Chapter 1642

Right Move

Jim accompanied Derek, along with the female, as they went on a tour of some of the decedents who were inside of the building. They wanted to show her what was in store for her, and how she would most likely have ended up if they hadn't interceded.

Derek wanted the female to take the situation seriously. He wasn't sure she understood the full weight of the situation she was about to be thrown into.

"What's your name?" Derek asked.

The female didn't think it was important. She hadn't used her real name in a long time. She wondered if it even belonged to her anymore. Somehow it seemed it wasn't anyone she wanted to be. She was a different person now than she once was in many different ways. She preferred not to think about them.

"It doesn't matter." The female said.

Derek could see she was on the streets too long. It was never a good sign.

"What name do you go by?" Derek asked.

The female didn't want things to turn into a problem. She understood the men were trying to help her.

"Debbie is my name." The female said. "I haven't heard it in a long time. I'm not her anymore."

Jim followed behind Derek and Debbie as they walked. He was concerned she might attempt to run, or attack Derek. He was ready to grab her if it became necessary.

Derek stopped outside of the location where the first group of dead bodies was at. He knew it was harsh treatment for someone not acclimated to violence on the battlefield. The violence on the street wasn't too different from the battlefield at times.

"I just want you to take a fast look at what was done to others." Derek said. "It's what would have happened to you."

Debbie took a quick glance. She didn't like to look at dead people. She already saw enough of them as it was. She could tell the treatment was brutal. It wasn't anything she would have wanted done to her. She wanted to leave.

"I just want the van." Debbie said. "Let me take it and go. It will give me somewhere to live and survive out of for a while until it breaks. It will give me a little more security at night if I can lock the doors. In a tent, there will always be someone who comes in uninvited in the middle of the night, and does things before they leave."

Jim felt the location they were currently in was compromised. He didn't think time worked in their favor. He pointed out the obvious.

"They're most likely others associated with this group." Jim said. "If they spot the van, they'll track you down. They will accuse and blame you for what happened here. Whatever you saw done to the others will be magnified many times worse when they do it to you."

Debbie didn't want to see any more. She turned around and almost bumped into Jim.

Derek didn't want to seem cold hearted.

"I just wanted you to understand what could have happened to you." Derek said.

Jim, Derek, and Debbie headed back towards where the van was parked.

Debbie tried not to think about it, but she couldn't help it. There were others who she knew on the street who ended up dead as well. It wasn't so gruesome. Dead was dead. Maybe it was just a matter of time until it caught up with her. She may have dodged death today. It was still out there waiting for her.

She really didn't know if her future could be counted in years. Maybe it would only be counted in months or even days. Today, it appeared as if it could have been counted in minutes. She was on the road to nowhere, fast.

Bob and Kyle watched as the female was led away by Derek and Jim earlier. They did a detailed search of the van. They were sure there were drugs or money hidden inside of it.

Kyle didn't want to get stuck with a hypodermic needle like Bob did. He was very cautious at everything he touched.

"I haven't found anything in the front so far." Kyle said.

Bob searched in the rear of the van. He looked for any hidden compartments.

"Other than used narcotic paraphernalia, I haven't found anything either." Bob said.

Kyle wasn't so sure what it was they were even looking for.

"When you and Jim went through the building did you notice anything unusual?" Kyle asked.

Bob wondered if he meant anything other than the dead people.

"Not really." Bob said. "I think this location needs to be torched."

Kyle agreed with him.

"I'm actually surprised a fire hasn't started already." Kyle said.

Bob looked underneath the van.

Kyle popped open the hood and looked inside the engine compartment.

They were sure the female wanted the van for a more specific reason than she indicated.

John Henry didn't want to get involved with Bob's team.

Sarah, Riley, and Summer continue to follow the operation closely. They were able to hear the conversation carried on by the Resistance members as well as the female.

The more Riley heard, the more it bothered her. It sounded too much what life was like in her past, the future.

"Is there anywhere they can take her?" Riley asked.

Sarah wasn't so sure it would matter.

"Unless people want to help themselves, there's not much anyone can do." Sarah said.

Sarah was reminded about the time the girl at school jumped off the roof of the building to her death. John was very upset about it. He blamed Cameron. She told him if people were determined to take their own life, there wasn't much anyone could do to stop them. They would eventually succeed.

Summer knew Sarah was right. The Resistance attempted to help a few individuals and pay for their rehabilitation and medical expenses. So far, all of those they tried to help were still in the programs and doing everything required. She didn't know what the success rate would be in the end. It did look like they wanted a way out from the lifestyle they were stuck in before.

"We can offer to take her to rehab." Summer said. "She seems reluctant to go. It looks like she just wants to run."

Riley didn't think it was the right move. There was nowhere to run, except further into the darkness.

"Her life is going to go nowhere." Riley said. "She's probably worried because there are four males there with her. I would be. She wonders if they didn't so much save her from the others, as they did take her from them. She's probably worried she's in for a whole new round of abuse going forward."

John tried to stay out of the conversation. What was being done, was being done 'off the books'. It wasn't a Resistance matter.

Samantha listened just outside of the Command Center. She heard Riley's concern. She didn't want Riley to worry.

She entered the Command Center. Everyone quickly greeted her.

"Jesse and Vanna are with Precious." Samantha said. "I could go to where Bob's team is at. I might be able to put the female at ease."

Riley liked the idea.

"I'd like to go with you." Riley said. "I know what it's like to be scared and all alone, especially when bad things have happened. It makes you think they're going to happen again with every male you meet. The location she's currently in isn't going to help anything either."

Sarah cringed a little at the thought. She went through rough times to make sure John was protected as she was trained to help protect him.

"I can go." Sarah said. "We need to find out first if she wants help. If she doesn't, it won't do any good."

Summer decided to step up. She could tell it was a major concern for Sarah and especially Riley.

"I'll speak with her." Summer said.

John wasn't sure where things were going. It all sounded like a bad idea to him.

"Don't we already have a few female Terminators out?" John asked.

Summer was given information by CamNet as to where everyone was at. She was aware Camille-Hanna and Gail were on an 'off the book's' mission for CamNet. Most of the other Metal girls were in Las Vegas or Lake Tahoe.

Cam-Holly was with Allison and Claire in the recreation room.

"Everyone else is currently tied up." Summer said. "Samantha and Cam-Holly are the only female Terminators here. There was some assistance a very short time ago."

Riley still wanted to do something. She didn't get out much. She felt the need to help someone. Something made her look at the monitor she was at. She looked at drone footage of what appeared to be 'Cameron' and Gail. There was a note indicating it was actually Camille-Hanna and not Cameron.

Sarah looked at it as well. She understood what it was. It was two of the team who just helped another female. There was a notation it was done outside of the scope of the Resistance as well.

Summer wanted to move their location away from the Command Center.

"I think we can better deal with this in the lab." Summer said.

Sarah, Riley, Samantha, and Summer left the Command Center and headed for the lab.

John and John Henry looked at each other.

"I think we should stick with Resistance matters." John Henry said.

John would have actually preferred if they stayed in the command center so they could monitor what they were actually doing, or going to do. Now it was going to be a big question mark.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Temporal Mission:

Past Timeline:

November 26 1963

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

There was one thing the driver of the Deuce Coupe knew for sure. He was going to need a bigger engine. The other vehicle was ahead of him, and pulling away, ever since he needed to shift into second gear.

Cameron tapped the brake pedal with her left foot to signify the race was over. she let off the gas and slowed.

Young Allison was pretty sure Cameron just went faster than she could in a Cessna.

"Wow." Young Allison said. "We were really moving. I understand what they mean about how, 'if it had a set of wings, they know it could fly'. How fast was everyone?"

Cameron was very pleased with the engagement.

"His top speed was the fastest so far." Cameron said. "He topped out at a hundred and forty two miles an hour."

Cameron continued to slow.

Young Allison could tell they were obviously faster.

"What did we pull?" Young Allison asked. "I bet it was over a hundred and fifty miles an hour. We were really moving."

Cameron was sure she could have gone even faster.

"We were still accelerating when I let off the gas pedal." Cameron said. "I'm sure I could have squeezed a few more miles per hour out of it."

Cameron slowed down and used her turn indicator to signal she was pulling over.

Young Allison wondered if anything was wrong.

"Is everything with the car good?" Young Allison asked.

Cameron already checked the gauges multiple times. She checked them again.

"The vehicle is fine." Cameron said. "I wanted to see if the driver of the Deuce Coupe wanted to say anything."

Cameron pulled over off to the side. The Deuce Coupe pulled up a few seconds later.

"It was one heck of a race." The driver said.

Cameron thought the Deuce Coupe did very well.

"You're the best competition I've raced so far." Cameron said. "I just wanted you to know that."

The driver of the Deuce Coupe looked a little disappointed.

"You're the first one to beat me." The driver said. "Everything was fair and clean. I'd like to congratulate you."

Cameron didn't think it was a big deal.

"We're out here all alone." Cameron said. "It'll be our secret. You're still the champ in my book. We're just visiting. Even with a light car, a small block can only put out so much horsepower. There's going to be some powerful cars coming out over the next few years. It's something you need to keep in mind. You have a classic."

Cameron knew Ford would win the NASCAR Grand National championship for the next 7 years using the 427. Mid way through the season in 1969 the Boss 429 would be introduced as the future power plant. Ford would stop supporting racing at the end of 1969 and the teams would be on their own. Without the financial support, as well as equipment, cars, and engines the teams didn't do as well. There were a lot of environmental concerns involved with the engines the stock cars used. It would lead to a limit of 358 cubic inches.

The driver of the Deuce Coupe was a little surprised. The girl wasn't snide or condescending. She wasn't a Bitch either.

"Thank you for the compliment." The driver said. "I can see you're different."

Cameron glanced over at Young Allison. She knew she was always 'different', even when she didn't want to be.

"I hear it a lot." Cameron said.

Young Allison looked behind them.

"Do we still need to worry about the police?" Young Allison asked.

Cameron kept track in a rear view mirror.

"They're back where we left the others." Cameron said. "They couldn't catch us if they tried."

Young Allison was going to point out their police cars were probably equipped with radios, but didn't. It seemed like a good idea to move on to her.

"I think we should leave the area." Young Allison said.

Cameron could see the driver of the Deuce Coupe still looking at her.

"We're going to go." Cameron said. "You're a very worthy and honorable competitor. You're still number one in the Valley. Well, The Big Valley anyway."

The driver of the Deuce Coupe thought it was best to part ways.

"What's your name?" The driver asked.

Cameron smiled.

"Nobody…." Cameron said. "It's my nickname. Remember, if anybody asks you if anyone's faster, you can always tell them 'Nobody' can beat you. Like I said, it'll be our secret. Good luck."

Young Allison looked over at the car. She hadn't said much. She felt there was one thing she needed to say.

"I want you to keep your eyes open for drunk drivers when you're out." Young Allison said. "It's our biggest worry. Goodbye."

The yellow Deuce Coupe pulled away.

Cameron pulled back out onto the highway behind it. She followed him to the next intersection. They were in a very rural area.

The yellow Deuce Coupe turned in the direction the sign indicated where Route 99 was located.

Cameron turned in the opposite direction.

Young Allison looked back over her shoulder.

"Do you think we'll see him again?" Young Allison asked.

Cameron glanced in the rear view mirror.

"If we're still here a year from now we might." Cameron said. "I don't think so otherwise. There are certain events which no one can control."

Young Allison didn't think her warning to the driver would do any good. No one could control a drunk driver headed towards them.

"I know I did the same thing with Tiny." Young Allison said. "I guess no one can escape their fate. It's what Sarah thinks anyway, even if she says there is 'No Fate'."

Cameron wasn't so positive about any of it. She was pretty sure she changed a lot of things, in the future, the timeline they left from, and in the past. Not necessarily when she was with Young Allison now either. She gave Cammy and Sheila some very specific instructions about a few things.

"There's no way to know for certain what will happen at any given point in time." Cameron said.

Young Allison didn't have a clue as to where they were at.

"I take it we're headed back to Bakersfield." Young Allison said. "Are we going to spend the night there? I can sleep in the back if you want to go somewhere else."

Cameron didn't want to inconvenience Young Allison anymore than necessary. She felt she already did quite a bit of it over the years anyway.

"There's something I want to look into tomorrow." Cameron said. "I'd like to go through the entire Tehachapi route in the daylight. It isn't something we need to do right at this time. The event tomorrow happens very infrequently. I just happen to know it's the closest date when it will happen since we've arrived."

Young Allison heard Cameron make mention of it several times before. She still didn't have a clue as to what it was.

"You mentioned it's about speed." Young Allison said. "Is there something happening at the Mojave airport? Is it at some other nearby location? I saw the signs for the racetrack at Willow Springs when we were on Sierra Highway earlier."

Cameron didn't want to give too much away.

"It's much closer to Mojave than it is to Bakersfield." Cameron said. "We could spend the night in Tehachapi if you wanted. You'd be able to wake up every time a train passed through town."

Young Allison spotted a few places in Mojave right across from the railroad tracks on the main drag.

"We'd be able to do the same thing in Mojave wouldn't we?" Young Allison asked.

Cameron knew they would be able to.

"It'll be a little noisy there." Cameron said. "You'll have the truck traffic on Route 466 and Route 6 to listen to. All the motels are located right along Sierra Highway in the section where they overlap. You'll also hear the trains as they go through several crossings in Mojave. There are five of them."

Young Allison decided to let Cameron make the choice. She believed Cameron wanted to go back to Mojave.

"Mojave works for me." Young Allison said. "You're the one driving. I'll go wherever you take me."

Cameron looked at Young Allison for a long moment with her statement. She knew she needed to stay focused. She didn't want any distractions along the way.

Right Move

When people take action
They want others to accept and approve
For every one who does there are others
Who will reject and disapprove

It's only to one's self
Anything they must actually prove
They shouldn't worry about
What they will reprove

It may take some time and effort
For others to understand what they behoove
If they don't succeeded at first
They can always try to improve

Once they get the hang of it
They will be in their own grove
It's only up to them
What they keep or remove

Every choice or decision made
Can be thwarted by a countermove
No one ever knows for sure
If every move is the right move

Nobody