Alex Rider: Deception

Chapter 17- Sarah

"Looks like the beans have been spilled," Scarface -Sarah's new nickname for the guy- crooned. "Poor Sarah, your secrets out."

Sarah said nothing, and instead attempted to burn a hole through him with her glare. She was getting really tired of all this. "But indulge me, I'd like to say it out loud." Scarface continued. "There is a certain satisfaction in saying aloud, and knowing I'm right, that what I have been trying to force my insufferable colleagues to believe for decades is true.

"Let's start from the beginning shall we? You, Sarah, are not human. You are in fact nothing. You take the shape the native species of the planet on which you land, and you essentially cannot be killed. Your job as Protector of the Portal is to make sure nothing gets through. I imagine you have a companion on the other side who does the same.

"While you cannot be killed, you can be tricked and manipulated rather easily. You abhor the destruction of life, but you will go to any means to protect your precious portal. How am I doing?"

"Not too well. I can't hear your words over the sound of your egotistical psychotic voice."

Scarface flicked his tongue over his lips, his eyes narrowing just slightly, but then his mask of poise was readjusted. "I may be many things, but I am not crazy."

So she could get under his skin relatively easily.

"Perhaps we got off on the wrong foot."

"And I bet the other foot will be wrong too." Alex mumbled. Sarah smirked and darted a glance in his direction, but Scarface continued as if he hadn't heard Alex.

"My name, well, my name isn't important-"

"Come on," Sarah interrupted, "you know our names, it's only fair we know yours."

He shot her an icy stare and continued, "You may call me Master. It's only fitting, as that will be my role to you."

Sarah rolled her eyes. The guys with the egos were the worst; although usually the ones taken down the most easily. But she wasn't about to underestimate Scarface, she'd had practice in underestimating before, and after the episode with Dr. Weinberg, she'd had enough of crazy people. Why couldn't she ever land in a nice dark cave in the middle of nowhere where no one would find her? Or on a desert planet? Or deep in the ocean? Why was there always something?

"You're not listening to me." Scarface's voice broke through her thoughts. "You're right." She replied, looking him squarely in the face, challenging him to back down.

"I have no time for your silly power games." he said with a sigh, breaking her gaze. Alex snorted, pressing his lips together in an attempt to hold in laugh.

"Something funny, Alex?" Scarface turned his piercing gaze to Alex. "Sorry, Master, it's just- power games is all you do."

"Oh, you think so?" Scarface said, his fists clenching together and his voice beginning to rise, "How would you know what I have done? How would you know what I've gone through, the ridicule I've endured, the mocking, the pity side glances? All to get where I am right now! Within the reach of universal domination!"

He was standing within an inch of Alex, when he suddenly realized he had let his temper go. He quickly backed down and straightened his suit, clumsily putting back on his mask of indifference.

"Take him to the cells. I'll decide what to do with him later. Take her to the preparation room."

Sarah stepped backward and stumbled to the ground as the guards marched forward. "Not so tough now, are you." Scarface growled. Sarah reached for the hand Alex was offering, and he pulled her up.
Then a guard pulled her from him violently and jabbed another needle into her neck. Damn, she thought, as she watched Alex being led roughly out the door they had entered, through a thick haze. Her only consolation was that the cocktail of drugs was taking longer to work this time.