Disclaimer: Not mine except new characters
A/N : My first attempt. Although I've been told we're not suppose to thank anymore, I will continue as I believe I owe it to my few reviewers to acknowledge my gratitude for their comments. I won't change the storyline for them, but some comments might be added to the story.
Many thanks:
Honey X5-452: By splitting chaps it'll be around chap 30 before Ben appears.
Lakergirl:
Darkangelgirl:
Maria656:
Mel11: Issy is a catalyst for the story, so she's there for everyone at times.
From the reviews it seems everyone wants to see how Ben is and everyone's reaction. Sorry I'm going to keep you waiting for that, more scene setting and tying of loose ends first.
Who loves the teacher?
Chapter Twenty-six: Preparations 1
"After yesterday's meetings I thought I'd better bring everyone up to date with what's happening," Max announced at the beginning of the meeting. "There were four meetings yesterday, which have given us some direction for the next few weeks. Everybody will have tasks to ensure that we will be ready for anything that the familiars throw at us."
Everybody was listening intently wondering what Max was going to give them to do.
"As you are probably aware Logan is now persona non gratis around TC, which means that Eyes Only will not be helping us in future," she looked to see the response.
Most of the transgenics looked relieved. "Well at least we won't have to pretend to like him anymore," said Mole, "But doesn't that leave us with a problem with the broadcast?"
"Actually, it doesn't," Dix interrupted, "I've been getting information from Logan on how those cable hacks are done, so with our superior capabilities we've been testing out our own."
Everyone looked surprised, but pleased; "Now why would you do that?" queried Max.
"Well ever since Issy arrived the guy had become so negative, I just thought we might need a backup plan," the mutant replied, "So Luke and I have been working on it in our down time."
"So we can still do a cable hack and get our message across," Max smiled, "and I was going to get Sketchy in to do an interview for New World Weekly. It may be considered rubbish but it did bring the original transgenics story to the public."
"Yeah good idea Max, Sketchy may even get recognition out of the stories we give him," agreed Alec.
"Ok, we need to get some film of the familiars and their brand, any ideas?" Max asked.
"If White's with the National Guard surrounding us then some of his friends must be nearby," suggested Biggs.
"What makes you think that?" asked Max glaring at Biggs.
Biggs regretted his words, although most in HQ knew because of Alec's outburst Max hadn't been there. "When we came in with Lydecker, White tried to stop us coming in. Lydecker's response threw him and he allowed us through, but it does mean he's just outside," Biggs explained, embarrassed by his own stupidity.
"If we could capture a familiar, we could get the psy-ops crew to make them record a confession of their plans," suggested Issy.
"Any operative in mind if you're not available?" asked Max.
"How about Psyche, she makes everyone nervous when she walks through?"
"I'm not surprised most X5's had her on their case at some time, she is one scary freak," replied Alec, a pained look on his face, remembering a past encounter with her.
"Yeah but this is the enemy we're talking about and if anyone can break a familiar she can," replied Issy. "She even scared me at Manticore, but she's mellowed a little since the fire." Everyone laughed nervously.
"You said we might need psy-ops for our enemies, is this what you had in mind?" asked Max.
"Of course, maybe not this scenario but this type of thing," said Issy. "By the time Psyche has finished with the familiar you could get Sketchy to interview them on camera outside of TC. They'll tell you honestly anything you want to know."
"So all we got to do is capture a familiar, let Psyche do her stuff and then we can find out everything we need to know to defeat the familiars?" asked Mole looking for confirmation from Issy.
"Depends who you capture, even White probably doesn't know everything, he's too exposed."
"Ok but it's a plan to look into. Biggs and Mole can you work out the capture and get together with Issy and Psyche to sort out any details," Max commanded. "Dix can you work with Luke on getting information that might be needed for the broadcast and talk with Sandeman." She received nods from those actioned.
"Next item is the X5 field operatives who will be returning," Max stated. "Lydecker, Alec and Issy will be going to Manticore to meet them and bring them in. We are not expecting any trouble either from them or from anyone here." Max looked around the table and saw nods from everyone except Biggs. "I gather Alec has spoken about the X5 in Rome," she said to him, he nodded.
"For the benefit of everyone else, the X5 in Rome is Ben, X5-493." There were gasps around the table and Max waited for the inevitable questions.
"I thought that psycho had been killed on the outside," said CeCe. "At least that's what we were told when Alec came back from psy-ops."
"He was, I should know I killed him," replied Max tears in her eyes at the memory.
"I think I should explain," Issy started, "X5-493 or Ben was the first successful resurrection performed at Manticore. After several months in psy-ops he was considered field operational. At that time an order to send an expendable X5 assassin to Rome was issued and Madame Renfro decided to send him. Until Lydecker confirmed that he was still in Rome I decided it wise not to cause any problems here by letting anyone know." Issy let out a deep sigh as she finished, that had been hard.
"So the guy who got Alec several months in psy-ops on more than one occasion is coming here," snapped CeCe. "I hope you don't expect us to welcome him with open arms."
"Maybe not open arms, but I expect you to treat him as well as any other transgenic," replied Alec.
CeCe looked at Alec like he had gone mad, "But after all you went through, it's not easy to forgive that," she said.
"That's as maybe, but it wasn't his fault, it was Manticore," Alec stated.
"But you didn't go psycho," responded CeCe.
"I might have under the same circumstances; none of us know what happened to him after they escaped. So until we know more I want you to give him the benefit of a doubt. I don't blame him I blame Manticore," Alec replied.
Max felt proud of Alec's stand for Ben, he could have let her fight them but they would take more notice of him.
"Thank you Alec. I hope that everyone here will ensure that their team is aware of Ben's imminent return and that everyone should treat him as one of the family. If we can do it for the psy-ops personnel then he should be treated with the same respect," Max stated. "As Ben is the first to return I will be going with the welcoming committee, which will be leaving in three days."
"So you, Alec and Issy will be leaving, so who will be in command?" asked Dix.
"In our absence Mole and Biggs will be in charge," Max stated simply.
"While we are away Dage will be in charge of medical and psy-ops, we will be needing blood samples from everyone and fridges to store them," Max continued. "Luke can you ensure that Dage has everything he needs for the med. lab., if you can't get something working ask Biggs to get it."
"Since Lydecker will be with us he won't be ordering any missions, but we do still to be prepared for an attack," Max stated. "So everyone not involved on another project should be training for our next fight."
"What about father?" asked Joshua.
"I will ask him, but I expect he will help wherever he feels it best," Max replied uncertain about what to do. "Could you keep an eye on him and act as his guide, until we return, Joshua?"
"Joshua look after father, yes," he replied.
"Ok I think that will do for this morning, see you all tomorrow," Max closed the meeting, "Dix can we talk with Sandeman about those cable hacks?"
"Of course Max, now or after coffee," he replied.
"After coffee, we'll have to find him first," she replied and turned to speak to Alec, who had already left. Seeing Issy she asked, "Where's Alec?"
"Gone for a meeting with his old unit," was the reply. "He thought it better to talk to them personally. I agree if they all react like CeCe."
"Yeah he's probably right. You off to see Psyche?"
"Yeah thought I'd better bring her up to speed and keep her sweet," Issy smiled.
"Best of luck," Max replied as Issy left.
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11:00 Biggs apartment
Everyone was stood around waiting for Alec and Mole, who had been discussing the merits of different weapons on the way.
"I know most of you are wondering why you're here and the rest wondering what's happened to me," Alec looked at their expressions, which confirmed his statement. "You've all heard about the X5's in the field being brought here," nods all round. "What you may not know is that X5-493, Ben, is one of them." The gasps were followed by silence.
"I know you have issues with him, but under no circumstances are you to do anything about them," Alec continued.
"But Alec, after everything that you went through you can't expect us to forget that," started Craig, a well built X5 of combat model, 6'3" of pure muscle and strength.
"No I don't expect you to forget. What I expect is that you will conduct yourselves in a manner that shows that we are better than the ordinaries. Revenge is their tool, not the tool of trained soldiers and although Manticore has gone we are still a product of our training," Alec lectured. "Sandeman wanted Max and Ben to be together, with Logan gone they have a chance. I don't want you to be responsible for changing that."
"Is this all about Max and Ben, or you and Max?" asked Cage, an athletic looking red-headed male.
"Max and I are business partners, and our business is keeping TC going until we're free or dead," Alec replied easily. "But as Max's business partner, I believe she has the right to some happiness and if Ben can provide that I will do anything to help and so should you. After all when Max is down, TC is down too."
"Ok for Max, he's safe for now," replied CeCe.
"I hope that goes for everyone," nods all round, "good because when he returns I won't always be around to keep an eye on you. Biggs and Mole will be in charge while Max is away and they'll be watching both Ben's and her backs while I'm off with Issy and Lydecker collecting the other X5's. Now we'd better get back to today's tasks."
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A/N: The next few chapters have been split in two; they had been getting quite long. This should allow me to update quickly but I'm looking for six reviews per chapter, which means if any of my regular reviewers are away everyone will have to wait. Review total 132 before next chapter.
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