Chapter 2

Alex tossed his trousers into the suitcase and started searching for his boots. After hearing about their new mission, Alpha Force had immediately jetted off to their homes across the globe to pack things they would need, seeing as the majority of their things had been holiday items.

His boots were in the back of his wardrobe. Alex reached in a pulled them out. He hadn't used these boots in ages. It was about time he got them out. For some reason they reminded him of the time Amber had got her boot stuck in the lake when they had been helping out for a game show in Australia. Alex grinned to himself. He was looking forward to the trip; he loved any chance to work with his friends.

He had finished packing. Alex fastened his bag and picked it up. As he took it downstairs a thought hit him. He dumped the bag and ran back upstairs. On his bedside table was his survival kit. Alex couldn't believe that he'd nearly forgotten it. He scooped up the tobacco tin and pushed it into the pouch on his belt. He'd never go anywhere without his survival kit, it had saved Alpha Force's lives on more than one occasion. After making sure he had his knife also tucked into his belt, Alex set off downstairs.

There was no one to say goodbye to. Alex's father was off working with the SAS, and his mother was on a retreat in France. Alex got to the front door and picked his plane ticket up from the coffee table. The phone rang.

Alex frowned. Who could be calling him? Neither of his parents was going to be in touch with him, and Alpha Force didn't usually talk by phone. Alex supposed it could be one of his friends from school, but he didn't really meet them much.

The, urging ring brought Alex back to reality. He dumped his rucksack on the floor and went to pick up the phone.

"Hello?" he asked. A strange, cold voice was on the other end.

"Hello? Is that Alex?" the voice asked.

"Yeh" said Alex, still bemused "What do you want?"

"Your dad's in the SAS?"

"Yeh, what's wrong? Is he ok?" Alex was starting to get worried.

"I'm afraid I've got some bad news…"

The shrill ringing pierced Amber's dream suddenly. For a moment she didn't know where she was. She opened her eyes quickly. Balloons and crocodiles were still drifting about in her mind. It had been a weird dream. She screwed her eyes back shut and stuck her head under the pillow in an attempt to block out the noise. Three seconds later she heard the shouting of the housekeeper Roseanne.

"Amber! Phone call!" She shouted. Amber sighed and called back

"Take a message!" She was far too warm to even think about venturing out into the barren coldness that was her room, and the vast draughty hall where the phone was. Another pause

"They say it's urgent!"

Amber groaned and finally admitted defeat. She crawled out of bed and slipped her slippers and dressing gown on. As she did she caught a glimpse of the clock. It said it was ten past six. Amber frowned. None of her friends ever called this early. Plus she'd told them all she was going away… Unless it was someone saying goodbye… In which case they were going to get an earful from Amber. No one wakes her up this early and gets away with it easily.

She trooped down the stairs to find Roseanne standing holding the phone.

"Who is it?" asked Amber as she walked over. Roseanne shrugged

"Don't know, I think it's one of your friends from that team thing? Well he was certainly English anyway… You don't know anyone else English do you?"

Amber was suddenly worried. Why would Hex, or Alex call her? They always used e-mail to keep in contact. They never rang, especially not to other countries. It cost too much and the time differences complicated things. Something must be wrong thought Amber. Unless it was Hex teasing her again. She'd never forget that.

"Amber?" Roseanne's voice brought her back to reality. Amber looked up. Roseanne shook the phone "Come on" she said. Amber silently took the phone off her.

"Hex?" she asked speaking into the mouthpiece.

"Amber!" said a voice. Amber frowned. Not Hex, it was a Northumbrian accent. Alex.

"Alex what's wrong?" she asked

"Amber I didn't know what to do, it's really bad, I don't know what to do". Amber frowned again. This was bad. Alex was never like this… He was the sensible one. He always kept his temper and everything. She'd never heard him like this before…

"Alex calm down what's happened?"

"I called Hex first" he said, "He said you'd know what to do". Amber silently thanked Hex under her breath, promising to get back at him. But she concentrated on the matter in hand.

"Alex please, tell me what's wrong, it'll be all right".

"It's my dad," said Alex quietly. His voice was hushed "He's been shot".