Disclaimer: Not mine except new characters.
A/N: My first attempt. I did think the reviews would come more quickly, as readers wanted to hear more about the execution, obviously you're not curious enough to write a review. Still you've given me time to write the next chapter, but I want a lot more reviews for that one.
Many Thanks:
Elle6778: Sam's just being a bitch to anyone not just Psyche. The reference to charming as an X5 was about the NorBAC team leader (David), so he's not an X5. Alec's just trying to divert Max's attention away from what's really going on in TC, cuz he's not sure she'll like it.
Lakergirl08: please email using my profile email for any pictures.
Honey X5-452: The end of 58 or beginning of 59 they'll be together again.
Shygirl1: They never trusted Lydecker, so why start now.
Wildsky: Well that's the theory; Issy's ex is just a twist.
Darkangelgirl262: The execution is answered below. NorBAC will create the vaccine for mankind. More cool X5's in this.
Alec494: That chat was fun to write, glad you liked it. Read on for info on Sam. Raven, Judd and a couple of other will be appearing in the next few chapters. The mission starts in the next chapter but won't get exciting until the following chapter.
ThisIsWhereMyNameGoes: The apology was half-hearted; you'll love the execution, honestly.
Who Loves The Teacher?
Chapter Fifty-six: Trouble in Gillette
As they waited for the next group to return Judd challenged Ben to a game of pool and they all relaxed and talked.
"Do you think they'll all believe us?" Max asked Raven.
"The Afghanistan and Belize teams should be easy; each has someone who has worked with Alec at sometime, meaning they trust him. Iran and China are unknowns, none of us have worked with them, but Russia will be difficult," was the reply.
"Why will they be difficult?" Max didn't want problems; she wanted to get back to TC, unsure what Alec was up to now.
"854 and 783 hate both Alec and Issy, and anyone associated with them," Raven replied.
"Why?" Max asked, remembering she and Alec hadn't always got on.
"That's easy," replied Judd, "783 thought he was the best at everything, but Alec was the best. Alec never needed to show off at Manticore he took the training seriously and excelled, he would help anyone who was struggling and put down the bullies."
"Yeah but 783 and 854 were the bullies he'd put down and they resent that," came a voice from the door.
Everyone turned to look, Judd smiled, "nice of you to join us Tori, I hope your team's ok."
"We lost one on the mission, but you know that," she replied, "so who are these others and what's happened to the normal reception?" she asked as the other members of her team entered the building warily.
"Good to see you again," Raven greeted them, "we've got coffee if you like."
"So who's going to answer the question?" Tori asked again, "you 'Deck," she turned to their old CO.
Lydecker looked at Max, "The colonel arranged for you to come in to help reinforce the numbers in TC, but that's jumping ahead a bit," she stated. "Look I'm Max, or 452, if you prefer, about a year ago Manticore decided to destroy itself and every one of us. You escaped because you weren't there when it happened and some of us just managed to escape."
"Hold it," commanded a young looking fair haired man, "you're an 09er and you expect us to believe you, why?"
Max hadn't got an answer for that so she thought an explanation of where they were at would suffice, "since Manticore was destroyed Lydecker has tried to keep you safe from those who would destroy us, by keeping you out on your missions," she started, "about two months ago the transgenic mission was uncovered and we need all the survivors to help in a fight against a strange snake cult. We need to band together because the cult is trying to kill us all and we're stronger as a unit."
"Who put you in charge?" asked a dark haired X5.
"Seems our creator decided that before we were born," she replied ironically, "but I took up the fight because I felt responsible for destroying Manticore and letting the freaks out, and by freaks I mean all the transgenics."
Tori looked at Raven and Judd, "so do you trust them?" she asked.
"Not until they set up a link with TC and 494 confirmed her story," Judd replied, "things seem to be getting a bit hairy there and he said she's the boss."
"So I guess you're not just waiting for us, who are the others?" asked another female, as she helped herself to coffee.
"Belize, Iran, China and Russia," Lydecker stated.
Tori looked surprised, "don't fancy your chances with the Russian team."
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Two days later Sam was wandering around TC with Mole telling her where to go and getting bored, "what do you say we go and have a smoke somewhere?" she asked.
"Not yet," he replied gruffly, "we need to get to the morning meeting, just look like you're checking defences with enthusiasm otherwise Alec will be upset."
"Tough for Alec," she sulked, "straight after the meeting can we please," she pleaded, not enjoying the withdrawal.
"That will depend on what Alec wants us to do next," he replied. "Come on let's get this meeting over, then maybe I can pass the baby sitting to someone else."
"Don't think I enjoy having to spend my time with you," Sam spat.
"I'd have never guessed," Mole replied sarcastically. "You always keep the transhumans at arms length, never stop moaning about the weird creatures that Manticore created and keep saying we smell, but that changes when you need to lit up. Then it's please Mole will you show me the basement, all sweetness and light," he mocked. "I'll give Max her due she never judges anyone on their looks, unlike you."
"Yeah she's such a super hero, the 09er super woman," Sam replied cynically.
"You could learn a lot from her," Mole countered, "like how to get the best from everyone, instead of getting up everyone's nose."
"Yeah and how to get the rest of you to lick my boots," she sneered, "still from what I've heard playing her means I can get physical with Alec," she smiled smugly.
"Just be careful how physical," Mole warned, "he might take it from Max but I'm not sure he'd put up with much from you."
"We'll just have to wait and see," she smiled coyly. "Let's go then."
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"Nice of you to turn up," Alec commented as Sam and Mole joined the meeting. "You've been so unpredictable recently we started the meeting without you Max," he hoped if White had got them bugged the lie would suffice.
"That's no way to talk to your leader," she replied punching his shoulder.
He glared at her, "suppose you're spending too much time with Ben," he replied suggestively.
"So where have you got to in my absence," she rebuked, not knowing how to answer the untrue accusation.
"Just the latest discussions on resources," he replied, "wondered when you'd come to organise Sam's execution, thought you wanted to do it today."
"Haven't you got it organised yet," she retorted, "I give you one small task to do and you push it back to me, typical."
Alec hadn't expected the reply but he wasn't going to be beaten by her, "we arranged to do it in the square after lunch, don't want to ruin anyone's appetite," he smirked, "but you hadn't decided on the method at the last meeting."
"As I said then, decapitation is the only sure method," interjected Issy, "and then only if the body parts are burned afterwards."
"So it's beheading followed by cremation," Sam declared, "in the square after lunch, anything else."
The meeting was taking place in the command centre, which they considered would be bugged by White. There had been several shots fired at the building recently, any one of which could have delivered a bug and although they had swept for them Alec had decided that by leaving some White might be fooled into thinking that life was carrying on as normal. Actually all strategic meetings were taking place in the new basement control centre and Sam was not involved.
As this fake meeting finished Alec turned to Sam, "I know Joshua wants you to see his latest paintings, why don't we meet up after the execution and do that survey you were on about last night," Sam looked at him confused, "I'll meet you on the roof of the apartment block."
Everyone looked at him as though he'd gone mad, then Dix realised what he was doing, "I'll run the back-ups while you're up there," he said.
"Good idea, never know when there might be trouble," Alec replied with a wink.
The others caught on and made excuses for what they would be doing, then they left for the real meeting.
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Tori looked at Ben, "why did you need to set up a link with 494, when he's hiding in the corner?" she asked. She was surprised that he hadn't greeted any of them and seemed to be acting strange.
Ben felt uncomfortable and quickly looked around checking that she was talking about him, "I'm not 494, I'm Ben 493," he replied almost too quickly.
"So you must be his twin?" replied the other female.
"No, he's my twin," Ben was peeved at the way the conversation was going.
"Sorry, whichever way you want, but we knew 494 first," she replied.
"So if you've been working in Las Vegas what names do you go by?" asked Max, changing the subject.
Tori shot a withering look at Raven, "so who's been talking out of class?"
"We were only surmising when you would return," she replied looking at her watch, "which was almost spot on; anyway what does it matter with Manticore gone."
"True," replied the fair haired male, "I'm known as Will, that's Den, she's Kelly and Tori you already know about, what about you," he turned to Dara.
"I'm Dara," she replied.
"So why's Dara from psy-ops here, if everything's on the level?" asked Den.
"We needed her help to get here safely," Ben replied grateful that she was there after all that had happened on the road trip.
"So what happens now, do we just sit around playing pool and eating whatever food that's available?" asked Kelly.
"Good question," Ben replied looking at Max.
"If we're all working together," she looked at the newcomers for confirmation, "then I suggest we should post lookouts ready for the next team."
"Too late for that," came a reply from the doorway.
"This is getting ridiculous!" exclaimed Ben, "every time we start a new conversation someone else turns up."
"Nice to see you too 494," came the reply from a good looking black male.
"And that is going to get so annoying," Ben complained.
"Well at least they haven't kicked you across the room yet, as I did when I first met Alec," Max replied remembering her first meeting with Alec.
"So he's not 494," replied a beautiful black female, "that's a pity, but maybe not heard he had a partner."
"Hands off Ben, he's mine," snapped Max, her eyes blazing.
"Yeah he's definitely hers," replied Judd, "and I wouldn't think of coming between them."
"Oh well seems I'll have to look elsewhere for some company," she said eyeing Judd and Will.
Dara and Max looked at each other, "solitary now," shouted Max.
Tori and Raven nodded and they all grabbed her quickly and carried her to solitary, locking the door before she managed to squeeze out.
"So how we going to keep the boys out?" asked Raven.
"Girls kick ass," replied Max, they looked at her, "we post a female guard."
"They must have run out of meds," commented a worried Dara, "we'll need to keep an eye on them all, if they ran out of tryptophan we could be in trouble."
Max looked at her realising the implication, "Raven can you keep first watch while we find out if they've still got any meds?" she instructed.
"Sure but don't forget to send food and meds over," she replied.
"We won't," Max replied as they went back to grill the others.
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Back in the basement command centre they were going over the final plans in preparation for White's attack and their counter mission. Greg and whole mission team were present.
"So you want us to bring back one of the cult's snakes?" asked Greg.
"Seems the NorBAC team need it to develop the vaccine, is that going to be a problem?" Alec asked.
"The snakes are more closely guarded than the High Priest," he replied, "it might mean we have to kill or capture the High Priestess."
"Whichever, I don't mind," Alec replied, "just get us at least one live snake."
They continued to discuss the change and how quickly the mission would be completed.
Finally Alec said, "right I think we're ready to go, when we leave here go straight to the exit tunnel, the rest of us will be heading for the execution and I think White will show his hand after that, the confusion will give you the opportunity to evade his watch. Good luck, we'll see you in two days."
They left the meeting and as the mission team headed for the tunnels Alec and the rest of the command team headed for the square. Sam was already there with Joshua when they arrived, "you looking forward to this?" Alec asked her.
"What, seeing my own death," she hissed.
"Show time," he replied, nudging her.
"Bring the prisoner out," she shouted to two X6's.
Slowly they brought out someone who looked exactly like her, but drugged. They took her to an execution post and tied her to it, then Mole approached with a razor wire.
"Any last wishes?" he asked. She spat at him, "I guess that's a no!" he replied looking to where Sam was stood. She nodded and he wrapped the razor wire around the girl's neck.
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White couldn't believe his eyes, he had wondered why she hadn't been in touch but he thought they would trust one of their own. He was sat in a building not far from TC watching the scene on a monitor. He had just witnessed Sam's head rolling onto the ground now they were putting the body onto a funeral pyre and burning it.
White rang a number on his cell, "make it happen now," he demanded on the receiver.
"You'll pay for that 452 and 494, your end will come shortly."
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Back in the square Sam was surveying the scene with Alec and Issy, "do they really hate me that much?"
"They don't know you," replied Alec watching the transgenics throwing more wood on the fire.
Mole came up behind them, "but they don't like traitors, especially prissy bossy madams like you."
"Come on Mole let's leave these two to carry out the plan," Issy cajoled him, putting her arm through his and leading him away.
Alec looked after them for a minute, "don't you trust her then?" Sam goaded.
He turned to face her, "no I just wanted to remember her like that," he said his voice far away. "Right let's get this over with, come on let's get up to the roof over there."
Alec and Sam headed over to one of the disused buildings that they planned to demolish and climbed up on to the roof.
Pretending that they were surveying defences Alec guided Sam around the roof that he thought would be under surveillance by White. Suddenly there was a voice on his comms unit, 'White has sent the signal, they should be coming soon.'
As the voice faded Sam and Alec could hear the sound of air force planes heading their way.
"When do we head for cover?" asked Sam.
"We don't," Alec replied, "if it looks like we weren't here when they strike White will carry on trying to kill us, or should I say Max and me."
"You mean we stand up here like sore thumbs while White bombs the shit out of TC!" Sam exclaimed, "if I'd known that was the plan, I'd have gone for the execution."
"Don't panic yet, they haven't killed us," he joked, although his eyes showed how little he was joking.
"Well if we're going to die answer me one question?"
"Shoot."
"Who did you execute in my place?"
"A very realistic dummy," he replied with a grin at the look of disbelief on her face, "that's why we had to burn it, otherwise if White came looking he'd realise we tried to dupe him."
Bombs started to fall on TC and some of the buildings started to collapse. Alec pointed to an area where a building was collapsing as a bomb hit the building that he and Sam were stood on.
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A/N: 368 reviews before the next. If I get more I'll be happy, be no posting for less. Seems several reviewers have got bored with this, I promise that everyone will be back together soon; I'm aiming for chapter 58, but it might be the beginning of 59.
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