-- Authors Note --
This chapter is going to be fun too write and I hope you guy think that it is fun to read too. This is the chapter that I have been waiting to write! I know that some of you probably object to Alex being called Cub. I changed Alex's name to Cub because, really, that's who he is now. Alex has not been called Alex in two years, Alex Rider no longer exists. Now it is Cub or whatever name MI6 will choose to give him on missions. I miss 'Alex' though, too, it just makes more sense as Cub in this particular story. Hope you enjoy this chapter and review! And tell me if my "Britishisms" are better in this chapter! I tried, really I did.
-Steph
Disclaimer: My name is Steph and I am a fourteen-year-old girl living in the United States. I am only writing for fun and am not being paid for this. Do you see any connection whatsoever with me and Anthony Horowitz? Didn't think so. That being said please don't sue me. I'm saving my money to buy another Ukraine soccer jersey because my mom won't buy me anymore and I won't be able to afford the law suit.
Triple Threat
By Steph (Kalinichenko19)
Chapter 5- Free Day in London
Cub, Hunter and Wolf were picked up and taken back to their bunkhouse via chopper for the last time ever. Even so, the group that collected their scarce amount of belongings in a single duffle bag each was a joyous bunch. Finally, after two years of nonstop work they would get a much deserved break, at least they all hoped that that would be the case.
They only stopped briefly to clean themselves up and put on a fresh uniform. They fought over who was first in the measly bathroom for the last time ever. Cub, being just slightly shorter then the two men, ducked around them and claimed the bathroom as his as Hunter and Wolf protested outside of the door.
"I got the medallion!" Cub reminded them. "I get first shower!"
"I got shot with paint!" Wolf was quick to fire back. "Trying to save your ass!" He added.
Hunter had nothing to say and sat back on the grass, watching Wolf and Cub argue through a closed door. Finally, Cub just turned on the shower and chose to ignore Wolf's yelling and banging. Hunter laughed from the sidelines. By watching them at just that moment, one could never guess that they were highly trained and skilled individuals in the ways of war, fighting and spying. They looked like three regular guys joking around together.
For the first time in a long two years they really were carefree and happy. Sure, all too soon they'd be faced with more challenges that pushed them all too there limits but for that moment none of it mattered. For the moment they could all be regular guys, laughing and joking around with each other.
After they were all dressed in clean and matching uniforms (black pants, black combat boots and a navy blue t-shirt) they all gathered their duffle bags, dumped them into the back of the black Hummer that waited for them outside of their bunkhouse and got in. The driver was silent as he drove across the island to the small airport equipped with runways and hangers on the other side of the island.
Wolf, Cub and Hunter were led to a single plane that sat in the middle of the deserted tarmac. The stairs were lowered and they eagerly climbed up, welcoming the cool, air-conditioned confines and the comfortable, luxurious leather upholstery.
Comfortable seating was a luxury that had not seen in two years. They'd seen nothing of the quality of the inside of the plane in two years. They were prepared to dive onto the comfortable couches but something made them stopped. It would seem that they had not quite escaped their work just yet.
Alan Blunt sat on of the built in leather couches that ran along the side of the place. He was reading a copy of that day's newspaper, undoubtedly taken from London before they left. Mrs. Jones sat behind a small, but always elegant and classy, mahogany table, ruffling through a stack of papers and sucking on a peppermint.
Blunt looked up from his paper. He folded the paper back up and set it on the couch next to him as her eyed Hunter, Cub and Wolf.
Wolf stood in the center with Cub on his right and Hunter on his left, just slightly back. All three of them had their feet planted firmly on the ground, shoulders squared and hands clasped behind their backs.
Blunt nodded at them. He was pleased, though he didn't show it to anyone through his expression. He tapped a finger against his chin. He'd done it this time. He'd created the unstoppable.
"At ease, gentlemen," Blunt commanded.
Hunter, Wolf and Cub relaxed their shoulders and dropped their hands to their sides.
Blunt stood up from the couch and faced Hunter, Wolf and Cub. Mrs. Jones stood up from her small table, setting her papers in a neat pile and stood next to Blunt. She offered the men before her a small smile. Neither Hunter, Cub nor Wolf returned it though, even though they all had seen it. They were still being watched closely by Blunt.
"If you would take a seat and fasten your seatbelts," Blunt suggested, motioning towards two rows of two seats each, "we may prepare for take off."
Wolf moved silently to the row of seats and took the window seat on the back row. Cub sat down in the seat next to Wolf and Hunter took the window seat in front of Wolf. Blunt and Mrs. Jones remained on the couch, fastening the seatbelts there around their waists.
The tarmac workers removed the stairs and closed the planes door slowly upon the word of the pilot. After the door was sealed shut and all the necessary checks had been passed the plane eased onto the runway. It picked up speed and soon enough they were flying high above the ground.
Wolf taped Cub on the shoulder. Cub looked over and Wolf pointed out of the window with a grin. Cub peered over Wolf and looked out of the window. He, too, grinned at the sight. They were leaving the island behind for what would hopefully be forever. Wolf alerted Hunter with a tap on his shoulder and soon Hunter was grinning right along with Wolf and Cub.
Once the plane had reached its cruising altitude and the pilot had announced that it was safe to move about the cabin, Blunt called Wolf, Hunter and Cub back over to him. He and Mrs. Jones led the three men into a separate room on the back of the plane. The room was remarkably simple for what Cub had seen of MI6 but, after all, it was just a plane. There was a dark wood conference table, tan leather chairs surrounding it, a phone, fax machine and a flat screen TV hanging on the wall.
Blunt sat at the head of the table and Mrs. Jones sat in the chair to his right. Wolf, Cub and Hunter filled in the remaining chairs.
Blunt cleared his throat before beginning, "First I would like to congratulate the three of you on two years of hard work successfully completed. You got off to a rocky start but I could not have asked for better. The three of you men have become exactly what I had envisioned for Triple Threat. You are strong and fearless and willing and able to do whatever your job demands of you. You are a close knit unit, willing to sacrifice for each other, Wolf, you proved that this morning." Wolf nodded. "This morning the three of you proved just exactly what you could do. You took what you were doing seriously but still were able to remain calm and together." Cub had to look down at his lap to hide his grin; he assumed that Blunt was talking about the rock incident. "You accepted Wolf as your leader today and did not question his orders. More importantly, the respect that you three have gained for one another is tremendous. The two years have done you good and no doubt you are ready for the first mission that you will be given."
Wolf, Hunter and Cub were stunned into silence. Never before had Alan Blunt praised them so. He may have been a cold hearted man and his praise may not have been enthusiastic but it was praise nevertheless… something none of them had received in two years. It felt good.
"Excuse me, sir," Wolf spoke up, keeping careful for his voice to be polite, "but what would our first mission be?" He asked, not able to contain the curiosity that they all felt.
"The time will come to worry about all of that later," Mrs. Jones cut in before Blunt was able to. "As a reward for your triumphs you are being given the day off to do as you please in London. We will not land until the morning and it is suggested that you sleep on the plane to make the most of your day," she advised with a smile.
"Yes, ma'am," Wolf spoke on all of their parts.
"You will be given all information on your mission and equipment in two days," Blunt said. "Treat everyday as though it is your last, make the most of your time in London. You are dismissed. Welcome to Triple Threat."
Wolf stood up first and saluted. Hunter and Cub followed Wolf's example and followed Wolf out of the small office. They returned to their seats in the front of the plane. Wolf checked behind him to make sure that no one was there before he addressed the others in a quiet, hushed voice. "'Treat everyday as though it is your last'?" He repeated Blunt's closing words. "Should that mean something?" He questioned wryly.
"That's what it sounded like," Hunter agreed.
"Maybe I don't want to know what this mission is," Cub said, pushing a button on his arm rest and pushing the seat backwards into a more comfortable position with his back.
"Agreed," that was from Wolf.
"Why do I get the feeling that they think this will be our last mission?" Hunter wondered aloud.
"Probably because that is exactly what they think," Wolf said.
"That doesn't make any sense though," Cub jumped in. "Why waste two years and countless millions of dollars training us to have us killed on the first mission?"
"This is Alan Blunt we're talking about here," Wolf was sure to keep his voice low so that only Hunter and Cub could hear his words. "He'll do anything to get what he wants."
"It's just weird, is all," Cub sighed softly.
"Agreed," Hunter said. "But let's not worry about it now. Let's get some sleep so that we can make the most of our day in town, we can worry about everything else later," he advised.
Cub and Wolf murmured their agreement. They all turned to face forwards once again and concentrated on making themselves as comfortable as possible in the limited space they had. Wolf and Hunter closed their windows so that the bright sun would not disturb them. None of the three men slept for more then a few hours at a time, they were accustomed to being woken up at ridiculous hours of the night… or morning.
That was another thing that they knew they would not miss.
The Sergeant.
Triple Threat
Hours later
When Cub woke up for the last time, Wolf and Hunter were talking quietly amongst themselves. Cub rubbed his eyes wearily but instantly felt more rested and wake then he had before. He sat up straighter. Wolf and Hunter heard his movements and looked at him.
"What time is it?" Cub asked quietly.
"No idea," Wolf shrugged. "There's probably a couple hours left before we get to London though."
Wolf pulled up the window shade and pointed out. Cub looked out and down. It was nearing dark; the sky was fading into a dark blue streaked with light purples and pinks. There was only a thin layering of clouds under the plane and the dark ocean below was visible through empty patches in the clouds.
Cub sat back in his seat without a word. "Blunt and Jones?" he asked next.
"Still in that room," Hunter responded.
"Wonder what they're doin' in there…"
"Gee, thanks for that mental image, Cub," Wolf growled as he shook his head.
Upon hearing Wolf's words, Cub was plagued with an image that he figured was similar to that of Wolf's he made a face of disgust.
"Not so pretty, huh?" That was from Hunter.
"Keep thoughts like that to yourself from now on, Cub," Wolf advised him. "If they give you pleasure then there's nothing we can do about it but they don't necessarily give the rest of us pleasure too."
"You're sick," Cub accused Wolf.
"Hey," Wolf said with a grin, "I'm not the one fantasizing about what Blunt and Jones are doing in the room over there… all alone… by themselves… big office table…"
"Who's fantasizing now?" Hunter laughed. "Seriously though, stop that thought before it goes any farther. I'm scared for life now as it is. Don't make it worse."
"Cub started it," Wolf accused childishly.
"Gentlemen," a cold voice alerted them to the fact that they were no longer alone. Wolf, Hunter and Cub started in surprise. Upon seeing that it was Blunt, they were all ashamed, they should not have been caught in surprise. After the shame of their action new thoughts invaded their minds. Blunt's face was as emotionless and gray as ever, it was impossible to tell, just by looking at him, if he was in on the conversation they had just been having. "Your presence is required." And with that, Blunt turned and walked back into the office, leaving the door ajar for them.
"If he heard us," Wolf said quietly to Cub as they walked down the aisle, "then you are so dead. I wouldn't put is past him now if the mission was meant to kill us."
"Hey, it wasn't just me that did the talking," Cub reminded Wolf.
Hunter came up behind them and gave them each a swift hit in the back of the head. "Just stop talking about it," he hissed at them.
Wolf and Cub were silent.
The three men filed back into the office and retook the seats that they had sat in hours earlier. Cub found himself unable to look at either Blunt or Mrs. Jones. He feared he started to laugh. He glanced over at Wolf and noticed with gratification that his lips twitched. Even Hunter was having trouble keeping a completely straight face.
"There are approximately four hours left until we reach London. It will be around seven a.m. when we arrive." Cub's brows furrowed… perhaps he had seen the sun rising rather then setting. "Even though today is essentially your free day," Blunt began again, "there are still precautions that need to be taken." Blunt turned to face Cub, "Now, it has been two years but we have no way of knowing whether or not Scorpia has given up on you yet or not. You look different enough to through them off but all three of you will need new names for today. Wolf and Hunter, yours were simple. Wolf, you are Josh Wolff."
Cub snickered. Josh Wolff was a US 'football' player. Or soccer player as it was called in the States.
"No relation to the football player," Blunt eyed Cub. Cub quieted down. "Hunter, yours is Daniel Hunter. Feel free to address each other by last names, it may be easier at first," he recommended. "Now, Cub, your code-name was hard to include in your name. Obviously, it is you that we are most concerned about being recognized, we cannot send you in as Alex Rider," Cub perked at the mention of his old name, the name that he hadn't heard, or thought about, in two years. "Your name for the day will be, Percy Rhodes."
Cub wrinkled his nose in uncontained distaste for the name. "Percy? Percy Rhodes?" He echoed. "What am I? A prissy, mama's boy?"
"Very predictable reaction," Blunt noted with obvious disdain. Cub shut his mouth before he said anything else to loose points with Blunt. "Would you prefer… Benjamin Rhodes better?"
He quickly accepted the name. "Fine."
"Very well," Blunt put his papers back into his folder. "Now that your names are settled we address the issue of dress." There was silence as Cub, Hunter and Wolf waited for Blunt to continue. "You can't very well run around London dressed as you are now." Cub waited in excitement as Mrs. Jones passed a pile of clothing across the table to Blunt. Real clothes! He picked the first set of clothes off of the top of the pile. "For you, Ben," he handed them to Cub. Cub accepted them gratefully along with the trainers that Mrs. Jones handed him.
"Here you go, Ben," Mrs. Jones said in a cheerful voice as she watched Cub's face light up. "There's a room right back there that you can change in," she smiled and pointed to the far side of the office. For the first time, Cub noticed that there was, indeed, a door there. He walked swiftly over to it, opened it and disappeared inside what he found was a little bathroom. "Just leave your clothes on the floor," Mrs. Jones called through the closed door.
Cub striped off of the uniform that had become apart of him the past two years and pulled on pair of faded blue jeans that had been provided for him. They fit perfectly, not too big but not too small. He was particularly gleeful upon finding that the shirt provided for him was a Chelsea football jersey. My favorite football team, he remembered with a smile. (a/n: That's right, right?) The jersey was short-sleeved and blue with white stripes on the sleeves. The Chelsea Football Club patch sown on the left side of his chest. The shirt read 'Samsung Mobile' across the front in big, white letters. The light material of the jersey was cool against his skin as he pulled it over his hair. He pulled on a pair of socks and laced up the black Adidas Samba, indoor soccer shoes that Mrs. Jones had given him before going back out into the office.
Wolf went into the bathroom to change next, taking his pile of clothes and shoes with him. Several minutes later he emerged, wearing a pair of dark jeans and somewhat close fitting black tee-shirt. He wore black Nike's with a white check on his feet.
Next, and last, was Hunter. He had been given a white with navy stripes rugby polo shirt to wear; there were two horizontal navy stripes and three off-white. The three buttons on the top were left undone. He also wore a pair of medium washed blue jeans and dark blue Adidas Sambas.
Cub grinned.
A day free in London and real clothes. Could this day get any better?
The answer to that was unknown, but Cub knew that it was so much easier for things to go wrong then it was for them to go right.
Triple Threat
Free day in London
Wolf, Hunter and Cub (or Josh, Daniel and Ben) strode confidently down the street, every step taking them farther and farther away from the Royal & General Bank of London. They walked in the formation that had become apart of the way they moved: Wolf in the middle and slightly in front with Cub on his right and Hunter on his left.
No one spared them more then a quick glance as they walked through bustling street. Men and women hurried about, jabbering on their cell phones, too busy to worry about the three men that walked together. Tourists were too busy sightseeing to pay them any attention. Today, for one day at the least, they were just normal guys in a normal day in the world.
Even the weather was normal, typical for London. It was overcast and hazy but muggy and warm, too. There was a chance of rain later in the afternoon. A warm, heavy breeze fluttered through Cub's hair. He smiled. He'd known that he had missed home but never had been able to fathom his wonderful it would feel to be back.
His arm bumped against his side as a man rushed passed him. His elbow hit something hard and cold steel pressed against his side. It was a harsh reminder that even on that day, a normal day in London, he was not normal. MI6 had given Cub, Wolf and Hunter each a small gun that had been strapped under their shirts around their ribs. They also each had a watch that would connect them with MI6 immediately or each other in the event one got separated from the others.
Everyone else was normal but Cub wasn't, and of course Hunter and Wolf too. But, they had gotten involved with this whole way of life at an acceptable age. No, really Cub was the one that stood out. He was only sixteen, the other two men in their twenties. He frowned, his good mood somewhat diminishing at the thought. Stupid man, he glowered in his mind.
They stopped in a pack of people to cross the street at an intersection. They walked into the park.
"So," Hunter said casually as they walked through the park, tall, leafy trees covering the gray sky, "what are we going to do?"
"Dunno," Cub said. "Nothing does sound tempting though."
"Agreed," that was from Wolf.
"But, then again, nothing is boring," Cub mussed.
"Well, maybe we should do something but not something that takes effort," Hunter reasoned.
Cub snorted. "God, we really are bad at this. I mean, come on! We're in London and we can't think of one thing to do."
Wolf and Hunter laughed too. None of them were used to having free time. Everyday, no, every hour, of their past two years had been busy and planned, right down to the minute.
"Well then you think of something, Ben." It took Cub several seconds to figure out that Wolf was talking to him. "You're the one that used to live here," he reminded him.
"We could always go to…" Cub stopped his thought short. Wolf and Hunter looked each other questioningly. Cub stared down the path in front of him. There was a group of five teens, all laughing at something one of the boys had just said, walking right towards them.
Cub's stomach tightened in pain.
My old friends.
There was Tom; he'd grown his dark hair out. Ayden, his blonde hair cut in the 'skater' style and blowing in the breeze as he threw his back and laughed. Josh, his dark hair was still short but in need of a trim. And then there was Hailey, still skinny and pretty, her once long, blonde hair cropped short now, styled similar to how Jules in Bend It Like Beckham had worn her hair. They were all taller and clearly older, Tom, Ayden and Josh being more broad shouldered and muscled. And there was a girl that Cub did not recognize. She was tall and slim; she had tan skin and straight brown hair that was held in a high ponytail, she walked swiftly and with confidence. She was American.
"Do what?" Hunter prompted when Cub still did not answer.
Cub tried to reply but his mouth just moved up and down, like a fish out of water. His voice had escaped him. He tried to tear his eyes away from them – he couldn't, wouldn't think 'friends' – but he couldn't. Tom, still laughing, looked forwards.
"Walk the other direction," Cub said quickly. Spinning on his heel he began to walk in the direction that they had just come.
Wolf and Hunter followed him in slight confusion. "What's going on?" Wolf demanded.
Cub didn't look back behind them. Tom had seen him; he knew that much for sure. He heard the laughing from the group stop.
"Yeah, those people back there? Yeah, well they were my friends two years ago and they'll recognize me if we go that way," Cub explained in a hurry.
Wolf stared at Cub for a long moment, analyzing the expression on his face. "Are you… scared, Cub?" Wolf hardly seemed to believe.
"No," Cub said quickly, refusing to admit that he was scared of seeing them again and their reactions to the two older men. "They'll just recognize me, is all," he claimed. "I don't look that different."
They had stopped walking by that time, Wolf and Hunter had cut off Cub's escape route.
"We're not running away from anything," Hunter said in a hushed voice. "We're not scared of anything, remember? We trained to be fearless. I will not run away from a couple of sixteen-year-olds," he said firmly. "We're going that way," Hunter pointed over Cub's shoulder.
"He's right, Cub," Wolf agreed. "Remember your training. And if they say anything to you, just ignore it," Wolf advised.
"Fine," Cub sighed in defeat. He could clearly see that he was fighting a loosing battle.
Wolf turned back the direction that had originally been walking in. Hunter joined him on his left and Cub moved to his right. They began to walk forwards again. Cub kept his eyes fixed firmly ahead of himself, refusing to look to the side where he would pass right by them. He felt their eyes all on him. They passed the group of five quickly and with outstanding ease.
Cub thought that they were free until a voice called out behind them.
"Alex?" It was Tom, Cub kept walking. "Alex Rider?" Tom called again, this time more insistently.
"Just ignore it, Cub," Wolf encouraged Cub. "You're not Alex Rider, Alex Rider is dead. You are, for today at least, Ben Rhodes. You know no one by the name Alex Rider."
Cub nodded briefly.
They heard not another word from Tom and the others as they walked through the park and finally out of it. They spent their morning doing mindless things. They went into random shops but did nothing. There was no more trouble and Cub was enjoying himself and his free time in London. He was determined to make the most of the rest of the day. There was no ore trouble.
It had started to drizzle so they stopped at a local pizza and sandwich place for lunch. The hostess showed them to a booth by the windows. Cub smirked at the glances she cast at Wolf and Hunter. Wolf sat on one side of the booth and Hunter and Cub sat on the other side. The hostess handed them their silver wear wrapped in paper napkins and their menus.
"And you thought Blunt and Jones were disgusting," Cub finally burst out laughing when the hostess had gone back to here station to help the next set of customers.
Wolf reached across the table and hit Cub on the head with his menu. "Don't you even start with that again," he warmed but there was laughter in his voice. Cub laughed louder. "I'm serious, Benjamin," he mocked, "You'll make me loose my appetite."
"Well then, Joshua—" Cub started but Wolf interrupted him.
"That's where you're wrong, Benjamin," Wolf laughed. "I'm only Josh, remember?"
Cub felt a spur of childishness humor flow through him and could not resist the urge to stick his tongue out at Wolf.
Wolf raised an eyebrow. "Bite me."
"I'd much rather not," Cub returned with a smile.
"It is lost to me as why in the world you two were chosen for this," Hunter remarked casually, never taking his eyes off of his menu, which he was pretending to study with great care.
"Well, Daniel," Cub kept the trend going and emphasized Hunter's name, "it just wouldn't be the same without us, you see," he grinned.
"That's for sure," Hunter said with his eyes still on the menu.
"Aw come on, Daniel," Cub mock whined, "you know you love us—"
Cub stopped short and Hunter's menu hit him square in the face. He rubbed his nose and glared at Hunter who had returned to reading his menu with the utmost of sincerity but there was a flash of mischievousness in his ice blue eyes.
"What was that for? Is it National-Hit-Cub-In-The-Face-Or-Head-With-Menus-Day or something?"
"I'm sorry to disappoint, darling Cub," Hunter started to say in a sincere voice, "but I do not 'roll that way'," he snickered behind his menu.
"What the hell are you on about now, Hunt?" Cub quirked an eyebrow and the other one shot right up to join it momentarily. "Ew, no. You have a disturbing mind, Daniel."
"You know, Cub, that today I've had more bad mental images thanks to you then ever before in my life, right?" Wolf said seriously.
"You know you enjoyed them, Josh-ua," Cub added the 'ua' and a wink for good measure.
"Alright then," Hunter put his menu down, "end of conversation. I am officially no longer hungry."
Cub was ready to fire out another one of his 'smart' replies when the feeling that several sets of eyes were on him and watching his every move became overpowering. He had a feeling that he could guess.
"Do I want to look behind me?" he asked Wolf.
"Not particularly," Wolf responded.
"Alright then." Cub picked up his menu and read through his options. He'd have a tough time deciding what to eat, everything sounded so good after the food they'd had for the past two years. He was convinced that he'd just have to order everything on the menu, good thing that MI6 was funding there 'day on the town', he could rack up quite the bill eating.
Cub drummed his fingers uncomfortably on the table; he never did like people staring at him. He'd gotten used to it but there had been no one to stare in the past two years and now it was starting again.
"I'm sorry," Wolf finally spoke up, "can we help you with something?" There was an edge to his voice.
Hunter turned his head to look at the booth behind them. Cub turned his head to look too. Indeed it was the group of five teens they'd seem earlier – not his friends, he had no friends besides Hunter and Wolf, these were just people. He didn't meet the eyes that stared at him. He glanced at Hailey and accidentally looked up. She gasped. He looked away.
"Can I help you with something?" Wolf asked again, his voice harder this time.
No one answered.
"We're just trying to enjoy our lunch," Hunter spoke up this time. "Is there a reason as to why you are staring at us?"
"I'm sorry," Tom was finally the one to speak. "It's just that you… friend," he glanced at Cub, "reminds us very much of one of our old friends."
"Me?" Cub asked, feigning innocence. Tom nodded his head but remained silent. "I'm afraid I do not know you though…"
"His name is… was," Tom looked confused and shook his head, "is Alex Rider. We have—haven't seen him in two years but you look just like him."
Cub was silent for a moment before speaking. "I'm sorry but I do not know of this Alex Rider."
"What's your name then?" Hailey's sweet voice joined the conversation with a challenge.
Cub looked at her briefly before replying in a nonchalant way, "My name is Ben Rhodes."
a/n: well there ya go. Hope it was okay. I kind of rushed through the end but oh well. I could have more with Alex's friends in the next chapter, if you want. Or I could do the last scene and the park in his friends POV or something. Depends what I feel like. The ext update will be sooner though. Review! -Steph