I do not own V, Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Stargate. They belong to Kenneth Johnson, Joss Whedon and MGM respectively.
Chapter IV: A Warm Welcome and a Warmer Goodbye
African Watcher Headquarters, Alexandria
August 24th 2004
Nelson smiled at the pristine building before his eyes. He had been assigned bu Saul himself, the Visitor commander of the African forces, to infiltrate and gradually take over this particular Watcher post. According to Rupert Giles, the Watcher in charge of African operations was a suspicious little Earthling, but Nelson was quite confident that he could charm the pathetic human.
Nelson had studied Alexander Harris' profile extensively and had come away from it unimpressed. Harris was a marginal warrior, at best who seemed incapable of keeping a mate for any length of time. Harris' lack of one eye meant that the man had likely risen to new heights of uselessness. Frankly, Nelson was shocked that Alexander was even still alive. All reports indicated that the young man had survived on what could only be called preternatural good luck.
Nelson straightened his uniform jacket, proudly displaying the reverse triangle symbol on his armband, which denoted his status as a Visitor. The original symbol that they had intended to use on the armband had been vetoed by John due to its unfortunate resemblance to the swastika. Apparently John had felt that the symbol would make people think of the Nazi party, and that just wouldn't do at all. They would lose many valuable meals in a war with the humans. Much better to let the humans surrender voluntarily. Nelson grinned as he remembered Saul's words to him just prior to leaving. 'Sidle up and smile. Hit them where they're weak.' Nelson would not forget.
As he slipped through the door of the Council Headquarters, Nelson could not help but frown. There was no one here to meet him. A sneer crossed his face. Harris would pay very dearly for that little slight. Nelson had not come all this way to be snubbed by some nobody. He turned to the dozen armed troops that had accompanied him as an entourage. "Find Mr. Harris, now!"
The troops hopped to it. Oh yes. Harris was going to get quite a torture session before his stop in the conversion chamber. Nelson hated being kept waiting.
Command Mothership, Over London
August 24th 2004
John, Supreme Commander of the Visitor Starfleet smiled benignly at the head of the Watchers' Council. "Rupert! It's excellent to see you again. Have your liaisons worked out so far?"
Rupert Giles had been one tough nut to crack. Apparently the man had been quite the person in his salad days. Over the course of a full week of exhaustive work, Diana had finally managed to make a breakthrough in the process, using his memories of a woman named Jenny against him. Now he was theirs, whether he knew it or not. He honestly believed that prophecies had foretold the coming of the Visitors and of the glory it would bring to Giles' organisation.
Giles smiled brightly in response to the Supreme Commander's enthusiastic greeting. "Yes Sir. I'm happy to say that the South American, North American, European and Australian liaison officers you have sent are working out splendidly thusfar. With your help, I'm rather hopeful that we'll be able to take back the night, once and for all."
John did not even have to fake enthusiasm for that prospect. It really wouldn't do for those distasteful undead things to be allowed to eat humanity. The Visitors had called dibs, after all. And goodness knew that vampires literally turned to ashes on one's tongue. Truly unpleasant. "I look forward to the day when your world too can be free of that plague, Rupert. Still, what news of Asia and Africa? You didn't mention them at all."
Giles shrugged unconcernedly. "Asia is a large continent with a truly massive population, Commander. It will take them longer then most to get properly established. I expect to hear from the Asian liaisons in a day or two at most. Until then I wouldn't be inclined to worry."
"And Africa?"
Giles felt a strange reluctance to discuss Africa with John, but then managed to get control of himself again. Such a feeling was absurd. This was John. If he couldn't trust the Supreme Command of the Visitor Fleet then who could he trust? "Africa is probably the most unstable continent on this planet in terms of social and political makeup, Sir. In addition, it is relatively understaffed since the continent is not a popular locale. It may take longer then most because of that. Like Asia, I expect to hear from them in a few days at most."
John beamed at Giles. "Excellent work Rupert. Do inform me when the liaisons are all well established."
Giles nodded. "Of course, Sir." But as Giles walked away from John, he felt an odd stirring in his gut. Something was telling him that Xander was going to be difficult about the liaison. He really should have mentioned that concern to John. He had no idea why he had held that gut feeling back. Perhaps because he felt the feeling was false? Yes, that had to be it…
African Watcher Headquarters, Alexandria
August 24th 2004
Nelson frowned as he looked about the kitchen of the Watcher Headquarters. Plates were out and a half-eaten meal was in evidence. He couldn't decide what might have happened to the group, but it appeared as if they had been scared off suddenly.
The Visitor considered the issue seriously. He doubted they were running from him. If the Watchers had meant to do that they would have left in much less of a hurry. That suggested that perhaps a demon had gotten into the compound. Nelson allowed a sneer to cross his face. Typical of Harris, quite likely. He so did look forward to grinding the one-eyed buffoon under his heel.
As Nelson considered how best to handle Xander, one of his guards ran in. "Sir?"
Nelson glanced up at the trooper. "What is it, Raymond?"
Raymond snapped to attention. "Sir. The computer in the Operations Centre is talking, Sir."
Nelson sighed. "And what is it saying, Raymond?"
Raymond shrugged expressively. "I haven't the foggiest, Sir. It's not in a language I'm familiar with."
Nelson frowned. Raymond had made an extensive study of linguistics. He was familiar with a wide assortment of languages, including most of those inherent to Africa and a significant portion of the demonic languages as well. For Raymond not to recognise the language was incredibly unnerving. "Bring me there."
Raymond snapped a quick salute and lead his current boss to the Operations Centre.
Nelson stood in the doorway and listened carefully to the language that was being recited by the terminal.
'MaH… Hut… chorgh…'
Something about the language tickled at his memory, trying desperately to come to the surface. Now what was it?
'Soch… jav… vagh… loS…'
It sounded like a language that he'd briefly heard whilst looking at the popular media of the United States briefly. But more then that would not come. It was at that moment that the translation of the last few words came up whilst they were still being recited in the mystery language.
'Wej (three)… cha (two)…'
Nelson's eyes widened as realisation hit him like a squad vehicle. "Get out! Get out now!" He shouted, even as he lead the charge towards the nearest exit.
'Wa' (one)… pagh (zero)…'
As Nelson heard the faint sound of the Klingon word for zero, echoing behind him, he heard the beginnings of a massive explosion which overtook him moments later. No bodies were ever recovered from the destruction of the Watcher Headquarters building in Africa. All of the Visitors involved perished.
African Watcher Secret Auxiliary Headquarters, Rosetta
August 24th 2004
Xander stared deep into the monitor that had formerly displayed the Operations Centre of their former headquarters. Now all that the monitor displayed was snow.
Xander turned to Andrew with a seemingly solemn expression. "My God, Andrew… What have I done?"
Andrew's lips twitched, recognising the cue as only a fellow geek can. "What you had to do… What you always do… Turn death into a fighting chance to live."
Rona rolled her eyes in exasperation at their playacting. She turned to Zabuto and said in the steadiest voice she could muster. "We need to get them laid, urgently. Otherwise we're going to lose them to a sci-fi convention or something."
Howling laughter was the only response she received.
And here is August 10th's entry.
Jasper
