Here's another chapter. More buildup I know, but we're down to the nitty-gritty now. This'll be the last chapter for the next couple of days. I'm takin' a weekend off for a fishin' trip, but an update should come early next week. Enjoy.
"We've got this under control Hamilton," Angel bit out, trying to sound as menacing as possible. As if he didn't have enough problems fouling up his plan, now the liaison to the Senior Partners was standing amongst the group that planned on destroying him.
"Ah... I see," Hamilton replied. Taking a few steps he looked down to see Buffy and Spike, still on the floor, both staring back at him.
"So this is the almighty Slayer? Well, I see I'll have to wait for a more opportune time to shake your hand, though, I must say, it was rather disappointing to hear that you not only defeated the First Evil, but that you also, ahem, infected, all the potential Slayers. Well, no matter. There's nothing like a bunch of hormone raging super girls to sway to the dark side. The Partners believe that, in time, they will make quite the formidable army."
Angel took a step forward, coming eye ball to eye ball with Hamilton. He leaned in, speaking in a level where only Hamilton could hear. Well, Hamilton, Spike, and Jake considering their heightened senses.
"I'm handling this Hamilton." His statement caused the man to smirk.
"Really? Because a cynical person would see a room full of do-gooders who just led an assault on your business. It would be a shame if these... white hats, were to sway your newly found allegiance. The Circle would be most displeased."
Angel didn't back down. Hamilton had called his bluff, and Angel knew that the entire house of cards was beginning to fall down around his ears.
"I think I've proven my allegiance so far. Besides, without humanity, there's no need for the good fight. So walk back out that door and let me handle my business."
Hamilton stared directly ahead, trying to read any trace of emotion that might be sketched on the vampire's face. There was nothing. He took a step back and smiled.
"Good. That's what I like to hear. And who might this be?" Hamilton spoke, pointing in the direction of Jake.
"Just a weary traveler," Jake replied dryly. Hamilton was not amused.
"Well, I know of few travelers who proceed to spearhead a terrorist attack on a multi-billion dollar company." He turned back to Angel. "I would like to be informed immediately of their deaths. The Senior Partners are very... adamant."
Hamilton turned to leave, looking over his shoulder towards Wesley and Illyria.
"Nice to see you back and moving Illyria. I was rather disappointed in our last meeting." He continued to walk towards the door reaching it, then yelling over his shoulder, "Keep up the good work, Spike!" With that he was gone.
"Bloody ponce," was the only reply to be heard, and it came from the floor.
In all the commotion, Wesley had dropped the gun that had been firmly planted in Jake's forehead to his side. His attention was focused on Hamilton's figure as he strode out the door. For a moment, Wesley considered unloading the entire clip into the man's back. But that would only bring down the Partners' wrath that very moment. He turned his attention back to Jake. The younger man was staring right back at him.
"Thought about polishin' that clip off, didn't ya?" Jake quipped. Wesley eyed the man thoughtfully.
"What of it," he replied.
"I was thinkin' about doin' the same thing." With that, Wesley flashed a dead smile Jake's way while tapping the barrel of the gun against his leg, no doubt reminding the man of his earlier threat.
"Yes well, you seem to be trying to kill an awful lot of people today. So tell me, son, who sent you..."
Jake's eyes went wide with rage. What more could he do to prove to this man he was protecting Armageddon? He had sung for the Empath. The Empath had corroborated his story. Even Angel and Charles seemed to believe the man after Lorne's endorsement.
"He speaks the truth," came a low rasp from behind Wesley. Surprised, he turned to see Illyria staring ahead blankly at Jake.
"He is neither human nor of this plane. He is surrounded by the light... he is their warrior... and he has come for vengeance."
Wesley could not find the words. This was all too... surreal. Separate truth from illusion he thought. He had been told that long ago. He had tried so hard to do so, but that line was blurred at best. He slowly turned, pistol still at the ready, and body still blocking Illyria.
"You will not kill the Old One," he let out, voice so low it was more of a growl. "If all that you say is true, it is my apparent death that causes the apocalypse. I suppose I should feel flattered. But I will not allow you to kill her."
"It," Jake bit out.
"There is still hope for her... and I was once in the business of providing it."
Jake felt the oncoming storm of despair long before it spread throughout his body. He had told himself that he would stop at nothing to kill Illyria. It was his mission... no, it was the world's mission. But now, with the Old One mere feet away, all that stood between him and success was a man. And he couldn't kill that man. In his mind, he tried to convince himself that was just one life. He could subdue the man, kill Illyria, and be done with it. But this man was his father. This man had given him life. And right now, the man before him would stop at nothing to protect Illyria's life. Jake simply couldn't pull the trigger.
"I was sent back to fulfill my mission. You've still got hope for it, but the hopes of the world rest on my shoulders. If you fall, the tides are gonna turn..."
Jake trailed off, trying to hide the look of condemnation in his eye. He slowly holstered his pistol and turned back to Angel.
"I know you've got plans Angel. Let's get to 'em."
Within only a few moments, the atmosphere had become much more suitable. Buffy and Spike had wrapped up their informal 'hello' and were now standing. Spike, ironically, was standing with the Rome faction. Buffy continued to stare in the direction of Illyria. The being was continually gazing in Dawn's direction, no doubt sensing the power that she held. The group had taken up around her, shielding her from any attack. She was infuriated that Jake refused to pull the trigger, but she really couldn't blame him. Had she been in his shoes, she would have reacted the same way. But there was still time. Tonight would by Illyria's last, she thought. There were too many people that were coming for her. One of them would get past Wesley.
"Cyvus Vail is one of the most powerful wizards on the West Coast. Among other things, he can alter both time and reality. Wesley... you've seen the mansion. He thinks you're unstable... thinks you're corruptible. You and Willow..."
"And Illyria," Wesley cut in sharply. Angel simply stared back at him. That plan hadn't worked out the way he had hoped.
"Fine. You, Willow, and Illyria will go to the mansion. Willow can play his game... you just need to take the shot."
Wesley nodded.
"Gunn, you get the Senator. She's pure hellspawn, and on top of that, she's a politician. She likes to surround herself with vampire bodyguards. That's you and Kennedy's stop."
Willow squeezed Kennedy's hand, the two sharing an unheard goodbye. She had hoped they would fight together, but she knew that if Gunn was going to take on a nest of vamps, he would need a Slayer.
"That's what I like to hear. I've been missin' the good ol' days of hack 'n slash," Gunn replied while slinging his axe over his right shoulder.
"Spike... you've got a baby to kidnap. The Fell Brethren got him, and they won't give him up without a fight."
Angel sighed. This might be the hardest thing he has ever said.
"Take Buffy with you. It'll even out the odds. I want the baby back with his parents and I want the Brethren eliminated."
Spike merely nodded. His cockney bravado had been stowed for now. Angel noticed he and Buffy were holding hands. As he made his way up, he locked eyes with her. She seemed to be telling him 'thank you' without moving her lips. 'She's happy,' Angel thought. He simply nodded her direction.
"Giles... Xander... Andrew... you've got the Hyperion. It's our old base of operations. I want you take Dawn there and protect her. Anybody that survives meets in the alley north of it. We're gonna need you to make sure that it's secure before we get there. Giles, you can handle the sanctuary spells and Xander can do the fighting."
Xander punched his hand into his open palm, trying to psyche himself of for the big fight. He hit it a little harder than anticipated, and began to try and shake the throbbing sting it had caused. He flashed his typical sheepish smile Angel's way.
"Giles, how many Slayers do you have with you?"
"Roughly forty-five, but by nightfall we may have as many eighty."
"Good. Contact your best. Izzerial the Devil dines with three members of the Black Thorn every night. They won't see it coming. Here's the address..."
Giles moved forward and took the paper from Angel's grasp.
"Lorne... back up Lindsey. You know what you've got to do."
"Honestly Angel, I never have been the Gladiator type... I'm much more than emotional shoulder. I do this... I-I... I won't be coming back. Do me a favor... don't look for me, okay?"
Sadly, Angel nodded.
"Think I'm gonna have to veto that request, hoss."
Angel turned quickly to the figure standing to his right.
"Excuse me?"
"Did I tell you that ol' Cordy said you were a lousy planner? Well, there's yer slip-up."
"You've got be kidding, right? You don't even know..."
"I don't have to. We need all the help we can get. One more sword or two more pistols goes a long way to win this thing."
Angel tried to keep his voice low. Lorne was the only one who had known what Angel's true plan for the ex-lawyer was.
"He's not part of the solution," he whispered. "He's evil."
"It's kinda funny Angel. That man's been searchin' for redemption for a long time. I know somebody kinda like that. Hell, I hear he has his evil phases too ever now and again."
"He'll turn on us."
"Oh, Lindsey McDonald turning on us is not what I'm concerned with," Jake replied dryly. He didn't have to turn and look in Illyria's direction. He could feel Wesley's deathly glare from behind him.
"Fine," Angel replied shortly. "Back him up Lorne."
Lorne looked like the weight of the world had been lifted from his shoulders. He would not be playing the role of Judas in this production.
"Guess that just leaves you and me big guy."
"I suppose you've got another plan for that as well?"
"Nah... not really. You've taken care of the big player. I figure you know who we're gunnin' after."
Angel had to smile. Wherever this guy came from, he did indeed know what was going on. And the guy looked pretty good in a fight. Maybe that might just win this war. Then it dawned on Angel. He had never given a second thought to if he could win. He simply wanted to eliminate the Black Thorn. Send a message to the Senior Partners that they weren't in control. But now, with this force... and even the Powers sending someone to aid, Angel sensed a legitimate shred of hope. Turning his gaze to Jake, he could read the man's face like a book. He was going to try and kill Illyria, come hell or highwater. Angel didn't really trust her himself, but he didn't fully trust this man either. No matter. There were too many slips between here and there to worry about.
"Alright everyone. Take my personal elevator... it will get you out of the building without anyone noticing. Good luck... I'll see you at the Hyperion."