I'd like to thank all my readers for reading my story. I love seeing the number of viewers who are reading. On Tuesday the 10th, I got almost 100 views by the end of the day:) I was so excited!

And guys! I have three reviews! Carlee (my third reviewer) said, "Just found your fic, it's really good. So different than others and I love how Alex acts in this! Keep it up I love it can't wait for the next update:)"

Carlee, thank you so much for reviewing and tell me your thoughts on my fanfiction. I love when people comment on my characters. In this fanfiction, I wanted Alex to have a very logical thought process. I wanted him to have an overdeveloped sense of responsibility for the people around him and a stubbornness to hold onto his adolescence. I felt this was an interesting contrast to put in his character. That's one of the reasons I had the video gaming party in the last chapter. If you don't mind Carlee, I'd appreciate hearing what you thought was different about Alex's character from other fanfictions.

In this next chapter, you'll see Alex's thought process much more. Speaking of which, I'll try to get that out soon.

Also, finals are officially over:) I'm freeeeee…at least until the 25th… On that date, I will start my last semester of college.

Please fill free to comment.

Previously:

After letting Brian bandage up the rest of his wounds, Alex proceeded to drag the two teenage girls out of the bathrooms. Both girls exclaimed they weren't ready and claimed they only need a few more minutes.

"No, you don't," Alex states. "You both look beautiful. And besides, a few minutes in 'girl time' equals 'late' in 'boy time'. Now get going. School is important and so is breakfast." Alex shoved them all out the door.

Brian laughed. "I'm the maternal one?"

Alex laughed. "There's a difference between being maternal and feeling guilty." He shut the door and went back to his room.

Chapter 7: Friends in High Places

I should get dressed for the day. Alex wandered around the common room, Searching the obvious places for a bug. He lifted the curtains and looked behind the tv. Nothing to find. Alex couldn't let himself believe there weren't any listening devices. They had to keep watch somehow…

Alex checked the lamp. Nothing.

Several more minutes of search revealed no results. Maybe they actually trusted the kids…

Something about that unsettled Alex. Did these kids even try to fight back? Where these kids so resigned to their fate that they didn't attempt to leave? In his own life, Alex tried to fight his impending fate. But, MI6's threats had caught him in a hard place and the people he loved.

Alex rubbed the back of his neck. I guess I could have tried harder…Knowing what I know now there were several ways I could have gotten out of it and lived a normal life. But that…would have taken me using other people as a shield. Someone would have died… Alex's thoughts drifted. His mind settling on Sabina, Tom, and Jack once more…

"It's time to separate myself from Tom, while I still can," he muttered under his breath. Alex's gut twisted. This meant he couldn't go back home…Legally I could live on my own…I am 17…Technically, Jack wasn't legally responsible for me after I turned 16. I just stayed because…I want to…

(Authors Note: In the UK, [please correct me if I'm wrong. I did some research, but all I got was it's legal to leave. But, highly recommended that kids stay in their parents home until the age of eighteen] you can have a full-time job, consent to sex, get married, and join the army at the age of sixteen. Parents and guardians have no legal responsibility for children over the age of 16. The only things that aren't permitted are smoking, drinking, driving, and voting)

Gears clicked into place. So…What was keeping kids above the age of 16 here? Couldn't they just leave? Another thought occurred to Alex. How long have they been here anyway?

Alex wandered over to his bedroom. Just as he entered, there were several rapid knocks on the door.

"Come in," he yelled, grabbing a shirt. A distinct click reached Alex's ears.

"Agent Rider. It's Mr. Adley. The Headmaster. I wanted to talk with you about your mission. Maybe answer your questions… If you have any."

Alex exited his room, finishing pulling on his shirt as he went. "First question. How long have the kids been here?"

The Headmaster stopped lollygagging by the door and sat on one of the couches. Alex took the seat across from him. "The program started after your first success." The man looked uneasy. He couldn't seem to look Alex in the eye.

Alex shifted on the ottoman. So, the Headmaster didn't approve of the Academy. Either that, or he was ashamed of it. Alex tried to hold Adley eye contact in vain. I really was the reason this program started. Problem is I was out in the world. I learned from experience. Learning in a classroom is different. You can't replicate real-world experience through artificial means. "Have these kids been outside the wall since coming here?"

The headmaster grimaced. He wrung his forefinger in his other hand, twisting and pulling mindlessly. "No. We do give the children extensive education about the world and they have excess to the internet." Shit. I'll have to run a test to determine if these kids can interact in a normal social situation and blend in. "They communicate with other people on social media and forums. We believe the number of children we have in the Academy helps provide an environment that's authentic and stable enough to give students the social interaction they need-"

Alex held up a hand to cut off the Headmaster. He up his thumb to his lips in thought. A social environment is not an absolute! Different cultures form in different places. When cultures are mixed, chaos can ensue if both parties are ignorant. If the culture the students had formed lead the kids to be un-understanding of the world outside those walls, they won't be able to function as normal human beings and definitely not as agents…But then again, the kids in this dorm acted normally enough…

"How many children are here?" He could feel his blood pressure rise. This building was three stories and had four wings on each floor. In each wing was three dormitories. Lisa said each dormitory was identical, which meant each dormitory had eight beds. That meant, there were 288 beds in this building…

"Two hundred sixty-five," Adley replied.

Alex laced his fingers in front of his face and fell silent. There was no way all 265 students could be operation-ready agents, even with all the resources provided in the Academy. Adley shifted in discomfort. "So, Agent Rider… Here at the Academy, you'll be acting as a guest teacher. Teachers will request your assistance to explain a skill or ask you share your expertise. We thought this would help assist you in observing the students and aid in your mission." Alex nodded at Adley, letting him know he was paying attention. I need to get to know the students individually to determine if they can take the strain of espionage. I can't do that with 265 students.

"We hope that within 6 months, you'll have successfully eliminated the students who wouldn't make the cut. Afterward, we'll make arrangements for you to teach a class and start sending students on small assignments." Alex's jaw clenched. They were planning missions! Of course, they were. This time Alex managed to capture the man's line of vision. I can't get to know each student on a personal level within six months. But, maybe, if I set a standard age for students to start going on missions…14, maybe? That's when I started. Surely, MI6 wouldn't argue with that…After gaining an age restriction, I can put children under the age of 14 on hold. I can claim I'm creating a set of tests and standards each child agent should meet to enter espionage. I'll have to include those who will turn fourteen before the six months to convince Blunt I'm not trying anything. Breathing deeply, Alex nodded and once again let his lips fell into the side of his laced fingers.

"How many children are here below the age of 14?"

I'll need the cut the most obvious students first…the largest group will be those who are mentally unable to cope but should test for those who are physically unable first. With the first test, I'm sure I can cut about a third…

Adley blinked. "I can't give you an exact number. I would say… around half of the student population is under 14."

Once again, Alex nodded. That means roughly 133 students would undergo his physical endurance test. About 40 of those children would be cut, leaving an estimate of 93 students…No, that number needs to be below 70 when he was done with the first test.

Alex stared off behind a spot behind the Adley's left ear, looking at nothing in particular. He briefly realized the Headmaster looking at him, expecting some sort of response. Next test should be Emotional stress…I would need to think about that one. Alex's stomach turned at the thought. I'll have to be cruel. They'll all be frightened of me afterward. Many of them will realize what they've been sucked into.

Next, there would be a series of smaller tests: Observation levels; do they have integrity, honor, courage; are they flexible; do they have confidence and humility; can they connect with people and be subjective and objective.

Alex was sure after he performed these tests, he could run an 'under pressure' test. He could take them on an 'assist mission' and determine their level of success by observing.

"I think I've figured out the basis of a plan," Alex said to Adley. "I would like to request that all children under the age of 14 be withheld from missions. I don't believe children under that age are capable of dealing with the emotional and physical strains that are required from an MI6 operative." Don't seem to eager Alex. Buying time can be the same as saving these kids if I play my cards right. "I also don't believe cutting these children prematurely will be necessary. Cutting them just because they cannot meet these conditions would be rash. These children should be allowed to continue their training until they reach the age of examination. If they do not pass the same exams I compile for this first group, then they should be cut." Mr. Adley nodded vigorously in agreement. "I think by doing this we'll have more primed underage spy's then we would have with this first group."

Adley's face fell for a second. "Yes, that does make sense," he agreed. "I will inform Mr. Blunt of your request and back it with my full support." Alex's suspicions were confirmed. The headmaster was against the Academy. Or, at the very least, cared about his students.

"Thank you, I appreciate that. At some point in my first test, I'll need permission to take kids off Academy premises. I'll also need a list of physical exercises and combat training your academy provides."

Adley took a deep breath. His finger fidgeting had stopped. Now, He was playing with the end of his left sleeve. "Can I ask why?" Alex shook his head. "Okay..." Finally, Alex succeeded in capturing the headmaster's line of vision.

"I'll ask for help setting up my tests."

"You've formulated stages?"

"Wouldn't be doing my job right if there weren't stages," Alex said dryly. "In this first group, there's bound to be many… failures…" Adley's eyes locked on Alex's more firmly. He nodded.

They were on the same page. Neither of them wanted these kids to end up like Alex. "Let me know if you need anything done. I'll make sure it's attended to," Adley said cryptically. He put a slight emphasis on the word 'anything'. A moment past and Adley's fidgeting began again. He looked a little nervous. Adley's eyes once again avoided Alex's. Seconds past before the man found the courage to tell Alex the bad news. "Mr. Blunt wanted me to inform you, you would continue going on missions as needed."

The balloon swelled inside Alex's chest. His blood pressure rose again. Alex closed his eyes slowly and stood up. "Of course. Tell him I'm standing by awaiting orders." Alex's voice came out coldly. He opened his eyes and Adley flinched at the coldness of them.

Adley got up to leave. The man had good instincts. He knew his time with Alex had come to a close. As the man reached for the door, Alex stopped his with a question. "You're not an operative Mr. Adley."

The headmaster turned back to Alex and stared at him. "No, I'm not." The man stepped over to a poster that hung on the wall and pulled the poster up to reveal a small mechanical listening device. "I'm what's called a desk jockey." The man laughed as he carefully settled the poster back to not disturb the device. "I may not be much for espionage, but I know my way around the offices."

Alex could have kicked himself. That was such an easy hiding place. He should have known. "So, you're the other end of the operation, huh?

"Yeah." Adley paused. "I mean, I use to be."

Alex's eyes swept the rooms, wondering what other devices where hidden. He would have to do a deep search before his charges got back from their classes. "Are you should you can provide me anything I need to accomplish my mission…I can find other means if you can't." Alex shifted his attention back to the Headmaster.

Both men considered each other again. Once again feeling a sense of unity. Once again confirming their shared goals. "Yes, I'm sure. If I find there is a task I am unable to accomplish to your satisfaction, I'll let you know."

"Thank you, Adley. That is all the questions I have. I'll give you the layout of my plan for my first round of tests once I have everything finalized.

Thank so much for sticking with me.

I know this chapter came out quick. This chapter was supposed to be apart of the last chapter. However, I found there was far too much. And the last chapter was already way too long. So, because it seems I'm bad at judging when my chapters will be available, Please expect my next chapter soon:) No more than 2 weeks:)

Anyway, please give me feedback. All criticism and compliments are welcome!