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Many thanks to

Elle6778: Glad you noticed my spelling mistake, I'll try to get it right in future.

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And my new reviewers

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Su : I'll only do one chapter a day, but good reviews make me want to post the next.

GiRl MaGe : Glad you like it.

A/N : My first attempt, but I think it's getting better.

Who loves the teacher?

Chapter Nine : The Wanderer Returns

It was 9:00 and Max's inner circle was sat around the table in the Command Centre reviewing and planning. The raids had been going well, the census was near completion, the infirmary had been made to look much more like a proper hospital and everywhere was looking much cleaner than outside of Terminal City.

Everyone was so engrossed with the planning that they failed to notice the figure at the door. "So it seems no-one missed me then?" asked Issy leading against the door post.

Everyone jumped, "How do you do that? We might be able to creep up on the ordinaries, but not on each other," asked Mole, as everyone left the table to talk to the newcomer.

"I'll teach you one day," she smiled, trying to gauge Max and Alec's reactions to her return. Alec seemed really pleased and animated as he sauntered over to her. Max was much more closed, almost soldier like in her indifference.

"And how come you keep breaching security?" asked Max. I still haven't had that talk with Alec, wonder when I'll get chance now, she thought.

"I know a back route in, that you haven't discovered yet," she answered as both Alec and Joshua gave her a bear hug, "so you have missed me, but please I would like to breathe sometime soon." Joshua and Alec released their grip, but Alec grabbed her hand instead.

"Are you ok?" asked a concerned Alec.

"Yeah I'm fine," she replied with a laugh, "I'm sure you would know if I wasn't."

"Where have you been? Are White's men still following you and finally what about the transmitter?" Max questioned, still in soldier mode.

"I've been in Canada. It wasn't White's men that found me and the transmitter has been removed."

"Who was following you then?"

"Lydecker," a sharp intake of breath was heard, "and Sandeman."

"You've seen father?" asked an excited Joshua.

"Yes, but we need to talk about other things first. Oh by the way Dix, have you picked up a signal from that transmitter I took yet."

The monocled mutant replied that he had.

"Good we can keep an eye on them for a change," she laughed.

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Taking a place at the table next to Alec, Issy said, "Don't let me disturb the meeting but I'd like to join in, if that's ok Max."

"Most of the important stuff has been done, and I'm sure everyone wants to find out what brings you back," replied Max, not sure whether she was pleased or not, this woman seemed to come between her and Alec without even trying. Max might not want Alec for herself, but that didn't mean she was happy when he was with anyone else and his attitude about Issy was more intense than her own about Logan, plus she was the mother of his child. "So the table is open for questions."

"Before I answer any questions, I have one of my own. How far have you got with deciphering the runes?" Issy asked calmly looking from Max to Alec.

"It has taken a bit of time, but we're beginning to make progress," replied Max trying not to give anything away.

"I couldn't do anything when you left, until a new set appeared. Then I tried working from pictures, but that didn't work. We've been going to Logan's since then and it seems to be working," Alec jabbered. Max glared at him, Issy didn't need to know that much thought Max.

"Thanks for the honesty, so you discovered what I meant by 'on sight'. I thought you were having problems."

"What do you mean 'we were having problems', who's been spying?" asked Max feeling angry that she knew so much.

"I'm a telepath I can tune in if necessary. I think its part of Alec's mods that always allow him to scream at me when he's in trouble, not that I can always help, usually I just send advice back for him to follow. If it works and someone like White doesn't complicate things, I lose the scream until the next time." Most of the table were smiling at Alec, who seemed confused.

"You must have a headache most of the time," laughed Max. Issy looked puzzled. "Well he does seem to screw-up a lot," Max explained. Alec's expression became indignant. "Anyway, so what's this about Lydecker and Sandeman?" asked Max, changing the subject as quickly as her mood. Everyone turned to watch Issy intently for her answer.

"Yeah what does that bastard want with us now," spat Mole.

"It seems that Sandeman found Lydecker after the good colonel found some information about you," she said with a grin looking at Max. "Whatever it was Sandeman realised that Lydecker might be able to help get to you for whatever he has planned."

"So you don't know what this is all about?"

"No, not yet, but the tracker allows us to find them when we want information, at least that's the plan," replied Issy.

"Sounds like you're joining our band, I thought you were supposed to work for Sandeman," commented Mole dryly.

"What I said was I was created to do his bidding. When Sandeman left Manticore, I got the freedom you got when Manticore went down. I could make my own decisions there was no-one to stop me, but I was happy to continue part of my mission so I stayed. Anyway you were all more part of me than anything outside, so it wasn't a hard choice. Then after the '09 escape I knew if I didn't stay very few of the X5 series would survive without some help, the Committee were ready to destroy them all as unreliable. So I stuck around and used my abilities whenever I could to protect my relatives," Issy was recalling seriously.

"Then you fell for princess and the rest is history," laughed Mole.

"Not quite history, but close enough for now," she laughed, "And in answer to your question, yes I would like to stay and help, but I realise that you're the leader here Max."

"What does Lydecker want?" asked Max ignoring the leadership comment.

"Lydecker wants you all to be good little soldiers and obey his every command!" she stated simply another smile flickering across her face at the thought.

"That ain't gone happen, so what's next," replied Max and Mole (a smile appearing on their faces at the thought), with everyone nodding in agreement.

"When I was with them I told them you had your own CO and would do only what that person agreed with and that they didn't want to fight you on this. Admittedly, I did mention that it was Alec who was the CO back at Manticore, but that can be sorted later. Alpha females are superior to Alpha males in most circumstances, as I'm sure you have discovered." Max scowled, Alec looked indignant at the put down while the others nodded in agreement. "When I gave them the slip I left a note explaining that they had to come to terms with the new situation and that we would be in touch. They're probably a bit pissed with me at the moment, but it gives us a little time to finish preparations," Issy continued.

"Hey I thought you said I was the leader here," Max was getting annoyed with the assumptions Issy was making.

"You are, but until the familiars are defeated and a vaccine is found for this virus, people are either going to try killing us or expecting us to help them. Why can't we do it on Terminal City's terms?" Everyone was nodding in agreement, even Mole, and looking at Max.

"Ok we work this bitch out together, but all plans are worked out at committee meetings in future, 9:00 every morning, and no-one goes out without back-up," Max ordered, everyone agreed. "Let's break until 14:00 to sort routine business."

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As the meeting broke-up Alec turned to Issy, "I've got a surprise for you, well I hope it's a surprise with you reading my thoughts."

"I only tune in when you're shouting in confusion or fear. I only do it to help and I always turn off from relationship issues, I didn't think it fair to influence those. Besides when Manticore locked your memories, they messed-up the link as well. It has only been clearer since I was here last time."

"You can tell you worked in the labs," commented Alec.

"Why do you say that?"

"You talk too much and explain everything."

"I didn't need your over confidence, and lost some of what I had when Sandeman left. Until then I didn't need to explain my actions, afterwards I had to be careful or find a way of talking myself out of the problem. But if I remember rightly you've always done the same," she hugged him, although her first thought was to give him a punch on the arm (too like Max she thought).

Alec put his arm around her to lead her to the surprise that was waiting.

"Hold up you two," said Max. "I still want to talk with you."

Alec and Issy turned to find Max looking stony-faced at them. Alec sighed, why Max couldn't give them some time alone to talk he didn't understand, he still needed some answers. Issy was calm; she expected Max to want her answers first and try to keep a wedge between them. Max suddenly felt that she could be wrong trying to keep them apart, but since they had started working on the runes Alec had been closer than for a while and she didn't want to lose that.

"Look I know you want to show off Alec, but if we're going to be ready for whatever I need to know what it is. Can you help with that Issy?" Max thought the question would put Issy on the spot.

"If I can meet with you both later to see how far you've got with the runes I might be able to fill in some blanks. But the prophecy is encrypted in those, I have no other knowledge. My time with White and his friends didn't allow me enough access to their knowledge," Issy replied, "Look I know you think this is important but I haven't eaten since yesterday and not had much sleep, I have yet to see my daughter and Alec obviously wants to take me somewhere else. I can cope without the sleep for a little longer, but I would like to eat and see my daughter, if Alec can fit in his surprise as well then I'll be back about 13:00," Issy sounded tired, she just wanted Max to back off for a while.

"Ok 13:00 in my office both of you!" snapped Max, tuning to go to her office. I'm going have to ask Dix for that tape, she thought.

"She doesn't like you?" laughed Alec.

"Probably not, but let's hope we can work together," replied Issy as he led the way to the infirmary.

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A/N Hope it's not too much of a disappointment that I've stopped now, but there is more to come I promise.

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