Some weeks later – CIA Headquarters, Langley, Virginia
"It was an experiment," the white-haired chairman initiated the review. "The Initiative represented the government's interests in not only controlling the... otherworldly menace but in harnessing its power for our own military purposes. The considered opinion of this board is that the experiment has failed.
"Once the prototype, codename Adam, took control of the complex, our soldiers suffered a 40 % casualty rate. And as the various testimonies presented to this board have shown, it was only through the actions of a compromised officer and a group of civilian insurrectionists that our losses were not total. I trust the irony of that is not lost on any of us.
"Dr Walsh's vision was brilliant but ultimately insupportable. The creatures classified as HSTs cannot be harnessed, cannot be controlled.
"It is therefore recommended that this project be terminated and all records concerning it expunged. Our soldiers will be debriefed, and the standard confidentiality clauses enforced. We will monitor the civilians with the usual measures prepared, should they try to go public, which we don't think they will.
"By recommendation of the Commandant of the Marine Corps, the officers listed herein are to receive the following citations, etc.
"Finn, Riley, Captain USMC: Silver Star for gallantry in action, the specifics of which classified Top Secret. Honourable discharge from the Marine Corps with a retirement promotion to Major.
"Miller, Graham, First Lieutenant USMC: Bronze Star for meritorious service, the specifics of which classified Top Secret. Promoted to Captain with seniority backdated to January 1st of this year.
"The Initiative itself will be permanently sealed, all entries and exits to be welded shut and filled with concrete. By Executive Order #13176, signed this day, contingency scenario 'Carthage' is now in force.
"That'll be all, gentlemen."
Ballikinrain Castle, Stirling, Scotland
"Lambart, Sophie Magdalene."
Standing up to a round of applause from the guests of honour and her classmates, Sophie stepped confidently to the stage where the headmistress was waiting with her diploma in hand. Eddie had already gotten his and Benny was still waiting, being a few positions behind her in the alphabetical list of names.
With Craig having transferred to Silas University in Austria, she had now graduated top of the class of 2000. She wasn't too disappointed that the Academy hadn't awarded any special honours, leaving Gwendolyn Post, whom she saw sitting in the front row of guests, still the last one to have graduated with that distinction. Craig would have received that hadn't certain... events made the now ending academic year the strangest one in living memory.
After the ceremony ended, the graduates made a procession out of the auditorium to a standing ovation. The corridors leading to the dining hall where the graduation party would be held were lined by the lower classes standing at attention as was the tradition.
In the large hall a band was setting up their gear on a makeshift stage, and at the doorway liveried servants handed each graduate and guest a glass of champagne. One wall was lined with tables almost toppling over with finger food, containers for the buffet dinner and drinks. Small bar tables were scattered here and there except for the immediate area in front of the stage which was reserved for dancing.
It was maybe an hour into the party when perhaps the most unexpected person joined Sophie at the table. She had been standing alone at the table for several minutes, watching Eddie and Benny headbanging and playing air guitar to an Iron Maiden cover, so she didn't notice her until she was there – Gwendolyn Post.
"Congratulations, Ms Lambart," the Deputy Head of the Council greeted her with a raised glass.
"Th-thank you, Ma'am," Sophie nearly spluttered but raised her own glass in an answering salute. "This is an honour."
"Not at all," Gwen waved off the compliment with a smile. "Graduating the top of one's year is no mean feat by any measure."
"I guess you of everyone here would know about that," Sophie replied with a smile of her own. She had heard rumours and legends about the one-handed Legatus, but there didn't seem to be any hints of the famous "Ice Queen" in the woman's current behaviour.
"Quite," Gwen nodded and sipped from her glass. "I've been meaning to have a discussion with you for a while now, Ms Lambart, for reasons that are most likely obvious to you."
"Yes, Ma'am," Sophie nodded dutifully. She was fully aware of the reasons Ms Post was referring to.
"Excellent," Gwen beamed. "Now, as you know it is the tradition that the top student of any year is given a choice as it comes to their first assignment as a Watcher. According to the Headmistress, you have yet to indicate in any way what your preference would be."
"Yes, Ma'am," Sophie answered hesitantly. "I-I thought I knew but what with everything that's been going on, I just... I guess I stopped thinking about it. I just... focused on finishing my studies and becoming a Watcher."
"That's perfectly understandable in your situation, Ms Lambart," Gwen agreed wholeheartedly. She herself was still occasionally shaking her head over all the weird and wonderful that life had thrown at her for the past two years. "I wonder if you'd be open to a few suggestions, though?"
"I'd be glad to hear what you have in mind," Sophie answered neutrally but inside she was feeling anything but. Knowing that the Deputy Head had had her remaining hand in the sudden departures of both Wesley Wyndam-Pryce and Craig Fiennes, wasn't something that was even close to comforting.
"Good. Shall we adjourn to the yard for some fresh air and privacy? You might want to get yourself a new drink first, though. I'll be waiting outside."
Still somewhat apprehensive but also curious, Sophie navigated her way through the crowd to the table with all the drinks and poured herself another glass of champagne. She also caught Eddie and Benny's attention for a second and indicated she'd be outside for a while. Both of her friends had already found themselves a dancing partner, so they just briefly nodded to her and immediately turned their attention back to their companions.
At the end of the witchcraft seminar in Devon earlier in the Spring she had made her commitment to Siri to join the loose group they called the Faithful and hence become a kind of a double agent. Her friend had given her some hints on how she should apply herself once she graduated and became a full member of the Watcher's Council. But like she had admitted to Gwen Post earlier, she really didn't yet know what she wanted to do.
One thing was already certain, though. After graduation she would be taking a vacation with the destination not so surprisingly being New Zealand. Siri had suggested it to her as a way to meet Dr Mahuta, Patricia Tildeman and other members of their current "leadership". Under normal circumstances that would have been way over something she could afford but a surprising "graduation gift" in the shape of an open-ended return ticket from LHR to ALK made that possible. She would be leaving in a week.
Outside, Ms Post indicated that they should take a walk around the castle. They walked along a gravel path for a minute or two in silence before the Deputy Head returned to the topic at hand.
"What would you say to taking over Wesley Wyndam-Pryce's old position as the Keeper of the Vault and the Secret Library?" she dropped the bombshell out of the blue.
Sophie felt a cold shiver run up and down her spine. How much did the other woman know? Wesley had been her predecessor as the Faithful's agent inside the Council and also held that exact same position. It had also been one of the suggestions Siri threw her way as something to aspire towards in her career. But to be offered that straight out of the Academy...
"Ma'am?" she asked uncertainly.
"The permanent position of the Keeper bestows a membership in the Cabinet to the holder by statute, which is something that a newly graduated Watcher isn't ready for," Gwen explained, looking closely for Sophie's reactions. "However, the Council rules allow for the appointment of an Acting Keeper for up to three years, a role which lacks the Cabinet rank. If the person holding that position has not requested a transfer within those three years or been assigned another role by the Cabinet, the nomination becomes permanent. So, in three years, pending any unforeseen circumstances, you'd automatically be eligible for the permanent position."
"Ma'am... Legatus... I don't know what to say," Sophie practically stammered.
"'Yes' would be a good start," Gwen laughed briefly at the look on the younger woman's face. "But to help you choose... in that role you'd be reporting to me and me only. I have Sir Quentin's blessing to... utilise anyone in that role any way I see fit. You'd basically become one of my closest associates and almost, let's say, a free agent."
"Ma'am...," Sophie started hesitantly. "Before committing to anything, may I speak freely?"
"You may," Gwen nodded.
"Just... just how much do you know?" Sophie quietly asked the £1M question.
"Some would say I know enough," Gwen deadpanned, suppressing a secretive smile. "But just between the two of us, let's leave it at that so that you'll be able to retain plausible deniability."
Nodding her head a few times as she contemplated her options, Sophie realised that once again she might be inescapably tied to something much bigger than herself. Was it fate? Was it chance? Did her own choices matter at all?
"Ma'am," she addressed her companion, this time firmly. "I'm humbled by the trust you've shown me, and I gratefully accept your offer."
The two women shook hands and then laughed as Sophie's celebratory drink went down the wrong hatch and she doubled over in a coughing fit.
"Now," Gwen started as the made their way back to the party. "My first instructions to you. I'll call you Sophie and you call me Gwen. None of this 'ma'am' and 'Legatus' shite unless it's expected – like in official Cabinet business. Although you'll be in an acting position, your expertise might occasionally be needed in a Cabinet meeting – in a non-voting capacity, naturally. Under normal circumstances, all Cabinet-facing functions of the Keeper role will be handled by myself, so you'll be able to concentrate fully on the research and administrative parts of the role."
"What a weird, fucking day this one's turned out to be," Sophie muttered to herself, but apparently the alcohol she had already consumed had some kind of an effect on her speaking volume as Gwen burst out in laughter.
"You'll get used to it, Sophie," the older woman chuckled. "But just so that you know, I didn't choose you solely for your academic skills. You've had... associations with someone... someone-s that single you out more than anything else. I know as I'm there just as deeply as you are. And, just between ourselves, I have a feeling that we'll end up becoming good friends in the end."
Sophie felt her throat constrict briefly and her eyes get wet. What Gwen had said was really heart-felt and sounded like the truth.
"You know...," she mused. "I used to look up to you, hold you in awe. You were the top of your class, honours graduate and... you became one of the youngest Watchers ever to be assigned a Slayer duty. Then we heard about everything that went on in California. Suddenly you were this larger-than-life character, mentioned in course materials, and now you want me to..."
"And you?" Gwen asked somewhat smugly. "Wasn't it you and some of your friends who became the household names of your class after some... weird occurrences?"
"Don't remind me," Sophie laughed briefly. "But seriously... Gwen. Is that something that I should be expecting from here on?"
"Who knows?" Gwen shrugged her shoulders. "One day I'll tell you all about the mistakes a certain 'Ice Queen' made until she was made to see reason. But just to give you a taste, and this is something the Watcher Diaries definitely omit. It wasn't for nothing that my Slayer gave me the nickname of 'Bitcher'."
Despite herself, Sophie started laughing hysterically at this revelation. It also confirmed that the decision she had made earlier was the right one. She could already tell that despite the difference in their respective positions within the Council they had now taken the first steps on the road to forging a relationship based on mutual trust.
"Oh, Gwen," she giggled, wiping her eyes. "That was perhaps the funniest thing I've heard in ages. 'Bitcher' indeed."
"Watch it," Gwen grinned, glad that her new associate was able to be so relaxed in her presence already. "I've yet to sign your contract."
That comment led into another peal of laughter from both women.
Later, inside the hall where the party was taking place, Gwen and Sophie continued their animated discussion, eliciting some jealous glances from other graduating students. Some participating Cabinet and Academy faculty members made occasional stops at their table giving Sophie the first hints of what she was expected to face once she started in her new position. Gwen won several extra points in her eyes by always shrugging off suggestions that Sophie should be excluded from some of the discussions. She knew she had divided loyalties, but in the short time they had spent together, Gwen had already earned hers.
"So," Gwen started once they were alone once again. "Final business points for today. I expect you to be ready for work on the first of September. You will have until the end of the year to make yourself familiar with everything that your new position entails. Then we'll dig in deeper."
"Yes, Gwen," Sophie agreed practically on autopilot. The "few" drinks she had consumed since their re-entrance were enough to make a constant smile be plastered all over her face. She was nowhere near sloshed, and she was fairly sure she would be able to remember everything on the morrow, but she was nevertheless feeling the effects of being pleasantly buzzed.
"And now I think I've monopolised your time quite enough," Gwen smiled at her new... apprentice. "I'm sure your friends are dying to find out why the legendary 'Ice Queen' has shown such an interest in you. I'm going to go bother Elizabeth – the Headmistress – for a while. By the look on her face, it seems she still thinks that you're all just misbehaving students. Have fun in New Zealand, Sophie."
It took a while for Sophie to process Gwen's final words. When her mouth finally dropped open in realisation, the other woman had already disappeared into the crowd and a contingent of her fellow graduates crowded her table firing questions at her left and right.
She was absolutely sure the Deputy Head had planned it that way. What a devious woman she had associated herself with.
Watchers' Council Headquarters, Bloomsbury, London
Inside the vast treasure vault, Lily Travers was immersed into one of her favourite pastimes – trying to catch the pieces on Gwenddoleu's chessboard moving. In the past she had tried mirrors, not blinking until her eyes were screaming in agony, dark glasses, long-exposure photography. Nothing had worked – the pieces moved only when not observed in any way. Still, that didn't stop her from trying whenever she had a chance. In some way she regarded the chessboard as a kind of a roguish friend whom she was constantly trying to catch in the middle of some mischief.
She was now 14; in a year she would enter the "Slayer window", the age bracket of a few years during which a Potential was "eligible" to actually become the next Chosen One. That period lasted maybe three to four years. No Potential had ever been called past the age of 18.
During the past year she had read everything she could about the current Slayer – Faith Lehane – trying to find out what there was in her that made... him to be drawn to her. At one point this interest had become more like an obsession when certain truths became evident.
If the Slayer died now, Lily herself would still be too young to become the next one. And if one was called now, it was more than possible that she would survive until her own chance was permanently over. And if Lehane kept on surviving, she would never get her chance that way either. So, she had spent several nights in teenage angst, wishing that the Slayer would survive just long enough for her to be given that one chance.
"It's not fair!" she had screamed at her father during a school break.
"Life seldom is," her father had replied gently in his usual philosophical way which had only provoked her ire further.
"You don't understand anything, Daddy," she had screamed. "It was supposed to be me, not that... that... hussy from Boston!"
"Lily!" her father had silenced her with a stern warning. "I don't deny the fact that the way I arranged for the two of you to meet wasn't partly to pave way for... possible future interactions. The idea of 'maybe some day...' did initially cross my mind when we agreed to his coming to London, but now, in the bigger picture, it was always going to be just a wishful dream.
"You're still young, Lily, with every possibility open to you. Of course, knowing that you are a Potential Slayer, is a wonderful thing in and of itself, but, in the end, it doesn't define you. Whether you ever become a Slayer is immaterial. You're my only child and I love you just as much either way."
"But... but...," Lily stammered, taken aback by her father's thoughtful words. "You've always impressed upon me that becoming the Slayer was something that I should aspire towards every day."
"Yes, exactly," her father had nodded in satisfaction. "Aspire, as in excel in the qualities that make a perfect Slayer. The ultimate choice is always with the Powers that Be, and they work in mysterious ways, but there is no reason not to try to... influence the odds. Just to give you an idea of what your, let's say 'competition' is, there is a Japanese potential who comes from a once influential samurai family and has been training in martial arts basically her whole life. But even with her, there is absolutely no guarantee that she will be chosen. The Powers did choose Faith Lehane... and Buffy Summers before her, and neither of them had any prior training until we found them. And in both cases, it was relatively shortly before they were chosen."
"It's still not fair," she had sniffled.
"I know, my dear, I know," her father had soothed her, taking her into a warm embrace.
Sitting now in front of the elusive chessboard with aching eyes, Lily repeated the words that had become her mantra. "I will be a Slayer one day."