Picks up in the middle of Skeleton key

If Alex's escape from Sarov's plane went a little differently

Alex dashed off as soon as the figurine did its job. He was heading towards the row of administrative buildings that he had seen on his left when a gate to the right was opening. Maybe he could make it through. The car was certainly taking its time going through the checkpoint at the gate. Alex instinctively knew that if he sprinted he had a good chance of making it through the gate. Alex felt his chest tighten with exertion but the knowledge that he was meters from making it to freedom gave him the adrenaline he needed. Ducking down to avoid detection he squatted down on the far side of the car away from the view of the guard whom was too busy talking to the driver to notice.

Stepping on the opposite side of the airfield gate Alex straightened up. Breathing a sigh of relief Alex looked around trying to formulate a plan. Contemplating his options he failed to notice the black car until it was only a meter away. Alex dove to the side to avoid being hit, rolling hard on his side as the car tires screeched to a halt. Alex completed his judo roll and popped up ready to speed away when he saw the man who was getting out of the car.

It was Mr. Crawley followed, by two heavily muscled and Alex mused probably heavily armoured men as well.

"Mr. Crawley, you have to stop Sarov he's still on the runway!" Alex shouted in his excitement. MI6 was finally here when he needed them.

"Great work Alex, now why don't you come with us, you can help us identify the plane" Mr. Crawley replied.

Alex started forward towards Mr. Crawly but hesitated the hair on the back was standing up and his sense danger honed from so many past life and death encounters was warning him that something was off. Way off.

Alex started to back up "I think, I'll just stay here. I'm exhausted. You can't miss it. It can't leave without permission anyways."

"Freeze Alex" Crawley nodded to his agents and before Alex could react he found himself in handcuffs and his shoulders were squeezed between two different iron grips.

"What are you doing?" Alex cried betrayal evident on his face. The henchmen proceeded to frog-march Alex back to the plane.

"I am very sorry, truly I am but the General has promised us something that we cannot turn down, all we had to do was give him you" Crawely dour face looked a little more dour but it was difficult to tell beneath the extremely dull façade he constantly wore.

"what! What was so important that you would sell me?"

"The General has given us the location of his nuclear material and we have already affirmed that he is speaking the truth. He also promised us that in return for his support as President he would allow a UN task force into Murmansk to strip the non-functioning submarines of their nuclear material. It truly in the best interest of Britain to deal with him in good faith, we have much to gain from a beneficial relationship."

"And not very much to lose" Alex retorted angrily as Sarov and Conrad stepped off the plane.

Sarov's hand slammed into Alex's face before Sarov had even cleared the bottom stair. Alex's vision blurred and he was sure he would have fallen if he had not been held upright by MI6's thugs.

"We will deal with this disobedience when we get home. " Conrad, cuff him to the chair" Conrad took Alex and in a grip just as strong escorted him up the stairs.

"I would like to thank you for returning my son. He has caused quite a bit of trouble recently. " Sarov smiled as he reached to shake Crawley's hand.

"Not a problem sir. Here are the papers as promised. Alex Rider has been declared dead as per your instructions. I hope our relationship proves long and fruitful sir." Crawley handed over a thick folder

"I am sure it will be. After all Britain has already provided me with a son there is little more I can ask for"

Sarov took the papers and leafed through the documents quickly before closely the folder and ascending the stair case. Crawley watched as the Russian General soon to be Russian President's plane roared off towards Alex's new home.

"Go with God Alex—go with God"

Crawley climbed back into his car and didn't look back.