Part 4: The confrontation
The lobby of the Midlands hotel had changed dramatically over the last few hours. As Thagard's control over the citizens of New York grew he had managed to spare a few men to go off looting. Walls had been painted a deep red. Velvet curtains hid the cheep unimpressive windows. Candles lit the room instead of the dingy florescent lights. Works of art replaced cheep portraits. Antique furniture had been brought in. The room licked like a gothic palace.
Thagard reclined on a chez lounge sipping vintage wine from an exquisite silver goblet. Walter Peck sat nervously on a cushion by his feet.
"I'm not sure that the mayor will listen to me." He squeaked, staring at his palms to avoid Thagards eye. "Venkman and I have a history. He'll think that I'm just trying to get back at him."
"You are."
"Well partly my lord yes." Peck relented. "But I am also keen to serve you. I look forward to sitting at your right hand when you take over."
"Then take the first step towards victory." Thagard hissed threateningly, his beautiful face transformed into an angry sneer. "Get your leader to tell me where the girl is. Take Metaxas with you to confirm your tale."
Peck nodded and took another sip of his own wine.
"Now Peck!"
Peck choked on his wine and leapt to his feet. He directed a low bow at his master and turned to leave. Metaxas did not follow.
"Is something wrong Metaxas?" Thagard asked impatiently
Metaxas looked uncomfortable; he knelt close to Thagard to that Peck couldn't hear.
"My lord I'm a little concerned." Metaxas admitted "What if the Ghostbusters make the wrong choice?"
"It is your job to make sure that doesn't happen."
"And once it is all over," Metaxas persisted "There will be no more killing will there? You will set the people free from this trance."
"Trance Metaxas?" Thagards face twisted into an expression of mock surprise. "I don't know what you mean. They are merely touched by my love for them. They want to prove how much they love me by doing what I ask. They don't question me. Why is that Metaxas? Do they love me more than you?"
"No my lord" Metaxas Petrakis rose to his feet looking scandalized.
"Then do as I ask." Thagard waved him away and turned back to his wine.
In silence the two men walked out onto the streets of New York, both wearing very different expressions. While Pecks face was full of glee, the prospect of power and revenge, on Venkman, the mayor and everyone who had ever stood in his path., Metaxas was lost in thought, his brow furrowed as he tried to work out what was best.
He had brought up to believe that Thagard would change the world for the better but the would-be god was controlling everyone. He killed so many people and more would die soon if this wasn't resolved.
He'd always known that a sacrifice would be needed but never imagined that he would be the one to set things in motion. It had all been so sudden. One day he was fine, going about his daily business quite, content. Then the voices started. Thagard called to him in his dreams, telling him it was time. Then the voice slipped through to the waking world. It would badger him day and night.
"Don't you want me to be free?" It would whine. "I will make everything better. I will make you powerful."
Before he'd known what he was doing Metaxas was making the call, setting off this unhappy chain of events. But what could he do now? Nothing, except try and get through this with as little bloodshed as possible.
The clock in the firehouse chimed ten thirty. They had been searching for hours through hundreds of dusty tomes of forgotten lore in forgotten languages that not one of the Ghostbusters was going to forget in a hurry. Every time Winston closed his eyes the imprint of the last page he'd read remained burnt onto his eyelids. He groaned and slouched back onto the floor.
They were all sat in the reception area of the Firehouse. Ray, Winston and Peter were tackling the pile of books of the floor, Egon the pile mounted on Janine's desk They had to stay downstairs as the hordes had broken the door and they wanted to be able to see if anyone go in.
They needn't have bothered really. Thagards followers still surrounded the firehouse but they didn't try to enter again. They had no interest in the Ghostbusters at the moment. They were waiting for Janine. Like zombies the people stood staring into the building, rooted to the spot.
A shiver ran down Ray's spine, they were giving him the creeps. He rose to his feet and examined the hole.
"What are you doing Ray?" Peter enquired. He peered at him over the top of a particularly old and dusty tome which looked as though it may fall apart at any second. The dust had stained his hair aging him about twenty years.
Ray turned back to face him. "I can't concentrate with them watching me." He moaned. "Now I know how zoo animals feel! Honestly I haven't been able to find anything of use with them watching me."
"I don't think it has much to do with them." Winston moaned from the floor. "There's nothing of any use in these books."
"We have to keep looking." Egon insisted. He was obscured by the pile of books in front of him so his voice was a little muffled. "We only got an hour and a half."
The others looked uncomfortably at each other. Peter took a deep breath. "I don't know that it'll do any good Egon." He said quietly.
"Pete's right." Ray agreed sadly. "The books are useless. We're going to have to start talking about plan b."
"Killing Janine?" Egon demanded angrily.
"It's what she wants us to do Egon." Ray reminded him.
"We have to help her!" Egon rose to his feet sending books flying "She wouldn't be in this mess if it wasn't for us and I KNOW what she wants us to do and if it comes down to it we will but for now we HAVE to try and save her!" He turned back to his book and started reading.
After a moments hesitation Peter and Winston did the same. They did not seem to hold out much hope for an answer though. Ray sighed and turned to face the possessed mob outside.
"Hey," He called back to the others. "They're moving! Do you think they just got bored of watching us?"
Peter scrambled up to join him. He watched the crowd move away shaking his head. "No Ray," He replied. "This does not look good."
As if on que the phone rang, bad news was on its way.
"You lied to me!" The mayor roared angrily half rising from his chair as the Ghostbusters hurried into his office only ten minuets after he'd called "I've entrusted you with the safety of my city and you've chosen to endanger the life of every person within it."
"You'd have handed her straight over without giving us a chance to find a solution!" Peter protested "We just needed time to work out a plan."
"Which is?"
The Ghostbusters shuffled uncomfortably. "We don't have one." Ray relented.
The mayor sighed and sank back into his seat. The office was dark and empty now. He had sent most of his staff home to be with their families. So he was in no danger of being overheard.
"Look I can't blame you for wanting to protect your friend." He relented "I can't say that I wouldn't do the same if it was my wife. But you must agree now that time is up."
Egon opened his mouth to protest but the mayor interjected. "It's no use Dr Spengler." He said rising from his chair he walked around his desk to rest a sympathetic hand on Egon arm. "Thagard has been informed of Miss Melnitz position. They are on their way to collect her."
They ran flat out to ecto one, the mayors security guards pelting along behind them.
"I can't believe you hit him Egon!" Peter panted as Winston fired up the engine. "I wanted to do that!"
Egon didn't answer. He rubbed the mayor's blood off of his knuckles with a handkerchief and sat with his head between is hands, eyes closed and thinking hard. Peter knew he was trying to work out what to do next and knew better than to interrupt him so turned to look out of the window. Winston was driving faster than ever but as the streets were so deserted that didn't seem to matter.
It was not until they reached the outskirts of the city that there was any sign of life.
The possessed hordes had left the city and were marching along the dirt track road which leads to the army base. The line of people tailed off for miles, hundreds of thousands of people stood with the same expression, torches burning in their hands.
Winston was forced to drive off road alongside them all the way up to the base. Ecto one had managed to over take the leaders off the group as it skidded to a halt outside its wire gates but not buy much. It was only a matter of moments before the first of Thagards men reached the base.
Winston stayed in the van, keeping the engine running as the others dived out. The young guard on duty at the gate raised his gun.
"We're not with them." Peter said quickly, "We've just come to collect Janine
"I can't let you in Dr Venkman." The young man said standing his ground. His finger on the trigger of the gun.
"Whoa! What do you mean can't?" Peter demanded. He turned to indicate the menacing crowd gravitating towards them "You see those people? There here to take her. They will come over here, snap that little water pistol your holding and tear your arms off. You don't want that do you?"
The soldier shook his head.
"Fine. Then well take our secretary and they'll follow us and leave you alone."
The soldier shook his head again. "I'm under orders. She's to be handed over to Thagards emissary. I'm sorry doctor Venkman but I can't let you through."
"This is ridiculous!" Egon spat charging forward before Ray or Peter could hold him back. The young man swung his arm around and Egon found himself staring down the barrel of a gun.
"Dr Spengler," The soldier shouted "I will shoot you if you move!"
Egon stared back defiantly before a sudden movement behind the soldier drew his gaze away.
"Egon!" Came a woman's voice. Janine slammed into him, holding him so tight he found it difficult to breath. He stroked her hair as she sobbed into the front of his overalls.
"I'm so glad you're here." She wept. "I'm so glad we got the chance to say goodbye."
"Touching," a cruel voice sneered from behind them. They all turned to find Walter Peck at the head of Thagards army, Metaxas at his side.
"Dickless!" Peter breathed. "You're Thagads emissary? Well it figures that a sniveling little bootlicker like you would slurp your way back to the top."
"Scum floats" Ray agreed
"Yes I'm back where I belong." Pecker agreed "as you will be Venkman, as soon as my master is restored."
"That's not going to happen Pecker."
"It's PECK!"
"You correct that?" Peter laughed mockingly "Funny you didn't seem to have a problem with 'dickless'. "
Peck opened his mouth to retort but Metaxas cut across angrily "Enough of this. We have come for the girl as agreed. Hand her over and everything will be set right"
"No!" Egon shouted hanging onto Janine tightly.
Peck curled his lip in disgust. He clicked his fingers loudly. There was a movement behind him. A small group broke away from the main crowd and marched their way to the front. They were children, not one of them over ten. They stared back glass eyed at the Ghostbusters.
"You know what my master will do to them." Peck smirked.
"No. Please don't" Janine begged. "I'll come now. Just don't hurt them."
She pulled herself free of Egon's grasp. He opened his mouth to say something but she raised her finger to his lip to silence him. "We've run out of time." She said simply. She wasn't crying now. Her face was stony and emotionless. She leant in and kissed him softly on the lips. "Remember your promise." She pleaded. Then turned and moved towards Peck.
"No!" Egon protested, he lunged forward after her. Peter and Ray caught him. He struggled violently trying to break free.
"Stop it Egon." Peter urged tears were flooding down his face as he watched her go. Egon continued to yell.
Metaxas stepped forward to greet Janine. "I am sorry for all this." He whispered. I did not intend for anyone to get hurt. I just wanted to create a better world."
"You think this is better?" Janine snarled pointing to the children in the front. They looked confused and a little frightened. One of the older girls seemed to know what was coming. She had burst into tears.
"It's okay," The boy next to her said softly. "It is Thagards will."
Janine glared at Metaxas who looked away ashamed. "What have I done?" He breathed "I've been such a fool."
Peck pushed his way over "A fool to follow lord Thagard?" He asked in a loud carrying voice like a little child trying to get a sibling in trouble with mother. "How dare you! Do you hear this disloyal slime my lord?"
"I do Peck, thank you." Came a mighty disembodied voice. "You know what I must do Metaxas?"
"Yes." Metaxas spat. "And I'm glad for it. I'd rather die than serve you."
"Why didn't he say that earlier?" Peter whined still clinging on to the struggling Egon.
Thagards voice roared back angrily sending a blast of wind across the night.
"Very well!" He rumbled.
Janine closed her eyes knowing what was coming. She heard Metaxas' scream and felt the flecks of blood splatter against her skin. She opened them again as Thagard spoke.
"Bring the girl." He ordered Peck. "I'm sick of waiting"
Peck nodded and turned to Janine "Come with me Melnitz or it's the children next!"
Janine was furious. Pale hand shaking as she whipped Metaxas Petrakis' blood from her glasses she slapped Peck as hard as she could, he sumbled but recovered quickly. Angrily he hit back knocking her to the ground.
Ray and Peter almost let go of Egon as they stared disbelieving at Peck. Barraging the pencil neck with insults they yelled angrily. Egon almost got free before the others managed to subdue it.
"Ah, ah boys" Peck teased wagging a stern finger. "Be nice, we have to set a good example for the children."
"You piece of.."
"Stop it Egon!" Janine yelled.
Egon stopped struggling. He sank forwards weeping forcing Peter and Ray to hold him up. Supporting their sobbing friend they watched as a grinning Peck reached out and took Janine's hand he pressed it to his lip then led her off into the crowd.
Janine stumbled on her high heels as they finally reached The Midlands hotel. They had walked all of the way back along the dirt track, the deserted streets and highways the hideous mob close behind marching in such perfect unison that each rhythmic footfall was like a thunderclap.
They finally stopped at the foot of the stairs. An excited stillness fell over the crowd, it was most unnerving. Janine strained her eyes searching over their heads into the distance and listened hard for ecto ones whining siren.
"Don't worry" Peck grinned, "They'll make it. I assure you, I'm just as keen as you for them to arrive quickly. I can't wait to see Venkmans face as he watches you die"
"You're despicable!" Janine snarled through gritted teeth. "Is that why you're doing this, to get back at Peter?"
"I've been touched by Thagards love." Peck smiled.
"Bull!" Janine spat. She grabbed his arm and pulled back his shirtsleeve. There was no mark. "I knew it! You're not like them. You're doing this out of your own free will, for power and revenge!"
Peck shrugged unconcerned "It's just a happy bonus that it'll devastate Venkman and those other egotistical morons you call friends."
Janine choked in disbelief "Egotistical? That's rich coming from you!"
"There everywhere I turn." Peck yelled his eyes wild and manic. "Everywhere I look it's their stupid logo. There always on the news, taunting me. It isn't fair."
"I've changed my mind," Janine said looking disgusted. "You're not despicable, you're just pathetic. I feel sorry for you."
"Don't be. Soon I will rule!"
"You believe that do you?" Janine shook her head. "Thagard's going to tread on you the second you stop being of any use."
"That's not true!" Peck roared.
Janine could see she'd touched a nerve. She smiled. "You wait and see, "She assured him "You've been used Pecker."
"It's Peck!" Enraged he launched himself at Janine who dodged. A sudden bolt of lightning burst through the doors of the Midlands shattering the glass. It hit Peck hard in the chest and sent him flying back down the steps.
"The girl will enter on her own.!" Thagard boomed from inside.
The smoldering Peck scrambled too his feet. "My lord." He protested. "You promised I could watch. You have to let me in!"
"Do not tell he what I can and cannot do you worthless being!" Thagard bellowed sending out another bolt which narrowly missed Peck, creating a small crater at his feet.
"The girl will enter alone."
"Told you so." Janine called over her shoulder. Praying for a miracle she took a deep breath and entered the gloomy building. Shards of glass crunched under her shoes as she crept across the entrance hall. Finally she came face to face with Thagard.
'Wow!' She thought in spite of her terror. 'He's quite cute for a psychotic scumbag'
A/N I'll post the final part in a few days. Hope you enjoyed it so far and thanks for your kind reviews.
