A/N : Finally, after weeks of deliberately deliberating, I force myself to write Chapter 4. Longest chapter I think, but still very short. And as usual, I couldn't think of a creative name. Sort of a boring filler chapter while I lead up to more interesting events. Happy summer, and I'll try to update more in the summer ;)
Disclaimer: All names and titles and the whole Alex Rider series in general belong to Anthony Horowitz.
Chapter 4 – Suspicion
Day one of the Amazon Jungle.
Hunter and Cossack were making their way through the rainforest effortlessly. But the rainforest was huge as well, and had many obstacles to throw at them. They had been lucky to avoid the poisonous bugs so far, but they only had 4 days after this to find the target's location. They had no outside communication, but if there was an urgent emergency, both were experienced at electronics and could link a cell phone to receive signals from far away, and if they were lucky, they could contact someone. Only in emergencies.
After a long day of trudging through the rainforest, they chose a site slightly more secluded from living animals and decided to camp there.
Hunter unpacked some provisions: 1 can of food for each of them, still cold from their custom insulator with extra insulating materials, designed to keep food insulated for 125 hours. They were taught to only eat cold food and survive on limited food is necessary, and which foods to pack on an assignment.
"Here," said Hunter, tossing over a 250mL can of food to Cossack. Cossack caught it with ease and opened it without a can opener. Hunter followed Cossack's lead, and they both shoved down their food.
After 5 minutes, they were both done their food, so they went into their own tent. Only 5 hours of sleep tonight. They could wake up at any given time; it was something they practiced ever since joining Scorpia.
Cossack went into his tent and lay down. He never slept for more than 4 hours, so he decided to meditate for an hour. It trained his patience and was a great way to think clearly.
Just before Cossack closed his eyes, he noticed a light inside Hunter's tent. They never left their tent lights on unless it was an emergency. He was about to rush into Hunter's tent when he noticed Hunter was working on something. Cossack watched Hunter's silhouette as he took out something like a cell phone. As Cossack studied the shadows clearly, he realized Hunter was re-linking the cell phone. He was making a call.
"What is he doing?" Cossack muttered under his breath.
Cossack wanted to rush into Hunter's tent, but he realized Hunter could try and kill him. Cossack didn't want to believe it, because he thought he knew Hunter better than that. Apparently you can never know people well enough in this job. Cossack relaxed himself, then meditated and started think up a plan.
Meanwhile, in the other tent, Hunter was placing a call to MI6 headquarters. He looked over at Cossack's tent and saw the light was off. Kid needed to sleep. Hunter picked up the cell and called his boss.
1 ring, then Hunter hung up and redialed, and someone answered on the 4th ring.
"Blunt," said the cold voice on the other end.
"Rider, Scorpia" Hunter replied smoothly.
"Very well," Blunt said.
"We are camping out in the Amazon Jungle, in four days our mission will be done-," Hunter began, but Blunt cut in.
"Our?" Blunt asked.
Hunter nearly slapped himself. He forgot to mention Cossack to Blunt! "Yes, I'm taking a new agent, so this is a joint assignment. Agent Cossack," he said.
Blunt searched it up on Scorpia's database. Hunter gave his some passwords to get in. "Very dangerous agent," Blunt muttered. "One of the best Scorpia has trained."
"Yes," said Hunter, and there was unmistakable pride in his voice.
Blunt didn't like that. "Be careful around Cossack," he cautioned. "He could become your enemy."
"Yes," Hunter replied. "As I was saying, we'll be finished in four days, in another 3 days we'll find our way out with completely different identities and passports. Should I report back soon?"
"In four days, after your assignment is finished," Blunt replied, saying the word "assignment" with obvious distaste. "You are dismissed."
The other line went blank and Blunt hung up too.
Hunter sighed. He trusted Cossack, and he knew Cossack respected him in a way that was different from the respect he showed to everyone else. It was genuine respect, not politeness.
After one hour of meditating, Cossack came up with a plan to search through Hunter's belongings by grabbing them from him tomorrow when they were packing. Cossack was very accomplished in pick pocketing.
A/N: Please review!!!!! =)