Part three: Egon's lie

The mayor stared blankly at the innumerable reports, faxes, records and scrawled notes littering his desk as before him a hoard of specialists argued in a loud hum.

Occasionally he caught the odd word but he didn't really need to listen at all to follow the conversation. It was clear by their tone that they had no idea what was going on, they were all panicking.

They had good reason to. Out in the street the citizens of New York were in grave danger. Something had taken a hold of the city. Outside the window a swarm of people were marching; patrolling in groups, searching for anyone foolish enough to be outside on a night like this and assimilating them into the group.

A sudden movement caught the mayor's attention. He flicked his head up as the bishop slammed his fist down on his desk with such force that the long windows overlooking the city rattled. The room fell silent as everyone turned expectantly to face him.

"Nearly half of the city has joined this cult!" He said urgently, straightening his hat which had slipped when he beat his fist on the table. "It is a violent and dangerous cult and it is down to the police to sort this..."

"Oh no.!" Police chief Masque cut across. "This isn't our mess! These people are clearly under the influence of a mind altering drug of some sort. Obviously this is the work of terrorists. The army…"

The mayor broke into stop the endless roll of blame shifting. "It is quiet clear what this is about." He said to the hushed crowd. "I'm no expert but I would say these people have been possessed."

"Sir," A young aide cut in "You can't honestly believe..."

"Son, how long have you been in my office?"

The young man stammered slightly "A... about three month's sir."

"Not long enough to remember Gozer then?" The boy shook his head. "In that case you have no right to tell me what I should believe. Most of you in this room know exactly what happened that day. I know the official word is that toxic gasses caused mass hallucinations but we all know different."

The group nodded and murmured their agreement, though each of them hated to admit it this was far beyond their expertise. The mayor reached across is desk to the bright red phone by his wife's photo. Good god he hoped she was home safe. He lifted the receiver and punched in the number for the Ghostbusters. It rang and rang...


"Will someone answer that damn phone?" Peter yelled his back pressed against the front door of the firehouse which was shaking violently as the angry mob outside pounded at it. He prayed they didn't have a battering ram. Janine ran over leaving the others pushing hard against the door, even Slimer was trying, though he just kept passing through.

"Not now!" She spat angrily into the receiver. The boys listened closely to her side of the conversation as an angry voice shot back down the line

"Oh Mr. Mayor" Janine sighed "Yes we had noticed… why do you automatically assume it's our fault…? Yes we know what's doing it. We're trying to sort it…now? We can't really make it sir… Well the entire buildings surrounded and they're trying to break down the door."

"I've changed my mind." Peter called, "Don't answer the phone" The door surged again.

"A helicopter?" Janine nodded "That sounds like a great idea. Just hurry will you!"

She slammed down the phone and turned to the others. "He's sending a helicopter. It'll be on the roof in five minuets."

Winston pushed hard as the door shuddered again. "Lets hope we last that long." He grunted. Then as if by magic the noise stopped. The Ghostbusters looked wearily at each other. Experience had taught them that this wasn't a good sign.

Their suspicions were confirmed as an almighty bang rocked the door, knocking them all off balance.

"I knew it." Peter moaned, getting to his feet. "They have a battering ram! What now?"

"The roof." Egon prompted grabbing Janine's wrist as he passed her he lead the way up the stairs. "Only take what we need. Packs and traps!"

They all gathered what they could on the way upstairs. Passing through the kitchen Slimer grabbed as much as he could.

"Put down the cake you little..." Peter began as he lifted his fully charged pack onto his back but was cut off mid insult as a crash of splintering wood erupted from downstairs.

"They're inside!" He cried to the others.

They dropped everything and scrambled wildly up the final flight of stairs to the roof. Slimer arrived at the door first. He passed hurriedly through leaving behind a splodge of slime and the packet of chips he had been carrying. Next came Ray, yanking the door open he moved swiftly through exposing them all to the cool night air. It was a cloudless night so the few stars that could be seen through the glowing nightlights of the city that never sleeps were clearly visible. Peter pushed Janine through then followed with Winston at their heels but Egon stopped at the doorway. His eyes widened in shock. He had clearly forgotten something.

"The books!" he gasped.

"No time Spengs!" Peter said with a warning tone. "They're inside."

But Egon didn't care he turned on his heel heading back down. "Without the books we don't stand a chance!" he yelled over his shoulder.

"No!" Janine screamed after him and shot forward. Peter grabbed her and held her back.

"I'll go!" He said urgently. "You get into the helicopter the second it lands. They just want you so me and Egon will be fine."

"You can't believe that!" Janine shook her head.

"No." Peter omitted. "But it sounded convincing, right?"

He didn't wait for an answer. He was already shooting off down the concrete stairway after Egon.

As expected he found Egon in his lab. There were two entrances to the lab. One led to the stairwell up to the roof, the other onto the landing. Egon had dragged his desk in front of that entrance to form a temporary barricade but it didn't look like it would hold. Already it had been pushed forward slightly. Arms curled through the gap, scratching at the air like zombies in a horror movie. As Peter entered Egon was kneeling in front of his bookshelf cramming a pile of books into a large bag.

"Time to go Egon!" He said urgently. A whirling noise from the roof told him that the helicopter had arrived. "Our rides here."

As Egon pulled the zipper and rose to follow there was a scraping noise across the room. Egon's heavy desk had been pushed aside by the angry mob who were squeezing one by one through the small gap they had made between the desk and door. Clutching the bag Egon joined Peter and the two me bolted for the door.

Thagard's followers were swift. Peter felt one grab his ankle as he scrambled up the stirs. He kicked back and felt its grip slacken. He looked back to see a young woman clutching her bleeding nose.

"Hey," He called to Egon as they reached the roof. "I think I used to date her."

"It wouldn't surprise me." Egon yelled over the whir of the blades. Hair flying all over the place they dived into the chopped as it lifted from the ground.

A few of Thagards quicker followers had made it to the roof before they were a few feet off of the ground. A bulky man in a checked red shirt grabbed the side and tried to haul himself in. Winston was waiting for him. His rod aimed right between the mans eyes.

"I really wouldn't!" He growled.

The man gave an angry bellow and relinquished his grip, falling back down to the roof with a bump. He stared back at them for a moment, eyes wide with shock and fear. Then just like the man earlier that afternoon he exploded .Janine, Slimer and the Ghostbusters watched in horror as those who had made it to the roof, unphased by the large mans death turned in unison and headed back down the stairs.

"Creepy!" Ray muttered. Janine had a little more sympathy.

"Poor people." She sighed. She couldn't help but feel responsible. Half of her wished that they had taken her, that way it would all be over. Egon was watching her closely and seemed to be reading her mind. He reached across and took her hand but she wasn't comforted. It just made things harder.

She turned her face way and looked at the stars whizzing past, the bright lights of the city down below and sighed sadly Holding Egons hand on a beautiful starlit night was a dream come true. Shame it would probably be her last.


People yelled in terror and backed away to the edge of the room, sinking back as far as they could as the disheveled Ghostbusters marched into the Mayors office Slimer first.

"What the hell is that?" Police chief demanded.

"It's a ghost." Winston shrugged.

"Aren't you supposed to kill them?"

"Well no," Ray smiled, "They're already dead. This one here is Slimer, he's ours."

"You keep it as a pet?" The Bishop asked, struggling to keep the look of distain from his face.

"We use him for research purposes." Ray explained. "Though I have taught his a few tricks."

The mayor shook his head angrily. Fists clenched he leapt to his feet. "Never mind the dammed ghost!" He yelled. "What the hell is happening to my city?"

"Some jumped up ghost wants to play god and is possessing everyone that gets in his path,. You know how it is." Peter sighed taking a seat and propping his legs up on the highly polished surface of the mayor's desk, there was blood on his boots.

The mayor moved around the desk and batted them off. "There's rumors of people exploding." The mayor glared at them. "Four so far."

Janine gasped. She clapped her hand to her mouth, swaying slightly. Egon steadied her. She doubted the mayor knew about the two at the firehouse, that brought the total up to six- that they knew of.

"He will continue to do so until we give him what he wants." Egon explained

"Total control right?" The mayor demanded

"No Me sir?" Janine said quietly. The mayor looked startled.

"What, why?" He asked. His tone had softened slightly and he looked a little concerned.

The Ghostbusters turned each other trying to decide silently how much to tell the mayor. Egon came to a decision and spoke first.

"It's part of the original pact he made with Cyrus that must be acted out again. Cyrus was not only fighting to save the world he was fighting to save the woman he loved. Thagard hoped that the champion would be so tortured by this that he wouldn't think straight and Thagard could defeat him more easily." He lied.

Peter smiled impressed at how believable Egon's lie had been. He wished he could sound that sincere whenever he was bending the truth.

The mayor still had some questions though. "What had this got to do with Miss Melnitz?" He didn't look angry anymore. He smiled sympathetically as he sat back down behind his desk.

"Thagard has selected her as sacrifice" Egon informed him. "Sir if he takes Janine we're all doomed."

"I don't quite understand how this whole thing works but rest assured we'll help you to protect her." The mayor said solemnly. "Is there anything you need?"

"Somewhere safe to hide her." Ray said "while we try to work out a solution."

"There is an army base just outside town," The mayor nodded indicating the uniformed soldier in the corner. "I'll have the army escort you all..."

"Sir I think it's best that you just take Janine to the base." Egon said. Janine looked shocked and a little hurt.

"You're leaving me?" She gasped.

"Our best chance of finding a solution is back at the firehouse." He said. "I only managed to grab a handful of books."

"But Thagards followers." Winston protested "they're still there."

"I highly doubt it. They know that we've taken Janine somewhere safe." Egon reasoned. "They shouldn't bother us again. If we might though Mr. Mayor, I'm sure we'd all like to accompany Janine to the base and see that she's safe"

"Of course," the mayor agreed and motioned for them to follow the soldier out of the room. "I'm sure I don't need to tell you how important it is that you succeed."


They sat in the back of the car in relative silence aside from Slimers munching. There were peanuts in the car and he was happily gobbling them up. As he reached out to grab another packet he found himself once again face to face with the crackling rod of Peters pack.

"I think fifteen is your limit Spud, don't you?" He growled. Slimer withdrew his hand quickly and dived behind Janine's leg for protection.

She was staring blankly ahead and hadn't said a word since the mayors office. Peter sighed, he hated her huffy silences. They were worse than when she was yelling.

"Look," He grunted at her. "There's no other way around this. We'd stay with you if we could but..."

She cut across him. "You lied." She said her voice shaking as she tried to keep her tone civil. "You told the mayor that if Thagard killed me he'd take over. It's the other way around."

"Whoa," Peter whispered aware that the driver might overhear. "It wasn't me it was Spengs!"

"I had to buy more time." Egon replied defensively "If they'd have known the truth they'd have handed you straight over Janine."

"Maybe they should have."

"Don't say that."

"Egon six people are dead." She cried. "More will follow. I can't let it happen. The only way to stop it is if I go to Thagard."

"You promised you'd give us more time." Egon reminded her.

"And you promised you'd make the right choice." Janine said softly. "I appreciate everything that you're doing for me but I don't know that we can hold out much longer. If you haven't found a solution by midnight I'm going to the Midlands and turning myself in."

The others didn't want to agree but they were running out of options. They fell back into silence until the car came to a halt by a tall barbwire fence somewhere on the outskirts of the city.

A very tall and very handsome black soldier helped her from the car. "I might enjoy myself after all." He smiled back at the boys, who were clambering out unaided They didn't look too impressed, Egon least of all.

"Be back here at midnight." She told them.

The boys nodded solemnly and one by one hugged her goodbye.

"Take the Spud with you" urged Peter as he kissed her on the cheek

"He won't be much help."

"No" The Ghostbuster relented "But it'll keep him off my back."

Janine laughed and turned to Egon. He didn't say anything, he didn't have to. Janine could see the fear in his eyes, the worry that he wouldn't be able to save her. She pulled him into a hug.

"It's entirely our fault." He gasped, fighting back tears.

Janine rubbed his back soothingly "I don't blame you." She told him "Ritual sacrifice is an occupational hazard when you work for the Ghostbusters. But I'm glad for every second that I've spent with you all."

"It's not over yet." Ray cut in.

Janine smiled; Ray could find the silver lining in any thunderstorm. "It will be if you boys don't get going." She said briskly wiping her eyes on her sleeve.

She and Slimer waved them off. They stood at the entrance to the camp and watched the car right up until it disappeared over the horizon. A chill wind blew up and Janine shivered.

"Come on Miss Melnitz" The soldier urged kindly. "Let's get inside."