Author's Notes: In Part 19, vampires make into but not beyond the threshold, not into the Giles' apartment. Also, the vampires did not go into the Rosenberg House, but like the team at the Summers House, remained outside. Juan Sanchez Villa Lobos Ramirez, not the reversed names.
Sorry the times are a bit back and forth, but I'm trying to keep the story parts together by type or location.
The Pack, since I never found last names, are: Kyle Richards, Tor Carter, Heidi Hogan and Rhonda MacGyver.
Oops! Can't believe I left out this part, so it's here now…
The Bronze, 6:35PM
Kyle Richards Ramirez of Wolves House gasped as though returning from a death as he looked over at his fellow pack of Immortals. Tor, Heidi and Rhonda were similarly recovering. Their mentor/father/pack leader was nowhere to be seen, but they could all feel Magnus and the others nearby.
"Kyle, What –" Rhonda began, cut off as some kind of disturbance broke out at the entrance to the club. A bunch of…Battlestar Galactica Colonial Warriors were backing into the club, firing blasters at unknown opponents outside. They looked like the bunch they were expecting from UC Sunnydale or Fondren High but…
"Tor, Heidi, check the back exit for possible escape route," Kyle ordered, "I think that's where I'm picking up Magnus and his pack from. We'll start getting the rest of the kids toward you if things get bad. Break it down if you hafta."
Rhonda followed Kyle's example of drawing a revolver and steel as they headed for a large white-haired man dressed in black who seemed to be directing the 'Colonial Warriors.'
"Sir!" Kyle addressed the man as they came up to him. The collection of fifteen brown jackets and two black-clothed personnel seemed to have temporarily barricaded the entrance in only a few minutes. The man turned, took note of the primitively-armed nature of the two young people approaching him. As Tye and Athena were successfully handling the surprise combat, Adama addressed the newcomers.
"I'm Commander Adama, can you tell me where we are?" the older man asked in heavily accented and oddly inflected English, gesturing around. Kyle raised an eyebrow, but noticed the man seemed quite serious.
"You are in an establishment for teenagers, Sunnydale, California…" Kyle indicated, then went for broke, "Planet Earth." 'Adama's' eyes looked hopeful at this last part.
"Earth?" Adama responded as two of his subordinates showed up, "The Thirteenth Colony?"
"Well, I don't know about that, but why do you guys speak English?" Kyle replied as Tor called out from the back, Magnus and the wolves entering with him.
"About a month ago we started picking up audio and audio-video signals and have been learning this 'English' as fast as we can," Adama explained. He frowned, "But we do not know how or why we are suddenly here. We were in-between systems and suddenly find ourselves fighting Cylons."
"I'm sure whatever it is that caused this will sort itself," Kyle responded, "And we are of Wolves House…I'm Kyle and these are Tor and Rhonda. The great wolf is Magnus. How many enemies do you have outside?" Adama looked over to Tye and Apollo, raising an eyebrow.
"About fifteen, Commander," the older of the two replied, "And it looks like a Cylon Commander is here with Baltar." Apollo cursed and Adama winced with a sigh, "But for now we have denied access to this place."
Kyle looked at Magnus and the wolves, all of whom seemed calmer than at first.
"Well, I guess unless these Cylons are likely to go after the general populace, we should probably secure the building and wait for help to arrive," Kyle offered as a suggestion, "Rhonda, take a few of these…friends…with you and have them help you with barricading the back door, then see if you can get 'Father' on the phone."
The Knights of Byzantium, 7:00 PM
"My Lord Commander, the teams have cleared the first eight ramps into Sunnydale and are ready to move in toward the High School," his aide reported, "They are coming into contact with vampires or are helping pull survivors out of some damaged businesses."
"For now, minimize rescue operations," the Knight Commander directed, unhappy at such a necessity, "The forces are still in the Sixes allocation we'd previously decided (6 Team personnel, 6 Knights and 6 mounted squires, 2 drivers and 4 groomsmen/mounted infantry in the trucks and horse trailers assigned)?" At his aide's nod he continued, "Have them slowly work their way to catch up with and destroy the demonic afflictors, then as possible make haste at that point to the High School which our intel shows seems to be at or near the center of the Hell Mouth."
"Yessir!" the aide saluted and radioed orders. 'Definitely a night to remember…'
WH Teams across Central Sunnydale, 7:00 PM
WH Team One received the Omega Nine Stand Down Call and made contact with the other comm-active teams. Team One continued pressing its way toward the High School.
WH Team Two dragged his team leader out of the building with two minutes to spare before the house blew up. Responding to the Omega call, the drivers recklessly drove in the direction of the school, hoping for radio confirmation regarding the success or failure of other teams.
WH Team Three, consisting of the drivers and four vampires, responded to Team Eight's call for support as it was on the way toward the school. The drive through the crowded chaos and gunfire by teenage-soldiers proved difficult, but they managed to get within a block before the windshield of the lead vehicle caused a swerve and crash into a light post, causing the others to secure the site and attempt to gauge the vehicle's usability versus bunching up in the others.
SHS Parking Lot, 7:10 PM
WH Team Four forced its way into the parking lot of the school, parking very close to the now-emptied Watcher vehicles. Six mercs and twelve vampires leap out and scramble into formation, intending to take the ambushing Watcher team from behind and hopefully fulfill this part of the mission. They notice some suited individuals talking to the surviving Watcher's team, and that it is responding to a fight they cannot see. Team Five moving alongside, both units move toward the fighting. 'Where Watchers are, there must be the Slayer,' the senior officer considered, 'And the Hell Mouth at that point is ours until we can regroup and get out.'
WH Team Six raced away from the teen club in their remaining two vehicles, the others burning as the chrome guys and the knights with bazookas started to engage each other. Down two vampires from staff weapon hits, team six rallied though out of its element.
WH Team Seven drivers using carefully placed smaller charges, rushing into the house, manage to grab four mercs overcome by gas. Reaching the cars, the drivers remotely detonated the explosives, sending Xander Harris' home into oblivion.
Fire Station #2, 7:00 PM (Spike's Vampires)
The paramedic vehicle came to a stop after crushing into dust four vampires and injuring three more. Unfortunately, vampires are strong, and even as four firemen grabbed axes and moved in, the three standing vampires concentrated on reaching into the cab of the paramedic vehicle to kill both driver and passenger by ripping out their throats.
""Get 'em!" the firemen cried, charging at the vampires, axes swinging hard, "Make 'em sorry!"
"Hell with that, make 'em dead!" another called out, removing a limb and burying the axe deep into the right side of the beast. The other two firemen charged in and swung from opposite sides at the same time as the vampire turned form killing the paramedic in the passenger seat…scratch one vampire in a very messy way. Unfortunately, the three injured vampires started to recover. The humans hesitated until on reached into the sideboard of the paramedic vehicle and grabbed two flares, lighting them and handing them to his compatriots while reaching for another.
"Run vamps, it's burnin' time," one of the firemen sneered and charged. The vampires, eyesight a bit stunned from the sudden bright light, stepped back awkwardly, just long enough for three firemen to lunge with flares to enemy faces.
Whoosh-thunk-thunk-poof-poof a sword sliced through the air and decapitated two vampires from behind, causing the two remaining vampires and their human driver to race away on foot. The firemen greeted the newcomer with wary nods.
"Hi, I'm Adam Pierson," the dark-haired man with an inadequate haircut introduced himself, "And I hope someone can tell me what's going on."
Phone Company, 7:00 PM, (Spike's Vampires)
Having jumped the curb and rammed the bus into the main entrance of the phone company, vampires piled out of the bus, the poor security guard drawing his service revolver and opening up into the chest of the first 'man' charging him, getting very lucky and destroying heart, throat and spinal column in the neck, dusty the aggressive minion as its 'master' followed behind and ended his life quickly.
Pouring through the building of this regional hub for the coast that duplicated as the central office for all of Sunnydale, the vampires quickly sought to kill any late workers and set fire to every office they passed.
Twelve minutes later, the vampires had finally ignited the whole office building, only to find the actual switching equipment was in the other building. Annoyed, the vampires charged across the common yard and forced their way through the doors, but only after four water cooler bottles and three very large spools had been pushed out of a large window two stories up. Three vampires dusted as their heads were completely destroyed, and two more injured for the moment as the hourly workers exacted a toll.
The vampires lost another when one of the undead started chasing a fleeing human, only to find several gallons of water on the floor and electric cables dropped to electrically shock the vampire, which fell to the floor and writhed until the cables shorted and it was stabbed through with a mop handle. Breaking into the last corridor, the vampires saw a human duck into a narrow equipment corridor and shuffle sideways toward the other end where all the remaining personnel seemed to be hiding out. Eight vampires shuffled down the corridor, firing their Saturday night specials to keep the humans from trying anything else tricky. It worked well until one round shot into a large capacitor next to which two of his fellow vamps were passing. Between pain and surprise, the vampires turned and bumped into two vampires next to them, knocking them into the exposed electrical on the side of the corridor they'd managed to avoid so far. ka-zap, pop pop pop-ka-zap and four vampires burst into flames and dust. By seven-twenty, the four vampires watched as the remaining humans escaped in a plethora of vehicles, leaving none of their people behind alive. One of the vampires turned and threw a large shutdown switch, and landline communications ceased.
Sunnydale International Airport, 7:00 PM (Spike's Vampires)
People in the main terminal died. Security reacted slowly but with effort, guns tearing into the vampires, some of whom fired back as many human civilians made for the exits successfully in the critical first minutes. Within the half-hour three of ten vampires had gone to final death as human efforts at most slowed the inevitable destruction of property. Two cooks in a chain hamburger concession managed to throw two buckets of boiling grease at charging vampires, causing the undead to writhe in agony. Two mop handles later, and the minimum wage workers were safely running into the parking lot with two scared families they'd coaxed along on the way out.
Ten minutes later, and the building shook as fuel tanks started to blow up from sabotage, spreading fire and toxic chemicals everywhere. Vampires rushed planes and ignored the service complex as unimportant, causing general mayhem.
By seven twenty-five, four planes of passenger size, including the Watcher's, after a fight that eliminated five vampires, were burning and blowing up. The air traffic control tower radioed for help, claiming terrorist activity, then sealed up their building.
Wilkins Water Company, 7:05 PM (Spike's Vampires)
The vampires entered the near-automated facility pretty much empty. The security guard, alerted by the gate alarm, had noticed the large bus full of people heading toward the front of the building. Seeing from his windows the deformed faces of the trespassers, he'd sounded an evacuation, and over the intercom warned the three others on duty to evacuate out the back door. Seven minutes later, only vampires occupied the premises, and stared dumbly at most of what they found, settling for office fires and general vandalism until one of them found the central console, hit the emergency shut-off, then shot up the console to keep it off. Half an hour and already it was boring.
Summers House, 7:05 PM, (Spike's Vampires)
Four vampires of the twenty-four survived the WH-rigged detonation of charges that obliterated the Summers House. Spike picked himself up off the asphalt in front of his bus, and swore many a vile word before regaining control. Half his vampires with him were dust, and his anger pure.
"Let's go that club, The Bronze," he ordered, "And destroy that and kill us a slayer somewhere. One of you get on the radio and tell the gang heading toward it to just get there now."
Pacific Power, Wilkins Area Substation, 6:55PM (Spike's Vampires)
The fifteen vampires looked on in dismay as four security guards behind the massive steel-grilled doors waved over eight vampires to show themselves as the LA minions looked on. Calculating the odds, the LA team scouted out options for a few minutes, then turned the bus around.
Radio Hill, 7:06 PM, (Spike's Vampires)
Only two minions had managed to electrocute themselves into fire and dust before the four technicians were drained, the power shut off and controls destroyed. The vampires looked around at each other, shrugged, and got in the bus to head back into the town.
The Port of Sunnydale, 6:55 PM (Spike's Vampires)
The minion in charge of the dock attack was disappointed that very few humans were around to eat or torture. He'd sent two of his boys up the street toward what looked like a country club a few blocks from the gate to the docklands. Fifteen minutes passed before they reported back.
"Some type of costume party, and it's a mess," one of the minions informed him, "Lot's of fine women though."
"It's quiet enough here. Send the Compton Cowboys over to set some fires, especially the fuel tanks. We'll invite ourselves over to this party, and have a bite. And we might as well burn our way there."
Penn and his ten minions, 7:15 PM
Penn and his minions had expediently made off with a bus and forced their way through traffic in not too great a time when they crashed through the parking lot, up over the curb and on towards the rear of the library. It came as a surprise when in the headlights, a mixed group of humans and vampires turned and fired at the bus as it mowed through them.
First Avenue, Happy Meadow Liquors, 7:10 PM,
The Knight Team Three scooted out of the back of the trucks, having finally encountered real evidence of hostile activity, the Captain sent pairs to the left and right of the building, looking for either survivors to be assisted, or lingering enemy presence. The trucks and trailers semi-circled out in the street as pair three knocked in the front door, falling back before the heat and smoke of the growing inferno. Three minutes later, as the Horsemen secured the next intersection and began searching for serious threats, pair on brought a man back from the right-rear of the building.
"Who or what did this?" asked the Captain directly, gesturing at the building.
"I, uh, gang members did this," the clerk replied, "Really strong gang bangers." The Captain gritted his teeth, then sighed as he stared at the man.
"Did these gang members wear yellow contact lenses?" he further queried. The man nodded slowly, leading to the next question, "And did they head further down the street?" At the man's nod, the Captain pulled out his map with notes on it and began looking at what might be targets along the way until he'd be expected to rein in toward the Hell Mouth. 'Let's see, this liquor store, a chapel, the post office, a cemetery, a small synagogue, a bar, a fire station. Hmm, then if I turn on Mabel, we'll pass Sunnydale Acres cemetery, and a bunch of houses before the Double-Meat Palace
Fourth Avenue, 7:10 PM
Knight Four made its way along the street, as possible moving people to safety and treating wounds before pressing forward. So far, they were about ten or so minutes and the gap was opening as they lent comfort to the civilians.
Seventh Avenue, 7:05 PM
Knight Five, like Knight Four, moved as quickly as practicable until they converged with Knight Six at Postal Square…
Tenth Avenue, 7:05 PM
Knight Six, with Knight Four, paused before deploying, as they watched a large white dog-eared demon dressed in US Postal Service attire, leading a repulse by a mixed US Postal force of five humans and six demons against thirtyy-five vampires trying to get at the place with torches and guns.
The Knight Lieutenant of Six, senior in rank, ordered his force in on the side of the mail workers, not believing his ears as they reached melee range, the charge spooking and smashing the vampire cohesiveness. A human turned toward the dog-eared demon and made cracks about it being Clem's last day on the job.
"Hey, knock it off," the friendly but currently vamp-killing demon complained, "Four more hours and I'm retired, Bruce."
"Oh, yeah, for kitten poker," the dog-loving cat-hating oxymoron of a postal deliverer jibed as he kneecapped a newbie vampire, "And, Star Trek conventions…"
"Hey!" Clem complained, "I can go out in public and everybody is equal. And besides," he added, beheading three vampires at once with a sword dropped by a knight, "Show a little respect for the forty-year man."
Thirteenth Avenue, Bus Station, 7:10 PM (Spike's Vampires)
Knight Seven, moving swiftly beyond the bloodied bus station, raced forward down the avenue until they noted a group of vampires and demons, maybe twenty in number, moving toward the reported Postal battle. The Knight in charge, ordered the team and support to follow closely the large group as he and his fellow knights trotted down a side street for the possibility of a flank charge trough and back.
Sixteenth Avenue
Knight Eight sounded the charge, knights bearing down hard and fast into the drinking and fornicating vampires and demons outside Willy's Alibi Room, crashing through the most pathetic of Spike's vampires. The noise drew the attention of nearby bar patrons, who like most demons, quickly ran away to avoid trouble. Five minutes later, the Knights had suffered a single fatality to over twenty vampires and their new demon friends being eliminated.
Wilkins Boulevard, 7:15 PM
Knight Team Two charged into middle of the street, hacking and shooting the vampires who'd begun attacking a traffic jam of families returning home from parties and such. The vampires went down quickly under the sudden coordinate barrage, but managed to seriously wound two knights and a squire with knives and poorly kept firearms.
Sunnydale Drive, 7:20 PM
Knight Team One finally caught up with a large group of about ten vampires that'd had an easy time of setting fire to a few cars and broken in the windows of some really boring store fronts, just as they two forces arrived in the vicinity of the Police Station.
First Californian International Bank, 7:15 PM
The Costumed Kuyler, Kassim and O'Rourke cleared out most of the easy lootables, sufficient duffle bags available to carry out without too much notice. A parked car outside the entrance proved an easy wire for the men, and they were getting in when they felt on odd pulling sensation, a calling. They stared at each other.
"We will investigate this," Kassim suggested, "If it's the Gathering, we wil spread out and engage others first, and only after that meet as foes. Fair enough?" The others nodded, driving slowly toward the school.
The Good Jedi, 7:15 PM
Han and his Jedi had moved away in the opposite direction as the militia, making a careful circuit of the complex, as possible quickly striking to prevent death and violence. Half an hour had passed, short vicious animal pre-sentient groups being compelled to retreat after easier targets. Han managed to angle the rescued into what appeared to be primitive classrooms for their safety. Now, they closed in on what seemed to be projectile weapons fire, and the screams made it imperative that they intervene soon. Suddenly the Force types grimaced and wavered a moment, himself slightly swaying from a feeling of great evil he'd not felt since…
"Vader…" Han said, looking to his wife, who with wide eyes nodded.
"If the dark force that was in our father has been matched by another," Luke considered, "We have to do whatever it takes to end it."
Dark-Siders, 7:15 PM
Lord Sreem regain consciousness in a foul mood, but quickly felt a surge of Dark Force in the immediate vicinity, and to his surprise a few Jedi as well. Gaining his feet again, he turned to his followers. We'll move on the source of that Power. Kill anything that gets in our way."
SG-1 Plus Friends, 6:58 PM
O'Neill and Carter were stunned as much by Teal'c's uncharacteristic breaking of cover as by the sudden and brutal firefight that overtook the small groups. Teal'c's scream of rage and pain at the loss of his left hand marked the immediate end of the fight as Carter called out that she'd check the fallen even as Jack mad his way to the cafeteria building doorway. Inside, Chronos and his three remaining Jaffa made their way toward a similar set of doors across the large chamber, tipping over tables and chairs to block eemy advance should such occur, only to see more Tau'ri pour in from that same point.
Apophis and Eleven Jaffa, Outside of the Bronze, 7:00 PM
Apophis watched as his Jaffa downed six of the shiny attackers at the cost of only two wounded downed. Sensing an inability to achieve hs objectives, the false god called out to his Jaffa to retreat away.
Two vehicles disabled, the WH Team used the opportunity to double-up, back up, and race away up the street to take a slightly longer way to the school.
"Centurion!" Baltar/Parker called out as he watched the 'knights' get away, "After them!" The chrome fighters shifted from the firing positions, and began heading in slow but steady pursuit.
"By your command…"
Ramirez and the Immortals, 7:00 PM
Juan Sanchez Villa Lobos Ramirez and his recovering band made their way to the cafeteria. His cell phone rang as they reached it, and he gestured Darius to proceed while he took the call.
"Ramirez…"
"What?! Cylons?!"
"Let Magnus and Kyle know we'll try to get to this 'Bronze' when we can."
"I don't know, but Darius said something about alternate realities, but it might just be partial amnesia, I woke from banging my head on the ground when this started."
Gunfire and energy weapons exchanges seemed to come out of the 'cafeteria' along with a couple of arrogant shouts in a deep voice.
"I seem to be at a high school library. Uh-huh, Uh-huh, yes we'll try to get their soon. Call me in fifteen minutes or so if you don't here from me. Bye."
Ramirez pocketed his phone and peeked into the building to find three figures retreating into what seemed to be an institutional kitchen, while three Immortals and a hostile were on the floor. A man in uniform with an assault rifle seemed to be covering the far door and tending to a screaming black man's damaged hand.
Ramirez called out to Darius to secure the area and check on the fallen enemy as he himself carefully made his way to the other side of the building. He stopped about twenty feet from the two men as a blonde woman in fatigues came up behind them.
'Halloo, there," Ramirez called to them, "I'm thinking we're not enemies…Colonel. Have you any idea what's going on?" Colonel O'Neill looked over at the three people who were suddenly gasping back to life across the room, then back to Ramirez. "They're not what you think."
Colonel O'Neill eased his head back toward Carter without taking his eyes or weapon off of the possible hostile.
"Carter? Whadaya think?" he asked his 2IC.
"Well, Sir," the Captain began quietly, "I don't really know. Usually the…you know whats jump hosts, and can't heal that fast. And it's just the two of us with Teal'c and four prisoners."
"Colonel," Ramirez called out, "I should point out that we can simply agree to stay on our own sides of the building for now? We ran in here thinking we'd be safe from the chaos outside, and will be leaving in a few minutes to meet our friends. And there's probably a service entrance through which the… Goa'uld will make their escape into the general population. And since you are unable to take care of your wounded man, prisoners and pursue our mutual enemy…I propose to handle this last task for you." He backed away slowly, still facing the two Air Force officers.
"How do you know them if you aren't," Carter asked as O'Neill replied, "Why would you do that?"
"Because I was there the last time a Goa'uld named Set tried to unbury the damn thing," Ramirez grimaced and left.
Five minutes later, O'Neill heard the sounds of multiple blasts, shouts and side arms being fired. Then some swearing and another five minutes, a singed group of 'people' came out with the remaining Jaffa and the body of Chronos.
"Well, Colonel," Ramirez said as he and his companions dropped the bodies on the floor, "Here are your pets, remember to clean up after their messes." He then handed over two coffee cans duct-taped to face each other, "And we managed to coax the evil little rascal into these. He didn't care for my suggestion that I start stabbing into the neck very well, and this was his only chance at possible life or escape…so we'll be seeing you."
Across the large room they watched as a young black woman who'd taken a staff blast to her side suddenly gasped and woke up.
"Who are you guys?" Carter asked quickly, only Ramirez turning around, "What did you mean you were here the last time?"
"We're friends, Captain," the Immortal answered with a twinkle in his eye, "And I've called this world home for a couple…years. Good night."
A Block from the High School, 7:12 PM
"Do you feel that, Apprentice?" the Sith Lord addressed his protégé, "That surge of Power, that is our destination and possibly the way to our own world." The other Sith nodded deeply his compliance.
Hillcrest Cemetery, 7:15 PM
The Emperor Palpatine and Lord Vader walked through the forested area along a path leading eventually to the Master's destination. Twice the yellow-eyes had approached, and each time a simple raised hand shot out a burst of force lightning into their midst, taking the fight out of them as a few dusted each time.
"I am becoming annoyed, Vader," he said to Vader, "We'll exterminate the yellow-eyes when we get a chance."
Captain Holz Versus the Aurelians, 7:05 PM
Holz watched as two dozens vampires, including Angelus approaching the school. With only ten men, his position might be tenuous at best, but if he removed Angelus to Hell it wouldn't matter. As the gunfight near the Library had died down, it seemed best to retreat therein and restrict he vampires to a few at a time.
Nest and his minions swaggered toward the location of his recent demise, aware that the town was for some reason in chaos. Smiling at his followers, he smiled sickeningly sweet, "Let's dine on the Hell Mouth, shall we?"
A couple of minutes later, Holz having realized his mistake, pulled his men around a corner until the beasts were at the door. The magicians had mentioned a Hell Mouth, and likely it was around here somewhere if so many vampires moved so swiftly toward a goal. Gesturing, his men moved out and formed a kneeling and standing file, seconds later opening fire into the moving corpses only twenty feet away and clustered together. Parts of the undead flew, screams erupted, the modern weapons serving a purpose before Holz charged forward, men following their captain, stakes and bladed weapons in hand.
Watcher's Main Vehicle, 7:05 PM
"Reginald, look there, I believe that's Angelus and that seems to be…The Master," Clayton declared, "But in his more human form as our older texts illustrate."
"So what's your point, Your Grace," Wyndham-Price snap, "Vampires are vampires."
"But this one has wanted to open the Hell Mouth, and is marching to take control of it right now," the Duke asserted, reaching for a wooden sword and crossbow, "Arm yourself, Reginald, it's time for you to lead us into the fray."
"To what purpose," the Watcher-In-Charge sputtered.
"To save the World, Reginald," the Duke smiled sadly, "If you survive, you'll probably succeed Travers." Reginald noted his son's expectant look.
"Let's go, then," Wyndham-Pryce grimaced as the six prepared to meet their possible deaths.
SHS Library 7:10 PM
Watcher Team Three note gunshots from further around the corner of the building. Team Leader Michaels sighs as the entire Watcher party, armed with antiques, moves up and takes charge.
"We need to kill the vampires attacking the front of this structure," Reginald asserted, "Now, we're right behind you."
'Of course you are,' the modern fighter mentally sighed as he gestured his men forward. As the gunfire ceased and screams and fighting heard around the corner, the English moved around and began carefully pouring fire into fringe undead before engaging directly hand-to-hand.
SHS Library Stacks, 7:12 PM
'Buffy' and Darius remained as quiet as they could, peeking out into the library as her possessed friends and classmates found themselves engaged in combat against the Master, an apparently evil Angel, Luke and the Anointed One. Darius pointed to where the bodies of Angel and Edith suddenly seemed to revive, gasping for breath. The Slayer and Immortal exchanged a look, and with the monk firing what ammo they had, raced to enjoin in combat their undead enemies.
A dozen vampires left at the door as another dozen engage Anakin and the four Hands. The Hands inflict killing blows, but not against vampires, and it comes as a surprise to find a level playing field for the moment. Nest with Angelus and Colin with him reach the Hell Mouth, Angelus suddenly smiling as guns are fired and a blonde leaps in front of him. Nest chants and intones as Angelus begins to banter, and a monk heads in to help the Hands hold off the undead.
"Hello, Lover," Angelus greets Buffy that is in Darla's body, "Too late to stop us." He is surprised when with tears in her eyes, lunges forward and barely misses his heart. Angelus staggers back in shock, "You're of sterner stuff if lousy aim, now, Slayer."
The body of Angel gets off the floor and draws a sword, the woman next to him doing the same. The woman says, "I don't know who you are, but we don't have to fight."
"Aye, then lass," Connor Macleod of the Clan Macleod replied, "It would be best I'm thinkin' that we cut the heads off some vampires." She smiles back at him, nods and charges in.
Captain Holz and five men survive the battle at the door, seven vampires dusted by he and his, and six by modern fighters. He steps forward and offers his hand, "Captain Holz, in pursuit of Angelus."
"Michaels, Watcher's Council…" the other fighter begins, to be interrupted by another Englishman.
"Wyndham-Price, I'm in charge," the officious man broke in, "Shall we finish this inside the Library after the vampires have been dealt with?"
Police Station, 7:03 PM
The Immortals caught the vampires by surprise, cutting deeply and forcing the undead deep to within the building. Twice, they'd nearly lost their impetus when a few Immortals had died swiftly, but reviving moments later, it was the vampires who'd been surprised with decapitations from their rear.
Inside the building, it was difficult to determine if any cohesiveness to the police force remained, though gunfire, the sounds of equipment damage and screams let the Immortals know in which directions to press their relief. Police officers wounded and held the demons, but never for long as too few of them really knew how to deal with the night shift activities.
They made excellent progress, when a tugging sensation seemed to pull at the Immortals, slowing their success.
"Do you feel that?" Richie asked Hayoka, "What is that?"
"It could be the Gathering," the shaman responded, "But let's link up with the others. We should not challenge each other or let ourselves be drawn into fighting each other until we know the real situation…this feels…evil."
The Gang of Five, Police Station Yard, 7:15 PM
Jacob Kell and his gang recovered the initiative and with it swiftly cleared the yard of their foes. Then they felt the presence of a half-dozen Immortals within the building as suddenly, something dark began pulling at each of them.
"It may be the Gathering," Kell informed his minions, "We will wade in and kill all the others before turning on ourselves." They bowed to their liege and marched out the gates.
City Hall, 7:16 PM
The Costumed Jacob Kell and his Gang finished their investigation as to location and situation, turning up a few thousand American dollars, but unable to contact by phone any of their normal contractors. Kell gave up, when all of a sudden a strong dark force tugged at his very being, and noted that his minions seemed equally affected.
"We will investigate this sensation," the leader declared, "And will ieliminate whatever gets in our way." The others nodded.
Fire Station #4, 7:00 PM
The Costumed Kurgan left the station, sword in hand and within a few minutes, near an overturned bus surrounded by vampires, came face to face with Devin Marck. Oth knowing what was to be, they simply charged and began swinging as ten vampires began to gather around and bet on the outcome. Slash-parry, feint-stab, and many minor wounds being inflicted, the Kurgan after his fight at the fire station having tired him from using his full strength. Back and forth they went, occasionally stabbing or decapitating vampires that got in too close, four dusted within twenty minutes as finally the Kurgan's greater ferocity overcame his opponent as the vampires finally tired of waiting.
The quickening was impressive enough, and to a lone Immortal that despised the Kurgan who approached, it provided amusement. Lightning bug-zapped each of the remaining six vampires in succession, eliminating one small threat to the town.
Fire Station #1, 7:15 PM
Fire Station One wouldn't really be able to respond much to any calls, as only two of twelve were battered but alive, and two badly hurt but stabilized as the last three vampires fled into the night after suffering many painful wounds from the fire axes. The firemen hoped that not too much would happen near the docks tonight.
Mayor's Ball, 7:16 PM
"General Chamberlain!" the Colonel/Riley Finn called out, "We have finally repelled the demons at last, Sir. What are your orders, our scouts show those pirates heading for the docks of this strange town, and another group of arsonists in dark clothing, possibly moving on us or the pirates."
"Very well," General Joshua Chamberlain considered, "You have the weapons appropriated from the strange soldiers in black and have determined how to use them?" The Colonel nodded. "Good. Leave Four each of Blue and Gray here to maintain order. Then with Lieutenant Miller as your second, please rein in mischief in the waterfront. If too outnumbered, retreat."
"Yes sir, General," Finn replied, 'And after this I think I'll take up my father-in-law's offer of a farm stake in Iowa. This is just too much.'
Mayor's Ball, 7:24 PM
The six remaining vampires of Watcher Team Nine watched as the blue and gray soldiers thinned their numbers to pursue the pirates.
Los Angeles and the Archducal Mansion, 7:25PM
"My Lord, the attack has been quite successful. Twenty-five thousands are obeying your orders. From what we can gather, at some cost you have eliminated all criminal competition in Southern California, though the killing part is still going on, and the human reporters are giving rioting as the cause of the damage and deaths."
"What of the Hell Mouth and the Lawyers?"
"Your minions will reach Sunnydale within half an hour to an hour, and the Wolf, Ram, Hart building is half-taken. So much for their Halloween Party; the disloyal elements in the pay of your rivals are no doubt already dead with virtually every other member of the Circle of the Black Thorn. The charges have been set throughout the garage and lobby levels for detonation within the hour. And that little surprise should be arriving any moment now."
An angry metallic fluttering was heard outside the window shutters, and as Sebassis directed their opening, watched as four black helicopters fire missiles at him and his Mansion.
"How unfortunate…a tie."
Wolfram and Hart Building, 7:26 PM
Holland Manners was finishing up his meeting with Glorificus when his intercom buzzed. This time it was his Head of Security.
"Sir, the protocoled response is reported successful, but the Party itself is about to come under attack," the human informed him over the comm unit, "What are your directions?" The executive was about to answer when a small plane of all things flew through the window and killed him, splattering him all over Glorificus and her minions.
"My dress!" the Hell Goddess shrieked. She picked up the lawyer's head and threw it out the window, "Look what you did…everybody dies!"
"Sir? Mr. Manners?" the intercom transmitted again, a fist then smashing it hard.