Built for Espionage: Chapter Two

Saturday was slow. He had woken up at 5am, starting a morning run that was only 4km. He returned 30 minutes later only to find Jack getting ready for work. She wasn't meant to start yet, what happened to her sleep in.

'Sorry Alex, two of the girls called in sick and there's no one on opening shift now. I'll be back at 7, promise' She called as she rushed from the kitchen to her room and back again. She moved dressed in a pair of black jeans and work shirt and label reading 'Jack'.

She threw a single bowl of porridge in the microwave, leaving it in there as she grabbed her bag and keys. She kissed Alex's head before dashing to the door.

'I love you Alex, there's breakfast in the microwave and remember to finish your homework before slacking off okay bud' She left, the door closing and locking while Jack ran down the street towards work.

'Love you to' He said quietly, knowing that she was already gone, much like she'd be when she would soon leave for America, leaving him behind feeling as though she was the hurricane between the two. Sighing he walked into the kitchen, opening the finished microwave and surveying the bowl of sloppy hot porridge that looked right back at him.

'Not eating that' He scooped the breakfast slop into the bin, ignoring the growl his stomach gave before throwing on a jacket and leaving the house. He watched the trees wave as he walked down the path, heading towards a nearby park that had a few quaint cafes.

Not many people were around, an occasional car would drive past, a few joggers or biking fitness freaks as well. He noticed a couple walking towards him, their conversation entertaining as one gave out a short laugh while they spoke. Both he and the couple moved to their respected side of the pathway as they crossed, he surveyed the two, a father and daughter.

The man couldn't be older than fifty, having a few odd grey hairs, probably from his daughter. His eyes had aged, yet as he watched he saw the joy and happiness shared between both. The man's eyes seemed younger from just that. The girl was maybe ten or eleven, skipping while her father held her hand. She was happily chatting away, both complaining about some boy at school yet still expressing such enthusiasm when she spoke.

The two passed him, barely noticing the orphan boy that envied their relationship, their family. He sighed, at this rate he'd be forever alone, Jack leaving for her own family, Tom would grow up without him and Sabina would be forgotten. He knew MI6 weren't done with him, he didn't expect to ever get a real life with them hovering around every corner.

'It'd be easier if we could keep the boy closer, not at some fancy school that might ask questions' Announced Blunt as he dropped Alex Rider's folder, one that had been growing bigger by the second. Mrs Jones sat near the desk, silently sucking on a peppermint. She surveyed the folder that had now be placed near her.

'If we could find a suitable and cooperative guardian, we could just keep him here, in London, let him attend his school and live in the area he grew up in. Maybe even the same house?' She suggested, reading over the information they had received when Alex's current guardian had announced that she'd be leaving.

Blunt offered her a look, telling her to continue, she obviously had an idea.

'It's come to my attention that K-unit of the SAS, the ones Alex trained with, are taking some down time. They want to grow closer as a team and have applied for a three-month break. The men are trained and Alex trust them, most of them at least.'

'Call them in'

Four made up K-unit, Eagle, Snake, Fox and finally their leader Wolf. The men used their codenames commonly, even out of work they would stumble to use their teammates real names. Currently they were packing their things, each man having a bland duffel to stuff full of their supplies.

Eagle, also known as Koade Agboke, K-units sniper was an experienced man. He had only been on two missions within the last year, both as backup, only once had he actually had to shoot. He was a man of dark skin and dark hair; though a pair of green youthful eyes gave away his personality instantly. Yet even as he was known across the SAS as a joker, he was one because of his job who valued life most.

Snake, also known as Dave Legeno, K-units medic and second tallest of his team, which he took pride in. Having only been on two missions recently, his team and he now finally made it to a three month break period. His Scottish accent was still strong, every now and again he would even slip deeper into the accent. His head of dark blond hair had begun to darken, giving him a dirty blond appearance instead to match with his agile body.

Fox, also known as Ben Daniels, K-units linguist and youngest official member. He had made four missions over the past year, two with his team, two with MI6. Both MI6 missions were dangerous and he caused the man's childish ambitious and heroism of MI6 to disappear. He had progressed in height and age, his 25th birthday having been during his last mission. He still had his black short hair, dark blue eyes and Liverpudlian accent.

Wolf, also known as Ashley Walters, K-units leader a man with a strong build and with no fear. He often would slip into Russian when he was angry and would act quickly and effectively if anyone in his team was insulted or attacked. He was tough and fast, one of the most popular leaders of the SAS and was only 29, turning 30 in two months.

All four men moved with purpose as they entered the Royal & General Bank on Liverpool street. Fox glaring at the bank that he 'worked' for while his team mates simply ignored the tall building. The bank was nothing but a faux for MI6, a disguise and cover for where they operated from. Countless agents would have been assigned missions from, most coming back, but some never to return.

Snake approached the front desk, chatting casually with a MI6 employee before he asked where they'd find Alan Blunt and his assistant – who had called them in. The man working at the desk quickly typed on his computer, before nodding to the group of four to take the elevator to the seventh floor.

'I reckon this has something to do with you Fox' Called Eagle as they entered the elevator that had opened instantly for them. Fox groaned at the comment, insisting that he didn't have any up-coming missions for at least a month – but hopefully two or three months like he was promised.

'For all we know this could just be them checking up on us, not that they would. But hey that's the only explanation I have'

'Ms Jones said they needed us, I'm not sure whether it's a mission or something else' Replied Wolf, the man having grown taller and with his goals in leadership he was an intimidating figure. They left the elevator, moving together as Fox spotted the office they were told to go to.

Alan Blunt.

Alex had only just made it home five minutes before Jack, not wanting the care-taker to know of his outdoor activities for the day. He threw off his joggers and shirt, keeping his socks on and grabbing one of his t-shirts that were scattered across his room.

He popped his head out the window discreetly, spotting Jack slip her key into the lock and begin to open the door. He ducked his head back in, hitting it on the window opening before jumping onto his bed and grabbing a maths textbook and his exercise book for ancient history. He threw together a few pens, dropping two near his exercise book and unconsciously throwing the other to his lips where he began to chew it.

Jack announced her arrival, calling out the cheesy 'Honey I'm home', before dropping her things on the kitchen counter. She made her way up the stairs, the fourth step creaking as she approached Alex's room. She knocked, hearing a call back to come in before her eyes fell to the little brother that she wasn't related to.

Alex was cross-legged on his bed, one school book by his side, a textbook in his hands all while he chewed on yet another pen.

'How was work?' He questioned as she remained in the doorway, not making her way to his bed and sitting down like she normally would.

'It was okay, for a last shift. You should've seen Barbara's face, she was crushed when she heard…' She didn't continue, because as much as she considered my co-workers emotions, it was Alex she worried for, for when she would have to say good bye.

'You did always say Barbara was emotional, Jack' Responded Alex, turning the page of his textbook as he pretended to look confused for a short second. Jack glanced over the textbook, maths, yet the exercise book had only words written down. Odd.

'What do you want for dinner bud?' She said, ignoring the textbook and exercise book and moving to the subject Alex probably wanted to talk about more. Alex gave her a thoughtful look before he answered slowly.

'What about sushi, you were going to make some before this all started. But we haven't eaten it since?' He was cautious as he spoke, wary that Jack may have a reason for not making them sushi anymore.

'Ian's favourite dish, sure thing Alex' She said before turning away and making her way back down stairs. Alex glanced at the door, he had never known much about Ian. He never knew his favourite colour or what he was allergic to. He never asked Alex what his favourite food was and Alex never thought to ask.

For the only family each-other had left, they weren't farther apart.

'Pleased to make your acquaintance' Started Blunt, standing from his desk and holding out his hand to the leader of the SAS K-unit. Wolf gave him a wary glance, both at he himself and the hand that now waited in the air, hovering above the desk. Ben resented the man that stood before them, glaring away from the head of MI6 who had controlled what missions went to what agent.

Wolf sighed before he gave Blunt a handshake. As soon as that was done Blunt returned to his seat, waving to the four chairs that sat in front of his desk, motioning for K-unit to sit down.

'Now let's get started' Said Blunt, lifting a folder that had been in his top draw and opening it. The folder inside held a single photo at the front, a young boy with blond hair and vivid brown eyes. He looked over the folder for the last time before tossing it across the desk to land in front of his guest.

All four men looked down at the documents. A single photo paper-clipped onto the folder, inside another at least twenty printed sheets. The mission overview was first, a faded watermark reading 'classified' and naming everyone involved.

Three members gave out a gasp, spotting the photograph.

'Cub?'

Ben looked at the photo, disappointed and angry at both the boy and the man sitting on the other side of the desk.

'Alex'

Blunt took this as his que, he glanced to the door where he saw Ms Jones enter. Then he began to explain their mission.

'Alex Rider, officially known as Agent Rider will be the key focus for your assignment.' Wolf turned his eyes from the photo to the man who sat in front of him, now accompanied by a woman.

'You can't be serious, this is Cub, he's a kid' He argued, not raising his voice of jumping to attack the man. Though he could tell Ben wanted him to.

'Mr Blunt, surely Cub isn't a MI6 agent, he's what 16, that's way too young to be an MI6 agent' Complained Eagle, his joking tone disappearing and a serious and threatening one replacing it. Blunt expected this, every time someone found out of the boy's alternate activates they argued his age. Honestly, he was getting rather tired of it, the boy had clearly been trained and was ready to face the world of espionage.

'Agent Rider isn't 16 for one, and he has been our agent since his original guardian passed, a past agent of ours. The boy is trained, as you would know, and has already completed multiple missions for us and other interested parties.'

'How old is he then! How many missions has he completed! He's a kid, no matter his age we all saw him when he trained with us. He clearly didn't want to be there, you forced him there and you know it isn't right' Nearly shouted Snake the man remembering their time at Brecon Beacons.

The little Cub they had trained with, a boy who fought well and had persistence. But it was obvious every time he would see how the teen reacted to a new activity, how he viewed life, even how he had packed his things. There were so many silent indicators that the boy despised his training.

'Alex's file has been included so you all can understand who you are working with. Let it be known that Alex is no ordinary fourteen-year old' Said Ms Jones, stepping to the folder and pulling out a few papers stapled together. Ben knew from his single mission with the child spy that the teen was young, but fourteen as Ms Jones had said was too young.

'Are you kidding me! He's fourteen! He's not even anywhere close to old enough to drink. Yet you thought being a spy was fine!' An outraged Ben shouted, the man raising to his feet and placing both palms on the desk of Alan Blunt. The small pile that consisted of Alex's file was gently being held by Snake who quickly looked over a few details within the file.

The medic's eyes fell to the medical page, instantly he saw the extensive report and began to read. Wolf and Eagle brought Fox back down, the MI6 and SAS member refusing and continuing to argue with the head of MI6. Snake's eyes read through one of the most recent injuries, one that had happened right outside of the Royal & General Bank.

'He was shot right outside of your own building Mr Blunt. Yet still you employee a fourteen-year-old orphan' Called Snake, he keeps his eyes trained on the paper, not daring to meet the enemy's eyes. Blunt remained quiet, he only nodded in response. Wolf looked between his two enraged team members and the head of MI6 before speaking.

'Sir, if you would we'd like to take a moment to read over the assignment. We'll call tonight by 2000 hours for our next actions.' Blunt agreed with Wolf's terms, silently gracing the man for remaining calm while his team shouted.

'Remember K-unit, those documents are classified, I won't have you sharing the information within them to anyone outside of your team' Eagle and Wolf nodded before leading the other two teammates out of the office.

Author's Note; Just so you guys know, the 'real names' of the K-unit (excluding Fox - Ben Daniels) were based off the actors who played them in the Alex Rider movie, just cause that happened and I went with it. Gotta admit tho, that I love Wolf being an Ashley.