Alex Rider: World Crisis

Chapter 2: Gadgets Galore & Arrival in Rome


Alex Rider and Kristine traveled to the eleventh floor of the Royal and Generals Bank building which actually concealed the headquarters of British Military Intelligence, Mi6. Alex had already been into the office once, which was when he was packed off to Cuba to meet General Alexei Sarov. Alex and Kristine entered the office before the door closed, voice activated.

Smithers, Mi6 gadget master was there to greet them, "Ah, Alex, how're you? I hope you're alright. Terrible business SCORPIA is. Well, I believe you must be Kristine from our American counterpart, CIA."

"I believe Mr. Blunt sent you here for the gadgets in your latest mission. Well, I have been developing several new gadgets for our teenage department. Since there are two of you, I have developed a utility watch, concealing most of the most useful gadgets such as a compass, communicator, grappling hook and a lock pick," Smithers explained.

"Lock picks?" Alex and Kristine ask in unison.

"Why yes, a lock pick. It is very useful in situations where you need to unlock a lock or a door. It will be like a skeleton key for both of you," Smithers replied and handed both of them Tag Heuer watches.

"Next on my list, I have a bulletproof suit for both of you. It is quite useful for night time activity as it is black, but mind you, the suit also shields you from heat seeking missiles and grenade explosions," Smithers continued and calmly handed them what looked like a ninja's suit.

"Just in case, I'm giving both of you a cell phone. Don't get any ideas though. It is only developed to be called directly to Mi6 incase of emergency. We'll be notified and attempt to pull you out. It also conceals a tranquilizer gun and it is capable of stunning an adult in lest than five seconds. However, it only has three darts, so mind how you use them," Smithers said as he handed them both a Siemens Mobile cell phone.

Smithers, "I think I'm bending the rules very much but it was well worth it. Here you go," handing them some car keys.

"What are these used for?" Kristine asked.

"They are car keys. There will be an Aston Martin V12 Vanquish waiting for you in the Airport car park. The car is modified of course. Bulletproof, several heat seeking missiles, GPS, auto-drive and accelerates faster than the usual car. I modified it almost exactly as how Q modified it for James Bond in Die Another Day," Smithers said and chuckled to himself.

"Well, good luck and I hope you all can come back in one piece," Smithers said.

"Thanks, Smithers," Alex and Kristine replied as they walked out of the Mi6 Gadget masters' office.


Two teenagers entered Heathrow Airport with a pair of luggage and walked towards the check-in counter. They checked in their luggage and walked to the appropriate gateway. They both boarded the British Airways' plane with minutes to spare. They took their first-class seats and waited for the plane to depart to Rome. Little did they know about Jerome Alonso who was watching them like an hawk.


Alex and Kristine sat in the first-class compartment of a British Airways Boeing 747 waiting for the plane to depart Heathrow and arrive at Venice. Alex was reading a book while Kristine was looking out of the window, watching the plane being fuelled by the refueling crew. Both of them did not notice a Spaniard walk pass them, eyeing them both. They were both absorbed in their activities they did not see him take a photo of them through a spy camera positioned at his belt buckle. The information is then sent to SCORPIA's headquarters, where both of them were analyzed and identified. The plane was delayed and it arrived in Rome, twenty minutes late. Alex and Kristine walked into the airport and headed for the immigration department with their passports in hand.

SCORPIA had already by then identified both of them and prepared a greeting. Half a dozen of SCORPIA agents were posted in the car park with AK-47s to put an abrupt halt to their mission. Alex was rather tired although the fact that he had slept throughout the whole journey. He was thinking about Mr. Grey and his Brooklyn classmates. It seemed like yesterday that they had visited Italy. Kristine, however was wide awake. She was quite excited as it was her third assignment. They had their passports stamped which permitted them to stay in Italy for two weeks.

They collected their luggage and headed for the car park. Alex had the Aston Martin's car keys in his hands and walked towards the car half-heartedly. Kristine, on the other hand, was alert and sensed the possible danger awaiting them. She quickly grabbed Alex's hand and held it firmly. Alex turned around and was about to question her when he noticed an Italian man holding an AK-47 aiming at them. He pushed her towards the ground and aimed his cell phone at the assailant. He shot a tranquilizer at the Italian. Soon, he grabbed Kristine's hand and ran towards the Aston Martin. The SCORPIA agents had already begun shooting.

He unlocked the car doors and jumped into the vehicle, as Kristine did the same. The doors closed automatically and locked itself. "Do you know what you're doing?" Kristine questioned.

"No, but I would like to be anywhere but here," Alex replied and started the car. Its engine roared as its body and windscreen deflected off the AK-47's rapid fire. Alex drove the car out of the car park and headed for their hotel. When the coast was clear, he slowed down and smiled.

"Thanks. If it weren't for you, I'd be dead," Alex said.


A/N: Sorry for not updating for such a LONG time. Well, you know the drill. Just R/R. Thanks.