AN: This is my first true fanfiction. It is set during Eagle Strike in an alternate universe where Yassen took Alex to Scorpia for training.I hope it lives up to your expectations. Enjoy!

Veracity

The cool Atlantic wind washed over the shore, causing all who were walking on the boardwalk to carefully clutch their jackets and dates a little closer to them. It was July, the height of tourist season in the casino capital of the east coast and the boardwalk was packed with tourists and couples enjoying the games despite the lateness of the night. From the top of the brightly lit ferris wheel, Alex Rider could take in this entire scene, including his target who was staring wistfully across the ocean as he waited for his date to return from the ladies' room. The warmth of the person next to him blocked the wind as he brought the rifle's edge to the corner of the basket farthest from him. Under the guise of being cold the young boy lay across the man's lap and took aim. With a muffled pop he fired and quickly disassembled the gun, shoving it into his bag. The sound of screams from down below was muffled by the icy silence of his adrenalin rush.

"Good shot, Alex" warm breath whispered into his ear and nothing showed on the boy's face but for the small twitch of his lips.

Veracity

"We have received reports from our counterparts at the CIA that a rogue MI6 agent and his 'handler' are in the United States." Tulip Jones stated staring impassively over the room full of men.

"We have received permission to run a tactical mission to intercept them. That is what you are here for."

She pressed a button and a picture appeared on the screen. "This is Alex Rider, do not let his appearance fool you," she cautioned as the crowd moved restlessly, smiles breaking across some of their faces as they saw the face of the teen, an easy capture.

"He was one of the top agents in MI6 before he went rogue a year ago while on a mission and was not heard from until another of our agents saw him. He is now a fully trained assassin in Scorpia and will not hesitate to take you down for his freedom."

The screen changed once more and a familiar face appeared, tension streaked through the air like lightning "I see you all recognize this man. Yassen Gregorovitch is the handler of whom I spoke and is believed to have captured and trained Agent Rider." A murmur flew through the SAS men but was quieted by the woman's stare

" We want him" she stressed pointing to Alex where the screen had divided to show the two "captured alive and mostly unharmed. We will be outfitting you with tranquilizer guns for this reason. As for Gregorovitch," she cast a disdainful glance at the man " His state does not matter. Your primary target is Rider if he is captured and you have the opportunity, you may apprehend Gregorovitch as well. Is that clear?" the men expressed their agreement and the woman nodded curtly

"I will leave your Sergeant to explain the details of the mission. Good day, gentlemen." She left the stage for the imposing drill instructor.

Veracity

From the back of the room four SAS men stared dumbfounded at the picture in front of them. The life that had once filled his eyes was gone, replaced with the cold stare of an assassin. A single question echoed across their minds 'What happened to Cub?'

Veracity

It was the sound of screams that alerted Wolf to the presence of his target. K-Unit had been allowed on leave for the night as the search for Alex Rider went onto night 11. They had come to the boardwalk hoping for a distraction, the thought of the two assassins here was almost laughable. The mass of people rushing his way said otherwise. He locked his gaze with Eagle's as he pulled out his phone and pressed 3 four times, the signal that the target had been sighted. He scanned the crowd looking for the boy but he knew that the young assassin would not have been that obvious. His gaze moved onto the rooftops of the shops and stands lining the area before settling on the ferris wheel. He waved his unit towards it, knowing that the SAS and police would have sealed off the boardwalk. The wheel was spinning as the operator hurried to get the stranded denizens off of it. He scanned the cars and saw a father and son a third of the way down. As he muscled his way through the crowd he realized with growing dread that he would be too late. He reached the base of the ride just as the two got off, their eyes mechanically scanning the crowd until Alex's locked on his, he stiffened and the man next to him did as well.

The boy's mouth twitched into a sardonic smile and Wolf felt tremors run up his spine, that look on Cub was just unnatural. He was quickly distracted by the boy's scream "He's got a gun!" Wolf found himself quickly brought to the ground by some 'heroic' bystanders. He had lost sight of the kid and the splash as the two slipped under the rail and into the crashing surf below was the signal that he had failed his mission.

Veracity

Three nights later found the two dining at a busy outdoor restaurant in Savannah. They sat at a small table overlooking the shore, moonlight casting shadows over the waves. With the news that the SAS were after them had forced them to stay in America for a few more days until their new passports arrived. No doubt the passports of Yamir and Aidan Petrovich had been flagged and were no longer of any use. The chatter of the café permeated the silence and the two assassins took to listening in on the conversations of the people around them to pass the time until Yassen's voice invaded the mutual silence between them.

"Care to tell me how you knew that man?" he queried, voice genial but the commanding undertone was not lost on Alex.

"I didn't. His countenance betrayed him."

"You're lying to me, Anton." The man stated, disappointment lacing his words.

The boy flinched at the accusation and resigned himself to telling the man "He was the leader of the unit that I trained with." The older man's eyes bore into him finally relenting when they found the truth.

"Why did he…..disturb you so much?" the man queried, searching for the right word.

"I don't know what you mean, Dad." Alex replied taking a measured sip of the water he had ordered, the word had left an odd taste in his mouth, despite being necessary for their cover.

"I think you do." Yassen returned, challenging.

"I don't want to talk about it." He murmured, not eager to recap his torture at Brecon Beacons.

"I'm not giving you that option." The man returned. A silence ensued, interrupted by the 'buzz' of a cell phone. Relief washed over the boy. He had been spared from his mentor's questioning if only for a little while. As he stood to take the call Yassen shot the boy one last look that clearly read 'we'll finish this later'.

Sinking into his seat he began to contemplate just what to tell the man about his time with K-Unit. He let his eyes trail placidly around the restaurant as he thought about it not really giving anyone a second glance until his eyes trailed over yet another familiar face, Snake. Their eyes met across the room and Alex cursed under his breath but he did not let recognition show, the man did not either, he had clearly been sent to trail them. It appeared that Alex would be unable to escape K-Unit.

The appearance of Yassen broke the stare and Alex waited for the man to sit down before calmly saying. "Dad, I'm not feeling good. Can we go home?"

The elder assassin surveyed him critically before nodding his consent. Alex stood, watching dispassionately as the man dropped a bill on the table before shadowing his mentor from the room. When they reached the street outside the restaurant the man murmured softly "What's wrong?"

"Another man from my unit was there. He was sent to tail us." The boy whispered letting his senses take over.

The crowded streets of Savannah provided decent coverage but amidst the partying teens and love struck couples the two stuck out which only helped their tails. They walked past an empty alleyway and Alex cursed lightly as Yassen pushed him in. He moved to return to the man's side but a warning look dissuaded him, it was a signal between the two that enemies were around . Alex ducked between a few bags of trash and an overflowing dumpster, adrenaline pumping wildly through his veins.

He kept his senses open, they had not failed him before and his mentor had taught him never to ignore a warning, right now it felt like every alarm in his head was going off. Something was very wrong and after a few minutes of staying still he risked a peek into the crowded street only to lock eyes with what was clearly an SAS man. Shit.

"Got him!" an unfamiliar voice shouted and the sound of pounding footsteps approached the alley entrance. "Kid, it's okay, Gregorovitch" he spat the name "Isn't here. We'll take you back to MI6, no questions asked."

The adrenaline spiked at the mention of MI6 and he struck out at the man, landing a kick before bolting for the back of the alley, a gate presumably leading to one of the gardens blocked his progress; he could climb it he just needed to buy time. Shots whizzed by him, sticking awkwardly out of the walls and making Alex's blood freeze; tranquillizers had not been what he had anticipated from the SAS men. As he approached the gate it rattled ominously and his hand brushed over the grip of his Grach but froze when he fully registered who the man was. Wolf had crested the gate top and was jumping down into the alleyway, Eagle following behind him. Alex sunk into a defensive position as K-Unit and the unit that had come as backup circled in.

"We don't want to fight you, Cub" Snake stated softly. "Just come with us."

"Don't bother," the man who had found him wheezed " He's Scorpia to the bone." The man hissed it as though it was an insult but Alex found himself smiling at the insinuation.

"Is that true, Cub?" Fox queried, Alex took that time to lash out, landing a crescent kick onto the nearest man. He distantly heard shots being fired, no doubt more of the tranquilizers, but ignored them, choosing to administer a punch to the jaw of the man he had winded earlier. A kick to the final man's throat left him with a path to freedom which he quickly took, K-Unit immediately following him. A shot landed in his shoulder as he arrived at the threshold to the street. His movements became sluggish but he kept going. He reached the street in a light jog and saw Yassen running towards him. An extra burst of energy appeared but it was too late, a harsh hand grabbed his shoulder, sinking the dart further into his skin.

"I don't think you're going anywhere, Cub." A voice growled from behind him and he felt the cool barrel of Wolf's gun at his temple. Yassen froze at the sight "Drop your weapons Gregorovitch or the boy dies."

The assassin seemed to size him up taking a step forward. Alex felt Wolf's grip tighten before it relaxed slightly as the man unholstered his Grach letting it clatter to the ground. Yassen's eyes met his gaze and Alex's mind screamed at the man that it was just a tranq gun but his body wouldn't obey.

"Walk away Gregorovitch, Cub belongs to us." Wolf growled and the assassin put his hands on his head, taking a final look at his young ward before moving into the crowd. An unspoken tension left the air as Wolf took the barrel away from his temple but the abandoned feeling did not leave Alex, the boy moved to strike at Wolf but the man caught his sloppy shot much too easy. "Nice try, Cub, but you're coming with us." He growled and shot the boy in the back. Darkness crowded Alex's vision and the boy felt strong arms catch him as he surrendered to it, the words of Wolf still echoing in his mind 'Cub belongs to us'.

Veracity

I hoped you enjoyed it. Please review so I know whether or not to keep going. Thanks!