Disclaimer: I do not own Alex Rider.

It was back to the books, huh?

Snake could hardly believe it.

It was his first Fall semester at University, not the first, but his first towards his masters'.

One of the requirements for the SAS, was having a BA and four years' Army training and experience. If he took summers as well, he'd probably make it in less than a year and a half. He was at the envy of many of the other soldiers- superiors didn't pay very many people to go back to school, but doctors- especially field doctors- were needed, and his extensive experience in the SAS only helped in that matter. It was a sweet gig- same paycheck, scholarship to a top university, and more relaxation time.

To most people, of course- and Snake wasn't one of them.

A quiet and calm medic did not make him 'soft'- he wouldn't have made it as far in his military career- and certainly not the SAS- if he'd been soft. No, it was a necessity for soldiers had to be calm in the midst of chaos, trained to fight, trained to kill. And, also trained to protect themselves.

Except that Snake knew that he didn't need two extra years of schooling in order to learn how to do something he already knew how to do- and certainly not a piece of paper to tell him what he knew.

He needed to be there- for his unit, for Cub- god knows they couldn't take care of themselves.

Snake frowned down at a textbook, eyes reading the information yet not absorbing it- his thoughts elsewhere.

No, that wasn't right- they wouldn't have made it this far if they didn't rely on eachother. On the other hand, they also wouldn't have been successful as soldiers if they weren't strong individuals. It was that balance- of teamwork and strength, that was hard to find.

But Cub... he had relied on himself for far too long. Sure, his uncle had trained him, trying to prepare him for MI6, and Jack had done her best to protect him- but MI6, specifically Blunt, had more power. Far too much power. He had control.

Blunt had toyed with Cub in the same sadistic way many of his enemies had- if not worse.

Hmm... that was an interesting thought- who had treated Cub worse, Blunt or the various criminal organizations Cub had been affiliated with?

Before he could delve into that topic, a familiar man plopped himself in the chair opposite Snake- currently at an outdoor cafe.

Snake nodded at him. "It's good to see you. Thanks again for agreeing to meet with me."

"Let's skip the pleasantries," the man said brusquely. "I know you didn't come to catch up with an old professor."

Snake grew serious- Dr. Tanner, his psychology professor, had always been a favorite with his blunt and no-nonsense attitude (straight to the point- like Wolf). He was also an Infantry Officer, retired military.

Professor Tanner was smart- sharp eyes that missed nothing, his mind quick to analyze and make conclusions, along with fantastic deductive reasoning skills.

"My question has to do with the human psyche," Snake began. "Specifically, I need to know the reasons behind a hypothetical situation- how and if it could happen."

Professor Tanner smiled thinly. "Hypothetically, of course. Please continue."

Snake obliged. "Take a teenage boy, who has been trained to be both physically and mentally prepared for war- and is finally is sent to the front lines via blackmail," the soldier paused, carefully observing Dr. Tanner's reactions- or lack thereof. "Two years pass- he has seen death and also made it happen. PTSD, nightmares, paranoia- the whole shebang. In his fragile state of mind, he has been continually treated as a tool, a weapon, by his superiors- a dog, if you prefer. He has been forced into a life he did not want, and is now being broken and built back up, molded into the weapon he is. Tell me the type of training that would be used that would force him to completely withdraw into his own mind, but still retain his same skill sets."

Dr Tanner sighed, rubbing a hand over his face, eyes tired and weary- tinged with bitterness and remorse. "I heard the rumors... I didn't want to believe them, though."

"I must remind you that this is a completely hypothetical situation," Snake pointed out humorlessly.

"Yes, yes," the man dismissed him. He paused for a moment, thinking. "Isolation. Physical exhaustion. Intensive PT. Psychological abuse and/or torture- mind games. Sleep deprivation. And, of course, previous experience with trauma. Continually breaking him before building him up- which you also mentioned. Other forms of mental stress," he listed them off tonelessly, before looking up. "Please explain more of what his current state would be."

"Loss of previous memories, emotionless, mechanical, completely obedient and submissive to his superior officers." Snake shrugged. "You get the idea."

Dr. Tanner nodded thoughtfully. "In order to return to his original mindset, he would need a completely new life- being cut off from his superior officer,, obviously. He would need to adjust to civilian life, in the hands of people he once knew and trusted, but not someone who had ever hurt him- physically or psychologically."

Snake's heart sank- Cub didn't have anyone else besides them.

"It would take time- I'm sure he would return eventually- but only if his subconsciousness wanted to return, and recognized change." Dr. Tanner pursed his lips. "I'm afraid that is all I can say for sure- I do hope it was helpful, and best of luck to you."

Snake inclined his head, mind still reeling from the new information he had just received. "Thank you, you've been a great help."

Dr. Tanner raised an eyebrow. "As far as I'm concerned, I was merely catching up with an old student of mine, nothing more." With that, he got up from the table, heading toward his vehicle. "Farewell, I hope we meet again."

O-o-O-o-O

Snake: Guys, it's me. I got news... some good, some bad. Recently, I met with an old psychology professor of mine. Trusted, of course. After briefly talking to him about our situation, he says Cub's mental state probably isn't permanent.
The problem is, his subconsciousness needs to see change before the real Cub comes back. Which means he needs to get out of England, his line of work, and especially MI6 (*cough* Blunt *cough*). Only... he needs to be taken care of by people who haven't hurt him at all- people he trusts... which isn't us.
Hey Fox, I know the situation is hopeless it we bring it to the courts, but are there any other ways of getting him back?

Fox: Dammit.
No, nothing that's legal.

Snake: You know what I meant- We're getting Cub, it doesn't matter how.

O-o-O-o-O

"The human psych. So beautiful. So amazing. So miraculous- yet at the same time, extremely delicate. And so very easy to break... especially the minds of those who are already broken."

-Exodus Tristan

I'm really hoping someone 'gets' that quote at the end... and technically he never said that. Hint: Exodus Tristan is fictional.