Disclaimer: I do not own Alex Rider
Chapter 23: Preparations for the Finale
Alex's black cap fell off as his head lolled against Yassen's shoulder. They were taking a train to the airport and Alex had dozed off around half an hour ago. While Alex decided to take a nap, Yassen was busy researching files on his laptop.
He was already aware that MI6 was meeting up with some of the heads of the United States government to discuss terrorism and he hoped, a crack down on some of the shadier organizations, Scorpia included. For a while now, Yassen had wanted to be able to walk free with only government officials with a price on his head, not assassins too. The meeting was to take place in Berlin, Germany and thus, that was where they were headed.
The elder frowned as he picked up the younger's hat from his lap and slipped it into his bag. Alex had insisted earlier that they target Jones and Blunt directly, not just their men. Well, Yassen still had some semi-trusted contacts even though he technically wasn't in the business anymore. In fact, he had managed to register himself on every known source that he could find as "Deceased".
Yassen opened his e-mail and addressed it accordingly.
I:
I have a request for you. Reply as soon as possible.
C
"I" for investigator? "I" for informer? "I" for intelligence? Yassen had yet to find out. But what he did know was that 'I' could only be contacted by phone if he wanted to be contacted. It was worth the trouble though, and the money, 'I' had been his most reliable source since he had started in the business. His fee wasn't cheap, usually topping 6,000 USD per request, depending on how much needed to be done.
He's been researching the meeting place for about fifteen minutes now, and all he had found out was that it was to be out of the press' reach and in an extremely secluded area. Apparently, this little discussion was important enough to take them to the farthest reaches of any public transportation. He had been planning on taking the U-bahn and S-bahn, as some major was to get around and it looked like it was almost out of option.
Yassen sighed and shifted so that he was more comfortable. The building they were meeting in was apparently a warehouse that was only in use part of the year…the part of the year that wasn't now. The secret services were so stupid sometimes. Sure there were less people and it was easier to spot somebody, but with the right amount of talent and all the gadgets, getting past security would just be that much easier.
"Now arriving…at London Southend Airport. All passengers wishing to exit, please begin preparing to leave. Thank you for riding with us, we hope your trip was enjoyable," a woman's voice sounded over the PA system.
Yassen quickly locked his computer and slipped it into his bag. Between the two of them, they were also sharing a suitcase which was stowed in the hanger overhead.
After changing, Yassen had seen to it that Alex recieved a couple sets of regular teenage clothes (while still aiming for the more sophisticated look) and had left all the gadgets that came with the outfit in the shop. When they made up their minds that they would be leaving the country, Yassen didn't want to take a chance with airport security.
Efficiently pulling out the cap again and zipping the bag shut, Yassen glanced down at Alex. The past few days must have been exciting for the kid…but exciting was the way he lived. "Exciting and stupid," Yassen whispered, smirking openly. Reaching over and fluffing the boy's hair, the elder smiled when he saw the annoyed look on the younger's face.
"What is it!"
"Hmmm?" Yassen pretended to be clueless. "Well, since we're arriving at our stop, I just thought I'd wake you up so I wouldn't have to carry you through the airport."
Alex scowled, "Fine. I'll take the suitcase."
"Good," Yassen nodded curtly, putting the cap on Alex's head, he stood up. "We better get moving."
-----------------In the airport------------------------
Yassen scanned the room discreetly behind the rimless glasses that he had donned. So far, nobody seemed to have recognized them.
He glanced at Alex. The teen was wearing a pair of black slacks and a white short-sleeved dress shirt. On his wrist was a watch that Yassen had allowed him to keep and on his feet were the sneakers he had been given. He himself was wearing a pair of dark gray business pants and a dark blue collared T-shirt, which was tucked into this pants. Alex had taken his hat off, but both of them were wearing glasses of some sort, attempting to either hide their features or change their look. Yassen had only cut his hair a few times since he had "died" and now it was a more boyish cut with long strands of blonde and light brown. He hoped that neither of their faces would be flagged if it ran through the filter.
They stepped up in line.
"How are you two gentlemen today?" the lady behind the counter asked, blushing and clearly taken to Yassen's sharp features. She was dressed in traditional work clothes, blouse, skirt, probably high-heeled shoes, her hair done up in a tight bun, name tag over her left breast. Not a threat.
"We're fine. To Berlin, Germany." Yassen answered, his usual cold façade immediately returning full force.
The lady nodded politely, trying to ignore the cold shoulder. Tapping a few keys on the keyboard under her fingers, she scanned the list of flights listed on the computer screen currently facing away from the two travelers. "Yes, there is a flight heading out in thirty minutes, what class?"
"First," Yassen said, voice hard.
Alex interrupted before their attendant could say anything, "Preferably together…" The attendant looked at Alex for the first time.
Groaning internally, Yassen kept up the act. "Ah, yes! This is my son, it would be nice if the seats were together."
Smiling now, though she seemed a bit disappointed, the lady tapped a few more keys. "Of course. May I have your passports please?"
Yassen pulled them out of his bag confidently. They had been forged quickly, but they had been done well…he had triple checked them himself. "…" he didn't say anything he passed them over the counter.
After a quick glance through, the lady nodded and continued to book their tickets. "There you are, Mr. Dimitri. Do you have any luggage?"
"Only our carry-ons," Yassen replied stiffly. "Thank you."
"Do you get that look a lot?" Alex asked quietly as they walked towards their gate.
Yassen pretended he was looking for something to buy, but all the while scanning the crowd for anybody suspicious. "What look?"
"The one the lady gave you," the Rider continued, reaching up to adjust his sunglasses.
Yassen finally turned to face the younger. He sighed, "Alex, which look? The lady probably glanced at me a dozen times. I don't know which 'look' you're talking about, I wasn't a mind reader last time I checked…which was oh, two seconds ago."
"Sheesh, no need to be so grumpy," Alex mumbled, switching which hand was pulling the suitcase. "I meant…the one that she gave you when…when she blushed…"
Yassen sighed out loud, "…yes," he reluctantly admitted. "But frankly, I just find it annoying."
Alex nodded, "I see."
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When they were safely in the air, Yassen pulled out his laptop again and immediately checked his inbox. Sure enough, there was a message from I. He clicked it and it opened.
C
It's been a while. $#.%##.%##%^^$.)&^*
I
"What's that?" Alex asked, looking over at the screen.
They were sitting in a rather private area considering that nobody else was in the room, and Yassen felt that it was safe that they talk. "While you were sleeping on the train, I contacted my informant, I. And before you start asking, I do not know anything about him…if it is a he… Anyway, we're traveling to Berlin as you know, and-." he stopped as a flight attendant walked past. Lowering his voice and leaning down to whisper in Alex's ear, the elder continued. "We will be interfering with a meeting that MI6 is having with the heads of US security. NSA, CIA, FBI, all the major agencies. We will be staying at a hotel seven blocks away from their predetermined meeting place, so I've set up all that information, but I still have to clarify some things."
Reaching into his pocket, Yassen pulled out his cell phone and dialed the number that was coded into the secured e-mail message. In the middle of the first ring, somebody picked up.
"This is I," (no pun intended Lillian ) a robotic voice answered.
From years of working with this person, Yassen was already expecting it. After all, the speaker was probably just using a voice filter. "Hello, I. I have a request."
"What is it?"
"I want the layout, floor plan, and security report on Der Leuchtturm. And if you can, aerial images of the entire area."
"I understand, give me two hours."
"How much?"
"Two grand."
"Understood."
Yassen closed his phone. "Well, looks like I'll have to make some more arrangements."
"What?" Alex asked, curious.
"We'll need more weapons and supplies. I didn't want to take the chance with airport security, but now, I have to contact some old partners. Hopefully they haven't forgotten about me," Yassen said wryly.
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Alex rubbed his eyes sleepily as he sat up in bed wearing only his boxers and a thin T-shirt. He glanced at the clock on the nightstand and realized that he and Yassen had checked into the hotel over nine hours ago.
He looked to his right and saw that Yassen was still wake. He was checking over all the equipment that they had picked up. "Do you ever sleep?" he asked, voice groggy and mind not fully awake yet.
"Not when I'm not tired," Yassen said back. "You just rest a little more. These next few days are going to be fun."
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TBC
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I know, that was the most pathetic ending in the history of endings, but I'm so tired right now, I feel like I just took, like, 50 sleeping pills (which i most certainly did not), but yeah. I apologize, but I will do better next time. Sadly, I think this fic is starting to wrap itself up. I need to finish my last minute details to the planning, but I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
I'll try to have the next one up within three weeks, but no promises, we'll see!
You know what to do! REVIEW REVIEW REIVEW! ...wow, that rhymed!!!
...and don't forget, HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHAKESPEARE!!!