Chapter 2: 10 Names
Alex thought he had escaped - until he ran straight into the MI6 agents guarding the door from the outside. He groaned inside his head, while hoping that he wouldn't have to fight his way out of this mess. It would provoke too many questions and there was still the chance that people may hear him from the auditorium. At least he was out of the room.
The MI6 agents took a closer look at Alex. They had been ordered to prevent anyone from entering or leaving the room, as the deputy head of MI6 could not go around unguarded. It was rare to even see Mrs Jones outside of the MI6 headquarters, and to go to a school? However it was not their place to ask questions, and all they needed to do was follow orders. Even if they were a little strange.
But, the boy that had just crashed into them though - there was something not right about him. For starters, he had just ran out of the room, and that was not normal, because people did not usually run out of assemblies mid-way through. But there was something else as well. He seemed on edge, as if he was expecting an attack at any moment - the agents did not need a guide on teenagers to know that this was most definitely not normal. It was weird. Everyone at 'the bank' had a similar look and edge in their eyes, and this boy reminded them of other agents.
Their leader snapped into action, deciding that whoever this boy turned out to be, at the moment he was presenting a real threat to their safety. Even if it was because he had them spooked. "You are under arrest," he barked.
Alex heard his rights repeated to him as his hands were handcuffed behind his back. It was lucky he had decided not to fight, as the agents would not stand a chance. He would have liked to see their faces when a teenager beat them though. It would have been very amusing to say the least. Alex figured he would get to the bank more quickly if he was under arrest, rather than having to wait out the entire school day, but the routine was still tiresome - especially because he knew that he could get out of this situation quickly and easily if he wanted to, and no one would have a chance of catching him. Alex knew it would never go on his criminal record anyway, so he may as well get the free lift.
After Alex had ran out, the students immediately started talking, sharing suspicions and theories about the mysterious boy. He was always missing school, and had virtually no friends, except Tom. Apparently his immune system was very weak, but who expected them to believe that story? It was the oldest excuse in the book when it came to getting out of school. The noise level in the room rose higher and higher, until Mrs Jones couldn't bear it anymore. She called for quiet, and the room was silent, everyone hoping that they would get an insight or explanation on what just happened.
"As part of this new programme," the woman said, ignoring the expectant faces wanting gossip, "Ten of you will get the chance to train with the SAS for two weeks."
Instantaneous mutterings broke out across the room. Mrs Jones surveyed the reaction, and most of the students looked as if they wouldn't mind going on this trip. That was good, because they wouldn't exactly have much of a choice if their name was on her list. She wasn't sure if the SAS would take the intrusion of the teenagers so easily, but that was another argument for another time. She had to get through Alex first, and he was not going to be happy. Not one bit.
The woman started talking again. "These names have been randomly picked, and anyone chosen will need to return the signed permission slips from your guardians in two days from now. The coach will pick you up from school on Monday, and you will travel to Wales from there. Any further questions I will answer in a meeting later." Mrs Jones drew an envelope from her bag and called ten names. "Amy Reid, Tom Harris, Katy Satoy, Oscar White, Alice Petit, Robin Davies, Sophie Lewis, Edward Jones, Daisy Miller and Alex Rider."
Everyone was slightly shocked when they heard the last name. Alex Rider? The same boy that just stormed out a minute ago? It didn't make sense but no one dwelled too much on it. Adults never liked to be questioned when they thought they had a winning idea, and everyone had learnt to just go along with it if it didn't affect them. The teenagers that were picked were mostly happy and amazed at their luck. Not only was it two weeks off school, but it sounded like a fun adventure holiday AND it was free!
However, Alice was surprised that she got chosen (when were things like this ever random?) and also unsure. This 'golden opportunity' seemed too good to be true. And what if they found out her secret?