Chapter Nineteen: Astral Projection
The truck began to slow down as it approached a large office building. Faith pulled herself up from her position clinging to the back of the truck onto the roof of the vehicle. She lay flat and spread her arms and legs to do her best to both stay out of sight and to stay in place as there was nothing to hold onto up there.
She had jumped onto the back of the truck when it had started off. She had taken herself by surprise so she was sure Cordelia and the others were just as surprised. It was her old impulsiveness coming back and danger or no danger Faith was pleased. This was what being a slayer was really about. Acting on instinct, not getting bogged down with details, research and planning. She had seen the chance and taken it.
The truck contained all of the captured guards from the hotel, including Wesley. Wolfram and Hart had waited for darkness before sending in their retrieval team. From a brief look at the retrieval team Faith could see why darkness was necessary. She knew very well what was due to happen to the captured people once they reached their destination.
The truck swung into the turning to the underground car park under the building and Faith succeeded in staying aboard. As the truck entered the building Faith took note of the name above the entrance for future reference. She might be able to call for backup before the big fight that would surely be coming soon but if not, then what the hell.
The basement was poorly lit but Faith remained prone and motionless whilst she quickly checked out the area. With vampires running this operation she knew she could be spotted even in such conditions. Nobody was visible so for the moment she only had to worry about those in the truck.
As the truck slowed Faith moved. She jumped onto a nearby car and then onto the ground. She knew there were two vampires in the front of the truck and another four with the seven captives in the back. She had no illusions that this was all there were but decided to take them out as quickly as possible before others arrived.
Without waiting for the truck to stop Faith sped to the passenger door of the cab and pulled it open. She achieved complete surprise and succeeded in staking one of the vampires immediately. The driver however escaped by jumping out of the other door yelling, without waiting to stop the vehicle. Faith followed immediately behind the driver. Unlike the driver Faith was able to keep her feet as she landed and was in prime position to stake him as he rolled to his feet.
The slowly rolling truck came to a halt with a bump as it struck the end wall at slow speed and the back door sprang open. Four vampires exited looking for the reason for the collision and the yelling. There was nobody to be seen as Faith had succeeded in getting out of sight before the truck stopped.
"What's going on?" called one vampire, a tall slim man in a leather jacket.
One of his companions, a rotund man of vaguely Polynesian appearance checked the cab of the truck. "There's nobody here," he called. "Well not anymore. There's a pile of dust on the passenger seat."
Suddenly one of the other vampires turned to dust. Faith had taken the chance to improve the odds by accurately throwing her stake into the heart of one of the vampires. The remaining three backed away from the unseen danger and clustered together at the open back door of the truck.
Faith was amused to see the vampires scared of the unknown, quite the reverse of the usual situation. She decided to continue the attack. She tossed two coins that she had pulled from her pocket in an arc to land one after the other behind the vampires. As they turned at the noise she launched her attack at full speed.
"What's that..." began one of the remaining vampires but he would never complete the sentence. On her way forward Faith had picked up the stake that she had thrown previously and put it through his heart.
Now it was a two against one fight and Faith knew the vampires didn't have a chance. It had been a long time since two ordinary vampires had been any sort of a challenge to her and these vampires were nothing special. Like a lot of vampires they'd only known the good times, easy victims and no threat to themselves. Being attacked like this was a new and frightening experience for them and neither lasted long.
Faith now went to the truck and jumped in. Everybody there was still alive but unconscious, including Wesley. Just as well she thought because they're probably still devoted to Jasmine. She jumped out of the truck again.
She was surprised that the vampires hadn't started to feed but she knew what that meant. Either these vampires had recently fed or they were under orders from somebody pretty powerful. Wolfram and Hart were powerful in their way but it was unlikely that a vampire would refrain from feeding because a lawyer said so. That left...
"Pretty impressive. If I didn't know better I'd say you were the slayer," said a woman's voice from out of the darkness. As she spoke Darla walked forward followed by Drusilla. Other vampires followed.
Faith was about to make a move when there was a shimmering in front of her. Tara appeared in company with Willow and Gwen. "What d'yah think? Nick of time?" said Gwen.
"Nah," said Faith. "You've just come to share the fun."
Both Darla and Drusilla knew who Willow was and they were not the only ones. Willow had acquired quite a reputation in the world of vampires and demons. "It's the red witch!" said one of the vampires behind Darla. All of them seemed to know what that meant and they all backed away. All that is except Darla and Drusilla.
"Hey, no need for anybody to worry," said Darla. "We all work for Glory and she's got an understanding with the red witch and the slayer."
"Yeah?" said Faith. "Well nobody's got an understanding with me." At that she moved forward, stake in hand.
Willow decided that immediate action was required and raised her hands up shouting "Freeze!" Everybody in the place froze in place except Willow and Tara.
"Neat," said Tara smiling at Willow.
"I thought so too," said Willow smiling back at Tara. "I got the idea from Piper Halliwell. She does it just by waving her hands. She doesn't even need to say anything."
Willow touched Faith and Gwen on the shoulder releasing them from the freeze. She explained to them what had happened.
"I meant what I said," said Faith. "I haven't agreed to any deal which lets these vamps go and feed on people."
"There's not exactly a deal," said Willow. "Buffy just said she agreed to meet with Glory again after considering her proposal. These two are Darla and Drusilla who set up the meeting with Glory."
"Good," said Faith starting forward once again with her stake.
"But you'd better leave Darla and Drusilla alone because they do work with Glory and there is a sort of truce at the moment," said Willow.
"Orb them back to Sunnydale and let Buffy decide what to do with them," suggested Gwen.
Faith, aided by Gwen now went around the rest of the frozen vampires and staked them all. This was somehow unsatisfying however. "You really know how to take all the fun out of the slaying don't you?" said Faith to Willow before walking over and knocking out Darla and Drusilla.
Meanwhile Gwen was talking on her cellphone to Cordelia to tell her what had happened and to arrange for the unconscious Wesley and his team to be collected.
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Buffy was patrolling. For the first time in she couldn't remember when, she was patrolling alone, just like she always used to. No potentials, no witches, no Scoobies or Watchers just Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Having spent the first hour of the patrol relishing the solitude she had realised why she was happier patrolling with somebody else. This was boring. So far there had been no vampires, no demons and practically no humans either, just that couple she'd disturbed getting to know each other in their car outside St Mary's cemetery.
It had been nice seeing her grandmother again and getting some news of her dad but she couldn't help wondering what had possessed her grandmother to come to Sunnydale just now. Possessed? Could this be another plot by The First? Buffy dismissed the notion. The First couldn't be at the back of everything. People did things for their own reasons and an unexpected visit from a grandmother was the sort of thing that just happened wasn't it?
Suddenly shouting disturbed the silence. Buffy turned and raced off in the direction from where the sounds came. As always she had no difficulty in homing in on the sounds, her slayer instincts acting as a sort of radar sense.
As Buffy reached the end of the street and turned the corner she saw two figures fighting and another on the ground. As she took in the scene she realised that the man who was fighting was a vampire. The other figure was a woman who executed a fast throw on the vampire and propelled him into a nearby lamppost.
Maybe the woman would have been able to win the fight. She was obviously skilled in martial arts although equally obviously not a slayer but she seemed too old to be a potential. Buffy did not take any chances however. As the vampire bounced up from his fall she came up behind him and dusted him with her stake.
The blond woman looked her up and down. "Thanks," she said, "I believe you're Buffy Summers. I'm Kate Lockley, we met once before, briefly."
"I don't recall," replied Buffy who could not remember meeting the policewoman but knew exactly who she was from Kate's recent run-ins with members of the gang.
"Back in LA," said Kate, "when I arrested your friend Faith."
"She wasn't exactly a friend at the time," muttered Buffy.
"But she is now?" asked Kate.
By now Kate's companion had risen to his feet. He was a tall African-American who Kate introduced as her colleague Sergeant Lewis Raymond.
"Well, nice seeing you again," said Buffy turning away.
"Wait a minute," said Kate. "You're the person I need to see."
Buffy stopped and turned back, hoping it was nothing to do with Faith. The sooner we get that all sorted the better she thought. She said nothing and waited for Kate to explain.
"It's about what's happening to this town," said Kate. "People are leaving but nobody can explain why, not even the ones who are leaving. Do you know why?"
Buffy glanced at Sergeant Raymond and back to Kate and raised her eyebrows questioningly.
"It's alright," said Kate. "Lou's a native of Sunnydale. He knows it isn't like other towns. In fact he knows more about it than I do."
"My niece used to tell stories about you," said the sergeant. "She was a year behind you at the old Sunnydale High. Stories about vampires and demon dogs and sudden deaths in the swim team amongst others."
"Uh, don't believe all you've heard," said Buffy.
"I don't, or rather I didn't but I know better now," said the sergeant. "But don't worry. You were always the hero, or should that be the heroine of the stories. I know you saved Diana's life at least once so I owe you."
Kate suggested that they find somewhere where they could chat and over coffee Buffy explained what she knew about The First and the Hellmouth. She decided not to mention Glory for the time being. She didn't want the police to go looking for Glory. Memory of what Glory had done to the Knights of Byzantium told her what was likely to happen if the police tracked her down.
In return Kate and Raymond gave Buffy details of the unusual incidents that had been happening over the past few weeks. Kate agreed to drop by with copies of the file records on the ones that most interested Buffy.
"The point is this thing is likely to get more powerful again. It's probably up to something right now so the more I know about what might be going on the better," explained Buffy. "Things generally build up to a peak until we squash it and then it all settles down again for a year or two."
"Does squashing include such things as exploding schools?" asked the sergeant who received a puzzled look from Kate.
"No comment," said Buffy.
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Several hours had passed since Wolfram and Hart had launched their attack on the hotel. Phase two was complete now that all of the external guards had been rounded up and taken away. A pity about Wesley thought Lilah but at least Darla promised not to touch him, for what that was worth. Lilah knew that relying on vampires to keep their promises was a fool's game but she didn't see she had any choice. Her first priority was her own survival.
Lilah and Eve continued to watch the hotel but as far as they could tell Jasmine had remained quiet. She had made no effort to escape and had not yet tested the strength of the magical cordon around the building. Lilah put her cellphone down. "They're sure she's still in there," she said. "What's she waiting for?"
"She'll get hungry after a while," said Eve. "Then she'll have to come out, or at least try to. Is everything ready?"
"As far as we can make it," said Lilah, "but we're dealing with the unknown here. I have no idea whether our people are strong enough."
Two figures came into sight walking towards the car. As they came closer Lilah recognised Cordelia but did not recognise Amy who was with her. Lilah decided to confront the two women standing and got out of the car. Eve followed suit.
"Hello Cordelia," said Lilah folding her arms and leaning on the hood of the car. "Back from the old school reunion?" Lilah always liked to hint that she knew about everything that was going on.
Cordelia glanced at Eve, wondering who she was but didn't ask. "How long do you think you can keep Jasmine locked up?" she asked. "Do you think you've got enough power?"
"Are you offering to help?" asked Lilah. "Now that you're demon lady we really should work together." Lilah's tone was sarcastic indicating that she did not expect her suggestion to be taken seriously.
Cordelia did not correct Lilah about the demon crack. Cordelia now knew that she had never been part demon but noted with satisfaction that Lilah was not as well informed as she thought she was. Or perhaps she knew the truth and had decided to hide the knowledge. You could never tell with Lilah.
"Dark magic won't be enough," said Amy. "Somebody like Jasmine will just lap it up. What you need is white magic, or at least a combination of the two."
"And you are?" asked Lilah.
"Let's just say we're here in reserve," said Cordelia, "ready to pick up the baton when you drop it."
"Well we've got the best magic users money can buy," said Lilah turning to Amy, "but if you're looking for a job?"
Suddenly Eve moved towards Cordelia. She intended to hold her and question her about what help she could be in dealing with Jasmine. Besides Eve found sitting around for hours looking at a quiet hotel boring. Working at Wolfram and Hart was meant to be dangerous, evil and dangerous but not boring.
Cordelia was taken by surprise but her automatic defences were not. Eve grabbed Cordelia's arm and immediately screamed in pain as she was propelled ten feet backwards onto the ground. Cordelia briefly glowed but then returned to normal.
"Can't get the help these days," said Lilah disdainfully looking at Eve as she got to her feet.
"Speak for yourself," said Cordelia. She then wrote her cellphone number on a small piece of paper and handed it to Lilah. "We won't be far away. If you do need help stopping Jasmine, give me a call."
"Maybe I've already got enough help," said Lilah who nevertheless put the paper into her pocket.
"I wouldn't count too much on Darla and Drusilla if I were you," said Cordelia looking at her watch as she walked away. "They'll be on their way back to Sunnydale about now."
Cordelia and Amy walked away. Playing it cool Lilah unhurriedly got back into her car but then frantically grabbed her cellphone and dialled. Eve, rubbing her shoulder, got in beside her. "Damn but she didn't look tough," she said.
Lilah continued to wait on her phone as it rang without answer.
Inside the hotel Jasmine stepped away from the second floor window. Very soon they'll all have something else to think about she thought and smiled.
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The four Halliwell sisters and Leo orbed into the front room of the Halliwell mansion thanks to Leo and Paige. They were all quiet and subdued. Phoebe and Paige sat down. Prue and Leo remained standing whilst Piper went into the kitchen to make coffee A few minutes later she returned and they all sat down.
"OK," began Prue. "Let's make sure we've all got the same facts. We have a large meteor or asteroid heading towards Earth. If nothing's done it'll be here in about 30 days and it'll wipe out all life on the planet." Prue looked around the room and the others nodded.
"But on the good side we must be able to stop it otherwise Phoebe wouldn't have been sent that vision," pointed out Paige.
"Yeah," said Phoebe, "that's the way it works. I get the vision and we stop it happening."
"Unless we got the vision too late to stop it," said Piper doubtfully. "From what you said that's a mighty big meteor. I saw those disaster movies too you know."
"Why should it be too late?" asked Leo.
"I'm thinking this meteor is all very coincidental," began Piper. "We know there are one or two big evils in the world at the moment. Maybe that meteor has only just been given a nudge in our direction. Maybe we didn't get a warning before because there was nothing to warn about until now."
"I'll pop upstairs and see if they know anything else about all this," said Leo and with that he orbed away.
"You spoke to the Rumanian guys Prue," said Phoebe. "They didn't seem all that bothered by the meteor. Don't they realise that it's heading for us?"
"No they don't," replied Prue. "Seeing something in a telescope and working out exactly where it's going are two different things. It'll take them a few days at least before they work all that out."
"But why do this?" asked Phoebe. "If this meteor destroys the world there's nothing left for the bad guys either. No more good guys but no more evil guys either."
"The bad guys are not always running on a full tank," said Piper. "Besides, there's even some human lunatics who'd think it'd be great to destroy the world and take everybody out with them."
"Maybe they've got somewhere to hide until after the meteor hits and then they come out and take over," said Paige. "Somewhere like the Whitelighter place but in the other direction if you get what I mean."
"This is beside the point," said Prue. "Whatever caused it, it's coming and we've got to stop it as quickly as possible."
"Don't we have 30 days?" asked Paige. "We should be able to figure out something in that time. We sometimes don't get 30 minutes."
"The trouble is the closer that meteor gets to the Earth the greater the effort it'll take to divert it," pointed out Prue. It'll be ten times more difficult a week from now."
"Do you think diverting it is the best option?" asked Phoebe.
"What else do you suggest?" asked Prue.
"Well we can try to divert it as you said." began Phoebe "Or perhaps we could try to destroy it, blow it up somehow."
"The trouble with that is the pieces left over might still bombard the world," said Prue. "But we might need to try it. Piper, you and I'll research ways to divert the meteor. Phoebe and Paige, you research ways to destroy it."
Same old Prue thought Phoebe. In charge and giving the orders, just like she'd never been gone. Phoebe couldn't bring herself to resent it however. She was still glad to have her big sister back.
Piper had a similar but opposite reaction. She was quite relieved not to be the eldest sister any more. She had never enjoyed the role, had never thought it suited her and was happy to have Prue take charge once more. She smiled to herself. Phoebe and Paige both seem to be doing whatever Prue tells them to she thought. I wonder how long that'll last.
"When Leo gets back I'll ask him to fetch Willow and Tara," said Piper. We're gonna need all the help we can get here."
"Ask him to get onto the other Whitelighters too," said Prue. "If we need a lot of power we might need to round up an awful lot of witches in a hurry and Leo can get that organised."