In chapter 7, Alex Rider encounters Ms. Stellenbosch in a helicopter to take Alex to the academy in the French Alps. She arrives in a helicopter to Friends house which she piloted herself. Just before that, Alex meets Smithers, the equipment guy, who gives Alex a bunch of useful gadgets that he can use when he needs at the academy. He gives Alex a saw disguised as a disc player, a small explosive disguised as a stud, a bulletproof ski suit, ski goggles, and single shot tranquilizer gun disguised as a book. Alex was a little disappointed that the only weapon he really received was the tranquilizer. Unfortunately as Alex was leaving, Fiona, Friend's daughter, appears and frightens Alex into thinking that she will expose Alex to Ms. Stellenbosch thus rendering the mission a failure if she had done so. Alex was forced to use the one bullet in the tranquilizer gun to prevent Fiona from exposing him. Now Alex was going into enemy territory with no weapons for defense. After reading this scene i started to wonder how Alex would make it there and how he is feeling right now. I would imagine him being afraid and worrisome about the mission and his well being. I also thought about how would he defend himself if the moment came that only a weapon could get him out of. Alex and Ms. Stellenbosch land in Paris for a refuel and for a break. There they stay in a very nice hotel and eat very nice food. At first I thought she was taking Alex there for a nice time before his misery at the academy but soon found out that it was exactly the opposite. Ms. Stellenbosch spiked or drugged Alex's drink so that they could examine his body and take note of all his features. Scientists take pictures and record everything about Alex. After reading about this, I was in shock and was very confused. I started to wonder why she would be doing this. What was the academy going to do? Is it even an academy? I guess i'll have to keep reading to find out.