Built for Espionage: Chapter Thirteen
In the situation that any member of the SAS, SIS, police or other law enforcement were confronted with the typical 'enemy' it was standard procedure to use every thing in his or her power to arrest that person. And of course, everyone, especially the 'bad guys' knew this- and that included assassin Yassen Gregorovich.
And so, when he was forced to turn around at gun point, hands raised, by an SAS member (accompanied by two members of his team), Yassen hadn't imagined that not half-an-hour later that he would be seated in said SAS member's hotel room. No guns pointing at him, and he wasn't sure whether to have expected it by now- but they weren't guarding him either, two casually sat on the man's bed while the clear leader was seated in the chair nearest to him.
'I'm not sure if this is the best solution Wolf' commented one of the men, who shifted uncomfortably on the bed as he spoke.
'Shut it Eagle, MI6 originally believed SCORPIA was behind the target on Cub, he has to know something' snapped Wolf, the established leader and the one who thought he was going to live after holding a gun to his head. Not likely.
'Yassen right?' Yassen wasn't having any of that, these men knew who he was, they had a right to be fearful and uncertain, however, if they were going to be polite children about this, he had better things to do.
'You know who I am, I know you're at least an SAS unit, get to your point before I decide you're wasting my valuable time' He preferred to be a man of little words, instead using his actions to speak for him, however, he was an expect in judging a situation, and for this situation he found that there was the potential for an opportunity.
'Alex Rider, he went missing nearly five days ago, MI6 thought it was you guys- SCORPIA, but MI6 doesn't know anymore and we've lost him' Spoke the other man sitting on the bed, Yassen though noticed the glare from Wolf directed at the man.
'I know' He stopped himself, should he mention that he and Alex had been in touch the day before he went missing, that Alex and he were playing on an odd truce- a middle ground between a spy and an assassin.
'Did you have anything to do with it, something doesn't seem right with this whole 'SCORPIA did it' imagine' Questioned the same man, clearly, he was choosing to ignore the glare that was hardening as he spoke from his team leader.
'SCORPIA hasn't had an interest in the boy for a while, someone else has him- someone far more unhinged' Yassen wasn't certain he should be giving his information to this team, the team he now knew was K-unit, the very SAS team that had lost the boy in the first place. However, he noticed another missing member- their linguist, Fox, which meant that either the MI6 and SAS agent was out doing something. Or as he believed, had been captured alongside Alex- that could cause a problem.
'You know who has Cub?' posed Wolf, Yassen took in the nickname, Alex was after all K-unit's fifth member and he imagined the name rather fitting for the teenage spy. He nodded at Wolf's inquiry.
'Tell us' demanded Eagle, the man standing off the bed and trying his best to intimidate Yassen. Yassen raised his eyebrow at the man's stance, if Yassen were to even lightly kick the man's left ankle he'd be down in seconds, yes K-unit was trained by the SAS, however, their training was vastly different from SCORPIA's. He sighed before speaking once more, he needed mor resources, more people he could at least partially rely on- and if Alex trusted K-unit, so be it- he could settle for the junior intelligence.
'Alex and I'm assuming your teammate- Fox, are being held by an assassin with a few loose screws, Sasha Makedonsky' Before he continued Yassen heard Wolf swear beside him, he briefly met eyes with the soldier before noticing the expressions of both Snake and Eagle, Eagle returning to his seat on the bed once more.
'You know of him I take it' A nod and wary eye contact told him exactly that K-unit had met and at least knew enough about Sasha to know that Alex was in far more danger than they'd ever want to admit.
'I have a confirmed location for where he's keeping Alex, and more than likely he's got your teammate there as well. I've been invited to a afternoon tea at the estate tomorrow, when I'd hoped to find and kill Sasha before finding Alex' He was prepared to take the house and it's owner alone, however, if he gather K-unit under his orders did would be an extra insurance.
He watched the silent conversation between the three K-unit soldiers, a few glares, nods and frowns before finally Wolf turned back to Yassen, clearly, they'd come to a decision.
'If we're going out there, we're going to have to work together. After that and we get Alex back, all bets are off.'
'Oh fine' He waved off their confirmation, he'd be taking Alex back with him, taking him over and giving him a new way to contact him before the boy spy could return to K-unit.
Alex hadn't been gone ten minutes before the door to their shared cell was opened and in walked two men, one armed and at the ready with a hand gun while the other came with Ben's portion of food for the day. The armed man moved towards him, kneeling before unlocking Ben's restraints and pushing him forward on the ground to eat his slice of bread drink the glass of orange juice.
Five minutes later the man who had brought in the food left, locking the door behind him, while the armed man stayed behind. Ben nearly flinched when he moved to grab his walkie-talkie, the man smirking as he did.
'Sir, on call' He confirmed, his smirk turning cruel.
'Very good Ninio, stand by for my orders' Sasha's voice, slightly distorted, but his voice for sure. And Ben suddenly remembered the man's threat, he'd have someone kill him (slowly) if Alex did anything to break his rules. This cruelly smiling man in front of him was going hoping to kill him.
And something told Ben that the reason he had been left un-restrained was another power-play by Sasha, because he knew that Ben wouldn't risk anything while Alex was in his hands- perfectly controlled and unwilling to break 'the rules'. Everyone of Sasha's men were sick.
'Hopefully we get to have some fun' cheered the man, his gun lazily aimed at Ben as he placed his walkie back on his belt.
Sasha directed Alex up a single flight of stairs before suddenly there were no more cold concert walls, now instead they stood in a well furnished and traditionally decorated house, one that Alex could already tell was a mini mansion, based solely on the sized of the landing room they'd arrived in.
The tight grip on his hand was released and instead Sasha took to placing a controlling hand on his shoulder.
'One more flight of stairs dear Alexander' He was directed up another flight and then pushed into a bedroom, one that was easily big enough to have the lit fireplace and small sitting area it did, alongside a massive bed and two doorways, one of which he was certain went to a bathroom, and the other he assumed was either storage or a closet.
'Why don't you stay in my room for a few minutes, I'll welcome a few of our guest and then come get you' Sasha had adopted a sickeningly sick tone and smiled gently at Alex as he spoke, though that changed as he spoke again, his face hardening.
'Don't leave this room Alexander until I come to get you, that's a rule' Sasha ordered before he left the room, closing the door as he went and Alex didn't miss the click, he was certain meant the lock had been used. Still waiting two minutes he went to the door and tested the handle, locked.
He turned and surveyed the room, only windows, that looked surprisingly modern for the house. They were floor to ceiling windows, not openings or cracks, Alex quickly moved to the bathroom checking for another window- finding none, before going into the other room, a spacious closet.
Alex ducked to his knees, crawling along the ground in hopes of finding a vent, nothing. Returning to the main bedroom he dashed over again to the windows, maybe if he was lucky it was facing a street, and hopefully people.
'Shit' He muttered, the room did face the street and there were people, at least four all making their way towards the house- maybe the guests Sasha had spoken of. No, his issue was the windows, he hadn't noticed at first, but he did now- they were tinted. He could easily see outside and the freedom that was so close, back not a soul could see into the house.
His mind continued to race; he couldn't leave the house- even if he found an escape route- Ben was still stuck downstairs. He needed to get a message out, he needed to signal someone to call the police, report some kid who was SOS them and he was certain MI6 would be here in seconds. Blunt still had a use for him, surely MI6 still wanted him, and that would save him.
He watched as a small collection of people made their way into the house, a few couples, a few lone women and lone men. Only as he continued to mindlessly watch the people did he notice someone different. Someone with red-blond hair and sharp ice blue eyes, and his hopes soared. Yassen, thank god- Yassen had actually found him and was coming.
As he watched Yassen carefully he noticed the man accompanying the assassin, Snake.
'What?' He whispered, were his SAS team working with an infamous international assassin? What had happened to Wolf for the man to ever accept that, how had Eagle agreed to working with Yassen and how was Snake seriously walking beside the man like they were friends.
'Is something the matter dear Alexander?' Alex whipped around to face Sasha, the man standing far to close to him causing Alex to step an involuntary step back and force himself against the window. Sasha if he noticed Alex's step, didn't mention it and in favour placed his hand firmly on Alex's shoulder before guiding him towards the door.
'I expect an answer Alexander'
'No… sir' He reluctantly answered as Sasha forced Alex to walk beside as they made their way towards the stairs.
'Good boy, now Alexander you remember my rules?' Alex knew it wasn't a question, it was a power-move he was reminding Alex that if he did anything wrong, stood a step away from him, spoke out of term, or dared to escape- Ben would be killed, slowly.
'Yes sir' A wicked smile twister into place on Sasha's face, his hand tightening on Alex's shoulder as they made it to the ground floor, where Alex could already hear faintly playing classical music and the murmur of people talking.
'Very good sweetheart, now let's meet our guests'
It wasn't a large gathering, there were as Alex estimated just over twenty people in the large sitting room. There were two 'waiters' who Alex knew were each armed, walking around the room offering champagne as they were also acting as security. Though the guests and the waiters who Alex was desperately searching for, no Yassen and Snake, who he knew weer somewhere in the house weren't any where to be seen.
'Oh, who's your tag-along Sasha?' the imposing voice gained Alex's attention and based on the grip that tightened on his shoulder, Sasha expected him in answer.
'I'm Alexander, Miss, pleasure to meet you' he easily adopted a charming smile and met the woman's eyes, she was basic in appearance, he imagined he'd forget what she looked like before the night was over.
'Oh, he's a sweetheart Sasha' the woman giggled with Sasha whose grip loosened the smallest bit on his shoulder, clearly, he'd pleased Sasha.
'I know Kathy, now do tell me did you bring Mikey?' Alex returned to ignoring the overly pleasant conversation in front of him, he needed to find Yassen- if he could silently signal him without Sasha knowing, he was certain Yassen and Snake could find and rescue Ben.
'Always a joy chatting with you baby doll, but I've got to greet an old friend' Sasha was already guiding him away from 'Kathy' as he'd called her, and towards one of the windows where the very person Alex was looking for stood. Though Alex could already tell the man had a plan, Snake was gone and Yassen was deliberately drawing Sasha's attention. A pre-mature relief washed over Alex, maybe as he hoped K-unit and Yassen had a plan, one that would get Ben and him out of here.
'Yassen, my old friend, I'm glad you found your way here on time'