"You will be satisfied with our delivery," Cortez assured Sanchez as they
both stepped out of the limousine.
"I hope so," the older vampire told him. "It cost me enough money."
"What do you expect?" Cortez asked with a small smile. "Its always war out there. Full automatic rifles in that number cost much money."
The conversation was interrupted when one of Cortez's vampires came running to them.
"Boss," the vampire started. "We have a problem."
"What is it?" Cortez asked annoyed.
"All of our guards are dead," the vampire explained. "We just found a few dustpiles and their weapons."
"Problems?" Sanchez asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Nothing that can't be handled," he told him and looked back at the vampire. "Take all my men and check out the storage room. I want the shipment secured."
The vampire nodded and went back to the ship.
"I warn you Cortez," Sanchez told him angrily. "If something goes wrong I will skin you alive."
"I will deal with this problem," he told the vampire leader and took his pistol out from under his jacket. "Personally;" he added and ran to his ship.
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Meanwhile the scoobies and the memberr of the LA team had made themselves comfortable in Angel's office. But the absence of the souled vampire worried them. He was supposed to be here over an hour ago, but there was still no sign of him.
"I don't get it," Faith muttered for the third time. "it shouldn't take him this long to come back form his informant."
"Come on Faith," Cordelia tried to calm her down. "He has always been a bit late. You will see. Before you notice it he will come flying in here."
Like someone had waited for this words to be spoken, Angel was thrown through one of the windows and landed painfully on the floor.
Cordelia immediately rushed to his side, whereas Faith had already aimed her pistol at the vampires that came through the door of Angel Investigations.
The five man aimed their shotguns and submachine guns at the occupants of the room, but didn't make a move to shoot them. In the meantime the rest of the Scoobies had each grabbed the nearest available weapon and prepared themselves for the battle.
This standoff lasted only for a few second, before a middle aged man in suit entered the office and looked around, taking the whole situation in.
"Well, now let's all calm down," he spoke calmly and looked at the vampires. "Lower the guns boys. We are here to talk, not to kill."
The five vampires immediately obeyed and lowered their guns. On the other side of the room the Scoobies did the same, but they still eyed their opponents warily.
Buffy took a step forward and looked directly at the man, who just stared back.
"Who are you?" she finally asked.
"And you must be the famous Buffy Summers," the man told her with a small smile," I'm honoured to meet you," he said and slightly bowed in front of her.
"That doesn't answer my question," Buffy told him annoyed.
"Oh, I totally forgot my manners," the man said and shook his head. "Dean Carver at your service.
At the mention of the name everyone in the room tensed noticeable and looked more closely at the man who was supposed to be one of the greatest vampire leader on the west coast.
"You are Carver?" Buffy asked. That earned her a nod from the vampire. "So, tell me one good reason why I shouldn't stake you right now."
"Well, for once," Carver said and motioned at his vampires, "My men here would shoot you down before you could reach me. And I already said it, I'm here to talk not to fight."
"And you needed to beat up Angel so you could talk with us," Buffy said and looked at the souled vampire and only just noticed now that he was tied up and gagged. She looked over at Faith and nodded as the other slayer walked up to Angel to cut him loose.
"Yes, that's was quite rude. But I saw no other option to finally meet you," Carver said and mentioned for he table in the middle of the room. Both he and the slayer sat down. "If it's any kind of condolence, he didn't tell us on his own where to find you."
"Then how?" Buffy asked puzzled.
Carve took a little business card form his pocket and handed it her. Buffy took it and immediately noticed that it was an Angel's investigation card, with phone number and address.
"Explain to me. Why should I talk to you?" Buffy asked with a sneer.
"Because we two have the same enemy," Carver said. "Sanchez. He is our common enemy. It's in our both interest to fight him together."
Buffy looked at the vampire. Finally she burst in laughter. "You really think I'm dumb don't you?" Carver looked confused at the small girl. "Let's just assume that we would fight him together. As soon as he is destroyed you would stab me in the back. It's that easy."
"It's not that easy," Carver said. "You see Miss summers, I'm a business man. I have nt real interest in conquering the rest of the west coast and bring it under my control. I'm quite comfortable with the status quo."
"Why are you in Sunnydale then," Buffy asked with frown.
"Because I can't allow Sanchez to take over the hellmouth. His territory would be in reach of my own businesses and I can't simply allow that. That's the only reason I'm in Sunnydale. I wouldn't be there other wise," Carver explained.
"And how do we fit into this whole scheme?" Buffy asked.
"Well, I want you to kill Sanchez," Carver told her with a small smile. "Once he is dead his whole organisation will break down, splinteringinto various smaller groups that will pose no danger to me or other vampire leaders in the area."
"Still, why should I accept this offer," Buffy asked. "You only told me your benefits from the situation. What's in for us?"
"Well, once Sanchez is defeated, me and my men will leave the hellmouth once and for all," Carver explained. "When the Mayor was still alive Sunnydale was neutral territory for the big organisations. And I want this time back. If you defeat Sanchez I will make sure that neither I nor the other organisations will plan to spread their territory to include the hellmouth."
"Still, you could stab us in the back once have dealt with Sanchez," Buffy interjected.
"Yes, I could," Carver agreed. "But If I wanted you dead I could kill you now."
"But who would fight Sanchez then," Buffy continued.
"I see you get my point of view."
"Why don't I sit back and watch you two kill each other off?" Buffy told him with a smile "More dead vampires this way, less work for me."
"Because Miss summer," Carver said and matched her fake smile. "If I would be forced to fully go to war then not only Sanchez organisations and mine would be destroyed, but also the beautiful town you are living in"
"What?" Buffy asked shocked.
"You heard me correctly," Carver told her. "I have about two hundred men in Sunnydale. But over a thousand stand ready if the situation escalates. And I have already ordered a vast amount of equipment to be shipped here. It's in out both interests that Sanchez is dealt with as soon as possible. The war would cost me too much money and power. If you deal with Sanchez, not only Sunnydale will be spared a terrible fate and both you and me can go our ways. A two way deal," he explained and waited a few moments to let the information sink in. "So what do you say?" he said and offered her his hand.
"I accept," Buffy said with a bit hesitation and shook his hand. "But I warn you. If you don't leave once Sanchez is dead, then I will personally guarantee that you will regret ever coming to Sunnydale"
"Fair enough," Carver said and stood up. "Give my regards to you friends and your watcher back in Sunnydale. That is, if they survive this night." "What do you mean?" Buffy asked worried.
"Oh, Sanchez has a freighter coming to Sunnydale. Full of guns. And your friends want to mess up his plans," he told her as he walked back to the entrance. "Good bye Miss summers," Carver said as he and his men left the room.
Buffy looked thoughtfully at the table for a few moments before she jumped up.
"Willow, we need go back to Sunnydale," Buffy told the witch and the looked at Faith. "Sorry Faith. Seems like we can't stay the whole weekend."
"No prob B," Faith reassured her as she walked her two friends out of the office and back to her SUV. "So, back to my apartment and to Joyce's jeep. I just hope you get there in time," Faith told her as they mounted the car.
"I'm not afraid for Xander," Buffy told her with a small smile. "But the way he talked about Giles and Oz freaked me out."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
After his meeting with the slayer Carver and his men went right back to his limousine and the remaining escort cars. When he was inside the big car Carver looked at the man in front of him who was completely covered in shadows.
"So, how did it go," the man asked after a couple of minutes.
"I think we have a slayer working for us," Carver told his companion with a smile.
"I told you so," he said and laughed. "Be a threat to civilians and she will accept everything you ask her for."
"Yes," Carver agreed. "Your information was quite helpful. Have you ever considered working for me? A man with your qualifications could be a great asset for my organisation."
The man took a cigarette from his pocket and lighted it, the flame illuminating his face only momentarily.
"I will think about it," he said with a smile.
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"Oz, Giles. I hope watching the door," Xander shouted, as he placed one of the last charges in one of the ammunition boxes.
"Of course," Giles called back. The vampires chose this very moment to enter the door. Giles and Oz immediately opened fire, taking the vampires by surprise. Two : immediately went down under their combined fire. Xander startled by the sudden action quickly took his UMP and joined Oz who had hid behind a metal box.
The remaining vampires waited a few more seconds before they started a new attack. Five of them stormed through the door, but like the previous one were quickly mowed down by the combined fire. One bullet however got lucky and hit Oz in the upper leg.
The werewolf crouched down behind his cover. When it was clear that there were no further attacks, Xander took small first aid kit from his rucksack and started helping his friend.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
Cortez finally reached the door of the storage room, where ten of his men stood, waiting for further orders.
"What's going on?" he asked the leader of the little group.
"Some guys are in the storage room," a bulky vampire explained. "And we can't get in there. The have covered the entrances."
Cartez thought about the situation and quickly came to a solution.
"You two," he said and looked at two vampires. "Get a few of the CS grenades we have up there."
The two vampires immediately ran way, searching for the desired items.
"If we can't get in there, then we will force them out of there," he told the vampires with an evil smile.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
"Uh oh. That doesn't sound good," Xander muttered as he fastened the bandage around Oz's leg. Luckily it was a flesh wound and the bullet also went right through his leg.
"What?" Giles asked, who still aimed his Mp5 at the entrance.
"They want to throw a few CS grenades in here," Xander explained the conversation he overheard with his hyena senses. "And we have no gasmasks"
"So what are we going to do now?" Oz asked. "We are trapped inside of here."
"Well, I go for plan B," Xander simply said and took his rucksack again.
"And exactly what is plan B?" Giles asked.
"This," Xander said and produced his black Katana from he interior.
"Xander how is a sword supposed to help us here," Oz asked confused.
"You will see," Xander said and walked up to the wall of the ship. He quickly took a look through the port-hole, just make sure that this was the side of the ship that faced the ocean.
He took the sword out of his sheath and took it in both hands. He quickly plunged the black blade through the wall and began with a little resistance start cutting a hole out of it. Oz looked wide eyed as Xander continued his work. When he was finished he gave the wall a quick kick and the now separated part of the hull fell down from the ship. Xander took a quick look and noted that it couldn't be more than ten meters down to the water.
"Looks good," he said as he walked back to Oz. He took his rucksack and helped the werewolf his feet.
"You want us to jump out there?" Oz asked, still bewildered.
"You can stay if you want," Xander told him with a small smile "But I would prefer this way."
He carried Oz to the hole. It took him a few moments to bring up the courage, but finally he jumped through the hole. After making sure that his friend landed safe Xander walked up to Giles
"You next G-Man," Xander said as he took Giles' position in securing the entrance. The watcher needed less time and soon he also disappeared in the darkness.
Xander waited a few more minutes before he gave up his cover and ran up to the hole. Just as he reached the exit the first CS grenade landed in the room and emptied it's contents into the air. Xander took the remote control out of his pocket and leaped through the hole.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
"This is taking too long," Sanchez exclaimed impatiently. He finally had enough and looked at his right hand. "Michael. Get some of my men and assist Cortez. I want this shipment secured."
"Yes sir," Michael said and gathered a few of Sanchez's men.
Just as the little groups was ready to move, the ship in front of them exploded into a giant fireball. When their eyes had adjusted to the sudden brightness, the vampires could see that mainly the part of the ship containing the cargo bay exploded, taking most of the bow with it. Secondary explosions shook the ship as it slowly filled with water.
"What do we do now," Michael asked, his eyes still glued to the sinking ship.
"We retreat," Sanchez exclaimed angrily. He and Michael walked back to the limousine. "Get us back to the warehouse."
"I hope so," the older vampire told him. "It cost me enough money."
"What do you expect?" Cortez asked with a small smile. "Its always war out there. Full automatic rifles in that number cost much money."
The conversation was interrupted when one of Cortez's vampires came running to them.
"Boss," the vampire started. "We have a problem."
"What is it?" Cortez asked annoyed.
"All of our guards are dead," the vampire explained. "We just found a few dustpiles and their weapons."
"Problems?" Sanchez asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Nothing that can't be handled," he told him and looked back at the vampire. "Take all my men and check out the storage room. I want the shipment secured."
The vampire nodded and went back to the ship.
"I warn you Cortez," Sanchez told him angrily. "If something goes wrong I will skin you alive."
"I will deal with this problem," he told the vampire leader and took his pistol out from under his jacket. "Personally;" he added and ran to his ship.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
Meanwhile the scoobies and the memberr of the LA team had made themselves comfortable in Angel's office. But the absence of the souled vampire worried them. He was supposed to be here over an hour ago, but there was still no sign of him.
"I don't get it," Faith muttered for the third time. "it shouldn't take him this long to come back form his informant."
"Come on Faith," Cordelia tried to calm her down. "He has always been a bit late. You will see. Before you notice it he will come flying in here."
Like someone had waited for this words to be spoken, Angel was thrown through one of the windows and landed painfully on the floor.
Cordelia immediately rushed to his side, whereas Faith had already aimed her pistol at the vampires that came through the door of Angel Investigations.
The five man aimed their shotguns and submachine guns at the occupants of the room, but didn't make a move to shoot them. In the meantime the rest of the Scoobies had each grabbed the nearest available weapon and prepared themselves for the battle.
This standoff lasted only for a few second, before a middle aged man in suit entered the office and looked around, taking the whole situation in.
"Well, now let's all calm down," he spoke calmly and looked at the vampires. "Lower the guns boys. We are here to talk, not to kill."
The five vampires immediately obeyed and lowered their guns. On the other side of the room the Scoobies did the same, but they still eyed their opponents warily.
Buffy took a step forward and looked directly at the man, who just stared back.
"Who are you?" she finally asked.
"And you must be the famous Buffy Summers," the man told her with a small smile," I'm honoured to meet you," he said and slightly bowed in front of her.
"That doesn't answer my question," Buffy told him annoyed.
"Oh, I totally forgot my manners," the man said and shook his head. "Dean Carver at your service.
At the mention of the name everyone in the room tensed noticeable and looked more closely at the man who was supposed to be one of the greatest vampire leader on the west coast.
"You are Carver?" Buffy asked. That earned her a nod from the vampire. "So, tell me one good reason why I shouldn't stake you right now."
"Well, for once," Carver said and motioned at his vampires, "My men here would shoot you down before you could reach me. And I already said it, I'm here to talk not to fight."
"And you needed to beat up Angel so you could talk with us," Buffy said and looked at the souled vampire and only just noticed now that he was tied up and gagged. She looked over at Faith and nodded as the other slayer walked up to Angel to cut him loose.
"Yes, that's was quite rude. But I saw no other option to finally meet you," Carver said and mentioned for he table in the middle of the room. Both he and the slayer sat down. "If it's any kind of condolence, he didn't tell us on his own where to find you."
"Then how?" Buffy asked puzzled.
Carve took a little business card form his pocket and handed it her. Buffy took it and immediately noticed that it was an Angel's investigation card, with phone number and address.
"Explain to me. Why should I talk to you?" Buffy asked with a sneer.
"Because we two have the same enemy," Carver said. "Sanchez. He is our common enemy. It's in our both interest to fight him together."
Buffy looked at the vampire. Finally she burst in laughter. "You really think I'm dumb don't you?" Carver looked confused at the small girl. "Let's just assume that we would fight him together. As soon as he is destroyed you would stab me in the back. It's that easy."
"It's not that easy," Carver said. "You see Miss summers, I'm a business man. I have nt real interest in conquering the rest of the west coast and bring it under my control. I'm quite comfortable with the status quo."
"Why are you in Sunnydale then," Buffy asked with frown.
"Because I can't allow Sanchez to take over the hellmouth. His territory would be in reach of my own businesses and I can't simply allow that. That's the only reason I'm in Sunnydale. I wouldn't be there other wise," Carver explained.
"And how do we fit into this whole scheme?" Buffy asked.
"Well, I want you to kill Sanchez," Carver told her with a small smile. "Once he is dead his whole organisation will break down, splinteringinto various smaller groups that will pose no danger to me or other vampire leaders in the area."
"Still, why should I accept this offer," Buffy asked. "You only told me your benefits from the situation. What's in for us?"
"Well, once Sanchez is defeated, me and my men will leave the hellmouth once and for all," Carver explained. "When the Mayor was still alive Sunnydale was neutral territory for the big organisations. And I want this time back. If you defeat Sanchez I will make sure that neither I nor the other organisations will plan to spread their territory to include the hellmouth."
"Still, you could stab us in the back once have dealt with Sanchez," Buffy interjected.
"Yes, I could," Carver agreed. "But If I wanted you dead I could kill you now."
"But who would fight Sanchez then," Buffy continued.
"I see you get my point of view."
"Why don't I sit back and watch you two kill each other off?" Buffy told him with a smile "More dead vampires this way, less work for me."
"Because Miss summer," Carver said and matched her fake smile. "If I would be forced to fully go to war then not only Sanchez organisations and mine would be destroyed, but also the beautiful town you are living in"
"What?" Buffy asked shocked.
"You heard me correctly," Carver told her. "I have about two hundred men in Sunnydale. But over a thousand stand ready if the situation escalates. And I have already ordered a vast amount of equipment to be shipped here. It's in out both interests that Sanchez is dealt with as soon as possible. The war would cost me too much money and power. If you deal with Sanchez, not only Sunnydale will be spared a terrible fate and both you and me can go our ways. A two way deal," he explained and waited a few moments to let the information sink in. "So what do you say?" he said and offered her his hand.
"I accept," Buffy said with a bit hesitation and shook his hand. "But I warn you. If you don't leave once Sanchez is dead, then I will personally guarantee that you will regret ever coming to Sunnydale"
"Fair enough," Carver said and stood up. "Give my regards to you friends and your watcher back in Sunnydale. That is, if they survive this night." "What do you mean?" Buffy asked worried.
"Oh, Sanchez has a freighter coming to Sunnydale. Full of guns. And your friends want to mess up his plans," he told her as he walked back to the entrance. "Good bye Miss summers," Carver said as he and his men left the room.
Buffy looked thoughtfully at the table for a few moments before she jumped up.
"Willow, we need go back to Sunnydale," Buffy told the witch and the looked at Faith. "Sorry Faith. Seems like we can't stay the whole weekend."
"No prob B," Faith reassured her as she walked her two friends out of the office and back to her SUV. "So, back to my apartment and to Joyce's jeep. I just hope you get there in time," Faith told her as they mounted the car.
"I'm not afraid for Xander," Buffy told her with a small smile. "But the way he talked about Giles and Oz freaked me out."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
After his meeting with the slayer Carver and his men went right back to his limousine and the remaining escort cars. When he was inside the big car Carver looked at the man in front of him who was completely covered in shadows.
"So, how did it go," the man asked after a couple of minutes.
"I think we have a slayer working for us," Carver told his companion with a smile.
"I told you so," he said and laughed. "Be a threat to civilians and she will accept everything you ask her for."
"Yes," Carver agreed. "Your information was quite helpful. Have you ever considered working for me? A man with your qualifications could be a great asset for my organisation."
The man took a cigarette from his pocket and lighted it, the flame illuminating his face only momentarily.
"I will think about it," he said with a smile.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
"Oz, Giles. I hope watching the door," Xander shouted, as he placed one of the last charges in one of the ammunition boxes.
"Of course," Giles called back. The vampires chose this very moment to enter the door. Giles and Oz immediately opened fire, taking the vampires by surprise. Two : immediately went down under their combined fire. Xander startled by the sudden action quickly took his UMP and joined Oz who had hid behind a metal box.
The remaining vampires waited a few more seconds before they started a new attack. Five of them stormed through the door, but like the previous one were quickly mowed down by the combined fire. One bullet however got lucky and hit Oz in the upper leg.
The werewolf crouched down behind his cover. When it was clear that there were no further attacks, Xander took small first aid kit from his rucksack and started helping his friend.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
Cortez finally reached the door of the storage room, where ten of his men stood, waiting for further orders.
"What's going on?" he asked the leader of the little group.
"Some guys are in the storage room," a bulky vampire explained. "And we can't get in there. The have covered the entrances."
Cartez thought about the situation and quickly came to a solution.
"You two," he said and looked at two vampires. "Get a few of the CS grenades we have up there."
The two vampires immediately ran way, searching for the desired items.
"If we can't get in there, then we will force them out of there," he told the vampires with an evil smile.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
"Uh oh. That doesn't sound good," Xander muttered as he fastened the bandage around Oz's leg. Luckily it was a flesh wound and the bullet also went right through his leg.
"What?" Giles asked, who still aimed his Mp5 at the entrance.
"They want to throw a few CS grenades in here," Xander explained the conversation he overheard with his hyena senses. "And we have no gasmasks"
"So what are we going to do now?" Oz asked. "We are trapped inside of here."
"Well, I go for plan B," Xander simply said and took his rucksack again.
"And exactly what is plan B?" Giles asked.
"This," Xander said and produced his black Katana from he interior.
"Xander how is a sword supposed to help us here," Oz asked confused.
"You will see," Xander said and walked up to the wall of the ship. He quickly took a look through the port-hole, just make sure that this was the side of the ship that faced the ocean.
He took the sword out of his sheath and took it in both hands. He quickly plunged the black blade through the wall and began with a little resistance start cutting a hole out of it. Oz looked wide eyed as Xander continued his work. When he was finished he gave the wall a quick kick and the now separated part of the hull fell down from the ship. Xander took a quick look and noted that it couldn't be more than ten meters down to the water.
"Looks good," he said as he walked back to Oz. He took his rucksack and helped the werewolf his feet.
"You want us to jump out there?" Oz asked, still bewildered.
"You can stay if you want," Xander told him with a small smile "But I would prefer this way."
He carried Oz to the hole. It took him a few moments to bring up the courage, but finally he jumped through the hole. After making sure that his friend landed safe Xander walked up to Giles
"You next G-Man," Xander said as he took Giles' position in securing the entrance. The watcher needed less time and soon he also disappeared in the darkness.
Xander waited a few more minutes before he gave up his cover and ran up to the hole. Just as he reached the exit the first CS grenade landed in the room and emptied it's contents into the air. Xander took the remote control out of his pocket and leaped through the hole.
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"This is taking too long," Sanchez exclaimed impatiently. He finally had enough and looked at his right hand. "Michael. Get some of my men and assist Cortez. I want this shipment secured."
"Yes sir," Michael said and gathered a few of Sanchez's men.
Just as the little groups was ready to move, the ship in front of them exploded into a giant fireball. When their eyes had adjusted to the sudden brightness, the vampires could see that mainly the part of the ship containing the cargo bay exploded, taking most of the bow with it. Secondary explosions shook the ship as it slowly filled with water.
"What do we do now," Michael asked, his eyes still glued to the sinking ship.
"We retreat," Sanchez exclaimed angrily. He and Michael walked back to the limousine. "Get us back to the warehouse."
