I have decided to write a H.I.V.E. reads story because I couldn't find one anywhere else. The story takes place in-between zero hour and aftershock. Everything in bold belongs to Mark Walden.
Raven ran through the alleyway lightning fast. She had to escape her pursuers soon, there were too many of them, even for her. A deafening bang sounded in front of her as a van exploded, cutting off the rode in front of her. She quickly looked around and spotted an old bookstore she was sure would have a back entrance. Moving quickly, she jumped through the shattered window. Her pursuers were close behind her and she made the split second decision to hide behind a bookcase and wait for the chance to run. While listing intently for her chance to escape, something caught her eye. Eight books sat on the shelves, all sharing one title- H.I.V.E. - The Higher Institute of Villainous Education. Her eyes widened in surprise at this obvious security breach. As her pursuers came closer she whipped her bag off her back and shoved all 8 books in. She heard the shroud pull down and made a break for the street. Hopping onto the shroud her mind remained on the books, and as she soared to the secret facility in the volcano, she wondered what she would tell Max.
Max was curious about Natalia's worried tone. She sounded so shocked and-dare he say it-scared. He looked up as his door slid open. Natalia walked.
"What's wrong, Natalia? You sounded uncharacteristically worried." He asked, even more curious now that she was now frowning so hard.
"I'm afraid we have a security breach." Max sat up immediately. The last security breach had been disastrous and cost millions of dollars. He would hate to have to relocate again.
"What do you mean?" he asked, almost afraid of the answer. Raven pulled her pack of her back and handed it to him. With a confused look, he opened the bag and pulled out the eight books, all starting with the title H.I.V.E.
"Where did you get these?!" he demanded, horrified that the breach was so severe. "In a book store in Britain. I found them on the shelves and grabbed them before my pursuers came." She said. It was clear that the event had disturbed Raven more than she was willing to admit. Max flipped over the book titled H.I.V.E.: The Higher Institute of Villainous Education and read the back, nearly groaning at what he saw. Out of all the words, two stood out like they were neon signs. Otto Malpense.
"Raven, get them" Nero moaned. Raven didn't have to ask who he meant, she just nodded and left.
"H.I.V.E. mind, run a search on these books. I want every last piece of information on these books-right down to the author's choice of underwear color. And tell the senior staff to get down here immediately." Nero commanded, before turning his full attention back to the books. He was going to get to the bottom of this, even if it meant starting H.I.V.E.'s first ever book club.
Otto Malpense was confused. He was also worried, excited, and curious, but mostly confused. He and his friends were being brought to Nero's by Raven, which, while not uncommon for them, was unexpected. As far as he knew, none of them had done anything extravagant enough recently to get them an escort to Nero's office from Raven herself. On top of that, Raven looked downright flustered. Raven never looked flustered. She was never surprised, shocked, or scared, so seeing her like this was unnerving. He was interrupted from trying to make sense of things when they arrived at Nero's office and found Professor pike, Colonel Francisco, and Ms. Leon Staring gravely at a book in Nero's hand.
"Please sit." Nero said, and the six students pulled up chairs as Raven sat next to Nero.
"What's this about, sir?" Otto thought it best not to test Nero too much; for he looked so shaken and angry Otto was wondering if they were brought here for execution.
"Did you do this?" He asked the six puzzled children. Hive mind hadn't found a thing on these books, and he was worried. Whoever did this was so good that they outplayed a super-computer. The only upside was that no one else had sold, read, or even heard of these books. As far as he knew, this was the only copy. The children looked at each other in confusion.
"Do what?" Shelby asked.
"Write these books about your-adventures-at H.I.V.E." the students stared. He might as well have said that they rode pink and purple elephants through the dining hall. He sighed "Raven found these books in a bookstore in Italy. They appear to be about H.I.V.E. and more specifically, you. H.I.V.E. mind couldn't find anything on them or the author. The first book, H.I.V.E.: The Higher Institute of Villainous Education has your name in the summary. It says"
HIGHER INSTITUTE OF VILLAINOUS EDUCATION
Otto Malpense may only be thirteen years old, but so far he has managed to run the orphanage where he lives, and he has come up with a plan clever enough to trick the most powerful man in the country. He is the perfect candidate to become the world's next supervillain.
That is why he ends up at H.I.V.E., handpicked to become a member of the incoming class. The students have been kidnapped and brought to a secluded island inside a seemingly active volcano, where the school has resided for decades. All the kids are elite; they are the most athletic, the most technically advanced, and the smartest in the country. Inside the cavernous marble rooms, floodlit hangars, and steel doors, the students are enrolled in Villainy Studies and Stealth and Evasion 101. But what Otto soon comes to realize is that this is a six-year program, and leaving is not an option.
With the help of his new friends: an athletic martial-arts expert; a world-famous, beautiful diamond thief; and a spunky computer genius - the only other people who seem to want to leave - can Otto achieve what has never been done before and break out of H.I.V.E.?
It was, perhaps, the first time Raven had seen Malpense speechless. They all sat there with their mouths slightly open, looking like fish. After a long silence, Ms. Leon spoke
"They don't know anything, Max. They aren't that good of actors." Max contemplated this for a long time.
"Well, in that case, I suppose the only thing we can do is read the books. Maybe we can find out who wrote them and why. Mr. Malpense, sense your name was mentioned it seems only fair that you read first." That shocked Otto out of his daze. Hesitantly, he reached out and took the book, still slightly in shock. With the wheels turning in his head, he opened the book.