Prologue

"No. I'm not doing it" Alex Rider said as he sat in the M.I.6 'Special Operations' head office.

"I'm afraid that you have no choice, Alex" Alan Blunt replied rather matter-of-factly. He was a grey and boring man, with little personality and absolutely no humour. He wore a grey suit with a grey pinstripe tie to match his dismal disposition.

"Mr. Blunt, I'm sure you've realised by now but I'm not a fourteen year old secret weapon anymore. I'm sixteen now and I'm your best field agent. Besides, don't you think it would be a little weird if I just turned up at this place without any warning?" Alex demanded, his sandy hair flopping into his eyes. He closed them and thought. After a minute or two, they re-opened.

"That's why we're lucky they've just lost one of their members of staff. Of course, you'd be given a false identity, and we'll need to do something about your appearance before you can go anywhere, just on the off-chance that you happen to be recognised, and – " He was cut off by the teenager's raised hand.

"Whoa! Hold on Mr. Blunt, what makes you so certain that I'll actually go?" Alex asked sceptically.

"Well, for starters you'll be paid. That and the fact that I'm sure you would like a chance to go and see a certain Sabina Pleasure again" Tulip Jones spoke for the first since the meeting commenced.

"It's in America?" Alex pondered aloud, excitement audibly edging into his voice. He flicked his hair out of his chocolate eyes.

"Yes, well to be more precise, Virginia" Blunt replied, hoping he was finally getting somewhere with the boy.

"Sab lives in San Francisco. That's on the other side of the country!" Alex exclaimed, slightly exasperated. He hadn't been able to see Sabina in two years. She was one of the few people who knew the real reason Alex had so much time off school. That was back when her father has been the target of a trained assassin known as Yassen Gregorovich.

"Alex, you know full well that even with her permanent visa, we could still deport Miss Starbright any time we feel the need" Mrs. Jones threatened. The matter of Sabina Pleasure, however, was dropped and would never resurface.

Alex had the overwhelming sense that he had been defeated in the matter. It was already decided long before he arrived, that he would be going to Virginia, America as some school's new teacher. That much was already decided for him. "Why do I have to go?" he finally asked.

"Because Alex, we feel as though the C.I.A are hiding something from us. Something important." Mrs. Jones explained.

"Fine, just as long as I get some say into what my new identity is. And I do actually get paid. And get a car." the boy compromised, and then added "What school is it?"

"The Gallagher Academy"