boy it great to know this is back: original and where it belongs

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Alex sat on the plane. He was heading off to Julies Port in South Africa. Another assignment from MI6 had brought him that far and he wished he could turn back. But it was to late now.

Smithers had given him gadgets. Blunt filled him in on his new identity. And Mrs. Jones was sitting next to him. She was suppose to be like a guardian or nanny. He looked up at her. He couldn't understand how she could let his life be put in danger like this. She said she cared, but he didn't think so.

They were preparing to land at the airport. Mrs. Jones leaned over, "Now remember, Alex, after you collect your suitcase, there will be bus waiting for you." Alex was half listening. She already told him this a hundred times.

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Alex stood outside the airport. He didn't see anyone who could possibly be from the school. He sighed. It couldn't get worse then this. He really hoped so.

"Alex?!" A voice came from behind him. He turned around. There was James Sprintz. Alex meant James when he was posing as a delinquent at Point Blanc Academy. James walked up to him, "Well, isn't this funny. Me and the great Alex Rider meet again."

Alex smiled. "Hi, James." Alex shook James hand, "What are you doing here?"

"After what happened at Point Blanc, my father didn't want anything like that happening again. So he's shipping me off to some school. I think the names…uh… Grace Royal Academy."

Alex's mouth dropped open. He smiled, "That's where I'm going."

"Really?" James scratched his head, "Why?"

Alex forgot. James knew Alex was a spy. He leaned in to whisper to James, "From now on, my names Johnny. Johnny Townes. I'm on a mission, if you know what I mean."

It took James a minute, but then he remembered. "I got you, Al…, I mean, Johnny." James winked to let Alex knew he understood.

Just at that minute, a black limousine pulled in. A tall, dark skinned man stepped out of the drivers side. He walked over to the boys, "Are you going to Grace Royal Academy?" The boys looked at each other and then back at the man. They nodded. "Good, I'm Killenger. I'll be taking you there." He walked to the limo and opened the back door.

"I might like this school." Whispered James.

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The ride to the school was long and boring. Alex and James had ran out of things to say after catching up on everything. They looked out the window. The had left Julies Port and headed into the dry desert. Alex guessed they built the school there so it was harder to find.

Suddenly, they saw the school. It looked almost like a small town. There was various buildings and people walking around. They pulled into the school grounds. The limo pulled in front of the biggest building and stopped. A short woman with brown hair walked over to them as they stepped out.

"Welcome!" She said with a big smile. She was young, maybe in her early thirties, and lively. "My name Mrs. Applegate. I'm the principal here at Grace Royal Academy. I've sent for a student to show you around. But until they show up, we'll talk in my office." She turned around and led them into the building. The first office was hers. When they entered, she gestured for them to sit down.

"Which one of you is Jonathan Townes?" She asked as she looked though files on her desk. Alex raised his hand. She smiled at him, "Nice to meet, John." She turned to James, "So, then your James Sprintz?" He nodded. She placed the papers down and looked at them, "What do you think of the school so far?"

"It's rather big." Said Alex, "I was expecting something smaller."

"So was I." James added.

Mrs. Applegate chuckled, "Well, we want to make sure the students here have everything they need." There was a knock at the door. Applegate stood up, "Come in."

The door opened. Standing in the door way was a black haired, dark skinned girl. Her hair was back in a bun and She was wearing a tank top with jean shorts. She pushed a loose strand of hair from her face, "You wanted to see me, Principal Applegate?" The girl had an American accent.

"Yes, Chloe. This is Jonathan Townes and James Sprintz. They just arrived here from London. I wanted you to show them the school and where their rooms are."

Chloe smiled, "I'd be happy to." Alex and James followed her out of the building and into the blinding sun. She turned to them, "As you already know, My name is Chloe Hall."

Alex looked at her. She seemed out of place, "How long have you been here?" He asked.

"I arrived two days ago." She answered, "It's not that hard to find your way around once you know where everything is."

James grinned, "That's good. I get lost easily."

Chloe laughed. She sighed and shrugged her shoulders, "I guess we must get on with the tour."

As they walked away, James elbowed Alex, "I think I'm going to really like this school."

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you know the drill...