It had been nearly two months since Buffy and Joyce had gone away. Xander had talked to Leo, who had talked to the Elders, who had agreed to assign a whitelighter to help Buffy. Reports were that she was improving. She understood that people died because of her, because of her choices, people she was supposed to be safeguarding. Whether she'd ever be able to return to being a Slayer was currently unknown. Leo had told Xander that there was some debate going on to have her powers stripped entirely. But there was also concern that taking away her identity like that would do her more harm then good. But if she couldn't be trusted with the powers, it might be the best solution.
Xander was currently enroute to the library, he needed a book for a class. He could hear Giles' voice as he approached.
"It is a cruel and barbaric practice."
"It is a time honored tradition. Where is your Slayer, Mr. Giles? You were told to prepare her for the Cruciamentum."
"If you had bothered to read the reports I send the Council, you would have known that Buffy suffered a breakdown of sorts and her mother took her away to help her recover."
"Yes, I'm aware of that. If we did not have another Slayer available to us, we would have recycled Miss Summers when we first learned of it. That does not excuse your failure to do as you were instructed. You should have recalled her. Do you not have any control over your Slayer?"
Xander eased back. He needed to talk to Leo. Something was wrong. He went to a payphone and called the Halliwell's number.
"Hey, Phoebe, it's Xander, is Leo around? I need to talk to him."
"He's here, Xander, just a second." Xander heard her bellow Leo's name through the phone. Like Cordy, the Halliwell sisters, one and all, had a fine pair of lungs. He grinned, it was just one more thing he loved about his Cordy.
"Xander? Is something wrong?" He heard Leo's voice thru the phone line.
"I've got a question, Leo. Have you ever heard of something called the Cruciamentum?"
"Where'd you hear that word?!"
"There's an Englishman here, I think he's from the Watchers Council, he's demanding Giles produce Buffy for her Cruciamentum. When Giles pointed out that she kinda had a breakdown, the English guy said, if they didn't currently have another Slayer, they would have recycled Buffy. Is that a polite way of saying killed?"
"Yes, it is." Leo said grimly. "I'll be right there, Xander. This needs to be handled in person, Hellmouth or no Hellmouth. Hopefully it won't take long."
Glowing lights signaled Leo's arrival. He looked sick.
"Are you okay?" Xander asked.
"It's like a slap in the face when you're not expecting it. Damn, that's nasty. I'll be alright, this shouldn't take long and I told Phoebe to prepare a cleansing potion, for when I get back. Hot springs cleanses may help us stay clean, but right now, I'm being smothered. Show me where they are."
Xander led the way to the library. They heard the Englishman demanding to know where Buffy was.
Leo pushed open the door to the library.
"She's under the protection of the Elders." Leo told them. "A whitelighter has been assigned to help her with her crisis."
"Without informing the Watchers Council?!"
"The Watchers Council's role is the same as a whitelighter's. To guide. You were ordered to cease the Cruciamentum over a century ago. That you have continued it, behind the backs of the Elders is deeply disturbing. That you began it at all, is equally disturbing."
"What is the Cruciamentum, Leo?" Xander asked.
"They claim it's a test. They temporarily suppress a Slayers powers, then pit her against a vampire. As a human without powers, you've learned strategies that help you fight vampires. Slayers don't. That's what makes it a cruel practice. Not only are they without their power, they're not given time to prepare, just sent up against a vampire. Most die."
"It's murder!" Xander exclaimed.
"It's a test of their resourcefulness. A Slayer must be adaptable."
"98% of those you administrator this test to, die. It tests nothing."
Xander made a scoffing sound. "It's a very thin attempt to keep control over them. Younger people are easier to control. An eighteen years old can think for herself. You're not helping or guiding, your controlling. You're murderers."
"It is our job to safeguard humanity. We must make sure its defenders are up to the task."
"That's the Elders job, not yours. It's their job to make sure humanities defenders can handle the job. Which is why whitelighters and Watchers exist. It's our job to counsel and advise. We do not control!"
"Giles, if Buffy had been here, would you have gone along with this, despite your objections?" Xander asked.
"I am expected to follow orders, Xander."
"That both is and is not an answer. It's a cop out. You'd have gone along. Following an illegal or immoral order makes you as guilty of the crime as the officer who issued it. Which if you had, you'd be guilty of either murder or attempted murder."
"There will be no more Cruciamentums, not now, not ever, done on a Slayer again. Those were the orders the Elders issued a century ago when they first learned of this practice of yours. What do you think they're going to say when I report this breach of your agreement with them? I doubt you'll have a job for much longer. I suggest you leave Sunnydale before sundown. It's really not a nice place after dark." Leo orbed out. Xander could sense he was at his limit. He, himself, was having more difficulty ignoring the Hellmouth. He wasn't sure he'd make it to graduation at this point.
"I've been disappointed in you before Giles. Too many times. Eyghon, Buffy and Angel, Angelus. But this is the worst. There was a time when I thought you were worth listening to. Emulating, even. I thought you would be a great role model. This goes beyond not being a good role model, Giles. You would have participated in something that would have made you a murderer or attempted murderer. Because of orders. Illegal, immoral orders. You may be intelligent, but you certainly are not wise. I suggest you do as Leo said, whoever you are. Sunnydale really isn't a nice place after dark."