Disclaimer: I don't own Alex Rider. Especially the crap betwixt the asterisks. Or the characters.

I Am

I am from the SAS.
I wonder who SO thinks they are, sending a kid to hell.
I hear the cries on the battlefield, as people are hit.
I see people die, and know I've killed more than my fair share.
I want to feel that sense of accomplishment, that tells me I've done my job.
I am a soldier.

I pretend to be cruel to the kid, so he knows that not everyone's nice.
I feel the cold metal of my weapon, something that will never let me down.
I touch the bandage on my shoulder, knowing that the injury was for a good cause.
I worry when Cub's sheer, dumb luck will run out.
I cry, thinking of the places I've been. Tell anyone, and I'll find you.
I am a leader.

I understand that the world goes on, no matter what happens.
I say "Double-O-Seven", but after Point Blanc, I don't mean it.
I dream of a world where children don't have to be soldiers and spies.
I try to keep my unit alive, but sometimes, it's hard.
I hope everything will turn out alright, but I'm not four-years-old anymore.
I am Wolf, leader of K-unit.

_-*-_AR_-*-_

* The green light began to flash. The assistant pilot tapped the first pair on their shoulders and Alex watched them shuffle over to the side and then throw themselves out. For a moment, they were there, frozen in the doorway. Then they were gone like a photograph crumpled and spun away by the wind. Two more men followed. Then another two. Wolf would be the last to leave -and with Alex not jumping he would be on his own.

It took less than a minute. Suddenly Alex was aware that only he and Wolf were left.

"Move it!" the assistant pilot shouted above the roar of the engines.

Wolf picked himself up. His eyes briefly met Alex's and in that moment Alex knew. Wolf was a popular leader. He was tough and he was fast -completing a thirty-mile hike as if it were just a stroll in a park. But he had a weak spot. Somehow he'd allowed this parachute hike to get to him and he was too scarred to move. It was hard to believe, but there he was, frozen in the door way, his arms rigid, staring out. The assistant pilot was looking the other way. He hadn't seen what was happening. And when he did? If Wolf failed to make the jump, it would be the end of his training and maybe even the end of his career. Even hesitating would be bad enough. He'd be binned.

Alex thought for a moment. Wolf hadn't moved. Alex could see his shoulders rising and falling as he tried to summon up the courage to go. Ten seconds had passed. Maybe more. The assistant pilot was leaning down, stowing away a piece of equipment. Alex stood up. "Wolf..." he said.

Wolf didn't hear him.

Alex took one last look at the assistant pilot, then kicked out with all his strength. His foot slammed into Wolf's backside. He'd put all his strength behind it. Wolf was caught by surprise, his hands coming free as he plunged into the swirling night air. *

Wolf would like to say that he swore to kill Cub as he plummeted to the ground. But, truthfully, all he was think was "AHHHHHHHHH!!!"

Alrightie, a little different, and a lot longer than my others... Maybe I should work on that.

Next: Tom, Sabina, or Mrs. Jones.