Chapter 7, chance of a lifetime
Satisfied, Yassen gestured to a steel ladder bolted to the wall of a nearby apartment.
"It's too dangerous to go out onto the open street; we'll climb this to the penthouse. Ivana will go first."
Mentally cursing ladders and the day in general, Alex waited until Ivana was a distance ahead, and then began to haul himself up. Already, Ivana had reached the 2nd storey and showed no sign of slowing down. Below him, Yassen climbed effortlessly. Finally, after what seemed like hours of climbing, Alex dragged his aching body over the lip of the penthouse balcony. He slowly stood, just in time to see Yassen catapult over the edge, landing neatly on the balls of his feet. Alex grunted in reluctant admiration of the man's athletic ability. Ivana waited by a glass door impatiently, blades still extended (Alex understood now how the girl climbed so quickly). Yassen noted Alex's uneasy observation of Ivana.
"I wouldn't worry about Ivana; she doesn't lay a finger on anyone unless I say so."
Despite Yassen's words, Ivana smiled coldly, her pretty face twisting into an adult's cynical expression.
"However, if Yassen does give the word…" She trailed off, slashing at the air. Her blades seemed to rend the very air itself.
Frowning, Yassen produced a key card and swiped it in the pad over the door.
"Ivana, I would expect you to treat a guest more respectfully, especially a guest like Alex."
Alex still felt confused.
"And exactly why am I a guest?"
Ivana smiled sweetly (For some reason, this scared Alex more then the threatening) and sat on a nearby stool. She went on work on the computer next to it.
"Hmmmm…" She mused.
Yassen gestured to a chair for Alex before looking up.
"Yes?" He sounded slightly annoyed.
Ivana quickly scanned through the screen.
"It seems $1,000 doesn't by loyalty from the average stranger, our thief's tipped off MI6, seems he was an informant. They'll be here in about 7 minutes."
Frowning a little, Yassen turned back to Alex.
"Right, I think we'll make this brief then."
Feeling annoyed, Alex half shouted,
"What?! Do what briefly???"
Ivana piped up, "Six and a half minutes…"
Yassen paused, and jumped right in.
"We want to offer you a chance to take your life back from MI6."
Still not getting it, Alex gave the Russian a questioning glance.
"Drop MI6, work with us stupid!" Ivana spat out. "5 minutes!"
Incredulous shock spread through Alex.
"W-what?!" he burst out. "Why would I work with a psychotic girl who threatens to injure me grievously every second and the man who killed my uncle and countless others?" He ignored Ivana as she shot him a look of pure venom. Sighing lightly, Yassen answered his question.
"MI6 has used you, threatened and blackmailed you. Working with us will protect you from that, surely that's worth a little moral discomfort. Also, this way you can get revenge if you wish."
Alex looked suspiciously at the Russian.
"What happens if I say no?" he asked. Yassen looked amused for a moment.
"Nothing, you can wait for your MI6 friends. I'm sure they'll be pleased to discover you after two years."
Raising an eyebrow, Alex spoke.
"I guess they're all good points, but you're not answering one of my questions Yassen."
It was the first time Alex had addressed Yassen by first name and that seemed to affect the Russian.
Giving an annoyed sigh, Yassen answered him.
"Yes, your uncle. I killed him and that's that. I can't change the past however much you may wish it. Working with us, well, that's something you'll have to adjust to. Killing is part of the lives of many."
Alex spoke again; a question had popped into his head.
"Two years ago, you said killing was for adults not children. What makes you think 16 is any less of a child then 14?"
Yassen gazed levelly at Alex.
"Nothing, except for the fact that you've achieved a little more since I said that to you. That is, if you call saving the world 'little'."
Ivana spoke tersely, "Decide quickly Rider, we have two and a half minutes."
Everything came down to this, Alex realized. It was true that happy moments were few and far between while MI6 had the power to control him, but Alex knew school wasn't what he wanted anymore. Besides, wasn't he constantly told it was in his blood to do something like this? Finally, he looked up slowly and addressed the other two who were already getting ready to move out.
"Count me in." Alex said quietly.
Pleased, Yassen spoke.
"We need to go now then; MI6 may already know where we are."
It was then the bullets began to pour in through the windows and door.