The Night-Hawk - Series 1: 106: The Signum Key Pt 1 – Act 1
by Timan
. . . She’s coming . . .
. . . They’ll know . . .
~The law office of Alore and Struts, Raleighfield California ~
Darrel Gibson looked at the photo in his hand as he rested the receiver of the phone on his left shoulder.
“Yeah I’m looking at the photo right now,” he said with interest, “are we sure this is it? . . Great . . . no leave it there I’ve got someone coming to collect it.”
Darrel hung up the phone. He placed the photo on his desk and gazed casually at the demon on the other side.
“Drukar right?” Darrel asked, “You come highly recommended.”
Drukar smiled at Darrel.
“Deliver anything, anywhere, any time in any dimension is my motto, well, if I started to have one.” Drukar replied
“Good to hear,” Darrel replied sliding the photo over to him, “I want you to pick this up for us and deliver it here.”
Drukar picked up the photo and examined it. He frowned, creasing his dark brown skin, as his yellow eyes glared at the lawyer.
“It’s a clock.” He said in an annoyed tone
“Yes it is,” Darrel replied smugly, “good to see I don’t need to do a perception test on you.”
“Why don’t you just FedEx it?”
“This clock has immense personal value. It was left to us by three old men I just want to make sure it’s not damaged during transport.”
“I want more money.” Drukar demanded
Darrel leaned in smiling.
“You’ll do it for the price we agreed on.”
Drukar slapped down the photo.
“This is an insult!” he snapped, “I’m not gonna lower myself to the level of a postal worker!”
“Didn’t you just say ‘anything, anywhere, any time’?”
“Yeah but that usually involves something that needs to be below the radar not some kind of Wal-Mart discount item!”
Darrel nodded. He leaned back in his chair.
“I’m sorry you feel that way,” Darrel replied confidently, “but you do understand that if you breech our agreement I will release the details of your other ‘deliveries’.”
Drukar looked at Darrel curiously.
“You don’t have that.”
“Don’t I? The delivery I found the most interesting was the black plague to Europe in the middle ages.”
Drukar frowned at him. He picked up the photo and glared at it.
“Fine I’ll do it.” he replied
“Good man,” Darrel replied, “the address is on the back.”
Drukar stood and exited the office. He grumbled to himself as he stared at the photo. These guys were almost as bad as delivering for Wolfram and Hart when they were still around. There was something about this clock that bothered him but he was sure he would find out what it is when he reaches Phoenix in a few days.
~ House of Antiquities, Phoenix Arizona – One month later ~
Drukar trudged angrily into the Antique shop. He was supposed to have delivered the clock to Alore and Struts by now but because of the weak assignment he decided to stall for a few weeks. He figured A demon of his stature shouldn’t have to be lowered to picking up someone else’s furniture. He approached the old man standing behind the desk. The old man looked up at him and smiled in a grandfatherly way.
“My My,” he said softly, “I haven’t seen a demon in my shop in a long time. You’re not planning on destroying the world are you because I’ll have to insist that you leave.”
“I’m here to pick up a clock.” Drukar said as he placed the order slip onto the table.
The old man slipped on his glasses and read the page. He nodded to himself and wandered out the back.
“Ah yes this is a most interesting piece,” he said as he searched his back room, “The frame is made of solid oak and . . .”
“I don’t give a crap about what it’s made of I just want the damn clock.” Drukar snapped at him
“Young man I think you need to reexamine your manners before you next come to my store.”
Drukar rolled his eyes and leaned against the counter. those lawyers are definitely gonna pay for this. the old man returned a few minutes later with the most amazing looking clock.
“there you go I hope you have many happy hours watching it.” the old man replied
As he handed it over a rattling sound could be heard form inside the case. Drukar stared at the clock for a moment before he rattled it again.
“Oh my,” the old man continued, “I guess something became dislodged during the shipping.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Drukar replied curiously, “I don’t think they bought this clock to look at it.”
Drukar quickly exited the store. He moved into the alleyway and examined the clock closely. There was something definitely inside that shouldn’t be and there was only one way of finding out what that is. in one swift motion Drukar slammed the clock against the wall smashing it into tiny pieces. He searched through the rubble until he found what he was looking for. Carefully Drukar lifted the stone disk from out of the remains of the clock and examined it.
It was about the size of a dinner plate covered in runes and different languages. At even points along the top there were three carvings of animals on it. a wolf, a sheep and some kind of deer. This didn’t interest Drukar as much as the energy that was pouring off this stone. What ever this thing was it was powerful and worth a lot more then the lawyers were paying him. Lucky for Drukar he knew of a local organization that would be willing to pay more. As he walked back down the alleyway he had no idea he was being watched.
The Night-Hawk sat on the ledge of the building and observed.
~ The Hyperion Hotel, Los Angeles California ~
Angel was practicing his sword fighting. Connor and Gunn had headed out for the afternoon giving him time to himself. He like to take these moments and reflect on what had happen to him in his past and what might happen to him in his future. Just then there was a bright flash of light and Willow appeared. Angel stopped his training.
“Hey Will,” he said calmly, “Dropped in for a visit?”
“No,” willow replied in concern, “I need your help Angel.”
Angel put on his serious face.
“What’s going on Will?”
Willow walked over to him.
“Okay it’s like this. I don’t think Penny’s dead.”
“What makes you so sure?”
“A psychic told me. An incredibly powerful one,” Willow explained, “I talked to Glenda, you know the witch I sent after Penny, she assured me that she died in that plane crash.”
“So what’s the problem?”
Willow looked at Angel seriously. She pulled the amulet from her pocket and handed it to him.
“She was shielding me.” Willow replied
Angel looked at the amulet stunned.
“A Wethalim absorption charm?” Angel replied, “I haven’t seen one since . . .”
“. . . Since the original time line, I know, these are very hard to find.”
Angel put the pieces of the puzzle together in his mind.
“You thinking she knows where Penny really is?”
“Personally I’d like to find out for myself,” Willow replied, “that’s why I want the three of us to head to Phoenix.”
“Alright I’m in . . . Wait. The three of us?”
Willow knocked on the door. It slowly opened and Heidi Marsh stood on the other side. The shy looking teenager looked at them both seriously.
“I’m ready.” She said
~ Brett Carpenters Apartment, Phoenix Arizona – the next morning ~
Penny stirred slightly. She opened her eyes and blinked until the world came into focus. Penny smiled to herself as she felt Brett’s arm draped across her waist and his hand laying softly on her bare stomach. They had only been dating for a month but things have been going great between them. Penny also felt ready to let her old friend go and finally move on with her life. she had found the peace she was looking for. Penny giggled as she felt Brett kiss her neck. She rolled over and looked at him.
“Morning babe.” Brett said to her
Penny shot him a look Brett looked at her curiously
“Hottie?” he asked,” Sexy? . . . Okay Pen, seriously, we have got to nail down a cute name I can call you ‘cause this is just getting frustrating.”
“you know the names I like.” Penny replied
“Yeah, I know, but they don’t sound guy,” Brett explained, “I want something that sounds guy.”
Penny rolled her eyes and kissed him lightly.
“What time is it?” she asked
Brett rolled over and checked his alarm clock.
“About half past eight.”
Penny flopped back down onto the pillow and groaned.
“I gotta go to work.” She complained
Brett leaned over next to her. he placed his and on her thigh and slowly caressed her body.
“You could do that or we could call in sick and you can stay in bed with me.” he remarked
Penny smirked at him mischievously. then shook herself out of it.
“No I can’t. ever since you told him I was sick when I wasn’t he’s had this list of twenty questions he asks me now, oh, and for the record I don’t have leprosy.”
Brett looked at her strangely.
“good to hear.” He replied kissing her again.
Brett propped himself up on one arm and enjoyed the sight of his naked girlfriend climbing out of bed and bending over to gather her clothes. He ran his eyes up and down her body as she turned around to get dressed.
“Well at least I learnt one thing.” he continued
“What?”
“That you’re a natural red head.”
Penny looked down at herself then gave Brett a playful shocked look. she hit him lightly before he pulled her down for another kiss.
~ The Chamber, Phoenix Arizona ~
Rorgia stood in front of his brethren. He paced slowly up and down in front of them looking each one in the eye to let them know who was in charge.
“Phase one of the plan in nearly complete,” Rorgia boomed, “The resources we’ve acquired should be enough to maintain our stranglehold on the Phoenix economy. Within the next few weeks we will be proceeding to phase two and I need everybody ready.”
“What about the slayer?” one of the demons asked
“Ah yes,” Rorgia replied, “Dear sweet Penny. I will be setting up a task force whose sole purpose is the eradication of Nighthawk. They will be tougher and efficient. I guarantee by the end for their task there will be . . .”
“Nice.” A voice called out from the darkness.
Rorgia swung around angrily as Drukar stepped out of the shadows.
“You really have the evil lair look down perfect.” Drukar continued as he walked up to Rorgia
Rorgia folded his arms and glared at the currier.
“Who are you and why aren’t I killing you right now?” he asked menacingly
“Drukar’s the name and you’re not killing because I have something to offer you.”
From the bag on his shoulder Drukar pulled out the stone disk and laid it on the table. Rorgia looked at it with interest as he ran his hands over the marking.
“What is it?” he asked
“No idea,” Drukar replied, “but a law firm in Raleighfield is not paying me enough to bring it to them.”
“The power . . . “
Drukar smiled at him.
“Thought that would get your attention. Now let’s talk numbers.”
Rorgia looked up at the demons sitting at the table.
“Whatever his price is pay it,” he said seriously, “Something this powerful has to have a purpose.”
~The law office of Alore and Struts, Raleighfield California ~
“Ah, sir, we might have a problem.” the inter said
Darrel looked up from the pile of case notes on his desk.
“What is it?” he asked
“We just got word that Drukar has just sold the artifact to another interested party.”
Darrel leaned back in his chair and sighed heavily.
“You know what? I’m very unhappy about this,” he said sarcastically, “Do we know where Drukar is now?”
“Still in Phoenix from last reports do you want us to send a team?”
Darrel thought about this.
“Nope I have a better idea.” Darrel replied as he picked up the receiver of the phone
~ Midland Park, Phoenix Arizona ~
Jarrod put on his perky face as he stood in front of the camera. Beside him stood a rustic looking gentleman wearing thick gloves and holding a small power saw. Behind him was a large block of ice.
“I’m standing here with Mr. Cooter Roberts, the ice sculpting champion for the last four years straight. He is here to defend his title at the tenth annual ice sculpting championships” He said in his professional voice
“Howdy.” Cooter said
“Tell me Cooter what made the organizers decide to hold an ice sculpting competition in the middle of the hottest day of spring?”
“Well, it’s a challenge; we have to make our purdy piece of art before the ice melts.”
“But isn’t this a competition more suited to winter climates and in city’s where it snows?”
Cooter laughed in a way that made Jarrod’s skin crawl.
“Then where’s the challenge?”
“Right . . . what was I thinking? Well good luck in the final and let’s hope you win for a fifth year.”
“Thank you.”
“This is Jarrod Taylor WNHK news . . . standing with a crazy person.”
“Hey!”
Penny and Deke shared a look as Deke stopped recording.
“Okay maybe with out the end bit this time.” Deke commented as Jarrod handed him the mic
“We got it.” Jarrod snapped back
Penny shook her head as Jarrod walked over to his bottle of vodka he had waiting for him.
“Oh my god. He’s just trying to get fired now.” She said
“That’s nothing,” Deke commented as he packed away the equipment, “you should have seen what he did to a model volcano at the high school science fair.”
“I don’t think I want to know.” Penny replied as she checked Jarrod’s schedule.
As she did so she heard a light chirping coming from nearby. She looked up to see Hope perched on a railing nearby. Making sure no one was looking she wandered over.
“Hope?” she asked
Hope chirped out her message which made Penny look pensive.
“An artifact? What kind?”
Hope continued her message. Penny gave the small bird a worried look.
“So he just delivered it to The Chamber? Alright give me a couple of minutes.”
Penny walked back over to Deke.
“Ah Deke? Do you think you could cover me for a while?”
Deke looked at her curiously.
“Why? Where you going?”
Penny scanned her brain.
“It’s . . . girl stuff.” She replied
Deke looked at her awkwardly.
“Oh . . . okay, sure, how long?”
“’bout a couple of hours.”
~WNHK studios, Phoenix Arizona - 30 minutes later~
Willow, Angel and Heidi stood out the front of the recently repaired studio. Heidi walked around the area slowly as she got a sense of what transpired.
“T-This is where it happened,” she said softly, “T-Three men took her here . . . one of them didn’t know.”
“Do you see where they took her?” Angel asked
Heidi walked around the car park further.
“Hotel . . . T-That’s where they took her . . . He tried to save her.”
“Who?” Willow asked
Heidi looked up at them slowly.
“The Watcher.”
From the doorway of the studio Brett watched the display curiously. Deke had just arrived back from the park when he noticed Brett standing there and joined him. He frowned.
“What the hell? What are they doing?” he asked
“I have no idea the three of them have been standing there for like an hour.” Brett replied
Deke shook his.
“Man, we get the weirdest people in this town.”
Heidi looked around the car park further. She noticed Brett standing in the doorway and looked at him curiously. Willow and Angel stood aside and discussed what Heidi just said.
“If they went by van that’s going to make finding the hotel harder to find.” Angel commented
“There can’t be that many hotel’s in phoenix.” Willow replied
Angel thought about this.
“Alright we’ll split up. That way we could at least . . .”
“Go south . . . T-this is the address.” Heidi said as she handed them a scrap of paper.
Angel looked sheepishly at the scrap of paper Heidi just handed to him.
“. . . Or we could ask the psychic.” He concluded
Willow smirked at him.
“Come on Heidi lets go.”
Heidi looked anxiously at them.
“I wanna s-stay here,” Heidi said, “see if I can sense anything else.”
Willow and Angel looked at each other.
“We shouldn’t be that long.” Willow commented, “And I don’t think we really need her for this part.”
“Aright but keep yourself safe.” Angel commented
Heidi nodded before she turned and left. She smiled to herself as she walked towards the studio building. They were going to see Penny again just not in the way they thought.
Brett sat at his terminal. He had finally got the computers back to working efficiently. Brett looked over to the doorway and nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw Heidi standing there.
“Ah . . . Hello.” He said nervously
Heidi didn’t reply. She walked up to him slowly. Brett looked at the teenager with concern
“Are you looking for somebody?” he asked
From her back pocket Heidi pulled out an envelope. She handed it to him.
“Give this to her in five days,” she said in a serious tone
Brett looked at the envelope curiously.
“Oh . . . Kay. What is it?”
“S-Something Nighthawk needs to know.”
This got Brett’s attention. He studied the girl closely.
“Who are you?”
Heidi smiled slightly at him.
“T-tell her that they miss her and want her back.”
“What?”
Heidi looked behind her for a second. She then looked back at Brett.
“You’ll know the right time.”
With that she turned and left as quickly as possible. Brett sat completely confused. He studied the envelope closely. On the front it had Penny’s name written on it and on the back there was a sentence that didn’t make any sense
I just wish I knew where to start
~ The chamber, Phoenix Arizona ~
Nighthawk crouched down in front of the office building. She was experiencing de ja vu because she was almost in the same position she was in about a month ago. Next to her Hope sat and looked at the entrance.
“So you’re saying it’s inside the camber. How am I supposed to get it out?”
Hope chirped back at her.
“I wish I had you’re confidence about this. Let’s go.”
Inside Rorgia was studying the disk. The power was unfathomable. Next to him stood Moret, The Chamber’s head researcher, who was also studying the disk. The disk it’s self was standing on a column surrounded by Rorgia’s strongest guards. Rorgia turned to Moret.
“I want to know everything about this disk,” he ordered, “Who made it, what’s it for, and if it’s part of something larger.”
“Yes Rorgia,” Moret replied, “I have to say. Don’t these three animals look familiar?”
Rorgia looked at the animal carvings. Slowly he looked over to Moret.
“Are you suggesting this might have belong to . . ?”
Just then the lights dropped out. Rorgia and Moret stepped back as the sound of combat could be heard in the room. A moment later the light’s came back on showing the end result. The disk was missing and all of the guards were dead. Rorgia snarled as he recognized one of the arrows protruding from one of the guards chests.
“Nighthawk.” he said with anger
“Shall I alert the hoard?” Moret asked
Rorgia thought about this carefully.
“No not this time,” he replied, “we’ve tried two direct attacks against her both have failed. What say we try something a little more subversive this time?”
“Sir?”
Rorgia smiled
“Let Penny find out what that artifact is and when she does take them both back.”
Back at the station Heidi watched as Penny returned to the station. She smiled as she noticed the disk, covered up, under her arms.
“Things are in motion.” She said to herself, “She will come with the key.”
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