Many Thanks:
HoneyX5-452 : Glad you're looking forward to Ben.
Darkangelgirl: Read on for your answers
Angel 0f Darkness231: Seems everyone wants to hear from Ben.
Elle6778: Glad you liked the way it went.
Mel11: The reactions start now, but Ben won't appear for about 4 chapters.
Maria656: As this is still the same day, don't expect the answers to come too soon.
BrunaX5: Sorry, this is my story so it won't be MA
Wildsky: Glad you're enjoying the story, will probably do one about Issy which will explain the beginnings of their relationship.
Disclaimer: Not mine except new characters
A/N : My first attempt.
Who loves the teacher?
Chapter Twenty-three : Brother Ben
Issy had sorted a light pasta lunch when Alec and Max arrived.
"How was your morning?" she asked them.
"Some progress, some set backs and a decisive decision to dump Logan," replied Max deadpan.
"What you dumped Logan, why? I thought he was the love of your life," asked Issy.
"So did I but I'm fed up with the pompous way that everything I want for me is wrong, but no matter what danger he puts me in that's alright," she replied a bit sullen.
"It was wonderful, poor Logie boy looked crestfallen when Max told him to leave if he wasn't going to help, especially when she sent CeCe with him to collect her things," Alec laughed, "whilst our Max just looked pissed."
Max perked up at his animated recounting of events to Issy, and they all started laughing as they sat at the table now helping themselves to the food.
"I know there were questions from the meeting with Lydecker that you want answered and I think now is the time for those answers," Issy said seriously and mysteriously.
"Very deep, so who's the guy in Rome?" asked Alec directly.
"I'll answer that in a moment, but first you need to realise that Biggs was not the first X5 to be resurrected," they nodded, "it was part of the experiments at Manticore to see if it could be done," Issy stopped hoping they might make some suggestions.
"You mean they killed some just to try and resurrect them," said Max feeling sick at the thought. Alec looked horrified at the suggestion.
"No, but there were lots of deaths at Manticore without resorting to that," Issy replied.
"So when was the first resurrection?" asked Max.
"About three months before your return to Manticore, a rouge soldier was brought in with a broken neck," Issy was watching Max for signs of recognition, "and a broken leg."
"Ben?" whispered Max.
"Yes Ben, I had tried on others before, but they were either too late or too severely damaged for straight resurrection, so Renfro sent them to scientists using nanocites. Ben's injuries though severe could be repaired and he was one of Sandeman's chosen ones. So I pulled out all the stops to revive him, then psy-ops took over to try to cure his psychotic behaviour. So you'll understand why I didn't want him in Rome." They nodded.
"So Ben's alive?" Max asked tears falling down her face, stunned by the idea.
"Alive and when Lydecker sends his orders, he'll be on his way back," Issy replied. "Would you like to be in the welcoming committee?"
Max's face lit-up, "but of course."
Alec was looking concerned and growled, "Why haven't you mentioned this before?"
Issy could feel his anger and trepidation, "Until Lydecker said he was in Rome I didn't know whether he was alive or not. In the light of Sandeman's wishes and Logan's presence I didn't think it wise to introduce another complication."
"Did you think I might want to kill him for what I'd endured because of him?" Alec asked.
Issy reached out to hold his hand and felt the tension in his body. "No, Lydecker did, but I think I know you better than that," she replied.
"Why tell us now and in such a hurry?" Max was feeling more in control.
"Two reasons: firstly because he'll be coming in about a week and you both need to decide how you will work together and introduce him into TC. Secondly because Sandeman doesn't know yet and Max you need to decide what sort of relationship you want with Ben," Max looked shocked at the implication. Issy continued, "I understand that you always thought of Ben as a brother and you carried out his wishes because of that love," Max looked aghast, had Alec told her. Issy seeing the look continued, "I talked with Ben a lot after his resurrection so that we could deal with the problems which caused his psychosis. We used a lot of regression and hypnotherapy, which worked because he wanted to change. It took nine months of therapy interspersed with training before he was ready for missions. Then Renfro got the order for an expendable X5 to assassinate the Pope and chose him despite my protests."
"So what you're saying is Ben is 'cured' unless this assignment messes him up but he's true blue Manticore now?" asked Max.
"Yes and no," she replied.
"What do you mean?" snapped Max.
"Yes he's cured, but no he's not true blue Manticore. Just as Manticore never really owned Alec after your escape and lost him completely after the Berrisford mission, so Ben has only taken what he needs to survive," she replied.
"But a lot of the reason I didn't break was your presence, you reminded me that I was better," said Alec feeling more than a little worried.
"I was at Manticore to protect three units, I hate that expression but that was how you were described then. I spent most of the time protecting you and fell in love with you, that is a fact. I spent a short time trying to make Max's time more comfortable. I, also, spent time ensuring that Ben survived Manticore for Sandeman's purposes."
"To become my partner," Max whispered.
"Yes, completing my mission and leaving Alec free to choose," Issy finished straight faced. "Look Max, I didn't know anything about you then and how you felt about Ben," she half apologised.
"So Ben comes here and throws a spanner in everything that has been accomplished so far," laughed Alec.
"Now you understand why I had to talk to you now," Issy replied quietly.
"Yes," sighed Max, "so how we gonna work this bitch out?"
"Yeah, do you think you could cope with two of me around," joked Alec putting his arm round Max.
Max punched his shoulder, "I might not always hit the right one, but this could get difficult with the command structure."
"Look this might seem wrong, but Alec has earned his place at your side running TC. Those that know of Ben see him as a psycho, so I don't think changes in command are necessary. But you will need to give him something to do, like Alec, he's dangerous when bored," suggested Issy.
"We need to talk more, but we're going to be late to this afternoon's meetings, so let's continue this evening," Max said as they finished their meal.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Max and Alec went to discuss weapons and security with Lydecker, Mole and Biggs, both were subdued by the revelations as they entered Max's office.
"I see she's told you," Lydecker said.
"What do you mean," snapped Max.
Lydecker thought better than alert the others, so replied, "About our boy in Rome."
"Yeah, thought I'd join the welcome committee, but that's not why we're here so let's get down to business," replied Max, cutting the conversation until she could figure it out.
Mole and Biggs looked at each other then at Alec, who was still subdued but managed to convey a later signal to them.
"So what's sort of help are you thinking of supplying?" Max asked Lydecker.
"Let's talk about who we're thinking about fighting first," he replied, "Sandeman has explained about the war he is expecting you to fight against the familiars, I understand Agent White is one of them as well as his son."
"We've already had one skirmish with them but we need intel. on their structure and numbers, but I suppose Sandeman has those answers," said Alec.
"Alec we're here to discuss training and weapons, not who we're fighting," remarked Max.
"Yeah but it's relevant, if we don't know who we're fighting how can we decide on weapon types and quantities?" replied Alec.
"He's right the arsenal has to cover the situations that we are going to encounter," added Mole.
"At the moment it's not what we will need, but assurances that what we ask for will be available," responded Max. "So 'Deck how easy is it going to be to get what we ask for?"
"I appreciate that until we know the force we're up against this meeting to pure conjecture, but we need a starting point," said Lydecker, "I need to know what you have and how well trained your people are."
"Training in martial arts has resumed for anyone who wants it, there's a firing range in the basement and theory in the classroom," replied Biggs.
"Yeah just a pity we don't have enough guns or rounds," snarled Mole.
"Well that's where I come in," replied Lydecker, "but the government will need assurances that if they need help, you will be willing to assist."
"What sort of missions will they be expecting for us to prove our loyalty?" asked Max.
"What sort of missions would you be willing to complete?" Lydecker retorted.
"Count me out, family man, I don't want my ass shot now," joked Alec, earning a punch from Max and glare from Biggs and Mole. "What, it's true," he laughed.
"I'd rather not use any of the command team in the early missions, although we need X5's to boost your profile," the colonel replied.
"That makes sense so until the government decides to tackle the familiars we just issue the orders, so to speak, all agreed," Max asked. The others nodded. "So where will we be needed 'Deck?"
"The government want a couple of assassins to take out selected targets, each target competed would boost the unit's reputation," he replied.
"What sort of targets and can we check the data before agreeing to the mission?" queried Alec.
"I know there is distrust in TC that you would be used for controversial assignments, but I assure you that I will vet anything before bringing it to you and give you time to approve the target before assigning anyone," said Lydecker.
"Yeah, but we still have to trust you!" exclaimed Mole.
"Yeah, and when I've seen your facilities I'll arrange for supplies to be brought in and when you trust me we'll use helicopters for moving about," was the reply.
"So you reckon we'll need to use helicopters?" queried Max.
"Maybe, maybe not, but I'd like you to consider it a possibility. It would be a fast way in and out, you could pilot and be in control," he replied.
"Ok you bring us the details and we'll discuss further," finished Max, "let's break now and Mole and Biggs can show you round after coffee."
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
A/N: Sorry, I'm still scene setting, so hope this wasn't too boring for you.
6