Many thanks
Angelofdarkeness78: Thanks
Crazy4Cocopuffs: Hope you like today's suspense – not sure where it will end up yet. Think you'll like chapter 22.
Darkangelgirl: Most of the drama is subtle but several chapters are scene setting for alliances.
Lakergirl08: Happy you like Alec and Max working together
Angel 0f Darkness231: Chapter 22 answers M/L situation. Glad you liked the Issy twist. Heat just doesn't fit with this so wanted to explain why not in it. Timings in A/N at bottom. Nice to get such a long review, thank you.
Shygirl1: Thanks
Mel11: Thanks
Disclaimer: Not mine except new characters
A/N : My first attempt ,sorry for delay was waiting for another review, but decided for reviewers had waited long enough. Looking for 105 reviews for next though.
Who loves the teacher?
Chapter Twenty-one: First Meetings
"Am I being relegated?" Logan tackled Max as everyone left the meeting. "There was a time my name would have been included in all those meetings."
Alec had seen the way Logan had looked at Max during the meeting and their body language made Alec feel a protective urge towards Max. He looked at Issy for understanding, she acknowledged and agreed.
"Logan you have shown your disapproval of everything that has happened recently. How can I include you in meetings that you are so against?" Max replied wearily.
"I have always been there as a buffer against extreme situations," he replied as Alec came to stand behind Max. "You seem to trust a screw-up over me these days."
"I've never sent Max into danger, but I've got her back when she is," commented Alec.
"Everyone here understands our situation Logan, except you. I need to work with them for a solution. You can help, but I won't let you hinder, it's your choice. Now I want to eat and then the work will really begin. Alec will you and Issy join me?"
"Sure boss, but don't you mean join us? Issy will be home with Alex by now cooking something," Alec smirked.
"She won't mind me dropping in?"
"No, she'll be expecting it."
"So I'm dismissed like one of your soldiers," spat Logan.
"I need to think clearly, being around you won't help and you've got your own decision to make, so yes you're dismissed," Max snapped.
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Arriving at the McDowell apartment Max could smell chicken and vegetables again. She glared at Alec, who laughed, "It's OK we got enough delivered for everyone, but I prefer Issy's cooking. I thought everyone deserved a celebratory meal on this historic occasion."
"You mean one of those trucks was carrying dinner?" Max didn't know whether to hit him for wasting space or hug him for the thoughtful gesture. In the end she did both as Issy opened the door.
"I see he's explained dinner," Issy laughed as she surveyed the scene.
"Yeah," was all Max could say in her embarrassment. Changing the subject Max asked, "How's he getting on as a dad?"
"Oh fine so long as it's playtime, sleep time or feed time. Changing, bathing or tantrums and its 'Issy can you sort this', or 'I've got a meeting'. What happened when I was away?"
"I think Gem got used to midnight calls for changing," Max laughed.
"Hey I'm still here," Alec said indignantly, as he picked Alex up for a cuddle. "Just 'cause no-one's shown me what to do, doesn't mean I couldn't. I just have other things to do, so leave it to the experts."
"What about when I was late and she needed changing, I'll admit you got the diaper off and even managed to make sure she was clean. But there was no sign that you'd tried to put one on," Issy laughed.
"I'd heard it was good for babies to have time without one and I knew you'd be home soon and I didn't know where they were," Alec flustered.
Max couldn't help but laugh at his discomfort; she missed this when she was with Logan. It seemed to be 'ice meal dear' and far too stilted, no fun with him.
"Anyway," Alec continued, "I'm sure Max didn't come to talk about our domestic bliss!" as they sat down to enjoy their evening meal, Alec taking charge of eating and feeding Alex at the same time.
"You're right," Max replied trying to suppress her giggles, "first I'd like to thank you for supporting me with Logan." She turned to Alec, "I'm sure you wouldn't have been there without Issy's blessing. Second about this meeting with Sandeman and Lydecker, I'm sure you're confused at my including you," she turned to Issy, who nodded. "Well you know both men from a different perspective, so where Logan thinks he has been the voice of reason, I think you're more suited to that position."
"Wow I'm a female Logan, I don't know if that's a compliment," replied Issy sarcastically. Seeing Max's face drop, she continued, "Sorry Max, but being compared with Logan isn't a high point for me. I appreciate what you mean and I would be happy to help, although I was a little surprised at you including me in the meeting about active X5's."
"As well as the medical facility, you are the head of the psy-ops unit," Max stated to Alec and Issy's surprise. "You know more about psy-ops than most and have used your skills to help Alec, among others. I just wish you could have helped Ben," Max mused.
Issy was uncomfortable at this comment, but tried not to show her feelings.
Max continued, "Anyway when the operational X5's come here they will probably need to be convinced that Manticore has gone and that this is now their home. Which is where the psy-ops team will come in; do you think you can handle it?"
"No problems, although when I suggested allowing psy-ops personnel to come here that wasn't how I thought their skills would be used," replied Issy.
"I understand that now," replied Max.
"Anyone for ice-cream?" asked Issy, as she cleared the table.
"I haven't had any for ages, what flavour?" replied Max.
"Double choc-chip," was the reply.
"Please," replied Max her mouth watering.
"Make mine a double helping," replied Alec.
"Pig!" retorted Issy and Max in unison.
With them once again sat round the table Max continued, "Before we meet Sandeman and Deck, how we gonna deal with them. I don't want Deck snooping around on his own."
"So we need Deck in the first meeting, how about starting with the X5's then Issy and Deck can talk about specifics while we walk with Sandeman, Dix and Logan about the Eyes Only broadcast," suggested Alec.
"Then Lydecker, Mole and Biggs after lunch and they can continue about training and supplies, while we talk with Issy and Dage about the lab work. Sounds like a plan, let's do it," said Max as they finished their meal.
"If you take Alex to Gem, I'll clean up and meet you down there," replied Issy.
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Max paced, while Alec chewed his thumb waiting for Lydecker and Sandeman as Issy entered the office, "Will you two give over being so nervous," she commented, "You're the ones in control remember, relax."
"It sure doesn't feel that way," replied Max, as she took some deep breaths.
"You both look like you're waiting to be punished by the headmaster," Alec and Max looked puzzled, so Issy continued, "Like you've been caught doing something wrong at school." Realisation dawned on their faces and they both started taking deep breaths.
Two minutes later Joshua brought Sandeman and Lydecker. "Ok Little Fella?" he asked.
"Thanks Big Fella, we'll only be about half an hour then could you escort our guests to their rooms," replied Max.
Joshua nodded as he left the room and closed the door.
"I hope everything is satisfactory?" she asked, the two men nodded, "I am sorry to keep you here but you keep saying time is of the essence and we cannot protect you outside."
"That is understandable my child," said the old man. "There are many things we need to discuss. Have you a plan?"
"The plan is for the meetings, we will start at 9:00 about the active X5's, break at 10:30, resume at 11:00 with the Eyes Only broadcast, break 12:30 for lunch, resume 13:00 for weapons and training, break 14:00, resume 14:30 about the lab work. Any comments?"
"I suppose I will have an escort outside of meetings?" Lydecker queried.
"Until you have gained our trust, of course, Mole or Josuha will be your escort until tomorrow's meetings. After the first meeting Issy will be your escort until lunch," Max replied.
Max closed the meeting and posted the times for the next day.
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9:00 in Max's office.
"So Deck how many X5's are there, what are their locations, how can they be contacted and what are their assignments?" asked Max.
"You forgot one Max, what do they know of TC and Manticore's destruction," injected Alec.
"There were thirty X5's on assignment around the world at the time that Manticore was destroyed. There were four groups of five in China, South Africa, Russia and Iran, two groups of four in Afghanistan and Belize and two assassinations in Rome and Japan," stated Lydecker.
"That's more than I expected, but they're all abroad?" Max queried.
"The ones on deep cover here know what's happened and will be more difficult to locate, like the '09ers. The fact that they're abroad is not a problem I have their call signals and can get them to return to base, but that's Manticore. They would need to be met and re-directed here by their X5 CO, myself and someone from psy-ops."
"Why someone from psy-ops?" asked Max, she thought she knew but wanted him to explain.
"Max, I know you met Mia, we need someone with tele-coersion powers to get them to come here for debriefing."
"That's going to be very risky, if the group's smell a rat the welcome committee could be killed," Max declared. "Who would be the CO, in case I didn't know?"
"Despite his failure on the Berrisford mission Madame Renfro never demoted Alec, therefore he is still their CO," said Lydecker, "never understood that until I met Issy here."
"I have my uses," smirked Issy, "I suppose you want to re-assign one of the assassins straight to McKinley, that way they will have no links to TC."
"Yes, I thought that would carve the way for negotiations," he replied.
"Then choose the female for the mission, it has less complications," remarked Issy.
"I thought you might say that," Lydecker returned, "consider it done."
"Issy do you know who's out there?" Max asked.
"I know who was assigned to Rome, against my better judgement," she replied, "I thought it might upset their psy-ops treatment, but I was overruled."
"So who is it?" asked Alec.
Issy shot him a warning glance and thought, 'I'll tell you later not now, I need to speak to Max first. Change the subject quickly'.
"Hey you haven't told us what their assignments are and what they know of TC 'Deck," Alec asked quickly.
"Most are counter terrorist missions agreed with the governments of the countries involved, the assassinations are the Pope and a Japanese geneticist. Since they were in the field at the time Manticore was destroyed and they are still responding to handler instructions, it can be assumed that they are unaware of the destruction of Manticore," he replied.
"So I'm assuming you can send an order to abort the mission and return to base. When will this occur and when will you be taking Alec and Issy to the remains of Manticore?" asked Max, surprising Issy. "Well I assumed you would be the psy-ops officer," Max told her.
"If approved I will issue the order tonight to the assassins and every two days to a different group, that should stagger the returns," replied Lydecker. "I'm hoping that there will be no need for psy-ops once they have arrived here. I would expect the first to return in a week, so we'd need to leave in three days to set things up."
"Ok I think that's the basics covered," Max stated. "Alec and I need to discuss further before agreeing, but let's break now. Issy can you take 'Deck to our medical facility while Alec and I conduct our next meeting."
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A/N The time frame for chapters 18 to 21
Evening first day until noon next day
12:30 until 14:00 same day
14:30 until 18:00 same day
18:00 same day until 10:30 next day
Timings for the next few chapters are in 21
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