Note: This is technically a crossover, in that it mixes both the Leviathan trilogy of YA novels and the axed-before-its-time TV show The Adventures of Brisco County Jr., but it's really a Leviathan fic that features special guest appearances by the Brisco world. That's not what I set out to do, but it's what the story wanted. *shrug*

I know of exactly 2 people on planet Earth who have both read Leviathan AND watched Brisco (1. me, and after some cajoling, 2. my BFF), so here's a quick primer:

Leviathan is adventure, dieselpunk, crossdressing, royalty on the run, mad science, snarky sidekicks, nosy reporters, romance, girls being awesome, talking animals, dazzling illustrations, World War I, and flying whale airships.

Brisco is adventure, steampunk, comedy, Westerns, mysteries, tongue-in-cheek anachronisms galore, sci-fi, romance, a wonder horse, unlikely allies, killer theme music, and Pete's Piece. (Nobody touches Pete's Piece!)

If you like one, therefore, you'll probably like the other. I highly advise Leviathaneers to track down Brisco on DVD (and sometimes YouTube). And Brisco fans, definitely give Leviathan a try. Preferably before you read this fic. :D

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PRELUDE

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They are undermanned, underequipped, and underprepared – but one could say the same regarding any troop of the Kaiser's soldiers. Indeed, Jäger thinks grimly, fixing his tie, one could say the same about the German Empire itself.

May, 1915. These are dire days.

He gives his disguise a last check, smoothing his hair in the mirror and tugging the waistcoat straight, then turns to his men, lined up for final inspection before they depart the relative safety of this place for the certain danger of the city. Jäger is somewhat skeptical of their abilities.

They were chosen for their other skills; subterfuge is no one's strength but his. All the same, if they do not perform to satisfaction tonight…

"Everyone understands their role," he says – not asks.

"Yes, sir!" the five men say in unison, crisp as any commander could wish.

"Failure tonight is not possible." Jäger paces down the line. He is a hunter as his name suggests. A hunter of men; a killer; a weapon of the Kaiser; and he levels a hunter's chilling stare at each of his men in turn. "We will succeed, or we will not leave San Francisco."

"Yes, sir!"

"The fate of the Empire is in our hands." He pauses at the end of the line. Turns.

At the other end of the line, Schultz is fidgeting with his tie. He catches sight of Jäger and drops his hands to his sides.

Jäger slowly, deliberately paces back to him. Schultz swallows. Jäger steps in closer to the sergeant.

"Failure is death," he says, his voice low, each word cold and sharp.

Schultz swallows again. His mustache twitches nervously. "Yes sir."

This is not an entirely acceptable answer. Jäger narrows his eyes. He steps back from the sergeant, preparing to address all of the men again, but stops when the door opens.

Braun enters with the last piece of their preparations tonight: a cowering American man that the lieutenant shoves forward roughly.

The American stumbles and falls, landing on his hands and knees. He looks around fearfully, a lock of brown hair falling into his eyes.

Jäger crouches in front of him. "Hello," he says in English, not unfriendly. "We have been expecting you."

"Hi, I'm Todd," the man says. His voice quavers. "Are you – are you going to kill me?"

Jäger smiles – a cat playing with a wounded bird. "That depends," he says, "on how helpful you are, Todd."

Todd looks around again, then back at Jäger. "Anything you want, sir. Just please – don't kill me. And don't knock me out and hide me in the cellar, either. That's – that's not very pleasant." He adds, in a shuddering whisper, "There are very large spiders."

Jäger puts a hand on the American's shoulder. Todd flinches away, then freezes, obviously worrying that he's upset his captor. Good. "There is no need for unpleasantness," Jäger says, still smiling. "We are all civilized men."

"Okay," Todd says. He hazards a weak smile that collapses into fear moments later. "I mean, yes, very civilized, sir. Anything you want, sir."

The German Empire, with its superior mechanikals, is the height of civilization. These Americans, who have allowed godless Darwinist abominations to proliferate in their land – they are hardly better than the savage Indians who once roamed it.

Jäger withholds his disdain and keeps his smile. "Here is what you must do."

He explains. Todd listens. Todd, of course, agrees. Todd even stands and checks everyone's disguises, making minute adjustments, offering advice on the roles they are to play.

Todd is extremely helpful.

Jäger watches with some satisfaction and a growing sense of confidence. Dire days – but not desperate ones, not yet. Germany will prevail. He will prevail.

He had intended to kill the American, but decides that, when all is said and done, he will knock Todd unconscious and leave him tied up in the cellar, preferably near very large spiders.

Jäger will shortly be lauded as the savior of Germany; he deserves some amusement, after all.

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Note: Todd was in "The Orb Scholar", "And Baby Makes Three" (where he was knocked out, though not placed in a cellar with large spiders), and "Bounty Hunters' Convention". I love ya, Todd!

Jäger and his boys, on the other hand, are all mine. We'll be seeing them again. ;)