Another chapter! Its kind of slow still but we're going to be getting into the actual plot soon.
Disclaimer: Nope and nada.
The next morning Alex woke up around seven o' clock. After hovering in between sleep and wakefulness for around an hour he crawled out of bed and threw on a dark pair of jeans and a light blue t-shirt before heading downstairs to the hotel restaurant for breakfast.
After acquiring toast, a muffin, and a glass of orange juice, Alex sat at a table in the back with a pretty good view of the whole room. Since he didn't have to meet Mrs. Jones until nine thirty, Alex decided to "people watch". People watching is basically what it sounds like: you watch individuals and make up stories about them. It was something Alex picked up in America, and it kept him observant and entertained. It was something to pass the time until he had to leave.
When nine o' clock rolled around Alex glanced outside and saw that is was sunny and bright. He decided to walk the short distance to the Royal and General. Twenty minutes later Alex was seated in front of Mrs. Jones desk preparing for his briefing.
"Alex," Mrs. Jones began "I know that Crawley gave you the basic rundown of the situation with Schrecklich, but there are a few more details that I'd like us to go over."
Alex nodded.
"Firstly, Mr. Crawley neglected to mention that Schrecklich manufactures cosmetics and anti-ageing serums. His company is called J&S Cosmetics, perhaps you've heard of them?"
The name sounded familiar but Alex wasn't exactly an expert in make-up brands.
"Anyway," Mrs. Jones continued "his brands are popular around the world and one month from now he will be re-releasing all their products with a special new ingredient. We were tipped off that the "special ingredient" might be a poison, or something of that sort, but none of our agents were able to get close enough to find anything out."
"The second thing is that there have been a around 1000 reported cases of disappearances of people from both Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic. Now, the majority of the people who have disappeared were homeless or runaways. However there have also been reports of travelers and backpackers going missing as well. There is evidence that the two events are related, but we're not sure how. Is Schrecklich testing on them? And if so, why so many? Whatever the cause, we need you to go in and figure this out." Mrs. Jones explained.
Alex's mind was already spinning with different theories, each more disturbing than the last.
"Next is the matter of your alias," she continued, sliding a manila folder across the table "Alex Hudson, son of American multi-millionaire Samuel Hudson, fifty-four, and brother to Sam Hudson, nineteen. Everything you need to know is in that envelope."
All the time Mrs. Jones was speaking Alex was pouring over the contents of the folder. First was the photographs. Mr. Hudson was a handsome man with graying blonde hair and dark eyes and his son Sam was an attractive young man with shaggy golden hair and hazel eyes. The rest was random information that Alex was expected to know, being the son of a very wealthy man. One small piece of information stood out to Alex, though. Mr. Hudson's wife had died around four years ago in a car accident. Alex automatically sympathized with the son, Sam.
Alex was then informed that he would be meeting Mr. Hudson and Sam for lunch that day, then he would spend the rest of the day, and the whole next one as well, with the two men. He and Mr. Hudson would then be leaving on Wednesday morning for a two-week stay in Grauenhaft, about 5 miles south of Straubing.
Alex had those two weeks to discover what was going on without getting caught. He would then contact MI6 and they would come, sweep in, and do whatever necessary to resolve the threat.
Alex wanted to laugh. Since when had that ever happened?
Finally Mrs. Jones dismissed him to go see Smithers.
Alex hurried down the familiar corridor to his old friends office and knocked twice.
A gently accented voice invited him in.
Alex didn't know why he was surprised. He really didn't.
The man standing in front of him looked around 60 years old, with a full head of silver hair, many wrinkles, and a slightly stooped posture. He looked like an English professor.
Nevertheless, when he saw Alex he practically jumped out of his seat with the speed of someone half his age.
Alex could see through the disguise. He knew that a youngish Scottish man was under there somewhere.
After a happy greeting Smithers lifted a small satchel, around the size of a laptop case and set it on the table.
It was, in fact, a laptop. Well, not just a laptop, of course. It was equipped with a tracking device, direct contact to Mrs. Jones, some removable keys that coupled as small explosives or smoke bombs depending on the letter, and a spare battery that could function as a hand grenade.
Alex was thoroughly impressed.
He was also given a phone that he could use anywhere in the world, underwater, or even in space. It momentarily reminded him of Ash, but he shrugged off that thought and thanked Mr. Smithers.
He left the Royal and General with a lot to think about.
When Alex returned to his hotel he quickly packed up and changed his clothes into something more formal, a pair of black slacks and a white button-up. At precisely 12.30 there was a knock at the door. It was a busboy coming to take his luggage and inform Alex that the Hudsons were waiting for him.
When Alex emerged from the hotel there was a black Lincoln Town car waiting for him. As soon as he climbed in he was being zoomed across the city, and a few minutes later they stopped outside a very expensive looking restaurant.
Alex climbed out and made his way to the front door. After entering he was immediately led to a table for three in a far corner of the restaurant. Two of the places were already occupied by the Hudsons.
"Ah, Alex!" cried Mr. Hudson, gesturing the boy to sit. While Alex was taking his seat Mr. Hudson introduced his son. The two boys shook hands. From there Alex did his best to make small talk, and Mr. Hudson was more than happy to speak. Sam was much quieter and Alex got the feeling that the young man was embarrassed. After lunch the three left the restaurant and headed to the apartment the Hudsons stayed at while they were in England.
It was on the top floor of a 50 story building. Actually it was the top floor of a 50 story building. It was decorated in a very modern style which Alex found rather drab. The colors were mainly blacks, blues, whites, and chrome. The room that Alex was going to be staying in was dark blue with a crème colored ceiling.
After Alex settled in he decided to go look for Sam. He didn't have to look far. As soon as he entered the hallway he heard the sounds of a guitar coming from the farthest room on his right. When Alex finally reached the end of the hallway and entered the room he found Sam strumming away at an acoustic guitar, eyes closed. Sam clearly didn't notice Alex, so for a minute Alex just watched the older boy play. He seemed so serene and calm. Alex envied him.
When Sam finally finished the song he opened his eyes and jumped in shock, seeing Alex lounging against the door frame.
There was an awkward silence.
"You're really good…" said Alex finally.
"Uh…thanks…" replied Sam, running his fingers through his pale hair.
"So I take it that you don't want to be an investor." guessed Alex with a small smile.
"Not at all," said Sam, relaxing slightly.
Alex already knew that he and Sam would be getting along rather famously.
That night and the next day passed very quickly. The boys had become fast friends and had spent the day doing teenage boy stuff like playing video games and eating copious amounts of food. It made Alex miss Tom, but he was glad to have a friend who knew what it was like to be different, to be misunderstood. When Wednesday morning rolled around and Alex was preparing to leave, Sam cornered him and made him promise to get in touch as soon as he got back. Alex promised, and meant it.
I HATE WRITING DIALOGUE! Ok I feel better now. So I really like Sam (I can't tell you much without giving the plot away but I'm conflicted as to what I'm going to do with this character, cause he's going to be back later on.), and in case there is any Glee fans out there, yes I based the looks of my character off of theirs. Mine is way smarter though. Anyway, I am excited to comfirm that there will be YASSEN in the next chapter! And the plot is going to pick up its pace dramatically! Review please!