The afternoon sun was shining in the sky as Alex and his classmates arrived back at their campsite, the rays of daylight filtering through the trees surrounding them. The air was cool, and the scent of pine trees mingled with the earthy aroma of the forest floor. The mood was noticeably subdued, the events of the day still hanging over them. J-Unit followed closely, their presence a constant reminder of the day's disruptions for Alex.

Brightly coloured tents were scattered across the grassy clearing, creating a small village amidst the towering trees. The campsite started to buzz with activity as the students found their way to their own tents to deposit their belongings there.

"Come on! Gather around to hear the plans for this evening!" Mr. Stevenson called. Everyone made their way back to the teacher that now had members of J-Unit standing beside him. Once they got everyone's attention Mr. Stevenson gave a nod to Viper.

"Alright, everyone," Viper announced, stepping forward with an air of authority. "We've all had a long and eventful day. Tonight, we're going to take it easy. It's supposed to be a clear sky tonight, so you are able to relax, do some stargazing, and enjoy the evening. We'll pick up with the training activities tomorrow."

The students exchanged glances, some looking relieved, others bit disappointed for having to wait until tomorrow.

Mr. Stevenson continued after Viper. "So, now you'll have one hour of free time before dinner. Sun is supposed to set in a few hours and when the sky is dark, you can see why this park is one of the world's top places to admire the starry sky. Remember to take some warm clothes with you since the temperature will drop once the sun has set. Okay, you're free to go now. See you all in an hour."

They began to disperse, heading for their tents to lay out their sleeping bags and gather some warm clothes in preparation for the evening's activity. Alex and Tom retreated to their tent, a small, nondescript shelter at the edge of the clearing.

Tom broke the silence, his voice low but insistent, blurting out all the questions that had been running through his mind. " So, what really happened back there, Alex? What is this all about? I know something's up. You didn't just get whisked away by the Colonel twice for no reason. Why did we have to leave the camp? Why are these soldiers following us?"

Alex sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Look, Tom, there's a lot going on that I can't explain right now."

Alex hesitated, then chose his words carefully. "There's been some trouble. The Colonel wanted to make sure everyone was safe and to be sure that I haven't been briefed by MI6 on anything before coming here. He was very adamant in his opinion that I was holding some intel from him. He couldn't believe it was just a coincidence that some trouble showed up same time as we did. And to be honest I also find it hard to believe. I'm starting to think I've missed something important."

Alex felt uncomfortable. He hated to feel like he was missing some vital clue that would make sense of the whole situation. He didn't want to make his friend worry, but at the same time he didn't want to keep Tom entirely in the dark about the events that were unfolding.

Tom's concern was evident. " Are we in danger? Are you in danger?"

Alex shook his head. "I don't think so. There's no evidence of anyone trying to target our class. But Colonel thought it best to assign one unit to make sure there would be security for us if something was to happen."

He didn't want to tell Tom about Colonel's comment of him becoming a target if information about his presence on the area reached the ears of the unknown enemy. There was no need to make his best friend worry too much.

Tom's expression didn't relax just yet. "Does J-Unit know about you?"

"Viper knows", Alex answered shortly. Alex knew that all Viper actually had found out during the course of the day was that he once trained with K-Unit, gaining the code name Cub, and that he had some history with MI6. Very vague information but Alex wasn't keen on expanding the soldier's knowledge about his involvement with SAS or MI6.

"Does he know everything? You should tell him about it all", Tom pushed the issue, sensing that Alex was not giving him full explanation.

Alex looked away, his expression tightening. "It's complicated, Tom. Just trust me when I say that he knows enough."

Before Tom could press further, there was rustling on the entrance of their tent. Alex was instantly on high alert his whole body ready to spring to action. Tom noticed the instant shift in his friend's demeanour. And then he knew for sure, Alex was holding something back from him, again, and downplaying the seriousness of their current situation.

Viper opened the zipper on the tent's side and looked inside to face the two boys occupying it. "Alex, I need to talk to you."

"Is it urgent or can it wait a bit?" Alex sighed and closed his eyes. He was exhausted. His whole body still aching and feeling stiff. He had hoped to get some rest before having to face all the classmates, teachers and J-Unit again.

"Sure, it can wait", Viper said looking at Alex and noticing the weariness in his voice and posture, taking some pity on the teenager. "But we need to talk today."

Alex nodded. He heard Viper leaving and opened his eyes to see Tom's accusing face in front of him. "I know you're keeping something from me mate. Would you just let me know what is going on? I'm worried about you."

Alex let out another deep sigh. "Look, Tom I really need some rest right now. I'm aching and exhausted. Can we continue this later?" he pleaded.

"Alright, you rest. I'll go outside. I need some air", Tom said before getting up and leaving the tent.

Alex watched his best friend disappear and felt a mixture of sadness and anger. This was supposed to be a fun trip. An opportunity to spend time with his best friend and get his classmates to accept him again. But sitting there in the middle of an empty space, he couldn't deny it, he had never felt so alone.


Snake sat in the corner of what used to be some kind of storage for valuable rental equipment, his back against the cold, damp wall. The bars were surrounding him and two recruits on three sides, the only light coming through the cracked and dust covered windows of the building. The air was thick with the scent of mold and rust, a constant reminder of their dire situation. He could hear the distant sound of dripping water, a monotonous rhythm that had become both a comfort and an annoyance over the past few hours.

Beside him, Jaguar and Raven sat in similar states of discomfort. Jaguar's expression was one of anger and frustration, his fists clenched tightly as he glared at the barred door with heavy lock on it. Raven, on the other hand, was trying to remain calm, his eyes scanning the room for any possible means of escape.

Snake shifted slightly, wincing as the movement aggravated a bruise on his side. The two guards occupying the building that once used to be a rental shop, glanced at their direction but returned to their previous chatter. They had been assigned to watch over the captives and make sure they wouldn't get a chance to escape. It had become quite a boring assignment after the first hours since the soldiers had done nothing to cause any commotion.

"Do you think the others know we're missing?" Jaguar asked breaking the silence between the three men, his voice quiet and tinged with concern.

"They have to," Snake replied. "We managed to send a distress call, even if it was cut short. They'll find the signs of the attack. Colonel Sanders won't just leave us out here. He'll send a search party."

Raven turned to Snake. "Have you ever been captured before?"

Snake let out a dry chuckle. "Almost. Baghdad. It was close, but we managed to slip away. This is the first time I've actually been captured.

Snake saw the curious look in the recruits' eyes and decided to share a bit of the story. There was nothing else to occupy their minds with anyway. "It was actually not so long ago. My unit and I were on a mission to gather intel on an insurgent group that had been causing chaos in the region. We had been tracking their movements for weeks, and finally, we got a solid lead on their hideout in an abandoned factory on the outskirts of the city."

Jaguar and Raven leaned in, their attention fully on Snake as he recounted the events.

Snake continued. "We moved in under the cover of night, hoping to catch them off guard. Everything was going smoothly at first. We infiltrated the factory and started gathering the intel we needed. But then, something went wrong."

Snake's eyes grew distant as he remembered the details of that night. "One of the insurgents must have spotted us or heard something, because all of a sudden, alarms started blaring. We were compromised. Wolf immediately ordered us to fall back, but it was too late. We were surrounded."

Raven's eyes widened. "How did you get out of there?"

Snake managed a grim smile. "It was touch and go for a while. We had to fight our way out. Bullets were flying everywhere, and we had to move fast. Coyote took a hit to the leg, and Eagle got grazed by a bullet. We were pinned down, with no clear way out."

He paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. "Wolf made a split-second decision. He threw a smoke grenade to give us some cover and ordered us to split into two groups. Coyote and I went one way, while Wolf and Eagle went the other. The plan was to create a diversion and regroup at a safe house a few clicks away."

"We moved as quickly and quietly as we could, but the insurgents were hot on our trail. We ducked into an alley and found a small, hidden entrance to an underground tunnel. It wasn't on any of our maps, but it was our only chance. We slipped inside, and the darkness swallowed us up."

Jaguar and Raven listened intently, hanging on to Snake's every word.

"We made our way through the tunnels, the sounds of gunfire and shouting fading behind us. It was a labyrinth down there, but Coyote, despite his injury, managed to keep us moving. After what felt like hours, we emerged on the other side of the city, far from the factory. We eventually made it to the safe house and reunited with the others."

A small smile appeared on Snake's lips as he remembered the relief they had felt when they were finally safe. In this situation, he missed his unit mates unlike ever before.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps that could be heard getting closer, growing louder as they approached the door of the building they were in. Snake tensed, his heart pounding in his chest. The door creaked open, and a man stepped inside. He walked straight towards the place they were hold securely in place. He had three bottles of what appeared to be water with him as well as a pile of clothes.

"Enjoying your stay?" the man asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he stopped right in front of their cell.

"What do you want?" Snake demanded, trying to keep his voice steady.

The man chuckled. "For now, your uniforms and be quick with it."

Snake's eyes narrowed. "Why do you want our uniforms?"

The man's expression remained cold and unyielding. "You don't need to know. If you play nice and hand them over here quickly, you might get some clothes to cover yourself. If we need to take them by force, you'll be naked for the rest of your time here for all I care. It's up to you. Now, move it!"

Reluctantly, Snake stood up, the others following suit. They began to strip off their uniforms. The SAS uniforms were a part of their identity and protection, the honour to wear the attire was gained through hard work and determination, and as they handed over their clothes, Snake felt a pang of vulnerability.

In exchange, the men kept his word and threw basic T-shirts and sweatpants onto the floor in front of them. "Put these on."

Snake picked up the T-shirt, feeling the rough, thin material between his fingers. It was a stark contrast to the sturdy fabric of his uniform. He glanced at Jaguar and Raven, who were also inspecting their new attire with distaste.

Jaguar muttered under his breath, "What's next? Are they going to take our undies too?"

The man glared at him. "Just put them on and shut up."

Snake pulled the T-shirt over his head, the fabric scratching against his skin. He could feel the chill of the room even more acutely now, the T-shirt and sweatpants offering little warmth. Standing there in his socks, he glanced at the others, noting their discomfort.

"What are we doing here?" Jaguar growled to the man.

The man ignored the question, threw the water bottles at them and turned to leave. "Don't worry, you might find out soon enough."

As the building's door closed behind him, Snake felt a wave of frustration wash over him. They were no closer to understanding their captors' motives or finding a way out. He glanced at Jaguar and Raven, their faces mirroring his own feelings of helplessness and determination, the thin T-shirts and sweatpants making them seem more vulnerable than before.

"We'll find a way out," Snake said firmly, trying to inject some hope into his words. "We just have to keep looking for an opportunity."

Jaguar nodded, his expression hardening with resolve. "Right. We won't give up."

They settled back into their positions, their minds working overtime as they tried to come up with a plan. The flickering light on the ceiling was suddenly turned on and cast long shadows across the room. The natural light coming through the windows started to fade as the sun was setting. Despite the current situation, Snake knew they had to keep themselves optimistic. Someone would come.


Alex lay back on the thin mattress on the tent's floor, trying to relax, but his mind raced. Eventually, he knew he couldn't avoid facing his classmates forever. The dinner had started a short while ago and he knew that if he didn't join the others soon, someone would come looking for him. With a deep sigh Alex gathered his strength and exited the tent, heading toward the dining area where the rest of the class was having dinner.

Students sat on logs and makeshift benches around the tables laden with food. The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm, golden glow over the scene.

As Alex approached, he could feel the eyes of his classmates on him. Tom was sitting with Liam, James and Ellie, who were all talking animatedly. They quieted as Alex drew near and there was some obvious tension in the air and Alex knew that everyone was paying extra attention on him tonight.

"Hey, Alex," Liam greeted, though his tone was cautious.

"Hey," Alex replied, forcing a smile. "Can I join you?".

The others nodded and Alex sat down. He looked at Tom who still had a sense of hurt on his expression, but he flicked a small smile to Alex to communicate that in front of their classmates, they would act like nothing was wrong.

Ellie handed him a plate. "Here, you should eat something."

"Thank you", Alex took the plate and started picking at the food.

"So Alex, would you be up to demonstrate your combat skills tomorrow when we continue the training? It would be so cool, seeing you go against one of the soldiers here. It's a pity, we didn't get to see it ourselves", Liam asked. "The others talked about it almost non-stop at the camp. Me and Ellie only got to start with some shelter building with Falcon."

Before Alex could reply Tom piped in. "Yeah, well I was with Bear going through some navigation. I think I can already use a compass thank you very much. The shelter building would've been more interesting."

"Nah, I guess nothing would be as exciting as training the hand-to-hand combat with SAS. So Alex, can we all see you beating up a J-Unit member tomorrow?" Liam returned to the topic much to Alex's annoyance.

Alex swallowed the food he had in his mouth before replying. "There wouldn't be much to see. It's was just basic martial arts movements. Maybe you should ask two of the soldiers to give you demonstration tomorrow."

"We already saw the recruits training in the camp. No, I think it would be cool to see someone from our class do the same", Liam said with excitement in his eyes.

"I'm sorry Liam. I would guess that we continue with our assigned groups. And I wouldn't want to do it anyway", Alex said looking at his plate. He was feeling very uncomfortable with his class having seen or heard what happened. He felt embarrassed and ashamed every time he remembered the way he had lost control with Tiger. What made it worse was that some of his classmates obviously thought that what happened was somehow cool.

Liam opened his mouth, possibly to continue with the topic, but Ellie piped in before he managed to get a word out of his mouth. "You think we'll get to see any constellations tonight?"

Alex appreciated the attempt to shift the conversation. He took a bite of his food, trying to focus on the present. Despite the tension, it seemed that not everyone was blaming him about the sudden changes of today's schedule.

James nodded. "Definitely. The sky is clear, and we're far from any city lights. It should be perfect for stargazing."

"Maybe we'll even see a shooting star. I've always wanted to see one." Ellie said with wishful voice.

Tom, relaxing a bit, grinned. "Just as long as this doesn't turn out to be some surprise drill. Don't think I forgot how Viper described those during his lecture today. If it's really just relaxing and looking at the sky, I'm all for it."

As twilight descended, the students gathered in a clearing, their eyes turning upwards to the darkening sky. The stars began to appear, one by one. The mood was lighter now, the earlier tension giving way to the peacefulness of the night.

The night sky became a canvas of twinkling stars, a vast expanse that stretched endlessly above the campsite. The students lay on blankets and sleeping bags spread out across the grassy field, eyes fixed on the heavens. The chatter had died down, replaced by a collective sense of wonder as they waited for the night's stargazing session to begin.

Mr. Stevenson stood at the edge of the group, a flashlight in one hand and astronomy laser pointer in the other. He turned off the flashlight, plunging the area into near darkness except for the soft glow from the stars.

"Alright, everyone," Mr. Stevenson began, his voice carrying a note of excitement. "Tonight, we're going to explore the night sky. It's a perfect night for stargazing—clear skies and minimal light pollution. Brecon Beacons is designated as one of the International Dark Sky Reserves. This means that this area has been recognized for its exceptional quality of starry nights and nocturnal environment. Light pollution is strictly controlled here, making it one of the best places in the UK for stargazing."

He pointed the green laser towards a bright cluster of stars. "First, let's locate Orion. Can anyone spot it?"

There was a moment of silence as the students scanned the sky. Ellie's hand shot up. "I see it! Over there!"

Mr. Stevenson nodded, directing his laser pointer to the same area. "Correct, Ellie. That's Orion, one of the most recognizable constellations. You can see the three stars that form Orion's Belt. They're almost in a straight line, making it easier to spot."

The students murmured in appreciation, eyes following the laser pointer as it traced the constellation. Alex was laying next to Tom at the edge of the group. He was looking at the stars above him. Under the dark sky, a vast sea of stars stretching across the infinite universe, he felt himself very small.

"Orion is also home to some interesting celestial objects," Mr. Stevenson continued. "For example, if you look below Orion's Belt, you'll find the Orion Nebula. It's one of the brightest nebulae in the sky and a stellar nursery, where new stars are born."

Mr. Stevenson continued, moving the laser pointer across the sky. "Now, if you look to the left of Orion, you'll see a faint, milky band stretching across the sky. That's the Milky Way, our galaxy."

"Wow," James whispered, his voice full of awe. "It's incredible."

Mr. Stevenson smiled. "It truly is. The Milky Way is home to billions of stars, and when we look at it, we're seeing just a small part of our galaxy. Imagine how vast it is."

The students lay in silence for a moment, absorbing the immensity of what they were seeing. The Milky Way arched gracefully across the sky, a shimmering river of stars.

Mr. Stevenson moved on, pointing out other constellations and celestial phenomena. The students listened, entranced, as he explained the stories and science behind the stars. They learned about the Great Bear, Cassiopeia, and the North Star, each point of light holding a piece of history and mystery.

Just as Alex was beginning to relax, he noticed movement in the edge of his vision. It was Viper, making his way towards the group in the darkness. Alex tensed slightly. He knew he would have to talk with J-Unit's leader before they were sent to get some sleep. Viper would undoubtedly want answers to some questions, but Alex really didn't feel like going through another interrogation session today. Alex saw Viper stopping at the edge of the clearing. Their eyes met and Viper gestured for Alex to join him.

Alex looked around. His classmates were fully focused in on the sky above them, listening Mr. Stevensons explanations of what they were seeing. Nobody else had apparently noticed the SAS soldier that had appeared at the edge of the woods. Alex started to get up and Tom turned to look at him.

"I'll have to go for a while", Alex whispered. Tom looked around them, spotted Viper and put two and two together.

"They're going to drag you in middle of it again, aren't they?" Tom asked quietly with exasperation in his voice. "Just tell them no Alex. Please. I don't want you to get hurt. Let's just leave here if there is any danger lurking around. I'm sure the teachers would agree."

Alex looked at his friend's pleading eyes. Tom's words would've made sense if Alex could just leave the area knowing that Snake and two SAS recruits were in trouble. But he wouldn't be able to do that. Now that he knew there was something going on, he would have to see it through. And this time he had a whole SAS unit as a support.

"It's okay Tom. I'm just going to talk with Viper a bit. I'm not going to go anywhere", Alex reassured his friend and rose to his feet.

His movements drew the attention of his classmates and Mr. Stevenson paused in the middle of his sentence. "Alex, what are you doing? You cannot leave the group by yourself."

"I'm sorry sir. But I'm not feeling well", Alex said with low voice, looking his teacher in the eye and adapting a posture that would mirror his words and convey that he was feeling sick.

Mr. Stevenson looked unsure and just as he was opening his mouth to say something, Viper stepped forward from the edge of the clearing.

"I can accompany him and see that he gets to his tent", Viper offered. Alex sighted internally. Great, now the others would continue their speculations regarding him and Viper spending time alone together again. He had hoped to get away from the group without others noticing the soldier.

Mr. Stevenson had a thoughtful look on his face as he looked between Alex and Viper. "Okay, I guess that will work. I hope you'll feel better soon Alex." There was still some doubt in the teacher's voice, but Alex guessed he didn't want to press the issue in front of the whole class and an SAS soldier.

Alex nodded and started to walk towards Viper looking at the man with poisonous look. "Right then, let's go", Viper said and tried to place his hand on Alex's shoulder. Alex dodged. "I can still walk by myself thank you", Alex snapped and the two started their journey away from the group that was now returning to their stargazing.


As Alex and Viper walked away in silence, Alex couldn't help but feel a surge of frustration. "You know," he began, his voice low and tense, "You just happening to be there when I was trying to leave is only going to make my classmates more suspicious. They already think something's up with all the time I spent with you and Colonel in the camp. They're not stupid. I would've been able to leave without them noticing you."

Viper gave a small nod, acknowledging the point. "I understand, Cub. But I needed to talk to you. This was the easiest way to get you from under your teacher's gaze. Besides, I doubt he would've left you leave on your own no matter how hard you tried. I had to brief them on the situation after all, to get them let us accompany you here."

"How much did you tell them?" Alex asked, glancing sideways at Viper.

"Enough to keep them updated," Viper replied, his voice even. "But not enough to give away all the details. They know there's a situation, but they don't know anything about your involvement in any of this or that there might me armed hostiles in the park."

Alex nodded. It made sense.

Viper's eyes flicked over to Alex, curiosity evident. "Speaking of which, how exactly are you involved with MI6? You're just a kid."

Alex's jaw tightened. "I'd rather not talk about it."

"Come on, Cub," Viper pressed. "If we're going to work together, I need to know what we're dealing with. Why is a teenager mixed up with Intelligent Services?"

"It's not something I chose," Alex snapped, his frustration bubbling to the surface. "I was dragged into it. And I thought I managed to leave that part of my life behind me. Now I just do what I have to."

"What were you doing with them? I heard Wolf mentioning he's seen you in action. Have you gone on some missions? How many?" Viper continued to fire his questions.

Memories of past missions were flashing though Alex's mind. His feelings of helplessness and fear starting to take a hold. Alex took in a deep breath. Calm yourself.

"A few." Alex offered. "I really don't want to talk about it. It has nothing to do with the current situation so stop asking questions about it. The less you know, the better."

"This is important information Cub. Have you made any enemies?" Viper kept asking.

Alex instantly thought of Scorpia. The terrorist organization that had meddled in his life before he was even born. But it was impossible. After the events in Cairo, all the members that hold any influence in the organization had been arrested. Scorpia's tale was over. Still Alex's hand brushed over the scar left by a bullet wound in his chest and his expression hardened. "Drop it, Viper."

Viper raised an eyebrow. "Cub, you're just a teenager, but you've got more combat skills than most seasoned soldiers. It's hard not to be curious. Where did you learn to fight like that?"

Alex crossed his arms, his glare icy. "I said, stop asking questions. This isn't something I want to talk about."

Viper, sensing the underlying threat in Alex's voice, held up his hands in a placating gesture. "Alright, I'll drop it for now. But if we're going to keep everyone safe, I need you to be honest with me when it counts."

"Fair enough," Alex muttered, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly.

After a short moment, Viper spoke up again. "I just can't believe it. Did you really participate in selection?"

Alex nodded. "Yeah, some of it at least. Can't say I enjoyed it."

Viper chuckled. "I can imagine."

They walked in silence for a bit, the night air cool and crisp around them. Finally, Viper spoke again, this time about their immediate plans.

"About tomorrow," Viper began, his tone shifting to one of strategy. "I think we should combine two groups for the day. That way, there are always at least two soldiers present. It's safer and allows us to keep a closer eye on everyone."

Alex nodded, seeing the logic in the plan. "I agree. What about the activities? Should there be changes in anything?"

"No," Viper said thoughtfully. "I think we should continue with the planned activities as normally as possible. We don't want to raise any suspicions among your classmates or the teachers. If we act like everything's fine, they'll be less likely to pick up on anything being wrong."

"Makes sense," Alex said. "But what if something happens? What if the situation escalates?"

"Then we'll deal with it," Viper replied, his voice steady and reassuring. "We've got your back, Cub."

Alex nodded, feeling a flicker of confidence. For the first time in a long while, he had backup. And as much as he hated being dragged into these situations, he was grateful that this time, he wasn't facing it alone.

As they continued walking back towards the camp, they noticed something in the distance. High above, illuminated by the moonlight, they could see the silhouettes of planes flying above and soldiers parachuting down, their chutes billowing out against the dark sky.

Alex squinted at the sight. "Is that a parachuting exercise? Now?"

Viper glanced up, his expression hardening. "Yeah, it is."

"Why would Colonel allow it after today?" Alex asked, genuine confusion in his voice. "I mean, with three soldiers missing, it doesn't make sense to drop your soldiers in the dark forest."

Viper's jaw tightened. "I understood that this is result of orders from higher up. Sometimes decisions get made that don't seem to make much sense on the ground. We just have to roll with it."

Alex shook his head. "Seems reckless."

"It is," Viper admitted. "But the Colonel's hands are tied. This particular training exercise has been in the works for months, with a lot of people involved. Cancelling it would have raised too many questions and might have alerted others to our current situation."

Alex furrowed his brows. "Something doesn't add up here."

"You're not the only one feeling like that," Viper said seriously. "But we have to focus on what we can control. Right now, that means keeping your class safe."

Alex could feel the tension building inside him, the constant pressure of being caught between two worlds weighing heavily on his shoulders.

As they reached the edge of the camp, Alex turned to Viper one last time. "Thanks, Viper. For keeping me up to date and having my back."

Viper gave him a small, tight smile. "It's what we do. And I hope you'll also let me in on your situation a bit more. But I get it. It takes some time to trust a stranger, even if we are on the same side. Now get some rest. Tomorrow's going to be a long day."

Alex nodded and made his way back to his tent, feeling a mix of exhaustion and determination. As he lay awake in his sleeping bag staring at the tent's canvas, he felt like maybe he could tell Viper, if not everything, then at least some of it. The man seemed sincere enough. But not tonight, Alex thought as he shut his eyes. Maybe tomorrow.


The moon hung low in the sky, casting an eerie silver glow over the rugged terrain of the Brecon Beacons. Three figures moved swiftly, their shadows merging with the surrounding darkness. Clad in stolen SAS uniforms, they blended seamlessly into the night, their movements efficient and precise.

Petrov led the group, his eyes scanning the area with a steely determination. Beside him, two other Scorpia operatives, Glade and Issaiah, carried out their tasks with practiced ease. They had been chosen for this mission, because they fit in the three SAS uniforms taken from the captives that were brought to the base earlier today. They had the stolen SAS vehicle parked nearby, its engine idling softly, ready for a quick getaway.

As they approached one of the airdrop sites, Petrov motioned for them to halt. They crouched low, their eyes adjusting to the dim light as they surveyed the area. In the distance, the faint silhouettes of SAS recruits could be seen, their parachutes billowing out like ghostly apparitions against the night sky.

Petrov's gaze hardened. "Let's make this quick and quiet," he whispered. "We don't want to draw any attention."

Glade nodded, his face set in a grim expression. "Roger that."

They moved forward cautiously, their boots making barely a sound on the uneven ground. The crates from the airdrop were scattered around the designated drop zone, their parachutes still attached and flapping gently in the breeze.

Issaiah reached the first crate and quickly began to detach the parachute.

As Issaiah worked, the sound of distant voices reached their ears. Petrov stiffened, signalling for silence. They could see the faint outlines of parachutes descending in the distance, the SAS recruits performing their nighttime exercise.

"Hurry up," Petrov hissed. "We don't have much time."

As they worked, the sound of voices drifted over from the direction of the parachuting exercise. But for now, it seemed the Scorpia operatives were unnoticed.

Glade hoisted a crate onto his shoulder and began moving it towards the vehicle. "Let's get these loaded up."

Petrov and Issaiah followed suit, carrying the crates to the back of the stolen SAS vehicle. They worked quickly, their eyes constantly darting to the horizon where the SAS recruits were still descending.

Once the last crate was loaded, Petrov gave a satisfied nod. "All right, let's get out of here."

They climbed into the vehicle, Petrov taking the wheel. As they drove off, the rumble of the engine was swallowed by the night, leaving behind only the distant sounds of the SAS recruits in the middle of their training exercise.

Inside the vehicle, the tension was palpable. Glade glanced at Issaiah and then at Petrov. "So, do you have any idea what we are transporting here?"

Issaiah shrugged, his frustration evident. "No idea. It's frustrating. I'm thinking that maybe we're fetching some additional weaponry and surveillance equipment. That would make sense right? There is very scarce supply of any of those in the base."

Petrov's grip tightened on the steering wheel. "It's not our job to ask questions. We're here to do the job. But yeah, it'd be nice to know what we're risking our necks for."

Glade sighed, leaning back in his seat. "I guess we'll find out eventually."

The road ahead was dark, the headlights of the vehicle cutting through the night. They had multiple airdrop sites to hit, and it was going to take all night.

"Look," Petrov said, glancing at his comrades, "we'll just have to trust that whatever we're picking up is crucial and stay focused. We've got a long night ahead."

Issaiah nodded, though his frustration was still evident. "Yeah, you're right. Just wish they'd let us in on the bigger picture."

As they navigated back through the forest, they encountered a group of parachuting recruits who had just landed nearby. The operatives held their breath, hoping the stolen uniforms and vehicle would maintain their cover.

One of the recruits, a young man with a determined expression, approached the vehicle. "Everything alright?" he asked, addressing Petrov.

Petrov, maintaining a calm demeanour, nodded. "All good here. Just finishing up a supply run. How's the exercise going?"

The recruit gave a thumbs-up. "Smooth so far. Be careful out there. We've heard reports of increased enemy activity in the area."

Petrov gave a tight-lipped smile. "Thanks for the heads up. Stay safe."

As the recruit walked away, the operatives continued their drive, the tension slowly easing. Once they were clear of the exercise zone, Petrov let out a sigh of relief.

As they continued driving, the landscape around them remained desolate, the only sounds being the engine's hum and the occasional rustle of the wind. The mission was far from over, and the unknown elements added a layer of tension to their task. But they pressed on, determined to see it through. They had a long night ahead of them.


The night was thick with tension as Sylas Hawthorne's sleek black car approached the edge of the Brecon Beacons. Sylas, a middle-aged man of considerable wealth, sat in the back seat, his face a mask of steely determination. His face was familiar from newspapers and other media. He had been active public figure, fighting for green values, spreading information about climate change and used a considerable amount of his wealth in preserving and protecting the diversity of ecosystems around the world. He had the distinguished air of someone used to commanding respect and attention, yet there was an underlying vulnerability in his eyes, a product of his battle with Multiple Sclerosis.

Sylas's condition had progressed over the years, affecting his mobility and making him reliant on the assistance of others for travel. His legs, once strong and capable, were now weak, and his movements were often slow and deliberate. Two burly bodyguards flanked him in the car, their presence a constant reminder of the precautions necessitated by his condition and his status.

The car slowed as they approached a roadblock manned by a couple of SAS recruits. One of the recruits, a young man with a clipboard, stepped forward and motioned for the car to stop. Sylas's driver, a seasoned professional, rolled down the window.

"Evening," the recruit said, peering inside the car. His eyes widened slightly as he recognized Sylas, though he kept his composure. "We have a security checkpoint here. May I ask the nature of your visit?"

Sylas leaned forward, his voice calm but authoritative. "I'm here to enjoy our lovely national park. Just a relaxing holiday. I'm sorry but there haven't been any security checks before. May I ask what this commotion is about? Should we be worried?"

The recruit exchanged a look with his partner. "No, sir there is nothing to worry about. Please enjoy your holiday. You may proceed."

"Thank you", Sylas said and the car continued past the checkpoint.

The car rolled forward, leaving the recruits behind as it entered the heart of the Brecon Beacons. Sylas stared out of the window, his mind preoccupied with the significance of his presence here. The arrival of Alex Rider had changed the dynamics of their operation, and he needed to ensure everything was in place.

After driving for a while, they arrived at the base of the operation, a secluded location hidden away from prying eyes. The car came to a halt, and Red was there to greet them. She stood with her usual stern demeanour, her eyes sharp and assessing as she watched Sylas's bodyguards help him out of the car.

Sylas Hawthorne was an imposing figure despite his physical limitations. He had a well-groomed beard, flecked with gray, and piercing blue eyes that missed nothing. His tailored suit, though slightly creased from the journey, spoke of his wealth and attention to detail. He leaned in on a sleek black cane that was supporting him but seemed like a part of well-thought-out attire.

"Mr. Hawthorne," Red greeted him with a nod. "Welcome, I hope your journey went well."

Sylas's expression was unreadable as he responded. "Smoothly enough, thank you. I know you don't think me arriving here personally is a good idea, but it is necessary. Like you said, Alex Rider's presence indicates that MI6 is aware of our plans. I need to oversee things personally to ensure there are no more... complications. I need to know the extent of their intel regarding the ongoing operation."

Red nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I understand. Please follow me. We've prepared a place for you to stay during the operation."

Sylas, supported by his bodyguard and his cane, followed Red into the main building in the middle of the base. The interior was worn-out and looked as if nobody had taken care of it in many years, a stark contrast to the luxurious surroundings Sylas was accustomed to. They moved through dimly lit corridors until they reached a room that had been set up for him. It was functional, with a bed, a desk, and a secure communication setup.

"This will be your quarters," Red said. "We've ensured it meets all the basic needs."

Sylas surveyed the room and nodded. "It will do. Now, brief me on the current status of the operation."

Red hesitated for a moment before responding. "All phases are proceeding as planned. We've retrieved the supplies from the airdrops, though we're still in the process of collecting everything. The presence of Alex Rider remains a concern. We've established his current location, but he is accompanied by a classful of school children and one established SAS unit. We've made no moves to retrieve him just yet. It would be too much of a risk with so many witnesses."

Sylas's eyes narrowed. "I want him monitored at all times. When there is even a slightest of opportunity to strike, I want you to take it and bring him here. Alive. We need to know why he is here and what MI6 knows. I want all the information he has. Keep me updated every hour. And make sure our people understand the importance of discretion. We cannot afford any more mistakes."

Red nodded again, her respect for Sylas evident. "Understood. I'll make sure the team is informed."

As Red left the room, Sylas sat down heavily in the chair by the desk. His body was tired, but his mind was razor-sharp, already strategizing the next moves. The game had changed with Alex Rider's arrival, but he was determined to ensure that this time, Scorpia would come out on top.