Have chosen a fantastic beta... :D ReillyScarecrowRocks is the fantastic beta. (you can take up all complaints with me….) *HIVZ*HIVZ*HIVZ*HIVZ*HIVZ*HIVZ*HIVZ*HIVZ*HIVZ*HIVZ*HIVZ*HIVZ*HIVZ*
Sabina raked the hair out of her face as the leather seat stuck to the back of her sweaty legs. Air conditioning felt fantastic. Sab closed her eyes and allowed the air to dry her damp hair. The clink of ice against glass caused her to open her eyes. This was something- to be served a cold drink- by the Queen no less.
Sabina smiled. "Thanks." She took the offered drink.
The Queen smiled. "You are welcome."
Sab snuggled back into the seat. The car was so bloody cold, but it was great to be in a car rather than walking everywhere. And it was much safer.
Sabina took a moment to study the reigning monarch through half-lidded eyes whilst getting comfortable. Physically, she saw a frail old woman with white hair, a woman who could easily have been mistaken for a normal pensioner if not for the quiet air of command that surrounded her. Maybe it was her bearing, the way she held herself, that allowed Sabina to sense that this woman was not one to be taken lightly. She came from a long-line of royals who had taken and ruled their lands by force in times gone by. Though the position of Queen was mostly obsolete in the present-day, her blood still contained that of the great men who had conquered, and brought order to, the wild lands of the British Isles centuries ago. Sabina wondered what the Queen's role would be in the face of the country's current troubles.
"We are visiting military bases."
"Sorry?" Sabina opened her eyes again. She was just getting comfortable.
"Would you not like to know where you are going?"
Sabina thought about the question. "Not really," she answered honestly. "I'll just be taken for the ride. It is so nice to just relax."
The Queen smiled softly. "I think you have not been able to do that for a while."
Sab shook her head. "No." Her eyes drifted closed again. She felt so tired. "I moved to America, see. California. It's really warm there. I could walk to the beach if I wanted to. But it took, like, thirty minutes." Sabina frowned slightly. "I'd get so sweaty and gross. And the sun would burn my eyes – it reflected off the sand."
The Queen watched the half-conscious girl. "How did you get here?"
Sabina yawned. "Dad...he's a journalist. Edward Pleasure. He and Mum went to a meeting...from MI6 of all people!" She laughed softly. "Dad was pissed..." Sab peeked at the royal. "Sorry."
"It is fine, dear." The Queen waved off the girl's concern. "I have heard it all before."
"Right." Sabina closed her eyes, "pissed...angry. He doesn't trust MI6," she clarified. " 'Cause of what they did to Alex."
Sabina sat up, looking closely at the Queen. "Do you know Alex?"
"Who is Alex?"
"Alex Rider." Sabina watched the Queen closely. "You do!"
"I have heard of him. One of MI6's best. How in heavens name did you meet him?"
"Wimbledon. He was a ball boy."
"My dear, you need to be a child to be a ball boy."
Sabina glared at the Queen.
"He is a boy."
The Queen shook her head. "But...but you... why are you here?"
Sabina shuddered. "Well MI6 had the briefing, see. Got everyone riled up an' all. Dad wanted to leave. Go back to California. I didn't. So I did a runner." Sabina looked out the window. "I made it to Northampton before..."
The car went over a bump.
The Queen touched Sabina's arm. "Do not look out of the window, dear."
Sabina nodded. When she turned away, the Queen snuck a glance. The fields were empty. She saw only the occasional sheep, thin and gaunt. Then she spotted a sign. 16 Kilometres Boars Head
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Ben gripped the metal railing of the guardtower as he saw a convoy of vehicles pulling up the twisting drive. It could only mean one thing. He scrambled down the steps, metal treads clanging in his race to the foot of the tower.
Damn protocol... he thought. They needed some good news.
"She's here!" Ben shouted. "The Queen's HERE!"
The cars were already through the gate when he arrived. A large crowd was milling about in anticipation. He spotted Martha, who waved him over.
"Jack's at the front."
Ben manoeuvred until he could see her bright hair. She was right at the front; he simply couldn't get any closer. Ben craned his neck and saw with shock that Anna was standing next to her. The Russian woman must have felt better, which made him relieved.
Sunlight flashed into Ben's face when the door swung open. A figure stepped out. Ben could tell it was about the same height as...
Hank launched himself forward. Ben saw it clenched in his fist. A broken bottle. If Hank hurt the Queen – hell if he killed the Queen – there would be issues.
Ben pushed a boy out of his way, but Jack was already there. The bottle shattered on the ground. Hank looked at the gash on his arm. Blood dripped the length of Jack's machete.
Then Jack turned to the figure standing slightly behind her, cowering by the car.
"Hey, Sab!"
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Alex poked his gladius into the dirt. He had been carrying it for the better part of two weeks. It wasn't that bad. Yassen was a pain in the ass, though; he really was as cold as he acted.
Alex had to work constantly. He was never good enough. Yassen never expressed his displeasure aloud, but Alex could see the disgust in his eyes. Which is why Alex was out here at midnight. He assumed the defensive stance again. Thrust with the sword, and step forward. Then retract the sword while stepping back. Repeat.
He didn't mind the fighting, the weight of the sword and shield. What really bugged him, what annoyed the hell out of him, was the armour. Not just the armour. The bloody helmet.
It slipped again, covering his eyes. There were two leather straps that were supposed to tie under his chin. They chaffed though. He bled because of them! But he couldn't fight without sight; he had already experienced how hard that had been. Alex put the gladius on the ground and tied the straps tight. He bent to pick up the gladius and paused, staring at his shadow. His shadow was not himself. It was eerie, seeing a Roman shadow. How long had it been since the Empire's shadow had been cast on British soil?
It was not shock and awe – that tactic did not work on the undead. Yassen had explained to Alex, quite simply, that the Romans were the greatest fighting force ever.
Alex needed that strength. He pick up the sword and thrust again. In four weeks they would march for Brooklands.
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So? Didn't my spelling improve drastically? Shocker!
