Disclaimer: Not mine except new characters.
A/N: Sorry for the delay, I have had problems with my computer, hopefully solved now and had to regain the direction of the story.
Many Thanks: Nice to welcome some new reviewers.
ThisIsWhereMyNameGoes: Glad you're enjoying, hope you like the Sam scenes.
JensenAckles'Girl: Bit of Sam in this, glad you're enjoying.
Ankari 238: Thanks for your reviews of the early chapters; I hope your questions have been answered now.
WhatsMyName: The last part should answer your question about Sam. Ben is Max's partner now, nothing to do with Sam.
Elle6778: Psy-ops are 'human' so have feelings, but they're not always obvious.
Lakergirl08: Email address didn't come up, I'll check your profile again. Yeah Max has only just found out about Sam.
Honey X5-452: Not so much Issy/Alec in this.
Shygirl1: Thanks for your review.
Darkangelgirl262: She hasn't totally agreed yet! NorBAC haven't a clue about X5s only diseases, action for Psyche coming up.
Alec494: I've had problems with my computer too. Hope this answers some of your questions, though Greg's in the next chapter.
Who Loves The Teacher?
Chapter Fifty-five: New Allegiances
"When did she arrive?" Max almost yelled at Alec.
'Recently,' he replied.
"How recently?"
'I can't remember, after Psyche broke Thula before NorBAC arrived,' he replied, trying to remember if he'd had any sleep between those two events.
"So what's she doing there?"
'Not a lot, still deciding who she's going to work with.'
"Sounds like I'm needed there."
'No, we need you to bring as many X5s as you can for whatever fighting is left, we'll manage until you can get here,' Alec reassured, 'hey you're the cavalry to our Alamo.'
"They all died in the Alamo," she admonished.
'But they didn't have the speed and connections we've got,' he charmed with a grin. Max rolled her eyes at his lack of gravity.
"What's this about NorBAC?"
'They turned up about an hour ago in the middle of us relocating to the basement.'
"What do they want?"
'I'll let you know when we find out,' he replied wishing he'd never mentioned them. 'How's my best friend,' he joked in reference to Ben.
"Fine."
'Still wanting to pick a fight?'
"Not at the moment," Max blushed, remembering what had happened between her and Ben earlier.
'I take it things are going well then,' Alec responded to her blush.
Max broke the link quickly; she didn't want to get into this conversation with everyone listening.
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Back in TC they looked at each other, "that can only mean one thing," remarked Alec.
"What's that?" asked Jondy.
"They're together in more ways than one," he replied a grin breaking out across his face.
"What makes you think that?"
"She wouldn't have blushed and she'd have just changed the subject," he replied, "well at least I'm safe on one count now."
"What's that?" CeCe asked.
"No more Max moping around lovesick and kicking my ass cuz she hasn't got anyone else to punish," he grinned.
Mole laughed, "don't expect to be let off that easily, she's got a thing about your ass"
Everyone laughed, but Alec frowned, "so she's still gonna blame me whenever anything goes wrong around here?"
"Why change the order just cuz she's getting laid?" Mole grinned.
"Figures," Alec replied, "I couldn't get let off that easily."
"Anyway your taunting was to get her to cut the link, why?" asked Biggs seriously.
"She was asking questions we don't have answers to yet," he replied, "but we need the answers by the time she calls again, plus I'd like to know what's happening with your plans before she has a chance to object."
"Well despite a few disagreements about seniority, bringing Greg in was a stroke of genius," Jondy began.
"What would you expect from Manticore's greatest transgenic CO?" Alec smirked cockily.
"Not to trust familiars!" exclaimed Mole deadpan.
"No, he's fine!" replied Jondy, "we found out why he will help and the team trust him. He's got expert knowledge of the site, the enemy and military training."
"I'm glad you trust him," Issy commented, "he never showed the wackiness of the other cult members I met, although I was surprised he was working with White."
"Anyway he's shown us ways to get in and where to expect to find the High Priest," Jondy continued.
"He's explained different routes out and we've worked out some diversionary tactics," Biggs completed.
"Good it looks like it's a go," replied Alec, "so when you leaving."
"That depends on Issy and the rest of the team," Jondy returned.
"Day after tomorrow they should be fine to go," Issy responded, "you could brief them this evening, they'll be bored by then."
"You mean they're not already," Jondy laughed. "What about this NorBAC team, what have you done with them?"
"We left them with Psyche," Alec retorted, "thought they couldn't get up to anything with her."
"What about Sam, how long you gonna leave her?" Mole asked through the smoke from his cigar.
"Thought Issy and I could find out what NorBAC want, then I'll see if Sam will do the Max posing until White attacks, which reminds me, how are we going with the relocation."
"Communications equipment has been relocated and replicated, so no-one would notice from the surface that anything is missing," Dix replied, "Issy's tip about how Sandeman controlled Manticore from the basement helped."
"Glad to be of service," she replied.
"Weapons and supplies have been relocated to the bunkers," Mole state, "again we've made it look like we have all the stuff in surface buildings, rigged some of the ones that needed demolishing to blow if attacked or entered by non-transgenics."
"Good seems we're almost ready," Alec praised, "you still monitoring White's cell for advanced warning Dix?"
"Sure boss, nothing heard yet, but comms links have been passed to each team," he replied, "as soon as the word comes we'll pass it on."
"Good, well let's get back to work," Alec responded, "we'll meet again in the morning for an update."
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Ben and Judd looked at Max, "What?" she spat angrily her eyes blazing, she didn't like the way Alec got under her skin by implying that there was something going on between her and Ben in front of everyone. She knew something was, but didn't want it broadcast round TC before she returned.
Judd looked away nervously but Ben demanded, "why did you cut the link?"
"Because I don't want to discuss what's going on between us on a computer link to TC command," she retorted.
"And what makes you think that was how it would go?" Ben asked innocently.
"Because that's part of our training, to gain information without being obvious," Dara confirmed, "he'll know there's something going on between you, and knowing him, so will the command team, but the goading was to get you to break the link Max."
"Why do you say that?" she asked still incensed by what had happened.
"You asked about NorBAC and he didn't want you to pursue that or anything else, so by goading he got you to cut the link," she replied calmly, "a sort of seeing who will break first."
"And you just lost," laughed Judd. Seeing her expression he added, "don't be upset, he's a master at finding anyone's Achilles heel and exploiting it, how do you think I owe him so much?"
Lydecker had been watching the exchanges with amusement, it seemed strange how they worked together without acting like the soldiers they had been drilled to be. "Ok enough about the link, we need confirmation that you all understand the situation and will work with us," he addressed the South African returnees. "Over the next few days all the other units will be returning and we will need your help persuading them that this is kosher."
The returnees looked at each other and Judd spoke up, "Raven and I know Alec well and if he's in then we trust his judgement, even if he does say you're the boss."
"No disrespect Max, but what Judd said is true, we'd just expected Alec to be the boss not an '09er," added Raven.
"No offence taken; what about the rest of you?" Max asked.
They looked at each other and Jez spoke for them, "Judd and Raven have been the CO and SIC for this mission, we all know of 494 and his reputation and if they all think we should stick with you and work together, then that's what we do."
"Thanks, there's lots of things that are going on that need explanation, but I think most can wait until we return to TC," Max acknowledged. "The most important thing is the current battles are against a snake cult and White, who think it's time they ruled the world and we're going to stop them. Anything you want to talk about 'Deck?"
"Only a quick debrief on your mission," he said to Judd and Raven.
"Nothing much to report," replied Judd, "we took out the Red Brigade unit we were sent to destroy, then waited for recall, took in the sites, visited Sun City, then returned to the US before our money ran out," he grinned at Lydecker's obvious discomfort at realising that they had already been in the US.
"So how long have you been here?" Lydecker replied gruffly.
"Six months," Raven answered with a small grin, "took some of Alec's advice and got jobs in a holiday resort in Florida."
"What do you mean Alec's advice?" Lydecker was livid.
"If your handler isn't around, find somewhere to enjoy yourself until recalled, just make sure you don't stand out," Judd quoted. "So who are we waiting for?"
"If they return in the order recalled the next group back should be from Afghanistan, then Belize, Iran, China and finally Russia."
"Yeah I'd expect Afghanistan back later today then," replied Raven.
"Why's that?" asked a surprised Max.
"We met them in Florida, they said they were moving up to Las Vegas, so assuming you contacted them 12 hours after contacting us, they should be here shortly," she replied.
"You were trained to wait for orders," Lydecker sounded astounded; "can't any of you stick to your orders?"
"We did the job; then got bored," Judd replied, "that's why you moved on to the X6's, because they wait for orders and don't act on their own initiative."
"Ok enough recriminations let's get something to eat while we wait," Ben suggested.
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Alec and Issy left the meeting together and headed for med bay, "what do you think they want?" Alec asked.
"NorBAC?" Issy questioned and Alec nodded, "apart from David thinking he had a chance with me, I think they've come for answers about what this doomsday scenario is all about."
"We haven't got the answers to that, have we?" Alec asked, thinking maybe he'd missed something in the last few days.
"No but if we talk we might come up with something."
As they entered the building they could see Psyche looking flustered talking to the NorBAC team. "What's her deal?" Alec whispered.
"Looks like David's working his charm," Issy whispered back.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, but we can't cancel meetings just because you decide to turn up," Alec greeted with a grin, Manticore charm at its best.
"That's alright you left us in such pleasant company," David replied smoothly, as Psyche blushed.
"I-I'd better get back to …" Psyche stammered not knowing how to excuse herself.
"Yeah, I'm sure Sam will be wondering where you are," Issy completed for her, and Psyche smiled back as she turned to leave hastily.
After Psyche left Alec turned to David, "Psyche's one of us, so don't hurt her, we protect our own," he threatened.
"I've no intention of hurting her, she's a beautiful and intelligent young woman and I have great respect for her," David replied easily, as charmingly as any X5.
"So what are you here for?" asked Issy brusquely, "we sent you all the samples we could."
"Yeah the samples were fine, but we can't make a vaccine without some of the pathogen," he replied, "we were hoping to find some here."
"Not here," Alec replied absentmindedly, "the cult HQ will have the snakes; by all accounts that's what you need immunity to."
"So how do we get hold of one of the snakes?" David sounded enthusiastic.
"We have a mission going out soon, we'll add it to their list of things to bring back," Alec answered. "In the meantime you'll have to stay here, but first can you all show me your arms?" They looked at him confused, "if you want me to trust you this is important to us," he assured them.
They rolled up their sleeves and both Issy and Alec checked them for the snake mark, there were no marks to be seen. "Ok I'll get someone to show you round, but you'll be housed in the basement of block B. There is a canteen in block C and I'd rather you stuck to either here or one of those two, for your own safety."
"You mean Psyche doesn't get to grill us?" David questioned with obvious disappointment, "I was rather looking forward to that."
"If she does it will be in her own time," Issy replied.
"And you're not going to take us on the tour?" David pushed.
"Sorry I've got much better things to do," she replied as Mitch approached, "in fact I think Mitch has come to show you round," she finished as Alec was instructing Mitch on the tour.
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Leaving the NorBAC team and Issy, Alec went to find Psyche and Sam.
Sam was busy smoking a cigarette as she paced waiting for Alec's return. Psyche watched her with amusement, "you know those things will still kill you, being a transgenic doesn't protect you," she smiled.
"What do you care how I choose to kill myself?" Sam snapped back.
"I don't but they have an effect on fertility as well," Psyche replied, "and I thought you were into the family thing."
"What would you know about family?" Sam sneered, "it's not like you'll ever have kids, psy-ops psycho."
Alec heard the last part of the exchange and felt for Psyche, Sam was being a real bitch and Psyche wasn't trying to provoke her. "Enough with the name calling," he snapped, "and I think you ought to apologise, Sam."
"What apologise to a Manticore torturer?" Sam laughed, "you gotta be kidding me."
"No kidding, Psyche's part of the team and I don't expect disrespect between team members," he replied, "although I am assuming that you want to join the side of the righteous and kick White's ass."
Sam looked at them seriously whilst continuing to puff on her cigarette, "ok I apologise for the name calling, but how do you expect me to help and what do I get in return?"
"First off the cigarettes go until Max is back," he rebuked, Sam looked daggers at him. "I want you to pass as Max, since Max doesn't smoke neither do you, understand," he glared at her.
"Ok," she agreed reluctantly, "but what if I need a smoke?"
"Make sure it's in the basement with Mole," he replied and she shuddered at the thought of spending time with the lizard man. "At all times you should be with a member of the command team," she smiled suggestively, "not always the same one and you stay at Joshua's overnight," the smile left her face.
"So why don't I spend the night with you?" she asked not wanting to spend time with the dog man, "White thinks there's something going on between you."
"Don't think of lying, White knows if Issy's alive I'm with her," he
responded; "and since I'm sure he's keeping an eye on here, he will have seen Issy and I together, but is probably wondering where Max is."
"So if I'm playing Max everyone will take orders from me," she smirked.
"No they'll take orders from me, but we'll make it look like you're giving the orders," he replied. "If you agree, we leave here together and start being visible around TC as though checking the site."
"How will you convince White that it's not me pretending?"
"Execution," he said watching her face, "we'll pretend to execute you as a traitor to the transgenics; we'll make it loud, visible and look real."
She looked astounded, "are you ready to do that for real," she paled.
"You mean if you don't agree, will we execute you?" she nodded, "I'd have to check with Max, but I don't think so yet."
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A/N: 356 reviews before the next.
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