Giles walked across the large room and headed straight for Faith.
"Faith, there is a group of slayers in the courtyard" Giles said. "Take the injured Mr. Gunn down to the Infirmary and then go prepare the Slayers for departure."
"Ok G." responded the Slayer, "Come on Charlie boy, we gotta get you sorted".
Giles watched as Faith picked up the limp but alive body of Gunn and headed for the door. As she got to it, Giles noted she turned and glanced at Angel, smiling cheekily as she exited the room.
"Angel, glad to have you back with us" Giles stated. He noticed the look in the eyes of Angel and knew he understood the double meaning. "The attack on the Senior Partners emissaries has caused somewhat of a disturbance".
Angel now had a confused look on his face. Giles wondered if Angel had planned to die tonight.
"What's happening? Why are we here Giles"? Angel asked.
Giles walked over to Illyria and gazed at her.
"It seems that by taking out the Blackthorn, you have given the Senior Partners a reason to take out humanity," Giles dryly explained, not wanting to appear too open just yet. "The Senior Partners have had a kind of 'understanding' with the Powers that Be. The Partners signed an agreement that until humanity was powerful enough to fight back, they would not attack. This was mutually beneficial, as in turn, the Powers would not attack the Partners dimension, or Earthly holdings. Well, not a full on attack, that is."
As Giles spoke he kept his attention on Illyria. He could see her confusion at what had transpired and wondered why she had remained silent.
"Illyria, it seems that your predestined time of arrival was all part of the Powers plan," Giles continued, "They knew that you would be a key element in this battle. Apparently you're the one who is going to help destroy the Senior Partners."
Illyria surveyed the features of the man who addressed her. He appeared weak and feeble, yet he also gave an impression of importance and power.
"I wished only vengeance for the death of Wesley." Illyria said, deep loathing in her voice for the circumstances as currently presented. "I care nothing for the fate of humankind. You are nothing but maggots, slithering, squirming on the rotted flesh of a dying world, trying to secure enough of an existence to seem alive, but having no function."
"Yes, quite," retorted Giles. "I feel, however, I must point out how narrow minded of you that train of thought is. If humanity were to die out, then demons like yourself would be targeted next. You are small in comparison to your former glory, your armies destroyed, your power taken and your world gone."
Illyria was offended by this; she was also offended that she was offended by these words. She did not like a weak being such as a human pointing out to her what she had lost. She had been a God to the Gods of construction and destruction, of Life and Death itself, and yet a simple mortal human, one she had never experienced in battle, had the audacity to speak to her in this way.
"You dare speak to me like this," Illyria raged, "I would snap your neck as thoughtlessly as taking in oxygen, crush the existence out of you as easily as waving a small insect from my path, yet you do not fear that of me, you stand without fear or trepidation in front of me."
She watched as the Watcher moved in slightly closer.
"I have fought alongside and against Demons your worst nightmares could not imagine." Illyria proclaimed. "I shall help crush the Senior Partners because it is in my interest. I have no desire to help humanity; I shall destroy them so I can return to my former power and glory and leave this world, for it has bored me now."
As she stood there, Illyria looked at Angel and Spike.
"What about the half-breeds?" Illyria asked "they will be of assistance?"
Illyria saw Giles shift his gaze from her to each of the two Vampires.
"Ahh, Yes, Angel and Spike. One of them will accompany you to the Senior Partners dimension." Giles responded.
Illyria turned to face the Vampires, looking into the eyes of Angel.
"Well, I'm ready, when do we go." Angel asked.
"We must wait for Mr. Gunn to regain consciousness Angel." Giles stated "But, Angel, you're not going. Spike is."
Angel wasn't sure he had heard correctly. He looked at Giles and then back at Spike.
"Why the hell is he going?" Angel snapped.
"Yeah, why the hell am I going?" Spike reiterated.
Giles looked at Angel then at his watch.
"The Senior Partners are my problem Giles" Angel stated. "Have been for a while now, I've been dealing with them for five years. This is crap, I'm going, not Spike."
"You have had dealings with the Senior Partners, granted" Giles said. "But you are required here. You have made this all of our problem now. Spike must travel with Illyria. You have to be here for the next assault, we need you to lead a team."
Giles turned and headed for the door.
"This is not up for discussion; the plan is already in motion. I suggest that you all prepare, Willow should be back soon and Mr Gunn will be ready for the next part."
Angel was not happy, not with this plan or this situation. What jurisdiction did the Council have in this fight? He was the one that had fought the Senior Partners for five years. He was the one who had attacked the Circle of the Blackthorn. He was the one who was willing to sacrifice all including any relationship with his own son for the fight.
"Well, looks like Spikes gonna be the Hero of this picture. What's in store for Angel?" Spike mocked.
"Shut up Spike!" Angel replied.