The Paladin Project 3 - First Strike
"Bloody hell Xander, it's good to see you!"
"Lara!" Xander laughed as he swept the English aristocrat into his arms and spun her round. "You came!"
"I could hardly turn down a chance to see my favourite toyboy now could I?" the explorer chuckled at his flush. "I brought the information you asked for."
"Great, thanks."
"I trust I'm not going to be engulfed in a bear-hug."
Xander smiled at the dry voice. He turned towards its owner, a handsome slightly-built man in his mid-forties dressed in designer casuals and with air of suave sophistication that didn't fully conceal the man's aura of danger. "I'll have to settle for a handshake then." Still grinning he hurried over to the man. "Glad you could make it James."
He was answered by a chuckle and a slight smile. "Given the trouble you always seem to get me into I could hardly say no now could I? Particularly as my employers owe you so many favours."
Xander flushed in embarrassment. "Yeah right," he turned to the others. "Guys this is Lady Lara Croft," he indicated the beautiful and statuesque brunette, "and James Bond." He turned back to the newcomers, "why don't you introduce yourselves around. Angel, Wes, Blade, with me in the study."
* * *
Xander threw down the notes in his frustration. "This is all rumours! No solid facts!"
"I'm sure Lady Croft did the best she could."
Xander hid a smile at Wesley's stiff tone. Behind the stubble and new clothes the former Watcher was still the same English gentleman. "I know Wes, and we're not likely to get any better information that this, not with the Council gone and Strange off in another dimension, I mean what's the use of mobiles? I want a new network that spans the inter-dimensional grid," he coughed as he realised the strange looks his comments were gaining him. "It's just.." Suddenly a thought occurred to him. "One thing does stand out though. The First seems to like working through priests who have lost their faith, all his major disciples have been defrocked holy men."
"So?"
"As verbose as ever Angel," Xander grinned. "So if the First likes working through former holy men maybe he uses the same principle when encamping his troops."
"An interesting possibility," Wesley commented. "And this helps us how?"
"Just a theory Wes. Just a theory." Xander smiled slowly before turning to Angel and Blade. "This is what I need you to do tomorrow night."
* * *
"This," Xander pointed at the blown-up photograph stuck on the briefing wall behind him, "is St. Leonard's. Built in 1920s it was abandoned in 1986. And," Xander glanced toward Blade and nodded, "is the major hiding place of the Bringers located in town. About 200 in all."
"So what's the plan?" Jack Crow growled, "I'm itching to do some violence."
Xander grinned. "So glad you asked," he glanced towards his father. "Colonel O' Neill do you want to go through the plan?" It was his plan, worked out with assistance from the Colonel and Angel, but although he'd worked with every person in the room at least twice, he'd never led such a large group before, particularly of people who nearly all had a ton more combat experience. He was more than happy to hide in the background and work through the more experienced members of the team.
Unfortunately the SG-1 Colonel had other ideas. "Sure Xander, good plan by the way," he grimaced in embarrassment. "The Charmed Ones will magically," it was his father's turn to grimace, he'd obviously not got used to the idea of magic, "start a fire towards the back of the church. Once the Bringers start to flee through the doors myself, Teal'C, and Frank Castle, will be on the rooftops opposite with snipers rifles to pick them off."
"Excuse me," it was Paige Matthews, "but isn't that a little cold-blooded?"
"Paige," Xander decided to interrupt, his voice soft but firm. "My information is that these demon-worshippers have butchered over 150 teenage girls in the past 18 months in the U.S. alone. Why? Because they might be Slayers."
"Oh," the young witch sat back down.
After a second Colonel O' Neill continued. "The ones that get past us will head into one of four alleys 200 yards in front of the church. In each of the alleys will be one of Angel, Xander, Eric Draven, & Blade."
"There's two other exits," Crow growled.
"Yeah, Xander thought of that," O'Neill said laconically. "You Mr. Crow will be situated in the copse 120 yards behind the church with Gunn, Rybaeck, Whyndham-Pryce, and Bond."
"Fucking great," grunted the Vatican's top gun, "two Brits and a chef - sounds like the punch line to a really shit joke."
O'Neill ignored Crow's mutterings. "There's also a right side door but that will be covered by the McLeods and Amanda. However where the fire is planned, these two doors will be mostly cut off so the majority of the Bringers will come out of the front. Major Carter will be in charge of base operations while we're out on operation. Any questions?"
* * *
"Xander can we talk?"
The young man glanced up from setting up his equipment to see he was surrounded by a concerned-looking O'Neill and Angel. "Sure guys."
"In private."
Xander raised an eyebrow at O'Neill's tone. "Sure." He led his father and best friend down into the basement, after closing the door behind them he turned to the others. "What's up guys?"
"Xander, you should have been the one giving the mission briefing. It was your plan and you're our leader."
Leader, ah that dreaded word again. He glanced down at the floor. "I'm pretty good in a fight. I can even train and lead a bunch of street kids to fight vamps. But you guys?" Xander shook his head. "I can't command you guys. You've been in the Air Force for longer than I've been alive, been to dozens of alien worlds. Angel's a Master Vampire. Blade's the vampire bogeyman. Jack Crow's been hunting vampires since the seventies. James Bond's a freakin' legend and the Charmed Ones are the most powerful Wiccas in the world. And the rest of you are just legitimate bad asses. I'm way out of my league now."
"Xander sit down."
The freelance demon hunter paled at the unexpected firmness in the soldier's tone. Once he'd sat down his biological father began to talk. "For god's sake Xander it wasn't me who Tony Stark entrusted a one billion dollar trust fund to. It wasn't Angel who organised the Paladin Project and has the pull to get all these 'bad asses' off their normal assignments and here."
"Yeah but -."
O'Neill let out a sigh. "Xander, after you told me about the soldier who possessed you I did a little digging. He has quite a history, would you like to hear it?"
"Sure," Xander nodded. He guessed whatever answer he gave he was going to hear it anyway. And although he could access the soldier's instincts, skills, and knowledge, he couldn't access his specific memories so he would be interested in learning more about the soldier who shared the terrifying abyss that was his head.
"The soldier who possessed you wasn't an U.S. soldier but British." Xander's eyes widened, he hadn't expected that. "He was Sgt. Alfred Edwards. Born on 18th March 1924, he signed up in early 1941 and was a commando before joining the forerunner of the SAS, the Long Range Desert Group. As well as fighting in the European theatre in World War II, he also served in the SAS in Malaysia and Borneo before leaving in 1970. During his career he won the Brit's major honour the Victoria Cross, a Military Medal and bar, and a Military Cross. Our own government also award him a Silver Star and a Purple Heart, and he was also decorated by the French, Dutch, and Malaysian governments."
"Shit," Xander's mouth dropped open.
"Xander," he glanced at an even more serious looking than normal Angel. "Before you became Demonsbane you were still the man who brought Buffy back to life, who backed down Angelus, who planned the Judge's demise, who saved Faith from a Jhe demon, and who organised the Mayor's downfall."
"Damn it Angel, people died because of my plan - Oz, Anaya, Harmony, and Larry." The pain of his failure still hurt today. Even more than his beating it was those deaths that he hated Buffy for, if he'd been there maybe he'd have been able to do something.
"But plenty of people lived who would have otherwise died," Angel retorted. "You might not have been there, but it was your plan that saved a lot of people that day."
After a second he nodded reluctantly. It was time to stop ducking his responsibilities; Tony had made it clear the Project was his responsibility. "Fine, so let's get this done," he rose and headed for the door.
"I've read that information you gave out on The First, I didn't understand much of it."
"Didn't understand much of it?" Angel chuckled, "he's your dad alright."
Xander ignored Angel's comment to look at his father." I can help you with it," he offered.
"I'd rather get the information off Lady Croft, she is the source." His father winked at him.
"Don't go there dad. Trust me she'll break you. Maybe Wes could explain."
His dad grinned. "Somehow that doesn't have the same appeal."
Xander chuckled. "I bet." He heard Angel groan and turned to the vampire. "What's up Deadboy?"
The vampire looked even more mournful than usual. "In twenty years you're going to be just like him."
"Hey!" O'Neill let out a protest.
"So?"
"I had hoped you'd grow up."
* * *
"Spell starting now."
O'Neill nodded as he heard Sam's hushed voice come through his mike. "Copy." As he sighted his rifle and waited for the Bringers to exit the target he thought about how much his life had changed recently. Just over two years ago he'd been a childless Air Force Colonel travelling the universe, but now, a slight smile tugged at his lips. Now he had a previously unknown son who was a legendary demon hunter who somehow had the ear of the Pentagon, CIA, NSA, FBI, MI6, the Vatican, and assorted police departments. And now he was a demon hunter. He only wished Charlie had lived to meet his half-brother.
Forcing away the pain he turned his attention back to the church just as its double-doors swung open. O'Neill squinted down his night-scope. At this distance, just under 300 yards away, and with this many targets he scarcely had to aim. Biting back his distaste and reminding himself that the figures beneath him weren't human he began to fire, his trigger finger a blur. Soon his ears were ringing and his nose and lungs filled with cordite.
* * *
Jack Cow tensed as he heard the gunfire begin. "Here it comes," he looked at his companions and snorted. Some back up; the Gunn guy looked like he could handle himself but the others...
The door to the rear of the church flew open and approximately two dozen Bringers spilled out towards where they were hidden. Crow lifted his MP5. "On my mark," he growled. Once the Bringers were within seventy yards the vampire hunter let out a yell. "Now!" Surging to his feet, he started to fire, his companions following suit a split-second later. The gunfire lit up the night sky before tearing into the Bringers and soon the clearing was littered with their bodies.
Crow cursed as his sub-machine gun spluttered to a halt, he was getting into it. Just as he reached for a new magazine a Bringer leapt at him, his dagger arcing downwards. The vampire swung his gun up to parry the attack only for a shot to ring out and the Bringer's head explode in a red mist.
Crow glanced in the direction and nodded. "Thanks." The Englishman casually blew the smoke away from the end of his Walther PPK before nodding. Crow smirked; maybe not all Englishmen were pansies after all.
* * *
"I swear if that boy calls me Mandy again."
"You didn't have to come," Connor commented.
Amanda glanced at him. "And let you two boy scouts have all the fun? I don't think so. But that brat!"
Connor bit back a chuckle at the irritated look on Amanda's beautiful face. Normally she was the one doing the annoying but it appeared Xander had got under the immortal's skin. The elder McLeod's smile died when he considered a disturbing possibility. What if Amanda was falling for his friend? Relationships between immortals and mortals had considerable pitfalls; he'd have to warn Xander. Connor grimaced, relying on Xander to be the responsible one? "Oh god it's Armageddon," he muttered dryly.
His attention was diverted by the side door to the church flying open. Twenty to three, not good odds. He was surprised by a chuckle from Amanda. "What sort of idiots bring knives to a sword fight?" Connor smiled thinly, oh yes, they did have that advantage.
* * *
Xander drew his sword and Desert Eagle before sliding into the street's shadows. The gunfire from his dad's sniper team had ended. It wouldn't be long now.
Less than thirty seconds later Xander heard the patter of footfalls and saw some figures moving obliviously towards his position. He quickly did a head-count, seven maybe eight, tough but with the advantage of surprise, he could handle them.
He waited until the lead Bringer was level with his hiding place before striking. Surging upright, he launched himself out of the shadows, leading with the point of his blade. His sword tore through the Bringer's neck, sending blood gushing out and the demon-worshipper's head tumbling to the ground. Spinning round to face the rest, he emptied his automatic into his other enemies, dropping four of them to the ground before running out of ammo.
Realising he didn't have the time to re-load or even holster his gun before the other Bringers were upon him he dropped it clattering to the ground before wading into the attack. Sidestepping a knife slash he swept the legs from his nearest attacker before leaping over his falling adversary, his feet snapping out into a side kick to the right hitting a Bringer who'd been advancing on him from that direction in the chest and knocking him into the far wall. Landing with knees bent, he thrust his blade upwards into the belly of an advancing minion. Withdrawing his blood-streaked blade he parried a slash at his head from the Bringer he'd sent into the wall before driving the pommel of his sword into his assailant's face, staggering him. Before his dazed adversary had chance to recover, Xander's sword flicked up decapitating him. Spinning round he thrust his sword through the heart of the still rising last Bringer. The adrenalin from his brief but furious battle running out Xander slumped against the wall and took a breath. "Wonder how the others are doing?"
* * *
"Well that was a success, one hundred and thirty Bringers dead, nearly ¾ of their number in Sunnydale. It was a good plan." Xander nodded, Angel looked at his friend's grim face with concern before continuing. "What's up?"
Xander shrugged before glancing behind to ensure the others were too far behind to overhear. "We've given the First a bloody nose, great. But we're no closer to actually defeating it."
Angel opened his mouth to reply only to clamp it shut when Xander's mike crackled into life; it was Major Carter. "Xander, we've got four intruders."
"We'll be there in five minutes," his friend turned to him, his face grim. "Trouble."
"Bloody hell Xander, it's good to see you!"
"Lara!" Xander laughed as he swept the English aristocrat into his arms and spun her round. "You came!"
"I could hardly turn down a chance to see my favourite toyboy now could I?" the explorer chuckled at his flush. "I brought the information you asked for."
"Great, thanks."
"I trust I'm not going to be engulfed in a bear-hug."
Xander smiled at the dry voice. He turned towards its owner, a handsome slightly-built man in his mid-forties dressed in designer casuals and with air of suave sophistication that didn't fully conceal the man's aura of danger. "I'll have to settle for a handshake then." Still grinning he hurried over to the man. "Glad you could make it James."
He was answered by a chuckle and a slight smile. "Given the trouble you always seem to get me into I could hardly say no now could I? Particularly as my employers owe you so many favours."
Xander flushed in embarrassment. "Yeah right," he turned to the others. "Guys this is Lady Lara Croft," he indicated the beautiful and statuesque brunette, "and James Bond." He turned back to the newcomers, "why don't you introduce yourselves around. Angel, Wes, Blade, with me in the study."
* * *
Xander threw down the notes in his frustration. "This is all rumours! No solid facts!"
"I'm sure Lady Croft did the best she could."
Xander hid a smile at Wesley's stiff tone. Behind the stubble and new clothes the former Watcher was still the same English gentleman. "I know Wes, and we're not likely to get any better information that this, not with the Council gone and Strange off in another dimension, I mean what's the use of mobiles? I want a new network that spans the inter-dimensional grid," he coughed as he realised the strange looks his comments were gaining him. "It's just.." Suddenly a thought occurred to him. "One thing does stand out though. The First seems to like working through priests who have lost their faith, all his major disciples have been defrocked holy men."
"So?"
"As verbose as ever Angel," Xander grinned. "So if the First likes working through former holy men maybe he uses the same principle when encamping his troops."
"An interesting possibility," Wesley commented. "And this helps us how?"
"Just a theory Wes. Just a theory." Xander smiled slowly before turning to Angel and Blade. "This is what I need you to do tomorrow night."
* * *
"This," Xander pointed at the blown-up photograph stuck on the briefing wall behind him, "is St. Leonard's. Built in 1920s it was abandoned in 1986. And," Xander glanced toward Blade and nodded, "is the major hiding place of the Bringers located in town. About 200 in all."
"So what's the plan?" Jack Crow growled, "I'm itching to do some violence."
Xander grinned. "So glad you asked," he glanced towards his father. "Colonel O' Neill do you want to go through the plan?" It was his plan, worked out with assistance from the Colonel and Angel, but although he'd worked with every person in the room at least twice, he'd never led such a large group before, particularly of people who nearly all had a ton more combat experience. He was more than happy to hide in the background and work through the more experienced members of the team.
Unfortunately the SG-1 Colonel had other ideas. "Sure Xander, good plan by the way," he grimaced in embarrassment. "The Charmed Ones will magically," it was his father's turn to grimace, he'd obviously not got used to the idea of magic, "start a fire towards the back of the church. Once the Bringers start to flee through the doors myself, Teal'C, and Frank Castle, will be on the rooftops opposite with snipers rifles to pick them off."
"Excuse me," it was Paige Matthews, "but isn't that a little cold-blooded?"
"Paige," Xander decided to interrupt, his voice soft but firm. "My information is that these demon-worshippers have butchered over 150 teenage girls in the past 18 months in the U.S. alone. Why? Because they might be Slayers."
"Oh," the young witch sat back down.
After a second Colonel O' Neill continued. "The ones that get past us will head into one of four alleys 200 yards in front of the church. In each of the alleys will be one of Angel, Xander, Eric Draven, & Blade."
"There's two other exits," Crow growled.
"Yeah, Xander thought of that," O'Neill said laconically. "You Mr. Crow will be situated in the copse 120 yards behind the church with Gunn, Rybaeck, Whyndham-Pryce, and Bond."
"Fucking great," grunted the Vatican's top gun, "two Brits and a chef - sounds like the punch line to a really shit joke."
O'Neill ignored Crow's mutterings. "There's also a right side door but that will be covered by the McLeods and Amanda. However where the fire is planned, these two doors will be mostly cut off so the majority of the Bringers will come out of the front. Major Carter will be in charge of base operations while we're out on operation. Any questions?"
* * *
"Xander can we talk?"
The young man glanced up from setting up his equipment to see he was surrounded by a concerned-looking O'Neill and Angel. "Sure guys."
"In private."
Xander raised an eyebrow at O'Neill's tone. "Sure." He led his father and best friend down into the basement, after closing the door behind them he turned to the others. "What's up guys?"
"Xander, you should have been the one giving the mission briefing. It was your plan and you're our leader."
Leader, ah that dreaded word again. He glanced down at the floor. "I'm pretty good in a fight. I can even train and lead a bunch of street kids to fight vamps. But you guys?" Xander shook his head. "I can't command you guys. You've been in the Air Force for longer than I've been alive, been to dozens of alien worlds. Angel's a Master Vampire. Blade's the vampire bogeyman. Jack Crow's been hunting vampires since the seventies. James Bond's a freakin' legend and the Charmed Ones are the most powerful Wiccas in the world. And the rest of you are just legitimate bad asses. I'm way out of my league now."
"Xander sit down."
The freelance demon hunter paled at the unexpected firmness in the soldier's tone. Once he'd sat down his biological father began to talk. "For god's sake Xander it wasn't me who Tony Stark entrusted a one billion dollar trust fund to. It wasn't Angel who organised the Paladin Project and has the pull to get all these 'bad asses' off their normal assignments and here."
"Yeah but -."
O'Neill let out a sigh. "Xander, after you told me about the soldier who possessed you I did a little digging. He has quite a history, would you like to hear it?"
"Sure," Xander nodded. He guessed whatever answer he gave he was going to hear it anyway. And although he could access the soldier's instincts, skills, and knowledge, he couldn't access his specific memories so he would be interested in learning more about the soldier who shared the terrifying abyss that was his head.
"The soldier who possessed you wasn't an U.S. soldier but British." Xander's eyes widened, he hadn't expected that. "He was Sgt. Alfred Edwards. Born on 18th March 1924, he signed up in early 1941 and was a commando before joining the forerunner of the SAS, the Long Range Desert Group. As well as fighting in the European theatre in World War II, he also served in the SAS in Malaysia and Borneo before leaving in 1970. During his career he won the Brit's major honour the Victoria Cross, a Military Medal and bar, and a Military Cross. Our own government also award him a Silver Star and a Purple Heart, and he was also decorated by the French, Dutch, and Malaysian governments."
"Shit," Xander's mouth dropped open.
"Xander," he glanced at an even more serious looking than normal Angel. "Before you became Demonsbane you were still the man who brought Buffy back to life, who backed down Angelus, who planned the Judge's demise, who saved Faith from a Jhe demon, and who organised the Mayor's downfall."
"Damn it Angel, people died because of my plan - Oz, Anaya, Harmony, and Larry." The pain of his failure still hurt today. Even more than his beating it was those deaths that he hated Buffy for, if he'd been there maybe he'd have been able to do something.
"But plenty of people lived who would have otherwise died," Angel retorted. "You might not have been there, but it was your plan that saved a lot of people that day."
After a second he nodded reluctantly. It was time to stop ducking his responsibilities; Tony had made it clear the Project was his responsibility. "Fine, so let's get this done," he rose and headed for the door.
"I've read that information you gave out on The First, I didn't understand much of it."
"Didn't understand much of it?" Angel chuckled, "he's your dad alright."
Xander ignored Angel's comment to look at his father." I can help you with it," he offered.
"I'd rather get the information off Lady Croft, she is the source." His father winked at him.
"Don't go there dad. Trust me she'll break you. Maybe Wes could explain."
His dad grinned. "Somehow that doesn't have the same appeal."
Xander chuckled. "I bet." He heard Angel groan and turned to the vampire. "What's up Deadboy?"
The vampire looked even more mournful than usual. "In twenty years you're going to be just like him."
"Hey!" O'Neill let out a protest.
"So?"
"I had hoped you'd grow up."
* * *
"Spell starting now."
O'Neill nodded as he heard Sam's hushed voice come through his mike. "Copy." As he sighted his rifle and waited for the Bringers to exit the target he thought about how much his life had changed recently. Just over two years ago he'd been a childless Air Force Colonel travelling the universe, but now, a slight smile tugged at his lips. Now he had a previously unknown son who was a legendary demon hunter who somehow had the ear of the Pentagon, CIA, NSA, FBI, MI6, the Vatican, and assorted police departments. And now he was a demon hunter. He only wished Charlie had lived to meet his half-brother.
Forcing away the pain he turned his attention back to the church just as its double-doors swung open. O'Neill squinted down his night-scope. At this distance, just under 300 yards away, and with this many targets he scarcely had to aim. Biting back his distaste and reminding himself that the figures beneath him weren't human he began to fire, his trigger finger a blur. Soon his ears were ringing and his nose and lungs filled with cordite.
* * *
Jack Cow tensed as he heard the gunfire begin. "Here it comes," he looked at his companions and snorted. Some back up; the Gunn guy looked like he could handle himself but the others...
The door to the rear of the church flew open and approximately two dozen Bringers spilled out towards where they were hidden. Crow lifted his MP5. "On my mark," he growled. Once the Bringers were within seventy yards the vampire hunter let out a yell. "Now!" Surging to his feet, he started to fire, his companions following suit a split-second later. The gunfire lit up the night sky before tearing into the Bringers and soon the clearing was littered with their bodies.
Crow cursed as his sub-machine gun spluttered to a halt, he was getting into it. Just as he reached for a new magazine a Bringer leapt at him, his dagger arcing downwards. The vampire swung his gun up to parry the attack only for a shot to ring out and the Bringer's head explode in a red mist.
Crow glanced in the direction and nodded. "Thanks." The Englishman casually blew the smoke away from the end of his Walther PPK before nodding. Crow smirked; maybe not all Englishmen were pansies after all.
* * *
"I swear if that boy calls me Mandy again."
"You didn't have to come," Connor commented.
Amanda glanced at him. "And let you two boy scouts have all the fun? I don't think so. But that brat!"
Connor bit back a chuckle at the irritated look on Amanda's beautiful face. Normally she was the one doing the annoying but it appeared Xander had got under the immortal's skin. The elder McLeod's smile died when he considered a disturbing possibility. What if Amanda was falling for his friend? Relationships between immortals and mortals had considerable pitfalls; he'd have to warn Xander. Connor grimaced, relying on Xander to be the responsible one? "Oh god it's Armageddon," he muttered dryly.
His attention was diverted by the side door to the church flying open. Twenty to three, not good odds. He was surprised by a chuckle from Amanda. "What sort of idiots bring knives to a sword fight?" Connor smiled thinly, oh yes, they did have that advantage.
* * *
Xander drew his sword and Desert Eagle before sliding into the street's shadows. The gunfire from his dad's sniper team had ended. It wouldn't be long now.
Less than thirty seconds later Xander heard the patter of footfalls and saw some figures moving obliviously towards his position. He quickly did a head-count, seven maybe eight, tough but with the advantage of surprise, he could handle them.
He waited until the lead Bringer was level with his hiding place before striking. Surging upright, he launched himself out of the shadows, leading with the point of his blade. His sword tore through the Bringer's neck, sending blood gushing out and the demon-worshipper's head tumbling to the ground. Spinning round to face the rest, he emptied his automatic into his other enemies, dropping four of them to the ground before running out of ammo.
Realising he didn't have the time to re-load or even holster his gun before the other Bringers were upon him he dropped it clattering to the ground before wading into the attack. Sidestepping a knife slash he swept the legs from his nearest attacker before leaping over his falling adversary, his feet snapping out into a side kick to the right hitting a Bringer who'd been advancing on him from that direction in the chest and knocking him into the far wall. Landing with knees bent, he thrust his blade upwards into the belly of an advancing minion. Withdrawing his blood-streaked blade he parried a slash at his head from the Bringer he'd sent into the wall before driving the pommel of his sword into his assailant's face, staggering him. Before his dazed adversary had chance to recover, Xander's sword flicked up decapitating him. Spinning round he thrust his sword through the heart of the still rising last Bringer. The adrenalin from his brief but furious battle running out Xander slumped against the wall and took a breath. "Wonder how the others are doing?"
* * *
"Well that was a success, one hundred and thirty Bringers dead, nearly ¾ of their number in Sunnydale. It was a good plan." Xander nodded, Angel looked at his friend's grim face with concern before continuing. "What's up?"
Xander shrugged before glancing behind to ensure the others were too far behind to overhear. "We've given the First a bloody nose, great. But we're no closer to actually defeating it."
Angel opened his mouth to reply only to clamp it shut when Xander's mike crackled into life; it was Major Carter. "Xander, we've got four intruders."
"We'll be there in five minutes," his friend turned to him, his face grim. "Trouble."
