Disclaimer: I do not own Alex Rider, nor do I own the radio 4 program "The Unbelievable Truth"
Eagle was trying to be patient, Of course he was curious about Cub, everyone was, but he wasn't going to be the one to make first contact. At least, that had been the idea, but they were on month two and still the boy showed no sign of leaving.
Laying on his bunk, copying today's lecture notes for the rest of the unit, Eagle finds that he just can't be patient anymore.
"Cub" He says, as he throws down his pen and tries not to wince at eagerness in his voice, "Why are you still here?"
Cub huddled over the letter that he's reading doesn't even look up.
"Why are you here Eagle?"
"Here is part of my job description, can you say the same?"
It's this last bit that gets Cubs attention;
"I'm actually here to train for a secret mission to the Arctic Circle. I'm going to sneak around like a ninja and find out who is stealing all the icebergs"
In this case there's only Alex to appreciate the irony. The Questions have finally begun, he knew it was only a matter of time, but the letter is an immediate summons from his employers, so its not really an issue anymore.
"No really Cub, I'm serious"
"That's seriously why I'm here" But Eagle is getting irritated now and Alex can see that.
"It's the truth" He tries again "A real Double O' Nothing you used to say, Honestly the first time someone said it I was afraid they might have heard something."
Eagle studies his younger bunk mate, but Cub seems completely sincere.
"You're sure?" He sounds like he's still waiting to be contradicted
"No I'm not sure" And now Eagle can hear the sarcasm, could he really be telling the truth?
"Oh… well…" There's a silence, Eagle notices that Snake and Wolf are only pretending to play cards by now. "So that's why you here?"
"Its part of my job description too" He says with a grin, and Eagle thinks that if the boy really is telling the truth he won't be smiling much longer.
"So, what exactly do you do then?"
"I told you, I'm going up to the Arctic Circle"
Already Cubs eyes are back on the page in front of him, but Eagle isn't finished yet.
"You're going up to the Arctic Circle…" he prompts
Cub stops reading, but he doesn't speak. Not yet.
"Wolf?" he says at last
"Yeah, what?" His reply isn't very encouraging.
"Could we talk?" Wolf turns to look at Cub, Snake puts down his cards and Eagle tries hard not to lean forward in anticipation. "Maybe outside… it's just…"
"Let's go" Wolf tries not to sound smug, as he notices Eagles glare.
The two make to leave the hut. As soon as the door has closed behind them Eagle turns toward the only other person that's been left behind.
"I bet there talking about Cub" He simply can't resist the speculation.
"Who knows" Snake replies, and he's trying to sound unconcerned, but both of them know he isn't fooling anyone.
Wondering the two inside the are silent, as theywait for the two outside to return. When the door opens again they're suprised to to see its only Wolf who stands there.
"Where's Cub?"
"He went up early to wait for dinner" Wolf looks devious, at least Snake thinks he does.
"Well..." Eagle's voice is expectant; clearly he isn't going to wait any longer. "What did he say?"
"He said, to tell you that you shouldn't believe everything you hear" Eagle glares at Wolf.
"No really, he did"
Sitting at the card table Snake lets out a disappointed sigh, whether it's for Eagle, Wolf, or maybe even Cub, he can't be sure.
A is car bound for the Royal and General Bank, sitting in the backseat Alex is reflecting on a lesson learnt.
Sometimes the best lie isn't a lie at all…
Who knew?
AN: spell check is trying to convince me that learnt is not a word. (My English teacher once told me the same thing) I checked, Learnt is most defiantly present in the dictionary. ( right between learning disability and Leary) I do not concede.