Alex Rider: World Crisis
Chapter 3: Red Alert
Alex Rider and Kristine Jennings checked into a five star hotel in Rome. As the hotel was quite full, there was only a suite available for the two teenage spies. Alex entered the lift with Kristine following in pursuit. He slid in his hotel card to operate the lift and pressed on the twentieth floor. Somehow, he wanted to take a shower and forget about SCORPIA and their agents.
Kristine on the other hand was quite stunned with the whole ordeal. She was still dazed by the lightning quick events which had just occurred at the airport's car park. She sighed and leaned against the lift's walls. Somehow, she felt frightened although she wanted it to happen all over again. Although this mission marked her third mission, she was still inexperienced if compared to Alex. She glanced at Alex who was looking at an advertisement about a restaurant located in the hotel.
Soon, the lift arrived on the twentieth floor. Both of the teenagers stepped out of the lift and walked down a carpeted hallway. Several close-circuit television cameras were monitoring their actions and movements. SCORPIA had hacked into the hotel's security and they were keen to know more about the two teens. They already knew that Alex Rider was not at all a normal teenager. Somehow, they also had several vital information on Kristine.
Alex and Kristine reached their suite. Room 713. Alex felt a twinge in his mind. Maybe it was just him being superstitious because the number thirteen never was Alex's favorite number. Many people regard it as unlucky but Alex knew better than to believe superstitions. He unlocked the door and walked into the suite. It was furnished modernly and a wide screen television stood at the far end of the room along with several leather sofas and a coffee table.
Alex walked into their bedroom. It had separate beds. "At least, Mi6 still have common sense," Alex Rider thought.
Kristine closed the room door and followed Alex into the bedroom.
"I'm glad that they have enough sense to give us separate beds," Alex said as he gave her a smile.
She returned his smile and replied, "Yeah, I can't imagine them giving us a single bed."
Alex nodded and entered the bathroom to take a shower. As soon as he closed the door, someone knocked on the suite's door. Kristine got up and exited the bedroom and looked outside. She saw a porter pushing a trolley full with bags. She opened the door, only to find her being tied up and led out of the room.
Armed SCORPIA agents stormed the suite searching for Alex Rider. Little did they know that he was taking a shower. They quietly entered and waited for the renowned Mi6 agent to show himself. Dr. Three, one of the leaders in the world terrorist organization, entered the suite and sat down on one of the suite's leather armchairs.
Alex Rider exited from the shower with a towel draped around his shoulders. He noticed a quiet atmosphere in the suite and called out, "Kristine?" There was no reply. He walked into the living room. He saw Dr. Three sitting calmly on a leather armchair. Before he managed to react, a hidden SCORPIA agent had grabbed him from behind and forced him to sit opposite the Chinese man.
"Alex Rider?" he asked with a slight Chinese accent.
Alex decided to ignore the statement and just stare at his opponent. He did not anticipate a meeting with SCORPIA as early as it was in his mission.
"Speak!" one of the SCORPIA agents barked at him as he lashed out at his shoulder.
"Yes?" Alex asked with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
"Don't get so cocky with me…" he said as he held up a PDA with the image of an unconscious Kristine.
"Kristine!" Alex yelled as he got up from his seat, only to be forced back by a SCORPIA agent.
"Not so fast there. If you ever want to see her alive, abort your mission and carry on with your petty British life. Mark my words, boy. Warn Mi6 and their American counterpart to stop sending little kids to do their dirty work," Dr. Three stated.
The SCORPIA agent punched Alex in his gut before leaving following Dr. Three and his fellow agents out of the suite. For once, Alex felt hopeless. He knew it was pretty impossible to face SCORPIA alone. Furthermore, he did not know Kristine's location but he knew he had to repay Kristine somehow. He was still in debt as she saved his life at the car park.
Alex Rider sat on his bed and pondered whether to send for reinforcements or attempt a daring suicide rescue attempt. The Siemens Mobile hand phone was held in his right hand.
A/N: So what do you think? Just review…Thanks!
