Disclaimer: Not mine except new characters.
A/N: My first attempt.
Many Thanks:
Mel11: Nice to have you back, let me know which pics you've missed, I've got them for most of the new characters now.
Lakergirl08: thanks for the review; tried to email, but profile email didn't work so can't send you pics.
Honey X5-452: Couldn't have them changing from brother/sister to partners too quickly.
Shygirl1: They won't know just yet.
Wildsky: Hope Greg explains himself in this. Glad you enjoyed Max/Ben.
EminemIsCool: Try and think of some of the characters as the shows bit part players, in for a few scenes and disappear. With the returners I've got pictures, but only a few will be mentioned in more than one chapter.
Darkangelgirl262: Max is an 09er, Alec's their CO, who would you believe. Just for info the actors for Judd and Raven are from the British program HEX on SKY1 satellite.
Who Loves The Teacher?
Chapter Fifty-four: NorBAC
Alec's phone rang, answering it he said, "Who wants Alec?"
"Max, I need you to get Dix to set up a computer link to the lap top," she stated.
"Hi Max, nice to hear from you, problems?" he queried.
"No but I need to convince the first group," she replied.
"Which group?"
"South Africa, 759, 914, 772, 872 and 935," she replied.
"Tell Judd he still owes me from the pool league," Alec replied with a grin. "Oh and tell Raven, Issy says hello."
"Why don't I put you on and you can tell them yourself?"
"No problem," he grinned. After talking to Judd and Raven, he went to find Dix and explained what Max wanted. "If we can get it set up for the briefing then we can do it so Max feels she's involved, ok," he instructed.
"Sure thing boss, do you think she'll like this mission you're planning?" Dix asked.
"No but at least she'll know what we're going to do, she kick my ass later," he replied, "in fact it'll be nice knowing she can't reach me to kick me straight away," he grinned.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Back in Max's office Jondy had decided that they should get to know each other better. "Look you know we escaped in 09, we know that you were at Manticore until it went down but none of us know much about you, Greg," she stated. "So if we're going to work together we need more than you don't like White."
Greg looked between them wondering how little he needed to say to gain their trust.
"We know that you know Issy from way back, but the details are hazy and what skills do you have for the mission?" Biggs prompted.
Time to come clean he thought, "So you know that Issy and White grew up in the same house," he started and Biggs and CeCe nodded, although this was new for Jondy, Zane and Seth. "Well my parents were cult buddies of Alexander's so he often brought his family to our summer retreat." Seeing the confusion on their faces, "sorry you just call him Sandeman; he was always Alex to me. During one summer when my cousins were staying Ames decided I wasn't paying him enough attention, so he took them into the woods and staked them to some trees. By the time we found out they had gone, the girls had been attacked by wolves and died."
"That's gross why would he do that, aside from him being a sick bastard?" asked CeCe.
"He didn't think they were good enough for someone at his school," he replied. "We were seventeen, they were sixteen, but he was jealous that we were having fun without him."
"So what happened?" Zane was intrigued.
"Sandeman sent his son back to school and stepped up his research work to destroy the cult, I left the cult and after spending a year working with him, I joined the air force," he explained.
"So why were you back working with them?" Jondy asked.
"I knew that the time was approaching for this cataclysmic event that the cult predicted and as I couldn't find Sandeman decided to try and destroy them from within. I was trying to get close enough to White to destroy him first."
"Why should we trust you?" Seth accused.
"Until I met Dara I had given up believing that I could ever find someone to replace Melody, but she changed that."
"You mean you've fallen in love with someone from psy-ops, give me a break, the other leg's got bells on it," Jondy replied sarcastically.
"Look you can trust me or not, but I can get you in and out of the building safely, I can take you to Matthias and cover your escape," he replied. "But if you'd rather not have my help I can go and chat about old times with Sandeman or Issy, your choice." He got up to leave hoping he hadn't over played his hand.
Jondy looked at the others and silently they agreed to let him stay, "ok we'll trust you, but just be sure that we're in charge," Jondy stated.
"Actually Biggs should be in charge as Alec's SIC," CeCe interjected. "Any objections?" No-one stirred.
"Fine by me, although Alec did ask me to sort this with my unit, but who's his SIC?" asked Jondy.
"The chain of command is of less importance than actually sorting this mission," replied Biggs. "So let's get this sorted before Alec wants to know what we're doing."
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Issy had finished her work in the lab when Dage came over and said that there were some people on the line for her.
Issy picked up the phone, "hello Issy here."
"Nice to hear a friendly voice," came the reply. "So how do we get in to continue our work?"
"David, Dr David Reynalds, what you doing here?" she replied surprised that he was ringing.
"I'm working for NorBAC and have brought some of my team down to meet you," he replied.
"Well this is a surprise, Sandeman didn't mention you," she exclaimed.
"I told him not to, just in case I couldn't make it," he replied.
"Oh, do you know where Sandeman lives?"
"Yeah."
"I'll send someone to collect you from there," she replied.
"Now that's disappointing I thought you'd be my escort," he complained suggestively.
"I don't think my partner would approve," she rebuked quickly.
"Why don't you come with him and we can find out?" he teased.
"What makes you think it's a he?" she taunted.
He was stunned by the response, "the way you were with Steve."
"And that got him killed," she responded quickly, trying to forget the scene that his name conjured. "We'll see you in about half an hour," she finished putting down the receiver and going to look for Alec.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Alec went to see Psyche after talking to Dix, 'she's going to kill me,' he thought, 'I said half an hour, it's more like two.'
Turning the corner in med bay towards the interrogation rooms Alec saw Psyche coming out of one of the rooms smiling. She looked at him and continued smiling, "you look worried," she taunted.
"Thought you'd be upset about my time keeping," he replied guiltily.
"No need I got the message and I know you've got a lot on at the moment," she laughed. "Anyway, good news I haven't killed anyone and they've confirmed what Thula said yesterday."
"Great," he enthused, "that either means they had the same cover story or they broke."
"They broke," Psyche replied with certainty, "I can always tell the difference, even if I didn't tell Manticore," she winked.
He looked at her stunned, remembering the times he'd made up a cover story to protect others and then been subjected to Psyche's treatment. Pushing the thoughts away, he praised her, "good work, let's get them locked up, I hope the underground cells are ready."
"Rob has already taken them there," she replied with a smile.
"So who's in there?" he asked confused.
"No-one I was just finishing the report when I heard you approaching."
He looked surprised, "I must be slipping if you could hear me."
"No the door was open and I've had plenty of practise listening to your footsteps," she replied. "Dara, Mia, Serena and I used to bet on who was being brought to psy-ops by listening to their footsteps."
"So who won the bets?" Alec asked intrigued.
"Usually I did," she replied without the hint of a brag.
"So I've got to remember not to bet against you on anything," he laughed. "Anyway when you've finished the report drop it on my desk and get to the safety of one of the shelters."
Issy came round the corner, "thought I could hear you," she called. "Alec can we go and collect the NorBAC team from Sandeman's?"
"Great timing, we're expecting an attack and they turn up," he replied ironically as they headed for Sandeman's.
"Yeah and there's more bad news," Issy replied sadly.
"What?" Alec replied with concern looking at her.
"The team leader is a friend from college who was a bit of a pest, especially after my boyfriend got killed," she replied.
Alec felt as though a knife had stabbed him, he'd never thought of Issy being with anyone else, "so how did this boyfriend get killed?"
"Motorbike accident, caused by White in one of his jealous outbursts," she replied remembering the pain of that day.
"Hence your reluctance to use the motorbike to Jam Pony," he enquired.
"Yes, I'm sorry it's not something I like to talk about," she replied quietly.
"That's understandable, but what was White jealous of?" he replied, did she and White have a relationship as well.
"Me being happy," she replied as they entered the escape tunnel.
"Why did he think you belonged to him?" Alec asked the words almost sticking in his throat.
Issy looked at him and realised what he was thinking, she put her arm through his, "nothing like that, he just didn't like seeing anyone being happy as a couple. He'd already killed Greg's first love, and then he killed mine. I vowed never to get involved with anyone again, then you made me break my promise." She looked at him and smiled, "I've never regretted that you did that until I knew White was around again."
He looked at her, "he's tried enough times and not succeeded in killing me, I don't plan on letting that change," he grinned and stopped so that he could kiss her. "So what about this other guy?"
"He tried to change my mind and nearly succeeded, but it was about the time I started at Manticore," she replied. "Sandeman helped fake my death to fool White and I went to live on the Manticore base. So all contact was severed with anyone I knew before Manticore, including him."
"So is meeting him going to be a problem?"
"I don't know, he used to be a flirt," she replied worried.
"Well he's not getting my girl," Alec replied and bent down to embrace and give her another kiss of reassurance.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
"So that's the plan once we get there, but what about getting there?" asked Greg.
"That depends on the others," Biggs replied cagily.
"What do you mean?" asked Seth.
"If we go tomorrow night, we might not be able to use the preferred route, but the night after we should be ok," he replied.
"Ok stop stalling, how do you intend to get us there?" snapped Zane.
"The most important thing is that White should not realise that we've left or even been here," he started hoping that they wouldn't be too upset at his proposal, "so the safest route is the sewers to the harbour and steal a boat, take it south until we're out of the city and get a truck or bus to Roslyn."
"So we sneak out using the sewers, steal a boat and then expect them to let us on a bus?" Jondy looked surprised.
"Who said anything about a commercial bus," he replied, "we'd jack that too."
"So no-one knows we've gone, but they'll be looking for a boat and a bus," Zane replied sarcastically.
"Ok so what's your suggestion," Biggs snapped.
"How about using some old friends?" asked Greg.
"Yeah great snake buddies to report to White," Seth replied caustically.
"Maybe not," CeCe replied, "there's Sketchy, OC and Sandeman. We could still use Biggs idea, but with equipment provided by our friends on the outside."
"Seems like a plan, let's present it to the meeting," Jondy replied, "we've got half an hour to put it on paper before the meeting."
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Alec and Issy stood outside Sandeman's, Alec squeeze her hand, "it'll be fine, I'm here," he reassured as he knocked on the door.
Sandeman opened it, "nice to see you both come in," he greeted.
As they walked into the living room the NorBAC team turned to them. An older man extended his hand to Alec, "you must be Issy's partner, I'm David Reynalds and this is my team," he greeted and turned to a beautiful Asian woman, "this is Dr Mina Patel," she offered her hand and turning to the Celtic looking male, "Dr Colin Patterson." Although he was gesturing to his colleagues his eyes never left Issy. "I must say you're looking as beautiful as ever Issy," he complimented.
"And you've aged well, even if your patter hasn't changed," she replied coldly.
Alec hugged her closer and whispered, "you ok."
"Been better," she replied quietly.
"Look this isn't a good time for you to come into TC," Alec stated, "why don't you tell us what you need and we'll send it to you."
David looked first at Alec then at Issy, "what can't cope with the competition?" he taunted.
Alec stiffened but Issy held his arm, "David don't try taunting Alec, especially when you're no competition to him."
David looked hurt, "but we had something going before you decided to go missing."
"No we never had anything going, it was all in your imagination, unlike what Alec and I have," she rebuked, as Alec's arm snaked round her waist. "Alec's right TC isn't safe at the moment; I thought you'd have called to check before leaving Canada."
"I thought this was too urgent to wait," he replied sarcastically, "but if that's not the case we can ignore it until you want to let us in on the secret."
"Children stop arguing," commanded Sandeman quietly, "this is important, but I think the concern is for your safety in TC David. What is the latest problem Alec?"
"We intercepted a message from your son indicating that there would be a major attack on TC soon," Alec responded, "not sure of the form yet, so everything is being moved into underground shelters."
"Is that wise?" Sandeman asked.
"If we disappear he'll know he's been rumbled, this way there's a chance we can thwart his plans without him knowing why."
"And we don't need to be worried about protecting ordinaries," added Issy, "but as they know we'll have to confiscate any communication devices and take them into TC." Alec looked at her surprised, "we don't know if any of them are in contact with White and we've just revealed our plans," she winked.
"Have you brought any bio-hazard suits, cuz you'll need them in TC?" Alec asked, "anything else you need we'll get collected later."
"So from trying to keep us out you're going to rush us in?" asked Dr Patel.
"Sorry blame your boss, but we've got a meeting to get to and as Issy said we haven't time to decide if we trust you," Alec replied.
"You think you could take us all on?" asked Dr Patterson.
"Easily but dragging you into TC could raise a few eyebrows."
"But Psyche might look forward to some extra work," Issy commented with a grin.
"Psychological interrogation you mean," replied David, remembering her specialist college course, "thought you would do that."
"I would but Psyche is so much better, isn't she Alec."
Alec shivered, "oh yes, definitely not to be missed," he replied sarcastically, "especially if you're not the subject of her torment." Looking at the time he added, "come on we've got twenty minutes and if you're not coming willingly, I'd rather get this over with quickly."
Dr Patterson went to strike Alec, but his blow missed and Alec had him in a choke hold before the others could react. "Like I said I we don't have time to waste so are you coming peacefully or not."
David signalled that Dr Patterson should relax, "ok we'll come peacefully but what about our equipment, some of it is very delicate."
"I'll send some of the boys to collect it with Issy later."
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Alec and Issy got to the meeting just in time, as everyone sat down wondering why there was a computer sat in Max's place at the table.
"For your information," Alec started, "Max is joining us from Gillette for the meeting, hence the computer, Dix can you establish the link now we're all here."
Dix did his stuff and soon they could see Max sat in another room with Ben, Dara, Lydecker and five others. "Hi Max, we're here for a briefing and thought it would be good if you could join us and bring us up to date on your mission," Alec greeted.
'So long as you up date me on what's been happening there,' she replied. 'Before we begin I'd just like to say it's nice to see you all and I'd like an update on that familiar fight that you passed off as nothing, I can still see a bruise or two.'
Damn thought Alec, trust her to notice that, "seems White heard that you, Ben and I were back here and thought he could kill us on home ground," he briefed her, "instead we managed to capture your favourite Phallux and some of her friends."
'Hope you set Psyche on them,' Max replied, the X5s with her watching the exchange intently.
"Now Maxie, you sound like you don't trust me," he teased. Seeing her look of disdain he added, "yeah we found out some things about the cult and Jondy and Biggs are organising a mission to upset their plans."
'And when were you planning on telling me this?' Max fumed.
"I was hoping for when you got back, but I feel safe from your wrath at this distance," he grinned. "Anyway I thought you had some news for us?"
Not sure what he meant for a moment she blushed, then realising first of the returners were behind her, she said, 'we got here earlier and found we'd been beaten here, but they're not sure we're on the level."
"Hi Judd and Raven, you been giving Max a hard time?" Alec asked without waiting for the prompt.
Judd blushed remembering their first meeting with Max and Ben. Raven said, 'Hi Alec, are you still in charge?'
"No I usually take orders from Max, but as her SIC I still get to be bossy," he grinned.
'Can't remember you ever doing that,' frowned Judd. 'So everything Max says is on the level then?'
"Yeah and she'll probably need your help to convince the others," he replied.
'I can see CeCe, Issy and Biggs,' Raven commented, 'but who are the others?'
"Ok going round the table we have Issy, Biggs, Jondy, Mole, Dage, CeCe, Dix, Luke and Joshua," he replied, "Jondy's from Max's unit and Mole, Dix, Luke and Joshua are nomalies who we couldn't survive without."
'Ok enough back chat what's happened with Greg and what's this mission about?' Max cut in.
"The brief outline is Greg is helping Jondy and Biggs planning the mission to capture the cult High Priest from one of their enclaves," he replied.
'So who will be going on this mission?' Max asked.
"Biggs, CeCe, Candi, Greg and the rest of our unit," Jondy replied. "We've sorted a plan together and when Krit, Syl and Candi are back from med bay we'll be going."
'Can I object to this?' Max asked.
"You could, but they might be safer than the rest of us," replied Alec.
'Why?'
"We intercepted a call from White, who seems to be planning to take out TC, to kill the three of us," Alec replied.
'But Ben and I aren't there,' Max replied.
"He doesn't know that and with Sam's help he won't."
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
A/N: 344 reviews before the next.
11