Alex returned among his class just as Viper was in the middle of delivering a lecture on the various aspects of SAS training. The room was quiet, save for Viper's authoritative voice echoing through the barracks. All eyes turned to Alex as he slipped back into the room, and he could feel the weight of their gazes. He noticed the teachers hard looks following him as he did his best to look nonchalant, quickly taking a seat next to Tom.

"Nice of you to join us," Falcon commented behind Viper a faint trace of sarcasm in his tone. "Try to focus on the remaining lecture. This stuff is important to know before continuing with your visit here."

Alex gave a quick nod, doing his best to blend back in with the group. He caught Tom's concerned glance and shook his head.

Viper continued his voice commanding the attention of the students once more. "As I was saying, the SAS focuses on several key areas of training. Physical fitness is paramount. Every SAS soldier must be in peak physical condition. We run drills and exercises daily to ensure that we can handle the demanding nature of our missions."

He paused for a moment, scanning the room to make sure everyone was paying attention. "Combat skills are another crucial aspect. We train extensively in hand-to-hand combat, firearms, and other weaponry. Survival skills are also essential. Whether it's surviving in the wilderness, urban environments, or hostile territories, we need to be prepared for anything."

Viper's words were punctuated by the sound of students scribbling notes. Alex tried to focus on the lecture despite the thoughts swirling in his mind from his earlier conversation with Colonel Sanders. On the other hand, he was already familiar with the topics they were going through now.

"Medical training is another critical area. Every soldier needs to be capable of providing first aid and basic medical care in the field. Every unit usually has one designated medic, in our case Lynx." Lynx raised his hand in acknowledgement and Viper continued. "Nevertheless, basic medical knowledge is required from all the SAS unit members. Demolitions and breaching techniques are also part of our training. We need to be able to handle explosives and breach various types of barriers efficiently."

Alex felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to see Tom leaning closer.

"Where were you?" Tom whispered, concern evident in his eyes.

"Later", Alex said keeping his answer short to not get caught whispering again.

Tom nodded, though his worry didn't completely fade. They both turned their attention back to Viper, who was now discussing communication skills.

"Effective communication is vital," Viper said. "Whether it's coordinating with your team, sending encrypted messages, or gathering intelligence, clear and precise communication can make all the difference. Teamwork and leadership are key components of our training. Every member of the SAS needs to be able to lead when necessary and work seamlessly with their team."

As Viper continued, Alex's mind drifted briefly to his past training sessions with K-Unit. He felt the irony in Viper's words regarding seamless teamwork. That certainly wasn't part of his experience in this camp. His thoughts were interrupted when Viper moved on to the final point.

"Lastly, mental resilience. The life of an SAS soldier is incredibly demanding, both physically and mentally. We train to handle stress, fatigue, and high-pressure situations. The ability to stay calm and focused in the face of danger is crucial."

Viper's gaze swept over the students, ensuring that his message had sunk in. "These are the core aspects of our training. It's not easy, but it's what makes the SAS one of the most elite forces in the world. And today you'll get a peak of what it means in practice. Any questions?"

A few hands went up, and Viper began addressing the students' inquiries. Alex leaned back in his seat, absorbing the information and exchanged a glance with Tom, who gave him a small, reassuring smile.

Mark raised his hand high and spoke with enthusiasm. "How old do you have to be to apply to the SAS?"

Viper nodded, seemingly pleased with the question. "To apply to the SAS, you must be at least 18 years old and have already served a minimum of three years in the British Armed Forces. This usually means that no-one is actually accepted when they are only 18 years old since you would have to be at least 16 before joining British army. After the three years in service, you can apply to the SAS and you'll have to pass the selection. The selection process is extremely rigorous and designed to test both physical and mental endurance."

Alex felt a pang of irony. Here he was, not even close to the required age, yet he had already went through one of the phases of SAS selection and faced situations that demanded similar, if not the same, levels of skill and resilience.

Another student piped up next. "What's the hardest part of the training?"

Viper smiled slightly, as if remembering his own experiences. "That's a tough one. Every part of the training is challenging in its own way. But if I had to choose, I'd say the mental aspect is the hardest. The physical tasks are demanding, but it's the psychological pressure that really tests your limits."

Liam raised his hand and asked, "What kind of missions do you go on?"

Viper's expression changed to more serious one. "Our missions vary greatly, but they typically involve counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, and intelligence gathering. We're often deployed in situations that require discretion and precision. The details of our missions are classified, but they always demand the highest level of skill and discipline."

Alex listened intently, noting how the other students were fully engaged. Viper's answers were thorough and informative.

Sam, who had been quiet since the earlier confrontation, raised his hand and asked with a hint of skepticism, "Do you ever get scared?"

Viper's gaze met Sam's, his expression thoughtful. "Fear is a natural response. What matters is how you manage it. We train to control our fear, to use it to sharpen our focus rather than let it paralyze us. Courage isn't the absence of fear; it's the ability to act despite it."

There was a brief silence as the students absorbed this. Alex could feel the truth behind Viper's words. He had faced fear head-on more times than he cared to count. He thought about the nights when he lay awake, haunted by the faces of those who had threatened his life or the close calls that almost ended it. Absent mindedly, Alex rubbed his hand over the scar on his chest, the one from Scorpia sniper's bullet that was intended to kill him.

Then, Will raised his hand. "What's the most important quality for an SAS soldier?"

Viper smiled slightly. "Resilience. The ability to keep going no matter how tough things get. It's what separates those who succeed from those who don't. You have to be able to push through pain, fatigue, and doubt. It's about having the mental and physical strength to overcome any obstacle."

And that was exactly what made him so useful to MI6 for example Alex thought darkly. His mood was still low but he couldn't help but feel some kind of renewed sense of respect for the SAS and the dedication required of them. The thought that some were so eager to be part of the world he wanted to leave behind was hard to wrap his head around.

As the QA session wrapped up, Viper glanced at his watch. "Okay, we need to move on to the next part of your schedule. We'll start by splitting you into smaller groups. Each of the groups will have one of us as instructor and one of the teachers present at all times so you can approach either them or us regarding any issues. Follow us closely, listen to instructions, and most importantly, ask questions if you're unsure about anything. This day is about understanding the principles behind what we do."

Viper scanned the room, then nodded to his team. "Alright then, let's get started."

Three members of K-Unit approached the Colonel's office and the air around seemed to grow heavier with anticipation. They were all eager to know the reason behind this unexpected summoning. Wolf knocked on the door, and they waited for the call to enter.

"Come in," Sanders' voice rang out from inside.

They stepped into the office, standing at attention until the Colonel motioned for them to relax. His stern expression softening by a fraction as he looked at them.

"Gentlemen, I have some news that requires your discretion and immediate attention," Sanders began, his tone serious. "Among the students visiting the camp today is someone you all know as Cub."

The revelation hit them like a ton of bricks. Wolf's eyes widened slightly, Snake's usually composed face showed a flicker of surprise, and Eagle's mouth dropped open in a silent exclamation.

"I'll let you know that he is here as a normal student, at least to the best of my knowledge," Sanders continued. "And it is imperative that none of you acknowledge that you know him if you happen to run into him today. Any recognition or familiarity could compromise his cover among his classmates."

Wolf was the first to speak, his voice steady despite the shock. "Understood, sir. But isn't it a bit suspicious that he is here again? Could this part of some SIS operation?"

Sanders shook his head. "I thought of that as soon as I saw him but as far as I know, he is genuinely here on a school trip. Although given his past, we can't rule out the possibility of something more. Regardless, if you happen to run into him today, your orders are to treat him as just another student. No special treatment, no acknowledgment of his past with us. Is that clear?"

The team nodded in unison.

"Anything else we should be aware of, sir?" Wolf asked, his tone respectful.

"I think it would be best if you're not around the campgrounds today. I didn't inform Cub of your presence here and I think it would be beneficial for all of us that he doesn't run into you unexpectedly", Sanders replied. "I noticed you had tactical driving scheduled for today so I think you can continue your day as planned. Just make sure to come back a little later than usual to ensure the kids have left the premise. I still considered it to be important to give you a heads up, so you're not surprised if you see him here today. That's all. You're dismissed."

Wolf, Snake and Eagle gave nods and saluted briefly before exiting Colonel's office. They discussed the news in hushed tones while walking towards the depot where Coyote would be waiting for them with a group of recruits.

"I can't believe Cub is here," Snake muttered, shaking his head. "Of all places."

"Yeah, and we can't even go and say hello to the kid", Eagle added, rubbing his temples. "That sucks. I still feel bad about how we treated him during the selection. It would've been nice to get an opportunity to make amends."

Wolf nodded deep in thought.

As they neared the area where they would conduct the tactical driving lessons, their thoughts returned to their duties. Despite the unusual circumstances, they were professionals, and they had a job to do. It was time to shake up some recruits.

Almost all of the students now had a group assigned to them. Only a few still lingered at the edge of the room. "You three, you're on my group", Viper said pointing at Alex, Sam and Will.

Viper looked at them with a critical eye. "I think you could use some work on your teamwork skills. We'll see if we can do something about that today."

Will opened his mouth to say something but quickly shut it when he saw Viper's steely gaze. Sam looked down at his feet, clearly uncomfortable. Alex met Viper's eyes steadily, knowing that any sign of defiance would only make things worse.

"Yes, sir," Alex said firmly, with Sam and Will echoing a less confident "Yes, sir."

"Good," Viper continued, his tone slightly less harsh.

Two more students joined their group, girls named Emma and Rachel. Mr. Donovan was assigned as the teacher of their group. Viper looked around the space. Satisfied that everyone now had a group he nodded to his unit mates.

"Alright, listen up. First, you'll get to see some of our recruits in action and take a tour of the facilities. This will give you a sense of what life is like here and the kind of training our soldiers go through. Then we'll gather together for a lunch at the mess hall. After that you'll get to try some exercises yourselves. We'll focus on survival techniques, hand-to-hand combat, and a few other things to test your skills and maybe teach you a thing or two. At the end of the day, we have a friendly competition to see which group paid most attention. Any questions?" Viper asked, scanning their faces.

Everyone remained silent clearly eager to start with the program of the day.

"Good. Let's move out," Viper said after a brief moment, leading them out of the barracks. The group of school kids followed him, the energy in the air shifting from anticipation to readiness as they prepared to dive into the day's activities.

"That's so cool!" Will piped up, watching the recruits tackle the obstacle course with impressive speed and agility. The groups had split up to visit different parts of the camp and observe the recruits with their assigned adult supervisors. Viper stood on one side with a light smile on his lips listening to Will's excitement.

Emma, standing next to Will, nodded enthusiastically. "I know, right? Look at them go! They make it look so easy."

Rachel, always the practical one, squinted at the recruits as they navigated the ropes and walls. "I bet it's a lot harder than it looks. They've been training for years to get to this level."

Alex, standing a bit apart from the group, observed silently, his eyes tracking the recruits' movements with a mixture of interest and wariness. He had been through that same course multiple times, and he knew exactly how challenging it was. But he had to admit that the recruits running through it made it look like a walk in the park.

"Do you think we'll get to try this?" Sam asked looking at Will. There was a hint of apprehension in his voice.

Viper, overhearing the question, turned to the group with a smirk. "We'll have to see about that. We're starting with the basics today. Can't have you lot breaking your necks on your visit here."

Will's face fell slightly, but he quickly masked his disappointment with a determined look. "Well, I'm up for the challenge whenever it comes. I bet I could do that."

"Actually, I would very much want to see that. I sure hope you get a chance to try it," Alex said and smiled innocently when Will turned to give him a cold look.

"You'd have to keep in mind that running this course is not just about brute force. It's about technique and knowing how to pace yourself. The recruits you're watching now have been through months of rigorous training." Viper continued. His words seemed to sink in, and the group fell silent, watching the recruits.

After a few more minutes, Viper clapped his hands to get their attention. "Alright, let's move on. We've got a lot to cover today. Follow me."

The group followed Viper away from the obstacle course and towards another section of the camp. They passed some of the other groups of students and various training areas, each one bustling with activity.

As they walked, Emma asked, "What's next on the agenda, sir?"

"We're heading to the survival training area," Viper replied. "After that, we'll go and see some hand-to-hand combat training and medical training. If we have time we can go and check out the shooting range before heading to lunch."

Will and Sam changed excited looks. "Are we actually going to try those things ourselves today?"

Viper nodded slowly. "Well, some of it at least. You'll get hands-on experience with few of the things we are seeing now. But we'll focus mostly on the survival techniques and some self-defence manoeuvres. Maybe some first aid skills. But no guns or explosives for kids here." Viper grinned mischievously as he saw disappointment settling over the student's faces after the last statement.

Alex walked in silence behind the group. The familiar environment of the camp had him unsettled more than he cared to admit. He was used to the adrenaline and intensity of missions, but this... this felt different. Being surrounded by his classmates in the place full of bad memories was hard. It was also frustrating to see the way they admired the skills of the SAS recruits while Alex knew he could do everything the soldiers did and all he got from his classmates was being ridiculed and avoided.

He glanced at his fellow students, who were eagerly discussing the upcoming activities. Their enthusiasm was palpable, and Alex envied their ignorance. They saw this as an exciting adventure, a break from their routine lives. They were just here to learn and have fun.

He took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. Focus on the task at hand, he reminded himself. As soon as they were out of this camp, he would be able to return enjoying this field trip. Just got to get through today.

The open training area designated for tactical driving exercises had several modified vehicles that were lined up, engines idling and ready for the recruits to practice in. The air was filled with the scent of gasoline and the low hum of engines. K-Unit was about to start the day's training and had a group of eight recruits all waiting with anticipation.

Wolf stepped forward, addressing the eager faces of the recruits. "Alright, listen up. Today's exercise is all about tactical driving. In the field, your ability to handle a vehicle under pressure can mean the difference between life and death, not just for you, but for your entire team. Pay attention, follow instructions, and you'll do fine."

Snake, who was standing next to one of the cars, added, "This isn't about speed. It's about control, precision, and making quick decisions under stress. We'll start with some basic maneuvers and gradually increase the difficulty."

Eagle, who was already sitting in one of the vehicles, revved the engine for emphasis. "Remember, these are not your average driving lessons. We'll be simulating real combat scenarios, so be prepared for anything."

Coyote, leaning against another vehicle, nodded. "First up, emergency braking and evasive maneuvers. You need to be able to stop on a dime and change direction without losing control."

Wolf climbed into the passenger seat of the lead vehicle and gestured to one of the recruits to take the wheel. "Alright, show me what you've got," he said. The recruit nodded and sat next to Wolf gripping the steering wheel tightly.

The vehicle sped off, and Wolf gave a series of rapid commands. "Brake hard! Now swerve left! Right!" The recruit followed instructions, tires screeching as the vehicle weaved through a series of cones set up to simulate obstacles.

Snake moved to the next vehicle, where another recruit was waiting nervously. "Relax," Snake advised. "It's all about smooth movements. Don't overthink it, just react."

As the recruit drove, Snake provided guidance. "Think of the vehicle as an extension of yourself. Feel the road, anticipate the next move. Good, now accelerate and then brake hard!"

The training progressed with recruits rotating through different vehicles, each one getting a chance to practice various maneuvers themselves under the watchful eyes of K-Unit. A few struggled initially, but with some feedback and encouragement from the more experienced soldiers, improvements were already noticeable.

After everyone had gotten the hang of it, Wolf gathered the recruits around. "You're doing well. Remember, it's not just about driving fast or being reckless. In real situations, you need to keep a cool head. Panic leads to mistakes, and mistakes can be fatal."

Eagle chimed in, "In combat, your vehicle can be your greatest asset or your biggest liability. Mastering tactical driving gives you an edge. You'll be able to outmaneuver enemies, escape ambushes, and ensure the safety of your team."

One of the recruits, visibly sweating, asked, "How do you stay so calm under pressure?"

Snake grinned. "Experience and training. The more you practice, the more instinctive it becomes. Trust in your training and your team."

Wolf stepped forward, clapping his hands to get the recruits' attention. "Speaking of which, listen up! We're going to split you into pairs for the next phase. You'll be practicing your driving skills in the terrain of the Brecon Beacons. One of you will drive while the other navigates using a map. After a set distance, you'll switch roles. This exercise will test not only your driving but also your ability to communicate and work as a team under pressure."

The recruits quickly paired off, some exchanging nervous glances.

"Remember, this isn't just about getting from point A to point B," Snake added. "You need to maintain situational awareness and be ready to adapt to changing conditions."

Wolf nodded to Snake, Eagle, and Coyote. "Each pair will be assigned a member of our unit. We'll be there to guide you and ensure safety but expect you to make decisions and solve problems on your own. Understood?"

A chorus of "Yes, sir!" followed.

The teams quickly got into their assigned vehicles, the engines roaring to life. Wolf took the lead vehicle and signaled for the convoy to follow. They left the camp and headed into the rugged terrain of the Brecon Beacons.

Walker jolted awake feeling a presence in the room. His hand curled around the gun next to his pillow and he shot to his feet pointing the barrel towards the intruder.

"Shit, Clive, you should know better than to sneak up on sleeping people like that. You know that I've been on guard duty all night, right? Did you just wait for me to get some shut-eye so you can wake me up and piss me off?" Walker rubbed his eyes, the remnants of sleep still clinging to him. He couldn't have gotten more than two hours of sleep.

Clive chuckled, "Somebody's gotta keep you on your toes. Besides, you sleep like a rock. We'd miss every briefing if I let you snooze."

"Briefing?" Walker asked instantly more alert.

" Yeah, it's time to move", Clive said nodding "Red's got a meeting for us."

"Lead the way", Walker said and holstered his gun.

They made their way through the dimly lit corridors, the sound of their footsteps echoing off the walls. Walker's mind raced with possibilities of what the briefing could entail. Hopefully finally some information about their mission here.

They entered a small room where other members of Clive's assigned group were already gathered. The air was thick with tension and anticipation. Red stood at the front, her piercing gaze scanning the room. Her presence commanded respect, and the room fell silent as she began to speak.

"Alright, listen up," Red began, her voice low and authoritative. "Today's mission requires precision and speed. We need to get our hands on one of the army vehicles being used by the SAS. This evening, there will be an airdrop of necessary resources to ensure the success of this operation. The SAS will have a parachuting exercise after dark, and our planes will blend in among all the others during this time. Unfortunately, this means the contents of the delivery will be dropped in the area where the SAS is training. To fetch them unnoticed, we need to blend in, which means using one of their vehicles."

Walker exchanged glances with Clive and the others. Stealing an army vehicle was no small feat, especially from an elite unit like the SAS.

"Fortunately, we have information that part of the SAS is training tactical driving today. This presents us with an opportunity. With the recruits focused on their exercises, their attention will be divided, giving us the perfect chance to take one of the vehicles. We have the planned times and locations of the vehicles. There are four vehicles on the move today. They are supposed to split here ", Red pointed at a map spread on the table. "Then they are supposed to continue their journey back to the camp separated. We've identified a spot where one of the vehicles will be more exposed to sudden attack."

Walker felt a rush of adrenaline. Finally, some action. He studied the map, memorizing the key points.

"Understood. We'll get it done", Clive commented beside him.

Red looked at them. "I know you will. Now, get ready. You move out in fifteen."

The room buzzed with a flurry of activity as everyone prepared for the mission. As they moved out, Walker's mind was laser-focused on the task ahead. Getting a car occupied by SAS soldiers, recruits or not, could be a challenge but he felt confident that they could pull it off.

Alex and his classmates filed into the mess hall for lunch after a busy morning. The scent of warm food filling the air. The hall was bustling with activity, soldiers grabbing their meals and engaging in light-hearted banter. The students had found tables in a corner, away from the main crowd but with a clear view of the room.

Alex grabbed a tray and joined others on the line to get some food. He remembered from his previous time here that the food served would be focused more on offering the right amount of nutrition for the hard-training soldiers on the cost of texture and taste. And sure enough, a big scoop of messy looking food appeared soon on his plate by the kitchen staff accompanied by a lonely apple.

Alex looked around and saw Tom at one of the tables with an empty seat next to him. Alex felt himself relax a bit. Being in the company of his best friend would do some good after the events of this morning. As he sat down, he caught snippets of conversations from his classmates, all abuzz with excitement from the morning's activities.

"Can you believe we got to see those recruits in action? That was insane!" Tom piped up.

Liam nodded vigorously, biting into his apple. "Yeah, I didn't think they'd be so intense. They sure know how to keep everyone on their toes."

Mark, sitting across from Alex, rolled his eyes. "Yeah, but I still think some of it was for show. I mean, come on, they know we're watching."

Liam shrugged. "Even if it was, it's still impressive."

One of the girls at the table chimed in. "I was surprised by how disciplined everyone is. It's like they all move in sync."

"And did you see how they handled those weapons? I mean, I knew they were professionals, but seeing it up close is another thing", Ellie added.

Alex felt a shiver run down his spine and he sipped his water. Visiting the shooting range had been the hardest part of the day so far. It had brought back memories of the cold, calculated environment where he had learned the skill of shooting a gun. With Scorpia, failure was met with harsh consequences and he had been able to almost hear Gordon Ross' hard voice echoing inside his head, commanding for him to do it again and again until he was perfect every time.

The contrast between the recruits' structured training here and the brutal regimen he had endured was stark, yet the principles of precision and discipline were hauntingly similar. But in here they built soldiers, not killers. The recruits were learning to protect, not destroy. Alex had to keep reminding himself of that when he watched the recruits repeatedly hit their targets with hard ammunition.

"Yeah, they're definitely at a different level." Mark said with a thoughtful look on his face. "But we've got to step up our game too, especially with the survival techniques and hand-to-hand combat coming up this afternoon."

"What do you think they'll have us do? I mean, the recruits made it look easy, but I bet it's going to be tough." Ellie asked.

Tom leaned back, pondering. "Survival techniques could be anything that we saw them do. Like building shelters or finding food. Hand-to-hand combat, though… that's going to be a challenge. I just hope we don't end up on the ground too much."

Will and Sam, who were walking past their table, overheard the conversation. Will snickered. "Speak for yourself, Harris. I've got some moves."

"Yeah, we'll see how your 'moves' hold up against trained soldiers." Alex commented and the table erupted in laughter.

They had all witnessed the recruits practicing various moves with precision and control. Their fluidity and control had been impressive and Alex had found himself analyzing the moves. He had recognized some techniques from his own training and silently practiced the motions in his mind. It had been strange, watching from the sidelines, knowing that not too long ago, he had been in similar scenarios, albeit under very different circumstances.

As they finished their lunch, the anticipation for the afternoon's activities grew. Alex felt Tom nudging him then giving him a look to convey that he wanted to talk with Alex in private. Alex nodded and they rose from the table to put their trays away.

Alex followed Tom out of the mess hall and they walked along its wall a short distance away. Tom turned to face Alex and looked around to make sure that they were away from any prying ears before he spoke.

"Where did you disappear to during Viper's lecture?" Tom asked getting straight to the point.

Alex glanced around to ensure that they really were alone before replying. "The Colonel wanted to ask if MI6 had sent me here. I was hoping that he would've known something more about this whole thing but it seems that this is really just a school trip. He didn't want anything from me. Other than to make sure that there aren't any threats to his camp that I would be aware of and that would be a reason that I'm here again now."

Tom nodded slowly. "How are you holding up?" he asked after a short pause, looking at his friend with concern. Tom had noticed Alex being unusually quiet during their lunch.

Alex sighed. "To be honest, I can't wait to leave here. It's been…stressful."

"Yeah, I can imagine and being in the same group with Will and Sam can't be making it any easier. Have they given you a hard time?" Tom wanted to know.

Alex smiled to himself. "I think Viper put some sense into them. Besides, I feel like Sam is trying to keep Will in line here. I think he doesn't want any word reaching his cousin's ears that he has caused some trouble on this trip."

"Yeah, that makes sense", Tom said. "You would tell me If there was something else going on right?"

"Of course, Tom", Alex said. "It's been a tiring morning but nothing I couldn't handle."

Tom studied Alex's face, searching for any signs of dishonesty. "Alright," he said slowly, feeling like there was still more to the story than Alex let on. "If you say so. Just... I worry about you, you know. You've been so closed off lately. And I don't think being back here is doing any good."

Alex gave a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Tom. I've got it under control. Let's just focus on what's next. I really want you to enjoy the experience here. Honestly."

Tom nodded, though he still felt uneasy. As they rejoined their class to continue the day, he couldn't quite shake the feeling that Alex was keeping something to himself.

Walker's heart pounded in his chest, but his mind was clear. They had reached their destination and now they were waiting for their target to arrive. Soon enough, they saw the SAS vehicle rumble along the rugged terrain, bouncing over rocks and navigating narrow trails getting closer to their ambush second by second.

Clive turned to his team and whispered, "Alright, let's do this. Remember, stay low, stay quiet, and move fast."

Walker grinned. "Piece of cake. Just another day at the office, right?"

"Yeah, something like that," Clive replied with a smirk.

With that, they drew out their weapons and took their positions.

Inside the vehicle, two SAS recruits, Raven and Jaguar, were engaged in their training exercise. Jaguar was at the wheel, his knuckles white with concentration, while Raven sat beside him, map in hand, eyes flicking between the paper and the landscape ahead. Snake, seated in the back, watched them intently, his gaze never wavering from the surroundings.

"Keep to the left, Jaguar," Raven instructed, tracing a line on the map. "We should hit the next waypoint in about five minutes."

Snake nodded approvingly. "Good job, Raven. Stay focused. Remember, this is about precision and communication."

As they rounded a bend, the atmosphere suddenly changed. A loud explosion rocked the terrain nearby, startling the vehicle. Jaguar struggled to maintain control, the wheel jerking in his hands.

"What the hell was that?" Raven shouted, his eyes wide with shock.

Snake leaned forward, his voice calm but firm. "This is not part of the exercise. I think we're under attack. Jaguar, keep driving. Raven, look for cover points and alternative routes."

Before they could react, bullets began to rain down around the vehicle, pinging off the rocks and ground. Jaguar swerved, trying to evade the ambush, while Raven frantically searched the map.

"We need to find a way out of here!" Jaguar yelled over the noise.

Snake's eyes narrowed, scanning the surrounding hills. The precision of the attack, the timing—it was too perfect. "Listen to me," he said, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Jaguar, get us to higher ground. Raven, call for backup. We need to outmanoeuvre them."

As the vehicle roared up a steep incline, Walker and the team of Scorpia operatives closed in, their black-clad figures moving with lethal efficiency. Clive signalled to Walker, who nodded, readying their final assault.

"Go, go, go!" Walker barked, and the group of operatives run forward to attach two large thick metal plates at both sides of the car. The strong magnets in them ensured that the plates could be throw from a small distance away. A hard clang let them know that the objects had found their target.

"Now!", Walker shouted and Clive hit a button on small device in his hand. Strong cables shot out from the round objects that were now attached to the car and twisted around nearest trees or plummeted into the ground below.

Inside, a loud bang was heard and Jaguar felt a surge of panic trying to overtake him. "We're hit!" he shouted, struggling to maintain control and feeling the car come into a halt.

Snake grabbed the radio, his voice urgent. "Mayday, mayday! This is Snake. We are under attack at grid reference—"

His cut the call short as Walker's team closed in. With military precision, they surrounded the vehicle.

"The doors are locked," Snake muttered to the recruits keeping his voice low. "They can't be opened from outside."

But to Snake's surprise, Walker yanked open the driver's door with ease, dragging Jaguar out and tossing him to the ground pointing a gun to Jaguar's head. Clive did the same with Raven, who tried to resist but was quickly subdued.

Snake emerged from the back, fists clenched. He knew he was outnumbered but wasn't going down without a fight. He lunged at Walker, but another operative blindsided him with a brutal punch to the gut, dropping him to his knees

"Nice try," Walker sneered, kicking Snake who was still catching his breath. "But pathetic. I thought you would be a lot more of a challenge."

"Like taking candy from a baby", Clive laughed beside him watching the three men now at their mercy.

Snake gave them a nasty glare. Raven and Jaguar had their hands tied behind their backs and were looking at Snake with a hint of fear leaking into their expressions. At least they are not planning to kill us here Snake thought as he felt someone step behind his back and tying his wrists tightly together. They wouldn't bother with the rope otherwise.

"Load them up", Clive gave a command, and Snake felt hands lift him from the ground. They were directed back to the vehicle that was now free of any signs indicating outward attack.

"Get in", Walker instructed with a gun on his hand and the three soldiers climbed in the backseat where they were tied up more thoroughly to keep them in place. As dark hood was placed over Snake's eyes, darkness enveloped him, and he focused to quell the rising anxiety in his chest. He could feel the tight ropes binding his wrists and ankles.

They'll notice we're missing soon enough he thought. They wouldn't take long to realize something was amiss. Snake's mind raced with images of his unit beginning a methodical search. Snake's training told him that once the alarm was raised, the search would be exhaustive and relentless.

"Move out!" Clive shouted, and rest of the team vanished into the rugged landscape and started to make their way back to the base of the operation. Clive and Walker climbed at the front of the car, Walker taking the wheel. The vehicle jerked as it started its journey with its three hostages.