Not much happened for the first few hours, and once the choppers were in place, there wasn't much to do but sit and wait. The sensors continued to register the energy currents and it was clear they were slowly growing in intensity, but they were still below the levels they had been at earlier in the day.
"You ready to tell me exactly what's going on?" Graham asked Riley.
Riley looked up at the monitors and then at Graham. He nodded. "In my office. Paxton -- as soon as you get someone, patch it through."
"So who's doing all this?" Graham asked as soon as they sat down. "Who's the 'she'?"
Riley hesitated. Even telling Graham felt like a betrayal; that by admitting it, he'd make it true. But he had to -- Graham was putting a lot on the line here, he deserved to know why. "You remember Buffy's friend? The redhead?"
It took Graham a minute before he remembered. Understanding clicked into place. "The cute one? Really sweet?"
'Sweet' wasn't exactly the word Riley would use to describe her right about now. He proceeded to lay everything out for Graham.
When Riley was done, Graham sat back, obviously stunned. "Is she really that powerful?"
Riley shrugged. "She brought Buffy back from the dead. I'm guessing it wasn't dumb luck."
Shaking his head, Graham corrected, "Dying, not dead. The doctor said they were still stabilizing her."
"No, not today," Riley said when he realized Graham had misunderstood. "Last year."
Graham gave Riley a skeptical look. "Last year? Buffy was dead?"
"And buried," Riley answered. "Four whole months, give or take."
"And Willow did that." It was stated flatly with more than just a little disbelief.
Riley nodded.
Though the skepticism was dissipating, Graham still wasn't a complete convert. "How?"
"Haven't gotten the full story on that one yet," Riley had to admit.
Graham shook his head as he finally seemed to take it all in. "And I thought it was tough to be your friend. At least you never actually died." He was quiet for a few minutes. "You think she's really still in there? That Buffy can reach her?"
The million dollar question. "I hope so. I really hope so."
Leaning forward, Graham briskly said, "Well, we need a contingency plan. In case Buffy can't."
"Yeah, I know." A contingency plan. In case Buffy died trying to stop Willow. In case Willow killed Buffy.
Unbelievable.
Graham looked through the office window at the sensors recording the energy levels. "Could you kill Willow if you had to?" he asked.
Hell, Riley thought, he'd already been responsible for his own best friend's death. What was one more? "You do what you have to do."
Graham's look was a little too perceptive. "That wasn't Forrest," he said quietly. "You couldn't have saved him. He was too far gone. There was nothing else you could have done."
Riley looked away. "I don't want to see that happen again." He tried to keep his voice from betraying him. "Not with Willow. Not if Buffy can get to her first." Looking back up at Graham, Riley said, "Not sure if it matters, though. If Buffy can't do it, then I'd say our chances are about zero to none."
"Backing away from a fight? Doesn't seem like you." Graham stood up.
"Just trying to be realistic." As though anything about this felt real -- that this was Willow they were talking about. That Willow might actually be capable of killing someone. That Buffy might not be able to stop her. Riley was relieved when the phone rang. He picked it up as Graham left the office.
"Freaks 'R Us on line one," Paxton said. "Anthropology professor at University of New Mexico. Albuquerque's used her as a consultant before, so she's already cleared for this op. Her name's Marta Oakdell."
"Thanks." Riley watched through the window as Paxton pushed the button transferring the call. Could that actually be the ghost of a smile on his face? "Dr. Oakdell? My name's Riley Finn."
"Agent Finn," she answered. "I'll tell you right now: I'm not interested in wasting my time with this phone call if you're not interested in what I have to say."
Riley smiled. "I see you've worked with the Army before. Believe me when I say that I am very interested in your opinion."
She practically snorted. "Well, you appear to be in the minority. My experiences with your people have not been entirely positive."
"I'd be more than happy to commiserate with you about that at some point," Riley said, "but right now I need your help. If you're not willing, tell me now so I can find someone else. I don't have a lot of time."
There was dead silence on the line. Riley was about to give up when she finally spoke.
"So you're aware of what's happening."
Well, that was an interesting way of putting it. When in doubt, repeat the question. "Of what's happening?" How did she know?
"Yes," she said impatiently. "You must know, or else you wouldn't have called me."
Definitely interesting. "Let's assume I don't. Tell me as much as you can."
She was clearly still skeptical as she paused before saying, "Very dark magicks have been called. Very powerful. And getting stronger with each minute."
"Is there a way to stop it?" Riley asked, maybe a little too hopefully.
She laughed harshly. "With what you have available?"
Well, that was helpful. "You didn't answer my question."
Another laugh, but less harsh this time. "You noticed that?" she responded.
"Ma'am, please." Riley looked up as the monitor on the wall caught his eye. The energy levels were spiking again.
She must have heard the desperation in his voice. "Very well. I'll be perfectly honest. There's nothing you can do right now; this witch is more powerful than anything we've ever seen." There was a heavy silence before she added, "Although there's no one quite as powerful, there are a lot of people working to counteract her. If she can't be stopped, she might at least be weakened. That's the only shot you'll have."
"There are people in Sunnydale?" Who? He thought he knew most of the local players.
There was a smile in Oakdell's voice when she said, "You'd be surprised."
Great. Nothing like a nice, solid detail to help clear things up. "Dr. Oakdell -- will you be at this number for a while? In case I need to contact you again?"
She gave him several numbers -- cell phone, pager, and the house where she'd be taking part in a prayer circle. Just as they were about to hang up, she said, "One more thing -- and I'm sure you've already considered this, but I can't in good conscience not say something."
"Go ahead," Riley said.
"It's not just the Glindas-"
"Glindas?" That wasn't a term he had heard before.
"Glinda. The good witch. From Wizard of Oz?"
"Oh. O.k." Not exactly a favorite among the Finn brothers.
"It's not just the Glindas that know what's happening. I'd watch my back if I were you."
The warning was conveyed without any threat. And yet he had to ask, "You know of anything in particular?"
"No, but the dark forces tend to capitalize. If they know that resources are being devoted elsewhere, they tend to jump on the opportunity."
Well, that was an interesting point. One Riley hadn't actually considered. "Thank you, Dr. Oakdell. That's more up our alley. I appreciate your help." A few seconds later, he hung up.
Riley was about to head into the outer room when the phone rang again. It was Paxton, saying that a policeman Riley knew was on the phone. Something about a jailbreak.
Riley sat back down and grabbed the phone, noticing that the energy levels on the monitors were climbing faster now, higher than they had been earlier.
"Finn." He started to lean back in his chair. Sat up straight as the policeman started talking. "She tore the wall apart?" Riley said, repeating the words that had just been said to him. "And the bars were bent? Was anyone hurt?" He listened to the full rundown. A lot of damage, but still no one hurt. "No. Don't go after them. I'll take full responsibility for the police car…"
Thank God for pickup basketball games, Riley thought. No way Jackson would be this lenient or forthcoming if it hadn't been for the hours they had spent on the court last week, killing the other team. Of course, it also didn't hurt that Riley had the weight of the U.S. government behind him. For the moment at least.
"The prisoners, too?" he asked. "What prisoners?" He closed his eyes and leaned forward, head in hand. 'Before the witch got to them.' So not Willow. Shit, Buffy -- what the hell are you doing? "Don't suppose we could flip for it?… No, I didn't think so. O.k. Yeah. Them, too, I guess. We'll get you something in writing."
When he opened his eyes, he saw that Colonel Vaughan was standing in front of his desk. He jumped to attention. How did she get here?
"At ease," she said. She gestured at Graham who had come in behind her and was now leaning against the wall. "Miller tells me you've ordered our men to stand down. He says you don't want us to fight. You know you're not making any friends here, don't you?"
"Yes, ma'am." Damn it. He'd been hoping the brass would hold off a little longer.
"You want to explain yourself?" She sounded none too happy.
"Colonel, Will-" Riley stopped himself just before the full name slipped out. "The threat is being contained."
"Funny," she said, "I thought I heard the word jailbreak. That doesn't sound much like containment. Just the opposite in fact." She paced in front of the desk, her eyes on the floor. "So this is a crowd you're familiar with. I hear they have quite a history with Sunnydale ops."
"Yes, ma'am."
She stopped pacing and looked at Riley. "I am not at all comfortable with this situation. And I'm sure you won't be surprised to hear that there is a lot of pressure to relieve you of command."
"Yes, ma'am," Riley said, looking straight ahead. "Permission to-"
"I'm not done yet," she snapped, silencing him. She looked at the monitors in the other room, watching as the levels began spiking again. "I've come to expect a lot from you over the past year. It hasn't always been pretty, but you tend to get the job done, and that goes a long way in my book."
She turned back to face him. "I don't need to tell you what's riding on this. And I'm not talking about careers -- that seems to be a given where you're concerned." Gesturing at the monitors, she continued, "If these readings are any indication, we haven't seen power like this in a long time. But you know better than anyone what this witch is capable of. There's a reason I put you in Sunnydale, much to Miller's dismay." She smiled at Graham as he looked away. "This post doesn't just need someone who thinks outside the box; it needs someone who discards the box altogether. You may not be Command's idea of a poster child for the Army, but I'll stand behind you. Just remember -- I worked incredibly hard to get where I am today and I will not be happy if that all goes down the drain. Understood?"
Riley nodded, a little in shock.
"So go ahead," she said. "Permission to speak freely."
"Umm, thank you," Riley said. That had been totally unexpected. Vaughan had always been supportive; he just hadn't quite realized how far she was willing to take it. "O.k., then. We need to get to work."
Half an hour later Riley was standing in front of a room full of uniformed soldiers. "This is everyone?"
Paxton nodded. "Yes, sir. We called in the whole roster."
Riley adjusted the headset he was wearing and pushed the mouthpiece away. "And everyone in the choppers will be able to hear me, too?"
"I'll turn it on as soon as you say 'go'."
Riley looked up at the assembled men. They looked far too young to have already been through special ops training, but they wouldn't be here otherwise. Though he would have preferred to take them out on drills first, he had to trust that they could handle themselves.
"Paxton?" Riley asked as his eye caught a face that seemed very out of place. "Is that Mrs. Kaplan? In cammo?" Not looking like Mom's bridge partner anymore.
"Captain Kaplan," Paxton corrected. "She served two tours in Vietnam. Left the Army to raise her kids but re-upped six months ago."
"You're kidding," Riley said in disbelief. "And we have her typing?"
Paxton shrugged. "We've mostly just got you answering phones. Sir."
Riley turned to Paxton. "Did you just make a joke?" This day was getting way too weird.
Graham walked over with a list in his hand. "Riley -- I've realigned the teams so that the Initiative guys are evenly distributed. There are twenty of them including Taggart -- he's on one of the choppers. He'll head up Gamma Team."
"And we have how many cars?" Riley asked Paxton.
"Seven."
"Eight," Vaughan said to Riley. "We had someone drive your car back this afternoon."
Nine, then, when you added in Graham's. "Good. Paxton -- let's do this."
Paxton nodded. "You're live."
Riley pulled the mouthpiece back into place. "O.k. We've got three teams -- Alpha, Beta, Gamma. Everyone's got the rendezvous points so that rookies can pair up with experienced men. No cowboys -- this is not an attack. Use force, but only if absolutely necessary and only on demons and vamps -- they need to know the Slayer's not alone tonight. You see anyone -- anything -- else, fall back and report it." He paused for a minute, waiting for that to sink in. "I want six choppers in the air at all times -- Colonel Vaughan will coordinate who's up and who's down from here. Once Beta and Gamma Teams are dropped, we'll have seven cars patrolling; the other two cars stay with Miller and Taggart. All communications will go through the Base. Gamma Team patrols the woods; Beta Team takes the cemeteries; and Alpha Team -- we've got the town. Any questions? O.k. Let's move."
He pulled the headset off and grabbed a radio and taser off the table beside him. "Colonel, you sure you're o.k. with this?"
Vaughan nodded. "I'm not sure if I agree with Dr. Oakdell's scenario, but you should be in the field. Just in case she's right."
As Riley and Graham walked out, Graham asked, "You really think they'll be out tonight?"
Riley shrugged. "Don't know, but it beats sitting around and waiting."
Graham laughed. "You just want to waste the government's money."
"I'm not the one who pulled twelve teams in," Riley said, smiling. "As long as they're here, though, we may as well get some use out of them. Besides, it's good training for the rookies."
"Train away," Graham said as they came through the doors that led them outside.
"Looks a little silly, don't you think?"
"Excuse me?" Riley asked.
"The SUVs," Mrs. Kaplan said. "All driving in one big line. It's like some bad movie about the mob or the president or something."
That was more than he'd heard her say since he had been in Sunnydale. "Yeah, kind of silly, I guess. But we'll be at the rendezvous point soon and then we'll split up."
"And then we'll see some action?" From the excitement in her voice, it was clear she wouldn't be shying away from combat.
Riley laughed. This was a completely different side of Mrs. -- no, make that Captain -- Kaplan. "Maybe. I'm not really sure if this 'open season on Sunnydale' theory has any weight behind it."
She shrugged. "Sounds good though."
He smiled as he brought the car to a stop alongside one of the teams the choppers had just brought in. He rolled down the window and stuck his hand out. "Kevin. Good to see you."
"That's Major Taggart to you," Kevin said as he shook Riley's hand. "Hey, man -- not bad for someone who was at death's door yesterday afternoon."
"You heard about that?" Riley asked, not entirely happy.
Kevin laughed. "Who didn't? Brought back the old days -- for a while it seemed like we were placing bets every other week."
Kaplan looked at Kevin, then at Riley. "Bets?"
"Not sure I'd want to ride with him, ma'am," Kevin said. "Finn tends to push things."
"Tended to." A long time ago.
"Yeah, whatever," Kevin replied. "Odds against you keep getting higher, but so far that's just made me more money."
Great. "Glad to be of help."
Kevin smiled. "So you stuck me in the woods again, huh? I couldn't even get the graveyards?"
"Sorry, Taggart, that's my territory." Graham said, coming up behind Kevin and slapping him on the back. "We're all set, Ri. I've got my guys. Final orders?"
Riley shook his head. "Just tell me if you see Buffy or Willow. And tell the men not to go looking for action where there is none. It's o.k. if it ends up being a slow night."
"I know, I know," Graham answered. "This is all 'just in case.' Anything else?"
"Yeah." Riley paused. He knew Graham wasn't going to like what he was about to say. Actually, he wasn't sure he himself liked what he was about to say. "Remember Hostile 17?"
Graham and Kevin nodded.
Riley looked away. "He's off limits."
"You kidding?" Graham asked in disbelief.
"Wish I were."
Graham looked at Kevin and shook his head. He turned back to Riley. "What is it with you and Sunnydale? Someday you're going to have to explain this shit to me 'cause I still don't get it."
"You could always pull rank on him," Mrs. Kaplan said.
The three men turned to her. They had forgotten she was there.
"Thanks, Mrs. Kaplan," Riley said sharply.
"Captain," she replied.
"I know." Riley was starting to think he liked her better as the bridge playing old lady. At least she didn't outrank him, too.
Graham held his hand up and said, "No Hostile 17. I'm not in the mood to argue." He turned to go. "I'm outta here. Be safe, guys."
Kevin asked, "Which car am I in?" He turned in the direction Riley pointed. "O.k." He glanced back at Riley as he walked away, "Don't forget -- big money."
"So, Mr. Finn-" Mrs. Kaplan asked as Riley turned on the engine.
"Riley."
"Riley." She nodded. "I'm Esther, but I'd rather you call me Kaplan. That's what the boys call me. Besides, Esther's such a grandmother name, don't you think?"
Definitely a weird day.
"So, Riley," she continued. "Where to now?"
He pulled onto the road. "Now we patrol."
"Patrol?"
God, did he need to get these guys training. "Drive around and look for all things dark and sinister."
"I have a sixteen-year-old daughter," she said. "Everything looks dark and sinister."
Good point. "Then I guess we're in for a long night."
The first few times around town they didn't see anything except a lot of other SUVs.
"It still looks silly," Kaplan said. "Even when they're not in a line."
Riley gave her a look. "Doesn't matter. All that matters is that it gets noticed."
She looked up at the sky. "Choppers, too. You don't think it's overkill?"
"Funny," Riley muttered. "I don't remember you being this talkative."
"Shame on you, Riley." She grinned. "Didn't your mother teach you to respect your elders?"
"Yes, ma'am," Riley said, looking straight ahead and trying not to smile.
She sighed. "If only I could get my son to fall for that." Her eyes scanned the road in front of them. "Riley. Ten o'clock. Demon?"
Riley looked where she pointed. "Definitely not human."
"It looks kind of…dejected. Not quite as scary as I imagined."
She had a point. The demon's shoulders were hunched and it was kicking at something as it trudged down the street. Riley pulled up alongside it slowly. As he rolled down the window, he could hear it muttering.
"Heading anywhere in particular?" Riley asked, bringing the car to a stop.
"Oh, man." It was said in a tone that might be described as whining if it weren't coming from a demon. "This just isn't my night." He waved his hands. "Move along. I'm not the droid you're looking for."
"Nice try, Obi Wan." Riley got out of the car. He heard the other door slam and noticed that Kaplan had come around from the other side. She stood apart from him -- far away enough that anyone attacking couldn't get them both in one shot. Good. Better than your average rookie.
"No really," the demon said. "You're looking for Spike -- right?"
Someday Riley would have to figure out a way to not go cold whenever he heard that name. "Why would I be looking for Spike? What's he done now?"
"He warned me about you guys," the demon said, noticing Kaplan for the first time. "And girls. Women, I mean." He gave her a little wave. "I'm Clem. Pleased to meet you, ma'am."
Kaplan couldn't help but return his smile. "I'm Kaplan. This is Agent Finn."
Clem waved at Riley. "Hi."
Riley was trying hard not to laugh at the ridiculousness of the situation. He folded his arms across his chest and managed not to wave.
"Do you live around here, Clem?" Kaplan asked.
Clem laughed nervously. "Oh, no. This really isn't a very nice part of town."
"Can we give you a ride home?" Riley asked. Unless this guy's weapon was killing with kindness, there didn't seem to be much of a threat.
"Really?" Clem nodded eagerly. "I'm staying at Spike's crypt. But could you try and avoid the Slayer if you see her? I think I might be in trouble."
Riley leaned back against the car. "And why is that?"
Clem kicked at the ground. "Not a very good babysitter. But in my defense, she is the Slayer's sister. She's crafty."
"Dawn?" Riley asked, standing up straight. "You were babysitting Dawn? Is she o.k.? Where is she now?"
"Ummm..." Clem looked around uncomfortably. "See? I kind of don't know. She went in to see Rack, never came out."
'Rack'? What was 'Rack'? Or, maybe, who? "Never came-?"
"But Buffy was there, too," Clem hurriedly added. "So that's o.k., right? I mean, wherever they are they're there together."
"Wherever they are." Riley tried not to think too hard about where Buffy was at the moment. "Did you try looking for them?"
Clem nodded. "The room was… Well, they weren't in there. And I've been wandering around, trying to find them, but…" He shook his head.
"Can you take us-?" Riley was cut off by the radio crackling. He grabbed it through the window. "Finn. Go ahead."
It was Vaughan. "You know a place called the Bronze?"
"Yeah," Riley answered with a sinking feeling.
"We're picking up some 911 calls. Sounds vampire-like."
There was a rush of relief. For a second there, Riley had been worried it was Willow turning on her old haunts. "O.k. We're on it. We'll need back-up."
"Affirmative. Out."
Riley turned to Kaplan. "We're up." To Clem he said, "You should come with us. It's probably safer for you not to be on the streets right now."
"You think Buffy's that mad?" Clem asked.
"No," Riley said. It was his own men he didn't trust -- didn't know them well enough yet. "Get in."
On the way over he gave Kaplan as much of a run down as he could. Vampire Slaying 101 -- the condensed course. "They'll be really strong. Stronger than they look. If we're there first, you're going to have to back me up. But use the taser, not just stakes. If you stake them in the wrong place, they'll just be really pissed."
"I know where the heart is," she said with an edge of irritation.
He leaned back in the seat. "O.k. Stake me."
She looked at him as if he were crazy. "You're driving."
"I'm a good driver," he assured her. "Do it."
She held a stake loosely in her hand and brought it up to Riley's chest.
He grabbed her hand and pushed it down a couple of inches. "Try Clem."
"Be gentle," Clem said from the back seat, surprisingly good-natured about being used for practice.
Kaplan had a determined look on her face as she turned to the back seat and staked him.
"Ow," Clem mumbled, rubbing his chest.
Riley watched in the rear view mirror. "Better. Of course it'll need to be with a bit more force."
"Yes, sir." She smiled.
"And don't let go of the stake if you can help it. Otherwise it turns to dust." And then you have to hope like hell that your best friend will save your ass. Not that that had ever happened to Riley. "Ready?"
She nodded.
As he pulled into the alley, Riley could see four vamps taunting two girls. He pulled the car in as close as he could get.
"Here we go," he muttered, jumping out of the car and vaguely registering that Kaplan wasn't too far behind.
~~ to be continued in chapter two ~~
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