Disclaimer: I don't own Angel. This is made for fun, not for profit. By a fan for the enjoyment of other fans.
Thanks to Starway Man, my Beta
I appreciate that there is a lot of rehashing of dialogue from the AtS episode here – a lot. But what's important about this chapter is the way Wesley's actions change Lilah's perceptions – so most of what happens here is from Lilah's POV, her observing and having internal dialogue with herself.
Exit Strategy
By Alkeni
Chapter 9: Have Fun Storming The Castle
Rebel Camp, Pylea
May 4th, 2001
"If we're going to enlist them to help us, we're going to need something to get them on our side." Wesley said to Gunn and Lilah, looking back at the motley collection that was the rebel force. "To get them to agree to help us on our timetable – and help us locate Angel."
"Oh, please, that's easy." Lilah commented, sarcastically. "Angel's easily the best fighter they can get their hands on. Just make sure they understand that, and they'll be falling over themselves to find that undead narcissist."
"She's got a point." Gunn agreed. "Well, not 'bout the narcissist thing. But the vamp definitely got game, way I figure these guys'd see it. Hell, you could also show them just how useful that gun is."
"Not worth the wasted bullet." Wesley disagreed. "I'd prefer to save it for the actual fight."
"Oh, so you actually plan on using that particular weapon?" Lilah cocked an eyebrow. "Gee. That's a change of pace."
Wesley looked over at her, his face perfectly English in its polite expressionless-ness. "Yes Lilah. I do intend to use it - in due course. At the appropriate juncture. In the fullness of time. I've no qualms against using it, you understand - but jumping straight to killing isn't how I prefer to operate."
"It's not how I want to do things either. Killing people is so messy, after all." Lilah explained, brushing an errant strand of hair away from her face. God, she needed fifteen kinds of fucking shower right now. "But unlike you people, I can tell when killing is the best option - and I don't screw around like you do when it comes to killing."
"Meaning you're evil, and don't value anything but your own skanky ass?" Gunn shot at her, his tone as vicious as the words would suggest.
Skanky? Lilah shook her head a little, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. "Crude, but yea. True."
"Just so long as we're clear about your priorities." Wesley told her dryly. He looked back towards the rebel camp. "I suppose we should head back then."
By the time they were in easy earshot of the camp, the rebels were already at work with their 'planning'.
"You still want to storm the castle gates?"
"Yes," another of the rebels replied – the one that had called for them to have five cheers for Wesley. Really should learn their names, Lilah thought to herself. It would make things tidier, and Lilah most definitely preferred things to be neat and tidy – properly organized and all in its place. Becoming a lawyer had merely enhanced that natural propensity of hers. "We have to show them-"
"We can't defeat them!" another rebel cut in – from what Lilah had seen, it was those two who seemed to be the leaders of the rebellion – or at least the ones who were loudmouthed about what they wanted to do. Lilah watched from the outskirts as the rebel stood up, looking his aggressive compatriot in the eye. "They have the power, they have the wealth. And we have no plan."
Well, maybe I was wrong. I wouldn't have thought any of them would have this kind of foresight, given their trial by hurry with us...Lilah mentally increased their chances of getting out of this alive by a few percentage points. That even one of the rebels had this kind of common sense was an accomplishment of its own.
"I say storm the gates!" The other rebel shot back, insisting on the same point, apparently deaf to what had just been said.
"If you do," Wesley told them, before they could argue any further, walking into the small circle that was the rebels, "They'll cut you down. You can't wage a frontal attack against a stronger opponent." All the other rebels turned towards Wesley. "This kind of battle can only be won through guerrilla warfare."
The brunette woman could see how every single rebel had a blank look of non-comprehension on his or her face. Good grief. Do they simply not understand the concept...which is believable, given the black and white mentalities here in Pylea...or just not the technical term? Lilah hoped it was the latter. If the former...well, then she'd have to drop their odds again.
Anyway, Wesley was right. Storming the castle wouldn't be a viable option. Not in a frontal attack, anyway. Now, how to explain what the English ass meant...
Wesley drew in closer towards the Pyleans by a few steps and explained: "By being sneaky. You create a diversion, and then strike at several different points at once." He made an effort to use his hands to demonstrate what he meant. "While they're looking ahead, you come from behind."
A semblance of recognition dawned on the aggressive one. "And kill their leader."
"Yes. In order to defeat the enemy, that's usually required." Wesley confirmed.
"Silas – the head priest." The other rebel 'leader' said, nodding. "It is a good plan."
"I agree." The aggressive one nodded himself.
Okay, now we're getting somewhere. Wesley still owed her several times over for all the shit he'd pulled so far, but now...well, he didn't owe her for this. If he kept this up, Lilah figured, they might just make it out of here in one piece. Just so long as he doesn't get too bogged down in trying to keep these idiots alive. I...wait a minute, what's this?
Moving towards Wesley, the aggressive one held up his sword, handing it over to Wesley. "You shall lead us!"
Lilah blinked a moment, as if that would – okay, this particular development she hadn't expected. Just handing Wesley the leadership role? I'll grant he's already proven he's better than Angel at the whole leadership thing...She looked at Wesley, considering him a moment as the former Watcher protested the mantle of leadership. Huh, that was kinda unexpected. Leadership was an important part of the Watcher curriculum, given their need to control their Vampire Slayer, but large scale tactics?
Then again, Wesley was probably the sort of prissy little kid who fought historical battles again and again with toy soldiers...
Anyway, Wesley was apparently a unifying factor – even the less aggressive of the pair seemed to be in favor of the British man taking over. "No. No. You fought well, and the Covenant hates you. And you know the princess." The unsaid words were clear: You have as much invested in this fight as we do.
"And you have a plan." The aggressive one added. "Besides, our previous leader is dead." He half-forced the sword into Wesley's hands. "Hail to our new leader!"
The other rebels – all of them – took up the chorus, raising their weapons, "Hail!"
Wesley looked over at Gunn, his voice thin and nervous for a moment, "Why do people keep putting me in charge of things?"
Gunn shook his head, "I have no idea." He sounded as if he believed it. The rebels let loose with another "Hail!" as Lilah rolled her eyes and answered the question.
"Because in both situations, you're better than the other alternatives. Just don't let it go to your head, Pryce; I already get enough of that crap from Angel." She looked to the hailing rebels and interrupted. "Just a moment. What do we call you guys, anyway? What are your names?"
Rebel Camp, Pylea
May 4th, 2001
The rebels, as it turned out, did have a map of the castle – a surprisingly good one, in Lilah's view, given the level of incompetence they'd mostly shown up until now.
"The Groosalugg is our most formidable opponent." Wesley started by stating the obvious, his eyes focused on the map. "So we'll need to get him out of the castle." He looked at the rest of the rebels. "If challenged to fight, he has to accept – correct?"
"Yes." Sasha – the more aggressive one – confirmed. "As champion of the realm, he must. But no man can defeat the Groosalugg."
"Sure, but defeating him is less important than keeping him busy." Lilah replied. "As long as he's in the castle-" She shrugged.
"She's right." Wesley agreed. "Exactly how he'll be dealt with is something we'll have to worry about later. But once he's out of there, we have a chance at entering the castle and actually surviving. We'll create diversions – here, here and here." He pointed to spots on the map. "While they're responding to all those, a few of us can scale the back wall, where their defenses are weakest. With the majority of the Imperial Guard occupied, it shouldn't be that hard to penetrate inside the castle."
"I wouldn't split my crew up this much, if I was leading this charge." Gunn second-guessed Wesley.
"Really. So, tell me – did your crew attack well fortified positions defended by professional soldiers?" Lilah mocked. "Fighting vampires on the streets of L.A. Isn't the same thing as-"
"Lilah, shut up." Wesley turned back towards Gunn. "You may have a point. But I'm leading this charge." Unwilling to continue posturing, Wesley turned back to Sasha. "Tell me about the killing device."
Sasha handed him a detailed sketch. Lilah looked at it with interest. "It sends a signal to the collar worn by every slave in the land."
"What kind of signal?"
The other rebel, Bartok – answered Gunn's question. "Blows their heads off."
"That's a signal." Lilah agreed. "But Pylea's got too many slaves to do something that drastic in response to a rebel uprising. Someone has to make that decision. It's an endgame weapon."
"Silas, the head priest. He'd be the one to make the decision." Bartok shrugged.
She looked at Sasha. "Where does he keep it?"
"According to our informant in the castle, here." Sasha pointed on the map.
Lilah nodded. "Then you're going to want to take that room. A scorched earth outcome is SOP for any operation the Senior Partners start losing. And if Silas starts losing-"
"He'll activate it." Wesley agreed. "Instant genocide. We'll need to make sure we either kill him, or destroy the device first."
"The room will be well guarded, even if-"
Angel's familiar voice cut in behind them. "Unlike this place."
Lilah turned and saw the rebels surround Angel and – was that the girl he'd gone and chased off after when he'd been full demon-mode? It was. Instantly the rebels surrounded him, from all sides.
"Great. Everyone's favorite Undead American is back. is actually back?" Lilah mocked the vampire, who was looking a bit worse for wear.
"It's alright." Wesley held up his hands. "It's alright, all of you, calm down. He's a friend."
Sasha looked sideways at Bartok. "I'm glad we were keeping watch."
Gunn shrugged, "He's Angel. He does that. Gotta tell ya, keeping watch doesn't do much to stop him." Then the black man pointed at the twig-thin girl. "How'd she do that?"
"She's Fred. She does that too." Angel said, as if that was enough explanation.
"Fred- Winifred?" Wesley said, his eyes on the girl. "The girl from Cordy's vision?" Unnoticed, Sasha gave orders to a group of rebels to check the perimeter.
Angel nodded, then introduced them to this 'Fred'. "These are my friends, Wesley and Gunn. And this is Lilah. She's-"
"Not his friend." Lilah replied. "I just tag along for the sheer fun and excitement!"
"Her super power is being annoying." Gunn told her.
The wild-looking girl giggled a little at that, smiling. She waved at all of them and said, "Hiya."
Wesley gestured back at the rebels. "These are the rebels. We've joined forces to try to get Cordelia out of the Palace."
"They've made Wes their general." Gunn told the new arrivals, slapping his friend lightly on the shoulder.
Wesley nodded. "Yes. I'm not entirely sure why, but there it is."
"Well, you're the best choice for it, Wes." Angel agreed. "I'm – I can't even keep control, here..." He looked at Gunn. "I'm sorry – I'm... I'm ashamed at what I did to you."
"It's kind of a crazy place here." Gunn told him, with a certain something in his voice – not forgiveness...but understanding. Not much else for him to do, I guess. "Tellin' ya: the sooner we all get outta here, the better."
"Fred here should be able to help us with that. She knows a lot about portals." Angel said, gesturing to the girl.
Rebel Camp, Pylea
May 4th, 2001
The plan was made. The attack was due to start soon. Lilah watched Wesley, sitting alone by one of the campfires, staring into the fire, the sword in front of him, hilt against his shoulder. He seemed to be...thinking about something, over and over again. Lilah wished she could figure out just what he was thinking.
She could guess...but Wesley's expression was unreadable.
"I'm only gonna say this once." Lilah watched Gunn come and stand next to Wesley. "Those guys you send to create those diversions are gonna die."
Gee. You think he hasn't figured that out yet? Lilah thought snarkily. Still, you white hats are so stupid and sentimental sometimes, I suppose Mister British Flag Up His Ass actually might not have...
Wesley's next words surprised her – not for what they meant...but for the...heartless way he said them. Heroes weren't supposed to talk like that, now, were they?
"Yes they are." Wesley stood and looked Gunn in the eye. "But then again, you try not to get anybody killed, you wind up getting everybody killed." Wesley saw Lilah staring at him, before he turned to the rest of the rebels. "Get ready to move out." He then walked over towards Angel.
Wesley's tone was flat, unyielding. But this isn't expandability he's leaning on. And he knows it...is he even a White Hat anymore? It made her wonder. Even though Lilah wasn't really sure what about.
"What do you want me to do?" Angel asked Wesley.
"Go to the village. Publicly challenge the Groosalugg... and kill him, if you have to." Wesley sheathed the sword.
"Kill their undefeated champion?" Angel stared at Wes, shocked.
What? Feeling inadequate, Angel, given how often you're defeated? Lilah thought mockingly.
"I can't do that without turning into the beast." The vampire finished up, looking down and away.
Oh, get over yourself, you pathetic excuse for a vampire! How this thing could be so squeamish at times...and yet coldly willing to lock her and over a dozen of her co-workers in a basement with two psychotic vampires...
"I know." Wesley's response was cold, unconcerned.
Angel gave him a 'look' and then said, "When I fired you guys...the reason I did that – the darkness was coming out in me."
No, you fired them because you decided you could do a one-man show against Wolfram and Hart. Lilah thought to herself in disgust. Well, either that or you developed a temporary case of the terminal stupids...
"I didn't want you near it. The thing that comes out here – it's ten times worse." Angel paused. Were he any other man...were he technically a man, Lilah would have expected him to lick his lips nervously. "Wes- I do this...you know I won't come back from it."
"Yes you will."
Liar. Lilah didn't believe Wesley's certainty for a minute. The man wasn't stupid. Lilah knew, and she was sure that Wesley also knew, that once the inner demon took over? There wasn't going to be any coming back, not this time. It was a miracle Angel had regained his human form even once...
Nonetheless Wesley said with seeming conviction, "I know you, Angel. We know you. We know you're a man with a demon inside. Not the other way around." Poetic. "We know you have the strength to do what needs to be done, and you will come back to us."
Damn. Wesley's pep-talk must have actually accomplished something, somewhere inside that simple-minded undead brain. Lilah bore witness as the two men looked at each other for a long moment, as if a silent understanding between them had been reached.
Fred looked up at Angel, "I could help you. I know how to prepare the challenge torch." As the Texan girl – with that accent, she couldn't be anything else – spoke, Wesley reached across and placed a hand on Angel's shoulder.
Damn it. He's showing all the right moves. He actually knows how to get to people. Wesley was...confusing. He was a White Hat, but was coldly willing to kill her without a second thought – though really, all of them were. While she'd been able to shame Angel when it had seemed like she'd been about to torture her...did Wesley care about that? She wasn't sure any longer. Sometimes, he seemed to be this ruthlessly goal-oriented individual...and the rest of the time he was squeamish, and next to useless. Was one an act, and one the real him?
The old saying among the women in her family went something like, you scratch beneath a man's surface, all you'll find is more surface. So what was Wesley's surface?
"You'll come back." Wesley repeated himself, voice firm. Angel nodded, and Wesley turned away as the vampire left with Fred.
"Do you really think he'll come back?"
Wesley didn't answer Gunn. Not in so many words. "I need him to think he will, at any rate."
Gunn just stood there, falling behind Wesley as the Englishman made his way after the rest of the rebels.
Lilah quickly moved to reach Wesley's side. "My, my. I honestly didn't know you had it in you." She murmured appreciatively.
"I'm in no mood for games, Lilah." Wesley told her tonelessly.
"This isn't a game. I'm actually trying to compliment you." To her surprise, the words were almost genuine.
"For what?" Wesley looked over at her, disgust written across his face. "For being as heartless and cruel as you? Willing to lie and send people to their deaths to ensure my own survival?"
"No, don't be silly. I know you're not doing this for the same self-centered motives I'd have, if they'd put me in charge of this mess." Lilah smiled. "I'm just amazed you had it in you – to be this pragmatic. Because, let's face it, you're supposed to be a hero. Right? Heroes don't send people to their deaths that way. Heroes don't-"
"I'm not the hero of this story, Lilah." Wesley interrupted her, glaring briefly in her direction. "That's Angel's job description. I just do what needs to be done."
Outside the Imperial Palace, Pylea
May 4th, 2001
Lilah crouched just behind Wesley as they watched the main gate. The announcement that Angel had challenged the Groosalugg had drawn a few guards, either towards the fight or at least off their posts a bit. Then the demons responded to more attacks – on the north, on the south...many of the guards immediately left their positions, leaving far fewer on the main gate.
Wesley ducked back further into the bush cover as several Imperial Guards ran past their hiding spot to move towards the attack sites – the gate was still guarded, but with less vigor...
Wesley waited a few moments, as the sounds of battle reached them...the he nodded to Bartok. The Pylean rebel nodded back, somewhat hesitantly. It was obvious he had figured out this was one battle he almost certainly wouldn't survive. But still, his weapon brandished high, the man charged out into the open at the guards, "Death to the State!" His cry drew the guards' attention to him, and those demons then ran towards him – weapons were locked, and battled joined at the front gate too.
Lilah could not help watching the progress of this third diversion, but Wesley was looking away, already moving. Lilah quickly followed him, Gunn and a handful of other rebels. The rear of the castle awaited. And as the battle raged, over the walls they went, right under the metaphorical noses of the distracted guards.
Once they were in, the objective was clear. Silas. Well, Silas and the slave collar exploding device.
The group made it as far as the upper levels of the castle when they saw the two priests standing just ahead – hidden just out of sight as they were, the humans heard, and knew they'd found Silas.
"My lord! Rebels have reached the castle itself!" one of the demon lieutenants said hurriedly.
"That's him." Lilah's hands went to her sword. Good with it? No. Still not really. But she was more than willing to use it.
"Go!" Wesley ordered, but none of them really needed for him to say it. They charged at him, but already Guardsmen were coming in the way as Silas ducked back, escaping.
Swords clashed - Gunn was quickly forced back several paces, but Wesley was holding his own. He was forced to deal with two guardsmen and one sword, but then drew his gun to even the odds a bit.
BANG! BANG!
Guess Wes has that well in hand. Lilah swung her sword somewhat wildly at one of the demons menacing Gunn – the blow glanced off the guard's helmet, but it was enough of a distraction for Gunn to start pressing forward. Wesley drove his blade into one of the guards and caught the falling demon's sword, spinning to target another guard coming in from behind.
Lilah quickly lost track of the melee of blades and bodies, not to mention Wesley's gunshots, and merely swung at anything that wasn't human, barely keeping her head in the fight. By the time it was over – and it had to have been merely thirty seconds, if that – Lilah was sure she'd scored no kills, even if she had no clear recollection of what had happened in the jumble that had been the fight.
Oh, well, what the hell. She was still alive, and that was basically all that mattered.
"Just a little farther. We have to stop him from activating the device!" Wesley shouted. They ran down another hall, and through a few rooms...
They reached the chamber, Silas' study, where the device was kept. Lilah saw Cordelia in one corner of the room, half-hunched over, Silas standing over the device, hand almost on the jewels that must activate it...
"You're a little late." Silas said, turning his gaze from Cordelia to smirk at them. Lilah tightened her grip on her weapon as they all drew up short – then stopped any planned moves as she saw Cordelia. Sometimes, the vision girl surprises me. Now was one of those times.
Wesley lowered his sword and handed it to Sasha. "Stand down." He took a step towards Silas, clearly intent on distracting him."You don't have to do this."
"I don't have to." Silas agreed calmly, hand still held over the crystals. "But I'm going to."
"And who's going to do all the work" Lilah asked with a smirk, getting Silas's attention. "I mean, let's face it; demon slave owners, being forced to do the same menial labor which their dead slaves used to do? You'll have a mob outside, howling for your blood inside of a month!"
"Foolish female cow. We shall acquire new slaves from beyond the kingdom's borders." Silas kept talking, even as Cordelia moved towards him, an Axe in hand, slowly raising it up, "But first, you and your damned cow Princess will go to-"
Go where? Lilah thought with a smirk as Silas was cut off – permanently, his head flying from his shoulders.
Cordelia looked at the severed head, "Your cow princess is tired of hearing you yak, Padre."
"Nice goin'." Gunn congratulated her warmly.
"These guys stay dead without a head?" She asked Sasha.
"Oh, yes."
"Good." Cordelia looked to Lilah. "Still alive?"
"It's my talent." Lilah confirmed, lowering her sword as well. "You know, I think you should have insulted him before you killed him. More dramatic that way."
"Always a critic, Lilah."
The Hyperion Hotel, Los Angeles
May 6th, 2001
In the end, there had been a day of celebration for the new order – Slavery ended, the collar-exploding machine had been destroyed, plus the Covenant officially disbanded, 'Groo' the new King of Pylea, a dimension that now recognized humans and demons as equals; and was heading for riots and economic depression in the not-so-distant future, according to Gunn's somewhat jaded view on the matter.
As it had turned out, though, figuring out how to open a portal back to L.A. hadn't been as easy as they'd hoped. But with the help of Fred – who'd turned out to be a math genius freak, if more than a little nuts – they had eventually figured it out.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, of them all, Cordelia had almost been reluctant to go and leave her royal status (plus the hunky new boyfriend) behind – but none of them really wanted to stay. Even the so-called Princess of the realm quite desperately wanted a shower.
And so, they'd driven through the portal – albeit, right into Caritas. Lorne hadn't been happy about that, but he was too ecstatic to be back in L.A. to start demanding money for fixing the damage to to his night club. Not right now, anyway.
Lilah had mostly been quiet all the way back to the hotel. She had some strips to take out of Wesley's hide, yes, but what she needed right now more than that was an industrial-strength shower and a good night's sleep. All the rest could wait until tomorrow. So she only half-listened to Cordelia talking to Fred about tacos, and soap.
"Yo – that portal jumping is a fun ride." Gunn said with a smile as they entered the garden in front of the Hyperion's front entrance. He gestured at Angel and Wesley knowingly. "We sell it to a theme park, we could get paid."
"For once." Lilah offered with a smirk.
Wesley looked at her. "That reminds me. Your rent's due tomorrow."
"Oh, well, that reminds me. Your ass-kicking for everything you put me through in Pylea is due tomorrow, Pryce. And eye-gouging? It's an optional extra I'm definitely considering!"
Ignoring their bickering, Angel forced his way past them all to the front door. "Okay, can I say it?" He spoke as if they knew what 'it' was. "I want to say it."
"Say what?" Wesley asked, confused for a half a moment, before Angel opened the doors with both hands and walked in:
"There's no place like-" Angel's voice trailed off, and they all drew to a stop.
Wesley and Cordelia's smiles and good cheer vanished in an instant. A red-haired young woman, probably the same age as Cordelia, sat on a couch. Lilah couldn't place her.
"Willow?" Angel's voice was a far cry from what it had been scant seconds ago...worried? Afraid? She couldn't quite tell...
"What's-" Cordelia started.
Willow stood up, her expression...
Well, sad wasn't it exactly, but it was a start. Crushed, or buried under an ocean of sorrows, seemed more appropriate.
"It's Buffy." Angel said softly, offering a name Lilah did recognize. Angel closed his eyes a moment, then opened them.
So, what happened in Sunnydale?