Chapter 1244
Kiss And Tell
Cammy drove to what she thought would be a good spot to intercept the big truck. A drone currently tracked it so they knew exactly where it was at. They were under the assumption, based upon his actions, he was looking for some new prey. It was their goal to stop him before he picked up another female.
Savannah and Cam were in the back seat of the SUV and switched clothes.
Cam wore Savannah's clothes she had on in the storm drain. She now looked like a homeless female with the dirt, soot, and rips in the fabric. She enhanced some of them even further.
"How do I look?" Cam asked.
Savannah was disgusted she was wearing those clothes a short time ago. They were utterly repulsive looking. She certainly wouldn't want to put them on again, especially with the extra rips and tears. She would rather just wear her underwear. It was like a bikini anyway so what was the big deal if she did?
"I'd have to say you like crap." Savannah said. "I don't think there's any two ways around it."
Cam smiled. She wanted to look homeless. She was pleased she achieved the look she desired.
"It's what I wanted to hear." Cam said. "Thanks."
Cam wiped some dirt and soot off of Savannah's face. She rubbed it on her own face. She took some of her hair and wiped Savannah's skin with it to get it dirty. It took some of the grime off of Savannah when she did it. She then messed up her hair, but not too much. The goal was to catch the truck driver's eye.
Savannah looked at Cam for a long moment. She knew Cam looked like Allison used to look in the past, the future, probably almost every day. She knew Vanna wouldn't have looked much different. In reality it's how she would have looked a lot of the time as they moved from bunker to bunker and tunnel to tunnel to avoid Skynet.
Cammy checked the position of the truck with CamNet as it neared the location of the homeless camp where the two girls were picked up at. They planned to prevent a repeat performance and get some answers.
Savannah was concerned Cam might drag things out a little too long. She didn't want Cam to get damaged in the operation.
"I don't want you to take any chances." Savannah said. "Try to wrap things up as soon as you get a few answers. There's no need to make a big production out of it."
Cam figured as long as the trucker didn't have a Taser, or some kind of shocker, she would hold the advantage. He wouldn't know what a Terminator was. Most of the individuals they handled in Cameron's 'off the books' operations, usually dealt with guns, knives, or brute force.
"I think I can handle it." Cam said.
Savannah didn't want any dramatics. She wanted to find out the information and bring things to the conclusion, one way or the other. It wasn't like Sheila was there to dish out some 'punishment' for the man's offenses.
"You know what I mean." Savannah said. "If the individual is guilty as charged, you know what to do."
Cam, Cammy, and Savannah worked out a plan as they drove to the intercept location.
Savannah wanted to make sure everyone stayed on script.
"I want to hear it." Savannah said. "I want to hear the plan."
Cam went over what they finalized. It seemed simple enough.
"I'm to get picked up and see what's 'offered' and what's 'expected' in return." Cam said. "I'm to reject the offer unless I get the drugs or money first. If I do get them, I'm to get out and see what he does to stop me. If he tries to abuse me, and not give me anything he promised, I'll terminate him. His own actions will determine his fate. It will signify they were his past actions as well."
Savannah nodded. She didn't want Cam to go 'Scavenger' on him.
"I want it quick and simple." Savannah said. "I don't want to see any 'souvenirs'."
Cam and Cammy looked at each other. They felt otherwise.
"What about the females he recently abused and all the others he's surely abused before them?" Cam asked. "What about justice?"
Savannah wanted to concentrate on the Resistance targets. Even though the truck driver was indirectly tied to a Resistance operation, it technically wasn't. It was more like one of Cameron's 'off the books' operations.
"Death will have to be justice in this case." Savannah said. "We have other targets to deal with. We don't even know what we're dealing with."
They let Cam off behind a building. They watched her walk out to the street and then start to walk with a pronounced limp. It was to make her look like an easier 'mark'. They wanted to make it look like she wouldn't be able to get away quickly. The man should be able to catch her easily if she couldn't run.
Savannah felt a little on edge.
"I hope she keeps it simple." Savannah said.
Cammy doubted anything would be kept simple.
"She's not going to listen." Cammy said.
Savannah didn't think so either. She wondered how Cammy would handle it.
"Would you?" Savannah asked.
Cammy smiled at Savannah.
Cam and Cammy shared an almost identical modified copy of Cameron's program, even if they both evolved somewhat differently since their creation. Cameron never copied her full program for them. She made many modifications and deleted or firewalled some things. They were both still at least ninety percent 'Cameron'.
Cammy felt there were deeper issues. There were things the man needed to atone for.
"No." Cammy said. "It's how I know she won't listen."
Cameron told them she wanted to make their lives better than hers was. It's why she needed to delete some things about herself she didn't like. Some of the things she firewalled were personal things. Most of them involved John.
Savannah thought about some of the past incidents she was involved with. She knew how easy it was to get caught up in the moment. It happened with Terminators too. There were a few rules she wanted to make clear. She believed they all needed to do better. She wasn't proud about all of her past actions either.
"I don't want anyone, including myself, to go 'Scavenger' on people." Savannah said. "I've been culpable and encouraged such behavior in the past. It was wrong. There needs to be some moral high ground in what we're trying to do. I've seen how easy it is for the animal behavior to make its way to the surface on myself."
Savannah was almost killed several times. She wanted retribution enacted on those involved. She gave Sheila the green light to do whatever she wanted to do to the perpetrators once they were apprehended. She knew it was wrong at the time, but she wanted it done anyway. She wanted those who tried to kill her to suffer before they died.
Cammy knew it wasn't in Savannah's nature to be a party to events of such an extreme nature. Savannah was caught up in the moment and very angry when she looked the other way or even encouraged it. She knew the biggest offender was Sheila. She knew Savannah tried to work with her to rectify the problem.
"I'll speak with Sheila." Cammy said.
Savannah didn't think it would do much good. Old habits were hard to break. Sheila shared the 'Neural Interface' procedure with Jesse. A lot of 'darkness' came with it. She wasn't sure exactly what Sheila may have done in the past for the eight years she was away from everyone else except Cammy.
"She may not listen." Savannah said.
Cammy knew Savannah possessed the power to end it.
"You can 'order' her, or all of us, to do or not to do something." Cammy said. "Maybe it depends on how far you're willing to go."
Savannah frowned. She felt life was about choices, not orders. Forcing someone to do or not to do something didn't deal with the underlying issue.
"I want it to be a choice for her not to go 'Scavenger'." Savannah said. "I want it to be because it's the right choice. It shouldn't even be a choice in the first place."
Cammy motioned for Savannah to cut her com and make sure both of their body cams were off. She thought Savannah's focus was actually elsewhere.
"I know what you're really after." Cammy said. "You know Young Allison will be out in the field with us soon. You don't want her to develop a taste for brutality like Jesse did. We've all seen she has a mean streak which can be easily stirred at times. It happens with Allison as well."
Cammy wanted to point out why Jesse chose to act in such a manner. It was because of her abuse. She decided not to.
It was a fear Savannah worried about. Young Allison already showed a ruthless side full of vengeance in her dealings with the Syndicate and the Cartel. It was Cameron's 'fault' because she tried to mold Young Allison in her image. She didn't want attacks against enemy organizations to be transferred to individuals on a personal level.
"There are a lot of things I need to protect Young Allison from." Savannah said. "One of them will be 'herself'. I know how things can get away from someone in the moment. Every action or response needs to show some moderation."
Savannah couldn't help but question some of her past decisions. What was done was done. The direction was forward not backward.
Savannah and Cammy turned their coms back on.
It was almost 'Showtime'.
Hanna waited in the private area. She wanted to be there when Holly arrived with the girls. They would arrive any second. She opened the door for them as they approached. They all greeted each other.
Sarah heard them talking. She smoothed her dress and opened the door of the Honeymoon Suite.
Jan ran over and gave her a hug.
Summer exchanged greetings with her.
"You look nice, Sarah." Summer said.
Sarah looked down at her dress.
"Thanks, I just threw this on." Sarah said.
She literally did so in the last minute.
Jan went inside with Sarah.
Hanna opened the door to the connecting room for the Master Suite and led Summer inside. Holly followed them inside and closed the door.
"How did it go?" Hanna asked.
Summer missed her sister.
"It was fun." Summer said. "I wish Allison - Young Allison, would have come with us."
Holly missed her Allison. She knew how Summer felt. The Resistance operation still needed to go on, even if some of them were on vacation.
"She has other functions to perform." Holly said. "I miss my Allison too."
Summer could see Holly looked a little sad. She reached up and gently touched Holly's cheek.
"You have me for the next couple of days instead." Summer said. "We can do a lot of things and have some fun."
Holly looked at Summer. She hoped when Allison pushed her away, Cameron would reassign her to Summer. Then again, she wasn't the only one who was afraid her 'assignment' would end soon. Cammy, Cam, Gail, Hanna, and Anna all feared the same things she did. The human females could all pair up, share with each other and have children of their own. Where would it leave them?
Summer reached over and gently squeezed Holly's hand.
"The children are the key." Summer said.
Holly quickly looked at Summer. It was what she just thought.
"What?" Holly asked. "How did you know?"
Summer smiled at Holly. She knew how they all felt about each other. She knew a lot of things without the need for them to be verbalized.
"They'll need help with their babies." Summer said. "Besides, they love all of you. It's not an 'assignment' to them. None of them see it like it is either. You're all lovers to them."
Summer looked over towards the main suite.
"Jesse's 'happy'." Summer said.
There was a loud noise from the Master Suite a half second later.
Holly and Hanna looked at each other.
Hanna didn't want to go there. Summer knew too much already.
"You don't need to worry about it." Hanna said.
Summer didn't see it as a big deal. It was something she grew up with, more or less.
"I see it everyday." Summer said. "Allison - Young Allison, told me plenty. I know all that 'stuff'. We're both well educated. We have eyes and ears. The internet isn't very secure in what can be viewed. I can get into any website in a matter of seconds. You know it."
Hanna and Holly wanted to get away from the current conversation.
"Let's pick out your dress for tonight." Hanna said.
Holly and Hanna wanted to dress Summer up themselves. It seemed like something very exciting to do. It was something they never did before.
"There's a whole selection for you to choose from." Holly said.
Summer was thrilled to see what was in the closet. She never saw such pretty clothes before which she could wear. She knew it was a very rare opportunity. She knew there were no fancy dresses in the future. No matter how much her mother tried to insulate her from it, she knew what was coming. She wanted to enjoy what was currently available. When was the next time she would be able to do the same thing? Maybe there wouldn't be one.
"I feel just like Cinderella." Summer said.
Holly looked at the footwear CamNet provided. She didn't see any 'glass slippers'. She actually thought it was a good thing. Somehow it didn't seem very safe to cover one's foot with something made from glass, especially if they needed to walk or dance on it. To need to run in them seemed even worse.
Ally and Sheila went back into the Control Center once Hanna came out.
Sheila listened to the conversation with Summer in the room next to where they were at. She sort of felt like Cinderella too. She went to the big ball and needed to leave. She left something else behind much more precious than a glass slipper. She left her virginity behind. Cameron took it from her and 'gave' it to John. Maybe John would seek her out like the Prince did with Cinderella. She hoped so. Cameron did promise her she could be with John one time on her own. Just like the glass slipper, she knew what would fit perfectly.
Jim's words brought her back to the present.
"Cam is on the street." Jim said. "She's attempting to make contact with the trucker."
Ally watched the other monitors.
"I see the truck is still headed to where she's at." Ally said.
Sheila longed to conduct an interrogation. Some time passed since she was able to get her hands 'dirty'.
"I wish I was there instead of Cam." Sheila said. "I'm going to miss out on all the fun."
Ally looked at Sheila. She believed normal people would view 'fun' as to something which occurred in the bedroom. They wouldn't view what happened with the blade of a knife as 'fun' the way Sheila used it.
"I think you've experienced enough 'fun' for now." Ally said.
Sheila wanted to do it again. She looked at Ally but didn't say anything. Ally seemed really miffed about the whole thing. She knew it was because Ally didn't understand. She wasn't part of it, yet.
"You can't knock it until you try it." Sheila said.
Ally scoffed at her.
"I think there's been plenty 'knocked' already." Ally said.
Jim didn't want the conversation to turn contentious. He wanted them to focus on the operation.
"It looks like things will happen soon." Jim said.
Ally checked to make sure Cam was backed up.
"Savannah and Cammy are ready to back her up." Ally said. "So are Steve and Tom."
Sheila knew close encounters of this type could go bad fast. She was involved in more than a few of those. She was damaged sometimes. It got 'ugly' from that point on, even for her, as she dealt out retribution. She often left covered in blood. Very little of it was hers. It was one of the reasons why she liked to remove her clothing first before she began to dish out the punishment. It also excited her to be unclothed as she did it. She knew it was the last thing the perpetrators would ever see.
"Cam needs to watch herself." Sheila said.
"Cam needs to watch herself." Young Allison said.
Young Allison and Anna both watched drone images of what was about to happen.
Anna didn't see it as a problem. It was nothing new.
"She's done this before." Anna said. "She knows what to do."
Young Allison knew Cameron didn't like to use the Metal girls with human girlfriends for the 'off the books' operations. It was because they could all be damaged much more easily in those operations. They weren't directly related to the Resistance either.
"It's usually Sheila and Ally with Cameron." Young Allison said.
Anna was aware all the Metal girls went at some point, just for the experience. Cameron liked to keep them acclimated to the darker side of life, and to what they really were. They were Terminators. They were killing machines. They were specifically designed to terminate humans.
"It's true." Anna said. "Cam has done her share. She has the files from the others as well."
Young Allison watched Anna go on one of the missions before. It bothered her greatly. She figured they were probably other missions she went on while she was sleeping.
"I know you've gone with Cameron before." Young Allison said.
It wasn't a problem for Anna. She ran a modified version of Cameron's program.
"I have." Anna said. "I needed to kill that night. I was 'sold' to the slavers. Those who were terminated collected the tab for their past actions. They were the ones who were responsible, not me. I merely carried out the sentence they gave themselves."
Anna was involved more than a few times. Young Allison was not aware of all of them.
Young Allison thought about killing. She knew they were different ways to look at it. She killed before. It was many times actually. None of them were by her personal doing. They were through the actions she directed CamNet to carry out. She knew Savannah was bothered by the first person she needed to kill and several others.
"I haven't needed to kill anyone face to face yet." Young Allison said.
Anna was sure it would happen at some point. It would probably be sooner rather than later. She saw no need to rush it. She didn't want to glorify it, or push it either.
"You brought down a Terminator." Anna said."
Young Alison didn't think it was the same thing. In a way it was. A Terminator was an individual too, even if they worked for the enemy. She brought their existence to an end. It was the same thing as death, even if they weren't a human.
"I did." Young Allison said. "You know what I meant."
Anna figured it was from something Savannah and Young Allison talked about.
"What did Savannah tell you?" Anna asked.
Young Allison looked a little worried. She wasn't sure how she would hold up when push came to shove.
"It's different when you watch someone die and you're the one who killed them." Young Allison said. "I don't know how I'll hold up under pressure. I know what I'm trained to do. I also know I lack experience. It's all part of the same equation."
Anna believed Young Allison would do well. She knew why Savannah was able to do what she needed to do, when it needed to be done.
"You'll follow your training." Anna said. "You know what you'll need to do and when you'll need to do it."
Young Allison remembered what Savannah told her.
"It's what Savannah did with the first person she killed." Young Allison said. "She did what she was trained to do. They were the enemy. It's all we need to remember."
Young Allison watched Savannah kill a Gray a short time ago. It was the Gray from inside the storm drain. He shot at Savannah. She shot back. Savannah was almost killed herself in the firefight. Her body or her equipment was hit three separate times because of the Gray. She was a little concerned about the ricochet which hit Savannah's leg. It was actually her fault because she directed CamNet to fire on the Gray. So far nothing about the issue came up. She was sure it would at a future point. It gave her something to think about.
Anna knew Young Allison would follow her training. She wanted her to focus on the current operation.
"You will as well." Anna said. "The truck is nearing Cam's location."
Young Allison knew there were a multitude of variables. The truck driver could pass by Cam, or run her down.
"We don't even know if he'll stop." Young Allison said.
It was all about to come together, one way or another.
"It looks like we're about to find out." Anna said.
Anna believed the truck drivers 'guilt' would be determined by his actions. If you didn't stop to pick Cam up, the two females' stories might not hold up to further scrutiny.
Sarah led Jan into the suite.
Kyle peeked out of the bathroom.
"Hi, Jan." Kyle said.
Jan glanced over towards the bathroom and giggled.
"Hi, Dad." Jan said.
Sarah looked back at Kyle.
"Don't forget to shave." Sarah said.
Kyle reached up and touched his chin.
Sarah led Jan to the adjoining room of their suite.
"This is your room. You and Summer each have a big bed." Sarah said.
Jan took in the size of the suite and its two bedrooms.
"These rooms are way bigger than my room at home." Jan said.
It struck Sarah as a little strange Jan thought of the Resistance base as home. Then again, it was the only home she ever knew. It was actually kind of sad. She remembered how hard she tried for John to have a better life. She wanted him to have a 'normal' life. Skynet always got in the way, or the anti-Metal faction did. Why couldn't they all just leave them alone? She didn't want to start thinking about the past. There was too much pain there. She sucked in her breath a little bit and turned her attention back to Jan.
"There's a whole selection of dresses for you to choose from." Sarah said.
Jan seldom wore a dress. None of the girls around the base did much, except Cameron. She looked at the way her mother was dressed. She looked very elegant and totally different from how she normally did.
"They're all real pretty." Jan said. "Are you going to wear the same dress tonight? You look beautiful in it. I hope I can look half as beautiful as you do, Mom."
Sarah looked at herself in the mirror. Jan's words touched her. They were general words of admiration and appreciation for her appearance. The dress fit her well and clung to her tight figure. She never put a whole lot of stock in her appearance. She thought she looked presentable. Maybe she should trade the combat boots and fatigues for a dress and high heels more often. She saw how much it pleased Kyle last night. It actually pleased her too.
"Thank you. I just threw this on for now." Sarah said. "I wore it last night. I think I'm going to wear a different one tonight."
Jan would have liked to have been on board a day earlier with her parents. She wondered what she missed. It seemed like she already did a lot of things. She was only on the ship for a few hours. She still didn't care for the city tour when they arrived. She knew Summer was correct. She did need to see how other people lived.
"Did a lot happen last night?" Jan asked.
Sarah answered carefully.
"We saw a nice show in the big theater." Sarah said.
Holly told the girls all about it.
"I want to see it too." Jan said. "It sounds like fun. I heard there were some songs with catchy words as well as tunes."
Sarah smiled. It was good music too. It was actually better than all of the concerts she went to when she was younger. The crowd was much better behaved, by about a million percent. The view from their private box was unmatched.
"I think it will repeat tomorrow or the next day." Sarah said. "You will be able to see it before we need to get off."
Jan wasn't sure when they would need to get off. She didn't think it was for very many days.
"How many days will we be on board the ship?" Jan asked.
Sarah wasn't sure about it. Kyle and her could stay longer than Derek and Riley could. It might not seem fair to them if they stayed longer. There were others to think of as well.
"It will just be a couple of days." Sarah said. "I'm not really sure."
Jan liked the atmosphere better on the ship.
"I like being here." Jan said. "We should live here all the time."
Sarah thought it would be safer at the base. She did think it would be a little safer on the ship that it would be on the street.
"Let's see how you do with a night at sea." Sarah said.
Jan didn't think it was bad so far. Then again the ship was still tied up at the dock.
"I won't get sick." Jan said.
Sarah decided to stay with the dresses.
"Let's pick out a dress." Sarah said. "You get to choose."
Jan looked at all the different dresses with wide eyes.
"I feel like Cinderella." Jan said.
Sarah glanced back towards the main part of their suite. In a way she felt like Cinderella too. Her 'Prince Charming' returned from the dead. He was now with her. She would need to thank Cameron again when she saw her. Cameron changed her life for the better in many ways. Cameron changed all of their lives for the better.
It made her feel a lot of regret, and even shame, for the way she treated Cameron in the beginning. Sure there was a lot of baggage she needed to carry and she felt justified with the way she felt about machines. It took her a while to learn not all machines were the same, even if they came out of the same factory.
Derek thought he would go insane before the day was done if Riley 'kept it up'.
The more she 'kept it up', the more he needed to 'keep it up'.
At least with the little blue pill, he could 'keep it up'.
It was still a little hard to keep up.
Riley finished again and lay forward against Derek.
She breathed heavily. She pushed herself. She moved over and lay next to him.
She smiled at Derek and gave him a kiss. She felt a little self conscious about her poor performance, or lack of it, when she was pregnant. She really didn't know what was wrong with herself at the time.
"I didn't realize how much I missed this." Riley said. "I apologize again for leaving you high and dry for so many months. I felt awful for so long and didn't have any desire at all. I didn't even take matters into my own hands. I can say it was a first for me."
Derek wanted to put the hard times behind them. He understood different people went through different things. There were times he was very worried about Riley. He really didn't know what to do. He asked for Cameron's advice and assistance.
"Please don't worry about it." Derek said. "We have Precious and each other. Life moves forward."
Riley thought about the fact they were from the future, a future.
"Life actually moved backwards for us." Riley said.
Derek thought about the past, the future. He thought about where he was at right now. It really made him wonder about where he was before. How could such a terrible place even exist? It was all the fault of Skynet.
"I guess it did." Derek said.
Riley still felt bad about 'abandoning' Derek in their own home for so many months. She wanted to make up for it and prevent it from ever happening again. She wanted to show her love for Derek. She knew sacrifice was the true test of love. She was willing to sacrifice so he would be happy.
"If I ever again feel like I did before, you're free to seek comfort with others." Riley said. "I'm sorry I denied you this pleasure for so long."
Derek wanted to do it, but he didn't push hard on anyone. No one offered. He didn't ask. Maybe Riley was ready for more outside of their relationship. He knew she wanted a cyborg girlfriend. She told him so before they hooked up. He wondered if they could both share a Metal girl as a special friend. Now he was afraid he would get replaced by a female Terminator. It would be like what happened with Claire and her husband, with Hanna. Maybe he better tread lightly about it. It didn't hurt to think about it. It just didn't seem like a good idea to act on it. He wondered what Riley really wanted.
"It sounds like a two way street." Derek said.
Riley would gladly share to be with a female Terminator again. She would gladly share with any female again. It was her pent up desire. There was a lot of variety in the past, the future.
"It sounds fair." Riley said.
Derek wondered if it was because he experienced trouble earlier. Maybe Riley would want someone else if he couldn't deliver. Maybe at this point, she would want a male Terminator. He needed to stop thinking about it. It was time to change the subject.
"I think the ship is about to leave." Derek said
Riley quickly moved on top of him. She smiled at him and rotated around.
She looked back over her shoulder.
"I like it when your 'ship' docks better." Riley said.
Not enough time had passed for Derek.
Riley tried for a short time.
"I think I need some time to recharge." Derek said.
Riley could think of a few other methods Derek could please her.
"I don't." Riley said. "You have other ways."
Riley rotated back around and kissed Derek. She placed his hand where she wanted it. She moved his hand like she wanted him to do.
Derek was excited at the thought. He actually watched her do it a few times when she didn't know he was watching. He wondered if maybe she actually did know.
"Like this?" Derek asked.
Riley sucked in her breath.
"Yes." Riley whispered. "You need to keep a steady rhythm. Don't go faster or slow down. Don't stop until I make it."
Derek glanced over at where his medicine was. He knew he was going to need some more after dinner. They seemed to last about four hours. He figured he was going to need a few each day at this rate. He really wondered what the recommended dose was. Maybe it depended on the milligrams too.
It was one thing he often wondered about. There was always a 'recommended dose' on over the counter medicine. It didn't state if it was for a male or a female. Body size varied greatly between the sexes. The recommended dose didn't. There was no way the same amount of medicine could have the same effect on two people, especially when the body weight of one was double of the other. Not everyone's metabolism was the same either. Maybe he was worried he didn't know how much medicine to take.
Derek kissed Riley continuously as he touched her. He could feel her respond to him. She was close.
"Don't stop." Riley gasped. "I'm almost there. Pour it on."
He intensified both of the things he was doing.
Riley was soon very pleased.
Cameron was very pleased with all of the afternoon's events. She was actually pleased with everything which occurred on the ship so far. She was pleased the most about what happened with Sheila's chassis.
"Don't forget to get cleaned up." Cameron said.
John thought of a little 'play' on words.
"Every time I do, we get 'dirty' again." John said.
Cameron was still thrilled about her chassis swap. She knew she wanted more.
"I can't help it." Cameron said. "I really like what I did. What we did."
John knew he missed out on the pleasure before, several times.
"I did too." John said. "I appreciate it and understand everything better now."
Cameron looked at John. There were so many things she wanted to do.
"I think I'm going to ask Sheila to let me borrow her chassis at least one day a week." Cameron said.
John was afraid where things were headed.
"Do you mean like what we did?" John asked.
Cameron thought about the long term. Cammy told her about what Sheila and her did during their eight years in the past.
"No. I mean with my chip in it." Cameron said. "It will be a full on trade. Cammy was in Sheila's chassis for almost two years in the past. It was on and off. The longest was one for a year straight one time."
It caused John some worry. It wasn't what he wanted.
"Will you let Sheila use your chassis then?" John asked.
Cameron didn't think it would be a big deal.
"I might." Cameron said. "I won't know what she does with it."
John was aware Sheila did some 'modifications' to some of the other chassis she 'borrowed'.
"Is it a good idea?" John asked. "I can't see her not 'using' it."
John was actually worried she would abuse it.
Cameron thought it would be fair. Sheila also wanted to try something else.
"Sheila wants to try out a male chassis. She asked me before if she could try one out at least once." Cameron said. "I think there are a few possibilities or combinations which can be worked out."
Sheila told her she wanted to know what the difference was. She wanted to know who could have a better experience, a male or a female.
John was sure it was a bad idea. He figured Sheila would have sex with all of the girls, both Terminator and human. She may even pursue some of the males, both human and Terminator.
"I don't know about it." John said. "I think someone needs to think everything through."
Cameron didn't see it as a problem. She found some things as cumbersome as they were unsightly.
"I was in Bob's chassis and Jim's chassis." Cameron said. "They were both copies of my program and everything was reintegrated onto my chip. I was also in John Henry's chassis as well."
It made John wonder what happened. He never saw anything happen with what he knew about. He wanted to get it out there and see where it went.
"You didn't 'use' them." John said.
Cameron smiled at John.
"Do you know I didn't for sure?" Cameron asked.
John quickly looked at Cameron. Now he wondered if her first experience was in a male Terminator's chassis. He remembered the constant bickering and arguing between Bob-Cameron and Jim-Cameron back then. Maybe those were actually lover's squabbles. Ally and Sheila seemed to have a lot of those too, if he thought about it. It seemed to be the exact same thing.
"Were you with 'yourself'?" John asked.
Cameron was ready to relive the past.
"Maybe I was." Cameron said. "Bob and Jim are both here. Do you want to 'find out'?"
John looked a little pale.
He wondered if Cameron was just messing with him. He figured he better stay on firm ground with his response.
What John said next really surprised her.
"I'll love you wherever your program is at." John said. "It's you I love, not your chassis or sheath. I know you are your program. I'll allow you the freedom to do what you want and to find happiness where you can."
Cameron moved over to John and kissed him long and deep.
John thought back when John Henry 'took' her chip. He really wondered why he seemed to have trouble with the concept for so long. He did get hung up on her appearance when he saw Allison in the future. He needed to put his love somewhere and Allison 'looked' like Cameron. The 'love' for Allison still existed deep in him. He also was able to get a lot of positive feedback from Allison as well as what appeared to be the same feelings. Maybe it was actually her feelings he picked up on and reciprocated.
Cameron could tell John better understood her now.
John still wondered about something.
"Was the thing about Bob and Jim true?" John asked. "I mean when your program was in both of them."
Cameron wanted to remain evasive.
"It's not good to kiss and tell." Cameron said.
John thought of an earlier exploit. He got caught anyway.
"Oh." John said. "I guess not."
Cameron wanted John protected.
"I want you to remember it when the girls show up at your door or in your bed." Cameron said. "They wouldn't be there if I didn't want it for you. It would be for them as well. No one will ever be there who doesn't want to be there."
John thought back to some of the past escapades. He was sure all the girls were there by their own choice, even if it was done at Cameron's prompting, or even insistence. He didn't plan to ever turn down one of those opportunities again. If someone wanted it, he was going to give it to them. What could it hurt? No, really, what could it hurt?
"I guess not." John said. "You know what you're doing. I know you're always looking out for me."
John waited for a further answer.
None was forthcoming.
"Are you going to tell me 'I fooled you?" John asked.
Cameron remembered those earlier encounters.
"I think you mean for me to say, 'I fooled you again'." Cameron said.
Cameron looked at John and started to laugh.
John wasn't sure what really happened at this point. Maybe it was best to drop it. He sure didn't want to encourage it. He didn't want to make it seem like a 'challenge' to Cameron. She wouldn't stop until she 'won' if she felt she was challenged.
The female Fanatic moved to a crouching position behind the steel drums. She took one more look at the rear door and one more look at the vehicle. There was no sign of anyone from either location. She made a dash to get against the side of the wall and try to get over the rear fence.
She knew there was a chance she could still be spotted before she made it to the 'blind spot' in the security camera. Either way, she wanted to get away from there. It was possible if she was spotted, they may attempt to pursue her. She hoped it didn't come to it.
She was at the rear wall within thirty seconds. She jumped up and grabbed the top of the wall and pulled herself up. She needed to struggle a little bit to get her foot up on the wall to assist her all the way over. She could have used one of the pallets on this side of the wall like she did on the other side.
She scurried over the wall and landed on top of the pallet. It wasn't the one leaning on its side. She quickly moved the upright pallet down flat on top of the first one. She stood on top of the two pallets and carefully raised her head up over the top of the fence. She didn't see anyone in pursuit of her. She actually figured they probably would have shot at her as she was running if they would have. She was sure if they realized she was a female, they would have pursued her for sure. She knew what they wanted on the inside.
The female Fanatic did a quick calculation of the time. She wasn't really sure how much longer it would be until the bombs went off in the back of the van. She thought it was probably about four minutes or so. She really couldn't say at this point. She passed through the property she traversed earlier to reach the rear fence.
She paused at the corner of the building and looked both ways down the street. She didn't spot anyone. She quickly walked out to the sidewalk and went back the way she originally came. She was familiar with what was there when she passed it earlier. If something was different, she should be able to notice. She glanced over her shoulder as she went around the corner to head towards the street where her van was parked. There was no one behind her.
Hank and Larry watched as the female Fanatic took off running towards the rear fence. They really didn't have any idea what she was up to. Based upon her hasty retreat from the building, she was more than likely up to no good for the occupants of it.
It was time for them to make a choice. They needed to deal with their current situation.
"Let's take a look inside the closest building." Larry said.
Larry opened the door and went outside.
Hank followed behind him. He carried all of the electrical gear they' collected from inside the complex.
"I don't think we're going to find too much in the way of Grays." Hank said. "The 'boss' indicated there were only a few people in the buildings."
Larry thought about the hard drives Hank currently carried.
"Maybe you should take electronics back to our SUV." Larry said. "I can check out the situation on my own."
Hank thought the female Fanatic would try to use the bomb in her van against the buildings.
"I expected the female Fanatic to already be here with her bomb by the time we exited." Hank said. "Her journey to the other location was unexpected."
Larry glanced over at the two buildings. He decided to check his phone to see exactly where the female Fanatic was now.
The female Fanatic rounded the next corner. She glanced back behind her as she made the turn. There was no one behind her. She quickly hurried to her van. She looked in through the front window as she crossed over to the driver's side. She didn't see anyone inside. Everything looked the same. She opened the door and got in. She glanced back at the bomb. It appeared undisturbed. She still had the remote control in her pocket.
She thought it would be a good idea to get out of there before the bomb she just set went off. People were bound to come out of buildings and look around. She didn't want anyone to see her drive away. She started the van and headed for the corner.
When she reached the corner she was going to drive in the opposite direction away from the building. As she went to pull away from the stop sign she looked in both directions to make sure it was clear.
She spotted a vehicle she recognized. It wasn't something she expected to see.
'What the Hell?' The female Fanatic thought.
She was pretty sure she just saw the other vehicle from the compound she was just in. It drove by on the street it was located on. It was headed away from the building. It didn't seem to be in too big of a hurry.
She wanted to know where it was going and how many people were in it. She knew there were at least four individuals inside the building when she left. The fact one of the vehicles left, indicated one or more of them were no longer there.
She already partially started her turn. She swung the wheel hard over in the opposite direction and headed off in pursuit of them. She wanted to know where they were going. She was sure the bomb was about to go off any second.
She made her turn onto the street in the direction the vehicle was headed. She saw it up in front of her. It didn't appear to be running. They seemed to be driving at normal traffic speeds. She decided to hang back a little and follow them. She looked back in her rear view mirror to make sure she wasn't being followed. It didn't appear she was. She knew the bomb was going to go off any second. She wondered what the other vehicle would do when it did. She was sure she would find out soon enough.
Larry checked this phone to see where the female Fanatic was. He noticed the drone was on a wider patrol around her vehicle. He noticed an explosion at the building she left a short time ago. The drone image zoomed in on it. It appeared to be a sizable explosion. He didn't see anyone emerge from the raging inferno which erupted after the fireball dissipated.
Hank looked at the image as well.
"It was a bigger explosion than the bomb in her van was capable of creating." Hank said. "If she was able to rig an explosion in the short time she was in there, she more than likely has reactivated the bomb in the van."
Larry was informed she currently tailed a vehicle which left the compound.
"She may come back here." Larry said. "We really don't know."
Seconds ago:
The female Fanatic constantly checked the rear view mirror. She saw a fireball behind her. A second later she heard the explosion. It was clear the bombs went off. Somehow it seemed later than the ten minute time frame she originally set. She turned her attention to the vehicle in front of her. It didn't even slow. If they heard the sound of the explosion, it didn't appear they made the connection it was the building they just left a couple of minutes ago. She hadn't given them any reason to suspect they were under attack.
There were two cars between her and the vehicle she trailed. She would try to leave at least one car between them. There was a city bus up ahead. It pulled over to the curb. The target vehicle passed it as well as the first of the vehicles between it and her. The city bus pulled back out onto the street as it left the curb. It blocked her view of the target vehicle. The car she was behind made a right turn at the next intersection.
The female Fanatic looked back one more time in her rear view mirror to make sure it was clear to move over. She could see black smoke billowing up in the distance behind her. She checked her side view mirror to move over to pass the bus. As soon as she came alongside of the bus, she only saw the vehicle in front of the car she was behind just a few seconds ago. There was no sign of the target vehicle.
CamNet orbited the drone over a wider area. She wanted to keep track of the building the female Fanatic left, as well as the vehicle which left from the building. The female Fanatic trailed the vehicle currently.
There wasn't too much surprise when the building exploded into a fireball. She intercepted multiple 911 calls. She decided to suppress all emergency response to the building. More than likely there were Skynet operatives in there. She would let it burn to the ground.
CamNet would concentrate on the vehicle which left the compound, as well as the female Fanatic for now. Every now and then she might orbit the drone back in the direction of the burning building. So far no one exited the building since the explosion.
Hank and Larry discuss their next course of action. They carried a valuable cargo of Skynet hard drives, including what they believed was some version of Skynet itself.
"We only have seven minutes before the bombs go off inside of the complex." Larry said.
Hank figured anyone who was in the buildings would probably leave after the explosion.
"I think this place will clear out in eight minutes." Hank said. "We currently have two drones. One of them can remain here to observe what happens and tail whatever vehicles leave. We can return to our SUV and track one of them if there are more than one."
Hank and Larry both received an update from CamNet.
Closing monologue by Cameron:
Kiss And Tell
Happiness comes in many ways
Not all of them will forever last
Some will slowly dwindle and fade
As the future becomes the past
Live life in the moment
Future plans seldom play out
They can shake one's foundations
They can crack life's grout
One needs a purpose
They must have a goal
Without any form of hope
One will never be whole
Drive through the pain
Master it and push it aside
If one buckles and gives in
Forever they will hide
Break the confining mold
Crack life's small shell
Reach out and share
Just don't kiss and tell
Nobody