Disclaimer: Not mine except new characters.
A/N: My first attempt. Back to TC.
Many Thanks:
Mel11: Thought it was time to start sorting things out between them, but you'll have to wait for the heat chapter.
Honey X5-452: Glad you enjoyed the Max/Ben bit, but 2 chapters til the next.
Angelofdarkness78: Glad you enjoyed, don't worry it won't be ending too soon.
Wildsky: I admit the Max/Ben pairing came after reading another story, he sort of decided to hijack mine, but I think it will work in the end. I think everyone is hard on Lydecker, but even in the show he was beginning to turn before he disappeared.
Maria656: Nice to have you back, was trying for a little humour with the sibs. I decided that people needed a reason for Ben going psycho.
Darkangelgirl262: Sorry about the memories, but a traumatic past explains his psychosis. Back to TC for 2 chaps.
Alec494: Glad you find it interesting, more about Greg and Dara from Greg soon. I've still got three plots started that seem to have got lost recently.
Who Loves The Teacher?
Chapter Fifty-one: Preparing for Attack
The next morning Alec went into the meeting wanting research to be carried out into the information Thula had supplied, but Dix had a surprise for him.
"Hi Alec got some info off that phone you gave us," Dix announced.
"Ok is it important or can it wait?" Alec asked.
"Hey you're the boss, but why don't you check it out first."
"Ok what you got," Alec was irritated he wanted to share his info, but Dix seemed insistent, so it must be important.
"That cell you got from the familiar had some interesting numbers, so I ran them through the system and managed to catch a conversation," the mutant explained. "You might find this interesting," he continued turning to play what had been recorded.
White: Fe'nos tol Matthias, I thought we agreed that the Phallux would attack Terminal City on my command.".
Matthias: "Fe'nos tol Ames; that may have been your understanding, but they were ready and your information required a fast response. Since you were not there Thula lead the group."
White: "Well this time it is your incompetence which has led to the Phallux being either dead or captured I don't know which yet."
Matthias: "Find out which our security may have been comprised."
White: "If they have been captured we must assume they will tell everything, what do you want me to do?"
Matthias: "The Phallux will not break, they have been trained to withstand interrogation techniques.
White: "But they are not dealing with human interrogators, the freaks will be single minded in their endeavours. We have tortured and killed them remember."
Matthias: "Do what is needed, we'll be ready to move, Fe'nos tol."
White: "Fe'nos tol," call ends.
New number, White: "it's on."
"He killed Annie," groaned Joshua.
"Seems like he's got a plan for all of us this time, well done Dix," Alec praised. "So last night Thula told us that White thought that Max, Ben and I were here, hence the attack. The info from the runes appears genuine. Thula and the Conclave are working towards a date that would see normal ordinaries dead and familiars taking over. I need someone to monitor the comet and see if we can come up with a date, supposedly the first full moon after it disappears. This Matthias is supposed to be at the Myrtle Asylum near Roslyn. They're frightened that the transgenics can change their destiny, as they see it. So if we combine this to the information with White's calls we need to come up with a plan of action."
"We'll need every available transgenic to implement any plan," Mole stated.
"Agreed, but Max isn't going to be here to help and if White were to learn that she wasn't here she'd become vulnerable; so the kids the injured and non-combatants get moved to safety; the rest split into two teams one to thwart White's plans one to take down the familiars," Alec commanded.
"White's gonna notice that there aren't many around," Mole retorted.
"Yeah so we're resourceful, Joshua what did they do in that story you were telling me about Beau Geste?" Alec asked.
"Made soldiers," Joshua replied.
"Yeah we could do that, but I don't think we've got twenty years," Mole sneered.
"No, I remember," said CeCe, "they made dummy soldiers and put them around so it looked from a distance like there were lots."
"Yeah that's the one," Alec replied, "there are dummies at JamPony, if we sneak those in her and dress them up."
"Assuming they're going to get shot, we could create blood pockets to put in their clothes and masks to look more transgenic," Issy suggested.
"So when the meeting is over I want a priority on sorting those out," Alec stated. "We need to get plans and info on this Assylum, I want to get this Matthias out of there and back here preferably before White does his stuff."
"Who goes where?" Biggs asked.
"We'll decide when we've got the plans, but maybe if the 09ers and three others go on the away mission and the rest stay and defend," Alec suggested.
"Why us?" asked Jondy.
"White doesn't know anything about you, so he won't expect you to be working together, for the same reason I'll probably have to stay here," he replied. "White will be expecting to see Max, Ben and myself here, since Max and Ben are out he'll need to see my face."
"Pity Sam isn't here," CeCe commented.
"Whose Sam?" asked Jondy.
"Max's twin, but she left Seattle a while ago still hating 09ers and Max in particular," Alec replied.
There was a knock on the door. "Sir got someone to see you," the guard said as he opened the door.
"Who?" questioned Alec.
"Me," Sam replied stepping past the guard.
"Talk of the devil," Mole remarked.
"What been taking my name in vein?" she queried. "So where's that bitch Max, thought she ran this place."
Jondy was upset by this woman's reference to her little sister, but Alec got his reply in first, "she's on a mission."
"What!" exclaimed Sam, "And she left you in charge, must need her head examining."
"Yeah well it's good to see you too," Alec replied sarcastically, "hubby finally throw you out."
"Not that its any of your business," she snapped, "White's men killed my family last week, so I thought I'd join the good fight and kick his ass."
"That's funny 'cause the last time you turned up you were working for him," Alec retorted. "Mitch and Biggs can you take Sam to med bay and hand this note to my favourite nurse." Alec quickly scribbled a note for Psyche and handed it to Biggs, making sure he knew who it was for.
After they left Jondy looked at Alec and asked, "so who's your favourite nurse?"
"The note was for Psyche, to check out Sam's story."
"That's a bit extreme; surely Dix could check the reports from where she lived?" Jondy was perplexed.
"White would have covered his tracks, making her story appear to be true."
"You could have used Serena," Issy commented.
"Yeah, but Sam has history with Psyche, so hopefully she'll realise we don't trust her," he replied. "But she'll need a medical to check for bugs, then she can pose as Max whether she wants to or not. Anyway back to today's business; Jondy if you could explain to your unit about the Conlave and do some research into this Asylum; CeCe could you grab Biggs and help them. Mole can you look at beefing up security; Dix we need to find out how this attack is going to come; Luke can you take a team to check out bunkers in case of aerial attack; Joshua can you organise making the dummies; Issy we need med bay transfered to a bunker."
"Actually the first thing I need to do will be procedures on Krit and Syl, we can't have them out of TC with barcodes if we can help it," Issy countered. "Could you ask them to report to the med bay asap Jondy?"
"What if the attack comes today; won't they be vulnerable?" Jondy asked.
"While Psyche and I are busy, everyone else will be moving med bay equipment; so recovery will be in the bunker by the time we finish," Issy replied.
"So why do you need Psyche?" replied a confused Jondy.
"I won't but she's got a few jobs to do for Alec, before we move the prisoners," Issy soothed.
"Just as well most of these buildings have big underground rooms," replied Luke.
"Yeah but we don't want to be buried in them," snarled Mole.
"Right you got you're instructions so let's go," Alec commanded clapping his hands together.
"Notice you didn't give yourself anything to do," Mole sneered puffing on another cigar.
"On the contrary, I have to see Psyche about Sam and find out what Sandeman and Greg will be doing."
"Do you think that familiar will help?" Mole asked sceptically.
"I think he's got a reason to help, but I don't know why," Alec replied. "Now let's get going or we'll still be sat around at lunchtime, I want reports back at 16:00."
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Alec and Issy strode over to med bay, "So why do I think Greg will help?" asked Alec.
"Because he and Dara have something going on and he won't want White to destroy that," she replied easily.
"When did they tell you that?"
"They didn't, but it's so obvious," she replied. "Meeting at 16:00, does that mean we get a night off?"
"We don't seem to have had many recently and I'd rather like a night in with the family."
"So you thinking about letting Ben take over?"
"No I just need a rest, Max is welcome to the top job though," he replied as they entered med bay.
"Can you get Candi to report to med bay?" Issy asked. "I think she should be your third X5 for the mission."
Alec looked at her perplexed.
"You'll have four teams of two then," she replied.
Suddenly it clicked, "you mean all partners together," he grinned, "hadn't thought of that."
Issy went to set up for surgery as Alec went to find Psyche, grinning to himself.
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Jondy found her unit in Syl and Krit's apartment. "So Jondy what exciting things are planned for today?" Zane asked sarcastically.
"Well Krit and Syl are expected in med bay for the procedures asap," she replied, with a quick glance at Krit.
"What, I thought we were going to have more warning than that!" Krit exclaimed.
"Oh don't be such a baby," Syl chided. "When it's over there'll be no more worries about tryptophan or exposed barcodes that'll give us away. Why the change of plan?"
"It's alright for you, she didn't put the fear of god in you," he responded.
"As Syl said, don't be a baby, thought you had a better sense of humour," Jondy rebutted. "Back to your question, Alec wants us to do a mission on the outside, so it's for your protection."
"What and where?" asked Zane getting interested.
"Extract the leader of the cult and bring him back here," Jondy explained, "from under the noses of the cult members." Seeing Krit and Syl hadn't moved, she snapped, "Get going you two I need you for the mission."
Syl and Krit jumped, "Ok we're going, but I hold you personally responsible for any mental torture I have to endure," grumbled Krit as they left.
"I suggest that the rest of us go to Max's office and try to find out about this Asylum, we need a good plan," Jondy directed.
"They trusting us to do this alone?" Seth queried.
"Biggs and CeCe will be joining us," she replied.
"That's cool, who suggested that?" Zane enthused, thinking about getting time with CeCe.
"Alec, but I don't think he was thinking like you," she laughed, "I think it was more of a barcode thing."
Zane looked hurt, "I don't know what you mean sis," he feigned.
"So all of you get to take your partners and I'm left on my own," Seth grumbled.
"Sorry but Candi still has her barcode, you don't want her to be caught with that," Jondy sympathised as they headed for Max's office.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Alec could see Sam strapped into the chair and Psyche talking to her, Sam looked terrified. Good maybe that would make it easier to find out what White was up to and whether she'd switch sides willingly.
Alec opened the door and walked in. "I see you've been reacquainted with the chair, we're not quite as sophisticated as Manticore but it serves its purpose," he goaded. Turning to Psyche, "is the subject behaving herself?"
"Apart from a few remarks about you and Issy, she's been quiet," Psyche replied.
Turning back to Sam, he continued, "before I leave Psyche to find out the truth I'll give you one chance to tell us why you're really here. You have two minutes," he finished looking at his watch.
"You expect me to believe you'd let her work on me, give me a break," Sam laughed.
"You're wasting time," he replied. "Have you got the drugs ready?" to Psyche.
"Of course," she replied showing a needle full of liquid.
Sam looked at the needle shocked, she'd never been believed Alec would allow such a thing. "Look, White did kill my husband, I don't know about my son, but he threatened to," Sam confessed. "He wanted someone on the inside to let him know where Max, Ben and you were when he attacked."
"Any bugs or detonators we need to worry about?"
"I don't know I was unconscious before he offered me my life to help him."
"And you believed him?" Alec stared in disbelief.
"No, but I figured once I was here Max might help me, seems I've got to appeal to you instead," she replied.
"That never worked in the past, why should it now?"
"I know what White intends to do; my freedom is my price for the information."
"So it's no deal then; for your life you pretend to be Max," he replied. "To avoid torture you tell us what you know."
"And if I don't tell you she will get to enjoy herself," Sam replied looking at Psyche.
Psyche smiled, "and I am so looking forward to it."
"Ok I'll talk," Sam replied, "but I still want a safe route out."
"Only when White's attack is over," Alec replied. "I've got to go and see someone, we'll talk later. Psyche can I see you outside?"
Outside Alec said, "I'll send some guards over to take her to a cell, and thanks for the bluff."
"Who said I was bluffing?" she replied. Seeing the change in his expression she laughed, "So what do you want me to do next?"
"See if another of the familiars confirms what Thula told us, any method you like," he replied. "I'm going to see Sandeman, I'll be back after lunch."
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A/N: 320 reviews before the next, another episode of TC before Max/Ben
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