CHAPTER 1:

Alex Rider was a quiet boy, he didn't talk much, didn't scream much, he didn't bother much, he almost did no sound to tell you the truth. Even if he wasn't really mean to anybody and wasn't a complete weirdo, most people woould probably avoid him.

And that was wise.

Sometimes, when you passed him he would flash you one of his shy smiles, those slightly evil, sly and small but lopsided smiles that told you: I know something, and you don't!

Maybe you could even strike a small conversation if he was willing to and you had the time to do it. You could even start a discussion if you were Sabina Pleasure, Louis and Lewis Harmstrong or Rebecca Rogue, Alex's friends.

But, he wasn't much of a chatter.

Alex had a nice life with the Pleasures, he had Sabina to talk to, the sort of father-like figure he wanted to follow, a warm soul taking care of him and making him feel like a spoiled child...but he wasn't really happy. Not much, he missed Jack, his old home, Brookland High Tom...he was homesick.

But well, things were how things were and now he was studying at Westingmoore School for Talented Teens or WSTT as the top student in his grade.

Of course, this quiet and cozy life broke into pieces the day when the Westingmoore students were reunited in an assembly. They sat in the bleachers waiting for Principal Davis and Vice Principal Johnson.

"What do you think is going to happen?" asked Lewis or Louis-whatever, Alex could never get them straight. Identical twins with bright blue eyes, bright blonde hair that stuck up and mischievous grins.

"We BARELY have assemblies," said Louis or Lewis, "'We should not waste our time on assemblies, they spend time and energy from the students."

Rebecca snorted. "You mimick Principal Davis EXACTLY."

"I'm the pro," said Louis or Lewis huffing his chest.

Sabina hushed them when Principal Davis came in, his nearly bald head shining like always and with Vice-Principal Johnson's quick steps. Followin him, were two teens or men-whatever you want to call them, one about 19 and one about 20.

They stood in the podium.

"Hello students, teachers and staff members," said Principal Davis, "this might seem a bit unexpected but today we're reunited as one to discuss a very important issue."

"The american government," continued Vice Principal Johnson nervously, "has the new mission of providing self-protection skills, military and safety knowledge and to encourage citizens to join in the armies."

I'm not liking where this is going, thought Alex.

"Therefore," said Principal Davis, "the CIA's camps has offered to train a few schools by the time to do this and we're honored to be one of those schools."

Oh crap, thought Alex. Well, at least it's not Brecon Beacons.

"Here we have..." Vice Principal Johnson looked nervously at the two men, "er..."

"Scorpion."

"Mutt."

"Oh, yes...of course, er...they will be here to answer any questions."

Sabina raised her hand along with several other students.

"Yes?" asked Mutt towards Sabina.

"How long will we be there?" she asked nervously.

"1 month or 2, depending on how much you've progressed."

"Right," said Scorpion towards Aaron Tomlinson, who you would probably call a nerd.

"Which grade will you start with?"

"It's by age, 16 year olds will come next month which is only a week away, we will you give time to pack and prepare for the trip."

Several questions continued showering them.

"Are the camp conditions harsh?"

"Are the bathrooms clean?"

"Are we going to see any agents? Are they nice?"

"Will we be trained like a professional agent?"

"What if we die?"

"What if we are allergic to something there?"

"Are we going to see the captain? COOL!"

"Are there schedules for everything?"

"What will we practice?"

"Where will we sleep?"

"How long do you practice?"

After several more questions and several more answers, the students didn't seem quite optimistic about the trip anymore, the 10th, 11th and 12th graders slightly fidgeted and gulped.

Then Alex timidly raised his hands and thousands of eyes were fixed on him, and Scorpion's jaw fell right open and Mutt blinked, trying not to appear surprised but obviously was.

"MUTT, THAT'S THE, THE KID!"

"SHUT UP YOU STUPID GIT, CAN'T YOU SEE WE'RE IN A PUBLIC PLACE?"

"BUT IT'S HIM MUTT."

"I SEE THAT SCORPION, NOW LET'S GET ON WITH IT!"

Scorpion asked Alex what he wanted to ask and Alex asked:

"Is it necessary or can you not go?"

"It is obligatory," said Scorpion back and smiled weakly, "and for you buddy, it's ABSOLUTELY neccessary."

He looked at the rest of the 9th graders and said:

"I wish good luck to you all and we'll see you next month!"

He laughed in an evil, Darth-Vader way as if to say:

Ha, ha ha! I can't wait to see your faces when you fry your butts out in the camps!