Well, I FINALLY managed to get something out. I'm really sorry about this huge delay, but I've recently gotten a job at a local brewery and I've been putting major overtime, and my free time has been very limited. I hope that this chapter will answer some questions and reveal some plans for the future. And, due to popular demand, I've decided to revise my plans somewhat and include Space Marines in the fic, although they won't appear until much later. So, I'd like to wish everyone happy holidays and say read and enjoy.
Chapter 19
The summer in Sunnydale passed with little excitement. With the Mayor dead and the constantly rising number of patrols, the demonic activity had been greatly reduced.
Finding herself with some free time after a rather busy summer, Buffy found herself knocking on Xander's door.
"You have some spare time?" Buffy asked once the door opened.
"For you, always." Xander grinned and stepped aside.
"So, what's on your mind?" Xander asked once Buffy was seated. There were a few spare chairs in Xander's room in case any of his flock wanted a private confession.
"Well, over the past few weeks I've had a lot of spare time, and I've been thinking about all that I've done since that Halloween. Do you think I've made the right decisions?" Buffy asked.
"I cannot say. There are some decisions I disagree with, but perhaps if I knew your thoughts on the matter, my opinion might change. Do you feel like explaining?" Xander asked.
"Ask away. I'll try to explain myself the best I can." Buffy nodded.
"Well, the biggest matter is your dealings with the Asgard. They may not be hostile, but they are still xenos." Xander began.
"I knew you were going to start with that. My first thought was, 'Can we destroy them?', and the answer is no. The Asgard are currently the strongest known faction, and the only thing keeping the Replicators from this galaxy. I have merely forged a temporary alliance to combat a greater threat. Secondly, their race is doomed regardless of what we do. The genetic degradation of their bodies is too extensive to repair." Buffy explained.
"Alright. I can accept that. After all, the Grey Knights have allied with the Eldar on several occasions. My next issue is Maybourne. Was it smart to give him an Inquisitorial Seal?" Xander continued.
"Smart? No, but it was necessary. If he is to operate in the galaxy and meet and deal with the leaders of other planets, he would need the highest authority. In this matter, my decision was mostly political, but I am confident that he will become an excellent Inquisitor. Besides, his leash is not nearly as loose as he thinks it is. If he steps one toe out of line, he will be terminated." Buffy smirked.
"My final question is when am I getting out of this damn complex?" Xander asked with a laugh.
"You already know that Willow managed to find materials suitable for the psycho-reactive components in Force weapons and your Grey Knight armor in the Asgard databases. She's been busy making you a new set of full Terminator armor and Nemesis spear. In addition to that, Willow is also working on a pair of Rhino transports. Once she's done, I have a couple of demon dimensions in mind that need to be visited, and you'll be leading those assaults. In the meantime, focus your attention on the new priests and missionaries." Buffy answered.
"So, I can expect hundreds, if not thousands of demonic scum just waiting for me to slaughter them? I'd say you're doing a damn good job. So, how's your mom?" Xander laughed, but there was a new glint in his eyes.
"She's happy we've been spending more time together. We've really began to drift apart, and I'm glad I can reconnect with her." Buffy sighed.
Feeling reassured from her talk with Xander, Buffy headed out to the factory to check on certain projects.
"How is everything, Dr. Novak?" Buffy asked their Magos Biologis.
"The girls are adapting well to the treatments and their training is progressing at an amazing pace. I have also begun their training with Polymorphine. They're already capable of changing their face and certain body parts, but it will take some time before they can change size or mimic the opposite gender." Dr. Novak reported.
"Tucker is progressing well?" Buffy inquired about her latest acquisition.
"The flagellation was a success, and his brain is reacting well to the programming. The weapons will be completed and installed within the week, and it will be ready for active service once we're done." Buffy gave the mutilated man a short glance, imagining the psychological effect it would have on their foes.
"And E-001?" Buffy asked.
"He has reached a stage in his development where keeping him out of stasis is detrimental to his health. I am currently completing his treatments. Once that is done, we will upload all the training directly into his cerebral implants while we wait for his equipment to be completed. Afterwards, I recommend he be sent on a simulated mission to fully determine his capability and adaptation to the treatments and training." Dr. Novak replied.
"Excellent. Keep up the good work, Dr. I would also like you to prepare a training and treatment program for the Vindicare temple. Once the Callidus assassins are done, I want to start with them." Buffy commented.
"Understood. Do you intend to establish the Cullexus temple as well?" Dr. Novak asked.
"Since this galaxy does not have psykers or blanks, there's no point. Oh, before I forget, have you made any progress on the subject I asked about two weeks ago?" Buffy stopped just before she walked out of the lab.
"Yes, I have. We currently have both the knowledge and the means to manufacture the life eater virus, but I must warn you that it should only be made and transported in space. I am confident that the containers for it will keep it properly, but there's no reason to risk any of our worlds needlessly." Dr. Novak said seriously.
"I will see into establishing a facility in orbit of Maybourne's base once it is constructed. It is after all the one Exterminatus class weapon we can produce the fastest and without the cost of special complex components." Buffy commented.
"We have targets for Exterminatus?" Dr. Novak frowned.
"You remember the aliens that invaded the SGC? We never gave them a welcome present, and I for one don't want to appear rude." Buffy smirked and walked away.
"Anything to report?" Buffy walked into the facility's command centre, which also contained a hololith table which held a map of the city and provided real-time tracking of their patrols.
"A few vampire encounters. A few patrols also reported that they were almost spotted by the Sunnydale PD, but managed to evade them in time." Faith began. Secrecy was still paramount to the group, even with their increasing numbers. While the amulets they had used to fight the Mayor were useful, they also required rare materials that were both expensive and difficult to procure and Giles had informed them they were to be used only in emergencies.
"I see you've expanded the patrol routes." Buffy commented as she examined the projection.
"The Mayor was a big factor in keeping the inhuman scum centralized in this area." Faith circled an area of the city. "Without a strong leader to give them a greater purpose, they've scattered all over the city."
"An unfortunate consequence, but nothing we cannot manage. Even if they don't encounter anything, the Sisters still get valuable experience in these patrols." Buffy commented.
"Indeed. Well, I'm scheduled to leave for a patrol soon so see you later." Faith turned and walked out of the room, leaving Buffy to stare absently at the transparent map of the city.
Meanwhile in L.A, another group of people were gathered in a basement room, and one could hear talking amidst the sound of ringing metal.
"All I'm asking is why you are even bothering with this acting business?" Wesley asked as he ducked. A large blade quickly passed where his head had been moments ago.
"It has been my dream for a long time, and besides, the added revenue will greatly aid our activity here." Cordelia replied as she attacked with her chainsword again. For use in sparring, the blade was turned off and its teeth were covered, but with its weight, it still left nasty bruises if it hit.
"What exactly are we supposed to even do here? We've been here for weeks now and have done nothing but slay the occasional vampire." Wesley countered.
"Our primary mission is not combat, it's intelligence gathering. You really think I can clean out this whole daemon infested city with one Watcher and a friendly vampire?" Cordelia scoffed as she parried a blow, followed by a kick to Wesley's chest.
"And who put you in charge in the first place?" The aforementioned friendly vampire was observing the spar from the side. He didn't engage in them, as Wesley was not on his level, and Cordelia was not only a fury with her sword, and even if she had a long way until she mastered it, she refused to spar with anything but her chainsword, which was heavily consecrated and fueled by the girl's strong faith in the God-Emperor. Even a touch would vaporize the area of contact with a vampire.
"Buffy did, of course. Between a loyal Commissar, a Watcher and a sanctioned daemonhost, who do you think Buffy would choose?"
"I'd appreciate it if you stopped calling me that." Angel protested. Being constantly reminded of his status was not something he enjoyed.
"Nice place you got here." A voice was heard from the door, causing an end to the spar. Instantly, Cordelia ripped the cover from her sword's blade and leapt at the intruder, thumbing the activator in mid-jump. The man gave a startled yelp as he jumped to the side, causing Cordelia to cut a deep, jagged line starting from the door and moving into the wall. The thick stone wall caused the blade to get stuck, which only served to piss Cordelia off.
With a snarl, she reached down to her belt and pulled out her newest weapon, a master-crafted plasma pistol, and leveled it at the intruder.
"Whoa, I'm a friend." The man screamed as the weapon began glowing blue accompanied by ominous humming.
"That remains to be seen. On your feet." Cordelia snapped. As she approached the man with the gun, the man gave out a startled hiss and jumped back while his face turned demonic, with green skin covered in blue spines and red eyes.
"Who blessed that bloody thing, the Pope?" The man exclaimed as his face turned human again.
"This weapon was hand-crafted by a Magos of the Cult Mechanicus using blessed metals, holy water and sacred oils. Hymns and litanies were chanted for the full duration of its creation, and the completed weapon was trice blessed by a Grey Knight Chaplain. The Eagle's Claw was built for one purpose. To hunt down and destroy the demon filth polluting this world." Cordelia said proudly as she aimed the gun at the man's head.
"I'm here to help you, damn it. Will you stop and listen for one damn minute?" The man shouted.
"Very well. I will hear you out. Whether or not I shoot you remains to be seen." Cordelia lowered her gun, showing that both sides were engraved with fine script. One was a prayer to the Emperor, while the other was the Commissar's Oath.
"I might shoot you regardless considering what you made me do to Kitty." Cordelia managed to pry the chainsword from the wall and began to caress it like a beloved pet. "There, there Kitty, mommy will make you nice and clean soon."
"Maybe coming here was a mistake." The man commented, looking towards the other two men for help. Angel and Wesley could only shrug, already used to their superior's strange habits. Cordelia's name for her blade was a much discussed topic back in Sunnydale. Many Sisters had earned themselves latrine and salvage duty by questioning Cordelia's sanity and choice of name. To their misfortune, Cordelia seemed to have a sixth sense for people badmouthing her.
"Well, my name is Doyle, and I was sent here by the Powers That Be. They occasionally send me visions of people in danger, and my latest vision told me that a vampire called Angel could help me and it gave me hints on where to find him. They didn't say I'd get attacked by a crazy chick swinging a chainsaw on a stick." Doyle sent a glare at Cordelia, who glared back and revved up her blade, reminding him of its dangerous nature.
"So, you want our aid in helping these people you get visions of?" Cordelia asked.
"I was sent here for Angel, but any additional help would be most welcome." Doyle replied.
"Alright. Angel will go with you and help you. If what you say is true, we will aid you. If this is all a trap, I will personally hunt you down and feed your guts to Kitty." Cordelia grinned evilly as she patted her blade. The name began as a joke to her, but it seemed the blade's machine spirit liked it, so she stuck with it.
"You're awfully eager to risk my life." Angel frowned.
"I am quite confident in your ability to get yourself out of trouble, and even if you fail and do die, I am certain it would be a glorious death in the Emperor's name." Cordelia gave him a soft smile. "Now, I have to get ready for a party tonight, and I can hardly attend covered in sweat. You boys go and have fun."
"Interesting girl." Doyle commented once he and Angel were outside.
"That she is. Probably one of the most violent women I've met in my life, and one of the biggest religious fanatics you'll ever have the pleasure of meeting." Angel smiled.
"You sound like you know more than one such person." Doyle commented. While the cursed vampire's life was known to him, the last few years were filled with a lot of gaps in his knowledge.
"Far more than I'd like. Things changed a lot over the past few years. For example, Sunnydale now has the lowest number of demonic deaths in the country. And considering it's built on an active Hellmouth, that's even more impressive." Angel began.
"It surprised a lot of people on both sides. The Slayer's new group is quite effective. So, Cordelia is a part of it?" Doyle asked.
"Yes. For an ordinary human, she's become surprisingly effective in fighting demons. Give her a few years and she could become just as renowned and feared as the Slayer." Angel shrugged.
"Well, let's get back to business. This is the person I had a vision about…" Doyle changed the subject, telling the vampire about the girl they were trying to save.
At her party, Cordelia frowned when she caught sight of Angel. A quick talk with the vampire about his presence there only served to increase her anxiety. There was something fishy going on around here and she didn't like it one bit.
The next day, as Angel was still busy with his investigation, Cordelia received an unexpected call from her agent telling her that a man called Russell Winters wanted to meet with her, and that he was apparently very influential and could greatly help her career.
The limo ride was quite comfortable, and Cordelia was quite impressed with the man's mansion. She just hoped he wasn't some sleaze ball that asked her to come here to sleep with him. If that was the case, her knee would soon meet with a certain part of his anatomy.
"Welcome to my humble home. Please, sit down." Russell offered her a seat once the butler led her to him.
Cordelia took a seat opposite him and put her large purse on her lap, feeling the familiar weight of the weapons she had inside.
After a few minutes of smalltalk, Cordelia decided she wasn't comfortable with the way the man's eyes looked at her and stood up and walked around the room, seeming to admire the décor.
"This is a really nice house, Mr. Winters with… heavy drapes and no mirrors." Cordelia whispered as she realized what was going on.
"You're a vampire!" She exclaimed as she turned around to glare at the man with an expression of disgust.
"A vampire?" Russell put on a surprised look on his face as he stood up.
"Don't play dumb with me filth. I'm from Sunnydale." Cordelia snarled and reached into her purse. Russell was still approaching her slowly, obviously unconcerned about anything a little girl like Cordelia could do to him, so he was caught completely by surprise when she pulled out a handgun almost as big as her forearm. His proximity to the holy weapon didn't help him much either as he tried to jump back and tripped on a chair.
"In the Emperor's name, you are hereby sentenced to death." Cordelia's tone was arctic as she raised her weapon and fired a shot right at the man's head, vaporizing it and burning a hole right through the floor. A moment later, the rest of the vampire's body burst into dust.
As Cordelia walked out of the room, two security guards at the end of the hallway caught sight of her. Before they could raise their weapons, streams of plasma were already heading towards them, striking one in the head and the other in the chest. Unfortunately for her, one of them fired his weapon as he died, drawing the attention of the other guards.
Cordelia rushed to get out, but was soon pinned down close to the entrance by Russell's security force.
"Come cowards, face the Emperor's fury." Cordelia screamed as she fired a burst of plasma at the guards as she weaved between pillars, wholly unconcerned about the bullets zooming around her. She grinned as she saw one guard dodge too slowly and a plasma shot hit him in the side. Even if he didn't die, the shock would keep him out of the fight.
The hit was returned with increased weapons fire, and Cordelia was starting to worry. She didn't have a lot of ammo left, and there were still too many guards left. Fortunately, she still had one last ace up her sleeve. She reached into her purse and pulled out a frag grenade.
'And Wesley said I was crazy to haul this thing with me.' Cordelia smirked as she pulled the pin and lobbed it towards the biggest bunch of guards.
The sheer surprise the men felt when they realized a girl in an evening dress just threw a grenade at them was short lived as the grenade blew, showering the hallway with deadly shrapnel.
Grasping at the opportunity, Cordelia rushed out of cover, firing her weapon as she did. She managed to nail two more guards as she reached the stairs leading down to the entrance of the mansion. Without hesitation, she vaulted over the railing, grateful for the genetic enhancement she had received the last few months, even though she spent two months feeling various unpleasant symptoms like vomiting, sudden bursts of weakness and energy, nausea, unpleasant aches and splitting headaches.
She landed and ran out the door, running into Angel of all people just out the door.
The vampire hissed in pain as the plasma weapon narrowly missed his face, causing it to smoke and blister.
"Sorry about that. We need to leave now." Cordelia deactivated her gun, and together with Angel rushed towards the gate where Doyle was waiting for them in a car.
"So, what brings you here?" Cordelia asked.
"We discovered that Russell Winters was responsible for Tina's death." Angel explained how the girl he and Doyle were trying to help was found dead with bite marks on her neck, and how Angel had discovered who the one that attacked her was.
"Is that so? Maybe I shouldn't have killed him so quickly then." Cordelia shrugged. "Well Doyle, it seems you were telling the truth. Welcome to the group."
"Does this mean you'll stop trying to kill me?" Doyle asked.
"As long as you don't turn on us or make me angry. Now, let's get back home. All this killing has made me hungry." Cordelia laughed at her joke as the two men shared a nervous glance.
A few hours later at Russell's house, a young man in a business suit was staring curiously at the guard corpses being removed from the mansion.
"Whatever hit them had enough force to not only penetrate their armor, but burn right through them." One of the men moving the bodies informed him. "And whatever it was, it was hot as hell. The flesh and armor around the wound is completely melted. And we also found these."
The man in the suit stared a few moments at the bent flechettes in the man's hand before he pulled out his cell phone and began dialing.
"It seems we have new players in town." He began.
"No, I don't think the senior partners need to be bothered with this just yet." With that, he hung up and walked away as the house slowly burst into flame. By the time the fire dept. would get there, all evidence that anything unusual had happened there would be long gone.