The 17 Previous Chapters of 'Wolf-Man Xan' can be found at the website,
Story Correction: The General Breckinridge from Chapter 17 is actually General Chamberlain. Breckinridge is a character from another story I'm working on…
District Attorney's Office, 11:30 AM
"Yes, that is correct, Mr. Harris," the Assistant District Attorney told 'Hondo' Harris, "Jack O'Toole and his associates somehow made bail, and will be processed and released around two-thirty. Yes, sir, I know, but that's how the bail system works."
Lunchroom, Sunnydale High, 11:45 AM
Warren Meers was talking to some of his friends, four other disgruntled geeks, about how the Harris bunch had managed to become popular and could somehow get away with some of the geekiness without being ridiculed.
"Yeah, Warren, we know but who cares?" one of them dismissed, "And what's in the boxes." He gestured at the five boxes brought in by the jumpy technogeek.
"These my friends, are our own set of cool," Warren pontificated as he started handing them out, "I overheard some of the Harris Herd talking about costumes, so I decided to counter some Star Wars basics on their part with even better Imperial ones on our part. Gentlemen, I will be a Sith Grand Admiral of four Dark Jedi Star Destroyer Captains. I found a bunch of accessories over at that new place while I spent the extra money for the expensive Party Town stuff since he bought these at a convention. At least tonight, we'll be the cool ones."
"But Warren, there weren't any in the books or movies," Dave Metz replied.
"Hey, it's great, but come on, it's not real," Warren said shaking his head, and gesturing widely with an arm. It knocked Harmony's diet soda directly toward Cordelia's costume as she was showing it to a teacher who'd asked.
SHS Library, 11:55 AM
"Oh!" Cordelia exclaimed, entering the Library with a frustrated look on her face. Sam Zabuto was explaining to Xander and Giles about some clothes he'd received from the Council when Cordelia interrupted, "That idiot Warren went and spilled soda on my costume! How am I supposed to get it out in time for tonight?!" She showed them the tight pants and blouse that had soda stains on them, not too noticeable, but she is Cordelia Chase.
"Cordelia, please calm down," Giles directed the young woman, "A-and we'll see if we have anything to replace it." He gestured toward Mr. Zabuto's box, "Samuel, would there be anything in the Alice Chase clothing that could substitute?" Sam Zabuto nodded and went through some of the effects. Corelia caught the name and looked over to Xander.
"Apparently, Giles mentioned the Cultural Party goings on," Xander replied, "And the fact that I used to be John Clayton. A little research turned up a few objects that the Council shipped over to us." He looked fondly at the girl, and added softly, "And since you look exactly like her, I think they're hoping you'll 'activate' the memories like I did."
"Whoa, stop right there, Wolf-Boy," Cordelia responded, large-eyed, "There's no way I'm going to become a Slayer, I'm going to have a life." She looked at the expensive pants and blouse from five decades ago appreciatively nonetheless.
"I wasn't suggesting it, and since a slayer was called after Alice, you probably won't have to worry about that," Xander replied quietly, "As for the memories, just don't declare yourself as Alice Chase while wearing the clothes and you'll probably be fine, Cordy. But the clothes and a little jewelry are yours, regardless."
"Jewelry?" she responded, with interest, "Well, I guess I could look through things and see what's there." She grabbed the jewelry box, blouse and pants, "I guess I'll go see if these fit." They watched her leave.
"Do you think she'll decide to recover the memories?" Sam Zabuto asked, "It would be interesting to see how much she'd recover."
"She looks exactly like my Alice," Xander who'd once been the Lord of the Jungle and a Watcher in his final years said, "But who knows? She might not be a reincarnation like me."
"A third slayer would be an invaluable asset, I can see where the Council would be interested," Giles mused, "And any area which suddenly found itself with three of them would soon be cleared."
"I just hope the Council remembers that Cordelia Chase is an American citizen with rich parents," Xander replied, recalling the trend he'd as John Clayton been concerned with, "Because it would get very ugly."
"But Alexander," Samuel Zabuto interjected, "Isn't your loyalty to the Council?"
"Not at all Samuel," the reincarnated immortal corrected, "I was loyal to fighting the Darkness, and was fulfilling my familial and personal obligations at the time. But with a Travers heading the Council? I'll remain a 'allied independent' for now." The Watchers nodded quietly as they sipped their tea and started on their lunch again.
Archducal Mansion, 1 PM
The Archduke looked over the scale map of Southern California from the Mexican border to Santa Barbara. His lieutenants had placed markers indicating targets, gang strengths, police and military strengths and or important information on the forty foot by thirty foot map. Several tokens included the two thousand minions gathering for an assault on Wolfram and Hart, though the target had not been let out of this room, sealed by many extremely old and powerful magics. The force of four hundred he'd decided as sufficient to send to the Hell Mouth could be seen amassing in their warehouses.
Sunnydale Airport, 1PM
Sam Zabuto watched as the Council's 727 aircraft landed on the runway. After this afternoon's lunch with Alexander and Mr. Giles, Sam wasn't exactly sure how well things would go if the young people refused to comply with the Council directives. Ten minutes passed, and he waited for the first of them to step onto the tarmac before exiting the chartered flights terminal.
He recognized several of the Watcher personnel from years past, by direct contact or through others: Gwendolyn Post; the disturbing Reginald Wyndham-Price; his cipher of a son Wesley, fresh out of school at age nineteen and about to enter a final year of actual Watcher training; his classmate and equally useless Justin Travers; Sir David Philip Chase, great-great-uncle of Cordelia Chase who'd been Alice Chase's uncle as well as a friend of John Clayton; and to his particular surprise, the seventy-five-year-old John Paul Clayton, current Duke of Greystoke, who came up to him and spoke first as four 'teams' of six began moving equipment to the rental vehicles.
"Mr. Zabuto, I presume?" His Grace addressed him, "I'm told my grandfather has returned to us?" The old man looked hopeful, though appropriately British at the same time.
"Yes, Lordship, he has, and I've spoken with him several times," Samuel replied, "I have no doubts as to his identity, and I provided some of Slayer Chase's clothes and jewelry to the young woman."
"You don't seem too sure about her?" John Paul Clayton replied, "Trouble?"
"No, but since your…grandfather isn't one hundred percent sure, and she clearly has expressed disinclination to try activating herself…" Samuel responded, letting his train of thought trail off, "I cannot guarantee her status."
"Do you foresee any problems?" Reginald interrupted, "This should be a simple extraction."
"Alexander, as he calls himself now," Zabuto stressed, "Mentioned that he'd support whatever decision she'd make in the matter, and that he'd no intention whatsoever of compelling or allowing her to be compelled in the matter."
"So it's a good thing Quentin sent four teams, I see," Reginald emphasized, as Clayton grimaced, which the obnoxious man noticed, "And why I'm the one heading up this mission. We'll grab them at sunset, and be back in London by tomorrow morning." Clayton met Zabuto's eyes and they both shook their heads slightly, and with resignation.
Warehouse District, Near Docks, 1:30 PM
Lilah and Lindsey and just briefed all nine of the six-mercenary, twelve-vampire teams Wolfram and Hart had sent to assure interests were in WH favor at the Hell Mouth. Such a large force had not been fielded in one place by the firm in quiet a few years, and the two felt the eyes of the Senior Partners on them. Six houses, the School Library, and the nightclub favored by the slayer group were the targets, to ensure easy capture or at least maximum damage to their support structure. And a ninth team provided security around the Mayor's Ball with the local 'night shift.' As the Party began at the early time of six-thirty, the teams would be moving on their targets. Hopefully by seven o'clock, as chaos swept through Sunnydale, Wolfram and Hart would be out of the mess on its way back to LA.
SHS Library, 3:00 PM
"Okay, everybody, listen up," Xander called out to the crowd of kiddy escorts, "Go get your costumes on, and be back here by four. You'll have until six-fifteen to bring 'em back, but let's try no later than six, okay? That way we'll be done, and the kids'll be home before it gets dark." He looked over to Buffy.
"Okay, Xan," Buffy picked up from where he'd left off, "You have your street assignments, stick together and have a good time. With all of us doing this, we'll give the kids a good trick-or-treat and still get out to the parties before it means social death." Popular enough kids laugh. "Remember, Mr. Angel, Mr. Doyle and Miss Edith" Angel winced at that reference "will be here with radios in case something comes up. That's it!"
Chase Residence, 3:20 PM
"Wow, that's some pair of costumes," Cordelia complimented her parents, as they tried on the costumes they'd wear later that evening, "King Midas and Helen of Troy. I guess you're off to the Mayor's Ball tonight?"
"Oh yes," her mother told her, "And don't expect us until late, your father'll no doubt be using this opportunity to drum up more business."
"Have a good time," Cordelia called as she exchanged car keys for the five-seater convertible and headed for the door, "See you tomorrow."
Sunnyside High Football Locker Room, 3:30 PM
"Okay, guys, we kick ass in these, huh?" Chronos AKA Larry said as he looked over at his eleven 'jaffa primes' otherwise known as the 'jocks.' John had heard that a few of the Harris types might go as SG-1 types, and the jocks had gotten together and decided to outdo them. Especially as some of the Fondren High teams seemed to be sowing up at the Bronze later dressed as either klingons or pirates.
"Hey!" someone called out, "Where's Marcus? I mean, Apophis and the basketball team…er, Jaffa?"
"He's getting a few more of the staff things from the costume shops," Larry shouted back, "He called on his cell and said he was running behind. A bunch of the Frat and ROTC types at the college are going as Cylons, or Babylon 5 types, or something. The Mayor's party has brought out everybody."
Ethan's, 3:45 PM
"I do hope, young man, your night will be interesting," Ethan wished the young thug and his gang of delinquents, 'The Emperor and the various Sith Lords. If they don't kill each other right away, it could prove most interesting.'
Sunnydale High Staging Area, 3:45 PM
"Okay, everybody, we have one thousand kids to escort, and they're in groups of twenties," Xander called out as he saw most everybody including the grouping kids were arrived and ready, "So let's get started and it'll go faster. Nice thing, we have use of the school buses to scoot everybody to the far ends of the streets you're assigned, so you'll just work your way back. 'kay?"
Knights Convoy, near Wolfen Lake Pass, 5:55 PM
"We should be in initial positions in less than an hour, My Lord Commander," the aide reported as they passed through the mountain town.
Darth Vader and the Emperor's Hands, 6:05 PM
The general grouping of Devon, Cordelia, Harmony, Aura, Dawn (not Summers but the one who was getting friendly with exchange student Sven in the mummy episode), and Lisa, arrived back with their ten-dozen kids and proceeded to turn them over to waiting parents. Devon had complained a bit about the battery in his light saber not working, but Cordelia had not fallen for any of his lines about fixing it. The group had had a good-enough time, with the buses and a plan, there'd been no real mishaps, though Cordelia/Mara Jade had verbally torn 'Admiral Warren' a new one when she'd run into him, and had gotten a few laughs whe she'd whacked him with her fake light saber right across his fleeing rear.
"Hey, Xander?!" Devon called out to the group now arriving, bags of candy brimming full, "This light saber doesn't really seem to be working, can you take a look at it?"
"Sadly, that's best offer I've received so far tonight," Xander joked, "But I'll take a look at it in a manly way."
The Good Jedi, 6:09 PM
"I've heard that Devon is manly," Daniel Osbourne commented as the group he was in (Amber/Princess Leia, Andy/Luke Skywalker, Joy/Jedi, Lishanne/Jedi smuggler and Aphrodesia/Jedi spy) began the process of turning over unmasked children to their folks, "Though a faulty light saber should be looked at by a doctor." His deadpanned voice exacted general chuckling from the nearby escorts. Devon, hoping to score tonight, took off his Darth Vader mask to properly glare at his band-mate.
"I need to go find the 'Jedi's room,' Devon sighed, "Be back in a moment."
SG-1 Plus Friends, 6:12 PM
"Alexander," Samuel Zabuto in the attire of SG-1's Teal'c called out, "If you would be so kind as to take this large staff, I think I have a stone in my boot."
"How'd it go, Uncle Street?" Xander asked the 'Colonel O'Neill' of the group of otherwise-SWAT members, "Smooth?"
"Oh, yeah," Street responded, "It was nice doing something normal. Though the team thought it funny we're loaded up with 'silver bullets' blessed by a priest."
"Tell me about it," the young man joked as another group came up.
Duncan Macleod's Troublemakers, 6:13 PM
"Hey, Dooncan," Xander called out as Jonathan's group, (Andrew/Ritchie Ryan, Marcie/Reagan Cole, Dave/Simmons, Fritz/Fitzcairn, and Sherman/Hayoka-Coltec) arrived with successful loads of sugary goodness, "Everything go alright?"
"Yeah, 'Ramirez,'" Jonathan replied, "No problems at all, and once we get the kids going, we'll drop off radios and such at the Police Station and meet you at the Bronze?"
"Sounds good, Jon," Xander replied, as Dawn came up with the rest of their party of Immortals.
The Sith Admiral and the Dark Jedi Captains, 6:13 PM
"Okay, Captains, get the kids to their folks," Warren roughshod his compatriots, "I need to find the head on this death star."
The Mature Immortals, 6:15 PM
Xander watched as Brenda "Buffy" Macleod, Tucker Otavio Ocone" Wells, Hondo "Darius" Harris, Rupert "Robert Valincourt" Giles, Jenny "Gina Valincourt" Calendar, and Joyce "Grace Chandel" Summers walked up and promptly started turning over their charges to the appropriate adults.
Chronos and Eleven Jaffa, 6:15 PM
Larry walked up to the group and turned in his group's radio as the others ook care of kid-ridding duty. Xander noted his arrogance matched that of his costume quite well.
"Hey, Harris," the bully sneered as he threw something glittery, "You hold on to this, real men don't where bracelet things."
Xander caught the imitation hand device, and not having enough pockets, put it in his left hand and held the staff with it, then commented as Larry's group started gathering and that of the Apophis group as well.
"A guy whose costume has a skirt, I mean kilt, should have no problem with jewelry, Larry," Xander called out. He watched Larry huff and march through his 'jaffa' just like his costume would have. 'Always thought he was a snake,' the teen snickered to himself. 'Apophis' handed him the radio with a smile at Xander's remark at Larry's expense then left for the parking lot.
SHS Bathroom, 6:16 PM
'Hmmm,' Devon thought, noticing a light saber sitting on the sink before exiting to the hallway, 'I thought I'd handed that to Harris, guess I forgot.'
The Fish Tank, 6:17 PM
"Okay, you two head over to the Bronze to see if Harris is there," Jack O'Toole ordered his two friends/gang members dressed as Lord Sidious and Darth Maul, "Call me on the cell if you see him. If not, you'll find us at the school…the loser usually hangs out at the library." In his Emperor Palpatine costume he turned to Count Dooku and Darth Vader, "We'll head out in a minute and deal with the bastard." The anger radiated from the crazed young man.
SHS Library, 6:17 PM
"Well, I brought the children, safe and sound," Darla declared to the three occupants of the room, "Now what?" Angel/Connor Macleod, Edith/Amanda Devereux, Doyle/Darius turned and looked at her.
"That's good," Doyle responded, the others uncomfortable with each other and not just her, "So how's your first real day as a human again?"
"Stressful, and in this 'costume' uncomfortable and almost silly," she sighed deeply, with a grimace, "Why did everyone (referring to good guys and bad) think it fitting that I dress as a Slayer?"
"Pettiness, a way for you to feel absolution for wanting the Master to turn you," Angel offered.
"Hurt over their losses the demon exacted," Edith added, looking almost sympathetic, "And to make you realize you're human now." Darla found the Chase clothes and effects on the table, and picked up a hat and a dagger.
"But a Slayer?" she sighed again, "It just feels weird."
The Sunny Meadow Motel, 6:18 PM
"Everybody get ready," Penn ordered, "We'll grab a quick bite at the bus station across the street, then get down to business. And remember, we don't have time for you to play with your food."
The Master's Lair, 6:19 PM
The Necromancer and the Memory Changer enter the final part of the ritual, their score of guard demons alert for trespassers. Two dozen Aurelius vampires at once, including six master vampires, was a task worthy of their combined talents, and would further their standing within the Black Thorn.
Across Sunnydale, 6:20 PM
Seventeen criminals and large vampires took out the envelopes handed to them by the Mages when they'd received their costumes for tonight's work. They only needed to await the signal to open them.
Two Blocks from SHS, 6:22 PM
"Captain Holz," one of the ten burly bikers and criminals recruited from The Fish Tank the night before called out, "What weapons do you want ready first?" The hunter of Angelus and Darla was about to verbally savage the man dressed as one of his own but the question was sensible.
"Have your silver and wood shot flintlocks primed, and your silvered swords at hand," the vengeful mortal directed without turning back as they walked toward their destination.
Spike's Army, 6:23 PM
"Okay, radio the blokes on the other buses and tell them to go their assigned exits. In ten minutes, between sundown and shadows, they can just bloddy begin as planned," William the Bloody ordered, his first real attempt at wielding power, and smirked, 'Angelus always went on 'bout ths command thing, 'snot 'ard at all, actually, the big poof.'