Wolfram and Hart
Nathan Reed is now staring at the two Co Vice Presidents of Wolfram and Hart's Special Projects division, Lindsay McDonald and Lilah Morgan.
Nathan is not happy.
"The Galatea... missing..." he muttered as he was walking around the room.
"How long has he been like this?" Lindsay whispered to Lilah.
"Ever since I came in here 10 minutes ago. Keeps muttering about this Galatea. What ever that means." Lilah shrugged.
Guess you didn't read too many good books in high school. Lindsay thought to himself.
Nathan finally looks at them. "... why did I call you two in here again?... oh yes Galatea..." he then looks madder than ever at them as he drops his depressed mood. "Why the hell have you allowed this to happen! You've allowed the Galatea to be taken! Have you any idea what you have done?!"
Lilah took a step back but Lindsay walked forward. "Well maybe if you would tell us then maybe we would understand. We have no knowledge of this 'Galatea' Mr. Reed."
Nathan then calms down a little. "... Holland never told you about this?" Lindsay shakes his head no. "No memos?" Again a no from Lindsay. Nathan sighs. "I told that man to write stuff down on paper or on disk. Don't keep everything in your head for memorization. It will always foul up in the end."
"So what is the Galatea?" Lilah asked.
"Something that must be found before the Review tomorrow night." Nathan said shivering for an instant.
The Review. It was what every employee of Wolfram and Hart dreaded. Every 75 years one of the senior partners would come from the home office and ... review their performance. Lilah was scared of. So was Nathan. So was everyone else. Lindsay though just didn't care.
"Well Nathan... since you know so much about it... go find it yourself." Lindsay smirked turning his back to him and started walking out.
"Lindsay get back here right now!" Nathan shouted at him.
"If I were you I would start doing as much as you could to find that Galatea before the Review." Lindsay said going out the door and closed it.
Nathan snapped and then through a paperweight from his desk out his window.
Lilah not wanting to be on the receiving end of this followed Lindsay out. "Are you out of your mind, Lindsay? You are as good as dead!"
"Lilah did you hear what Nathan said. The Review is in less than 24 hours." Lindsay faced her. "You take a look at him. He's a wreck. Whatever the woman made flesh is, it's scaring the hell out of him. That means the senior partners wanted it in their possession. Bad thing for him if he lost it."
Lilah looked at Lindsay wide-eyed for a while before her lips curved to a smile. "Well you've managed to improve my mood for a while... 'Woman made flesh'?"
"In this story I read when I was in high school there was a man who couldn't get anyone to fall in love with him. He then decided to sculpt his perfect woman. His Galatea. She was perfect in every way but not alive. Just stone." Lindsay explained as they walked. "It was then that the gods took pity and one of them brought Galatea to life. Hence she was also known as the woman made flesh."
"So what do you think Project: Galatea is?" Lilah asked.
"I don't know but I would like it to stay the hell away until the Review is over." Lindsay smirked. "The smell promotion is in the air."
"Not to mention the stench of soon to be dead firm mates." Lilah added.
***
The Host's Karaoke Bar
"So why are we here now?" April asked her supposed guardian angel.
"Well I figured you want to get a look at some of the various types of beings that live in this world." Doyle said.
"There's only human beings and animals and..." April then stopped in mid sentence when she saw a green skinned being with two heads. One where it should be and one in the stomach. "... and demons?"
"Well they did say your learning curve was going to be kinda slow." Doyle shrugged. "Not to mention you go allow all the extra information that they those people at Wolfram and Hart put into your head."
"What's a Wolfram and Hart?" April asked.
"On the surface it's a law firm run by honest people helping big shots in the world." Doyle explained. "In reality there are they nothing more than evil incarnate. They're worse than demons because they are humans dedicated to evil and to bring about the end of the world and humanity."
"... oh." April said.
"You don't seem overly concerned about it lass."
"It just doesn't seem to be my problem. I have no purpose." April said to Doyle. "Why should I do something I don't feel like doing?"
"Well you have your opinion. You are entitled to it." Doyle said as they sat down at the bar. "Just don't be going kicking me in the pants if you end up changing yur mind when we're done."
April just looked at him. "How can you sit on things yet people just pass right through you."
"Hey if I couldn't stand up on anything then I'd just fall to the center of the earth." Doyle quipped. "Personally not sure my self but I've got some base substance in my current situation... its just that anything living is going to pass right through me."
"... now why did we come up to this bar?" April asked. "Its not as if I can drink or anything and you can't because you are some sort of ghost... but there's no such things as ghosts…argh! I've got a glitch in my system I know it! I'm getting out of here."
April turned around to leave but then bumped right into the Host.
"Well this is new. Someone comes into my club doesn't have a soul and isn't a vampire or a demon." The Host said. "Man you are different than my usual clientele."
April just looked at the Host and just kept starting. "Is there some giant neon light sign that says 'Hey this beautiful girl is really a robot. Feel free to make her life miserable!'?" she threw her hands up in frustration.
"Actually I'm not here her to make your life miserable." Doyle said.
"Doyle. Be quiet." April said.
"So you got a guardian looking over your shoulder." The Host said.
"Excuse me?" April asked.
"Not that all uncommon. Usually the Powers That Be will send a guide to keep the suicidal person they are watching in check to try to persuade them to do other wise." The Host replied. "No body can see your guardian except for you but I know he's around her because there's a floating soul around you and lady its not inside of your body. It's say you are keeping him whipped at bay."
"Hey! If I had my body I kick the crap out you for that remark! I'm no body's pet here!" Doyle said.
"So may I ask what your name is my dear?" the Host asked.
"April."
"April. Two new records for my club. Girl with no soul and person named after a month of the year." The Host smiled. April started to get up the Host got her back in her seat. "Sorry. I didn't mean to offend you or anything. It's just... no one like you has ever entered my club before."
"Yeah I don't expect you get many robots in this club." April sighed.
"Robots?" The Host repeated. "You're a robot?"
April then too her left hand and put it at the base of the neck and started pulled upwards to expose the metal skin behind it.
"Holy mother..." The Host muttered and then hit her hand and April's face was back to normal. The Host was then rubbing his hand. "Ow! Damn girl what are you made of?"
"I wish I knew and why did you hit me?" April asked.
"Well for one thing, you shouldn't tell a bunch of people that you are... a robot. Could lead to a lot of bad things." The Host said. "People hunting you down, salvaging you for scrap metal..."
"You've seen this happen to other robots?" April asked.
"Oh now I've seen that from a couple of robot and cyborg flics that Hollywood has produced over the years." The Host said.
"Right... so are you here to guilt trip me into doing something?" April asked.
"No actually I just want you to watch the man about to go on stage." The Host then pointed to the stage.
And Charles Gunn was on it.
"... well I won't be signing We Are Champions again cause I don't have my friends... but its not going to be a happy song either." Gunn said as he started to sing.
"Oh god can't the boy think of songs with a better and lighter tune." Doyle complained.
However April was just looking at Gunn. She was watching him sing but in her CPU, it was checking on the tones of his voice. The levels and the decibels and the pitch. She ended up with a conclusion.
"He's sad... he's so very sad..." April muttered.
"How can you tell that?" the Host asked.
"The level of his voice clearly show he's an Alto but he's signing a lot lower than he should. The decibels ratings are almost non-existent. And the pitch is something... something sorrowful." April replied.
"For gods sakes lass the guy sounds like lost friend and he's bleeding his bloody heart out!" Doyle muttered.
"Well you are right. He is sad and I know why." The Host said.
April looked at him. "How could you know what he is feeling?"
"I'm Anagogic."
"Oh hi Anagogic." April replied. "Least I know your name now."
"No my name isn't Anagogic. Anagogic is what I am, I'm a spiritual or mystical interpreter of words. When people sing, they bear their souls to me and I can read them. See destinies of others. Oh, and call me the Host."
"Okay… the Host, what is his future?" April asked.
"As if he is going to tell her." Doyle sighed.
"Well I can't divulge the exact details... but I can tell you a few things. Such as last night during a vampire attack he lost two of friends. Very good friends to him." The Host said.
"That's terrible." April said.
"Yeah ever since he got fired its been down hill for him and two others." The Host muttered as he drank a glass of Seabreeze.
"Fired... what are you talking about?" April asked.
"See. There used to be the investigation agency. Angel Investigations. Run by a vampire, cept this vampire has a soul. And the guy onstage with two others were working with him. Things went very well." The Host said.
"So what happened?" April asked.
The Host then pointed at the tables to the left. Sitting at them were well-dressed lawyers. "Them. Or rather the firm they work for. Wolfram and Hart."
April had a look on her face.
She thought it might be anger.
"I'm beginning to hear a lot about this Wolfram and Hart... and I'm not liking what I am hearing." April said. "Please... can you tell me more?"
"What ever happened to you weren't interested in human affairs?" Doyle piped in.
"I feel like I should listen." April got up to face Doyle. "You said you wanted me to make my own decisions. Well now I am making them." April looked back at the stage and saw Gunn finish singing and the sorrow on his face. "That sadness in his eyes... it making my circuits feel something I really haven't felt. Grief."
"Hey maybe you got an emotion chip in you." April looked at the Host. "Star Trek reference based on Lt. Commander Data. The Next Generation had the best Star Trek cast of all four incarnations. The movies are going to end when they stop wanting to do them." He said.
"Okay if we are done with that can you explain some things to me?" April asked.
"Of course sugar." The Host replied. "Any case Wolfram and Hart have been driving Angel insane. To what purpose other than to avert a great disaster to their evil plans I don't know. So far they've tried assassins, poisons, their latest attempt was bring back his sire from Hell... only thing is she got revamped and now she and her grandchilde are now on killing sprees... at least until he set them on fire anyway."
"Angel man ... god you really do need a wake up call." Doyle muttered looking up. "Hey! Thanks for the heads up on how bad things really are down here. Yeah I really do appreciate it!"
"And so they succeeded..." April asked.
"Well kinda. I mean they turned him into this murky man that really isn't giving a crap any more and fired his whole crew because he didn't want them around him while he planning by these rules he has now." The Host said.
April listened on as the Host told her what he could about Angel and his situation. As well as about the others that Angel fired.
"So Cordelia, Wesley and Charles... they are all heading for serious trouble?" April asked.
"Yeah they are. Kinda dangerous time for them all. Don't have a clue if they are going to survive what will happen or not but that all depends on event that could or could not happen." The Host said. "So what are you doing now?"
"... leaving. Thank you for your time." April said getting up. "... and thank you for showing me a few things about this world." She then started walking away went out the exit door.
The Host turned around and faced Doyle. "You know you are going to owe me some time friend."
Doyle was shocked. "... you... you can see me?!"
"Buddy I am the Host. I can see all souls and quite frankly that's the only reason you are in this dimension at the moment. Your soul." The Host said. "Now Doyle I don't intend on telling Angel or anyone about you being here. I'll leave that up to you and your interpreter... but you better get going after April now before something happens to her."
Doyle didn't need anymore encouragement as he then bolted for April.
***
April was walking down the streets not knowing what was happening. As she looked she saw homeless people in the streets. She saw gang members selling dope and heroin. She saw people beating the hell out of each other as we.
"What kinda world is this... is it even worth trying to save?" April asked. "There's so much dark, so much evil... is this even good for anything?"
"AHHHHHH!!! Help us!"
April turned around and saw a woman with two younger girls running away from two men chasing her.
"Excuse me what is..." April started as the woman and her children moved past her in the alley. The men came up to her. "Excuse me..."
It was then they vamped in front of her and one of them through her into a wall head first. "She'll make a good meal after we get those others." He said as he and his partner came with him after their prey.
April however was still conscious. "Those men... no... those demons... they deserve to be killed... I want to get rid of them... and make them pay!"
[Current parameters: Unclear]
[Status: Unable to fight in current personality.]
[Do you wish to change to a different personality: Y/N]
"A different personality...?" April said.
"April!" Doyle rushed to her. "April are you okay?"
"Doyle... there are people... vampires are going to kill them." April said.
"And do you think you can help them now?" Doyle asked.
"No... but a Slayer could."
[Personality change confirmed.]
[Initializing Faith Personality Subroutine]
"What the..." April muttered as she heard a sound coming from her and then her chest just opened up out of it came a mask that looked exactly like Faith's head.
"What the hell? What is this?" Doyle asked.
April rushing went into the coat pocket and pulled out the Buffy mask. "The masks... they are triggers. My internal systems said 'Initializing Faith Personality Subroutine'" She then held the Faith mask. "Maybe this is Faith."
"HELP US!!!"
Doyle looked down the alley. "I got a feeling those vampires are getting close now."
April looked at the Faith mask and down the alley. "… what the hell. Always a first time for everything." With that she then took of her head and then her metallic head was exposed. She then put the April and Buffy heads into the coat's pockets. She then stared at the Faith mask before putting it over her head and after that her body went through a metamorphosis.
"Holy Mary." Doyle muttered.
Within seconds there was a duplicate Faith starting at Doyle.
"Well let's see. Vamps about to attack some people. Hmm… might be fun dusting them... hell what I am saying. It WILL be fun." 'Faith' smirked as she rushed down the alley.
Doyle just stared at her. "Fun? She thinks this is fun? Oh boy I don't like where this is going."
***
"Please! Leave my children alone!" the mother cried.
"Oh so sorry... but we are so hungry." one of the vampires said.
It was then both of them got hit in the head by a trash can.
"Hey moron." 'Faith' smirked looking at them. "Yes you I am talking to you. Do I see anymore vampires will less brain cells than a toddler here. I mean my god B would probably just go right a head and stake you to get it over with. You're so pathetic. You should consider it an honor to be dusted by me."
The heaver setted of the two vamps rushed 'Faith' infuriated but what she had said.
He never saw her launch the stake right at his heart dusting him right before even got close to her.
"See what I mean. No brains. God and I thought this would be a fun night you know." 'Faith' replied.
"Who the hell are you?" the remaining vampire asked.
"I'm a Slayer duh. The Chosen One." 'Faith' said waving her arms. "What? You failed Vampire for Dummies?"
The vampire went to look at 'Faith' but then went to go after the humans but 'Faith' was already running at him at inhuman speeds and got to him before he got to anyone of his potential victim.
"No way! No human is that fast!" he cried.
"Slayers are. Deal with in hell." 'Faith' said as she staked him in the heart and he turned to dust. She then got up and looked at the humans.
"Oh god thanks you! Thank you so much!" the mother hugged her. "You saved my little girls lives thank you!"
'Faith' blinked and just let the mother pour out her emotions. "Um... thank you..."
"I don't know how to thank you." She said looking her over. "If you need cash..."
"No! No cash!" 'Faith' said. "... I mean I have cash... just need a place to some newer clothes./"
"Alright." The mother said handing 'Faith' a business card. "I own a clothing store down town. Feel free to stop by if you like."
"... thanks. I'll probably take you up on that." 'Faith' said.
"My name's Jane. What's yours?"
"Faith... listen Jane. I have a friend. Her name is April. Would you mind if she came in my place. I get kinda busy during the days and nights."
"Of course." Jane said she then saw her children's looks. "Oh god I better get them home now."
"There's a taxi station down a block from here. I'll walk you there until you get to a car." 'Faith' said.
"Thank you Faith." Jane said.
After a short while Jane and her children got a car.
"You think I will see you again?" Jane asked 'Faith'.
"I really don't know. Just take care of your kids. Best things in the world to have." 'Faith' said as she walked away from the cab.
"Oh Faith I forgot to ask how are you feeling?" Jane asked.
'Faith' smirked. "I'm feeling Five by Five." With that she left.
As 'Faith' was walking she was seeing all of the people of LA. Rich and poor. Healthy and dying. Strong and weak. "And big bad Angel use to take care of them. Man things have changed... and I'm not even Faith... but I'm close to her."
'Faith' continued walking looking at the sky. "I had wondered what my purpose was to be. If I was going to be programmed with one. That's selfish. It why I shut down last time as well. I see that now. I didn't want a purpose... now I want one. I want to find my purpose in this world."
'Faith' then smiled as only she could as she looked up. "Looks like I won't be going of line any time soon."
"April!"
'Faith' turned around and saw Doyle run next to her and looked winded.
"Question. How the hell can a ghost get winded? I mean you shouldn't be sweating even." 'Faith' said.
"Don't ask me how April. I think the Power That Be really like to punish me." Doyle said. "So what's next on the..."
"I'm not shutting down Doyle."
Doyle blinked. "...eh?"
"I said I am not shutting down. Do I need to make it any clearer than that?" 'Faith' asked.
Doyle just breathed. "Your telling me it took you being a rouge slayer to realize this?"
"I've been given a lot of new abilities Doyle. I better start learning what those abilities are if I am going find my purpose. I know I have a purpose Doyle." 'Faith' said with a look of confidence and deterimination in her eyes. "I just have to find it."
To be continued...