Alex stood still, head tilted upwards. Ice-cold water cascaded down from the shower head, numbing his skin with its icy touch. Behind his closed eyes, he saw it, over and over again. The dead man, the hole, the tears sliding down red cheeks, the anguish in Ricard's eyes. . .

The water was so cold – it numbed his skin so that he couldn't feel it anymore – so why couldn't it numb the pain inside? Why couldn't it simply wash it away, and leave him free?

Life wasn't like that, though. He had decided to kill, and now he had to face that decision. Even if the man was a criminal, like the file had said.

He took a deep breath, and turned off the water. He shivered fiercely, goosebumps forming all over his wet skin. Stepping out of the shower, he grabbed a towel, and wrapped it around his waist.

There was a mirror above the bathroom sink; Alex paused to look into it. The reflection was that of someone he did not recognize. The stranger's face seemed hard, like it was an expressionless porcelain mask. The eyes stared back at him hollowly, haunting him, and sending shudders down his spine. Those eyes – his eyes, scared him.

Abruptly, he turned away from the mirror, and padded over to the pile of clean clothing left on the counter beside the sink. Slowly, he pulled them on. Dark green cargo pants, a white t-shirt with some logo on it, and a black bunny hug. He laced up a pair of black boots on his feet.

Dressed, he unlocked the door, and went outside. A man he'd never seen before was waiting for him.

"Come," the man ordered. "They want to see you."

Why couldn't they leave him alone, even for a few hours? He had just gotten back from his last mission. Alex wanted nothing more but to go to his room, and sleep. But he didn't utter a word; instead, he nodded, and followed the man.

He was taken to one of the meeting rooms. The man knocked once on the closed doors.

"Send him in," Julia Rothman's voice sounded from inside. A cold prickle formed on the back of Alex's neck. What was that woman going to do with him now?

"You heard her," the man said. Alex clenched his jaw, and pulled the door open. Then he went inside.

The table had four people sitting at it. One was Julia Rothman. The other three he had never seen before; one was Japanese, another was French, and the last looked European. These three regarded Alex with intent gazes that seemed to pin him tp the place he stood.

"Hello, Alex," Julia Rothman greeted him with a cold smile. "I'm sure you're very tired, but this could not wait. These people here are members of Scorpia, and they very much wanted to meet you."

Alex didn't know what to say. He just looked at them blankly, not sure if he should feel awed or frightened. He was just so very tired and cold.

Julia gestured to the Japanese man. "This is Mr. Mikato, and this," she waved a hand at the Frenchman, "is Pierre. And the last – you may call him Mr. Shanks."

Alex gave an hesitant nod in response.

"Now please, Alex, sit down. We have much we wish to discuss with you."

Moving woodenly, Alex did as he was told. He chose a chair that was on the opposite end of the Scorpia members, and sat down at the large, cherry wood table.

"Why am I here?" he asked tiredly.

Julia smiled. "You're here because you've proven that you complete a mission that's been assigned to you. And I must say, you did quite a good job of it too. The way you've gotten that boy to trust you, in order to get to his father – brilliant!"

Alex was suddenly so terribly cold. He clasped his hands together to hide their trembling. "You were watching me?"

"But of course! It was a test, Alex. And now that you've passed it, we've decided you were ready."

"Ready for what?"

"You will take part in our new plan, Alex," the Japanese man spoke up. His voice was soft, almost feminine, and just the sound of it made Alex nervous. "We have been waiting for someone like you. . .and now that you are here, we have a high chance of success."

"That's right," Julia added. "You, Alex, are the key to the whole plan. Now tell me, what do you know about the United States?"

Alex had to think back to what he learned in school. "It's a powerful country," he said. "Even though they have a huge debt, they're one of the superpowers. They probably have the one of the strongest military - "

"Yes," Pierre broke in. "It is a strong country – one that would benefit us if we were to control it."

Alex stared. "Control - ?"

"Control the United States, control a powerful military. They have the secret for the hydrogen bomb, and probably much more powerful weaponry. If we could direct the way that country develops, within the next ten years, we would have an unbeatable force!" Julia Rothman exclaimed, her eyes glinting greedily at the mere thought.

"Mrs. Rothman," Mr. Mikato said, his dark eyes fastening themselves on her. His tone was strangely foreboding. Rothman froze where she stood, then gave a quick nod. Alex looked from one to the other, trying to figure out what had just passed between the two.

"Now, Alex," Mr. Mikato turned his attention to him. "All you need to be concerned with is your part to play. Your job is two-fold. First, you will save the President of the United States' life, when someone attempts to kill him."

Mikato paused, holding Alex's gaze. After a moment, he continued, speaking softly, enunciating every word clearly.

"And when he bestows his gratitude upon you, you will get close to him, where none of his guards are near. And then, you will kill him."

Alex stared, his eyes growing round with shock. Kill. . .the President? They – they can't be serious.

"I apologize," Mikato bowed his head briefly. "I see that killing has not yet come to you easily. But we have no time to get you accustomed to the act. At the end of this week, you will be in America."

The Japanese man went on to say something else, but Alex could no longer hear him. Inside his head there was a deafening, pounding silence that drowned out everything else.

Kill the President. . .

I can't do that! What are they asking? What are they thinking? I cannot do this!

The President of the United States, the leader of that powerful country. . .

Do they know what they are asking?

"Alex?"

"Huh?" Alex jerked back to reality, hearing his name come from the Frenchman, Pierre.

"You will do this, then?"

All four pairs of eyes were upon him, watching him intently. Staring at him. Waiting for him.

No! I can't! I can't kill another person – especially not -

...you've already killed two. What's another one?...

But the President - ! He's not an evil man! He doesn't need to die!

...you've decided, though. That you will kill again if you need to. You're an assassin, now, remember?...

No! Please, no...

...you have no choice. It's too late to back out now. There is nowhere else for you to go...

I can't! I won't do this! I will not -

"Yes," Alex softly said.

Mikato and Rothman smiled. The Frenchman and Mr. Shanks merely nodded.

"Good," Mikato said. "then you may leave. You look. . .weary."

Alex wordlessly got to his feet, and stiffly went to the door. He opened it slowly, went out, and closed it. Then he sagged against the wall.

What have I done?

There is no way that I can do this. But. . .I am trapped. If that time comes, I fear. . .

-another hole, another dead body -

No.

Somebody. . .please. . .somebody. . .

help me

ARA

"Thank you."

After speaking into the phone, Algonthin hung up, and turned to the other person in the office. He regarded her for a moment. She looked exhausted, and he didn't blame her. Not after all she'd been through.

"They're here?" Jack Starbright asked. "The people that are going to help us get Alex?"

"Yes," Algonthin blinked. "They've just arrived."

"Who are they?"

"People who are familiar with Alex. Please, come," Algonthin made a graceful gesture, and headed toward the door. Jack followed him, wondering who these people were.

They were in a small business-type building. Something that dealt with stocks and bonds. But that was just a cover – like the bank. This building was also reserved for MI6's use.

They walked down a long hall, and stopped before a set of closed double doors. From the other side, they could hear voices.

"This is ridiculous! We were just pulled off in the middle of a mission!"

"Yeah, they didn't even tell us anything..."

"Just shut up," a low voice growled. There was a moment of silence, during which Algonthin pushed open the doors, and strode inside.

There were four men inside, stressed in dark green fatigues. Their faces were grimy with soot and dirt, and packs still filled with gear were resting on the floor beside them. They looked up at Algonthin, who merely blinked at them.

"You are familiar with Alex Rider?" he asked. "Or. . .I suppose you know him as. . .Cub?"