise and both of you will serve our guests."
The Metal girls wondered if they were supposed to use their Terminator abilities if there was a problem.
Everyone took off to do their assignment.
Sheila wanted to serve John something else. She planned to lose her virginity before the day was done. Cameron gave them their sexual freedom and she was going to use it, to lose it.
She really wondered what it was going to be like to be 'taken' by a male. She was a Terminator so she was stronger than he was, but it wasn't the point. John was larger than her physically and would dominate her body as they shared. She wanted to know what it was like to be taken voluntarily. She pushed away the thoughts of Jesse being taken involuntarily. It only furthered her own belief she should be master of her own chassis.
Cameron checked her time. She followed everything on the monitors. She saw the coffee and juice carts arrive. They were each taken into a suite at the same time. She thought it was very professional. Everyone should be inside of the bedroom of their suite when they went in.
She wanted to be back in the bed with John when they arrived. She wanted to give him a sunrise surprise. Following the operation with Steve and Tom messed things up. There was someone inside the old newspaper plant and she wanted to know who it was and why they were there. She wanted to know how they got in there since none of the doors or windows were opened. It really made her wonder if there was something they missed. How could they have remained undetected until now?
Jim and Holly were in and out in less than a minute. The Master Suite and the Honeymoon Suite were swiftly serviced.
The Owner's Suite wasn't. Sheila hadn't exited the room yet.
Cameron looked at Steve and Tom's operation again. They were about to enter the old newspaper plant. We could end up in a gun battle at any point. It was possible they could even be ambushed.
Sheila still wasn't out of the Owner's Suite.
Cameron was somewhat irritated. She didn't imagine what could possibly go wrong with such a simple task. She looked at the unfolding operation again. She wasn't going to be able to assist Steve and Tom from the ship. She needed to make a choice. She told John Henry and CamNet to do what was necessary to protect their troops. She unplugged. She needed to return to John.
She wondered why Sheila still hadn't exited.
She moved to the pass door which led back into her suite and listened.
What she heard stunned her. Her practical 'joke' was about to blow up in her face.
"Everything was wonderful last night." John said. "I hope it was for you too."
Pause.
"It's OK." John said. "I want to do it again."
Pause.
"You look beautiful, Cameron." John said.
"I do?" Sheila asked.
"You do." John said. "I always thought Jesse and Sheila were beautiful. You already know it from when you scan me. I know you check."
"Do you want me now?" Sheila asked. "If you really think I'm beautiful, you can have me. I want it. You need to 'ask' me. I want you to ask me because it's me. I want to hear the words come from you."
"Yes." John said. "I want to do everything. I want to share everything with you. I want to be with you. I want you to be with me."
"So do I." Sheila said. "I want 'everything'."
"Are you going to talk like Sheila too?" John asked. "It's hot anyway."
"I AM Sheila." Sheila said.
"You look so HOT." John said.
Pause.
"OK - Sheila." John said.
Cameron heard enough. She made John think she was in Sheila's sheath last night in the darkness and now John thought Sheila was 'HER'.
It looked like her prank was about to backfire on her. Sheila did identify herself as - Sheila.
Sheila literally couldn't say 'no' to John.
Cameron opened the pass door.
"Pick me up." Sheila said.
"Do you want me to carry you across the threshold?" John asked.
"It's what I have always wanted." Sheila said.
Cameron could tell things were about to get out of control. She knew it was her fault. She wanted to see what was going to happen. She silently moved through the pass door and into the living area of the Owner's Suite. She watched John carry Sheila into the bedroom naked. Her maid's outfit was on the floor. John was naked too.
Cameron debated what to do. If she would have removed the directive so Sheila could say 'no', she would allow them to have sex. She wanted John to have a good time. It would also allow her the freedom to be with Savannah later without any problems. Since she hadn't removed the directive, it might not be what Sheila really wanted.
She was going to have to make a choice. She was sure Sheila would allow her to borrow her chassis after she was with John. It wasn't the way she thought it would happen. It appeared to be the only way it was going to happen for her.
Cameron saw the room light up when a light was turned on. It was just the opposite of what she did during the night. She hid her true identity.
"It's bright." John said.
"I want you to see ME." Sheila said. "I want you to know who I am when we do this."
"I do." John said. "Everything about you excites me."
"Make me a woman, John." Sheila said. "I've waited so long for this moment."
"You look and act like this is your first time." John said.
"It is…." Sheila said.
Cameron moved towards the bedroom. She wasn't angry at John or Sheila. Everything happening right now was her fault. It was the result of things she set into motion. Maybe the saying was true about how, 'if you played with fire, you got burnt'. She could feel the heat for sure.
John found it hard to believe what was about to happen. Cameron said she wanted to switch chassis with Sheila. She came to him in the night with Sheila's chassis. He couldn't see her then, but now he could. The thrill of being with someone 'different' was very overpowering. The best part was Cameron said she was her program. If Cameron's program was in Sheila's chassis, he was good to go.
John moved over 'Cameron'. They were about to 'join'. He thought the look on her face was a little more apprehensive than it normally was. It was different enough that he thought he needed to say something.
"You look and act like this really is your 'first time'." John said.
'Cameron' reached up with her hands and started to pull John down towards her.
"It is…." 'Cameron' said.
John knew Cameron liked to play around.
"I guess every reset is like the 'first time'." John said.
"John, it is my 'first time'." 'Cameron' said.
At this point John began to wonder if something was wrong. It didn't seem like Cameron normally did on her reset. He was right on the outside of 'Cameron'. He could feel he was 'close'.
John felt a slight panic. He began to question who was underneath him. She continued to urge him forward. He needed to know who he was with.
"Cameron?" John asked. "Are you Cameron or Sheila?"
Sheila's eyes were wide with anticipation and excitement. Something she wanted ever since her activation was about to happen. It wasn't a simulated event. It was the real thing. She didn't know what he was waiting for.
"I told you. I'm Sheila." Sheila said. "I want this, please. I want it right now. Take me."
John realized it really was Sheila. Cameron must have switched chips back.
"Sheila?" John asked.
John felt himself start to panic. He thought about how they were naked on top of each other. He knew he asked her to be with him. It was after she told him she was Sheila.
Sheila wasn't sure how many times she needed to tell him the same thing.
"Yes." Sheila said.
John tried to back away but Sheila held him. She was going to pull him to her.
He panicked some more.
"Sheila - NO." John said.
John felt it was about to happen anyway. He didn't think he could stop it at this point. He wasn't sure he wanted to stop it either. He really could break her in.
Sheila tried to 'take' him.
He really wanted to be with someone new. Instead he thought about Future Riley and how he hurt Cameron. It was something she could never get over. Now he was about to do it again. He instantly slackened as guilt flooded him. His emotions overpowered his physical ability.
It was a failure. Nothing happened.
Sheila released him and he quickly got out of the bed.
John looked at Sheila's naked form on the bed. He could see she still wanted him. He wanted her too. It just wasn't the right thing to do. Not under the current circumstances. He knew he asked her to be with him. He knew she couldn't say 'no'. It was what Cameron told him anyway. She told him none of the Metal girls could say 'no' if he asked.
He felt more than guilty at this point. He needed to say something. He needed to try to explain himself.
"I'm terribly sorry about this, Sheila." John said. "I thought you were Cameron."
Sheila felt she was honest. It was why she insisted the light be on.
"I told you who I was." Sheila said. "I wanted you to see it was me."
John remembered her words. He didn't know how to apologize for something so forward on his part.
"You did." John said. "I'm really sorry about this."
John looked around and found his shorts and put them on.
Sheila was still on the bed. Everything was ready. She really wanted something to happen. She didn't care what it was or how much it was.
"I want this, John." Sheila said. "Please, let's try it, even if it is for a single second. I want you to have me first, even if it's all it is."
John looked at her Hot body spread out on his bed. It 'called' to him.
"I want it too. It would be a lie to say otherwise." John said. "You're beautiful. This trip is supposed to be about Cameron and me. I don't want to mess it up. I was confused earlier, even if you told me the truth several times. I was under the impression things were different."
John was sure if this was any other occasion he would do it. He reached over and covered Sheila with the sheet.
Sheila was very wound up right now. She wanted to know one thing.
"If Cameron's chip was in my chassis, would you have done it?" Sheila asked.
John didn't even need to think about it.
"Yes." John said. "It would have been exciting. It would be 'Cameron' at that point."
John looked around for Sheila's clothes. He remembered she stripped her uniform off on the way into the bedroom. He felt really bad about the whole situation. He really didn't know how to explain it.
"Let me get your outfit so you can get dressed." John said. "I'm really sorry about this. I thought you were Cameron and I apologize. It was all a big mix-up. I'm really sorry, Sheila."
John wondered when it was going to blow up in his face. There was no way it wasn't going to escalate into a nightmare of some kind. It was probably going to bring down the fury of Cameron on him. He paused for a second. If he was going to get 'blamed' for it anyway, maybe he should go back and do it. What could it hurt to do it now? He figured if it happened, he would want to finish. Knowing it was Sheila's 'first time', he would probably finish in less than a minute anyway. He looked back at the bed with Sheila in it. She threw the sheet off when he looked back. He felt he was 'ready' again almost instantly. She said she only wanted one second and would be happy. At this point he wondered if he could even last ten seconds. He thought about Cameron again and went to get Sheila's uniform off the floor. Maybe next time, it just wasn't the right time.
He was sure he would regret his decision. He certainly did about Isabelle and Metal Summer. How could he have not taken advantage of the situation when Cameron presented it to him before?
Moments ago:
Cameron left the Control Center and entered her suite. She was about to enter the bedroom right before John stopped and figured out what really happened.
She backed up from the bedroom door and listened.
It was over. It didn't happen.
She knew Sheila would be really disappointed at being so close to 'womanhood' and not completing the act. It was the same thing which happened to Savannah and Cammy.
Cameron made a hasty retreat back into the Control Center. She didn't want either one of them to know she was there and nearly witnessed what could have happened. It didn't. She still wasn't sure she would have stopped it if it did. She knew once John got a taste of someone else, other than her, he would want more. She would try to push the human females his way first. It didn't matter which one. He just needed to touch one of them. Everything would take off afterwards. He would be protected from the anti-Metal faction. He wouldn't just be a 'Metal Lover' with a 'Metal lover'.
She wasn't going to say anything to either of them. She was the one who should apologize to both of them. John shouldn't have to apologize for events she set in motion. If she was in the room where she promised to be, none of this would have happened. Getting tied up with the operation caused the problem. She wasn't supposed to do it either.
She checked the monitors again. The food carts were almost to the private area.
She listened at the door. Sheila was dressed and about to leave the suite.
John apologized to Sheila again as she exited the suite for when and where he touched her because he thought she was 'Cameron'.
Hank and Larry worked for Cameron. Currently they operated under the direction of CamNet. They received the hard drives and phones Steve and Tom sent earlier on the drone. They were on their way to retrieve the hard drives and phone from the last place Steve and Tom visited.
"It should be right around the corner." Larry said.
Hank made the turn and they spotted Jasper's vehicle.
"There it is." Hank said.
They currently drove a delivery van full of sophisticated computer gear. The current sign on both sides of it indicated it was a bakery truck. The signage on the side of it usually changed several times a day along with the license plates. Everything was magnetic and was easily switched. They would be able to disseminate all the information on the go. It was what they did earlier when the drone let off the hard drives and phones. They made sure everything was clean before it was taken to a fixed location for further review.
Hank drove past Jasper's vehicle. Nothing out of the ordinary was spotted around it. He went around the next corner and parked. There was no one around.
Larry got out on foot. He went back to Jasper's car and retrieved the hard drives and phone. They were in the trunk along with Jasper. He hurried back to the delivery van. Hank drove off. He immediately began to check the hard drives and phone.
There were two locations they needed to follow up on from the previous information. Most of the leads didn't usually pan out. They still needed to be checked anyway.
Hank drove for a while. Larry checked the electrical gear. Everything checked out as clean. He pulled into an alley behind an auto repair shop.
Larry and Hank both hopped out and changed the license plates and placards on the side of the delivery van. It was now a uniform supply service delivery van.
An SUV pulled up behind them. Another one of Cameron's Terminators got out of the SUV.
They traded vehicles. The uniform supply delivery van drove off.
Hank and Larry went over the information about where they needed to investigate further. They currently had two hard targets and several other probable ones. They were also ready to back up any Resistance operation which would need assistance.
They were under standing orders from CamNet to operate outside of the Resistance operations. They were also supposed to deal with any future Scavengers they came across. They were to operate discreetly and try to cover all of their tracks when possible.
John Henry was only told what he needed to know. Anything done by CamNet wasn't looked into further by the Resistance. Their goal was to try to take some of the burden off of Cameron and Savannah. With Cameron on the ship, Savannah would take up the slack herself.
Hank parked the SUV.
"This is the place." Hank said.
Larry looked towards the eastern horizon.
"It will be sunrise soon." Larry said.
Hank looked over the information they possessed about the current location.
"It may not be for someone." Hank said. "Let's go."
Closing monologue by Cameron:
Hasty Retreat
No one knows
Who next they'll meet
Will anything happen
Than just a greet
Things could pick up
They could turn sweet
It might soon work out
To be a real treat
Maybe it takes two
To make either one complete
One needs to remember
Nothing is written in concrete
It doesn't take long
For one to feel obsolete
Upon their mind
The other will beat
Get out of the deal
Once one feels the heat
It time to go
Make a hasty retreat
Nobody