A/N : This chapter isn't all to exciting... But every story needs a beginning base, and this is Back in Action's "base." The next chapter isn't going to have much action but Chapter 4 definitely will, so there's something to look forward to. :D

Warning(s) for this chapter : nothing...

Disclaimer : If you believe that I own Alex Rider, I love you, but you're deluded.

Chapter 2 - Practice

By the time Alex got back to his room, it was 2030. Walking over to the bed, he placed the backpack on top of it and took out the Raven. Even since his training with Scorpia on Malagosto, Alex had learned to appreciate the beauty of firearms. Like Smithers had said, it was a modified Desert Eagle. He sat down and meticulously inspected the pistol and what he found pleased him. It weighed approximately four pounds. Although it was a bit heavier than he would have preferred, it was still manageable. Remembering a lecture from Gordan Ross, the arms specialist on Malagosto, Alex recalled the Desert Eagle's strong recoil since it was gas-operated. Making a mental reminder to ask the guard if there was a shooting range nearby, Alex continued to inspect the Raven.

Upon reaching the magazine, he couldn't help but be amazed by the ingenuity of it. Smithers had somehow found a way to make it so the magazine feed system would automatically adjust for the correct size. Then, moving to the trigger, Alex carefully looked over it. It wasn't much different from other triggers but upon closer inspection, he found an almost unnoticeable square. The way Smithers had made it, the square looked like part of a plain design. Satisfied with the Raven, Alex slid it under the pillow on his bed and dropped the backpack on the ground, next to the bed. Only after checking the time did he realize that an hour and a half had passed. Deciding to get some rest, Alex pulled the covers up and slept without a second thought.

He woke up after a dreamless sleep, thankful of the nightmares that had kept away. Since finishing his last mission, every time he went to sleep, he saw Jack die again and again. Sighing, he walked over to the bathroom and freshened himself up. Remembering his note to himself, Alex walked back to his backpack and took out the concealable hip holster and put it on. Then, taking the Raven out from under the pillow, He stuck it in the holster, where it fit snugly. Striding to the door, he opened it to find the same guard as yesterday standing there.

"Is there a shooting range near here?" Alex inquired.

The guard was reluctant to answer but replied, "Well...there is, but I would have to ask Mrs. Jones if you're allowed to go there."

Annoyed but understanding the precautions, Alex sighed and nodded. The guard took out a communication device and proceeded to whisper into it. After spying for so long, Alex made out, "Agent ... requesting permission ... shooting range ... thank you, ma'am." The guard put the device down and nodded to Alex, heading towards the elevator with the teenager trailing behind. Once they were both inside the elevator, the guard pressed Floor B simultaneously with Floor 2. After a short pause, the elevator smoothly descended. The doors opened and they both stepped out.

In front of him was a large room that had tables and chairs with windows that allowed a hazy view of other agents practicing their shots. Placed right next to the entrance to the shooting range, was a booth where a man in his late 40s was working at. He seemed to be in charge, so Alex walked up to him. The man looked up and Alex noted subconsciously that he had thinning brown hair, brown eyes, looked to be about 5'8".

"How may I help you?" The man had a very monotonous voice, sounding eerily similar to a teacher he'd had at Brookland.

"I would like to shoot at targets and I need some magazines with rounds of any size."

"May I ask who you are...?" The man seemed very uncomfortable and was looking at Alex's guard who stood right behind him.

"Alex Rider."

The man walked over to his computer and typed in the name. From Alex's point of view, he saw the man visibly stiffen before turning back to face him. He stared incredulously at Alex but when he realized what he was doing, put on a blank mask.

"How many rounds do you need?"

"As many magazines as possible," Alex simply stated.

Wordlessly, the man retrieved a box holding twenty magazines and a pair of earplugs and handed it to Alex.

"Thanks."

Taking the earplugs, Alex put them and and then took the box of magazines. He walked through the door and immediately heard the gunshots of the other agents practicing. He headed down to a secluded stall and placed the box on the side shelf, while his guard stayed outside. Taking the Raven from the holster, he pushed the magazine in until it gave a semi-audible click. Assuming a typical shooting stance and closing his eyes, he cleared his mind of all distractions. The muffled gunshots around him, the tap of feet on the floor, the subtle sighs when targets were missed all faded away around him. Then Alex snapped his eyes open and repeatedly fired at the targets until he ran out of shots. Ignoring the cartridges that had fallen, he snatched up another magazine and repeated the process until he had exhausted half his ammunition pile. Already his index finger was beginning to become numb, but he ignored it as he grabbed another round.

The other agents had been getting ready to leave when they saw Alex walking to a stall. Curious, they grouped together and followed him, mostly unnoticed.

"I've been hearing a rumor that MI6 hired a teenager for a while now..."

"I've heard that he single-handedly took down Scorpia, the largest terrorist group in the world. The one that recently disbanded, so they say."

"Really? How's that possible? He can only by fifteen or sixteen..."

"Not only did he single-handedly take down Scorpia, he's had a 100% success rate. That's nearly unheard of! He's probably one of the best agents we've got."

"What's his name?"

"I hear it's Rider. Alex Rider."

While the others were talking, one of the men had gotten distracted and had seen Alex start shooting. After Alex finished with his first magazine, he immediately picked up a second and professionally switched them. The man then looked past him and stood, amazed at the sight. He cried out to the other men, "Look at the targets!"

Turning all at once, they faced the targets and gaped at what they saw. Alex had shot the target in front of him, as well as the six surrounding ones. However, it wasn't the fact that he fired at seven targets that surprised the agents, it was the fact that every shot he fired, hit the exact center. Not only that, each shot hit the exact location of the previous shot on the target, leaving exactly one perfectly round hole on each one. While Alex was finishing the rest of his magazines, the other agents had just quietly watched him in awe and fear.

Once finished, Alex swept all of the cartridges and magazines into the tray that he had received. He didn't even bother looking at the targets, knowing each and every one of his shots were dead center. The point had been to test the gun, not his abilities, after all. Placing the Raven back in its holster, he picked up his tray and walked towards the door. Nodding to the speechless agents that parted to let him through, he walked to the door and exited.

A/N : 'это делается.' YAY! The 2nd chapter is done!

I hope all the information about the Desert Eagle and shooting range are correct because I have never seen or been to one in reality. It's something I plan on eventually doing sometime in the future... Anyhow, I did research on them, so hopefully the facts are right.

If you R&R or comment, I'll give you a gadget from Smithers ;)