Chapter 1231
Ensenada Escapade
Cammy and Savannah wanted the man inside the smaller flood control channel taken down with 'gravity fire' or 'metal hail' from a drone's minigun. He was a Gray of some type. They didn't know which group. They were concerned it could be a Fanatic. Fanatics were known for blowing themselves up with a bomb. If they didn't have a bomb, they used the 'poison tooth' in their mouth so they wouldn't be captured alive.
The first high altitude shot from a drone missed. It was due to the excessive time lag of the projectiles 'falling' from fifty thousand feet. Now the Gray was on the run.
Young Allison assisted Cammy and Savannah. She issued new instructions to CamNet. She wanted to insure a hit this time even with the erratic pattern the Gray ran in the wash. He was in a contained area.
"CamNet, blanket the wash with minigun fire in all directions he can move in the space of time it takes the projectiles to reach the ground. Fire all the ammunition and move a second drone in to assist." Young Allison said. "Rotate every drone on station if necessary."
Anna received the feedback from CamNet. It was quicker than she anticipated.
"The first drone has fired all of its ammunition." Anna said. " The projectiles are on the way. The next drone has moved into position."
They watched the Gray move from side to side.
Young Allison hoped her plan to blanket the entire area with 'metal hail' would bear fruit.
"He's all over the place." Young Allison said.
Anna knew it was a good plan.
"He should be hit this time." Anna said. "Projectiles should start impacting in three seconds. There should be multiple ricochets because of the concrete bottom and walls of the flood control channel, on top of the initial impacts at terminal velocity."
As they watched and waited for the projectiles to arrive, the Gray disappeared. Half a second later they could see projectiles impact for twenty feet in both directions from where the Gray disappeared. If he would have remained in the channel, he would have been struck dozens of times. There were ricochets in all directions as well.
Young Allison didn't like the vanishing act.
"Where did he go?" Young Allison asked. "There must be a storm drain inlet there. He has to be inside of it."
One of the drones was in a position where it could see into the channel at a slight angle. There was a large opening into the flood control channel from the side. It was large enough to enter easily without the need to crawl. It indicated an extensive feeder system.
Young Allison contemplated firing a missile into the opening. She figured all they would do was collapse the opening with no guarantee they were able to get the Gray. She didn't want to leave his fate ambiguous. She also wanted to know if there was something else inside of the branch of the feeder system he took. She didn't think it was pure random chance he chose to cross over the railroad tracks and go over the fence in the location he did.
Anna knew it was random chance the Gray was able to survive the two 'metal hail' attacks. He moved from his previous trajectory after the rounds were fired from the minigun. It was because of the travel time of the projectiles which allowed him to move out of their path. There was no way he could know they were on the way. The large inlet was another variable. Not only could it provide him with cover, it could provide him with an escape route.
"I agree." Anna said. "I know there's actually no such thing as luck. It is always random chance. In his case I think we can say he was very lucky twice. There's no way he could have known the projectiles were coming either time."
Young Allison remembered the time Cameron went after a Terminator in the storm drain system. It was very risky entering the unknown. Cameron was slightly damaged in her last underground encounter. The female Terminator she was after, and the Gray with her, didn't do as well. They were both terminated with extreme prejudice. The Gray was showered with burning Thermite and suffered an agonizing death. The female Terminator was blown in half and tried to make it away using only her hands as she drug her torso. She didn't get far.
"The team ran into this before." Young Allison said. "Is there any diagram of the storm drain tunnels in this area? I know there was none found before."
The earlier trouble underground prompted John Henry and CamNet to find access to underground flood control, sewage, and utility conduits. They wanted locations and route diagrams. All three systems around their location were independent of each other. In many areas there were no diagrams. They were often installed by a subcontractor or developer based upon standard requirements. The exact details were left to them. There was often no record of exactly what was put in specifically.
"CamNet tracked them down eventually." Anna said. "This area is more developed, even if most of the buildings are vacant. The good news is there's a diagram."
Young Allison thought it sounded like there would be a negative caveat involved. She wanted to get the full story.
"What's the bad news?" Young Allison asked. "I know there must be some."
Anna quickly went over the diagram. There was a reason why the inlet opening into the flood control channel was so large. There was an extensive feeder system behind it.
"The storm drain tunnels in the entire section run under eight streets. There are over thirty curbside drains which feed into it." Anna said. "There are several miles of underground drainage pipelines for the one inlet into the flood control channel."
It sounded like bad news to Young Allison. The only good news was it was an isolated section and didn't run further underground like other parts of the system did. Some of the underground passageways were big enough to drive a work truck into to do maintenance and remove clogs.
The clogs are often caused by illegal dumping into the storm drain system. Records indicated some of the blockages contained human remains. It was unknown if they were from bodies dumped into the system, or homeless individuals who were swept away during a heavy rainstorm. They could have been living in one of the underground chambers at the time of the flash flooding. They may not have time had the opportunity, to get out in a timely manner.
She was glad she didn't use a missile into the inlet opening. It was clear one or more Terminators would need to be sent in to pursue the man. It would present a risk to the Terminator. They still didn't know what they were facing.
"We need to send a Terminator in after them." Young Allison said.
Anna pointed out the closest Terminator who might have any chance of following the man before he was lost in the system. The news wasn't good news.
"Cammy is the closest." Anna said. "It will leave Savannah on her own."
Young Allison didn't like the option. It put Savannah at risk. They needed additional assistance. She needed to redirect her closest available resources.
"I want to recall Cam, Steve, and Tom at once." Young Allison said.
Anna saw it as disrupting two other operations currently underway.
"What about the van?" Anna asked. "Steve and Tom are near it. It needs to be investigated."
Young Allison looked at Anna as she spoke. It was time to act. There was no time to second guess anything. It was time to eliminate some of the threats.
"CamNet, I need you to fire one missile at the van as soon as Steve and Tom are clear of it." Young Allison said. "Do a controlled burn and let it fall like a bomb. The target is stationary. I want it neutralized immediately."
Anna watched Young Allison give the command to 'kill' the occupants in the van. She looked at Young Allison as if she was about to say something.
Young Allison didn't want to discuss it. The decision was made. It actually seemed very straightforward to her.
"Don't even ask me." Young Allison said. "They're the enemy. We're at war. We need to think drones are going to be the way future wars are fought. Everything from recreational drones on up to an HK drone are going to be easier and cheaper to build. They will be able to attack any fixed target without a problem and go after moving targets such as armor or even troop personnel."
She was sure a drone costing only a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, would be able to take out a multi-million dollar piece of armor or aircraft. She was pretty sure the military world was in for a real eye-opening going forward. They were on the leading edge of it right now because of advanced technology. It wouldn't take much to rig any type of explosive to a drone and turn it into a missile. If the drone was preprogrammed, it might even be considered a suicide drone.
Anna wanted Young Allison to coordinate with John Henry on decisions like she currently made. It was clearly a life and death matter.
"Do you want to run any of this by John Henry?" Anna asked.
Young Allison decided to 'own' the decision. It was the right choice.
"Inform him of the action we've taken. Make it clear it's on the action I've taken." Young Allison said. "It's my decision and I stand by it. The General can take it up with me when he returns from his honeymoon."
Anna followed where everyone on their team was headed. She didn't agree with Young Allison's decision.
"John Henry has been notified." Anna said. "Cam is responding as well as Steve and Tom. Cammy is driving alongside of the railroad tracks now to get to the spot he went in at. She might be able to follow a trail. If there's any water or silt, it will aid her to track them. She needs to get on the trail while it's fresh so nothing is obliterated through evaporation or water flow."
Young Allison didn't want to lose their other objectives. Further action on them would still be necessary. She didn't want the man they were after to get away.
"Leave one drone on the truck Cam is after." Young Allison said. "Have the other drones search the possible locations the Gray in the storm drain could exit. We need to get our forces into position to intercept him."
Young Allison didn't want the truck driver to get away, or the man in the drainage system who they believed was a Gray of some type.
Cammy didn't like her new instructions. It would force her to leave Savannah on her own. She looked at Savannah.
"It will leave you alone if I go after the Gray." Cammy said.
Savannah didn't see it as a problem. She was trained and experienced. She was on her own on several operations. They were all extremely risky as well. She faced death on all of them. It was the nature of combat. It was the way of war. The objective was to complete a successful mission. Someone needed to conduct the mission so it could be successful.
"I can hack it. I'm a big girl now." Savannah said. "I'll be in a two ton weapon. I've used one before."
Cammy was unsure about it. There were at least two different groups from the future they needed to deal with right now.
"I don't know." Cammy said.
Savannah was ready. She believed time was of the essence. They didn't have time for a needless debate. It was going to happen anyway, even if she needed to 'order' it done.
"I do." Savannah said. "It's exactly what we're going to do. It's the only plan we have to work with right now. I'm sure we'll encounter even more variables along the way."
Cammy drove rapidly alongside the railroad tracks. She needed to get to the entry point as quickly as possible. Every second she delayed, was with one more second the man could lose her. There was a huge cloud of dust kicked up as she drove.
Savannah glanced in back of them as they hurried along the dirt road next to the right of way.
"Talk about sending up 'smoke signals'." Savannah said.
Cammy was committed to the pursuit now. If she moved rapidly, she would be able to eliminate the threat and take some risk away from Savannah.
"It happens." Cammy said. "Be ready to slide over."
Savannah was good to go. She would head over to cover some of the streets in case the man tried to get out of the system before Cammy terminated him.
"I'm ready, Cammy." Savannah said. "I'll cover the first two streets on the other side."
Cammy was updated by CamNet. She received the street assignments for the others when they showed up. It would still take time, especially for Cam to arrive.
"Steve and Tom will each cover the next two sets of streets. The first six streets will be covered." Cammy said. "When Cam arrives, she'll cover two more. I still don't like it."
It sounded like a plan to Savannah. She was there to do a job, just like everyone else.
"I'll be fine, Cammy." Savannah said.
Cammy slid to a stop and exited the SUV. She jumped the fence and landed in the flood control channel. She was already in the inlet before Savannah pulled away.
Savannah heard an explosion and saw a small black cloud off to the side. She was aware the van was just hit with a missile. She also was provided with the conversation between Anna and Young Allison in regards to the decision. She figured she would take it up with Young Allison before the General did. What was done was done.
She continued along the tracks until she reached the cross street. She moved out onto the main street and cut back over to the second street of the two she would patrol. The drones would search every spot which fed into the drainage system. More were on the way.
She saw Tom go by in his SUV. Steve followed him on a motorcycle. She was unsure where he acquired it. Sometimes it was better not to know.
They needed to get into position to be able to respond to an escape.
It was now cat and mouse.
Since they didn't know for sure what they faced. She hoped Cammy didn't become the mouse.
She didn't want to think about the extraordinary luck the man seemed to possess in the two 'metal hail' attacks. Even if there was no such thing as luck, the man was still very lucky. She touched her weapons. She made her own luck.
Cam wasn't pleased about the recall. She knew she should have taken down the truck driver as soon as she acquired the truck. Now there was a chance he would get away. She knew they wouldn't lose the truck, but they might lose the driver.
There was a higher priority right now. It was what she focused on.
Cammy and Savannah were in a scrape. They needed additional support for the operation. Savannah would be alone. It was what made the decision to abandon her current quest palatable.
They were all aware if Savannah operated on her own, it allowed her to be more like Cameron operating on her own. She would disregard her personal safety and put the team before herself. She did it every time they were in a jam, especially if any Terminators were down. She always rose to the challenge and exceeded it.
CamNet assured her a drone would remain with the truck. The only negative part was it would be the one without minigun ammunition. Since it would be at altitude, it would have only been able to attempt a 'gravity shot'. It still retained all of its missiles. It could still deliver a hard punch if necessary.
Cam headed back towards the old newspaper plant. She decided she was going to burn it down herself when the current operation was over. There was no need for it to cause further trouble.
She didn't care for it the first time she was in it either. She was still irritated because one Gray dropped a cigarette on her face through a drainage grate. She reached up and touched the spot on her cheek where it landed. She still wanted some payback. She increased her speed. Someone needed to pay for the offense committed against her. It didn't matter if it was through carelessness or not. A reaction produced a reaction.
Young Allison wanted some changes on the battlefield. They would start in the sky over it. She told Anna what she wanted immediately.
"CamNet has cleared the airspace for ten miles around where they are. There are no 'first responders' in the area. The van which was hit with the missile and exploded, will be spun as a movie prop." Anna said. "The drones will drop down to twenty five thousand feet."
Young Allison wanted a faster response time with the drones. She risked their visual detection when she cut their altitude in half. They were still five miles high in the sky. She would like to have them lower, but it was the middle of the day. It should also increase the effectiveness of the 'metal hail'.
"We're mainly using the drones as spotters." Young Allison said. "There will be a faster response time if they're needed."
They checked the satellite map overlay with the team personnel.
"Steve, Tom, and Savannah are all in the area." Anna said. "They are moving into position."
Young Allison looked at the satellite overlay in detail. She wanted to reposition the troops somewhat. She wanted to give Savannah quicker protection with a Terminator on each side of her, even if they were on different streets.
"I'd feel better with Savannah between Steve and Tom." Young Allison said.
CamNet acted on Young Allison's suggestion.
"CamNet has notified them to rotate positions." Anna said.
Anna felt the move actually put Savannah in greater danger. She didn't think the Gray would emerge on the first two streets. She believed he would want to get as far away from where he entered as possible.
So far there was no update from Cammy. She was underground. They really didn't have any idea exactly where she was at.
"I don't like Cammy being out of contact." Young Allison said.
Unless Cammy moved to a curbside opening, any communication would be difficult.
Anna didn't think Cammy carried any repeaters with her to transmit her signal back out the way she entered. There wasn't time for her to do much other than jump out of the SUV and into the wash. She needed to go into the underground opening to try and catch the Gray.
"There's not much we can do about it." Anna said.
Young Allison was worried by another risk.
"Since we're sure this is a Gray of some type, they may try to deactivate Cammy." Young Allison said.
Anna didn't think Cammy would be careless. Every time they dealt with someone from the future it was a possibility.
"She knows the risk." Anna said. "She'll use caution."
Young Allison also followed the operation with the 'incident' in Mexico.
"I see the high speed drone is over the target area where Cameron and John are." Young Allison said. "It got there fast."
Anna was pleased with its quick arrival.
"It only needed to go eighty miles." Anna said. "It stayed right below Mach."
Young Allison specifically wanted it to remain subsonic. Even if they were to mask it from radar, the sonic boom would give away its presence as to the fact something was actually there.
She viewed the drone footage from Ensenada.
"I don't like what I see there right now." Young Allison said.
Anna looked at some activity where the team was. It would have been better if it hadn't happened.
"It does look like it may be a problem." Anna said. "It could result in an unexpected and unfortunate termination."
Young Allison didn't want to see a needless termination of such a nature. She came up with an idea.
"I hope it can be avoided." Young Allison said. "I think I have a workable plan."
The drone allowed a relay for direct communication with Cameron or the team there on the ground in Ensenada. It would also allow them to view images and information on their phones.
"Cameron has a functioning com now." Anna said. "Do you wish to speak directly to her?"
Young Allison checked to see how Savannah was doing. The new patrol arrangement was enacted. Savannah would watch the third and fourth streets now. Steve and Tom would be on the streets on both sides of her.
She refocused on where Cameron and John were and what was about to happen. She was aware there was a lot of corruption in the world. Some countries seemed to have a larger share.
"OK." Young Allison said. "We don't know how dirty any of these people are."
Anna felt it was the fault of the individual.
"I believe it's true anywhere." Anna said. "Good people can go bad at times."
Young Allison knew honesty and integrity depended upon each individual. She also understood circumstances could influence one's decisions greatly. What someone may not do in one setting, they might do in another setting. It often depended on what else was happening around them.
"I guess it's true." Young Allison said. "Some places have a larger problem."
CamNet made the connection for Young Allison.
"It is true." Anna said. "Here's Cameron."
Young Allison would need to tread lightly but also be ready to act swiftly.
Cameron looked out of the shed down the alley at the approaching vehicle. It was a police vehicle. It was an older car. It wasn't the new one they spotted at the station earlier. It probably meant it wasn't a high ranking police officer.
She wasn't sure why John Henry hadn't redirected it. Maybe he was unaware it was in the vicinity. It could be a routine patrol. Maybe it was the policeman's beat and part of his local territory. Maybe he was on the take and came to get his cut from the two thugs and was looking for them if they missed a previous rendezvous. Maybe somebody spotted something earlier and said something and this was the amount of time needed for the response.
CamNet informed her a drone was now over the area. It was only at twenty thousand feet. All Mexican radar in the area was offline and the power was out over most of northern Baja. It could be one reason why John Henry couldn't redirect the police cruiser.
Cameron was surprised when CamNet informed her Young Allison was on the line. Young Allison quickly gave her an idea for a plan. She thanked her and set it into motion. It was a good plan.
John was sure Cameron just spoke with Young Allison based upon what he could hear from a one sided conversation. He wanted to make sure.
"Did you just speak with Young Allison?" John asked.
Cameron acknowledged it was and she presented a workable plan. She thought about asking Young Allison to speak directly with John, but didn't want to put him on the spot. She knew Young Allison wouldn't have any trouble dealing with the General going forward.
"Yes." Cameron said. "This is what we need to do right now, we can solve all our problems. It looks like it can be done without any terminations."
Cameron quickly laid out the plan.
John really liked the plan. He hadn't been able to come up with one on his own. He thought it was a better plan than what any of the Terminators would have used on their own. It was easier for them to deal with any problem with a termination. It did put an end to the immediate problem even if it did re-emerge later on.
Gail kept up a casual and loose 'patrol' outside the gift shop.
Riley noticed she was outside. She called her inside.
"I want your input too, Gail." Riley said.
Gail was surprised. Usually only Savannah ever asked for her opinion or what she liked or wanted.
"You do?" Gail asked.
Hanna wanted Gail to loosen up some.
"Don't be such a stiff." Hanna said. "You're on vacation, even if it may be a working vacation at times. When you interact further with Jesse and Claire remember you're all on vacation during those times."
Riley explained she wanted to get something for Samantha and she wanted their help in picking something out.
"I like to get something for Samantha and I think a Metal girl is the one to ask." Riley said.
Gail didn't think it was necessary.
"We don't need anything." Gail said.
Ally and Sheila told Riley almost the same exact thing earlier. She felt it was the whole point.
"I know you don't." Riley said. "It's what makes it special."
Hanna pointed out Samantha's appearance was changing.
"You're aware her sheath will finish Resequencing in a very short time." Hanna said. "She'll look different to you when you get back."
Riley noted the rapid change in Samantha over the last week.
"I'm aware of it." Riley said. "I've seen the changes progressing."
Riley wondered what it would be like to be able to change her appearance. Who would she want to look like if she could? The answer was easy for her. She would like to look like Cameron. She would like to look like Jesse. She would like to look like Savannah. She would also like to look like Claire. Claire was exactly who Samantha was about to look like. There were times in her life when she really wished she could have been someone different. She still felt clouded by other future's events.
She actually liked the way Samantha looked originally. She remembered the trouble they ran into with Isabel. It was why they needed to change Samantha's appearance. They didn't need a repeat performance with Skynet.
Hanna thought there was a positive note for Samantha when her Resequencing was complete. Samantha would no longer be restricted to the base.
"She will have much more freedom of movement then." Hanna said.
Riley wondered if it was the only reason Samantha was always there to assist her. She could only work around the base.
"Maybe she won't want to be around me all the time then." Riley said. "She helps me a lot."
Gail would like to help out. It would give her additional practice to take care of Jesse's baby for her when Young Jesse provided her with one.
"I can help out." Gail said. "Precious is precious."
Hanna relayed a message about Precious to Riley.
"I have an update from Samantha." Hanna said. "Jim just sent it to me. Precious is fine. Vanna is nursing her now."
Riley looked down at her breasts. She was very displeased with them. They always attracted unnecessary attention to her growing up. She remembered how some of the men who abused her would fondle them very roughly for a long time. She really wished she would have been as flat as a board. No. She really wished she would have been born a male. None of the bad things wouldn't have happened to her if she was. Well, not as many of them would have happened to her. Males were often abused as well.
"I'm so thankful for the assistance." Riley said. "I can't seem to produce more than a few drops anymore. At least it's what I feel like."
Gail watched Jesse nourish Precious and knew how much it meant to her.
"Jesse is pleased to assist as well for the function." Gail said. "It gives her life purpose."
Riley was a little unsure of the wording. It sounded a little morbid.
"Did she say it like you indicated?" Riley asked.
Jesse often talked about it to Gail. She would share her darkest days with Gail.
"Yes." Gail said. "She also said it gives her a reason to live…."
Riley didn't like the revelation. She also knew how close to home it hit for her too.
"It doesn't sound good." Riley said.
Riley thought maybe Vanna and Jesse were more depressed than they let on. Then again, they both suffered a lot at the hands of others growing up. She went through it too. It wasn't as often. It was usually only two or three times a year, every year. She knew for Jesse, and especially Vanna, it was often like that every day, day after day. She felt very fortunate never to have been taken captive by Scavengers.
Hanna and Vanna touched on the topic recently.
"Vanna feels the same way." Hanna said. "We discussed it while we compared breast size the other day."
Riley would have liked to have seen them do it. It would have been totally hot to see them side by side and compare the difference.
"It sounds hot." Riley said.
Hanna smiled at the thought.
"It was." Hanna said.
Hanna wanted to see if she should 'play with' her DNA and try to mimic Vanna's larger size. She could end up changing something else too. She was also fascinated with Anna's look, even if Anna hated it. There was a certain appeal to her look and it wasn't just 'age' related. It was about aesthetics.
Riley wondered what else Hanna and Vanna did but decided not to ask. She felt she knew. It was what they all did, except for her. Sometimes she longed for the touch of another female. Maybe she longed to touch another female. No. It was actually both.
It was something very common in the future. She also knew it would be a two way street. If she wanted to have a female lover, it was more than likely Derek would want to have an additional lover as well. Maybe they could both share with the same person. She knew it came with a risk. The risk was Derek may desire the other female more than her. She could end up losing him. There was one thing she didn't want to lose. It was Precious.
They all looked around for a few more minutes until Riley found something. She purchased it and put it in a bag.
"I want to surprise her with this." Riley said.
Gail wanted to give Riley privacy.
"We can delete our files of viewing it and assisting you." Gail said.
Riley didn't want them to delete any files because of her. She was sure every time something was deleted or erased, it was like a part of them disappeared along with it. She thought they shared a good time. It should be something remembered, not forgotten.
"Don't do it." Riley said. "This was fun. I want you to remember the fun time we shared together."
Gail and Hanna were both pleased they were able to have some fun.
The three of them headed for the gangplank.
Bob waited there for them.
"I've been waiting for you." Bob said.
Riley and Hanna went ahead of Gail. She was monitoring the events happening with Cameron and John since she dressed earlier.
Gail wanted to check with Bob for any new developments. She was ready to help John and Cameron now.
"Do I need to go and assist Cameron?" Gail asked.
Bob followed all of the events too.
"Everything seems to be under control." Bob said. "Stay with the people on board. Make sure they stay on board too."
Gail thanked him. She caught up to Riley and Hanna.
As the three of them approached the elevator, the doors opened. As soon as they entered, the doors rapidly closed. The floor where their suites were located was already lit. The elevator started up on its own.
It was one thing Riley noticed about all of the elevators.
"Are all the elevators going to do the same thing every time one of us gets on one?" Riley asked.
Gail tilted her head slightly. She didn't know why they wouldn't.
"I think it's most likely." Gail said.
Hanna thought it was a good thing.
"Sometimes it's nice to have help." Hanna said.
Ken and Lou headed back to pick up Cameron and John.
"I'm getting a drone feed now." Ken said.
They were surprised to see it already. They were aware drones were on the way from the San Diego area. One of them arrived much quicker than anticipated.
"It looks like trouble." Lou said.
Ken wanted to use some caution.
"We'll need to hang back for a few minutes once we get there." Ken said. "We don't want to make it worse."
Lou could see some type of action was going to be needed.
"Do you think Cameron will terminate them?" Lou asked.
Savannah previously spoke personally with every Terminator on this subject. The rules were very clear.
"Cameron may show some prudence." Ken said. "Savannah has asked us all to use caution and restraint when dealing with the authorities. There are to be no terminations unless they're 'dirty'."
It seemed easier said than done to Lou.
"It's not always easy to tell." Lou said.
Ken felt what the person actually did spoke volumes.
"Their actions will speak for them." Ken said.
Lou agreed.
"Actions always speak louder than words." Lou said.
As they watched the drone footage, events began to happen.
"Indeed." Ken said. "I see Cameron has put the play into motion."
The van continued towards the rendezvous area.
"We'll be there in three minutes." Lou said.
With five Terminators there on the ground, it seemed events would finalize in seconds.
"I think it will be over long before we get there." Ken said.
Allison joined John Henry in the Command Center. She wanted to see all the activity and get a closer look with more insight. There was a lot happening. There was a clear and present danger for the various teams.
She was very surprised at what happened with Young Allison and Anna, at least at Young Allison's actions.
"Did I understand everything correctly?" Allison asked.
John Henry tilted his head slightly. There were many things happening. He wondered what she referred to.
"I don't know." John Henry said. "Which part?"
To Allison it was the most recent part.
"The part where it appeared Allison - Young Allison, just killed two people." Allison said. "I guess I should say she directed CamNet to kill them."
Young Allison acted on many levels. John Henry tried to clarify them.
"She also attempted to terminate another Gray. It's the one Cammy is currently after." John Henry said. "Right now Young Allison is trying to save a police officer's life and put two criminals into police custody so they're not all terminated. John didn't want them terminated either."
Allison needed to wonder about all of it.
"I don't know who she is sometimes…." Allison said.
John Henry tilted his head slightly in the other direction.
"She's Allison Young." John Henry said. "She's you. You are her."
Allison didn't say anything for a few seconds. She was very aware Young Allison and her were two totally different people in many ways, even if they were identical and the same person. Future Allison was different from her in many ways, and the same in many ways. It really made her wonder how the Duplicate versions of her were doing and how each of them evolved. Maybe none of them were the same anymore. Time had a way of altering things, even things one thought would never change.
It seemed there was a lot Allison didn't understand. Even about 'herself'. If there was one thing she wanted, it was for Young Allison to never experience many of the things she experienced.
"Let's just follow the operations." Allison said.
She could do without the headache it was all going to create if she thought about it too much. Maybe she should have stayed in the lab. No. She wanted a more detailed accounting of everything Young Allison was involved in. She was glad her mother wasn't there to witness any of it.
Everything made her think about her sister. Her mother didn't want Summer involved in the Resistance. She was aware everything was well past that point. Summer didn't actively participate in anything Resistance related in front of her mother. She knew 'behind the scene', it was a different matter.
She previously spied on Young Allison and her involvement with CamNet. She also spied on Summer and her ever expanding involvement with CamNet. She wasn't so sure she was actually spying on Summer as she was allowed to watch her. She was pretty sure Summer knew where she was at. She didn't think it mattered if Summer could see her or not.
They were done on two different levels. She believed CamNet was able to manipulate Young Allison. When she watched Summer interact with CamNet, she believed it was the other way around. She knew Summer was the smartest individual she ever knew. She was probably also the most gifted. It was clear she possessed special talents and abilities other people didn't. They didn't at least from the current timeline. It gave her something to think about. She thought about it a lot.
Larry and Hank just killed several Grays. They took the hard drives from the computers they were working on. There was information about other buildings they planned to target. They would most likely become Resistance targets as well. They could also be acted on clandestinely through CamNet with the use of Cameron's Terminators. It would take the heat off of Savannah anyway.
There was another faint scream in the distance.
"The last scream was a female." Hank said.
Larry took one more look around the room.
"Let's go." Larry said. "Things may get hot around here."
They were worried about gunfire from the enemy. Any weapon discharged without a silencer on it was going to alert everyone in the complex.
They knew the female Fanatic was loose, but they didn't know exactly where she was at. They thought it would be best to terminate her first because she was more than likely going to trip an alarm sooner or later. They might as well. They really didn't know. They were actually surprised they hadn't already. There was no indication anyone knew they were inside the complex yet. It was most likely because they didn't need to breach the security system at the complex. They simply walked in an open door which they prevented from closing.
They took off in the direction of the female's scream. It hadn't been loud. It was enough for them to detect. It gave them a direction to go. One thing was for sure. They would find more targets when they found the location of the screams.
The female Fanatic briefly looked at the two men on top of each other. Neither one of them moved since she stabbed them.
The man by the bunk rolled over onto his front side and tried to get up. It was clear he wasn't done yet. He was still in the fight.
She moved forward to stab him again. He rolled over. He made another grab for her. This time he was able to get a hold of her left arm. He was weak and dazed. He yanked her close to him.
The female Fanatic was startled. At first she thought the man was going to break her arm. She actually thought he was going to break her ankle earlier. Her ankle still hurt a lot.
The man pulled her closer. His other hand came up to grab for her neck. It was bloody. He reached back to touch the spot where he was stabbed originally.
"I got you now you Bitch." The man gasped.
She stabbed him again with the knife. It was into his chest. She pulled it out and stabbed him again. The hand reaching for her neck, grabbed the front of the shirt she just took off of one of the bunks.
He fell back against the bunk after the third stab. He ripped the front of her shirt open as he fell to the ground.
She backed away from him and quickly looked at the door. She was worried someone else would walk in. She looked at the two men on top of each other. Neither one of them moved. She looked at the man who just grabbed her. It didn't look like he was going to get up this time. She wanted to make sure. She approached him from the back and stabbed him in the neck. He didn't move at all.
She looked down at the front of herself. Both of her small breasts were exposed again. The new shirt she just acquired was ruined. She didn't know if it really mattered or not. The remains of her current shirt was covered with blood as well. She didn't think any of it was hers. The only things which hurt were her left wrist and right ankle.
She quickly slipped off the ripped and bloody shirt and dropped it on the ground. She looked around for another shirt. She spotted one on top of a small table. She grabbed it and moved to the door. She looked out and saw it was clear. She ran from the room down the passageway with the shirt in her left hand. She was currently topless. She carried the knife in her right hand.
Hank and Larry quickly move down the passageway. They could have moved deeper into the complex if they wanted to. They wanted to deal with the female Fanatic first. They thought they could always go back when they were done with the female. Her recent scream indicated she encountered additional Grays. They didn't want to have Grays in front and in back of them. There were several rooms along the way.
Their biggest concern was where did the Grays come from? Were they already in some rooms? Was there some roving patrol? They didn't think so. They just didn't know.
Hank looked at the first doorway as they approached it. He spoke in a low decibel level only another Terminator could hear.
"We're going to need to check the rooms." Hank said.
Larry could see there were several. They didn't know what they would find in any of them. They needed to try to speed things up a little. It seemed it was only a matter of time until some type of alarm was sounded somewhere. There were a lot of dead Grays left behind them.
"You take the first one. I'll take the next one." Larry said. "We can 'leapfrog' over each other.
They both held their silenced M9 in their right hand. Their Taser was close by and ready to grab. They would need to have one hand free to open the doors.
Hank reached for the first door knob and started to turn it.
Larry passed by him and quickly hurried to the next door.
The female Fanatic was currently topless. She carried the knife in her right hand and the shirt in her left hand.
She wanted to find a way out. All she could think about was the bunk with the ropes at all four corners. She didn't want to end up there. She wanted to get as far away from the room she was just in as possible. She didn't want it to be her final destination. She didn't want to be tied to a bed and abused repeatedly.
She looked behind her to make sure no one followed her. She needed to worry about who she might run into. She didn't know where any of the men came from earlier. She could be running towards more of them, or away from them. There was no way for her to know.
The female Fanatic wanted to get out of the complex. She didn't know which direction she was going, or what she would run into. She put her top on as she ran. She held the knife next to her rather than in front of her. She was ready to stab anyone she encountered before they could react.
Closing monologue by Cameron:
Don't Mistake Close For Happy
Why is the one who's closest
Actually the farthest one away
One can reach out and touch them
But they're a million miles away
Most try to suck it up
Their failure they want to hide
Maybe it's the last of
Their self worth and pride
Everything is crushed
There's nothing left to fix
They focus on what once was
As they obsess and transfix
Yet they linger and hang on
There once was something there
It's impossible to repair
But they still take the dare
The look may be snappy
The spirit is scrappy
Everything has turned crappy
Don't mistake close for happy
Nobody