All characters appearing in Gargoyles and Gargoyles: The Goliath Chronicles are copyrighted to Buena Vista Television/The Walt Disney Company. I've taken the idea for the Unseelie Court from the TGS. Characters and concepts from Star Trek are property of Paramount and created by Gene Roddenberry. No infringement of these copyrights is intended, and is not authorized by the copyright holder. All original characters are the property of SN.

Note: I'm disregarding the events of the "Goliath Chronicles", with the exception of "The Journey" because I do not wish to use the rest of the "Goliath Chronicles" as canon to my story. Also, I am altering large sections of the Star Trek storyline, especially concerning events like WWIII and the Eugenics Wars, which without the Cold War as a backdrop probably wouldn't happen the way Roddenberry wrote them, if at all. This story takes place five days after "You Are My Redemption…"

This is the most recent chapter in the Khan saga and will now fall into my standard rotation...

Various Victories and Other Wars

By SN/TVfan

Email: Sam_Nary

Lhasa, Tibet

Demona, Wedrington, Je Lu, and Shi Law slowly exited the vehicle that had been brought up to what had been Khan's base to look up to the building that the Tibetan delegation had been operating out of for their governmental headquarters. There was some unease going around as they had also been escorted by several members of the 'Tibetan' army, and all of them were armed. For Demona, this made her especially suspicious. Wedrington may have helped her get over all the feelings of anger and rage, mostly by simply listening, but that didn't mean that Demona had grown a great love for humans. To her, they had MUCH to prove to her before she would ever consider trusting them.

"Of course… Wedrington was human once," Demona thought to herself and glanced to the English gargoyle with her, "and has become rather handsome… but he could very well be one of the few exceptions."

She did her best to hide her growing infatuation with the sphinxlike male gargoyle. He represented her salvation from what the clan back in New York would have described as a 'psycho' into at least a tolerated outsider, but there was a lot of work that still needed to be done. Namely building a future for Je Lu's clan and that was why they had come to Lhasa. They would meet with the Tibetan delegation as well as with various groups that represented the main Chinese delegations that had been anti-Illuminati.

"Welcome to the capital… of Tibet, anyway," spoke a leading diplomat visited what had been Khan's base, "I hope you're all ready for a lot of talking…"

"So long as it's productive, we're ready," Demona said firmly.

The Tibetan humans had so far promised not to betray them, but things were still very early on, and Demona was not about to blindly hope for a good solution. Wedrington glanced to her for a few moments, but remained silent.

"You are certain these humans will not attack us?" Je Lu asked slowly, more fearful than mistrusting.

"We managed to get helicopters to these other areas with copies of what you found in Khan's base," the delegation leader said confidently, "We know they've had their own plans for China and for Tibet as well, but they were plans that go against what Khan's plan was…"

"And presumably Khan promised them that they'd eventually get what they want?" Wellington wondered.

The Tibetan delegate nodded.

"It might only mean they could only support us so long as Khan's supermen are still around," Demona grumbled.

"Not all paths to cooperation and support are easy," the Tibetan delegate answered, "It may take a lot of work… but if you work hard at it, you can prove yourself…"

Demona wanted to answer but felt Wedrington's had touch her shoulder. He answered for her.

"And we'll do our best to try," Wedrington spoke, "but remember that we are putting an awful lot of trust in those we do not personally know. We only ask that you try as hard as we will."

"And we will," the Tibetan delegate promised, "at present we need each other and once we get to know each other… old hostilities will die and we will want each other around."

"Hopefully," Shi La said with some optimism.

With that the Tibetan delegate gestured toward the doors and lead them all in. The four gargoyles hesitantly followed, with Demona bringing up the rear, just in case something went wrong.

"When will the other representatives arrive?" Je Lu asked curiously.

"Somewhat shortly," the Tibetan delegate answered, "Khan built a handful of airfields, but most are too small for major passenger jets and we're forced to rely on helicopter pads for transporting people quickly from areas outside of Tibet."

They made their way deeper into the building and through hallways and a staircase until they came to a large conference room. It had once been the Chinese Government's main office in Lhasa and was now controlled by what was the provisional Tibetan government. The Tibetan delegates quietly sat and waited for the others to arrive at one section of the table. Demona and her 'representatives' stood quietly nearby and Demona herself closely watched them. They were quiet, but she thought a couple of them looked hopeful. What they hoped for, Demona didn't know, but she hoped it would be clan for the clan.

Siberia, Russia

Russia, like the US maintained its own nuclear arsenal, capable of blowing up the world many times over. This particular base, however, didn't appear on any map. It was removed from official recon photos that the US government had and few in the Russian government even knew of its existence. The facility was, in fact, also an Illuminati base, and there a Russian officer who stood in line for the Illuminati election to replace Council members that had been killed in China or in Britain was inspecting the facilities.

"We've upgraded the security here, as you can see," a captain in the Russian explained as he pointed to various soldiers standing guard on various gangways around the facility.

The officer looked about the area at the gangways that surrounded the part of the facility they were in. It was connected to the main missile silo for what was one of Russia's permanent land based nuclear weapons. The gangways allowed men and scientists to test, check, and maintain the missile. The missile was held vertical by several metal clamps that would only be opened if the missile was to be fired. For the moment, no one, not even the Illuminati wanted to do that… except against maybe Khan, but for the moment Russia had no legitimate reason to enter a 'civil war' in China. As such, the Illuminati couldn't force things, and with no launch, troops manned the gangways to protect the missile.

"I fear men with machine guns may not be enough to stop this wave of assassinations that have been taking out our people," the officer answered, "they're taking out our major officers and commonly a good portion of our security that is already there."

"Wouldn't it be wiser to reopen our facilities where the assassin has already been?" the captain wondered, "contain him/her… or THEM?"

"And create a running wound where we continually have to cover new people going into an area?" the officer answered, "that is something only the Council could decide on… and until we can get these elections moving we won't have a Council…"

"Which means all we can do is cling to what we already have and hope this assassin of Khan's luck runs out," the captain then finished for the officer, looking down and sounding very disgruntled.

The officer running for one of the open council seats in the Illuminati easily caught on to what captain had commented on. Khan had apparently gotten some assassin that was taking out the Illuminati's leadership and any minor members and security staff that happened to be in the area. It was leaving holes in the Illuminati in a vulnerable position as without their leadership, many minor members also seemed to blunder about in confusion. Three in South Korea and two in Japan had gotten themselves arrested after accidentally misidentifying policemen or soldiers as Illuminati agents. Thankfully, all that came out of them were cases of disorderly conduct and nothing more.

But these assassinations were now advancing into Russia and were leaving the Far East. If this assassin wasn't stopped, the Illuminati as an organization might end up vanishing in a way they hadn't expected. With no Council, they couldn't even coordinate things completely and to make it worse, even if they did have a Council, there were no firm ideas as to how this assassin was traveling as fast as he/she/they were.

"It's not much, but it is something," the officer said with a sigh, "and that's better than nothing."

They kept walking silently for a few moments when a sudden blaring alarm sounded throughout the base. It was an alarm that was not to be ignored and they turned to a set of small and very thick windows that was their main control room. There the captain and the officer saw a woman's face smiling knowingly back at them. She mouthed the words "bye-bye" and then moved away from the window.

"How'd she get in?!" the captain shouted in surprise as he broke into a run toward the control room.

The officer was quick to run after him.

"It doesn't matter how… we've got to catch her and make her undo whatever it is she has done," the officer said urgently, "Perhaps she knows something about Khan's assassin."

They were joined by several security personnel as they rushed for the control room. They arrived to find the control room empty and with the two men manning the monitors there lying dead on the floor, with apparent blows to the neck being the cause of death.

"Check the bathroom!" the officer ordered.

Two soldiers immediately went to a small bathroom in the nearby area and kicked the door open. They found no one there either.

"Where did she go?" one of the soldiers asked puzzlement.

"Forgetwhere…weneedtogetoutofhere," the captain said quickly and began pushing on the officer to pushing back toward the door.

The officer was about to ask when he saw a clock on one of the monitors counting down. It read: 7… 6… 5… 4… 3…

"My God…" the officer said slowly.

2… 1…

Pentagon, Alexandria, Virginia

"Sir… our satellites just picked up a massive nuclear blast," a man reported in the nerve center of the US military.

"Nuclear?" a higher ranking officer questioned.

"Yes, sir," the man manning the satellite imagery monitoring station answered, "standard ICBM size, sir."

"Where?" the higher ranking officer.

"Here, practically in the middle of Siberia," the man at the station reported.

The officer came to look at the screen.

"There are supposed to be no launch sites there," the officer stated, "did anyone push the button? This Khan perhaps?"

"There was no missile launch anywhere," the man at the station answered, "at least not that I could monitor. My best guess is that the Russians got some nukes we haven't found and they just had another nuclear accident."

"Damn," the higher ranking officer cursed, "better pass this on to the President and the Secretaries of Defense and State."

Siberia

Marilyn stood about fifty miles to the east of the edge of the blast area near the rearview mirror of a truck she'd already commandeered from one of her previous operations, which had now moved into Russia. She privately smiled as this action would make her mission even easier. The Illuminati was already beginning to break under the strain of her assassinations and in some places were running out of men altogether. And since the instillation that she had just blown up was more of an Illuminati facility than it was Russian, she knew that she had just inflicted extreme losses on them.

"Hopefully I'm showing you a great victory, Khan," Marilyn smiled to herself and then dove back into the mirror.

Lhasa, Tibet

The wait wasn't too long soon several men finally made their way into the conference room. None of them knew what Marilyn had just unleashed in Russia and were focused on more immediate concerns. Demona kept a few choice sleep spells fresh in her mind as the Chinese delegates entered. If they did anything hostile, she'd make sure they'd be asleep and allow them to escape. There was some surprise from the Chinese delegates as they entered, as none of them expected to see gargoyles.

"Dragons?" one of the Chinese delegates asked slowly to the Tibetan delegate leader.

"We are gargoyles," Je Lu spoke in answer, "We resemble dragons, yes, but we are gargoyles…"

"Instinctive protectors by nature," Wedrington added.

"And we reserve the choice to choose what we protect," Demona finished in a firm tone.

The Chinese delegates gave a short and nervous glance, particularly after Demona's comment. They did however continue into the room and soon took seats, though keeping the desk between them and the gathered gargoyles.

"Your message said you had proof that Khan was not all he appears to be," one of the Chinese delegates spoke calmly to the Tibetan delegation, though keeping one eye on Demona and the others.

"Yes," the Tibetan delegation leader spoke and motioned to one of his comrades.

A different Tibetan delegate came forward and placed a laptop on the table so that the Chinese delegates could see it. The laptop contained the entire plan that Yoshi had found at Khan's base. Once it was set up, the files on Khan's plans were brought up for the Chinese delegates to see. Demona watched quietly as the Chinese men's faces went from suspicion to disbelief and then to complete and utter shock.

"He…" one spoke nervously.

"He intended to replace the Illuminati with himself and we wouldn't learn of that until after he'd created enough supermen to police all of China… and maybe the rest of Asia," the Tibetan delegation leader nodded.

"So… we chose the wrong side?" another Chinese man asked, "We should have sided with the Illuminati?"

There was a great deal of confusion among the faces of the Chinese representatives that had arrived. Demona and Wedrington could easily see it in their wide eyes and frequent looking back and forth among themselves rather than eyeing the non-humans in the room.

"Your decision to oppose the Illuminati wasn't wrong," Wedrington spoke up, "merely who you sided with to do so…"

This raised some eyebrows and brought attention back to the gathered gargoyles.

"We actually have the gargoyles here to thank for uncovering this information for us," the Tibetan delegate leader reported, "they found it in his headquarters… giving us the chance to deal with those of Khan's followers that aren't around his base."

"You found it?" one asked cautiously toward Demona.

"Yes," Demona said slowly.

"You didn't fabricate it?" another asked.

"No," Demona said back, doing little to hide her irritation at the question.

There was a brief silence as the Chinese arrivals moved to almost huddle together. Demona caught faint whispers, but their voices were kept soft enough that even her ears could not fully make out what was being said. Occasionally she could make out a lone word, like 'Khan' or 'supermen' or 'difficult,' but it wasn't enough to be completely certain as to what they were talking about. After a few moments the huddle broke and the attention of all the Chinese delegates focused on Demona and the gargoyles in the room.

"What you've found looks legitimate," the Chinese leader said slowly, "so we will trust your evidence that Khan has betrayed us, and thus you have our thanks."

"Anything we can do to provide and protect a free China," Je Lu spoke up, his tone carrying one of deep respect, even if for a total stranger.

"Then there is more that you can provide for us," the Chinese leader replied in a firm tone, "we want Khan brought before us so he may be tried for his affronts to the Chinese people."

"Unfortunately, Khan cannot do that since he is presently in a very deep spell," Demona asked.

"Sleep?"

"Enchanted sleep," Demona said simply, "until certain conditions are met, he and his followers in his base will not and cannot wake up."

"The gargoyles apparently had some issues with Khan before the war and were after him for those issues," the Tibetan delegation leader said slowly, "It was their battle with Khan that allowed them to get the proof we've placed before you."

The Chinese representatives then traded glances again before their leader gave a heavy sigh.

"Very well…" the Chinese leader sighed, "then I suppose our next order of business is to settle China's political future and remove the last of Khan's supermen."

"As well as providing a home for Je Lu, Shi La, and his clan," Demona spoke, gesturing to both Tibetan gargoyles as she mentioned their names.

"We hardly have the time," the Chinese leader stated, "the future must be won and you are all still an unknown to us."

Demona only resisted growling back in defiance when she felt Wedrington's hand on her shoulder. It was ultimately Je Lu who stepped forward.

"Let them take the lead in this," Wedrington whispered to Demona, "this is for their home and their future."

As he finished, Je Lu then began to speak.

"Tibet… AND China is my clan's home as well," Je Lu spoke, "Our futures are intertwined. Our issues with Khan were that he wished to deny us our right to our home. We've fought him to win our right to live here… with our own people."

"With other gargoyles?" one of the lower ranking Chinese representatives asked.

"With humanity," Shi La answered, "we once did and protected the people of Beijing. Violence in the past forced our clan and several monks out here to hide… but we do not wish to hide any more. We wish to be accepted."

"We don't know you," the Chinese leader said firmly.

"Let us prove ourselves to you," Je Lu offered, "assist in capturing the last of Khan's followers in China and prove that we are protectors to be supported."

The Chinese representatives again began to huddle and whisper to each other. Again Demona listened to the conversation as best she could, but couldn't hear much. What she did hear, however, did not make her feel that enthusiastic. Her eyes were soon scanning potential escape routes and her face taking on a bit of a scowl. It was situations like this that she wondered why she let Wedrington persuade her to abandon her war on humanity. Eventually the huddle broke up again.

"We will accept your offer to help, under the condition that whatever you want out of this is not to rule over humanity and that you will accept that humanity will rule over you," the Chinese leader.

"We had hoped we could live as equals," Je Lu replied.

"That may very well happen," the Tibetan delegate spoke optimistically, "but you are still new to all of us. As far as we knew, gargoyles only lived in New York City. Prove yourselves worthy, and equality will come."

Demona got the sense that was part of the political processes that humans engaged in. They turned favors into deals for favors in return and it seemed to be rarely with real good in mind. On some level, Demona respected the ability to manipulate others to certain ends, but only when it was her interests that were benefiting from the deal. It so far seemed as though Je Lu and his clan would be manipulated into a position of slavery if the humans didn't give some promise to try and be tolerant.

"We will do what we can to prove our trustworthiness," Je Lu spoke, forcing Demona to bite her tongue, "We will ask that you allow us to provide our advice and inform you of what my clan will need for the future."

"That doesn't sound like a bad deal," one of the Tibetan delegates spoke, "after all; you've already done a lot for us."

The Chinese representatives shared a few glances among themselves but eventually agreed.

"Very well, you may participate in the talks on the future of China," the Chinese delegate leader said slowly. He didn't entirely trust the gargoyles and his tone indicated that he was only accepting because of the help that they'd already provided, but to Je Lu that would at least be an opening to set the road to a better future.

"What will you need?" one of the other Chinese delegates asked, sounding slightly suspicious.

"We hope to return to our ancestral home in Beijing and would request that religious laws be relaxed to allow the monks that have been under our protection to return to their homes and not feel threatened because they are not 'political'," Shi La said slowly, "and if you cannot allow that… we would ask that you provide some assistance in allowing us to rebuild our home here in Tibet and we will remain in exile."

"We'll see what we can do," the Chinese leader answered, "and will see how well you can help."

Je Lu and Shi La both nodded. With that settled, the subject moved onto the future of China.

Moscow, Russia

The nuclear explosion in Siberia created chaos in more places than just in America. If it had been a facility that everyone in the government knew of, it would have been covered up as an accident, but it couldn't. There was too much of a surprise in the explosion from the members of the Russian government that weren't part of the Illuminati that it couldn't be covered up.

"What do you mean an accident?!" the Russian President demanded of a security officer standing at attention near a series of instrument panels in Russia's military headquarters.

"Just as I said, sir," the officer said nervously, "one of our missiles exploded in its silo. It destroyed several square miles of Siberian forest."

"How could that have happened?!" the Russian President demanded, "We have NO SILOS THERE!"

The officer cringed at the force with which the Russian President was chewing him out for this. He was an Illuminati member, and if those missiles were ever to be launched, he would actually launch them, but the present situation had removed that necessity. But, he couldn't tell the Russian President that, as the war in China and the defeat against Arthur and Macbeth in Britain had given the Illuminati the recognition that despite all the power they had attained, they couldn't rule outright. Revealing that to the Russian President would make matters worse than it already was.

"Someone HAD to have attacked us!" the Russian President shouted again, "I want to know WHO so we can strike back!"

"There was no missile firing anywhere," the officer answered, sounding nervous, "our intelligence from China would indicate that Khan destroyed their missiles before his war began and satellite imagery shows that the Americans haven't even activated any of their silos. We took no incoming."

"A dirty bomb then," the Russian President offered, "someone in a truck…"

"The blast was too big to have been a truck bomb… and if even if it was, why would they go to where we send criminals to die?" the security officer answered, "Mr. President, what happened was an accident. One of our OWN missiles exploded for reasons we do not know… as for how or why the silo was there, I don't know. It might have been hidden by Khrushchev or some other old Soviet as part of a game with the Americans long since over and forgotten… I don't know…"

The Russian President gave a frustrated groan, "You have no answers…?"

"Not…" the officer began.

"Then get out of here!" the Russian President roared, "Don't come back until you have answers!"

The officer's eyes widened, but followed the command as two soldiers came forward to escort him out. He had failed the Illuminati in protecting the facility. He was privately sure that the assassin that Khan had hired was the one behind it, which he couldn't report without revealing the Illuminati, which would bring some trouble from them, even without all their trouble with regard to the election for new Council members. He made his way out of the building and onto Moscow's streets as he pondered his no win situation.

"I can't tell the President the truth as that would expose me and my other masters, and even if I don't get it from him, the Illuminati will off me for sure," the officer lamented privately to himself, "or the assassin will get me."

His walk was quiet as his situation replayed over and over through his mind. There was no way he could win or even survive. Either the Russian government would execute him or the Illuminati would kill him. He was dead regardless of what he did, and once he reached his apartment, he reached the only decision he could honestly make. He drew his gun and closed his eyes.

Lhasa, Tibet

"We will now try to settle the political future of China as well as its borders," the Chinese leader then announced as the conversation moved away from human/gargoyle relations.

"Yes," the Tibetan delegate leader nodded, "Lets."

"What is your status on our province of Xizang Zizhiqu?" one of the other Chinese delegates immediately asked toward the Tibetan representatives.

Wedrington watched as the Tibetan delegates looked among themselves for a moment. This was not an unexpected argument that could come and he had actually warned the Tibetans that Tibetan independence might be an unreachable goal. And while Demona remained suspicious of the intentions of the humans they were working to build a relationship with for Je Lu's clan, Wedrington had noted that the Tibetans had actually seemed fairly accepting of them. As such, Wedrington hoped that the Tibetan delegates took the advice that he and Demona had given. He watched quietly as the Tibetan delegates finished and turned back to the Chinese delegates.

"We can accept that our home is part of China," the Tibetan delegate leader answered slowly, "all we ask though, is that in the new government we are given some self-autonomy. We elect our own governor and send our own representatives to Beijing… not simply being ruled by some party boss or outsider with someone else's interests in mind."

The Chinese representatives all traded looks, and looked more suspicious of the Tibetan politicians than they had of the gargoyles. It was at this point that Wedrington decided to add in his two cents, hoping he helped.

"It'd be a democratic government, I'd assume," Wedrington added, "which could mean local Chinese could find office in Tibet provided they speak in the interests of the local population and would ensure that Tibet is given a fair deal with regard to overall representation… I mean you wouldn't like if Tibet conquered you and said that your government would be run by Tibetans and your people wouldn't get anything, would you?"

"No," one of the lowest ranking members of the Chinese delegation said quickly.

"And so it's a compromise," Wedrington answered, "China remains united but everyone gets a fair voice in the government."

"And what if it doesn't work?" the Chinese leader questioned toward Wedrington specifically, "suppose something happens all that is done in this democracy is argument?!"

Wedrington managed a shrug, "That's a risk… but if given a chance to be fully established… a democracy functions well and can respond to crises. You've seen America decide to become a dictatorship lately… or ever? Have you?"

The Chinese representatives remained quiet for a moment.

"And so long as your faction remains in the majority of the overall government it is not as though your policies will disappear," Demona added, privately regretting getting involved in the politicking, but got the sense that wasn't much choice.

Wedrington had too much of his experience as a citizen of the UK and the Tibetan delegates wanted to gain some freedom. Demona wanted freedom for Je Lu and his clan, but also knew that they wouldn't get it so long as China and Tibet were engaged in rivalry, as their problems would soon be used as excuse to punish the gargoyles. The Chinese would need to be assured that they would keep power.

"And correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't your specific 'group' form the majority of China's population?" Demona then finished.

"Where do you stand on this, Tibetan gargoyles?" the Chinese leader questioned, "You think we should give Tibet its freedom?"

"Freedom to work with you," Je Lu spoke, "it is not our place to say what you should or shouldn't do with regard to exact politics…"

"But we would think that a more tolerant society would work better," Shi La added, "Or are you going to prefer an endless war?"

"And if the people of Xizang Zizhiqu use this as an excuse to rebel?" the Chinese leader questioned, again looking suspicious and waiting for some mistake.

"If you treat them fairly and give them a fair voice, they'll have no reason for rebellion," Wedrington replied somewhat nervously, as he feared he wasn't making much of an impact.

"And if they can't form a majority on their own… your power won't be challenged," Demona added.

It was here that the Tibetan delegates finally entered into this section of the conversation.

"We have no desire to force a fight that we cannot win," a Tibetan delegate said slowly, "You don't wish us to be independent and we lack the men to win it. We will accept being part of China and will not rebel. All we ask is that we are not oppressed. Is that too hard to accept?"

"We will accept this on a trial basis," the Chinese leader finally said after a moment, "You will be in the same boat as the gargoyles. You fail to show loyalty to China and your autonomy within China will disappear. Am I clear?"

"Crystal," the Tibetan delegation leader said weakly.

"I think we can tentatively move on to the last of Khan's followers," a different Tibetan representative spoke, "the gargoyles have promised to help… but how do you think we should do this?"

At this point, a different Tibetan stepped forward. Unlike the others who wore business suits and ties, this man wore a general officer's uniform. He had remained quiet and had given some questioning looks toward the gargoyles, but as Demona noticed his movement, she also got the sense that there was something turning in his head.

"That may not be too difficult," the general, General Lao, said calmly, "I'm sure with the gargoyle's help we can set up some ambushes that they cannot escape… at least with those that won't be coming here…"

"Won't be coming here?" the Chinese leader questioned, standing up nervously, "they're coming here?"

"Who are you?" a different Chinese representative questioned.

"I am General Lao of the Free Tibet section of the Free Chinese Army," General Lao answered in a way that brought the previous discussion together with the present, "and some supermen units might be indeed headed this way."

The four gargoyles listened to a few hushed whispers of surprise went through the room, from both the Tibetan representatives and the Chinese representatives.

"My offices have been getting calls from various superman units from throughout China, all stating that they cannot reach Khan," General Lao continued, "I believe they may begin to send representatives back to report to him in person…"

"What have you told these men?" the Chinese leader said urgently.

"Mostly that we haven't been able to make contact either," General Lao answered, "I don't believe they suspect us of any wrong doing and their return is more curiosity than anything else… they might only send a handful that could easily be ambushed by the gargoyles."

"That might make things easier," Je Lu commented, "with no new supermen being created, they'd be whittled down… but we would need daytime protectors."

"Daytime protectors?" General Lao questioned.

Demona gave a frustrated growl as the only answer that would explain things would expose a gargoyle's greatest weakness. She would survive if they betrayed them, but Je Lu and the others wouldn't. The image of Wedrington's stone form being smashed sent an involuntary shiver through her that General Lao blinked at.

"We turn to stone during the day," Demona answered, "If they arrive during the day… we'd be helpless."

"I see," General Lao said slowly, and mentally taking notes, "I'm sure we can spare a handful of troops to man the roof area of Khan's former base. That shouldn't be a problem."

Demona immediately began trying to figure a way to create a safe room guarded by her magic, in case this General Lao had any secret plans.

"Then I suppose we can hold off on direct attacks until Khan's followers come stumbling into the trap," the Chinese leader gave a confident smile.

Hotel Cabal, NYC

Duval was extremely nervous as more news reports came in. Some were standard news channels that were reporting on a dreadful accident in Russia involving a nuclear missile, but others were reports from the various Illuminati channels. Despite the assassin's efforts, many of the communications networks remained up and Illuminati members could track the assassin's actions as they happened… or at least the aftermath of them. And the assassin's actions in Russia were beginning to break the Illuminati in many ways.

"What do you mean you won't be participating in the election?" Duval demanded into the phone, "we're losing members left and right. We need everyone to get the election through. Then we can at least try to rally the minor members and those who know little or nothing to action against this assassin… or at least get an attack off against Khan!"

"I won't even participate in the vote," came the answer, "It's too much exposure and we have no true idea on how the assassin is moving so fast. I'll follow you and the new council… if you can get one elected… but I'm not sticking my neck out until we are safe and secure from this assassin!"

"But we need everyone for this!" Duval argued, "People are doing what you're doing and we're losing control. If that happens… if that happens they'll be no Illuminati. Khan will win and take over the globe and we will have failed! The Mage's prophecy…"

"Might still come," was the response, "he was never wrong before. We simply won't be there to see it… but then who knows; maybe in tighter security of smaller independent groups we can identify this assassin better."

And with that the line went dead and Duval sighed heavily. Things were accelerating and running out of control. On some level, he actually benefitted because most of the members that were still working the election and willing to vote had promised to support and campaign for him, and as such Duval's personal chances of even a high ranking seat were now rather good, but it still came with a big price. Two other candidates had dropped out of the race and many like the member he had just been speaking with were even going to vote. As such, things were falling apart exactly in the way that Duval and stated.

With members dropping out of the race and others refusing to participate in the election or even vote, the ability of the Illuminati to control itself was growing even weaker and weaker. To make matters worse, people dropping out weren't only problem arising out of the nuclear blast that Khan's assassin had unleashed in Siberia. Some of his Illuminati Society reports gave the indication that at least ten members in Russia alone had committed suicide. Most of them appeared to have been in posts that would have led to them answering questions that would have exposed the Illuminati had they answered the questions honestly. The rest seemed to be members in isolated posts with little guard and committed suicide to deny the assassin the victory.

"This assassin is rapidly destroying us," Duval said aloud in a defeated tone, "and without a Council, we can't even marshal the men or magics needed to stop her unless she stumbles on to them."

He turned in his chair and looked out a window where he could see a lone tower that caught his eye. The Eyrie Building stood out as New York's tallest building and home to a clan of gargoyles that presently protected the city openly.

"They might be the only ones who can save us… but how are we going to convince them that we aren't an enemy after everything?" Duval wondered aloud as an idea came to him, "and how do I get something so ambitious approved without a Council to approve it?"

Khan's Former Base, Tibet

Demona, Wedrington, Je Lu, and Shi La returned an hour before dawn to the base that they had taken over from Khan. With them were the soldiers that General Lao had promised would guard them during the day. Yama, Yoshi, and the Tibetan Clan were also present for their return and they looked somewhat perplexed by the arrival of soldiers as well as the other clan members.

"Are we to be arrested?" one Tibetan gargoyle asked as she came forward, eying the soldiers.

"For the moment, no," Je Lu assured her, "though things are not over."

"Not over?" Yoshi wondered.

"The humans want us to help finish off Khan's army," Demona grumbled, "and they won't trust us until we've 'proved' ourselves to them."

"And we will," Je Lu added, "but for the moment there are still some things that need to be done prepare…"

"Like what?" Yama asked, eyeing the soldiers taking up guard posts.

"Establishing a safe room inside the base," Demona whispered, "in case the soldiers are lying about protecting us."

The End…?