4. Savin Me

Ben Daniels had been working undercover in SCORPIA for several months. He had personally requested this mission. Because of Alex, the kid he saw as a little brother who was in fact his superior. Alex had been kidnapped half-way through July which was three months ago. Alex should have started back at school about a month ago. Alex should have started back in school a couple weeks ago but was MIA. He knew Tom Harris was as worried about Alex as any of the spies who truly knew what SCORPIA were like. Mrs. Jones was taking it well which just infuriated Ben; he'd thought she'd cared somewhat about Alex. But apparently just like Blunt before her she was just using him.

But today he had moved high enough up to be able to find out where exactly Alex was being held. He found out it was in an apparently abandoned factory just inside London. He got all the information including blueprints before requesting immediate withdrawal. He hoped Alex would be somewhat okay despite the constant torture he was under going. When Mrs. Jones had heard this she had told the army to change the current codes and told Ben that K-Unit would be tackling this operation. Ben supposed this was to keep Alex with people who already knew him.

Alex shivered on the floor doing his best to hang onto life. He rasped out a breath knowing he was close to death, too close. Alex would never admit it. Not to anyone! But he was terrified. More than he had ever been before; and that were saying something! He could taste the coppery taste in his mouth. The taste of blood, Alex knew. At sixteen Alex shouldn't have been able to identify the coppery taste of blood so easily. But Alex was no ordinary sixteen year old. No Alex in fact was the world's youngest spy. He had only been officially employed by MI6 for the last fifteen months. Though for the last three months Alex had been kept under constant torture by Doctor Three. The mere mention of than foul, sadistic man's name was enough to send shivers down the teenager's spine. He wondered, briefly when his torturer would be back. Before suppressing that horrific thought, he had enough with the current pain without imaging fresh horrors.

Alex knew that MI6 were looking for him; Three had made that abundantly clear. Also that he wasn't happy with Alex's people. This was demonstrated by the burn on Alex's shoulder that was in the shape of a scorpion. SCORPIA! He struggled against the ropes that were no longer needed; in the teenagers' failing health Alex couldn't have thought back against his captors' no matter how much he may want it. He could feel his heart struggle and even though he desperately fought against the weariness he just couldn't. Taking one last breath he sank into unconscious in the torture room. Luckily for Alex uncalled for help was on its way.

Snake was horrified when he had found out from his old team member, Fox or rather Agent Daniels, informed them that the teenager who had trained with them was not some kid of a snob. No he was MI6's best field agent. He had two daughters; a nine year old and a two year old. He couldn't bear if either of them ended up with the life Cub had. And Cub – Alex – was in trouble! He had been kidnapped from his home in Chelsea whilst out with a friend, Tom Harris. The other teenager had given a full report to MI6. Apparently, Alex had told the boy already about his double life. Snake was glad at least that he had one good, friend he trusted implicitly. Trying not to feel too guilty when Snake remembered how at sixteen, he had a whole group of boys he would trust with his life. Wolf, ever the expressive one, let out a torrent of abuse towards the head of MI6 at the idea of using a child. The other three SAS men in the room seemed to agree with him (even Panther who hated children). The Head of MI6 sighed seeming genuinely sorry for what had occurred and explaining the teen's history, not going into many details. K-Unit could see the impossible position the woman was in. And all agreed with no second thought to go and rescue their youngest team member, Fox would act as surveillance.

K-Unit was quickly able to take out the guards surrounding the old factory in London mainly thanks to Fox's surveillance. Not that Wolf would admit it MI6, even Fox's involvement, unnerved him. Not that Snake particularly liked them, apart from Fox and Alex. Following Fox's instructions K-Unit forked left, followed the stairs up, turned right at the top, moved stealthily forward, reached an old wooden door (older than the rest of the factory). Taking out the two guards at the door Wolf being the tallest was able to knock the door through. What the four from K-Unit saw was something the four SAS soldiers would never forget. It stank of blood, sweat, burned flesh, and pure fear. The sight was even worse! In the middle of the room tied by ropes was a small figure covered from head to foot in blood; so much so that you couldn't tell what colour of hair, or skin the boy had originally. Snake, Wolf and Eagle knew that Alex Rider had blonde hair and fair skin. Snake heard him grown and the sound broke his heart. Snake swore to protect the child not realising the other three had done the same.

Alex seemed to be about to roll over. But Snake knew with all the blood his best bet was to stay still and do no further damage. Snake quickly assessed the damage. He could see repeated lactations from many different whips. Dark burns he knew from training were electrocution burns (but he'd never seen them).The SCORPIA brand on his shoulder. There were several other burns down his back. These were coupled by fresh whip marks. On his arms were knife wounds. He was thankful that there were no scars on Alex's legs. But then he realised this would be next. Snake quickly began to bandage the teenager up. But soon realised the teenager was having trouble breathing. Applying pressure to Alex's chest; he heard Wolf calling for back up telling of Alex's critical condition.

Having stabilised Alex's breathing Snake moved onto Alex's most severe torture wounds. He cleaned the electrocution burns then placing ice bags on them which were a little melted. But it was enough. Then Snake turned to the knife wounds running up and down his arms. Not surprised at their skinniness obtained from weeks of near starvation. He used the antiseptic causing the teen to grown in pain.

'Hold on Cub,' murmured Snake not thinking that Alex could hear him.

'Snake,' rasped Alex. Snake was beginning to wonder whether there was anything about this teenager which wouldn't surprise him.

'I'm here,' murmured Snake trying to assure the hurt boy, 'you'll be out of here soon.'

'Hurts,' muttered Alex.

'I know,' said Snake.

He continued bandaging up Alex's arm. Alex was mainly silent when he worked on his arms, moving onto his front and back. Only letting out a soft whimper or flinch here and there where sprays were applied. K-Unit was immensely impressed at the teen's bravery. Snake sat with and arm round Alex while the other three guarded the door. Snake knew that they should move that anyone could walk in. But they didn't want to move Alex. When Fox and the paramedics turned up Snake kept hold of the teenager's hand. This was when K-unit finally became one; even if their youngest member was sixteen. When they learnt that Alex hadn't given away anything Snake almost choked, they all knew if the same had fate had befallen them they would have told their captor's everything. Just before the Christmas holidays Alex was allowed to go back to school and just before Alex turned seventeen he was put back onto active duty.