Chapter 25 – The First Step to the SAS
2007 began with a freezing fog blanketing the city, but Alex Rider was already warming to the idea of his next challenge. At 20 years old, he felt it was time to push himself further, to test himself to the extreme limits the British Army had to offer.
After spending months in combat in Iraq and returning with a solid reputation as a sniper, Alex decided he was ready to take on the dreaded Special Air Service (SAS) selection course.
The SAS was more than an elite unit; it was a legendary institution. Only the best of the best were given the privilege of wearing the winged dagger badge. Alex knew it wouldn't be easy, but he also knew he had the skills to succeed.
At the base, Alex sat down with his sergeant, Wilkinson, to talk through his decision.
"Are you sure about this, Rider?" Wilkinson asked, looking Alex straight in the eye. "The SAS course is no joke. Many good soldiers fail."
Alex nodded, his determination evident. "I know, sir. But I believe I'm ready. I want to test my limits and serve to the best of my ability."
Wilkinson leaned back in his chair, studying the young corporal. "I can't say I'm surprised. From day one, you've shown that you're not like the others. Your experience in Iraq only reinforces that. But, Rider, remember that in the SAS, no one cares about what you've done before. There, you're just another candidate, and they'll try to break you."
Alex smiled slightly. "I know that, sir. I'm up for the challenge."
With that, Wilkinson filled out the necessary paperwork for Alex's enrollment in the SAS selection course.
At home, Alex decided to tell Jack the news while they both prepared dinner. "So, what are you going to do now that you're done with your rest?" Jack asked casually, as he chopped vegetables.
Alex hesitated for a moment before answering. "I applied for the SAS selection."
Jack stopped dead in his tracks, his gaze fixed on Alex. "SAS? Alex, are you serious?"
He nodded, crossing his arms. "Yes. I think it's the next logical step. I want to test myself, Jack. I want to see how far I can go."
Jack sighed, placing the knife on the cutting board. "I knew something like this was coming, but I can't help but worry. Alex, the SAS isn't just tough, it's brutal. They push even the best to their absolute limits."
"I know," Alex replied calmly. "But I also know I'm ready. You've always trusted me before, Jack. Trust me now."
She stared at him for a long moment before finally sighing and giving him a small smile. "I trust you. Just make sure you get home in one piece, okay?"
— "I promise."
Alex began training even more intensely in the weeks leading up to the start of the course. He knew he needed to be in peak physical and mental shape.
On the morning he left for the first round of selection, Alex felt a mix of anxiety and excitement. He knew he was entering one of the most challenging courses in the world, but he was determined to give it his all.
The first round of the course, known as the Physical Fitness Test, would be held in the Brecon Beacons mountains in Wales. It was notorious for breaking even the most experienced soldiers.
On the transport to the site, Alex was surrounded by other candidates. There was a mix of nervousness and determination in the air. Many of the other soldiers were exchanging stories and jokes, but Alex remained silent, focused. He knew that every step of the process would be a battle against himself.
SAS instructors were known for their toughness and coldness. Upon arrival, the candidates were greeted with brief, straightforward words:
— "You think you're good enough to be here. We disagree. You'll have to prove to us that you deserve to be here."
The first test was a simple running test with heavy backpacks, something Alex was already used to doing. But the intensity was different. The mountainous terrain, unpredictable weather, and the extra weight made each step feel like an eternity.
Alex stayed focused, remembering the teachings of Wilkinson and Chris Kyle. Step by step, he moved forward, ignoring the pain in his legs and growing fatigue.
The following weeks were a brutal combination of physical tests, navigation in unfamiliar terrain, and survival exercises. Each day brought new challenges, and Alex noticed that the number of candidates was dwindling rapidly.
During one of the navigation exercises, Alex found himself alone in a valley. He needed to find the next checkpoint before nightfall. Using his orienteering skills, he plotted the most efficient route and moved forward.
Upon arriving at the checkpoint, he found one of the instructors waiting for him.
— "You're early, soldier," the instructor commented, with an appraising look.
— "I did my best, sir," Alex replied, trying to control his breathing.
The instructor merely nodded, but Alex saw a flicker of approval in his eyes.
Alex knew that, despite his previous experience with the SAS during his time at MI6, no one there knew his true identity or his past missions. He preferred it that way.
One of the candidates, a veteran sergeant named Thomas, ended up becoming an unexpected ally.
— "You look young, but you're handling it better than most here," Thomas commented during a pause.
Alex shrugged.
— "I just do what I can."
Thomas laughed.
— "Modest too. I like that."
Their friendship grew throughout the course, and Alex valued the presence of someone he could trust, even if only partially.
As the weeks turned into months, Alex continued to overcome every obstacle thrown his way. He knew there was still much to come, including the most feared stages, such as endurance training and the infamous survival and interrogation course.
But at that moment, as he completed yet another grueling exercise and received a rare compliment from one of the instructors, Alex felt he was on the right track. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but he was determined to prove he had what it took to become part of the SAS.
As he lay in his makeshift tent that night, exhausted but satisfied, Alex thought about what lay ahead. He knew the real test was yet to come, but for the first time in a long time, he felt truly at home. The SAS was where he was meant to be.
Chapter 26 – Fighting the Best
SAS boot camp was brutal, a machine designed to select only the most resilient, skilled, and mentally prepared soldiers. Alex had known this from the start, but nothing had quite prepared him for the next phase of the course: hand-to-hand combat against professional fighters.
This stage was designed to test each candidate's emotional control, physical endurance, and determination. It wasn't just about winning, but about showing that you had the courage to face any opponent, even knowing that you might get hurt.
On a cold, overcast morning, the instructors gathered the candidates in the training yard. The leader of the session, a veteran SAS named Sergeant Carter, looked at them with an impassive expression.
"Today will be different. Up until now, you have proven your strength, your skill, and your endurance. But what we want to see now is something more… primal. We will test your fighting spirit, your courage, and most importantly, your will to keep going, even when the odds are stacked against you."
The candidates were silent, but the tension in the air was palpable.
Carter continued:
"You'll have to fight professionals. Real fighters, men who make this their life. It doesn't matter what the outcome is. What matters is that you go in there and give it everything you've got. Show that you won't back down, no matter how hard it gets."
Alex watched calmly as Carter pointed to a series of fighters standing there. They ranged from boxers to mixed martial artists to kickboxers. All had confident looks and impressive physiques, clearly ready for the challenge.
The candidates were called one by one to choose their opponents. When it was Alex's turn, he approached the group of fighters, studying them briefly.
"Who's it going to be, Rider?" Carter asked, with a slight smile.
Alex pointed to a tall, muscular fighter, a kickboxer named Miller.
"Him," Alex said, his voice firm.
Miller chuckled softly and stepped forward.
"You've got guts, kid," Miller said, stretching his arms out in preparation.
Alex shrugged.
"We'll find out."
In the makeshift ring, a crowd of candidates and instructors had gathered to watch. There was an electric energy in the air, with whispers of who might emerge victorious.
"Remember, Rider," Carter said before the match began. "This isn't about winning. This is about showing that you have the guts to keep going, no matter what."
With that, the whistle blew, and the fight began.
Miller moved forward quickly, his strikes precise and powerful. Alex, with his previous martial arts experience, managed to dodge at first, using his agility to avoid the attacks.
But it wasn't long before Miller connected with a side kick that connected with Alex's torso, knocking him to the ground. The crowd groaned, but Alex wasted no time. He rolled away and got back to his feet, his eyes fixed on Miller.
— "Not bad," Miller said, smiling.
Alex responded with a quick combination of punches, one of which landed on Miller's chin. It was a solid blow, enough to make him back off.
— "You've got power, kid," Miller said, wiping the corner of his mouth. "But let's see how long you can last."
The fight continued intensely, with Alex giving it his all. He managed to land several blows on Miller, showing skill and courage. But Miller was more experienced and eventually began to dominate the fight.
A cross punch caught Alex in the side of the head, and he fell to his knees, feeling the world spin for a moment. But he got up anyway.
— "Come on, Rider!" one of the candidates shouted, cheering.
Alex wiped the blood from his nose with his forearm and braced himself again. He knew he wouldn't win the fight, but that didn't matter. What mattered was to keep going, no matter how tired or hurt he was.
Miller lunged forward again, but Alex managed to dodge and land a blow to his opponent's stomach, followed by a kick to the legs that nearly knocked him down.
— "You don't give up, do you?" Miller said, breathing heavily.
— "It's not part of my training," Alex replied, determined.
After several exhausting minutes, the whistle blew again, ending the fight. Alex was standing, albeit staggering. Miller smiled and held out his hand.
— "Respect, kid. You've got something special."
Alex shook his hand, saying nothing. His breathing was heavy, and his entire body ached, but he knew he had given it his all.
Sergeant Carter stepped into the ring and looked directly at Alex.
— "Good job, Rider. That's what we need here at the SAS. It's not about winning or losing. It's about keeping fighting, even when you're against the ropes. And you showed that today."
Alex just nodded, feeling exhausted, but also proud.
With this phase completed, Alex realized that he had overcome yet another of the many obstacles of the course. He knew that the path would still be long and challenging, but moments like this reminded him of why he was here.
That night, as he cleaned the bruises on his face and massaged his sore muscles, Alex reflected on the experience. He knew that each struggle, each test and each challenge was shaping him into something greater.
And with that, he was more determined than ever to earn his place in the SAS.
Chapter 27 – The Dreaded SERE
Alex knew that the SAS course was the most challenging and grueling in the world. Each phase pushed him beyond his physical and mental limits. And now, after months of training, he had reached the final phase: the dreaded SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape).
This phase was legendary for its difficulty. It not only tested the candidates' physical abilities, but also put their mental capacities to the test. Alex had heard stories of exhaustion, hunger, humiliation and pain, all designed to simulate real-life scenarios that operators might face on high-risk missions.
The group of candidates was transported to a remote area in the Scottish Highlands. The cold wind bit their faces as they walked to the rendezvous point. There, the instructors, all experienced members of the SAS, were waiting.
The leader of the phase, a man with a lined face and a ruthless gaze named Captain Reeves, gathered the candidates together.
— "Welcome to the final phase of the course. Survival. Evasion. Resistance. Escape. These are the skills that could mean the difference between life and death for you and the people you are sworn to protect. There is no mercy here, no shortcuts. You will be hunted. You will starve. You will feel pain. And we will test how far you can go before you break."
The silence between the candidates was absolute. Alex was focused, feeling the weight of the captain's words.
— "The first part will be survival," Reeves continued. "You must prove that you can find water, food, and shelter in extreme conditions. Then you will be hunted. Escape and evade. If you are captured, prepare for interrogation. Good luck... you will need it."
The first part of SERE began with each candidate being left alone in an isolated area with minimal equipment: a knife, a thermal blanket, a flint, and a small bottle of water.
Alex knew he had to act quickly. He began by exploring the terrain around him, identifying a more sheltered area to set up a makeshift shelter. Using twigs and leaves, he built a small hiding place that offered protection from the freezing wind.
Next, he began to search for water. He found a stream and used his flint to boil water in a can he found. With the basics out of the way, Alex turned his attention to food. He improvised traps for small animals and managed to capture a rabbit, which he slowly roasted over the fire.
Even with these accomplishments, Alex felt the constant hunger, the relentless cold, and the loneliness that were beginning to take their toll on his mind. He knew this was part of the test.
After three days of survival, the candidates were given a new challenge: to avoid capture while being hunted by a team of instructors.
They had only 30 minutes to leave before the "hunters" were released. Alex used the time to move quickly but carefully, avoiding leaving any obvious tracks. He used the knowledge he had learned from MI6 and basic training, moving in a zig-zag pattern, covering his tracks and using the terrain to his advantage.
For two days, he managed to avoid capture, hiding in dense bushes and even diving into a river to mask his scent. But on the third day, a slip gave him away. As he was climbing a rocky slope, he was spotted by one of the instructors.
— "There he is!"
Alex tried to run, but was cornered and "captured." He knew that the most feared phase was coming: the interrogation.
After being "captured," Alex was taken to a makeshift facility that simulated a prison camp. He was blindfolded, handcuffed and subjected to hours of sensory deprivation. Loud noises, flashing lights and distant screams were all part of the scenario designed to disorient him.
The interrogators were relentless. They wanted information about his team, his mission, and why he was there.
— "Who are you? What is your mission?" one of the men shouted, as he threw a bucket of cold water over Alex.
Alex remained calm, reciting the standard answers he had been taught:
— "My name is Alex Rider. Service number 102536. No further comment."
The interrogators did not give up. They increased the psychological pressure, throwing him into a dark room for hours, banging on the table and pretending to threaten him.
Alex knew that the goal was not to actually hurt him, but to break him mentally. He remembered his instructors' advice: focus on something positive, keep your mind active, and never lose your composure.
After two days, Alex still had not broken. He was exhausted, hungry, and cold, but determined. Finally, the instructors ended the interrogation.
Captain Reeves walked into the room, looking directly at Alex.
— "You passed, Rider. It's not common to see someone so young resist like you. Good work"
Alex simply nodded, his strength nearly gone.
At the end of the course, Alex was back at base camp, where all the candidates who had passed had gathered for a small ceremony. Only a fraction of those who had started the course had survived to the end, and Alex was among them.
Captain Reeves handed out SAS badges to each of the successful candidates. When it was Alex's turn, he held the badge for a moment before handing it over.
"You have distinguished yourself, Rider. Not just with your skills, but with your resilience. You are young, but you have the spirit we seek here."
Alex accepted the badge with a nod.
That night, as he rested, Alex reflected on what he had accomplished. He knew he still had much to learn, but he also knew that with SERE completed, he was officially among the best of the best. The next chapter of his life in the SAS was only just beginning.
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