Heeey! So I kinda thought I'd do a sequel to Unpleasant Truths, to give Kunit and Ben a chance to make good on their promise. Here's the first part in a two part sequel (omg I'm actually going to have a second chapter for once lol) Hope you enjoy it!

Disclaimer: No Alex Rider doesn't belong to me…yet

'Hey Smithers,' Ben greeted the said man as he walked through MI6's Gadget Room doors. Since Ben had joined MI6 almost a year ago, he had become close friends with MI6's top gadget man. He found him to be far more 'human like' than the rest of the MI6 employees; He actually had a sense of humour. But more importantly-that what united them above anything else-he had Alex's best interest at heart.

'Ben old chap, it's good to see you,' Smithers beamed before bending over his worktable to carry on fiddling with something.

'What you working on, now?' Ben asked interestedly. He was always amazed at the type of things Smithers' brain thought up. But then it wasn't surprising that MI6 would want to employ the best of the best.

'Aaah that,' Smithers looked up at him with grave eyes. 'I'm developing a few things for Alex.' His voice sounded regretful but it was edged with a hint of excitement-it wasn't anything mean, he just loved thinking up gadgets for Alex. It was more fun than the usual boring adult gadgets.

'Alex? You mean he's being sent on another mission?' Ben asked incredulous. 'But it hasn't even been a full 2 months since his last mission in Australia!'

Smithers shook his head gently. 'I know old chap. Alex was told earlier today-he is to leave for Panama in 8 days.'

'P-P-Panama?' spluttered Ben. Smithers just nodded, a knowing sad look in his eyes and bent over his work again. Ben's face hardened. 'Right. I highly doubt that we can stop him actually going on the mission but maybe I can convince Mrs. Jones to let me come with him.' Smithers' eyes twinkled mischievously.

'I thought you would say that,' he replied smuggle. ' So I took the liberty of arranging a meeting between you and the higher ups, so you can air your proposition.' Ben's face lit up. He could have kissed the man.

'Smithers I don't know what to say-thank you for starters.' Smithers just chuckled.

'No worries old chap. Besides I think Alex could do with seeing a friendly face.'

'When is it?' Ben asked him eagerly.

'Its…'Smithers looked down at his watch. 'It started 5 minutes ago. Run.' And Run Ben did. Coming late to a meeting with the heads of SO wasn't exactly going to help his cause. As soon as he got to Mr. Blunt's door he straightened out his dishevelled shirt and knocked twice rapidly.

'Come in,' a monotonous voice answered. Ben opened the door to be greeted by an almost completely bland man. The only fickle of emotion on the man's face were his slightly drawn in eyebrows, displaying his irritation.

'You're late.' Ben just about managed not to flinch. Even after a year of working at MI6 he couldn't get used to the man's cold, grey persona.

'Yes I'm sorry. I was unfortunately detained.' Ben's voice had gained a professional working tone. He hadn't forgotten why he was here after all.

'What did you want to speak to us about Agent Daniels?' Mrs Jones asked, gesturing for him to sit in the chair opposite hers, in front of Blunt's desk.

'Thank you. Through a lucky coincidence I happened to come upon some gadgets in Smithers' work room that looked as though they would belong to a child or teenager…Am I right in assuming they are for Alex?' Ben chose his words carefully. He didn't exactly want to incriminate Smithers by letting the higher ups know that he had given classified information candidly to another agent.

Not unexpectedly, Blunt answered, 'That is none of your concern Agent. You should know your place.' Is it just me, or has it suddenly dropped a few degrees in here?' Ben thought. However he was far too experienced to let his discomfort show on his face.

'I understand,' Ben replied momentarily humbled. 'However,' he continued succulently, 'having worked with Alex on my previous mission, I was shocked at the level of danger he was being exposed to at such a tender age. I can't imagine how it would look to the rest of the world if something happened to him and it got out that MI6 had something to do with it.' The slight threat in his tone was undeniable. Ben knew that if need be, he would break the Official Secrets Act and face the consequences, if it meant helping Alex. He had his priorities set the right way and Blunt knew it. The side of Mrs. Jones' mouth twitched as she popped a peppermint sweet in to her mouth.

'What are you proposing Agent Daniels?' Blunt asked only a hint of menace clouding his normally unfeeling tone. It was like playing a game of chess; Ben had just taken out Blunt's bishop.

'I realize Alex will not be pulled out of this mission, but at least let me accompany him.'

'Impossible,' Blunt replied cruelly, his voice cutting through Ben's momentary feeling of victory. 'Agent Rider is being sent on a mission where his being a teenager is the key factor of success. You're presence would blow his cover. You'd be putting him in unnecessary danger-you wouldn't want to do that would you?' Blunt had just cleanly killed his queen. He'd been defeated.

Miraculously, Mrs. Jones seemed to possess the power to bend chess rules and resurrected Ben's queen.

'I think,' she said slowly, 'that it would be a good idea if we have 2 SAS units located in a base near Alex, who can watch over him through cameras and bugs that Alex can install within his surroundings. That way, back-up will be closer at hand than it was on his mission in France. I propose we send in K unit as they are already familiar with Alex-there is no need for too many people to know about him. I will let you choose the other unit of SAS, as you would know who is best suited for this mission Agent Daniels. And of course you can join them-after all, it won't hurt to have someone from MI6 present. What do you think, Mr. Blunt?'

She turned to the said man and had to immediately bite her bottom lip to stop the smile that was about to spread, at the very subtle look of betrayal he shot her. Ben had to all of cross his legs to stop himself from jumping up in triumph. He was right. Mrs. Jones wasn't as heartless as she sometimes appeared to be. He quickly brought his thoughts back down to Earth as he realized that Blunt still hadn't replied.

'Very well' and the monotonous quality was back. 'Mrs. Jones make the necessary phone calls. We have 2 SAS units and an agent to brief on the current mission.'

A/N: so what do you think so far? I'll try to have the second chap up a.s.a.p. Right I'm off to do some science revision (gag) which I've been neglecting.

Bye!

DCC xxx