Disclaimer: Not mine except new characters.
A/N: Thanks to those still giving reviews they are appreciated.
Who Loves The Teacher?
Chapter Seventy-six: New Beginnings
The charges blew as the transgenics headed towards the drop point. The sky lit up and ground shook as the buildings burnt. When they arrived at the meeting point they could hear bombers overhead. Soon they heard bombs exploding as they were being dropped on the buildings to obliterate the site.
Lydecker was waiting for them. "What do you think of the military send off for the conclave?" he asked Max.
"It's a strange fly past when you drop bombs," she smiled. "I'm surprised you got the government to agree to bombing on US soil."
"Oh that was easy," he replied. "Since we got the conclave members out of power their replacements didn't want them coming back, so they were only too pleased to be helping eliminate the problem."
"So how many generals were familiars?" Ben asked.
"More than the government will ever admit, along with several members of Congress on both sides, we're just lucky that the president wasn't one," Lydecker confided. "Several of his aides were but we had a few of X5's take them out."
"You mean you've been hiding X5's from us?" Max queried raising her eyebrows.
"Only three," he replied, "298, 509 and 206, although he's gone missing."
"So you set this up," Alec interrupted angrily as he joined the group.
"What do you mean?" Lydecker replied confused.
"Who do you think White had working for him?" Alec spat.
Lydecker paled at the accusation, "you mean 206 kidnapped Alex?"
"What do you think?" Alec was getting close to attacking Lydecker as his anger rose. Max looked at Ben ready to intervene.
Lydecker realised what had happened and although he had not been complicit he suddenly felt guilty, "I'm sorry Alec, if I'd realised I would have warned TC but we had no way of knowing what had happened to him."
"Yeah and somehow I don't believe you," Alec snapped back then turned to board the helicopter and join his squad and daughter before he did something the transgenics might regret.
Lydecker turned to Max, "I really didn't know," he almost pleaded.
"Yeah, maybe, but you should have told us," she replied, "if we'd known we could have set a trap for White instead of reacting when Alex was in danger." She and Ben turned to join Alec and the others.
Lydecker wisely decided to ride in another helicopter back to TC.
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When they were safely on their way home Max radioed Dix to let him know that the mission had been a complete success and that they would be landing with Alex in two hours.
Max relaxed back putting her head on Ben's shoulder and watching Alec entertain his daughter and squad. She couldn't remember Alec looking as relaxed before, the tension which had surrounded him from just before Issy came to TC seemed to have evaporated. She realised that she was smiling and felt comfortable and warm next to Ben. Max let herself drift she had never felt this relaxed with Logan, did that make this right. She watched Alec laughing at a trick he'd played on Alex, the little girl was laughing too. This is what families should be like Max thought.
"You alright Max?" Ben asked. "You seem to be snuggling in and laughing," he continued putting his arm around her.
"Never better," she replied. "I've never seen this side of Alec before."
"From the looks from his squad, I don't think many people have," Ben responded, "I guess he reserves it for his family."
"Mmm I suppose you're right."
"Do you think we could ever get there?" Ben asked sincerely.
Max laughed, "what me a mum and you the doting dad?"
Ben felt offended and Max felt him tense even though he didn't say anything.
"Sorry I've just never thought about it," she apologised.
"I don't suppose Alec did, but he seems to be enjoying it."
"Point taken, I'll think about it," she replied, "but don't go anywhere in the meantime."
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When they landed Issy was waiting with Dage to greet them.
As Max stepped on to the pad Issy called, "any injuries?"
"Only Nick."
"Nick? Don't know him," Issy replied.
"He was the kidnapper," Max responded.
"Oh, I'm sure Dage can take care of him," Issy dismissed. "So where're Alec and Alex?"
Alec came round the helicopter carrying Alex. "Did you miss us?" he teased as Alex tried to wriggle out of his arms.
As soon as Alec put the girl down she ran to Issy. "Mummy I missed you," she cried hugging Issy's knees.
Issy crouched down so they could hug properly, "and I've missed you."
Alec came to join them, "any room for me in the family hug?" he asked crouching down beside them. Then gazing at Issy, "so what's for breakfast?"
Max smacked him round the head, "what sort of stupid question is that?"
He looked at her surprised. "Ow, not the sort you were thinking."
"Anyway de-brief in HQ in ten minutes all squad leaders," Max instructed.
"And I thought we deserved a break," he whined.
"After the de-brief you and I are going to have a little chat with Lydecker then you can have a break until tomorrow," she ordered.
"Yes ma'am," he replied snarkily. "Demanding women," he sighed. "Can't you get her to give us a break?" he asked Ben.
"Sorry, never been done," Ben replied. "Besides you should know that better than me."
"Yeah, just thought you might have some influence."
"It's ok I'll get Alex checked out and fed, then we can get together," Issy soothed. "Maybe not breakfast but lunch instead," she grinned.
Alec raised his eyebrows and grinned back as Issy turned to take Alex away.
"So what was that about?" Max asked. Seeing his expression she continued, "as if I couldn't guess."
"What can I say?" Alec exclaimed. "We're well matched in that department."
"Ug, I don't need to know," Max complained.
"You did ask," Alec smirked.
As the squads continued to disembark Max turned to Alec and Ben, "It'll be quicker if we get off the roof." Using her comms unit she passed a message that the squad leaders should go to HQ and everyone else to the canteen for breakfast.
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The de-brief didn't take long as no-one had been hurt and everything went almost to plan.
As the others were leaving Ben caught Alec's arm squaring-up for a confrontation. "Why did you change the plan? Didn't you trust me?"
Alec looked surprised, he'd never thought about Ben's reaction. "Sorry it wasn't that. Just the Big Fella and I had a bone to break with White; we didn't want anyone else having the pleasure of doing it for us."
"My squad could've gone for Alex and left you free to find White," Ben reasoned.
"Again sorry, my first need was to make sure Alex was safe, then the urge to kill White got too strong," Alec explained.
Max overheard the last sentence as she came to join them. "It's all good now?" she asked. Alec looked at her with a puzzled expression, "you're not going to want to kill anyone else soon?"
"Maybe the cook if it's mac and cheese again," he deadpanned. Max looked at him with concern and he grinned, "seriously, no it's all good."
After giving him a slap for the joke, she pressed, "not even Lydecker."
Alec grinned, "no I think I've frightened him enough for the time being."
Ben grinned, "yeah, did you see him shrink back when you accused him of being involved."
They all laughed and were surprised to hear someone clearing their throat. They turned and found Lydecker stood there. Feeling a bit like naughty children caught out by the teacher Max blushed and the guys tried to stifle their amusement.
Ben beat a hasty retreat. "See you guys later," he called as he left the room.
When he had gone Lydecker commented, "I suppose that was about me then?"
"Just a bit," Max agreed while Alec suppressed a smirk. "So why did you cadge a lift back here?"
"We talked about what would happen afterwards once before," he replied. "Now it is afterwards and the government wants to know what your plans are."
Max hedged, "so what does the government want?"
Lydecker knew not to try and fool either of them, "they want their R&D back in the barracks doing as it's told."
"Well that ain't gonna happen," Alec replied. "So what are the options?"
"Option one: stay here and be forever scratching a living with people outside the fence trying to kill you. Option two: split into smaller groups and go to ground, which will put the non-human looking at greater risk. Option three: find somewhere remote where you can live together, but how will you survive without medical supplies and food."
"So what's option four?" Max snarled.
"A new home for you all together where you get regular supplies and medical treatment in return for doing some jobs for the government."
"You mean back to Manticore," Alec accused. "We've already turned that down."
"What if you were in charge and could pick the jobs?" Lydecker suggested.
"Neither the government or the military would allow us that amount of freedom, so what's the full 10-4?" Max demanded.
"Sandeman's working a deal with the government in recognition of the transgenics recent success both with the vaccine and bringing down the Conclave," Lydecker explained. "He's trying to get them to understand that they owe you a debt for everything that you succeeded in doing without orders and minimal help from outside. If you were to agree to set up your own unit working with the government on difficult missions then he is trying to get them to set up a base for everyone and to keep it supplied."
"What about the ones not trained for missions or who don't want to pursue that line of work?" Max queried.
"They would remain under your jurisdiction and so long as they don't break US law they can stay on the base."
"So suppose someone wanted to paint or be a mechanic, there wouldn't be a problem?" Max pushed, "even if they wanted to work in Seattle and just return to base at night."
"Depends where the base is, but the government shouldn't interfere with that," Lydecker replied.
"So what's the catch?" asked a suspicious Alec.
"The government have come up with three," Lydecker replied carefully, pausing to watch their expressions.
Max was impassive while Alec smirked. "So let me guess we have to have a tracker, be home by 22:00 unless on a job and Stendahl is in overall charge," Alec challenged.
"Not quite," Lydecker replied. "They want the barcode reactivated, although there won't be a curfew all transgenics will have the same home address and a choice of Stendahl or myself as commanding officer."
Max looked at Alec in silent agreement then turned to Lydecker, "the home address shouldn't be a problem; if we have to choose an external link I suppose you would be better than Stendahl, but it's a no on the barcode."
"I don't think that's negotiable."
"Then you'd better make it so," Max replied.
"They want to be able to identify you anywhere," he replied. "Suppose someone got hurt away from your base, it would be in their interests to be returned there for treatment."
Alec looked at Max, "good argument, but don't humans wear bracelets with unusual medical details like blood type or diabetes. Why couldn't we have something similar which lists a tryptophan deficiency?"
"I thought you'd overcome that?" Lydecker commented.
"Yeah but surely there's something we have in common which other people don't or we could just have a number to ring in an emergency," Alec responded. "Then you could send someone to collect them. To walk around with a barcode leaves us at risk from any nutter who has something to prove."
"Ok I'll voice your concerns and recommendations and get back to you," Lydecker replied and left.
"So we're going for option four then?" Alec asked.
"We can always change our minds later," Max replied. "I think it's time we joined the rest for breakfast."
"Good idea," Alec replied holding the door for her in mock chivalry.
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Two nights later while catching up with their friends at Crash there was an announcement on the television, the barman turned up the volume as it was the president.
As of 18:00 the transgenics are now official citizens of the United States, this is in recognition of their outstanding work to rid this country of a particularly nasty group of individuals and their help in eradicating a disease that had been sweeping the planet. They have agreed to continue helping whenever possible and will be setting up a military facility near Seattle. Any attacks on these people will be treated in the same way as any other race living in the country, no matter what their appearance.
I wish to add my personal thanks to Max and Alec for their foresight in agreeing to and making recommendations which will be implemented.
God bless America.
Max looked at Alec, "so it seems we'll be moving soon."
"Yeah and it looks like the barcode thing is resolved."
"Wonder how quickly everything will be ready?"
"I just hope we don't get back and find everyone gone," Alec sighed. "I wonder if I can get that vacation in Hawaii now." Alec grinned.
"Wow, my boo and pretty boy got the good deal," Cindy remarked. "Any chance that there'd be room on that base for me?"
Mac chuckled, "anywhere I am there's room for my sista."
"What about me?" asked Sketchy. "Surely you'll need help with the press?"
"Sketchy, my man you really want to spend your life living amongst the freaks." Alec joked.
"Hey why not, there're some really hot chicks in your lot."
Max, Alec and Cindy laughed, "fool, they'll have their own people who can do all that and why would the hot chicks want you?"
"Some might," he sulked.
"Yeah they might, any way we can make room for our friends," Max replied. "We'd never have got this break without the two of you."
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Next morning Lydecker was waiting at the gate. The security team lead him to HQ to see the TC committee.
"So Lydecker what's your timetable?" Max asked as soon as he stepped into the room.
Lydecker looked around at the various section heads sat around the table trying to gauge their reaction to his presence. "I guess you heard the announcement then," he replied.
There were nods around the table.
"I've come with a consignment of medical bracelets," he continued. "They all have a White House phone number to ring in an emergency, you can add other details if you wish."
"So when do the trucks arrive to take us to the new Manticore," Mole grumbled.
"They don't," Lydecker replied, taking everyone by surprise. "I have the location of the base and would suggest that some of you might like to check it out. The buildings are ready and equipped for you to move in, but you can do it at your leisure. The government aren't expecting you to start anything for them this year; they'd like you to get settled first."
"So no problem if we decide on a vacation in Florida for the next few months?" Alec asked.
"No but you might like to get your quarters sorted first," Lydecker replied amused at the thought of transgenics needing a holiday.
"Anything else we need to know before we discuss things without you," Max replied curtly.
"Can't think of anything, but you know my number and I'll be at the base from tomorrow."
"Will you be there permanently?" asked Biggs.
"No, I'll be based in Washington but will be visiting regularly."
"Just to keep an eye on us," Alec smirked.
"I'll need to check on your training and status," he agreed. "I'll also need to talk to you about missions and supplies."
"Ok I think we get the picture," Max responded. "Anyone else think they're going to be poking around?"
"No, just Sandeman and me."
"I think we can handle that," Max replied with a grin. "We'll see you there in a few days then," she dismissed him with glee.
After he left Mole asked, "so we're moving there immediately?"
"No I think we should take a working party to check the place out and make plans before we get that far," Max replied. "If everything seems ok then we could start moving there in small groups from next week."
"Ok but I was serious about the vacation," Alec replied. "Once we're settled I'd like to take Issy and Alex away for a while."
"That sounds like a good idea Max," Biggs interrupted. "I know you and your brothers and sisters have been out for ages, but most of us have never been further than Seattle except on missions."
"Ok I get the picture, but it won't be much of a vacation if we all go together," Max retorted. "Let's get settled then work on our tans after."
"I can deal with that," Alec replied with a wink to Issy. "But since it's my idea I get the first break."
"Would you let it be any other way?" Max groaned.
"Never," Alec smirked.
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The End
A/N With a new life beginning I'm going to leave the transgenics to their fate, I hope you think it's a good place to leave them.
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