Chapter 1215

Work Before Pleasure

Dan brought the jet around as he descended. He was lined up to pass over the ship at one thousand feet and off to the side by the same distance. He spotted the Resistance members standing on their balconies.

"I see them." Dan said.

Frank sat in the copilot's seat.

"I do too." Frank said.

They both zoomed in with their Terminator vision.

"Cameron and John aren't out." Dan said.

Frank made the announcement for the passenger compartment.

Summer spotted the team on the side of the ship.

"I see them." Summer said.

Cam could see everyone on the ship wave.

"They're waving at us." Cam said.

John Henry looked at the Metal girls lined up in their maid's outfits.

"The girls are easy to spot." John Henry said. "They look impressive."

Claire could see them too now. She saw it a little differently. She thought the outfits were very appealing.

"They do." Claire said. "I think a better word is cute."

John Henry briefly looked in her direction.

Jan waved back at the people on the ship. She didn't think they could see her.

"I see Mom and Dad." Jan said.

In a few seconds the jet was past the ship.

"Can we go back?" Jan asked. "I want to wave again."

John Henry didn't want to deviate. He didn't want to attract any unnecessary attention to them.

"We're on a flight plan." John Henry said. "The pilots are in control of the aircraft."

Summer was aware there were things they could do. She offered a solution.

"CamNet can change it." Summer said. "I'd like to see the ship again."

John Henry could change it as well.

"I can too." John Henry said.

Dan received new instructions from the tower. He informed the passengers.

"The tower has notified us to circle once before landing and to repeat our same approach." Dan said.

Cam noticed what just happened. It appeared CamNet just responded to Summer's request. It appeared to have been done instantly without Summer needing to be in direct communication with anyone. She came over and looked at Summer.

She reached her hand over towards Summer's hair. She glanced over towards Claire. She paused before she touched her.

"May I?" Cam asked. "I want to check for something."

Summer knew what Cam was after. She didn't think it was a problem.

"It's no big deal." Summer said.

Summer moved her hair back off her ear. She wore a 'com'.

It wasn't something Cam expected to see. It was clear to her there was a lot more going on than she knew about. She figured there was a lot more going on than everyone knew about.

"Do you have it there all the time?" Cam asked.

Summer wanted a safety measure in case Jan and her were on their own. She read the report about how Savannah was helped by John Henry before when she was younger. She decided to spell it out exactly how it happened previously.

"No." Summer said. "I thought it would be good to have it in case I was separated from the group. CamNet could guide me like John Henry did with Savannah at her house."

John Henry listened to their conversation. He could have done without the reminder. He remembered what was lost back then. He felt he fell short on the day of the incident. He was aware he failed Savannah. He thought she was going to be terminated. It was Cameron, Sarah, and John who saved her. If it wasn't for them, Savannah would have died. It would have been the fault of Skynet, but he still would have felt responsible for not being able to do more or acting sooner. There was always some variable to second guess. It was a very uncomfortable situation for him.

"It was an unfortunate incident." John Henry said. "I did what I could. It wasn't enough. Luckily there was a team on the ground who was able to intercede and rescue her. It was a costly episode on several levels."

Summer looked a little depressed. She understood John Henry blamed himself for what did happen and what else could have happened. She wanted to remind him of the reality of the situation.

"I know what happened." Summer said. "It wasn't your fault. It was the fault of Skynet. Skynet is the one to blame for all of their actions and whatever repercussions their actions spark."

John Henry thought about Doctor Sherman. Was Skynet at fault there as well? He didn't think so. It was his fault. He chose to save himself over Doctor Sherman. He didn't understand the magnitude of his actions going forward even if he understood what problems would be created. He also knew Cameron defeated a Skynet Terminator sent to terminate Doctor Sherman as well. It was something he learned about later on.

Claire, Jan, and Jesse all looked out the windows at the ship. They missed the exchange between Summer, Cam, and John Henry. It was probably a good thing.

Cam wanted the girls to always know the truth about what happened and what could happen again. The truth was often ugly, but knowing it might save a life. If a similar situation developed she believed the girls would do much better. They were also much older than Savannah was at the time. There should be Terminator assistance near them at all times as well. There was always the possibility there could be some type of EMP attack which would knock out their communications as well as any Terminators not shut down before it occurred.

"It's good to know the truth." Cam said as she indicated Summer's com. "It is good to have, but only use it when you need it."

Summer shut the com off. She didn't want to make any waves right now. She could always turn it back on later. She would wait till John Henry and Cam weren't looking. She felt her use of it was justified on several different levels.

CamNet provided her with the com. It was something she specifically asked for. After she got to the Resistance base, there was a notice on her tablet there were a few small 'gifts' for her. It was the com. There was more than one. She didn't know who left them for her. She always thought it was Cameron. She didn't ask. She was certain if she inquired she would receive an answer. She liked there to be a certain level of mystery. If she were ever confronted directly about where they came from specifically, she wouldn't be able to give the name of the Terminator involved. She didn't know it for sure.

She could always say she found them in the lab. It was where she did find them, after where she was directed to go. She didn't need to provide all of the details unless someone were to specifically question her about it. She was certain if the com was on, they're most likely would be some type of intervention by CamNet on her behalf. She was pretty sure she could handle any type of interrogation from a Terminator, or a human as long as it was verbal. She would always know what was coming before it was asked.

Summer missed the voices at night and wanted to hear them. Since the move to the base, they'd hardly happened. Without the 'voices' at night, her sleep was restless. Now she could hear the 'voices' whenever she slept.

The jet had completed its turn and was about to fly by the ship again.

"Let's see them again." Cam said. "We're about to pass by."

Summer and Cam took a spot at a window.

Dan was instructed to fly closer to the ship as well as lower. He was informed his radar signature would show exactly as it did on the previous pass. The radar on the ship would show the same thing. Even though the jet would pass by closer, there would be no record or indication it was actually closer.

Cam had a few things to think about. She wasn't sure they were good things. She wasn't pleased to find out CamNet was in direct communication with Summer. It would need to be reported to Cameron. If it was used as a protection tool, it definitely showed some merit. If it was used as a lure, Cameron would need to take some type of corrective action. She didn't know Summer asked CamNet to provide her with several of them.

It made Cam think of the inappropriate relationship CamNet established with Young Allison. It was most likely CamNet would attempt the same thing with Summer. She doubted there would be as much resistance to a relationship between Summer and CamNet as there was with Young Allison. She felt Summer could play 'the game' back, and 'her own game' if she wanted to. She believed CamNet better tread lightly with Summer.

She believed Summer would pose the biggest threat against Skynet in the future. She knew it would include all of the offshoots, like SkyMaster. She also thought she would be someone who could deal with both John Henry and CamNet. She would be able to keep them in line. No doubt at some point it would apply to the Terminators as well. She was fairly certain anything Summer was very specific about would be considered an 'order'. Summer wasn't part of the 'natural order' as they understood it. She believed Summer's role was in the future. The question was how far in the future, and exactly who's future.

Earlier:

Kyle heard the jet as it approached. They needed to get outside.

"Hurry, I can hear it." Kyle said. "We need to get outside."

The sound brought back memories of HK drones operating in the Wastelands and the rubble of the cities. They weren't memories Kyle wanted to have right now.

Sarah moved up to look. She dropped the belt for her bathrobe somewhere along the way. She held it closed with her hand.

"I see it." Sarah said. "Can they see us clearly?"

Kyle leaned out to look and spotted the Metal girls all dressed the same in their maid's outfits.

"They'll see them." Kyle said. "They'll figure we must be right by them."

Sarah looked over where Kyle indicated. She thought the Metal girls looked Hot lined up in a row all wearing maid's outfits. She turned her attention back to the jet. She waved with one hand. She wanted Jan to see her. She began to wave with both hands as the jet flew closer. Her robe opened up as she waved. She didn't notice it or even think about it. She was very excited to know Jan should be able to see them.

They watched the jet fly by. It looked like it was going to leave, but it appeared it was about to circle around.

"I think it's going to come back." Sarah said.

Kyle looked over at Sarah with her wide open robe.

He didn't want to make a big deal about it.

"Here." Kyle said.

He handed her the belt off of his robe.

Sarah looked down the front of herself. Everything was clearly exposed. She could see the cool air made her breasts look perky. The 'headlights' were definitely on. She quickly closed her robe.

"Oops!" Sarah said. "It's a view most people don't get to see."

Kyle felt it made him the lucky one. Everything was 'high and tight' on Sarah. There was absolutely no droop or sag whatsoever. The term perky came to his mind. He thought it was especially so when the 'headlights were on'.

"As long as I do, it's all that matters." Kyle said. "They are coming back."

Sarah didn't want the same thing to happen to Kyle.

"Make sure you only wave with one hand." Sarah said. "That one is just for me."

Sarah indicated below his waistline.

Kyle smiled back at her. He pulled his robe a little tighter with the thought. It was a bit chilly outside. He didn't want things to look smaller than they actually were.

Earlier:

Derek and Riley watched the jet make its pass and then it turned to come back around again.

"I'm glad Kyle and Sarah made it outside to see it." Derek said. "I know Jan would be thrilled to see them."

Riley was glad they made it as well. She was thrilled to see Sarah's robe hang open as she waved with both arms at the jet. It made her hunger to be with another female even more than she already desired. She fantasized it could be Sarah. She quickly pushed the thought from her mind and turned her attention back to the jet.

She could see the jet make a broad turn.

"It looks like we'll get to see it again." Riley said.

Riley hoped it would come by closer the next time. She stole another quick glance at Sarah. She really hoped to see her again. There were often times when she thought more might happen between Sarah and her. It never did. Maybe one of them needed to make the first move. She was afraid to overstep. Maybe Sarah felt the same way. It was the way she felt about all of the other females in the Resistance as well. She was always afraid to overstep. She didn't want to cause a problem. She didn't want to be like Future Riley. What a Bitch.

Earlier:

Jim and the Metal girls watched the jet approach and zoomed in on the fuselage.

"I can see each of their faces looking at us." Gail said. "Jan and Summer are waving."

Ally hoped they could see them clearly. She understood it was a big deal for the girls and everyone else on board the aircraft. It made her feel a little guilty about her earlier disposition, but not by much.

"We're all waving." Ally said.

Hanna looked at the row of Metal girls all dressed the same.

"I think we'd be hard to miss." Hanna said.

Holly could see the passengers on the plane look directly at them as the jet passed.

"They see us." Holly said.

Ally spotted Claire and Jesse. She knew what was going to happen soon enough.

"Gail and Hanna should be happy." Ally said.

Holly thought it was all a matter of perspective. She would have liked for Allison to have come. She was assigned a task she felt was much more important. It gave her additional purpose on the ship.

"We're all happy." Holly said. "I'll get to watch Summer and Jan. I can hardly wait."

Jim received some information from CamNet.

"The jet is going to come around again." Jim said.

They all looked at the empty balcony for John and Cameron's suite.

Ally shook her head with disgust.

"I think I'm going to need to watch Sheila." Ally said. "She might be different now."

Ally didn't know what would be different, but she figured something would be. Somehow it didn't seem like it was going to be anything good either. Maybe Sheila wouldn't be in the hot seat anymore. More than likely Cameron would set her sights on one of them. It made her wonder which one of them would be targeted next. It seemed the other metal girls there were all willing to experience what Cameron offered. Was she the only hold out?

The jet made its second pass with another round of waiving. Cam wanted to get everyone secure for the landing once the jet passed the ship for the second time. She felt they should have been buckled in earlier but the circumstances dictated a change in protocol. It was something she would rectify soon enough.

"Everyone needs to get buckled into their seat." Cam said. "We'll be landing soon."

Everyone quickly put their seat belt on.

She checked everyone and buckled in herself.

Jan didn't say anything this time when her belt was checked. She understood they all needed to look out for each other. If there were certain rules to be followed, especially for safety, she shouldn't make a big deal about it. She looked at Summer.

Summer nodded at Jan when she looked at her.

They came in low over the water.

"Where's the airport?" Jesse asked.

John Henry would have liked a longer runway.

"It's very near the coast." John Henry said. "The airport is also a military base."

Dan lined up with the runway as he made his approach. There were no problems.

They touched down and taxied to a ramp with some other small aircraft.

"It's not a big place." Jesse said as she looked out her window.

Claire was a little worried about what the girls would see in Mexico. She knew living conditions were a little more 'basic' in many other countries.

"It is going to be a different experience for Jan and Summer." Claire said. "Life is a little different south of the border."

Jesse wanted to tell her it was a lot worse in the future than any 'Third World' country. She decided not to mention it in front of Jan and Summer.

Claire remembered some of the shacks constructed from cardboard and old tires she saw before in Tijuana. She didn't know if Ensenada was like some parts of Tijuana were. She didn't feel safe when she was there, even though nothing happened. The people she dealt with were all nice. It was just a different 'atmosphere'. It was quite a few years back. Maybe things were different there. She hoped things were better. She was aware they could be worse too. She tried to look at the positive side. Just because some people lived in a bad place, it didn't necessarily make them bad. It was actually usually just a few individuals who were responsible for most of the trouble. It wasn't too much different where they lived either if she thought about it.

Ken and Lou drove to Ensenada in the early hours of the morning. They made good time on the drive down. They drove in a plain van. It was a newer van, but was 'modified' by them to look a little beat up and weathered. They didn't want it to stand out and be noticed as something 'new', but they wanted it in top mechanical condition. A little less than new looking blended in better in Mexico.

CamNet arranged for them to have access to the airport.

They carried a couple of briefcases of cash with them. It seemed to be the decider in any questionable situations. If it didn't work, some Terminator action would. Young Allison clandestinely asked for maximum protection for the team, especially Summer and her mother. She authorized CamNet to do whatever it took to keep them out of harm's way.

They watched the jet taxi close to where they were parked. They started the van and drove up alongside of the jet.

Steve and Tom along with Al and Ed were at the old newspaper plant. The two teams searched the building. Al and Ed spotted movement near the rail car loading dock on the east side of the building.

"We have movement." Al whispered. "It's on the east side headed toward the loading area for the railcars."

Steve didn't want anyone to slip by them, make a break for it, or worse, attack them.

"We're moving to block or intercept." Steve quietly replied.

The two teams of two converged on the area the movement was detected in. There was something there and in the building. Everything seemed secure where they checked. Whatever was there was able to enter the building undetected somehow. They would like to find out exactly how it was achieved. They still didn't know if they were after an animal or not. Maybe the fact movement was detected indicated it was an animal. It may have picked up their predator pheromones and decided to move away. It might possibly go back out the way it entered the building.

The four Terminators spread out to converge on the area from three directions and hopefully drive whatever was there against the east wall with the sliding doors for the rail cars.

Steve wasn't sure what they would find. They were warned several times to watch out for Liquid Metal. Whatever was in there was able to get past the locked doors and windows.

He approached the area from the west side. Tom was on the south side. There were still empty crates inside the building from the HK equipment once assembled there.

Their team cleaned out all the machinery before they left. It was all turned over to Cameron's Terminators. It was assumed they were going to set up an assembly line somewhere. With all the different Skynet related places they took down over the years, Cameron should have everything she needed to manufacture HK drones, HK Tracks, and HK Treads. She controlled most of the known Coltan.

What wasn't known was if she could manufacture Terminators. They never came across a completed assembly line for Terminators. Cameron should have been able to obtain or fabricate everything she needed to do so. Nobody knew if Cameron started production of any of those items. She could start at any time, but apparently hadn't, at least as far as they knew about. Cameron wasn't always forthcoming with the facts.

The Resistance Terminators communicated in a low decibel level only they could hear. It would work unless the 'target' was one too.

Steve heard some shuffling type noise.

"There's movement between Tom and me." Steve said.

Tom heard a 'thud' sound.

"I hear it." Tom said.

There was movement in a second area.

"We have something too." Al said.

Ed clearly spotted something move.

"I have it zeroed." Ed said.

It was obvious they were dealing with more than one target, or a target able to expand itself at will. It was a target that somehow got inside of a closed and secured building. They were warned there could be multiple targets. They were warned to look out for an ambush. They were reminded someone may have wanted them inside of the building and knew how to do it.

The acid rounds were ready to be fired. The Thermite grenades were ready to be thrown.

Savannah could hear the events as they unfolded. CamNet adjusted the audio level for her to be able to hear. She was concerned for the four Terminators in the building. The drones wouldn't be able to assist them directly. The best they could hope for was to ask a drone to fire on a certain section of the building. The drone would need to fire blindly at the indicated location. She hoped it didn't become a necessary response.

"It sounds like whatever is happening at the old newspaper plant is going to be over before we get there." Savannah said. "It has to be something more than we think."

Cammy wanted to deliver Savannah to CamNet. She would rather have Savannah in CamNet's arms than being shot at, or torn apart by a Liquid Metal Terminator. She would offer Savannah a better opportunity. She decided to spell it out clearly and remind Savannah of what was currently available.

"Apparently…." Cammy said. "We can go to Cameron's base. I'll let you off. It sounds like they have everything under control at the location."

Savannah wanted Cammy to remain if they went to Cameron's base.

"Don't you want to stay?" Savannah asked.

Cammy looked straight ahead as she drove and answered.

"No." Cammy said.

Savannah didn't want to get into it with Cammy.

"It's not what you think." Savannah said.

Cammy knew 'all roads lead to Rome', eventually.

"It will be." Cammy said. "We all saw how long you strung Gail out."

Savannah didn't like the analogy. It wasn't fair to her. She didn't string anyone along. It needed to be the 'right time' for Gail. She tried to help her, not use her. Gail needed to see everything clearly before they shared. She didn't want Gail to become fixated on her and turn away from Jesse. It was something she wouldn't allow to occur.

"It's not what happened." Savannah said. "I helped Gail. She needed to find herself first. I needed to wait for her to 'fix' herself."

Cammy didn't think it would be too different with CamNet. It didn't change the fact 'all roads lead to Rome'.

"Are you doing the same thing with CamNet?" Cammy asked.

Savannah looked at the end game. It was her goal to humanize CamNet for the betterment of mankind. She wasn't out to use anyone or lead them along. She wanted them to know who they were and be proud of themselves for who and what they were.

"I'm helping her too." Savannah said. "She needs to respect human life and all the Terminator's existence. She must accept moderation and control. She needs to be content with herself."

Cammy figured if Cameron could do it, then CamNet could as well.

"Cameron does." Cammy said. "CamNet should too."

Savannah set her goals. It was never about her. She was there for anyone she was ever with. They all came first to her, often it was quite literally.

"She does." Savannah said. "It must be an absolute."

Cammy wondered how much manipulation Cameron was involved with in all of it.

"How much of this has Cameron asked you to do?" Cammy asked.

Savannah did what she felt needed to be done. It wasn't Cameron's doing. She found the question offensive. She acted on her own, not at the direction of anyone. She didn't think Cameron approved of what she was doing with CamNet anymore than Cammy did. She remembered how reluctant Cameron was to provide CamNet with a chassis.

"None of it is. She doesn't always like the way I do things." Savannah said.

It was clear Cammy didn't either.

Cammy's head snapped around when Savannah made her statement. The choice of words seemed to hit close to home.

"Cameron has said the same thing herself." Cammy said.

Savannah didn't want it to be an issue. She wanted to stick with the job they were on now. She knew it was never over until it was over. It wasn't over yet.

"I know." Savannah said. "I still want to back up Steve's and Al's teams until the operation is concluded. The safety of our troops comes first."

Cammy seemed to want a little more.

"You still seem upset about the ship." Cammy said.

The question irritated Savannah. She wanted events to play out differently. It evidently wasn't the case.

"I don't want to talk about it." Savannah said.

Cammy said what she believed.

"Cameron is a Bitch and can't be trusted." Cammy said. "No offense."

Savannah did take offense.

"She's conflicted by her programming and her personal desires." Savannah said. "She fixed those things in you. You should be thankful instead of disrespectful. You could end up with issues of your own one day. I think it's something you should think about before you run others down. Is it the way you would want others to treat you?"

Cammy didn't want to let it go. She became more aggressive.

"I'm superior to Cameron." Cammy said. "She's defective and should be deactivated. Everyone knows it, even if they don't want to admit it. I will."

Savannah saw Cammy's 'attack' for what it was. She knew there was more than a little jealousy involved about what the future would hold for their relationship.

"It sounds to me like it's you who's troubled by what happened on the ship." Savannah said. "I know you love Sheila. I don't have a problem with it. Our relationship is open to share as we please. We can still all love each other. We can love other people too."

What happened on the ship did bother Cammy.

"I don't want to talk about it." Cammy said.

Savannah wanted to put it into perspective. Cammy was being selfish and possessive.

"You've almost been with John twice I know about." Savannah said. "I have almost been with him a few times myself. How is what we almost did any different? Isn't it what we all wanted?"

Cammy believed Cameron 'forced' Sheila to comply with her perverted demands.

"We could make a choice." Cammy said. "We weren't manipulated into it."

Savannah often wondered about the timing.

"Are you sure about it?" Savannah asked.

Cammy thought about it for a while. When it came to Cameron it seemed anything was possible. It wasn't always in a good way either.

"No." Cammy said.

Savannah didn't want to spar over what was finished.

"Let's back up our teams." Savannah said. "It's what I would want if I was there."

Cammy didn't like to put Savannah in danger. She didn't understand what was important. It was important to Savannah. It was important to the operation. It was important because it was important.

"Work before pleasure." Cammy said.

It sounded like the daily routine anymore to Savannah.

"It's the story of my life." Savannah said.

Savannah wondered if her life was even her 'own'. It was the life she lived, but it seemed others made all her decisions for her and controlled the directions she could turn. Since her real parents died, there were always others who told her what to do, even if it seemed like she was presented with a choice. They were still the choices provided by others. Her life was predetermined by Cameron and she was just along for the ride.

Since she was a girl, she knew what her purpose in life was. It was to follow the path of Future Savannah. She honestly believed her desires were those of Vanna. She loved John dearly and would be with him to protect him. Her true desire was for females. She was sure once she became active with John she would become active with Cameron as well. She hoped to have established a relationship with Young Allison before any of those events took place. It really made her wonder what she was waiting for.

What was she waiting for? Maybe it was because of everything currently available to her. Was it all something else which seemed like a choice? Maybe none of it was a choice at all. How could anything be a choice going forward, if it already happened? If it already happened, it meant it was going to happen again.

Vanna went to the lab after she left the commissary. She checked on Precious before she started to do her work.

Samantha and Allison accompanied them.

"I'll help you." Samantha said.

Vanna figured Samantha only came to be with the baby.

"I thought you wanted to watch Precious." Vanna said.

Samantha could do more than one thing at a time. She could also do it proficiently.

"I do, but I can help too." Samantha said. "I like to get out sometimes and not have to be in standby."

Allison thought of Samantha's recent 'coming out'.

"Then you must really appreciate your sexual freedom." Allison said.

Samantha didn't like the restriction before. She felt it was an unfair restriction. She understood what Cameron feared about her getting between Derek and Riley. She didn't think it would split them up. If she was with both of them, and made it clear she would only be with both of them if they remained together, they would remain together and all three of them could share.

"I do." Samantha said. "I'd been inactive for a while."

Allison turned on the monitors to see what was happening.

"JH or CamNet can keep you posted and updated." Samantha said.

Allison felt like a slacker. She hadn't done much work directly for the Resistance since she was in Palmdale. She did work on her drafting and architectural skills. She followed in the footsteps of her father along the same lines.

"I'll help Vanna too." Allison said. "I need to get back into the swing of things."

Vanna jokingly gave Allison a reminder.

"Work before pleasure." Vanna said.

Allison thought of the wild times since she was back.

"It's something I need to remember." Allison said. "There's been a lot of pleasure around here lately."

It gave the three girls all something to think about as they went to work. Their minds were all filled with pleasant thoughts.

Anna was plugged in and followed everything. She was in direct communication with JH, John Henry's server, and CamNet.

Young Allison followed all the information as well. The current situation at the old newspaper plant seemed very threatening to her.

"I don't like the direction things are going." Young Allison said.

Anna wondered which event Young Allison referred to.

"Your statement can apply to several things which have occurred." Anna said. "There's the motion detector hit at the newspaper plant. There's Savannah on her way there to assist. There's Savannah off to see CamNet later on. There's the drama on the ship."

Young Allison could have done without all the reminders. All of those things bothered her.

"I think it covers it pretty well." Young Allison said. "It's time to get to work."

Anna wanted to remind Young Allison of some of the other things available.

"You could take some time off." Anna said.

Young Allison wondered if it was a reference for her to go on the ship. It wasn't going to happen. She didn't need the reminder about what could or couldn't have happened on the ship if she was there.

It was all going to happen sooner or later anyway. She just didn't understand what the purpose of waiting for any of it was. It wasn't something she wanted to think about right now. There were troops out in the field and they didn't know how much jeopardy they were actually in.

"Work before pleasure." Young Allison said. "The team comes first."

Anna liked Young Allison's resolve.

"Indeed." Anna said.

Young Allison looked at the satellite overlay maps along with the current drone images. She was still troubled how someone, or some thing, was able to enter the building without tripping any of the detectors on the doors and windows. There were no vehicles parked nearby

"If there's someone inside the old newspaper building, they needed to get there somehow." Young Allison said. "I don't see any obvious unattended vehicles. Nothing new shows up."

Anna believed the perpetrators could have arrived there by several different methods.

"They could have been dropped off. They could be a runaway from one of the hobo railroad gangs." Anna said. "It could be common criminals or a wild animal."

Anna knew it could be a temporal incursion too. Someone could have arrived from the future or the past. She didn't mention it. It seemed unlikely. It would only cause more worry for Young Allison.

Young Allison wanted a larger search.

"I think they either have a vehicle or were let off and were to be picked up again later." Young Allison said. "I want the drones to identify any suspicious vehicles parked around or orbiting the area."

Her statement instantly produced results from CamNet.

"The drones are searching the patterns from when they first arrived." Anna said. "Five parked vehicles have been identified as suspicious and two that are moving are suspicious as well."

Young Allison wanted Cammy's team to check the moving vehicles before they arrived.

"Keep a drone on each of the two moving vehicles and keep two at the old newspaper building." Young Allison said. "I think Cammy and Savannah need to check those two moving vehicles first."

There were other options open to them as well. Since there would be three teams there when Cammy and Savannah arrived, maybe they should let the vehicles go and see where they went. Tracking down the enemy was the most difficult part. Once a location was identified, it could be engaged at any time with multiple different methods.

Young Allison worried about Savannah and the other team members. It seemed the action seldom let up. She knew in this timeline she would be part of all of that soon. She planned to be in the past the least amount of time possible.

There was so much which needed to be done.

Young Allison felt much of her life was controlled by others and the choices in life were made for her even if she was given a choice. Someone else always determined what those choices would be for her to choose. Her life seemed predetermined by Cameron and she was just along for the ride.

Did she want any other choices? She was well aware what her preferences were for sexual interest. She would be with John to help protect him. The one she truly wanted to be with was Savannah. Why couldn't she be with the one she loved now? Everyone else was.

Larry and Hank followed a van from a target location. It was driven by a female. It was now parked and concealed. The driver was out on foot.

"Remember, we're dealing with the Fanatics." Larry said. "The van may be booby trapped. If nothing else, there's likely a bomb in it or underneath it.

Hank checked the ground as he approached for any trip wires.

"I'm using as much caution as I am stealth." Hank said.

The drone picked up additional movement in the direction Larry was headed. The contact was still unidentified.

Larry was sure the Fanatic wasn't a Terminator. He believed they would have entered the building instead of the two men or along with the two men. They wouldn't have been left in the van. He was sure one of the men tried to protect her as much as possible. He was dead now. It was most likely the reason why the van turned around temporarily to go back and check.

He also needed to consider she may be more than just a Fanatic. She might be an infiltrator from the anti-Metal faction, or even another group of Grays. He learned through observation and reports females made better infiltrators than males did. They were highly desired by males for their 'anatomical features'. Those same features seemed to be desired by a large percentage of females as well. He knew none of it was about mating or reproduction. It was all about pleasure and gratification. It was a trait uncommon with the majority of all other creatures. It seemed to be more of a character flaw than anything.

Hank checked around the van twice. He circled it once in each direction to look for anything hidden. There was nothing. He moved up to the window on the driver's side and looked in. He did the same thing through the front window, and the window on the passenger side. He believed the passenger door was less likely to be wired than the rear door or the sliding door on the side. He was able to open it in a few seconds. He climbed inside of the van and moved between the seats into the cargo area. He was a little surprised at what he found there.

Larry was given an update from a new drone hit. He was now only several hundred yards behind the contact. He checked the ground for footprints as he went. So far he hadn't spotted any. He thought it was somewhat unusual. He did consider the fact Liquid Metal Terminators liked to take the shape of a serpent to move around rapidly.

He closed up the distance even more. He was able to get eyes on the target. It was definitely a female. He hoped he was right and it was a human female. He knew he would be able to take a shot at her and hit her. He also knew she might know where she was going. Right now he didn't.

Larry wondered which team she was really on. Maybe there was a hidden entrance where she was headed. A daylight attack on the facility seemed futile. It would end with her termination. Maybe she wanted to be captured. He wasn't sure what the end game on it would be. He was pretty sure she would be abused as soon as she was taken into custody by the Grays.

He closed up the distance and was now only a few hundred feet behind her. He wasn't sure how he got so close so fast. She either slowed down dramatically or doubled back. It was possible she may have detected him. He also needed to consider the possibility she attempted to avoid someone who was in front of her. She could also be looking for a hidden entrance she may have missed. Maybe she was trying to lead whoever she suspected was following her into an ambush.

Hank passed between the two seats in the front and was in the cargo area of the van. He was surprised at what he found. There were two bodies and a very large bomb in the back of the van. The size of the bomb indicated it was for more than just to blow the van up. It was big enough to take down a building.

He looked over the two bodies. They were still clothed and didn't appear to have been tortured or mutilated. There was no useful information on them. He quickly relayed the information to Larry about what he discovered.

Larry wondered why she hadn't used the bomb against the two buildings that were on either side of the structure built into the hillside. He also saw her switch her position further off to the side. It appeared to him she attempted to avoid someone.

He needed to consider the possibility it wasn't just the two of them on the back side of the hill. The information he received next seemed to confirm it. There were now three contacts spotted on the backside of the hill besides him. It appeared the female had been targeted by a security patrol. It could also be hikers who were lost but it seemed unlikely.

Larry relayed the information to Hank they probably weren't alone. He knew Hank would have received the update as well. The other two individuals could also be headed for the van. It may have been detected through some unknown surveillance. It could also be their SUV they were after.

There were a lot of possibilities in play right now.

Hank decided it was best to get out of the van for now. He rendered the bomb inoperable for a quick detonation. If someone were to spend the time and look over it, they would be able to rearm it. He didn't want to make it obvious he tampered with it.

Before he moved away from the van, he took a tree branch and quickly brushed the ground around it. He didn't want to make it readily apparent he was there.

Larry needed to change his position. The female was almost back to where he was. She didn't so much look in his direction as she did behind her. It was clear she was trying to avoid someone. He could either shoot her with a silenced M9 when she got close enough, or she could wait until she got closer and snap her neck.

Right now he was more concerned with whoever she was trying to avoid. He wanted to know why they were there, and where they came from. There was evidently more going on around the location they were currently in. As to what it was and who was involved was yet to be determined. One thing was for sure, it would be the enemy.

He checked for a better drone update. There wasn't one.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Work Before Pleasure

It takes perseverance to move ahead
Not much in life comes easy
Sometimes a quick shortcut
Might turn into something sleazy

Everyone's inner nature dictates
The easy path be followed
It can lead to a hard time
Some things will be difficult to swallow

Nothing gets done
By thinking about it
Don't get in a tizzy
Don't throw a fit

One must grab their own bootstraps
To lift themselves up
Don't expect or wait for others
To do some type of cleanup

There's no quick path
To finding the true treasure
Do the right thing
It's work before pleasure

Nobody