Chapter Three: The Unwanted Mission

Alex could hear voices but could not understand what they were saying. The words seemed to blur together. He wasn't sure if he wanted to wake up or fall back into the darkness which was gathering at the edge of his consciousness.

He struggled to open his eyes but his eyelids felt like lead. He had an excruciating pain in his chest.

"Alex." A voice called. A door slammed shut.

Alex groaned and opened one bleary eye with enormous effort.

He saw Mrs Jones and closed it again.

"I was really worried." Suddenly Alex felt wide awake as anger surged through his veins.

"Worried?" He croaked. He wanted to shout but the pain in his chest had intensified.

"You weren't worried when you sent me to that mad school; you certainly weren't worried when you let the Americans take me to Skeleton Key."

"Al-"

"You didn't give a damn when I was suspicious about Yassen Gregoravich working with Damian Cray. And finally, you can't even manage the security around your headquarters and I wind up here."

Alex looked around confused for a moment.

"Where am I?"

Alex looked at Mrs Jones; she was sucking on a peppermint. She looked grave.

"You're in hospital Alex. You were shot in the chest." She said matter-of-factly.

"No wonder it hurts."

Alex put a hand to his chest gingerly. It was covered in bandages. His left arm felt numb.

Alex looked at Mrs Jones expectantly. The silence lengthened. Mrs Jones sighed and produced a black folder from the briefcase by her side. She opened it and retrieved a piece of paper from it. She passed it to Alex who was frowning. He read the note quickly, his eyes lingered over the Scorpia symbol and then he dropped it unceremoniously.

"Neat handwriting." He muttered, secretly wondering what this was all about.

"Alex, please be serious! That letter you just read was a death threat to Alan Blunt and those close to him. You do realise that the death threat came from Scorpia."

"I know, but what's that got to do with anything. I was the one who got shot. Did you catch him?"

"What?" Asked Mrs Jones.

"The sniper, I mean?"

Her expression turned business-like all of a sudden and her tone was suddenly clipped.

"I regret to inform you Alex that the Scorpia agent managed to elude capture. But our MI6 agents are on his trail."

Alex wasn't so sure. "I don't believe it. It's Sunday after all!" He pointed to the calendar by his bedside. "Your MI6 agents are probably watching cricket on TV or something."

"I assure you," Mrs Jones said indignantly. "The whole of MI6 is on red alert. Not only because you got shot but also because the life of Alan Blunt, the Head of MI6, has been threatened."

Alex knew from previous experiences that the reason why MI6 was on high alert was entirely to the fact that Alan Blunt was in danger and nothing to do with him.

"Alex," Said Mrs Jones tentatively, "I have something to ask of you."

Alex felt as though he was suffering from dejavu.

"I don't want to hear it." Alex exclaimed before he stuck his fingers into his ears. His left arm didn't feel numb anymore.

Unfortunately he could still hear every word that Mrs Jones said. "We've decided that you are the best person to find out who's trying to kill Alan Blunt."

Alex remained silent.

"I know you can hear me, Alex. I've tried that myself. It doesn't work."

Alex gave up and removed his fingers from his ears reluctantly.

"What makes you think that I'll be any better at finding the person who wants to kill Alan Blunt than any of the MI6 agents?"

"Alex, you've had experience with this group." Mrs Jones interjected. "You know how they work. You managed to wriggle your way out of innumerable disasters before."

Alex didn't like being compared to a worm.

Mrs Jones noticed Alex's expression. "I mean that in a good way of course! If it was anyone else they would have been dead a long time ago, but you, Alex, you're the one for this mission."

"NO!" Alex snapped. "I'm not going to let you do this to me again. You always manage to bully me into doing your missions. Well I've had enough!" Alex yelled, his chest aching.

Mrs Jones looked aghast.

"You've made your feelings very clear Alex." She said sullenly.

"The offer still stands if you change your mind."

"I won't." Alex muttered.

Mrs Jones had reached the door before she added as an afterthought, "I hope you get better."