Alex and Tom returned to the mess hall. It was buzzing with the sound of students chatting and laughing, their morning experiences were still the topic of discussion. Alex scanned the soldiers and noticed with joy that he didn't recognize anyone present. It made him feel a bit more ease and as part of the students instead of soldiers. The other students were finishing up their meals when Viper entered the room.
Viper's presence immediately commanded attention, and all the kids in the room turned their heads toward him. "Alright, everyone," he called out, his voice cutting through the chatter of soldiers who were eating their lunch there. The mess hall was now silent and Viper addressed the school kids. "Hope you all enjoyed your lunch. It's time to continue with the day's program."
Viper waved his hand in gesture for them to follow him. Other soldiers returned to their previous conversations as they watched the group put away their trays.
Once they were outside, the group gathered around Viper, their eyes filled with curiosity and anticipation.
"We're going to split back into the same groups as this morning," Viper continued. "It's time for you to get some hands-on experience now. We'll be covering building shelters and starting fires, navigation, first aid, and some self-defence maneuvers."
The students exchanged excited glances, eager to dive into the practical aspects of the training.
"Alright, let's get moving," Viper instructed. "Group one, follow Falcon, you'll first activity is the survival techniques. Group two, you're with Bear and you start with navigation. Group three, first aid, stick with Lynx. And group four, you're with me. We're going to start with self-defence."
Alex, Sam, and Will, being part of Viper's group, fell in line behind him with Emma and Rachel. Mr. Donovan joined the group and was engaged in conversation with Viper as they made their way towards the hand-to-hand combat training area.
"I wonder what they'll have us do," Sam said, glancing around eagerly.
"Hopefully something military related stuff. Something more exciting than just the basic moves", Will replied.
Emma chimed in, "Yeah, but I don't have any previous experience in martial arts. And I've always wanted to learn some basic moves so those are enough for me."
"I bet Alex will have an advantage," Rachel added. "Didn't you practice some martial arts at some point?"
Alex, walking slightly ahead of the group turned to look behind him when hearing his own name. "Yeah, but I haven't been training for some time. Could be nice to refresh some moves."
But if Alex was being honest, he felt a little nervous about this part of the day and would rather skip the whole thing. He hadn't sparred with anyone after getting involved with MI6. After being forced to use his combat skills in life and death situations he was afraid that it would get out of hand and he would react with more force than necessary. Alex hoped that they would just go through some very basic moves in slow pace and then move to next activity. That he could do. At least he hoped he could.
They arrived at the hand-to-hand combat training area where a group of recruits were waiting for them. The area was equipped with mats laid out on the floor and various training equipment neatly arranged on the side of the walls. The recruits, clad in their training gear, were eyeing them with curiosity. They were all very fit, standing with straight posture, waiting for instructions.
"Alright, everyone, gather around," Viper called out to the group of students who quickly formed a semi-circle around him. "Today, we're going to go through some basic self-defense techniques. Each of you will be paired up with one of our recruits who will guide you through the maneuvers. It'll be a good exercise for them and you. Let's keep it simple and fun, yeah?"
The students exchanged excited and nervous glances. Will's eyes lit up with eagerness. "This is going to be awesome!" he said, nudging Sam with excitement.
Alex tried to maintain a calm demeanor, but his mind was already racing. It was one thing when he thought he would be paired up with one of his classmates to practice some basic blocks or holds. But to train with an SAS recruit was a whole other thing. Alex felt his pulse already starting to speed up.
Alex decided that he would need to downplay his skills. Pretend that he didn't know what he was doing and not let himself slip up. He needed to stay focused. He needed to stay in control. It would be okay Alex told himself. It's going to be okay.
Alex took a deep breath and then let it out.
Wolf sat in the passenger seat of the armoured vehicle, his eyes scanning the rough terrain of the Brecon Beacons as the two recruits navigated the winding paths. He had just finished explaining the importance of reading the landscape when the radio crackled to life.
"Mayday, mayday! This is Snake. We are under attack at grid reference—" The message abruptly cut off, replaced by static.
Wolf's felt a surge of adrenaline as he heard Snake's voice in radio. This couldn't be a part of the exercise. He would've known about it. But it felt impossible that one of his unit members could be under attack in here.
"Pull over!" Wolf barked immediately and the vehicle came to a halt.
Wolf grabbed the radio. "Snake, this is Wolf. Do you copy? Over."
Silence. He tried again. "Snake, this is Wolf. Respond. Over." Nothing.
He turned to the recruits. "Something's wrong. We need to head towards Snake's last known location. Now."
The recruit who was driving nodded, putting the gear into reverse and turning the vehicle around. Then he started driving at a faster pace back the way they had come from. Wolf picked up the comms and switched channels to contact Colonel Sanders through emergency line.
"Colonel, this is Wolf. We just received a distress call from Snake. He said they were under attack, but the message cut out before he could give more details. We're the closest one to them and are heading to their last known position now."
The Colonel's voice came through, tense but controlled. "Understood, Wolf. Be cautious. Go inspect the scene and report any findings immediately. You should send the rest of your unit back to the camp until there is further intel about the situation."
"Roger that, sir." Wolf switched off the radio and turned to the recruits. "Keep your eyes sharp and stay on alert. We don't know what we're heading into."
Wolf switched frequencies to contact the rest of K-Unit. "Eagle, Coyote, this is Wolf. I believe you heard the same distress call from Snake. I've contacted the Colonel already and we're heading to their last known position. You should start to head towards the camp immediately. This is not an exercise. Over."
Eagle's voice crackled through the radio, filled with concern. "Copy that, Wolf. We'll be on standby for further instructions if you need us. We'll turn around now. Over."
Coyote added, " Copy that. Be careful out there. Let us know if you need backup. Over."
"Will do. Stay sharp, over", Wolf replied. The two recruits had serious expressions on their faces. The training had taken an unexpected course of events and everyone aboard the vehicle could feel their heart pumping with adrenaline as they approached their destination.
It took some time to get there because of the distance and the hard terrain. As they neared the location, Wolf noticed signs of disturbance—a few tire marks leading off the main path, broken branches and marks on the ground that indicated some kind of small explosive and what was presumably gun fire.
"Stop here," he ordered when they neared a spot which had the clearest markings.
They got out, and Wolf knelt to examine the ground. He found empty shells on the area that confirmed the presence of guns and he felt anxiety rise. Until this moment, he had hoped that it would turn out to be a surprise training scenario. It would have been against the SAS training protocol but still better option than outside attack. The evidence of explosion and hard ammunition in the area was disturbing. Whoever this was, they were not playing around.
"Looks like there was a fight here. Tire tracks are fresh, heading that way." Wolf said after taking in the scene for a moment.
The two recruits followed Wolf as he traced the tracks. The path led them deeper into the rugged terrain, where the tracks became less distinct.
"Damn it," Wolf muttered. The tire marks were becoming harder to follow. "They were heading in this direction, but the tracks are disappearing. There's a road up there. I think we can assume they switched to the asphalt to avoid leaving further markings that we would be able to follow."
Wolf turned around to face the two recruits who were looking at him with concerned expressions on their faces. "Let's get back to the vehicle and check that road out. Then we need to get back to the camp. Remember to stay alert."
The recruits nodded and the group headed back to their vehicle which was few meters away. Wolf took the driver's seat and started to head towards the road that he knew was a small distance away.
After reaching the road they noticed that the tracks vanished completely. There was not one sign on any direction of the road indicating which way the vehicle had been heading.
Wolf frowned, scanning the horizon.
"Shit!" he let out a curse and slammed the wheel. "Shit!"
Wolf picked up the radio again with firm grip and contacted the emergency line. "Colonel, this is Wolf. We've lost the trail. The vehicle tracks disappeared on one of the roads. They must have had a plan to cover their escape route."
The Colonel's voice came back steady. "Understood, Wolf. Return to base. We'll regroup and figure out the next steps. Stay sharp and keep your eyes open on the way back."
"Copy that, sir. We're on our way." Wolf said while steering the vehicle to right direction.
As they drove back towards the camp, Wolf's mind raced. His gut told him this was no random act. Someone had planned this meticulously, and they needed to find out who before it was too late.
In the camp's combat training area, Viper paired each student of his group with a recruit. Alex found himself facing a tall, muscular soldier with a stern expression. The recruit introduced himself as Tiger.
"We're going to start with some simple moves," Viper announced after everyone had paired up. "Remember, it's all about technique and control."
They began with basic maneuvers—how to break free from a wrist grab, how to block an incoming strike, and how to execute a simple takedown. Viper went through what they were supposed to do and then they got to test the moves out with the recruits who would further instruct them and correct their form if necessary.
Alex followed Tiger's instructions, trying to make sure that it seemed as if he had no idea what he was doing. But after many years of martial art training, faking incompetence was harder than Alex had anticipated, and his movements appeared too precise and fluid to be one of a complete amateur.
"Why are you holding back?" Tiger asked suddenly. Alex felt his heart race. "What you mean?" he asked trying to sound as if he had no idea what Tiger was getting at.
"It's obvious you have experience in at least one type of martial arts. Come on, kid. You can't hurt me even if you tried. Do it properly this time", and with that he grabbed Alex's wrist with more force, and Alex instinctively responded with a swift, precise move, breaking free and countering with a controlled push. Despite his efforts to stay focused, the adrenaline coursing through his veins was making it difficult to maintain composure.
"See what I mean. You clearly got some skills. We don't have to do the basics you know. I could use some real training", Tiger said with a smile on his face.
"I really don't think that's a good idea", Alex said looking around. He saw the others being engaged in their own exercises. Sam and Rachel going through the motions with slow movements, Emma smiling widely as she broke free from the wrist grab and Will hitting the ground after trying to perform series of attack moves and the recruit easily deflecting them and performing simple takedown. Viper had his back to Alex as he was heading to the direction where Will was trying to get up from the ground with frustrated look on his face.
"I haven't practiced in a while", Alex said looking at Tiger with apprehension, not wanting to be got off guard if the recruit decided to do another surprise attack. All the while he remained aware of Viper's location, hoping to get the soldier's attention before things got a chance to escalate. Viper was currently busy with Will and his partner, not noticing Alex's distress.
Alex felt his heartbeat on his chest. Calm down, he told himself. They won't hurt you here. It's just a little training exercise, nothing more.
"Don't worry, I'll go easy on you. Let's just move on from the basics since you know those already." Tiger pushed while he shifted his stance, preparing for a more intense encounter. Alex's heart raced as he tried to maintain the facade of a novice, but his body instinctively responded with trained precision and adapted similar stance that spoke about experience.
"Now, that's what I'm talking about," Tiger said, a glint of excitement in his eyes. "Remember, you can't hurt me. Just give it your best shot. Let's start easy."
Alex took a deep breath, trying to calm the adrenaline surging through his veins. Tiger lunged forward with a quick jab, and Alex dodged, countering with a swift strike to Tiger's midsection. The impact was controlled but firm, and Tiger barely flinched.
"Good! But you're still holding back," Tiger commented and went for another strike aiming to Alex's leg. Alex moved aside to avoid the impact and had to move quickly to block another strike that was this time aiming for his chest. Suddenly, in one swift motion, Tiger went for a chokehold, and Alex's vision tunnelled. He reacted instinctively, his body moving on autopilot. He twisted free with a speed and force, his elbow connecting with the recruit's ribs. The impact was harder than intended, and Tiger stumbled back, momentarily winded.
Alex lunged at Tiger with a swift kick, catching him off guard. Tiger stumbled but quickly regained his footing. He countered with a powerful move, and Alex barely managed to block it feeling it hit his arm with force.
The intensity increased as Tiger pushed Alex harder, testing his reactions and endurance his movements becoming faster and more challenging.
Alex found it increasingly difficult to restrain himself. He felt his training trying to take over, and his strikes became more precise and powerful. He delivered a series of rapid punches and kicks, some of them landing with controlled force. Tiger responded with equal intensity and landed a solid punch to Alex's side, making him grunt in pain.
Alex retaliated with a high kick that Tiger blocked, followed by a swift low punch that connected with Tiger's ribs. The exchange grew fiercer, both fighters moving with a fluidity of professionals.
"Nice moves, kid," Tiger said panting, blocking another high kick and countering with a low sweep. Alex jumped back, narrowly avoiding the takedown. Breathe, Alex told himself. It's just some training. Alex blew out a breath feeling his heart hammering and his hands starting to sweat. You're not in any danger. Just breathe.
Tiger lunged again, and Alex's instincts kicked in. He moved with a speed and precision. He parried Tiger's punch and countered with a flurry of blows that forced Tiger to backpedal. Alex followed up with a powerful roundhouse kick that knocked Tiger off balance.
Tiger grunted as he hit the ground, but he quickly rolled to his feet, eyes wide with a mix of surprise. "Damn. That's some serious skills you've got," he said, wiping sweat from his brow. But Alex barely heard him. His mind was locked in combat mode, his veins rushing with adrenaline. He was panting and feeling sweat run down his neck.
The fight continued and the exchanges grew fiercer. Alex could feel his fight-or-flight instincts starting to take over. Memories of past encounters flooded his mind, and he struggled to keep his composure. Suddenly he couldn't focus on his surroundings anymore. He forgot he was in the SAS camp on a field trip and had his classmates present. All he could think of was that he was being attacked. And now, he had to fight like his life depended on it.
As soon as Colonel had got Wolf's report through the emergency line, he had made his way to the operations room, issuing rapid orders to his team. "I want everyone on high alert. Report any suspicious activity straight to me with no delays. I need a search party and I want them all equipped and ready to move out as soon as possible. Coordinate with the local authorities to establish roadblocks at the edges of the park." His words had caused blur of activity as everyone got straight to work to fulfil the commands.
Now, Colonel Sanders sat at his desk in the command center, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the polished wood. He was looking at the two men in front of him. Eagle and Coyote had just arrived from their training exercise with the recruits. Colonel leaned back in his chair, his mind racing. An attack here indicated that someone was willing to take a huge risk.
His thoughts shifted to the school group visiting the camp. He would need to get the kids out of the camp sooner than expected. But first he would need to talk with Cub. A knock sounded from the door.
"Come in", Colonel called. Wolf opened the door and gave a sharp nod to his unit members before closing the door behind him and standing to attention.
"At ease. Report", Colonel said swiftly. Wolf recounted the information he had shared over the comms: evidence of a struggle and use of force and the vehicle tracks that vanished upon reaching the paved road.
Colonel Sanders fixed his gaze on the map of the area. He knew time was of the essence. The enemy had taken a bold step, and it was up to him to respond with precision and resolve.
"We've contacted the local authorities to establish roadblocks. A search party has been gathered and they are ready to move. We are going to find them", Colonel told K-Unit to bring them up to date of the measures taking place. "But before you leave, I think we need to talk with Cub. That boy could hold some information that we need, regardless his previous persistence of not knowing anything related to his presence in here. I think that you might be able to make him open up a bit more. You are his unit after all."
Wolf and Eagle nodded sharply. Coyote looked at his unit mates with expression that radiated confusion.
"Cub, sir?", Coyote asked.
"You'll meet him shortly. He went through a part of selection as a member of K-Unit." Colonel offered short explanation and rose from his chair. "I'm going to get him here. It won't take too long. I understood his group is on the combat training area. Then we'll see what he knows."
With that, Colonel left the command center. They would need all the information regarding this situation to be prepared and he was sure that the young spy was knowing more than he was letting on. This attack happening while he was here couldn't be a coincidence. Something was going on.
In the combat training area, the other recruits and students had begun to notice the escalating sparring match between Alex and Tiger, and a hush fell over the training area as they started to observe the pair. Viper turned to see what caused the disruption and noticed the blurry of movements between the pair that was now deeply engaged in their fight. Both were wearing serious expressions as they delivered swift kicks and punches while simultaneously blocking the other one's attacks in rapid movements. It was impressive, the kid clearly had amazing skills.
"Wow, did you see that kick?" Emma murmured, eyes wide with astonishment.
"I knew he had some martial art training, but I had no idea he could move like that" Rachel said, equally mesmerized by Alex's agility.
Viper watched closely, his keen eyes taking in every detail. The boy's form was impeccable, and his speed and precision were unlike anything he had seen from someone his age.
"What's going on?" Sam whispered to Will, eyes fixed on the sparring match as the movements gained more force and speed behind them. "This isn't just a regular training exercise."
"I don't know," Will replied, his voice a bit envious. "It's like they are fighting for real."
The exchange became increasingly vigorous. Tiger, though clearly skilled, was beginning to struggle to maintain his control as Alex's strikes grew more aggressive. The room's atmosphere shifted from a controlled training session to something more chaotic.
The hits grew more and more intense. Viper furrowed his brows. He would have to stop the fight before one of them got hurt. "Hey, that's enough!" he barked, striding over with a stern expression.
But Alex was too deep in his own panicked mind to hear. He was reacting to the threat before him and launched a flurry of attacks, each one more powerful than the last, forcing Tiger to go on the defensive.
Viper stepped in, his voice authoritative. "Enough, both of you!" he commanded, trying to move between them. "Stand down."
At that moment, Colonel Sanders walked in on the space and took in the scene before him. It didn't take him long to understand what was going on. He could see the focus in Alex's eyes, his moves being aggressive and full of force. This was not just a sparring match; it was a battle for survival in Alex's mind.
"Take the other kids outside", Colonel Sanders said immediately to Mr. Donovan who was standing on the sidelines with lost expression on his face. "But…Alex", Mr. Donovan said and waved weakly at the direction where Alex was still in the middle of ongoing fight with a full-grown soldier.
"I'll handle it. Out. Now", Colonel said with a commanding voice. The teacher didn't dare to cross the Colonel and gathered the other students with him. They left in a hurry, Sam, Will, Emma and Rachel doing their best to get one last looks of the scene before they were out of the area.
As soon as the teacher and students had left and were out of earshot Colonel stepped forward.
"Cub!" he shouted with all his might and authority. "Stand down. Now!"
Alex froze, his fist still raised, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He blinked, reality slowly seeping back in. Breathing heavily, he blinked again and took a step back, his eyes refocusing on the training area. He glanced around, seeing the concerned faces of the recruits and stern look on Colonel's face. Slowly, reality began to sink in, and he lowered his hands, his mind pulling back from the edge.
His heart was still racing and he could feel sweat covering his skin. He felt ache on the spots where Tiger had landed his hits. Tiger was also panting and looked at Alex. Sweat was running down his forehead and he wiped it away with his hand.
"What the hell is going on?" Colonel demanded and looked between Viper and Tiger.
"I'm sorry sir. Things got little out of hand", Tiger said under Colonel's hard gaze.
"No shit", Colonel responded and looked at Alex who was wiping the sweat from his palms on his trousers and tried to breath slowly to steady his pulse.
"What do you think you were doing, showing off like that? You do realize all the students in your group saw that little show?", Colonel Sanders said looking straight to Alex.
"I told him it wasn't a good idea. Sir", Alex gritted through his teeth. He felt embarrassed by losing control like that. He didn't need lecture from the Colonel about discretion to make things even worse.
"Wait this is Cub? The teenager that was thrown with K-Unit Cub?" Viper asked after getting past his initial shock caused by the escalation of events. "I thought that was just some stupid rumour going around. Surely it can't be true."
Colonel looked at Viper with thoughtful expression. "I think you should come with me. You too Cub. The rest of you, go take a shower and don't speak about this with anyone. Tiger, you should probably visit the infirmary just in case."
Colonel Sanders turned around and started to walk away with Viper and Alex following behind him. When they exited the training area, they found Mr. Donovan waiting outside with the four other students.
"Alex what happened. Are you okay?" Mr. Donovan asked with worry on his voice.
"Sorry, sir. Just got a bit excited that's all. It's been some time since I've been able to practice. I got carried away", Alex lied while looking at the ground, unable to face his peers.
"You could have hurt yourself", Mr. Donovan said and was about to continue when he was cut off by Colonel. "Don't worry. I'll talk with your student and Viper here to go through the situation. Now follow me, I'm going to direct you to join another group for a moment while we handle this."
Mr. Donovan looked as if he was going to say something but decided against it and just nodded. They all trailed after Colonel Sanders as he led them through the camp.
Once they were a bit further along, Sam spoke up, glancing at Alex. "Well, that was intense. Where did you learn to fight like that?"
Alex shrugged, still feeling a bit shaken and hoping that they would depart from rest of the group as soon as possible. "I've had some training before. Guess it just kicked in."
Will looked skeptical. "Training where? That was more than just some regular self-defense classes."
Alex shrugged again. "Here and there." He answered vaguely hoping the others would drop the matter quickly.
"Okay, but…," Sam said, looking back at the training area. "That was something else. These are professional soldiers after all. Not some karate club trainees."
Alex felt uneasy by the conversation and remained quiet despite knowing that it would only irritate Sam and Will.
"That looked so cool", Emma joined in the conversation making Alex cringe. "I have no idea how you were able to do that. You really brought up a fight with that soldier."
"Yeah", Rachel said with smile. "I mean, I said that you might have advantage but none of us really thought that you could beat up an SAS recruit."
"Well, of course he has gotten some shady training. Having to fight off all those drug dealers coming to collect", Will sneered and Alex closed his eyes as he felt his irritation arise. Of course this whole thing could only enforce the rumours about him being a druggie and criminal in Will's mind.
Colonel Sanders stopped and the conversation quieted down to Alex's relief. "Now, Mr. Donovan, if you and your students could join the other group over there, while we make sure everything is sorted out regarding the previous commotion. I'll return your student shortly."
Mr. Donovan looked at Alex one last time, concern still etched on his face. "Alright. Come on, everyone. Do not fall behind."
The rest of the group headed towards the first aid training area where Lynx was currently in the middle of going through some basics with his group.
"Alright. That's handled. Now come on, we have an ongoing situation and we need to be quick", Colonel said and started to stride towards the command centre. Alex and Viper exchanged confused glances before following the Colonel. The day seemed to be full of surprises.
This was one surprise that Alex could have lived without. He was standing in the command centre facing two familiar faces. Wolf and Eagle looked at him with curios eyes. A young soldier Alex didn't recognize stood beside them, brows furrowed, looking like he didn't quite believe his eyes. Viper stood by Alex, confused about the presence of another unit.
Colonel Sanders walked to the front of the room and faced the group. "Okay Cub, start talking," he said addressing Alex directly.
Alex felt like he was very lost in this situation. What were all these people doing here? Why hadn't the Colonel told him that K-Unit was also at the camp when they met earlier? Or had they just arrived here?
"I'm sorry for the fight sir. But I told Tiger that it wouldn't be a good idea and he didn't listen", Alex began defensively.
"I don't care about the fight Cub. Three of my soldiers are missing, one of them your unit member, and I need to know what you know to be able to do my best to get them back", Colonel Sanders said, annoyance clear in his tone.
Alex was bewildered and stared at Colonel. Then he felt anger and frustration rising inside him. They always dragged him back into this world, whether he wanted it or not.
"Sir, like I told you before, I don't have any information to give you," Alex said with sharper tone than he intended. "MI6 haven't contacted me in months. I'm not interested to be part in any of this. I am here just on a school trip. "
Alex clenched his fists, irritation bubbling up inside him. He was just a teenager, and yet here he was, being asked for intelligence he didn't have. The familiar faces of Wolf and Eagle staring at him only added to his frustration. He could see the doubt in their eyes, and it stung.
Colonel Sanders didn't look convinced. "Cub, we have enemies on our doorstep. It has never happened before. Now here you are, one of our training units comes under attack, and you expect me to believe that SIS haven't briefed you on anything?"
Viper's eyes widened. "An attack? Here?"
Everyone turned to look at Viper and he flushed a little. Colonel turned his sharp eyes back towards Alex who responded the look with defiance.
"I really don't know anything about this, Colonel. I'm just here with my school. I didn't even know K-Unit was here until now," Alex said glaring at the two familiar members of K-Unit.
"Didn't think to inform me about that little detail before? What if I had run into them unexpectedly and blew my cover here?" Alex said with menace. It was unfair, the way they were demanding answers from him with false accusations, while Colonel himself had kept this particular piece of information from Alex when they met earlier.
"Cub, if you let your cover be blown by coming across some people from your previous time here, I doubt you'd be very successful in your job", Colonel said with exasperation in his voice.
"Previous job", Alex corrected with matching tone. "I quit, months ago, like I've told you many times now. Besides, it's not me I would've been worried about", he continued and could see Wolf and Eagle look a little offended by his comment.
"Come on now, Cub. You should know to have a little more trust and respect regarding my soldiers here", Colonel rouse to their defence.
"But I actually did inform K-Unit about your presence in here", he relented after a while. "They were supposed to be away from the campgrounds today anyway. You were not supposed to meet at all. By design or by accident"
Coyote was looking more confused by the second but now he knew why others in his unit had been summoned to meet Colonel earlier that day. He still couldn't wrap his head around the fact that this teenager was regarded as one of his unit members. That was unimaginable. That and the talk about MI6 if he was believing what he was hearing.
He looked at the blond teenager that now had his arms crossed with angry look on his face. Then his eyes met with Viper's and he could tell that he wasn't the only one in the room who felt like they had fallen in some sudden parallel universe where this absurdity was taking place.
Alex and Colonel stared at each other and the silence in the room stretched uncomfortably.
"Come on Cub." Eagle said suddenly breaking the silence. "I know we were assholes to you during the selection and I'm truly sorry about that, but you can't possibly hate us this much. Tell us what you know and help us find Snake. Him and two of our recruits could really be in trouble."
Alex turned his hard gaze towards Eagle who looked back with similarly stern expression. "Don't think so little of me Eagle. You're right, you were downright bastards, but I would never let some childish grudge get in a way and let somebody get hurt if I knew anything that would make any difference."
The tension in the room was palpable as Alex's words hung in the air. Colonel Sanders, his eyes narrowing, was clearly not satisfied.
"Look, Cub, this isn't a game. We need real answers, not attitude," Colonel Sanders said, his voice low and firm.
"And I've told you that I don't know anything," Alex shot back, his frustration bubbling over. "I'm here on a school trip. I'm not involved in any of this anymore. I hope you all would just leave me alone. I didn't even want to come here today. I suggest that if you want answers, you direct your questions to Mrs. Jones."
"Like that would do any good." Colonel muttered darkly under his breath. He had experience with trying to get any answers or intel out of the head of MI6. It never went anywhere. The teenager in front of him was his best bet as repulsive as that thought was. The kid shouldn't be involved in any of this in the first place.
Wolf, who had been silent until now, stepped forward. "Colonel, maybe we're barking up the wrong tree here. I've seen Cub in action. I believe he is telling the truth. And we are talking about Snake here. If I had any doubts, I wouldn't say this. But, Cub," he said, turning to Alex, "if there's anything you're holding back, now's the time to come clean. We're not your enemies. We're all on the same side."
Alex met Wolf's gaze, feeling a pang of something almost like guilt. But the fact was he really didn't know anything. "I swear, Wolf, I don't know anything about this. If I did, I would tell you. You know I would."
Wolf studied Alex for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Alright. I believe you. But we need every bit of information we can get. Anything unusual you've noticed? Anyone out of place?"
Alex thought for a moment, shaking his head. "No, nothing. Everything's been normal, as far as I can tell. Nothing's caught my eye at least."
The Colonel paced, his frustration evident. "Alright. We can't afford to waste time. If you do hear anything, Cub, anything at all, you come to me immediately. Understood?"
"Yes, sir," Alex replied, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside him. He was sick of being pulled back into this world of soldiers and spies. This field trip was supposed to be a break for him and now it seemed to be the exact cause to reel him back straight in the middle of it again. He was starting to feel very tired, all the adrenaline from the previous confrontation fading.
Colonel Sanders turned to Wolf and Eagle. "I believe you'd like to be part of the search party. We'll mobilize as soon as possible. Join others in barracks eleven. I'll be there in five."
Wolf nodded, understanding the urgency. "Yes, sir. We'll be on our way"
Eagle glanced at Alex once more, then followed Wolf out of the room with Coyote by his side.
Colonel Sanders took a deep breath, his eyes settling on Alex and Viper. "In that case, there's more you need to know," he began, his tone grave. "The attack was not just a random incident. The precision and execution suggest a level of planning and coordination that points to a well-trained enemy force."
Viper's eyes widened. "What exactly happened, sir?"
"The vehicle carrying Snake and two recruits was ambushed," the Colonel explained. "They were on a routine exercise when they came under heavy fire. There was evidence of a struggle, but the tracks disappeared on one of the roads, making it difficult to trace their exact route."
Alex felt a chill run down his spine. He had been through enough with MI6 to know that this wasn't a simple training accident. Someone was out there, targeting the camp. His mind raced, thinking of the implications.
Colonel Sanders continued, "Given the severity of the situation, I think it's best for the students to leave the camp as soon as possible. I've already given order to start preparing their evacuation from the camp. The safety of your classmates is a priority, and I don't want to take any chances. I also fear you might become a target, Cub, if the enemy gets any hint of your presence in the area. You have gained quite a name for yourself amongst certain groups. So, I've decided that J-Unit should accompany your class back to your camping site. With enemies present, an extra layer of security is necessary for the safety of you and your classmates. We can tell them that the visit here has to be cut short, but instead you'll get the unit to come and teach you on your own camping site." the Colonel said.
Alex's frustration mounted. He was sick of being dragged back into this world and having to deal with SAS unit shadowing his every move. But he could understand Colonel's reasonings. So, Alex just nodded his head and shot a look at Viper who had a concentrated and thoughtful look on his face.
It made sense to have J-Unit accompany them, given that one of their members was more aware of the situation and could be discreet.
Colonel Sanders turned to Viper. "You'll be the main point of communication. If Cub needs to relay any information back to the base it comes through you. We can't risk him getting caught with any of our communication devices. That would raise unnecessary questions. So always be in near proximity from each other. Understood?"
"Understood", Alex and Viper answered in unison.
"And remember, unless absolutely necessary, you are not allowed to disclose anything regarding Cub that you've heard here today to the rest of your unit. Is that clear?" Colonel said with stern voice to Viper.
Viper nodded firmly. "Understood, sir."
The Colonel gave a curt nod. "Good. Viper, gather J-Unit and brief them on the situation. We need to move quickly."
"Yes, sir," Viper replied and saluted before turning to leave. Alex started to follow him outside, glancing behind his shoulder and seeing the Colonel gather some maps from the table. As the Colonel looked up with the maps in his hands, he noticed Alex's eyes on him.
"Stay sharp, Cub. I have a feeling you're going to be more involved in this than you'd like." he said watching Alex intently.
Alex nodded reluctantly, knowing that once again, he was being dragged back into a world he desperately wanted to leave behind. Trouble always seemed to find him, no matter how hard he tried to escape it.
Colonel Sanders stood at the head of the briefing room at barrack eleven, a large tactical map of the Brecon Beacons spread out on the table before him. His face was a mask of determination, eyes scanning the gathered soldiers. The room was filled with several SAS operatives including the three members of K-Unit. The atmosphere was tense; everyone knew the gravity of the situation. Snake and two recruits were missing, and in cases like these, time was of the essence.
"Listen up," Colonel Sanders began, his voice commanding immediate attention. "We're about to commence a grid search for our missing personnel. Snake and two recruits were last seen here," he pointed a spot on the map, "on the northwest trail, where the vehicle tracks disappeared."
The Colonel paused, letting the information sink in. "We have reason to believe they were taken by hostile forces. This is not a drill. I repeat, this is not a drill. Our mission is to locate and retrieve them safely."
One of the soldiers raised his hand. "Sir, do we have any intel on the potential hostile forces?"
Colonel Sanders shook his head. "No concrete intel yet. We're operating under the assumption that these are highly skilled operatives, possibly with an agenda. Stay sharp. We're dealing with a serious threat."
He continued, detailing the plan. "We will split into four teams, each covering a specific grid. K-Unit, you'll take the northern sector. M-Unit, you're on the western front. S- and L-Units will cover the east and south. We'll maintain constant communication. Report anything suspicious immediately. We can't afford to miss a single detail."
The Colonel then pointed to various markings on the map. "Roadblocks have been set up at these strategic points to prevent any escape or further incursion. We'll tighten the perimeter and systematically comb through every inch of these sectors."
Eagle stepped forward. "What about air support, sir?"
"We have a chopper on standby for aerial reconnaissance and potential extraction. But we're in rough terrain, so ground search is our primary method. We were planning to do parachuting training with the recruits this night. I'll have to confirm the status of that exercise given the current situation. But we may have multiple planes on the sky tonight. The exercise is planned to take place in another direction than the starting points of the search, but they might still be able to get some arial views of the area that could help us." Colonel Sanders replied.
He looked around the room, meeting each soldier's eyes. "Remember, our primary objective is the safe recovery of Snake, Jaguar and Raven. We operate with precision and caution. Do not engage unless absolutely necessary. We can't risk their lives."
Colonel Sanders then turned to the radio operator. "Keep the lines open. I want updates every fifteen minutes. If anything changes, I want to know immediately."
The room buzzed with a mix of tension and determination. Soldiers checked their gear one last time, adjusted their radios, and prepared mentally for the task ahead. The Colonel's briefing had been clear, but the weight of the mission hung heavy in the air.
"Move out," Colonel Sanders commanded. The soldiers filed out of the briefing room, each unit moving to their designated starting points. The grid search was about to begin, and every second counted.
All the students had been gathered back to the space where they had started their day on the camp, and they were feeling confused about the sudden change of the day's plans. The teachers were trying to get some additional information from the members of J-Unit but all they got was vague answers about situation changing and promise to get some further instructions as soon as possible.
"I bet this has something to do with Rider", Will brooded with his arms crossed. Him, Sam, Rachel, and Emma were huddled together, revisiting through the events in the combat training area. The rest of their classmates, curious about what had transpired, had crowded around them, eager to hear the story.
"I mean, we were in the middle of our hand-to-hand combat lesson, right? And he was sparring with one of the soldiers. Things started off normal enough, but then it got intense real fast." Will continued.
Sam nodded, jumping in. "Yeah, Alex and, Tiger I think his name was, were really going at it. At first, it looked like a regular training session, but then Alex's moves got real aggressive. It was like watching an actual fight. He was blocking and countering Tiger's attacks like it was nothing."
Rachel leaned forward, her eyes wide. "It was crazy. One moment they were just sparring, and the next, it was like they were attacking each other. And Alex's kicks and punches were so fast in the end that Tiger was barely keeping up. You could see the look on Tiger's face—he was surprised."
Emma nodded furiously and added, "Yeah, Viper tried to break them up, but they just kept going and then, suddenly, Colonel Sanders showed up and he just ordered us to leave. We didn't see or hear what happened after that but then the Colonel appeared outside with Alex and Viper and just dropped us off to Lynx and his group before taking Alex and Viper with him somewhere. They've been gone for quite a while now."
The other students murmured in disappointment. They had all been looking forward to trying out the hand-to-hand combat lesson themselves. It had been the most anticipated activity of the day.
Tom who had been listening to the conversation with worry, decided to join in and try to defend Alex. "Look, it's not like Alex wanted something like this to happen. It's not his fault things got out of hand."
Will scoffed, "Oh, come on, Tom. Every time something weird happens, Rider is always involved. Our day got interrupted because of him. Again. Trust me."
"But you just told us how Tiger was going at him," Tom countered. "Anyone would've reacted like that if they were pushed hard enough."
Sam shrugged. "Maybe, even though I have to say I doubt any of us could hold in a fight like that with a trained soldier. I mean, it was brutal. And still, it doesn't change the fact that I bet we're all stuck here now, waiting, because of whatever happened between Alex and Tiger."
Ellie sighed. "I just hope they figure out whatever's going on soon. I was really looking forward to trying out the combat lesson."
Matt added, "Yeah, it's always something with Alex. He's either disappearing or causing some kind of trouble. I mean, it's almost like he's a magnet for chaos."
A few other students nodded in agreement. The initial curiosity about Alex had turned into a mix of frustration and suspicion.
"And when he's been missing school for weeks?" one of the students piped up. "Nobody ever knows where he is, and then he comes back, and has all these injures and acts like nothing happened. I'm starting to think he brings this stuff on himself."
"Yeah, being a druggie can do that", Will said with pleased tone as he got to spread his malicious theories again. "I think that's also where he learnt to fight like that. Having to defend himself from the other junkies and dealers."
Tom shook his head. "That's not fair. You all know he's been sick."
"Yeah", Matt laughed. "Could someone who's so sick all the time beat up an SAS recruit?"
"You weren't there", Tom retorted angrily. "For all we know they are just exaggerating everything so we would blame Alex."
Will's expression hardened. "You can't deny he's always in the middle of these things. I mean hell Tom, you even got shot in the leg in the middle of one of our lessons at school. You can't deny there is something going on."
Tom grabbed his thigh instinctively from the place where he still had a scar from the bullet graze. "We don't know that was because of Alex. It could have been just some random shooter." But Tom knew he was fighting a losing battle. Everyone was determined to blame this on his best friend.
Sam looked at him with pitying eyes. "You are free to believe what you want and deny the truth about your friend. But he is mixed up with something sinister. And now, because of him, our day is ruined."
Tom opened his mouth to argue but found himself at a loss for words. He didn't know everything about Alex's life, but he knew that his friend was being unfairly judged. He looked around at his classmates, seeing their frustrated and suspicious faces.
"I still think we should give him the benefit of the doubt," Tom said quietly. "We don't know what's really going on, and jumping to conclusions won't help."
But his words fell on deaf ears. The students' irritation had already taken root, and their minds were set. As the group continued to talk, Tom sensed the divide between them and Alex continue to widen. Tom sighed and looked out the window. He was worried about his best friend being absent so long. He just hoped Alex would return soon and explain what happened to him.
Outside, the camp was a blur of activity as soldiers prepared for the search. Alex and Viper walked briskly towards the barracks where the rest of the class was gathered. As soon as they stepped inside, Alex could feel the tension in the room. Conversations stopped abruptly, and all eyes turned towards them, filled with curiosity and suspicion.
Viper scanned the room, noting the unease. "J-Unit and teachers, I need you to step outside with me for a moment," he said, his voice firm but calm. The four teachers exchanged glances before nodding and following Viper out of the space with the members of J-Unit.
Alex stayed behind, awkwardly standing near the door. He could feel the weight of his classmates' stares and the palpable tension hanging in the air. He caught Tom's eye, who gave him a small smile, but it did little to alleviate the sense of isolation he felt. He was exhausted and could feel the effects of the previous fight with Tiger. His muscles ached and he was sure he would have a lovely collection of bruises forming on his body.
Will was the first to break the silence, his tone accusatory. "So, what's the deal, Rider? Why are we all stuck here because of you?"
Alex clenched his jaw, trying to keep his frustration in check. "I don't know, Will. I'm just as clueless as you are."
Sam crossed his arms. "Yeah, right. You spent an awfully lot of time with the Colonel and Viper just to be totally clueless."
"Did you really attack one of the recruits?" Liam asked with wonder in his eyes. "The others in your group told us all about it."
Alex shifted uncomfortably. He could imagine how the others had described the events. "We just sparred a little. It got a little heated and, well, Colonel and Viper wanted to be sure I didn't get hurt. I didn't attack him. It wasn't that big of a deal. We just got carried away. Regardless, I don't know why you were all gathered here. It doesn't have anything to do with what happened with me and Tiger. That is all sorted."
Rachel frowned sceptically. "But it felt like more than just a sparring match. You two were really going at it. Why would Colonel Sanders send us away and take you for that long just to talk about a regular sparring?"
Alex opened his mouth to respond, but before he could say anything, Viper re-entered the room with other adults. Viper cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention.
"Listen up, everyone," Viper began. "Due to some unexpected circumstances, you need to leave the SAS camp earlier than planned. You'll be heading back to your own campsite shortly."
A ripple of surprise and disappointment went through the room. The students had been looking forward to their time at the SAS camp and the unique experiences it promised. Alex could feel their accusing gazes burning him.
"But, to go through the day's planned program J-Unit will be accompanying you," Viper continued. "And we'll continue the training at your campsite."
There were murmurs among the students, some expressing their discontent while others seemed relieved that the whole experience wasn't totally over.
Alex could sense the underlying tension in Viper's words. He knew that the Colonel suspected he might be in danger, and having J-Unit around was a layer of security. This was now a mission for them and in its own way, for Alex as well. He glanced at his classmates, seeing a mixture of confusion and suspicion in their faces.
Will muttered under his breath, "This is all because of Rider, isn't it?"
Viper looked directly at Will after hearing his words. "The life in this kind of high-end military facility is prone to sudden changes and we modify plans accordingly. The changes necessary for today's schedule is not repercussion of anyone's actions. Now make sure you have all your possessions with you. The bus will be here in twenty minutes."
The students reluctantly began gathering their things, the atmosphere still charged with unspoken questions and lingering mistrust. Alex felt a knot tighten in his stomach and as they prepared to leave, he couldn't shake the feeling of being watched and judged by his peers.
Colonel Sanders sat at his desk, the receiver of the secure phone pressed against his ear. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the conversation he was about to have.
The line clicked as it connected, and a gruff voice answered on the other end. "This is General Marks. What's the situation, Colonel?"
"General, we've encountered a serious issue," Colonel Sanders began, his voice steady but tense. "Three of our soldiers have gone missing during training exercise. There are signs of a struggle, and we have reason to believe they've been taken by hostile forces."
There was a brief silence on the other end before the General responded. "That's a significant development. What are your immediate actions?"
"We've initiated a grid search and set up roadblocks. We're mobilizing all available personnel to locate the missing soldiers. However, sir, I'm calling to request permission to cancel tonight's parachuting exercise. Given the current situation, I believe our focus should be on the search and ensuring the safety of the remaining personnel."
The General's voice hardened. "Colonel, the parachuting exercise has been in the works for months. Numerous resources and personnel have been allocated to this. Cancelling it now would be a logistical nightmare and a significant waste of resources."
Colonel Sanders felt a surge of frustration. "With all due respect, sir, we're dealing with a potential abduction on our grounds. Our priority should be locating our men and securing the area. The exercise can be rescheduled."
General Marks's tone remained firm. "Colonel, the exercise will proceed as planned. You will need to manage both the search and the exercise. We cannot afford to derail our training schedule over this incident. I trust you can handle the situation."
Colonel Sanders clenched his jaw, knowing he had no choice but to comply. "Understood, sir. We'll proceed with the parachuting exercise tonight."
"Good. Keep me updated on the search efforts and the situation with the missing soldiers." General Marks said before the line went dead.
Colonel Sanders hung up the phone, a deep frown etched on his face. The decision to proceed with the exercise despite the missing soldiers left a bitter taste in his mouth. He knew the importance of the training, but he also knew the risks of diverting attention from the search.
His eyes drifted to the cluttered state of his office. Maps were scattered across his desk, each marked with grid coordinates and areas of interest. Pins and markers indicated the last known locations of the missing soldiers and the points where the vehicle tracks had disappeared. Several radio transceivers sat on the edge of the desk, their cords tangled and ready for immediate communication.
The atmosphere in the office was tense and chaotic, reflecting the urgency and seriousness of the situation. Sanders could hear the murmur of voices and the crackle of radios from the operations room adjacent to his office, where his officers had started to coordinate the search efforts.
He stood up and walked over to the operations room, his presence immediately commanding attention. "Listen up," he announced, drawing the eyes of his team. "We're continuing with the parachuting exercise tonight as planned. It's not the decision I wanted, but it's the one we have to follow. I need everyone to double down on their efforts. The search continues, but we also need to ensure the exercise goes off without a hitch. Let's get to work."
As his team nodded and resumed their tasks with a renewed sense of urgency, Colonel Sanders returned to his desk, sifting through the scattered maps and notes. Every minute counted, and he was determined to do everything in his power to find his missing soldiers and keep the rest of his men safe.
Walker and Clive maneuvered the stolen SAS vehicle through the dense foliage and narrow, winding paths leading to Scorpia's base deep in the woods. The journey had been tense, but the exhilaration of their successful ambush had kept their adrenaline pumping. Now, with their captives secured in the back, they approached heart of the covert operation.
The base appeared to their vision with its run-down cabins and buildings rising from the overgrown ground. From far it looked like the abandoned holiday resort it was with no active users present. When they got closer guards posted at the perimeter came forwards and gave a curt nod as the vehicle approached, recognizing the operatives aboard. Walker drove deeper into the area.
Clive turned to the captives in the back. Snake and the two recruits were bound and had dark hoods on their heads. Clive removed their hoods and saw their expressions, a mix of anger and defiance. "Welcome to your new home," Clive said with a smirk, the sinister edge in his voice unmistakable.
Inside the vehicle, Snake was seething. His mind raced through potential escape plans, but their current restraints and the number of operatives he saw through the window of the car made it clear that any immediate attempt would be futile. He knew Raven and Jaguar were probably scared and trying to stay composed. He needed to keep them focused and ready for any opportunity to escape.
They parked the vehicle and dragged the captives out, leading them towards old looking building that had a sign with fading text, that couldn't be read anymore, hang above the door.
The building seemed to be an old, dilapidated rental shop that once catered to visitors and adventurers going through the place. The paint was peeling from the walls, revealing layers of faded colors. Their footsteps echoed around as they walked through the cracked concrete floor.
In some of the spaces, remnants of their former contents lie scattered about—tattered flags, old helmets with cracked visors, and broken pieces of gear. A few dusty, forgotten signs still cling to the walls, offering a glimpse into the shop's past: "Dirt Bike Rentals," "Helmet and Gear Sales," "Weekend Adventures Await."
The counter where transactions were once made was cluttered with old paperwork, faded brochures, and a stack of yellowed business cards. Behind it, a large, rusted cash register sat as a silent witness to the shop's bustling days. The shelves above were empty, save for a few stray bolts and tools that had long since rusted into uselessness.
Sunlight filtered through grime-coated windows, casting eerie patterns on the dust-covered surfaces. The air was musty and thick with the smell of rust and decay. Rows of storage spaces lined the walls, their iron bars still in place though now covered in layers of dust and cobwebs. Each barred section once held some kind of piece of adventure gear: dirt bikes, mountain bikes, ATVs, and various camping equipment.
This was going to be the place to hold the three men Scorpia now held as captives. Clive and Walker directed Snake, Jaguar and Raven inside one of the old storage spaces with barred walls. Raven thought about his training, trying to remember anything that could help in this situation. Jaguar kept glancing at Snake, looking for guidance and reassurance.
Walker and Clive observed as other operatives assigned as guards to this holding block were removing the bounds from the men and shut the door of the storage room adding sturdy lock to keep them inside.
"Keep them here," Clive instructed, his tone authoritative. "We need them alive and unbroken for now. They could have valuable information."
Snake's eyes, burned with a fierce intensity. "You won't get away with this," he spat. "The SAS will come for us."
Walker chuckled darkly. "By the time they do, it'll be too late."
With their prisoners secured, Walker and Clive stepped out of the holding area, leaving the guards on their duty.
Alex sat near the back of the bus that was transporting the class away from SAS training grounds back to their camping site. He was staring out the window with sharp, focused look. He could sense the tension in the air, the accusatory glances from some of his classmates, and the quiet murmurs of conversation.
J-Unit, seated strategically throughout the bus, kept a vigilant watch. Tom was sitting beside Alex, trying to create some small talk with him, knowing he couldn't ask about the incident on the camp while all their classmates were doing their best to eavesdrop. Alex kept his answers short and had focused look in his eyes, scanning the forest around them through the bus windows.
Once they arrived near the campsite, the students filed out of the bus, still chattering amongst themselves. The teachers began organizing the students, making sure everyone was present and got their belongings.
Alex saw Viper standing off to the side and caught his eye. Viper had questioning look in his face. Alex gave the briefest shake of his head. Indicating he didn't see anything on their way here and to let Viper know that this was not a good place for them to talk. Viper nodded shortly and joined the teachers to help them getting the kids under control.
After everyone had their backpacks with them, they started their short walk to the place where they had set up their tents only two nights ago. Alex felt like it was ages ago. He let out a sight, glancing the SAS uniformed men accompanying his group and feeling a strange sense of detachment. He looked at his classmates and the soldiers walking side by side. His two worlds had collided hard, but he felt like an outsider in both of them. Not a school kid, not a soldier. Alex started to walk towards the camp site, hoping that his class wouldn't get dragged any further in this.
Red paced the dimly lit room, its faded walls bearing the scars of neglect, with broken furniture scattered around the edges like forgotten relics. She held an untraceable phone to her ear, the device a lifeline to the client who had commissioned the latest operation. The man's voice crackled through the speaker, sharp and demanding.
"Red," the client began, "give me an update on the operation."
Red stopped pacing, her fingers tightening around the phone. "All phases of the operation have been successful so far. After the airdrop tonight, we'll have everything we'll need for the final stages. Everything should be carried through in the next four days."
"Good. Then why call at this time?" the client asked, his tone expectant.
Red hesitated, a rare show of uncertainty in her voice. "There's a complication. We received intel that Alex Rider is in the area."
There was a brief silence on the other end before the client's voice came through, colder and more intense. "Alex Rider? The MI6 agent? The one causing failure of not one or even two but three of your latest operations?"
"Indeed." Red gritted though her teeth. Scorpia hated admitting any short comings, but the failures of invisible sword and Major Yu's operation on Dragon 9 were widely known. Mainly because they got defeated by a mere teenager. The failure of Razim's plans in Cairo had almost meant end for their whole organization. This operation was their last opportunity to be viewed as one of the most feared terrorist organizations in the world once again. "Our intel says that he's here on a school trip, but we have to assume that his presence indicates that MI6 is aware of our plans," Red continued.
"Well, that certainly changes things. If MI6 is aware of our plans, our entire operation could be compromised," the client said, his frustration evident.
"I agree. We can still execute the plan, but we have to assume we're being watched," Red said, trying to keep her voice steady.
"I'm coming to the base myself," the client announced abruptly.
Red felt a flash of frustration and anger. They had marched mile after mile to reach this place, not using any transportation vehicles, organizing the airdrop to get supplies, everything, to try and go under the radar as long as possible. Getting the SAS vehicle was necessary risk that they knew would raise suspicions, but it was all planned for. Their client arriving at the base in such a critical state of the operation, was not.
"I don't think that's a good idea. Your presence could draw even more attention, and it's too risky. We have put a lot of effort of reaching our destinations without being noticed."
"Well, you obviously haven't been doing as good job as you think, if MI6 already knows you're there. No, this operation is too important to leave in anyone else's hands. I need to oversee things personally," the client said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Besides, if MI6 already knows of our presence it can do no harm."
Red clenched her jaw. She knew there was no point in arguing further. "Very well. What about the boy?"
There was a brief silence on the line. Then the client spoke, his cold voice coming through the line. "Your organization has a history of underestimating him. You have let him run loose in your operations, playing games with him and given him opportunity to disrupt the plans. This time we won't make the same mistakes. This time, we'll get him first."'
Author's note:
This chapter became a MONSTER!
But I knew where I wanted to end it, it just took some time to get there. Hope you enjoyed this chapter and I try to keep the length more manageable going forwards. Btw. This fic can now also be found on ao3. Leave a comment if you've enjoyed the story so far. The reviews always brighten up my days :D