Disclaimer: I don't own the rights to any of the Alex Rider books or any of it's content (damn, I sound like my dad).


"Are you sure about this Alan?" The dark and rather masculine woman asked as she unwrapped yet another peppermint and slipped it into her mouth.

"Of course I am Mrs Jones, why do you ask?" Alan didn't look up as he spoke, his cold eyes scanning the file on the desk in front of him.

"It just seems," she paused, as if searching for the right words. "risky." she finished in the best way she could.

"Of course it's risky, our whole line of work is risky."

"But they're just-"

"I know what they are, Mrs Jones." Alan spat, a hint of annoyance tainted his usually expressionless voice. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Anyway, your opinion is irrelevant now, everything has been arranged, they leave in two weeks."

"You mean they actually agreed to this?" Mrs Jones asked, her disbelief clearly evident.

"Of course they did, the head thought it was a brilliant idea. The sergeant wasn't happy but I managed to convince him." There was almost an evil glint in his eyes as he said this, but a second later it was gone and his emotionless exterior was back in place.

"You mean you gave him no choice." It wasn't a question as she already knew the answer. Alan simply smirked at her and she couldn't help but frown at the cold, heartless man in front of her. "And what exactly do you plan to tell Alex." She couldn't help but worry about the 14 year old boy.

"Nothing." He replied simply.

"Nothing?" She asked. She couldn't believe it, after all they had put the poor boy through he was going to go ahead with this without even telling him first.

"Yes, nothing." He replied "He will find out with the rest of them." He finished before Mrs Jones could begin berating him.

"I don't think that's wise, you've seen the way he reacts to us making these sorts decisions and he'll be totally unprepared."

"It doesn't matter what you think now. As I've already said, everything has been organised and they leave in two weeks. Alex will find out tomorrow just like the rest of them." There was something final about what he had just said, and Mrs Jones knew that the conversation was over.

"Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you if this blows up in your face." Mrs Jones said coldly.

She looked at Alan Blunt, who was completely ignoring her now, once more, before opening the door and walking out into the room outside his office. His secretary glanced at her before turning back to her computer screen. She couldn't help but worry as she open yet another peppermint and placed it in her mouth, what were they letting themselves in for?


I know it's kinda short but it's necessary for the plot. Please review and let me know what you think. Is it worth finishing? Any ideas for a title are welcome.

Mia.