Admittedly the plan wasn't the best one ever. In fact, it could hardly be called a plan. With the limited knowledge they had and the fact they were running on low energy with two of them injured, it was more a case of just trying to get attention from the outside world than truly escape. It was for this reason it was decided that when (if) they managed to get loose inside the underground building they would split up. Ben and Eagle would go looking for a computer room where Ben should be able to hack into the computers to contact MI6 while Snake, Wolf and Alex would go about seeing whether there was any way to get outside. They weren't stupid; there were many, many issues with this plan. Not only would the Scorpia agents most likely be shooting to kill if they were found but should one group find an exit then they had no means of contacting the other group to tell them about it. It was extremely flawed, but it was the best they could come up with.

They got the chance to put their plan into action a few hours later after they'd fortunately been given more food and water. There were four men like the previous time and two of them entered. Like they'd agreed, no one surrounded Alex and Snake and Wolf sat passively by the wall, one either side of the door. Just as the men had taken Alex's arms Snake and Wolf struck. Leaning back against the wall, they pushed back to give their legs momentum so they propelled into the backs of the two men's knees. Both of them tipped forward and Ben and Eagle, who had been on either side of Alex, elbowed the men's faces, causing one of their noses to break with a loud crack. The two men who had been waiting outside went in to help their fallen comrades but Wolf and Snake expected this so the moment one stepped through, Snake grabbed his legs and Wolf did the same to the other. Eagle, Ben and Alex, who had rendered the first two unconscious, did the same to Wolf and Snake's captives until the four Scorpia members were left on the ground out cold.

"Did anyone else think that was a bit too easy?" Wolf asked, a bit breathless.

"Yeah," Ben answered, the corners of his mouth turned down with displeasure. "But we still have to take this chance. Let's move." They stripped the men of their weapons, each of them carrying a stolen taser except Alex.

The two groups split up, moving in opposite directions and they quickly found that though the corridors were long, winding and near identical, this made it useful to hide from any stray Scorpia agents. Sound echoing along the corridors was both a blessing and a hindrance. It meant that they could easily hear if someone was approaching but they also had to keep their footsteps as light as possible to avoid alerting anyone to their presence. This wasn't easy for Alex, whose injuries didn't make walking an easy task, but Snake was there for him to lean on.

Wolf peered around the corner and nodded – the all clear signal. They scurried through the corridor until they heard voices. Wolf directed them into the next available turning and they pressed their backs against the wall as the three workers passed. For all intents and business purposes they looked like regular businessmen, not evil criminals, and Alex wondered what sort of thing took place in the building they were in.

They carried on their way forward. They had no real idea of where they were actually going except that Alex was making sure they kept away from the torture room.

"This place seems endless," Snake muttered.

"Quiet. I'm sure we'll find a lift or stairs soon," Wolf said.

True to statement, they came across a lift no less than five minutes later and even though it looked pretty shoddy and rusty, it was the best thing Alex had ever seen and hope suddenly filled in him.

"Don't get your hopes up just yet Cub," Wolf warned, as if reading Alex's thoughts. "For all we know this might need a key card."

Alex really, really hoped it didn't but then they had tasers, if they used it on someone passing they would most likely have one they could use. Then they'd be able to get out and get help for Eagle and Ben. Checking no one was around, the trio hurried towards the elevator and Wolf jabbed his finger on the up button. The next few seconds were spent with bated breath until the sound of the elevator landing sent relief running through them. This relief was short-lived.

"Well done! You managed to make it to the exit. Such a shame that you weren't expecting me now isn't it?"

Puma. Snake didn't hesitate in pulling out his taser and pressing it against Puma's shirt but instead of being electrocuted, he gave a loud booming laugh.

"Carbon-fibre clothing," he said, tugging at his coat. "Very effective protection against tasers. Sorry guys, but that's not going to work on me."

"Well fists still work!" Wolf said; preparing to punch Puma except Puma caught Wolf's fist in his hand.

"Uh uh uh," he sung. "I wouldn't do that if I were you."

"Why-"

At some point during the surprise of meeting Puma, more people had arrived surrounding them from all directions. Handcuffed and in the midst of Scorpia agents were Ben and Eagle. Kameko was right behind them.

"Well boys, you did do very well. I'd say I was surprised you made it but that would be stretching it a bit, this was all orchestrated after all. Really, did you honestly think we wouldn't have placed a camera in your cell? Regardless, you did well but I really cannot allow this sort of behaviour to continue though this isn't the best place to have a conversation. Please, follow me."

Ben and Eagle were led behind her and Puma came up to Alex, a tight painful grip on his arm. He gave Alex a smug grin. "Get a move on; don't want to keep the boss waiting."

Alex made sure to keep his breath even as Puma forced him forward even though all the hope that had filled him only minutes before was replaced with anxiety and dread. It didn't take long for him to recognise the path they were taking as one to the office. Once they were all inside, Kameko stood behind her desk but didn't sit down.

"I can't have this Alex," Kameko said with a sigh. "I was going to give you a bit longer to decide and explain to you the benefits of your association but you've forced my hand. Final offer, will you join Scorpia?"

Alex looked to K-Unit and Ben but none of their expressions betrayed their thoughts. Even though he knew he could say yes and try to escape that way, he knew it didn't guarantee K-Unit and Ben's safety. He couldn't even guarantee his own safety if he said yes. Who knew what they would want him to do and what they would do if he said no then. He just couldn't risk saying yes.

"No."

The words rang like a death sentence, which they most likely were. Kameko gave him a disappointed look.

"Such a shame to see such potential wasted," she lamented. "But it is what it is. I now have two options. I can dispose of you myself or go back to my original plan and sell you to the highest bidder." She went silent momentarily. "You have impressed me Alex. A regular death is far too ordinary for the likes of you and I also don't want to lose you just yet. How about you decide your own fate?"

Alex didn't know what she meant by that and Kameko continued when he made no response. "As you have probably guessed I have Asian heritage, Japanese to be precise. I've always found myself interested in the history of my native country and one thing that always fascinated me most were the Samurai's, medieval military nobility. Of course, they're very rare now but that's not to say I didn't manage to find one. I have always wanted to use Hiro for something. I think I have found the perfect opportunity. Alex, how would you like to fight Hiro? Should you survive I will reconsider what I do with you. Should you die, well, then you'll be dead but I will have got a good show out of it." She shrugged. "What do you say Alex?"

"I say that my answer probably won't change anything," Alex responded. Kameko laughed.

"Very true. Well, I'll need some time to get everything set up. Enjoy your time together; it'll be your last chance."

Kameko nodded to her workers and they were taken out of the room. It wasn't that long a trip back to the cell, but it felt like an age because Puma wouldn't shut up. He kept murmuring to Alex at how he was looking forward to seeing him fight, to see the 'great and mighty Cub' finally lose his luck. The words didn't bother him so much, he'd tuned him out from the beginning, but Puma's grating voice and warm putrid breath was getting on Alex's nerves and he was extremely close to lashing out. Taser be damned.

They reached the cell before Alex did anything he wouldn't regret but his body might. Puma shoved him to the ground with a sneer before he left with the other Scorpia agents.

"We'll get out of this," Ben promised and Alex raised an eyebrow.

"How can you be so sure? We've probably got a day at most before I've got to fight that Samurai guy and look at me, I'm hardly in fighting shape. I couldn't even beat Puma before this," Alex said self-deprecatingly.

"Enough," Wolf ordered and his loud voice made them all jump. "We are not going to die in this fucking place, you are not going to die," he said, staring at Alex. "You are going to fight this Hiro person and you are going to win."

"Wolf-" Alex started but was quickly interrupted.

"No Alex. You are not giving up before it's even started. We will figure something out."

"Wolf's right," Eagle said quietly. "We have to remain optimistic about this."

"Yeah," Snake agreed. "Everything will work out."

"How do you know that?" Alex cried with frustration. There was being optimistic, and then there was being bloody idiotic.

"Because if we give up now then we might as well die in here right this moment! You've just got to have faith Alex. Faith that somehow, we'll get out of here," Ben said.

Alex's eyes dropped. He understood where they were coming from, he really did but he just couldn't see any viable means of escape. Then again, he'd been in these situations a lot so perhaps they were right. A yawn caught him unawares and Ben told him he should sleep.

"You need your energy," he told Alex. Alex agreed and had barely rested his head before he was dead to the world. It had felt like he'd barely fallen asleep when the door opened.

"It's time."

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