A/N: HI :) I'm new to this... so if you have any comments/suggestions feel free to review! :) Thanks and hope you enjoy it...

Also the characters are owned by Mark Walden (the ones from H.I.V.E.) and Anthony Horowitz (the ones from the Alex Rider series).

Chapter 1

"Raven. My office. I have a mission for you." Nero said over the Blackbox.

"I'll be there in 10 minutes."

Raven turned her Blackbox off just as a shadow landed inches from her head. She quickly twisted back, gripping Wing's leg and flipping him over onto the floor with ease.

"Ow!"

"I told you. Never directly under the light. It gives your position away."

"I'm sorry. I took it as an opportunity, seeing as you were distracted…"

"I'm never distracted. We'll continue tomorrow, same time, same place. Remember my instructions. It'll save your life."

Wing bowed slightly and turned to go.

"Oh, and one more thing, Wing."

He turned and faced her. "Yes?"

"Good job today."

"Thanks," he said with a slight smile and left the room.

Raven allowed herself a hint of a smile and shook her head slightly. She was getting soft. Pretty soon, she'll be like Nero and actually care for these kids. She merged into the shadows and went in the direction of Nero's office.

"Come in, Raven." Nero's voice came out from the other side of the door. It was always a wonder to her how he knew she was there. Maybe he had a biological tracker inserted into her. She stepped inside the room and closed the door.

Nero held a file out towards her. "New target for extraction for Year 2 Alpha stream. His name is Alex Rider. Can you do it tomorrow?"

"Should be done before breakfast."

"Yes. Well. I asked you because Alex has been a bit of a problem for Scorpia, which, as you know, is under G.L.O.V.E.'s control, although they don't know it themselves. They're the best out there, but he's humiliated and destroyed them almost completely. He's smarter than you might think. Be careful, Natalya."

"Aren't I always?" Raven smiled. "I do so love a challenge." She opened the file and started to read.

"Wait, Max. What's this? He worked for MI6?"

"Yes. He is somewhat… " he paused, "… unique. Not to mention talented."

"Are you out of your mind!?" She shouted, a bit too loudly. "H.I.V.E. is not for the good guys, it's for villainous education, Max!"

Nero stood up and put both hands on his desk. "You have no right to speak to me like that," He said coldly. "How dare you question my decisions!" Nero's voice increased in volume.

He leaned over the table, glaring at Raven. "You do not give me advice unless I specifically ask for it. Do you understand?"

Raven was undeterred. She shook her head slowly as she considered her words. "Do you know who you sound like, Max?" She whispered. "You sound like Number One." She turned and slowly walked out. "I'll still do what you asked, no, what you commanded, though."

"Wait." An almost fragile, small voice came from Nero. It sounded nothing like him, Raven thought. Did I push him too hard? She looked at him and was surprised to see his face in his hands as he sat back down.

"I'm sorry, Natalya. It's just… the new council and all… I'm under a lot of pressure."

Raven didn't know what to say. This was certainly unusual. They've argued about lots of things before, but Nero never, ever, apologized. It was almost an unwritten rule. Face it, super-villains don't apologize – they'd rather kill someone and get it over with.

"MI6 has no hold on Alex Rider anymore. His sponsor made sure of that. Don't worry." He sighed.

"I won't." Raven took a step towards Max. "Don't worry either. Everything will be fine with the council." She paused. "I'm sorry, I'm not supposed to give advice…"

"No. No. Forget what I said." He looked up at her. "You're the only person I can trust right now. Maybe I should get you on the ruling council." He smiled.

"I'm getting out before you can make me," she smirked and left the room in a much better mood than she was a few minutes ago.