Ahh. This is where I'm stumped.
On the most recent, battery tender on battery. Fully charged.
Rested overnight, read 12.7 on the MM in the morning.
After breakdown, it appeared the + has some play in it. Minor, as it was tight, but not tight enough that I could not make it move.

With the said, theoretically, it should have been charging the battery ? The connection was good enough to start the car..in the morning. Before even doing the disassemble process, a amp clamp on the P was showing 45 amps declining downward when I boosted the terminals up front to start the car. BUT, with the shot battery, I can only conclude the vehicle was running off the battery the whole entire time during the 50-60 mile drive...