Chapter IV.
Bureau 13 Safe House, the Outskirts, Sunnydale, CA.
Team Abstract teleported into the house's office, carrying arm loads of bags & equipment, for their current operations in Sunnydale.
"Team take the equipment, & place it into position we will be conferencing in one hour, be prepared to discuss all status of our operation here in Sunnydale." Lara commanded & her team started moving the equipment out, as she sat down at the computer terminal, accessing Bureau 13 communication grid. "Access Bureau 13 main office, either Dimitri or Horace Gordon, team leader Lara Standing, Team Abstract."
"Ah Lara, I presume you have arrived ok?" Dimitri asked appearing on- screen.
"Yep we are setting up now." Lara replied. "Do we have anything more on the killings last night?"
Horace having briefed the team first thing this morning, after receiving the call from his people in Sunnydale.
"All we know that it was a power summoning with a twist." Dimitri replied. "The powers weren't summoned from elsewhere, but from within the girls themselves, all three girls had major potentials for the use of magic, not powerful for our radars, but still powerful."
"Damn that isn't good news." Lara replied & Dimitri nodded. "Have you informed your assets in town yet?"
"No not yet." Dimitri replied. "Gordon wants one of you to make contact, inform them that he sent you there to aid them, & pass on all the information we gave you."
"Agreed." Lara said as she signed off but she wasn't happy exactly.
* * *
Mr Trick's Office, Underneath Sunnydale City Hall, Sunnydale, CA.
Mr Trick sat behind his desk awaiting a report from his lieutenant, concerning the attacks of the three teenage girls, he awaiting information concerning the supposed attacker. His boss the mayor of Sunnydale, suspected that it was his son responsible for these attacks, a supposed demon sorcessor, needing to drain virgin's girls blood to maintain his power. Trick wasn't sure what was happening, but he suspected through the information, his people had so far gathered that it wasn't the mayor son but it had yet been to determined who though was doing it.
"Sir may I come in?" asked Tirie Mr Trick's lieutenant.
"Of course Tirie." Trick said looking up from his reports. "What have you for me?"
"The three girls had magical potential within them." Tirie replied seriously.
"So their draining wasn't just blood then." Trick replied & Tirie nodded.
"No master." Tirie answered.
"Well the master will need to know this." Trick replied & Tirie nodded leaving.
Mr Trick stood from his desk & made his way out of the office, & up through the passages into City Hall, arriving at the side entrance to the Mayor's office, the darkened passage preventing the sun effecting him. Nodding to the mayor's demon assistant Nordica.
"Ah Mr Trick how can I help you?" Nordica asked seriously.
"Yes I wish to speak with the mayor." Mr Trick answered. "Concerning the killings last night."
"Of course sir." Nordica answered. "If you just bear with me I will contact the mayor immediately."
"Of course." Mr Trick replied taking the seat beside the desk.
Nordica knocked on the office door, entering minutes later, exiting a few minutes later leaving the door open.
"You may go in now sir." Nordica answered.
"Thank you." Trick replied entering the office & staying the shadows, away from the sun. "Sir I have just received a report from my people sir, the three virgins killed last night had magical abilities & that was drained off as well as their blood."
"So it may not be my son doing this then." The mayor replied & Trick nodded in agreement. "Well that will certainly make things interesting Mr Trick, I need to know who is behind this & what their plans are for the future, & if it will effect my ascension."
"Of course sir." Mr Trick replied. "The Watcher's Council has several representatives here, including one Quentin Travers sir who is rumoured to be linked with the Morsedore movement, I would suggest having him watched. He may be linked to these killings sir."
"Agreed." The mayor replied seriously.
"Then goodbye sir." Mr Trick said nodding & leaving.
"Shakaq, what do you think?" The mayor asked.
"He is being honest." Shakaq said coming from the shadow near the door. "& his suggestion does make sense sir, if Mr Travers is involved with Morsedore's people, it is quite possible him & his people are responsible, for the deaths."
* * *
Courtyard, Sunnydale High School, Sunnydale, CA.
Amy sat down by the water fountain, slipping her bag off her shoulder stretching her muscles in her shoulders, she had just finished her last classes of the day & was leaving for home soon. She would head home drop her bags off, then call for a pick-up & making her way to the base, see if they had any more information concerning last night's killings.
The Scoobies would be busy researching any information, concerning the killings she hoped they may finding something, either the Scoobies or her people, hopefully preventing anymore killings. Smiling to herself she picked up her bag & made her way out of the school, & as she made her way home a black SUV pulled up & two people jumped out.
"Miss Madison please hold we wish to speak with you." The woman called out, & Amy stopped turning around to face them. "If you please step inside the SUV, we can explain why we wish to speak with you."
"Who are you?" Amy asked.
"We were sent by Mr Gordon." The woman replied seriously.
"Ah." Amy said nodding accompanying the two of them the SUV.
Entering the SUV they sat together.
"Amy I am Lara Standing & this is Ryan Mack." The lady said introducing themselves.
"What is your connection to Bureau 13?" Amy asked.
"We are charge of Team Abstract, Bureau 13 new infiltration & intelligence gathering team." Lara replied & Amy nodded. "Horace sent us here, to aid you in gathering information & intelligence, we are preparing agents to infiltrate the school & city hall. See if we can help you gather intelligence against those, who control the demons & vampires in this town, & what their agenda's are."
"Sensible enough." Amy answered. "What can I do for you?"
"What makes you think we aren't here just to introduce ourselves." Ryan asked seriously.
"Instincts." Amy answered. "I also know the political agenda of Bureau 13, how you prefer to operate with civilians when involved in cases, Gordon would most probably have preferred to gain the intelligence. Then to pass it on to us himself, that way he knows what we know, & then use that to guess our actions & what our next moves will be."
"Gordon is a good man." Ryan stated.
"Don't get me wrong I agree Horace Gordon is a damn good man." Amy replied seriously. "While we know Bureau 13 has a political agenda, I now that this is the best policy for this war to be won, with the least amount of civilian causalities."
"Anyway Gordon asked me to pass this file onto you." Lara answered passing a file. "It contains what the Bureau knows about the killings last night, which weren't because they were virgins or a means to gain blood, those were put there to cover what really happened. The draining of their magical energies, all three were blessed with magic."
"Damn." Amy replied, passing over a business card. "Come to that address this evening, it looks like we need to hold a meeting to share information, be there just after sunset."
"We'll be there." Ryan replied nodding as Amy left. "Well that went well considering."
"Agreed." Lara answered nodding. "Marcie are you prepared for this?"
"Ready as ever." Marcie Ross said appearing in the front of the SUV. "It will seem like old times being back at school, anyone in particular that needs watching from the slayer's people?"
"They are all in your files." Lara replied. "But we do need to know more about the second slayer Ms Faith Spencer, & what the activities of Quentin Travers & his associates."
"I will see what is happening." Marcie replied seriously.
* * *
The Library, Sunnydale High School, Sunnydale, CA.
Buffy, Willow, & Xander sat at the library table, trying to research the killings they had found last night, but they were finding nothing at all relating to the symbols on the body. None of the books Giles had given them, mentioned the symbols at all & Giles was currently trying to find any other books that mentioned the symbols, while Quentin was talking with the Council for help.
"Nothing here at all." Xander said slamming the book shut.
"Same here too." Buffy said slamming her book shut. "Willow, can you get anything off the net?"
"Haven't tried you think it would be sensible?" Willow asked & Buffy nodded. "Worth it is try I suppose, but Giles didn't think the symbol was recent enough to have featured anywhere on the net."
"Well we ain't getting anywhere here, we need to try something else." Buffy replied.
"Yeah though this computer isn't up to doing this type of work." Willow replied seriously. "Xander you need to come with me, I am going to need you to keep my mother occupied from, distracting me in any form of any kind. She has been watching me like a hawk since, the whole incident of burning me at the stake, I can't do anything at home without her watching over my shoulder."
"I will do what I can." Xander answered as he left with Willow.
Quentin came out of the office carrying a case.
"Where have Ms Rosenberg & Mr Harris gone?" Quentin asked.
"To find another way of tracing this symbol." Buffy answered as Quentin nodded placing crystals on the table. "What are those crystals for?"
"New possible training method." Quentin answered placing a large crystal in front Buffy. "There is a crack in this one, I need you find it by starring into the crystal, please."
"Why should I do?" Buffy asked starring into the crystal.
"Just do it." Quentin replied as Buffy starred moments later a hypnotic stare came over Buffy's eyes. "Ms Summers are you ok?"
Waving a hand across Buffy's eyes but getting no reaction.
"Good." Quentin said taking a container out, & hydermic needle from the container, then swabbing Buffy's arm then injection the fluid into Buffy's arm. "Good now that takes care of that."
He snapped his fingers in front Buffy face.
"Good now go out & patrol." Quentin ordered & Buffy nodded.
* * *
Xavier's School for the Gifted, Westchester, New York.
Logan sat in his room reading the works of Shakespeare, when his mobile PDA rung, picking it up from the table beside him, he activated its video link system & Nick Fury appeared on-screen.
"Hello Nick what do you want?" Logan asked.
"Are you private?" Nick asked.
"Yes." Logan replied & Nick appeared in the room by the window dressed in his usual black suit matching his skin tone. "What do you want Fury?"
"I am calling in the favour you owe me." Nick replied. "There is situation developing near LA, I would like you if you have a chance to look into it."
"What is the situation?" Logan asked seriously.
"We have a group of independents working, there fighting the demon & vampire populations against, especially as the town is located on a dimensional portal." Nick answered seriously. "The town is called 'Del Boca de Inferno', by the original Spanish settlers."
"The Mouth of Hell, the hellmouth?" Logan asked & Nick nodded. "Damn who are these independents?"
"These are their files." Nick said passing over the files.
"I will do what I can." Logan answered & Nick nodded.
"Thanks that is all I ask." Nick said disappearing.
Logan made his way out of his room & along Charles Xavier's office, knocking on the office's door.
"Come in Logan." Charles Xavier called out.
Logan entered finding Scott Summers, Ororo Munroe & Kurt Wagner sitting there.
"I can come back Chuck." Logan said going to leave.
"No please come in Logan." Charles said indicating to the empty seat beside Scott. "What can we do for you Logan?"
"I need a leave of absence from the school." Logan replied & Charles nodded.
"Why?" Charles asked.
"An old friend is calling in a favour I owe him." Logan replied. "He needs me to gather some intelligence on a town just outside of LA, pretty boring really but I owe this guy my life & this is an easy way to pay off a debt."
"When would you leave?" Scott asked seriously.
"Tomorrow morning." Logan answered.
Bureau 13 Safe House, the Outskirts, Sunnydale, CA.
Team Abstract teleported into the house's office, carrying arm loads of bags & equipment, for their current operations in Sunnydale.
"Team take the equipment, & place it into position we will be conferencing in one hour, be prepared to discuss all status of our operation here in Sunnydale." Lara commanded & her team started moving the equipment out, as she sat down at the computer terminal, accessing Bureau 13 communication grid. "Access Bureau 13 main office, either Dimitri or Horace Gordon, team leader Lara Standing, Team Abstract."
"Ah Lara, I presume you have arrived ok?" Dimitri asked appearing on- screen.
"Yep we are setting up now." Lara replied. "Do we have anything more on the killings last night?"
Horace having briefed the team first thing this morning, after receiving the call from his people in Sunnydale.
"All we know that it was a power summoning with a twist." Dimitri replied. "The powers weren't summoned from elsewhere, but from within the girls themselves, all three girls had major potentials for the use of magic, not powerful for our radars, but still powerful."
"Damn that isn't good news." Lara replied & Dimitri nodded. "Have you informed your assets in town yet?"
"No not yet." Dimitri replied. "Gordon wants one of you to make contact, inform them that he sent you there to aid them, & pass on all the information we gave you."
"Agreed." Lara said as she signed off but she wasn't happy exactly.
* * *
Mr Trick's Office, Underneath Sunnydale City Hall, Sunnydale, CA.
Mr Trick sat behind his desk awaiting a report from his lieutenant, concerning the attacks of the three teenage girls, he awaiting information concerning the supposed attacker. His boss the mayor of Sunnydale, suspected that it was his son responsible for these attacks, a supposed demon sorcessor, needing to drain virgin's girls blood to maintain his power. Trick wasn't sure what was happening, but he suspected through the information, his people had so far gathered that it wasn't the mayor son but it had yet been to determined who though was doing it.
"Sir may I come in?" asked Tirie Mr Trick's lieutenant.
"Of course Tirie." Trick said looking up from his reports. "What have you for me?"
"The three girls had magical potential within them." Tirie replied seriously.
"So their draining wasn't just blood then." Trick replied & Tirie nodded.
"No master." Tirie answered.
"Well the master will need to know this." Trick replied & Tirie nodded leaving.
Mr Trick stood from his desk & made his way out of the office, & up through the passages into City Hall, arriving at the side entrance to the Mayor's office, the darkened passage preventing the sun effecting him. Nodding to the mayor's demon assistant Nordica.
"Ah Mr Trick how can I help you?" Nordica asked seriously.
"Yes I wish to speak with the mayor." Mr Trick answered. "Concerning the killings last night."
"Of course sir." Nordica answered. "If you just bear with me I will contact the mayor immediately."
"Of course." Mr Trick replied taking the seat beside the desk.
Nordica knocked on the office door, entering minutes later, exiting a few minutes later leaving the door open.
"You may go in now sir." Nordica answered.
"Thank you." Trick replied entering the office & staying the shadows, away from the sun. "Sir I have just received a report from my people sir, the three virgins killed last night had magical abilities & that was drained off as well as their blood."
"So it may not be my son doing this then." The mayor replied & Trick nodded in agreement. "Well that will certainly make things interesting Mr Trick, I need to know who is behind this & what their plans are for the future, & if it will effect my ascension."
"Of course sir." Mr Trick replied. "The Watcher's Council has several representatives here, including one Quentin Travers sir who is rumoured to be linked with the Morsedore movement, I would suggest having him watched. He may be linked to these killings sir."
"Agreed." The mayor replied seriously.
"Then goodbye sir." Mr Trick said nodding & leaving.
"Shakaq, what do you think?" The mayor asked.
"He is being honest." Shakaq said coming from the shadow near the door. "& his suggestion does make sense sir, if Mr Travers is involved with Morsedore's people, it is quite possible him & his people are responsible, for the deaths."
* * *
Courtyard, Sunnydale High School, Sunnydale, CA.
Amy sat down by the water fountain, slipping her bag off her shoulder stretching her muscles in her shoulders, she had just finished her last classes of the day & was leaving for home soon. She would head home drop her bags off, then call for a pick-up & making her way to the base, see if they had any more information concerning last night's killings.
The Scoobies would be busy researching any information, concerning the killings she hoped they may finding something, either the Scoobies or her people, hopefully preventing anymore killings. Smiling to herself she picked up her bag & made her way out of the school, & as she made her way home a black SUV pulled up & two people jumped out.
"Miss Madison please hold we wish to speak with you." The woman called out, & Amy stopped turning around to face them. "If you please step inside the SUV, we can explain why we wish to speak with you."
"Who are you?" Amy asked.
"We were sent by Mr Gordon." The woman replied seriously.
"Ah." Amy said nodding accompanying the two of them the SUV.
Entering the SUV they sat together.
"Amy I am Lara Standing & this is Ryan Mack." The lady said introducing themselves.
"What is your connection to Bureau 13?" Amy asked.
"We are charge of Team Abstract, Bureau 13 new infiltration & intelligence gathering team." Lara replied & Amy nodded. "Horace sent us here, to aid you in gathering information & intelligence, we are preparing agents to infiltrate the school & city hall. See if we can help you gather intelligence against those, who control the demons & vampires in this town, & what their agenda's are."
"Sensible enough." Amy answered. "What can I do for you?"
"What makes you think we aren't here just to introduce ourselves." Ryan asked seriously.
"Instincts." Amy answered. "I also know the political agenda of Bureau 13, how you prefer to operate with civilians when involved in cases, Gordon would most probably have preferred to gain the intelligence. Then to pass it on to us himself, that way he knows what we know, & then use that to guess our actions & what our next moves will be."
"Gordon is a good man." Ryan stated.
"Don't get me wrong I agree Horace Gordon is a damn good man." Amy replied seriously. "While we know Bureau 13 has a political agenda, I now that this is the best policy for this war to be won, with the least amount of civilian causalities."
"Anyway Gordon asked me to pass this file onto you." Lara answered passing a file. "It contains what the Bureau knows about the killings last night, which weren't because they were virgins or a means to gain blood, those were put there to cover what really happened. The draining of their magical energies, all three were blessed with magic."
"Damn." Amy replied, passing over a business card. "Come to that address this evening, it looks like we need to hold a meeting to share information, be there just after sunset."
"We'll be there." Ryan replied nodding as Amy left. "Well that went well considering."
"Agreed." Lara answered nodding. "Marcie are you prepared for this?"
"Ready as ever." Marcie Ross said appearing in the front of the SUV. "It will seem like old times being back at school, anyone in particular that needs watching from the slayer's people?"
"They are all in your files." Lara replied. "But we do need to know more about the second slayer Ms Faith Spencer, & what the activities of Quentin Travers & his associates."
"I will see what is happening." Marcie replied seriously.
* * *
The Library, Sunnydale High School, Sunnydale, CA.
Buffy, Willow, & Xander sat at the library table, trying to research the killings they had found last night, but they were finding nothing at all relating to the symbols on the body. None of the books Giles had given them, mentioned the symbols at all & Giles was currently trying to find any other books that mentioned the symbols, while Quentin was talking with the Council for help.
"Nothing here at all." Xander said slamming the book shut.
"Same here too." Buffy said slamming her book shut. "Willow, can you get anything off the net?"
"Haven't tried you think it would be sensible?" Willow asked & Buffy nodded. "Worth it is try I suppose, but Giles didn't think the symbol was recent enough to have featured anywhere on the net."
"Well we ain't getting anywhere here, we need to try something else." Buffy replied.
"Yeah though this computer isn't up to doing this type of work." Willow replied seriously. "Xander you need to come with me, I am going to need you to keep my mother occupied from, distracting me in any form of any kind. She has been watching me like a hawk since, the whole incident of burning me at the stake, I can't do anything at home without her watching over my shoulder."
"I will do what I can." Xander answered as he left with Willow.
Quentin came out of the office carrying a case.
"Where have Ms Rosenberg & Mr Harris gone?" Quentin asked.
"To find another way of tracing this symbol." Buffy answered as Quentin nodded placing crystals on the table. "What are those crystals for?"
"New possible training method." Quentin answered placing a large crystal in front Buffy. "There is a crack in this one, I need you find it by starring into the crystal, please."
"Why should I do?" Buffy asked starring into the crystal.
"Just do it." Quentin replied as Buffy starred moments later a hypnotic stare came over Buffy's eyes. "Ms Summers are you ok?"
Waving a hand across Buffy's eyes but getting no reaction.
"Good." Quentin said taking a container out, & hydermic needle from the container, then swabbing Buffy's arm then injection the fluid into Buffy's arm. "Good now that takes care of that."
He snapped his fingers in front Buffy face.
"Good now go out & patrol." Quentin ordered & Buffy nodded.
* * *
Xavier's School for the Gifted, Westchester, New York.
Logan sat in his room reading the works of Shakespeare, when his mobile PDA rung, picking it up from the table beside him, he activated its video link system & Nick Fury appeared on-screen.
"Hello Nick what do you want?" Logan asked.
"Are you private?" Nick asked.
"Yes." Logan replied & Nick appeared in the room by the window dressed in his usual black suit matching his skin tone. "What do you want Fury?"
"I am calling in the favour you owe me." Nick replied. "There is situation developing near LA, I would like you if you have a chance to look into it."
"What is the situation?" Logan asked seriously.
"We have a group of independents working, there fighting the demon & vampire populations against, especially as the town is located on a dimensional portal." Nick answered seriously. "The town is called 'Del Boca de Inferno', by the original Spanish settlers."
"The Mouth of Hell, the hellmouth?" Logan asked & Nick nodded. "Damn who are these independents?"
"These are their files." Nick said passing over the files.
"I will do what I can." Logan answered & Nick nodded.
"Thanks that is all I ask." Nick said disappearing.
Logan made his way out of his room & along Charles Xavier's office, knocking on the office's door.
"Come in Logan." Charles Xavier called out.
Logan entered finding Scott Summers, Ororo Munroe & Kurt Wagner sitting there.
"I can come back Chuck." Logan said going to leave.
"No please come in Logan." Charles said indicating to the empty seat beside Scott. "What can we do for you Logan?"
"I need a leave of absence from the school." Logan replied & Charles nodded.
"Why?" Charles asked.
"An old friend is calling in a favour I owe him." Logan replied. "He needs me to gather some intelligence on a town just outside of LA, pretty boring really but I owe this guy my life & this is an easy way to pay off a debt."
"When would you leave?" Scott asked seriously.
"Tomorrow morning." Logan answered.