Chapter 1

Conned!

It was a lovely day for a nice stroll through the neighbourhood, everything was quiet and peaceful. The temperature was just prefect, a mild twenty two degrees Celsius, and it seems nothing can disturb your relaxing walk... Unless of course it's that certain fourteen year old super spy yelling at the top of his lungs.

"You did WHAT?" Alex Rider exclaimed, looking exasperated as he faced his housekeeper. The look of horror slowly growing on his face. He looked like the average boy, short fair hair and brown eyes with a well built body. He was the type of guy you see being swooned over by girls – not that they get much of a chance to. You see, Alex Rider was no ordinary boy; he was a spy, one that would rather not be a spy but instead, just a normal boy. Fat chance. MI6 were more then willing to blackmail him into doing some more of their dirty work. As if they were ever going to leave him alone.

"I signed you up for survival camp, run by the scouts." Jack repeated slowly, waving the form in his face. "Come on, it's not that bad." She said enthusiastically.

Oh yes, easy for you to say, you're not the one who is already looked down upon by your classmates. Alex thought, a little harsher then he meant to. He knew Jack was only trying to help, but seriously? Why should he go on a survival camp when he's already survived eleven days of SAS.

"But Jack, I can't." Alex protested, "I've got work to catch up on."

"Don't worry, I already sorted it out with the teachers." Jack grinned, "Anyway, Tom's going too and I thought he would need the company."

"Really?" Suddenly Alex looked interested before he realised that she was probably conning him into going. "As if. Tom's not that sort of person."

"I asked his mum. She told me so." Jack said with conviction, "Apparently a lot of the boys are interested because there's going to be a survival camp."

Alex bit back a laugh, "I think their version of 'survival camp' is a bit different to mine." He pointed out, "They haven't tried a SAS training camp."

"But it'll be fun anyway! You'll get to meet some new people and catch up with friends."

"I need to study." Alex said firmly, "I can't go."

"Oh alright." Jack's enthusiasm faded and she looked like she was going to cry, "I was only trying to help…"

Alex sighed, trying hard not to feel guilty which was an almost impossible task to do with the look Jack was giving him, "I know, but really, I'm too busy."

Jack looked crestfallen, "Ok, sorry I bothered you…"

Alex winced; he hated the way she was staring at him, so he turned his head away so that he couldn't see her dejected look. He knew if he looked at if for any longer, his will would break and he would give in to her, "It's alright. I should start on some of my work…"

"Yeah. You know it really wouldn't help if you were out and about more." Jack said hopefully.

Alex laughed and shook his head, "I've spent more time in the last few months out of the house then in the house. Thanks to MI6." He said bitterly.

"Well, it was worth a try. You've been looking depressed lately." Jack commented, brushing her red hair out of her face.

"Of course I am. I find out that I had a godfather and I work with him on a mission for the ASIS. I had been looking forward to finding out more about my father – turns out he was the one that had killed him." Alex replied bluntly.

"Alex, I'm sorry."

"No, forget I said anything." Alex said before he left the room.

Alex groaned as he stirred and found himself still sitting at his desk, surrounded by uncompleted work and open textbooks. He'd fallen asleep on top of his history assignment – a thousand word essay on the Romans. He glanced at the digital clock sitting on top of his bookcase, groaning again when he saw what the time was – five thirty, Jack was going to be cranky if he missed dinner.

"I see you're awake." Jack commented as he trudged down the stairs and into the dining room. She had prepared spaghetti Bolognese which was currently waiting on the table for him.

Alex grunted, "How did you know I was asleep?"

"Well I called for you twenty minutes ago." She said with an amused look on her face.

Alex rolled his eyes, "I guess history does that to you." He joked, "It's the most boring thing I've ever done."

"So would you rather do that or go on the camping trip?" Jack asked, sounding rather annoyingly correct.

"You know full well which one I would rather." Alex replied stiffly as he dug into his dinner.

"Then you would do it?" She looked eager as she waited for his answer.

Alex sighed, "Are you really that desperate to get rid of me?" He remarked.

Jack looked horrified, "Alex! How could you say such a thing?"

"Well you were sure implying it…" Alex shrugged casually.

"Alex, you know I care for you. If I didn't, I would've gone back to America when this whole MI6 thing started." Jack said.

"Yes, I know." Alex admitted, "I was just kidding with you." He paused for a moment before continuing, "Look, if I agreed to go to this 'survival' camp, will you stay off my case?" He asked finally.

Jack looked delighted, "Yes! Yes I will." She exclaimed happily. Alex was surprised at how fast her mood had changed.

Alex sighed, he can't believe he was actually going to say it.

"Alright, I'll go then."

She smiled gleefully, "Good, It starts next week."

"WHAT?!"

It was a week later since Alex had agreed to go to the camp, his duffel bag swung across his shoulder as he met up with the other boys who had signed up in front of Brookland Comprehensive School. There were fifteen other boys waiting for the bus to come. To Alex's surprise, he actually recognised all of them. From where he was standing, he could see James, Shane, Andrew, Tim, Darran, Marcus, Josh, Daniel, Michael, Jack, Brian, Charlie, Kevin and Maxwell, or Max as he preferred to be called.

"Alex!"

Alex turned to see his best mate, Tom Harris bounding over towards him. Tom looked the same as always, his bright blue eyes were energetic and his black hair was spiked. Alex grinned, "I see that Jack wasn't lying."

" 'bout what?" His friend asked curiously.

"That you were going to this ridiculous camp." Alex said, loud enough for Tom to hear, yet quiet enough so that no one else heard him.

"It can't be that bad. Besides it's a fortnight off school." He grinned, "Besides you have more knowledge then we do."

"That." Alex started, "Was different. I doubt this scouts camp is going to be nothing compared to SAS training."

"And that is why you're the super spy and not me."

Alex laughed, "Trust me, you don't want to be one."

"Really, it sounds so cool though." Tom smiled.

"You don't want to join my world." Alex shook his head wearily, "You just don't."

On that final note, the bus finally arrived and as its doors opened, four boys who looked around the age of eighteen hopped out. The four teens reminded Alex horribly of K-Unit.

One of the teens, a tall dark haired boy with emerald green eyes surveyed the boys coldly, "I'm Callum, and this is Kyle, Henry and Arthur." He said, indicating each person as he said their names. "We are your leaders for this camp."

Once Callum had gone through the rules and explained what they were going to do, fifteen excited boys scrambled onto the bus while the remaining boy climbed in half as enthusiastically.

How did Jack manage to talk me into this again?