A/N Thanks go to Utemia for helping with this chapter. Sorry for the long wait – I didn't like what I wrote originally, writers block. So here is V.2. Hopefully you guys like it : ) …sorry for the lack of K-Unit, they have to wait until next chapter, they didn't really fit in with this one : (
- Here's teh Beta'd version D Thanks go to CunningMascara again : )
Disclaimer: Do I look like Anthony Horowitz to you???? …the answer I'm looking for is 'no' - I'm a girl in case you didn't realise.
Seeing the tearful face of his best friend's mother, Alex immediately went into shock. Why was she here? Where was Tom? Was MI6 involved? Did MI6 know? Alex's mind was being bombarded with questions, none of which he really wanted answering. He didn't want to know, he didn't want it to be real.
'Mrs Harris?' he eventually managed to stutter 'what's wrong? Where's Tom?' he felt ill. He dreaded the answer, it was inevitably bad news.
Jack stood up and came over to him. Speaking quietly, and in a worrying calm manner, she explained the situation to Alex.
'Alex, I don't know how to say this but,' she paused, looking over at Mrs Harris who briefly nodded, signalling that Alex had to be told 'Tom's been kidnapped.' She held her breath, waiting for Alex to respond.
Automatically, Alex began to think of other solutions.
'Are you sure? He might just be staying at another friend's house…' seeing Jacks face, Alex gave up. 'How do you know? Who signed the letter?'
Jack paused, as if considering her answer carefully. Suddenly, Mrs Harris spoke for the first time since Alex had arrived.
Her voice was strained, and she was clearly fighting back the tears. 'I couldn't go to the police, they're watching me. They gave me a letter, they took him…but they want you.' The last part of this sounded accusing. She was blaming Alex.
His first instinct was to defend himself, but thinking rationally he knew it was true. They had taken his best friend to get at him. They had the leverage, and now he had to comply. But who were 'they'?
'Where's the letter? Can I see it please?' Alex struggled to take control of the situation. He wasn't used to this sort of thing. He had never been in this position before. How was he supposed to react? He tried to suppress his emotions and act rationally. This was no time to panic.
It took a while for Mrs Harris to react. Shakily she reached for a pocket inside her coat. When she withdrew her hand, she was clutching a worn piece of paper; the letter. She had clearly looked at it often and, when Alex looked closer, tear drops had smudged the ink. It was still legible and that was what mattered.
'I would have done something sooner,' she choked – almost in tears 'but they're going to kill him. Its only you they want'
Alex felt a sense of numbness as if this wasn't really happening. Only once had Jack been involved and that was not something he wanted happening again. But now his enemies had caught up with him, and were taking revenge in the worst possible way - blackmail.
This was why 'official' spies never had a real life. In this business you couldn't afford to get close to people, it gave the enemy leverage over you. It could be the difference between life and death.
Alex began to read the letter. It was handwritten in elegant cursive text that just made the letter more sinister.
Dear Mrs Harris,
It is with regret that we must inform you that we have taken you're son. Should you make any attempt to contact the police or similar organisations regarding this matter, we will know immediately and be forced to eliminate him. We would like this to be avoided at all costs.
In return for your son's life, we want one thing only. Alex Rider. He has forty eight hours, from the time this letter was delivered, to hand himself over. Should he refuse, his friends will suffer the consequences. In forty eight hours exactly, you shall receive further instructions.
We repeat: any attempt to contact the police will result in the immediate death of your son
Yours faithfully,
VIPER
Reading the letter, Alex felt his blood run cold. They had given him only forty eight hours to respond to the letter. If he didn't, they would start taking other people. They were giving him no choice.
It wasn't just a ransom letter, it was directed at him. He knew who acted like this; Scorpia. They didn't just do kidnapping, they used people. They made it personal.
However, Alex knew that kidnapping him may have been dangerous for them, and chances were that they did not appreciate being beaten by a fourteen year old boy. This was much worse for Alex. They meant to humiliate him; he would have to surrender to the very people he had beaten. They weren't playing fair, but playing fair wasn't their style.
The only thing that got him was the signature; not Scorpia but VIPER.
Looking up from the letter, Alex noticed Jacks worried expression.
'Alex, I know what you're thinking but don't get involved. It's not you're fault. MI6 can handle it this time, you don't have to. They owe you. Especially that Blunt guy, he owes you his job. Let him deal with it.'
Alex looked at her questioningly, she was almost angry but her concern made it seem less like a threat.
She was one of the only people that truly cared about him. He felt a rush of affection for the woman standing in front of him. She was more like the big sister he didn't have than anything, but it was the fact that she cared – really cared – and had supported him through thick and thin that meant so much to him.
He reached out and gave her hand an affectionate squeeze.
'I know Jack, I really do. But I have to do this. They're going to take other kids – people I know. It is my fault Jack…' Seeing jacks expression harden he stopped mid sentence before changing his mind and continuing. 'But I'll talk to MI6 first if you think it'll work. They will help. They have to.'
Without giving Jack a chance to protest, he turned and stormed out through the door, leaving a confused Mrs Harris and an outraged Jack. Alex felt a wave of anger. How dare they drag him back intotheir world, he didn't want anything to do with it but it wouldn't leave him alone. It seemed that danger hung at every corner waiting – just for him.
He didn't have time to think of his SAS followers nor did he notice the sensation of being watched, he was too busy thinking of a way to get into MI6 unnoticed. The kidnappers couldn't know he had seen MI6 – Toms life may depend on it.
Alex had wandered the streets of Chelsea, for just over half an hour. Dressed in his hoody and torn jeans, with a less than pleasant expression, he had managed to scare quite a few people.
Now, approaching a bus stop, he stopped suddenly and sat down on the bench. He had no intention to take the bus, he just wanted to sit down and think. In half an hour he had made no progress, for the first time in the last year he had no idea what to do.
He had believed 'thinking' to be a simple procedure. However, in this instance, it was not. He was dealing with professional criminals, ruthless killers who probably weren't going to underestimate him.
No costume or disguise would ever be adequate. It was highly likely that they would be watching the 'Royal and General Bank' just in case. If they even thought that Alex had been there they would kill Tom.
It just wasn't a risk Alex was prepared to take.
Suddenly, in a moment of what Alex considered pure genius, the solution came to him. K-unit was supposed to be there to protect and help him, after all.
At the same time, thirty miles away, a badly burned and scarred man adjusted his eye patch and sat down at a large table surrounded by some of the world's most deadly minds.
This was only the second meeting of VIPER – set up by members of Scorpia and the Chinese triads, the newly created organisation specialised in revenge.
Viper's first project was the reconstructing the reputations of the Chinese triads and Scorpia; reinstating them as the worlds most feared and powerful criminal organisations in the world – at whatever cost.
It was rare for criminal organisations to work together, but not unheard of.
The eight people sitting in the bare but regal room had very little in common. Yet, that which they did have in common was what kept them from killing each other at these meetings. They needed each other. Alone, they stood little chance of achieving their goals. Together, anything was possible. And that was why they were chosen.
'Phase one is complete' a raspy voice broke through the icy silence that had filled the room for the past ten minutes. 'The mission was a success. We have the child and the letter has been delivered.' The speaker now had the attention of everyone in the room. He had a slightly Russian accent that was almost masked by the hoarse quality from damaged vocal cords.
It seemed that he was in charge of this operation and everyone in the room knew why. Alex Rider was the reason the man looked as he did – an accident involving a sea-plane was what they were told. But people in intelligence did their research – there was more to it than they had been told.
'How do we know that he will follow through? He has bettered us before, what makes you think he will give in now?' It was one of the women who had spoken. Her name was Elena Huck, she had worked for Scorpia for the past five years slowly making her way up the food chain to the assistant of one of the executives only last year. Now she was here.
She had an icy and precise voice that seemed to match her appearance; plain brown hair was swept into a severe bun, with thin, black rimmed spectacles resting on the bridge of her nose. Despite her clothes giving the impression of a receptionist, her face gave nothing away.
'I know him. He will not sacrifice his friends – he is too much of a gentleman' The Russian laughed quietly almost as though it was an inside joke. 'He makes friends easily, but he does not like to loose them. My son would know about that.' The man went quiet, the last part of his sentence almost unheard. Almost.
'We cannot allow this to become personal.' This time it was The Dragon who spoke. The small Chinese man rose from his chair. 'We need to be serious. We must take another child. Soon' The last word was spoken with emphasis – challenging the leader. For once his dark eyes seemed almost alive. Anger sparked in them, the thirst for revenge driving him on.
'We gave the boy only forty eight hours yes?' Seeing thoughtful nods around the table, he continued 'The time is almost come. We must follow through with the threat. And I know just what has to be done.'
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A/N: I wasn't too happy with the last chapter but, despite being a bit short, hopefully this is an improvement – it's leading up to something big laughs evilly XD
but for future reference, the chase bit was to show that he could avoid MI6 and make a point to K-Unit…and for a bit of fun. But more importantly it kept him out the house for a morning – making seeing Toms Mum more of a surprise. Hopefully you guys didn't hate it too much.
Silver Queen: hopefully, the above answers your questions. But it is sorta important later on. Thanks for the advice, I'll try to sort it out : )
SheWeapon1: Glad you like it : ) and to answer your question, Jack may disappear… soon.
PsychoWing: yup, they will probably be very angry… and I'm thinking that Alex's school will be involved indirectly – if you know what I mean – just friends rather than a complete takeover. I don't think they will find out too much about Alex either – the story goes on… : )
Jake CaldeforeThank you, and as for the organisation I decided on VIPER. – You shall find out what it means later...Maybe. : ) Thanks for the advice. Glad you liked the chapter.
CMT1992If things go as planned, Alex will find K-Unit in the next chapter, but I don't think they will attempt to kidnap him…yet. : ) Glad you're enjoying it so far.
CunningMascara: Thanks again for being my beta : )
Gold is powerNext chapter, hopefully, will involve a lot more K-Unit. I had hoped to have them in this chapter, but the story wrote itself again. Lol. Hope you like the chappie though : )