The state security apparatus in Russia was feared both at home and abroad, nowhere near as brutal as in its heyday, but its information network was vast. Fear was still the main method of control. The concerns of the nine directorates were vast and intertwined. A teenager, a foreign boy had become known to Directorates 1, 2 and 3 in 2001; the Russian State saw this child as a hero, not a tool or a weapon. The agencies in London, Washington and Sydney had blackmailed and threatened this gifted individual into black ops undercover work. Like a Russian tragedy, it had nor ended well.

Now, MI6 had closed their file on their missing agent, wiping all knowledge of Alex Rider from their systems. Creating a ghost, just as the Russians had created Cossack when Estrov and all its inhabitants and history had been erased in 1982. Andrei Alexandrov, Deputy Director of Intelligence for Directorate 2 was aware Cossack was alive and working in Russia, the man was effectively retired and whilst a known threat, it was one that could be useful to them if handled correctly. He looked at the photo of the ex-assassin and his toy, the boy who should be at school, living with a family; not reduced to life as a slave. Cossack had kept the boy hidden, safe from the MI6 trackers sent to eliminate the boy. Enough time had passed for Mrs. Jones to think the boy long dead. Alexandrov had only become aware of the situation after Rider had disappeared. Their agent in place with the drug cartel in Odessa had informed them of Cossack's new pet. Information which would have only been filed away for blackmail except the archivist had recognised Alex Rider.

In the new era of openness and international terrorism meant he should have informed his counterparts abroad, but Alex did not deserve a traitor's death, but a reward for his heroism and sacrifices that should not be forgotten. With the closing of his file by MI6, Jones had untied his hands. He could offer Rider protection and the chance of a life beyond Cossack's apartment. He would be open about it, as dealings with the mafia were best kept cordial. He would personally approach Cossack as Rider was probably bound by contracts of employment, no matter how sordid in nature. The man drank down his now cold glass of tea and phoned for car, driver and bodyguard to be available. He stood and went to his office safe to get his own sidearm.

In the early afternoon, the club in southern Moscow was quiet, deliveries made that morning and the service staff had already left. Roman was in his office as he called for Cossack to join him and his very important guest.

Cossack entered the room and noted the bodyguard and recognised the man sat drinking tea with Roman. "General Alexandrov, an unexpected pleasure." As part of his contract with SCORPIA, Yassen had not worked in Russia in consideration of his past. His only trip back had been to kill his childhood oppressors, to avenge their cruelty and to turn himself from victim to master of his destiny.

X

The grey haired fifty two year old smiled at the politeness from the contract killer, "I have admired your work from afar for many years. I understand you are enjoying your retirement. The fall of your former employers has benefitted many, even myself and Roman. I must salute you for your hand in sending Alex to Malagosto as avenging angel."

Cossack's mouth briefly smiled, the FSB fully aware of his past. "Considering MI6's track record, it was inevitable their illegally used child star died rather than embarrass them in the future. Ms. Jones has cleared house very efficiently."

Alexandrov smiled "Alex, like you, is very functioning corpse."

The former assassin's face remained relaxed, he knew just how ruthlessly efficient state security could be, he had only just escaped execution at 14 by becoming a slave himself. "I have protected Alex, promised him safety. I will not betray him."

Alexandrov sighed, "I wish to protect him, and I have the full backing of the president and my government. Alex Rider is a hero to the state. We are honour bound to help him. The reason I came to you is to understand Alex's position. Does he want to work for Roman or finish his education? With our help Alex can have a life, one without his former abusers ever being aware of. I understand if he wants to remain with his friends here, with you. No one else has shown him any loyalty."

Yassen wondered how much state security knew. "It is best we talk out future plans over with Alex."

…..

His breakfast had been cereal eaten just after noon, as Yassen ate out most days, he only kept simple to prepare food in the apartment. Fruit and snacks mostly, as Alex had learned all he knew about cooking from Jack, so was abysmal in the kitchen. Occasionally he rustled up pasta, but normally he stuck with toast or sandwiches and drank water. Alex had no fixed timetable, but kept active in an effort not to be bored. Also mimicking the assassins life plan, who exercised rigorously every day, slept little and kept odd hours working for Roman. The call to come in today had not been anticipated, but was not unusual. Several times, Alex had packed up and gone to their safe house; mostly just training, but there was still the need to expect betrayal or the fact Alex had a kill on sight order and the hunters got too close. He shuddered remembering those three days on the run, he had killed two mercenaries and probably paralysed another.

The price MI6 had put on his head meant even Roman would collect if he had known, it was only Cossack who had kept him safe. Alex Rider had disappeared without leaving a trail, something a kid with no backup, support network or money could have done, in fact something only someone as talented and meticulous as Cossack could achieve. He had nearly had an emotional response when Henderson had let it slip MI6 had not found Cossack's body at Heathrow.

Dead, unmourned and forgotten, RIP Alex Rider and Cossack.

The evidence in Krakow pointed to the fact an injured fugitive had crossed paths with an old enemy, one that did not want or need MI6's blood money and was now in a unmarked grave somewhere in Poland. In a year or two, a new identity, a bit of decent plastic surgery and with Cossack as his handler, a demon would arise to take on contracts here in Russia, to kill, maim and torture. Not revenge, just the only life open to a person like Alex, like Yasha. Enough time for Roman to believe Cossack had trained him. He would pay Yasha back, but this sexual relationship would not end. It was inevitable, Alex was never going to trust anyone halfway normal and the mere thought of anyone touching him apart from Yasha made him freak. Something that would have to be addressed at some point, as a killer you sometimes had to seduce your targets or as cover.

Alex put his bowl on the side, he remained silent during the day. Diving the impression the apartment was unoccupied. The blinds at an angle that no observer could see through but enough natural light illuminated the room, even so Alex could negotiate this space effortlessly blindfolded after one walk through.

SCORPIA training was the only reason he was alive today. Another thing that Cossack had been right about, he had been given the skills to survive, even without crossing paths with Cossack, he had killed and would have kept on killing until they left him alone or sent someone better to finish the job. In truth, he had been at the end of his tether, after days without sleep, both dehydrated and severely hypoglycaemic, he would have welcomed Cossack's bullet. Only he had silently followed the man to a safe house and been offered sanctuary, a service with a price.

Lying on the floor in a pool of light beneath the main window, Alex read about chemical decomposition. The first few chapters on opportunistic burial or concealment. Then dismemberment and dispersal of remains in drains, in municipal refuse or best of all in the post to your chosen target, for maximum psychological impact. Photos, drawings and examples used by serial killers, spies and governments, from single murders to mass graves. He was just starting the chapter on exposure and animal dispersement when he heard several sets of footsteps on the stairs. Then the key in the lock, it had to be Yakob with guests. He put the kindle on the coffee table and silently ran to the closet in the bedroom, to hide behind the clothes, covering himself with a piece of cardboard.

Alex could make out the host telling his guests to make themselvesves at home, when Yassen opened the closet door and murmured softly. "Get dressed, my guests wish to reassure themselves of your health and well being."

The crouched figure asked "FSB?"

"Friends, I assure you. They also offer sanctuary, not that I trust them; but you are a hero in their eyes."

Alex understood that any good will did not extend to Yakob, as such. What the hell did they want? Probably use him as an asset, what else was he good for. In a sour mood, Alex looked through his small pile of clothes, ignoring the few respectablele pieses bought for his occasional trips outside, usually when matched with wig, glasses and a hat. He pulled on booty shorts and a mesh shirt, all the bruises, bites, cuts and abrasions on show for their guests. The very picture of a well kept pet entered the living room. He went straight over to his master and knelt at his feet, ignoring the guests. Alex wanted all to know this was his choice, his life and they could stuff any ideas of separating him from Yakob.

The General watched as the youth gracefully entered the room, silent, eyes down cast, hand behind his back. The clothes provocative and leaving nothing to the imagination. He noted love bites, extensive bruising, all signs of a sado-masocistic homosexual relationship. "Hello Mr. Rider. We have not met before, I am General Andrei Alexandrov. I am honoured to meet you. I am in your debt as you are acquainted with my nephew, Dimitry. He was imprisoned at Point Blanc Academy, you were instrumental in freeing him."

Alex looked up at the man with a very personal reason to help him. "The clone? What happened to Dima's Grief twin?"

"Dead. Had an unfortunate accident in the holding cells. My brother in law, General Ivanov was a popular man." Normally care was taken with interrogation, no physical harm to their prisoners. Once the clone had signed his confession, the guards had made their anger know. The beatings had been carefully orchestrated, brutal but controlled, the aim had been to leave the murderer in constant agony over weeks until the broken prisoner had drowned himself in his toilet.

Alex relaxed and made his position known, that he was happy with the status quo because he did not trust this man even if he owed him. "You can see I am well cared for by Yakob. I want for nothing."

Andrei nodded his head. "So, I offer an alternative future. I can provide papers, a legal identity, so you could attend school, maybe even to university and then make decisions regarding working. I would even go as far to offer joint guardianship, but I understand your loyalty to your friend, to your master."

Alex could not help but crack a smile at the absurdity at the offer of a normal life. "Shall I make tea. Its seems we had much to discuss." Hard bargains needed to be made, considering Alex was for once in position with some bargaining power. First to protect Cossack, next he need time to consider the full possibilities of government backing. He knew Cossack's plan of easing him into work, with the legend as Cossack's apprentice. More than a mere asset, as he would be a fully trained operative with a SCORPIA skills base. It was a win win situation for the Russians as Alex could remain freelance but work for them when needed as a ghost. Officially, Alex Rider was dead. His fingerprints already erased with scars. He would need new dental work and cosmetic surgery, but that was part of Cossack's plan. He already had a cover, a new identity, with a Ukranian passport stating he was from an orphanage, one that had burnt down two years ago. He did not need the Russians, but their help would make everything easier. He would run with Cossack, he could stay or they both could play the game and see how it played out.