In hindsight, Integra was all too easy to persuade. She gave them a list of places that recon had yet to investigate. The several days saw the duo hitting pubs and clubs all over London's East End. Seres was nervous at first so Xander contrasted by being loud and raucous. After he got them in the middle of a football debate that got very drunk and violent very quickly she insisted he stick to drinking, gossiping and secretly scanning the room for anyone or anything that looked like a lead.
On the fifth night Seres was actually nursing beers. She would order huge pints and pass them to Xander claiming that she was watching her figure. Fortunately or not Xander had a tolerance for the strong brew so they could go from pub to club without pause. They had found little during their search but Seres said she had a feeling about the place they were in now. There was a girl onstage singing with accompaniment from a three-piece band. The crowd was into the music but Xander noticed a large majority shifty looking types that watched Seres suspiciously. Xander noticed that his single eye gave him increased intimidation cred. He returned any dirty looks and whoever it was, would move on.
He headed toward the bathroom leaving Seres at the table. As he neared the facilities he heard two men arguing in the soft-loud voice of men upset enough to vent but aware that such venting might be heard by the wrong ears.
"I don't care about the money. Big John took care of you and now you're lap-doggin to those wenches like they weren't the town pumps we knew and loathed." Said a man Xander mentally named Loudmouth
"and didn't you get friendly with Big John awful fast after the brothers Valentine kicked you out." Said his companion
That was different, you know what they were like." Loudmouth whispered defensively.
"And I know what these girls are like, the money is good, the operation is safe. I'd say that getting in on the ground floor was good business."
"Well I'm done. They can't scare me. I'll bet they've gone and hired some thugs to scare people. Well I ain't scared. You can always hire stronger muscle."
"Oh great idea Wilbur, bang up plan. When they find you face down in the river like Freddie should I have you cremated, assuming there is enough left for that."
"Bugger off." Loudmouth snarled and walked off.
Xander finished in the bathroom and hurried back to the table. He wanted to get Seres take on the conversation but when he arrived, the singer from the stage was sitting with his partner. The girls were chatting so excitedly that it was moment before they noticed he was there and another before Seres introduced him.
"Xander meet Annie Horne." Seres said excitedly. "She and I survived grade school together. She was always on about being a singer and actress and here she is."
"And what about you." Annie gushed " wouldn't say boo to your own shadow then I heard you hooked up with the police force how was that?"
"Well I've changed jobs since then. I work for a private security firm, clients all over the isles. Xander here is consulting temporarily, convinced me to goo out and have a few."
"As well you should, and the chance that you come here, amazing. I've been singing professionally for a few years but this is my big chance to headline a club. The sisters are getting into recording and I might be their first big star, knock on wood. I was lucky enough they bought up a bunch of clubs and needed entertainment for them all but a recording contract…"
"The sisters?" Xander asked
"Agnes and Edina Wyrd, they own this place and few others."
"Rough part of town though Annie, are you sure they aren't a bit dodgy."
"Hun, if you got property in this part of town you either are dodgy or you're being taken advantage. As long as the checks clear the bank and I can honestly say I knew nothing when the police make waves then I don't care. So how long have you two been an item."
"Oh we are just co-workers, the boss wants me to show him the ropes and he was introducing me to the American way of relaxing." She winked "One pint at a time."
"I love your contacts Seres, the colour is totally fab." Annie had finally noticed that Seres eyes had a red tinge. Xander was about to make a quick excuse but Seres laid a hand on his arm which, unnoticed by Annie, she squeezed really hard.
"Aren't they just, I have to work with all this high tech visual gear. They had me wearing these ugly goggles. I begged them to let me have the contacts made up and it doesn't bother my eyes in the slightest."
"Aren't you the fashion plate now, " she turned to Xander who was rubbing the circulation back into his freshly released arm " hang on to this one deary, she was helpless back in school. But now."
They began gossiping about who had gotten pregnant, fat, rich, and poor. Xander took the opportunity to notice that Seres was looking just like a girl out for a good time.
The two girls chatted until The Bartender reminded Annie she had one more set and then a party to attend, invite only, the girls hugged and promised to meet up soon. As Annie left, Xander told Seres all that he had overheard. They were quietly debating what it might mean. Suddenly two sharply dressed femme fatales entered the room they carried themselves gracefully. They greeted and shook hands with some of the crowd. They spoke to the bartender and then waved to the stage. Annie smiled brightly and greeted them. "Everyone your hostesses for this evening Agnes and Edina Wyrd." Agnes was short busty brunette with a pug nose and freckles. Her sister was blond and sharp featured.
Everyone clapped and whistled after which the music began again. Xander watched the women work their way to the back where the loudmouth from the bathroom confronted them. A gorilla of a man stood at his side. As Xander watched, the four began a conversation that went from friendly to lethal in seconds. Agnes punched the gorilla in the chest sending him to his knees. She then picked him up, tossing him over her shoulder walking briskly toward the elevator in the back. The amazed loudmouth suddenly found himself suspended off the ground. Edina had grabbed him around the throat and was holding him a good foot off the ground. She too headed toward the elevator where the women disappeared with their much-too-large-for-them burdens. If anyone noticed the exchange Xander couldn't tell.
"Ok that was a bad sign. " he muttered
"They have vampire like strength but they don't feel like vampires I would, I should be able to tell." Seres hissed quietly
"If they aren't setting your senses off then they can only be one explanation that makes sense. Those girls are slayers."
"After making excuses to the Bartender and leaving a number for Annie to call, Xander and Seres headed back to Hellsing House. In Seres private rooms she broke out a laptop computer and placed it on the table. She explained her plan as she booted up the system. "This is linked to the Cray computers in the basement in-turn those are linked to every database across Europe.
"Which means?"
"Which means I get to use some more of my police training. Now then, we input the club address and get a list of past owners. " She typed quickly and soon had a few names on the screen. "There are the Valentine Brothers and there is John McCann. The title changed from the Valentine's to McCann shortly after the brothers were killed attacking Hellsing house."
"…And look who shows up as know associates of both, The Wyrd Sisters. They took the club a few months ago."
"McCann was found in a alley, cause of death was blunt force trauma. Very blunt force. The girls were suspected."
"… But not investigated seriously because the strength required for the blows was greatly in excess of that possessed by normal persons the size of The Sisters. "
"I assume it will not surprise you to learn that Big John's death occurred within days of the destruction of Sunnydale."
"How much you want to bet Big John liked it rough with his women. Bet he was shocked as hell when they laid a Slayer type beating on his ass."
"As shocked as they were to find themselves ten times stronger and faster. Bet that's making their take over of the London underworld a bit easier."
"Man this is bad, we have to figure out what they are doing with all that power."
"Rather obvious really, they are bumping of anyone that stands up to them. They took over the business owned by the Valentine Brothers including putting the freak chips on the streets. Big John obviously saw no money in it "
"But the Wyrd sisters didn't agree. Some reports are getting out about how strong they are and that's why Integra thinks there is a connection to the Slayers " Xander stood up. "Come on, let's get these guys."
"Absolutely not, there is more then enough evidence we can move on their distribution point. Maybe this time we can find where the chips are made. "
"We could get that out of the Sisters. I know what happens when Slayers go wild Seres, it makes for dangerous times."
"At best it's a police matter, at worst, a matter for your Watchers Council. we should alert your Mr. Giles and let him deal with the Sisters."
"Which he will want to do by sending the slayers we have. They aren't ready for a battle like this. Demons and Vampires are their strong point. Armed criminal thugs with better weapons then a third world dictatorship is a tad outside their training. I should know I helped train most of them."
"They will be fine, I have eerie confidence that anyone who has learned all you know should be able to handle themselves you did fine at my side."
"Thanks" since the arguments would get him no where he waited until Seres had climbed into bed. He watched as the canopy slid downward forming the top of a coffin. With Seres tucked in for the day, he wondered upstairs and tried to be patient. Buffy and Willow would have been amazed; he didn't sneak out to the club until well after Noon. At the time, he justified it as taking a more aggressive look around.
The club was active during the day with people coming and going. He had no problems getting in the door and toward the back area. Just when his confidence level was high he saw too men in work clothes carrying a rolled up rug the rug was just the right size and shape that it hid all but the hand of the body inside. The loudmouth had obviously air his grievance with the Wyrd Sisters and they had responded in kind.
He was headed toward the elevators when a big man stopped him. "What are you doing back here."
"I'm interviewing." He said conspiratorially
"Interviewing for what, floor shows fine without one eyed posers "
"Too bad the security for the show sucks, I got all the way to the elevators without being stopped or challenged." The lie came to him in a burst of inspiration and Xander went with it. "Now get the Wyrd Sisters and tell them I'll meet them in their office. I'm going to want big bucks for bringing this place up to snuff."
"You do security?" The Big man asked cautiously
"And come highly recommended, relax big man you actually asked for ID you obviously know your business I just have to fire everyone else."
"Thank you mister…."
"Harris, Xander Harris." Xander patted the big man's shoulder. "Don't worry I remember good people when I meet them."
The big man scampered off and Xander headed up to the office. "Please God." he prayed "allow me to have a good plan by the time I get there."
The bounce hurried to dressing room where Agnes And Edina were speaking with the house singer he tapped on the door and poked his head inside. "Guy is here about house security, he likes me."
"As well he should Agnes dear." Edina said in a bored voice.
"Indeed he should Edina, now that business is expanding we need protection." Agnes sighed.
I like him " the big man gushed " the eye is bit on the spooky side but that just makes him more scary."
"Have we hired a Cyclops Agnes"
"I hope not sister, maybe some kind of pirate."
"Perhaps a dashing rogue is just what the place needed."
Annie furrowed her brow "Funny that guy was here last night, he works for some kind of security firm."
"And how do you know that dear Annie, was he trying to impress you."
Annie was a loyal friend but she also liked her paychecks she erred on the side of protecting her money. "He was chatting me up about how he was consulting with a big wheel security firm. Asked a few questions."
"I find that interesting don't you Edina."
"Indeed I do Agnes most interesting indeed. Tiny find Robert and Paul tell them we may need some plastic wrap this time. "
"Excellent idea," Agnes said "replacing rugs is getting a tad pricey sister
"That is because of your expensive taste sister." Edina muttered
The two women left the dressing room and Annie mentally said a few Hail Marys since Seres friend was not long for the world.
The women arrived in the office to find Xander sitting in a visitor's chair. He found it ominous that they locked the door as soon as they arrived.
"Hi ladies, I'm Alexander Harris, I represent a group that is aware of your…unique gifts and from whence they came. They would like to help you better develop them, maybe find a better use then whole terrors of the criminal underworld shtick."
"Hmm could your idea involve us slaving away for the government, some branch of MI5 or some such. " Agnes asked moving too close to Xander.
"Maybe he wants us to be Bond girls, would that be the plan Mister Secret Agent Man. Want to sit back sipping martinis while we risk our newly improved lives for Queen and Country." Edina hissed pressing in from the other side
Xander sensed he was losing control of the interview fast. "Not quite, look ladies if you know the long line of girls who came before you. Brave girls who risked their lives to help others."
"Helping others isn't really our bag is it sister." Edina hissed
Agnes nodded "No indeed sister, we are more of the helping ourselves looking out for our own skin, self preservation is the Christian term."
"One our guest really should have learnt before showing up here. "
Xander was straw-clutching big time at this point "Oh you mean the whole bringing back up thing, figured I didn't need to mention the agents outside. "
Agnes grinned wolfishly "Yes well they are outside, and here you are inside. So many things could happen to you before they find you. Isn't that right sister. "
"Oh indeed sister."
Xander had planned a window escape. Agnes sensing his intent moved with Slayer speed and blocked him. Edina came from behind and grabbed him. It had been along time since Buffy or Faith used their full power on him, he uttered an involuntary groan. She was pulling on his arm hard enough to rip it out of his socket.
"You know what sister I think our silly guest arrived sans the back up that might have proved effective."
"You know sister I had all the fun last time. You go this time, make him beg for it at the end."
Poor pathetic ingrates" The echoing footsteps that halted the conversation filled the room. " The power of Slayers and your most ambitious use of them is to make yourself queen fleas among the vermin. Xander had no idea how Alucard got into a locked room.
He was dressed in his usual red coat and hat he stepped forward. "So boy, still think that all a Bad Slayer really needs is a good friend. Has it been so long since you last looked into the face of the damaged that you don't see them for what they are."
Xander looked at the girls and for the first time saw, those yes they had the same haunted looks that he had seen on Faith. As the startled sisters released him, he backed away.
"Don't know how you got in her ponce but your gonna regret It." the girls flew at Alucard. Launching blows at him from two different directions, he moved his arms as though conducting a symphony. Each movement was precise and controlled; he blocked or evaded every blow from their fists.
Soon he spun himself in place and hurled the both of them to the ground. He regarded them as though bored. "You are holding back, the powers of Slayers are legion, come release the demonic power within you, come at me with all your might, all of your strength."
The girls were back on their feet in moments pulling from their jackets guns that they fired in a hail of bullets at Alucard who stood laughing even as his upper body was chewed up. His grotesque laughter never stopped even as their bullets ran dry. He pulled from the depths of his coat two huge automatics Xander dropped to the ground just before the Jackal and Casull screamed fire into the room. Bullets ravaged every square inch of room, except where Xander and the sisters cowered on the floor. Eventually, bored with his fun Alucard stopped firing.
Xander half deafened by the gunfire, wasn't sure what happened next, Alucard hissed something about control restrictions and silencing the target and then the room seemed to twist on itself. The girls looked around in fear. Something burst from within Alucard's coat and lashed out to snare the two girls dragging them to their feet and pulling them closer to Alucard. "You have nothing for me, not even a decent fight, well you will tell me all that you know that much entertainment you can provide."
Xander struggled up from the floor that felt like taffy. "Alucard they don't know what they are, we could…"
"They are damaged goods Boy, there will be no redemption here, go home. I will deal with them." Xander looked at the girls. They were begging with their eyes. He closed his eyes and made the latest in the many choices that sometimes kept him up at night.
He fled the room and didn't stop until he reached the bar. He picked up a telephone and dialed, Giles answered on the third ring. "Xander I think I know what Hellsing is looking for."
"Giles I found the Wyrd sisters."
"What, danmit boy stay away from them let us deal with it "
"Too late, Alucard is up there with them now. Whatever you were going to send over here, tell them to being a baggy. I don't think he's in a good enough mood to let them die."
"Bloody hell. "
Xander hung up the telephone and fled the club. Twenty minutes later Giles and a team of slayers arrived and carted the girls away. Agnes was in a coma and Edina was gibbering with fear.
After they left, came the police with their questions and their explanations for the answers they couldn't get. They shut the place down and ordered that the same be done to the rest of the sisters holdings.
A few days later a dispirited Annie lay on a table. "Are you ready?" asked a masked figure standing over her.
"Whatever it takes," she hissed "Xander Harris will pay."
As figures fell to their work, two observers watched their latest project. "This new tech chip is much better then the old one. "
His companion nodded. "First we find a way to replicate the vampire creation process and now we can create Slayers. Why did this one volunteer?"
"Says her dreams were destroyed by some peon from Hellsing. I say this just gives us the chance to take care of some old business."
Well just be sure that we let her do her thing the backers were very specific. The peon has friends who hurt them badly and the backers want some pay back."
"I heard LA was a horror show. That's nothing compared to what this city will look like when our girl is ready to rock." He leaned over and spoke into the microphone "Annie are you still ready to deal your antipathy toward Mr. Harris."
" Antipathy, I like that, Antipathy" she was still repeating the word dreamily when the first of the chips infested her body.