Crypt Forty-Seven Redux

Author's Notes:

First: thank you for the reviews, it's very much appreciated.

Second: it occurs to me that I made an error when I wrote that this takes place one year after the first story—it is actually two years later. Clearly BtVS Season 4 for Crypt 47, and BtVS Season 6 for this Sequel. I'll update Part I one of these days.

Third: the problem of SD-6 knowing the identities of our heroes will be addressed eventually.

Fourth: the phone intercepts are problematic. We saw in the Alias pilot an apparent phone intercept, but really, it had be a simple tap on Sydney's phone. SD-6 is a criminal organization, not a government. So, I sort of fanwanked it into a kind of combination—I figure SD-6 could have the resources to keep track of thousands of phone numbers, and has computers that can scan conversations from those phones only. The idea that SD-6 has the resources to monitor all phone conversations in California or even just in LA is hard to believe. There will be a minor edit of Chapter 1 to reflect this someday.

Sixth: the whole idea of the 'SD-6 Hospital' bothers me greatly. Why on Earth would a bunch international gangsters want to fund a hospital? I can't even fanwank that one into believability. We just have to accept it if we wish to enjoy Alias.

Oh yeah, Seventh: sorry about the long delay between chapters. I think my muse may be incompetent.

Chapter Six

Everybody has questions

The vans pulled to a stop in the alley behind the Hyperion. Everyone trooped into the hotel and found Giles, plus the rest of the LA office waiting.

"Buffy," Giles said as he wrapped her in his arms and hugged her, "I really wish you wouldn't let yourself get shot. It's very upsetting."

"Yeah," replied Buffy, "it was a real drag. I'll try not to let it happen again," after a moment Buffy added, "ah, personal space?"

"Oh yes yes, of course," Giles unwrapped his arms and stepped back, "I should have known that you would be able to throw off the effects of a mere bullet."

"I nearly lost it Giles; if they hadn't wanted me alive, I'd be dead. There was nothing to stop them from putting another bullet into the back of my head while I lay bleeding and unconscious on Sydney's floor. Um, who were those guys anyway? And what did I do to piss them off so much? And is there a way to unpiss them?"

"Well Buffy," said Sydney, "you ran into an international criminal organization—enemies of the United States. I believe all you did was be in the wrong place at the wrong time. These people that stop at nothing to advance their aims."

"Aims? That would be...?"

"Well, that's a little tougher. Besides the usual: money, power and influence, they also collect Rambaldi artifacts. I don't really know why."

"I might be able to explain that, the occult being a specialty of OUR organization. But, who are you representing? And who are you?" Giles asked, looking first at Sydney and lastly at Vaughn and Weiss.

Wesley broke in, "Ah, let me introduce you to the elusive Mr. Michael Vaughn, a CIA Special Agent."

"You have me mixed up with the FBI, they're the Special Agents. I am a CIA case officer."

"A spy."

"No, an officer. You can look me up in the phone book, you can't do that with spies."

Most everyone eyed Sydney. She wasn't happy to be the new center of attention and said, "You don't want to know anything about me. I'm boring and dull, I'm a grad student who works in a bank and my number's in the book." She was met with knowing smiles and a few mild hoots of laughter. She added, "I know that you know what I do, or at least some of what I do. If ever you want to talk about me to anyone, please remember that my fiancé was murdered by SD-6 for no other reason than I told him about my job."

Everyone found that thought sobering and unsettling.

Vaughn decided to change the subject and asked, "Why isn't Angel dead, or at least bleeding out? I saw him collect a bullet from an M-16."

Buffy asked, "What's SD-6? I thought you worked for the CIA?"

Willow asked, "Why does that hospital have military level security?"

Wesley asked, "Precisely why was Buffy shot and kidnapped?"

Weiss asked, "How come those guys I shot didn't die until Buffy here hit them and they turned into dust?"

Vaughn asked, "Why isn't Buffy dead?"

Weiss asked, "Sydney, why aren't you asking any questions?"

Buffy asked, "I heard someone at that hospital refer to Mr. Sloan in a deferential manner. I thought he worked for the CIA, and how come I couldn't get transferred to Sydney's phone when I called up the CIA office? And where is Mr. Dixon? I kind of miss him, he's a lot more unflappable than Vaughn here."

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Chapter Seven

Everybody has Answers, But They're Not All Talking

Vaughn said, "SD-6 is classified. Everything about this is classified, we can't tell you anything."

"Well Mr. Vaughn," said Giles, "that's certainly helpful. I see that with your input, we'll get to the bottom of this quagmire in no time at all. Our tax dollars at work."

Vaughn had the grace to look a little embarrassed.

Sydney shook her head at Vaughn and said to the others, "SD-6 is a criminal organization. I did not know this for more years than I care to think about. The head of SD-6 is Sloan, who once worked for the CIA until he turned traitor."

Vaughn shot an angry look at Syd, but remained silent.

Sydney continued, "SD-6 tells most of its employees that it is a covert branch of the CIA."

"And that works?" exclaimed Willow.

"Yes, it does. Actually, historically, most spies don't know who they're working for. I suspect most don't care care. And once I found out that I was working for the enemy, I went to the CIA and became a double agent. If you tell anyone over a phone, or leave a message, it's entirely possible that the information would lead to my death, and yours too. SD-6 has tentacles in all walks of life, in places even we can't imagine, so, for the safety of all of us, you must beware of security. And you will not know who knows what: for instance, Mr. Dixon believes that he is working for the CIA, but he is actually part of SD-6. One day I hope to correct his understanding, but my bosses at the CIA are leery of letting him in on the secret."

Willow asked, "And the hospital?"

"That is an SD-6 facility. Although it is operated openly and appears to follow all the regulations that govern such facilities, there are rooms in there that you really do not want to enter."

Willow shuddered. "Let me guess, you check in but don't check out?"

Syd nodded grimly.

Wesley asked, "And why did they kidnap Buffy?"

"We don't know for sure. But I suspect that some of the phone calls to my old house were monitored by SD-6. When Sloan heard the words 'Sunnydale', he put his security section into action. Need I point out the SD-6 security section knows they are criminals?"

Weiss spoke up, "All right, our turn. I want answers. Why did those people have fangs and weird deformities? Why did they explode into dust? How come they didn't die when I shot them?"

"Mr. Weiss," said Giles, "are you not familiar with vampire tales? Your nose has been rubbed in the fact that vampires are real, has it not? Yet you are refusing to admit the existence of vampires. Just how much proof do you need before adding to your world view?"

Sydney's phone rang. She looked at the readout in irritation and said, "It's Sloan. He's signaling nine one one. I need to call him back before he gets suspicious. All of you be quiet."

Sydney punched the button for Sloan and identified herself. She listened for half a minute and said, "Yes sir, I'll be there in fifteen minutes." She looked up at the expectant faces and said, "The SD-6 facility was attacked. The Rambaldi artifact that Buffy brought with her was stolen. Sloan is angry, and the CIA will be even more upset once they learn of this debacle."

"Wait!" said Buffy, "how did they get the artifact? I left it in the back of my jeep."

"They towed your car, of course, and tore it apart into little pieces until they found everything they could possibly find. Why do you think they were there?"

"My mom's car! We have to get it back! She's gonna kill me!"

Vaughn asked, "Who attacked SD-6 with enough fire-power to get in and out again?"

"I don't know, Vaughn. But I'll find out and get back to you," said Sydney, "walk with me to the street."

Buffy started to follow but she was waved off.

"Please Buffy, would you wait until I get back to you?"

"Uh, well, sure."

"OK, tomorrow then. I'll find you here, right?"

"Umm, right."

--- ---

Sloan stood at the head of the conference room table, staring through the glass walls at the rest of SD-6. He was impeccably dressed and groomed, but he positively bristled with anger. He turned to his assembled team and said, "This evening we were attacked, viciously, by K-Directorate. They somehow managed to pinpoint the location of our latest acquisition, a fine example of Rambaldi. Marshall's lab was partially destroyed. On the other hand, our people acquitted themselves well for some of the attackers didn't get out alive. Although I would have liked some live prisoners."

"How's Marshall?" interrupted Sydney.

Sloan answered, "I'm told he's stable. Don't worry, they didn't get any of his access codes so the computer system is still secure. Or, at least as secure as it was. We're still inventorying what's left of the lab to try and figure out if anything else was taken."

Sloane clicked his computer and scenes of the attack came up. Sydney looked at the screen and stiffened. She said, "Anna Espinosa! That bitch!"

Sloan, pacing back and forth at the head of the table said, "I want Sydney and Dixon to track down the artifact. Remember, the artifact first, then retribution but only if you have time. I WANT that Rambaldi device!"

Dixon asked, "Where do we look?"

Jack Bristow answered, "We were able to track them back to a warehouse on fifth. Security Section raided it almost immediately, but they had already decamped. But SS did find several clues. You and Sydney are to follow them up. If you can capture or neutralize Anna Espinoza, do so. But the mission objective is to retrieve the artifact. We believe that it could be a serious danger to our national security."

Sydney shook her head. She scoffed, "Oh come on, what danger could this centuries old," she paused a moment while trying to decide what she should know about the object for Sloan's sake, "historical oddity be to us, in the twenty-first century?"

"That's on a Need-To-Know basis Agent Bristow," said Sloan, "and furthermore, we can't entirely answer that question anyway. There is a great deal of uncertainty involved. But trust me Sydney, when I say that it is important."

Sloan did his best to appear trustworthy and puppy-like to Syd, but it took all of Sydney's self-control to prevent her roiling stomach from upchucking it's contents across the polished conference table.

Sloan said, "Jack will be the control officer of your mission, please confer together and Jack will keep me briefed. If there are no more questions, then you're dismissed."

--- ---

Sydney stopped rushing just outside her front door. She breathed deeply, caught her breath, let it out, and consciously became a grad student/banker. Then she walked in and said brightly, "Hi Francie. How was your day?"

"Oh, hey Syd," she replied, "it wasn't a bad day. You?"

"Oh, one of my clients is all upset about something. Tomorrow I have to fly to New York for a meeting."

"Geez Syd, New York? What are you going to do about East European History? You know there's gonna be a quiz tomorrow. It's that time of the month."

"Then I'll try to make it up. Can't be helped. My job's on the line on this one. It looks like I screwed up and miscalculated a tax write-off on an offshore resort. Mind you, I think the government is wrong and I'm right, but I have to meet and go over this stuff with the clients and lawyers tomorrow."

"Woah, that sounds serious."

"It could be a big deal, if I can't pinpoint the problem. A whole lotta moola is at stake on this one." The phone rang and Francie grabbed it.

"NO!" shouted Francie into the phone, "this isn't fucking Joey's Pizza! Can't you read the damn number? It's not a five, it's a three!" And she slammed the phone into the cradle. "Damnit!" she exclaimed to Sydney, "this phone thing is really starting to piss me off!"

"Uh, yeah," said Syd. "You know, I think I'm gonna go get a bottle of wine. I've got a hankering for a nice Chianti."

--- ---

Sydney stepped into the back room at her local wine merchant. She saw Vaughn leaning against a rough, thick-planked wood table, reading the labels on a couple of bottles of wine. She didn't acknowledge his presence and walked around and through the stacks of wine until she was certain there was no one else back there. She stopped next to Vaughn and asked, "What's my counter-mission? I assume you know what my assignment is."

"Yeah, I talked to Jack thirty minutes ago. I'm supposed to get a detailed description of the artifact from Buffy Summers. If that blond ditz comes through, I'll get the boys in the back room to make a duplicate. If that works, we'll be ready to switch them out when you get back from London. If you and I can't make the switch, then your father will do it, right in the parking garage at SD-6."

"I don't think even the great Jack Bristow can make the switch under the electronic eyes of Security Section, right in the belly of the beast, as it were. We really need to do it before I get there."

"Trouble is, it's kind of a big box, and heavy too. You're flying commercial, right?"

"Yes. It'll probably have to go in the baggage compartment, or as freight even."

"Then I'll insert someone into the baggage handling department. You and Dixon won't even realize the switch occurred. Errr, what airline are you flying?"

"Don't know, Dixon's making the arrangements. We need a backup plan, Dixon might decide this things too important to leave to the tender mercies of airline baggage."

"OK, I'll get you some backup. We'll be ready in London, New York, and here. You have my cell phone number? Plus, here's my European number. Plus, the easiest way to get information to me is to talk to Jack. Dixon can't suspect anything if all you do is brief your control."

Sydney nodded and started to leave. But she turned and said, "Wait, I told Francie I was getting a Chianti."

"What! Italian swill? Here, try this Burgundy from Baron Rothschild instead."

"I don't know Vaughn, I usually prefer California wines."

He choked on a cracker and handed her a bottle, shaking his head in apparent disgust.

Sydney smiled and left with her wine.

--- ---

TBC