Part 3
Nitty-gritty me. Agent Travis leaned against the side of a gray, nondescript van. Inside the van were two FBI agents and about two million dollars worth of surveillance equipment. Right now, the man who had Travis attention was the leader of the tactical team, Agent Paulson.
Ive got two men good to go on the north and south sides of the diner with glass-cutters, silenced ranged pistols, and infrared goggles. When we cut the power after night falls, both men should have good angles to take down the target.
Unless he goes behind the counter.
If he goes behind the counter, we go to phase two: storm the front and back exits, create a wall for the hostages to escape behind, and take down the target.
Tear gas?
Thatll be up to the entry leader. Hell assess the situation on the fly; tear gas can be trouble if were trying to get hostages out.
Whats the ammo?
First man will have rubber bullets, the rear men will have the real deal, in case more force is necessary.
Travis shrugged. Whats the estimated splash damage?
Three, maybe four civilians, tops. Certainly whoevers closest to him will be in the greatest danger; he might start shooting wildly once the lights are out.
The negotiator nodded. Sounds good. Be ready to go on my signal. He turned to the local police chief, who was sweating just a little bit. Chief, how was it that a civilian got past your men and walked right into that diner? Did a box of donuts suddenly make their appearance?
Well
Behind the Chief, the sun touched the horizon.
* * *
Do you have everything you need? asked Oz.
Giles glanced at Willows handbag and nodded. I would imagine so. Between the two of us, we should be able to stir up quite a storm.
But you have to be on the roof of the diner to do this? asked Cordelia.
Thats as close as we can get, replied Willow. Thats why were here.
Cordelia looked down to the alley below. On the roof of the motel, she deadpanned. I guess were going to jump across, and yet Im lacking a certain something What is it ? Oh, I know, a stuntwoman.
Come on, Cordelia, its as easy as falling off a log, said Willow encouragingly.
The falling part is what Im worried about.
The motels roof was a half-story higher than the diners roof, and the alley was about ten feet wide. To Cordelia, it looked more like fifty.
Werent you a cheerleader? asked Oz.
Yeah, so?
So youre in good physical shape, and youre used to leaping around. Whats the problem?
The problem is, I wasnt thirty feet off the ground when I was doing that stuff. Why cant I stay here? I dont think that sniper is going to stay knocked out for long; if he looks like hes going to wake up, I can bash him in the head again.
Giles chuckled. I still cant believe you assaulted the man in the first place.
Cordelia crossed her arms, her face clouded. Hey, I dont want him shooting his gun down there where Xander could get hit. Then thered be no end to the complaining.
Right, well, we had best get going. The suns down, and it is dark enough that they wont see us. Giles walked several steps back from the edge. Ill go first.
He took a couple of deep, steadying breaths, and then took off. Four strides later, he was at the edge, and he leaped with all the grace of a gazelle
* * *
Its getting pretty dark out there. Brody gave Buffy a strange, secretive smile. This will all be over real soon.
What do you mean? she asked. She was sitting at an empty table with Xander. Everyone else was still on the floor. Starkey had stopped moaning a little while ago, and Buffy was trying not to think about what that probably meant.
Theyll try and storm this place. He got up from his stool beside the counter and walked leisurely down the aisle. Wont be long; theyll cut the power, and in the confusion, theyll crash through the front door, shooting everything that moves, hoping one of thems me. He stopped beside one booth, reached down, and took the young girl, Amy, by the arm. Several people gasped in horrified anticipation.
Dont hurt the little girl, Brody, said Xander. Give her a couple of decades so she can grow up and defend herself.
The hostage-taker dragged the girl behind the counter. She whimpered, struggling to free herself from his grip. It was all Buffy could do to stop herself from leaping over the counter to help her. Slippery, isnt she? His arm caught Amy around the chest, and he held her close, the barrel of the gun resting lightly on her temple. Theyre tricksome, demons are. Hiding in little tiny human bodies like this one. Yesterday, a demon disguised as a teenage boy tried to slash my throat when he found out that I knew. He got a surprise, though.
If these demons are all over the place like you say, then whats their motivation? Take over the world? Buffy slowly and silently moved her chair out from the table, to make it easier for her to jump up and deal with whatever happened next. She didnt think Brody was going to kill her, or any of the others in the diner, but she was just about certain that he was going to pull that trigger and end Amys life. Could she get to Brody before he got a shot off? He was quick; you didnt have to be a Guns & Ammo subscriber to come to that conclusion. She would need a diversion. Although they hadnt had a chance to talk, Buffy assumed that Xanders presence meant that her other friends were nearby, and probably setting up something for her to work with.
Hey, girlfriend, lets not forget the other thing.
Whats that?
Does this guy see demons, or not? I mean, you know that demons are as real as Zagnut bars, but you can only see them when they get all demonic.
Her eyes kept getting drawn back to Amys temple, where the gun was pointing.
A little girl, a demon?
I dont think so.
I dont know what demons want, said Brody, his voice becoming calmer with each word. Ive never kept one alive long enough to find out, since they keep trying to kill me. He pulled a set of red goggles from his back pocket and put them on.
Yeah, agreed Xander, that little girl could probably give Chucky a run for his money.
Brody shook his head in disbelief. What is with you two? Dont you know how youre supposed to talk to a hostage-taker? Youre supposed to humor me, tell me what I want to hear, not ridicule my every sentence.
Sorry, apologized Buffy. We didnt take Negotiations 101. I wanted a spare.
And I cant even spell the word, so Xander smiled ingratiatingly.
Thats when the lights went out in Fullerton.
* * *
Giles and Willow faced each other in lotus positions, a small circle drawn with white chalk separating them. They began waving their hands in unison over the circle, chanting together:
Zanzu, febrilla, ektellon Toktemi, belemar, kakendrom
A tiny black cloud began to form over the circle. The spellcasters hands seemed to stroke the upper surface, waving back and forth, and as Oz watched, they pushed the cloud downwards into the circle.
Just then, the lights went out in the diner.
Hurry up, guys, its starting, said Oz urgently.
Their hands kept pushing downwards, until the cloud had sunk completely into the circle, which had become a dark hole. Through it, they could hear the clap of thunder.
Giles sighed. Its already begun.
* * *
Were dark, said the voice in Agent Travis ear. Another voice said, Target is behind the counter. Ive got no shot. Travis clicked the send button on his walkie-talkie. Incursion is a go. On my mark
Four armed agents ran up to the front door and hugged the wall on both sides.
Three
Another four armed agents entered the kitchen in the back and silently made their way to the swinging door marked Employees Only.
Two
The agents on the north and south ends began cutting larger holes in the windows.
One
The sniper on the roof of the gas station steadied himself; one of the first things the team was supposed to do upon entry was to pull up the blinds next to the door.
Mark.
* * *
The diner was plunged into darkness. Buffy got out of her chair and moved over to the counter, hoping to catch Brody unaware.
Blondie, get out of the way. Theyll be coming in the door any minute. Besides, Ive got infrared goggles, so I can see your pretty ass.
She pounded her knee in frustration. A small rumble made her look up. Her night vision was quickly asserting itself, and she could make out the ceiling. Now, what was that darker blob that seemed to be coming through the ceiling? Buffy realized that the air was now humid and very electric.
Xander, try to get everybody down to the bathrooms!
As he did that, Buffy crouched between two stools, trying to figure out what to do next.
Brody, dont shoot the girl! she yelled.
Its not a girl, blondie, its a demon! he yelled back. His voice sounded further away.
He must be moving down the counter away from the kitchen door. She moved down three stools and wished that she could see better. The rumbling from the ceiling was getting louder.
Brody? Please let her go!
Like hell! Shes my proof!
A lightning bolt shot down from the blob and struck the counter a few feet away from Buffy.
Jesus Christ! cried Brody, startled.
The thunder was nearly deafening, and Buffy realized what the blob was.
A storm cloud.
* * *
Xander got the middle-aged couple moving, and then realized his next stop was the dead agent lying on the floor. At least, he thought the guy was dead; Buffy sure didnt think his chances of living were too high. Knowing my luck, he thought, Ill put my hand right where the guys wound is. Wont that be lovely. He crawled forward, and his right hand came down on a wet and sticky part of the floor. Gee, I must be close. He continued on, and blinked. He was now able to make out vague shapes, and he realized that something was wrong.
There was the blood, but
Where was the agent?
* * *
Another lightning bolt came down, this time on the table beside the Slayer, and the thunderclap was loud enough to make her head wobbly. Her mind became disconnected from her body for a moment, as it idly wondered what would happen if one of those bolts happened to strike her.
Stay low, then.
The front door crashed open, and from the dim light that cascaded in from the street, Buffy watched several armed men enter the diner, semi-automatic guns raised. Thats when things got really fun.
* * *
Luke Brody! Put the gun down!
Gunshots rang out from behind the counter. The first agent through the kitchen door hit the floor, crying out in pain. The next agent flew through the doorway, rolled, and came up in a firing crouch.
Dont test me! I have a hostage! yelled Brody.
Now the diner was populated with half a dozen heavily-armored federal agents, and Buffy wondered what she should do. Everybody was yelling, and nobody was making any sense. She came out of her crouch just enough to see over the counter, where she saw Brody against the wall, his gun still on Amys temple, and his eyes were wild. She turned her head, and it seemed that all she saw were guns. Another lightning bolt came down, and this stopped everybody in their tracks.
What the Christ? said one of the agents.
It began to rain.
* * *
Agent Jameson picked up the rifle and used the telescopic sight to get an idea of what was going on in the diner. Beside him, the sniper who had been waiting patiently on the roof of the gas station for a decent shot was now lying unconscious. The blinds were up, but it was still incredibly dark inside. He switched to infrared, and saw several agents with guns pointed at someone he couldnt see. Not a lot of doubt as to who that could be. The hostages were assembling at the far end of the diner; he couldnt see the Slayer, so he assumed she was the one organizing the civilians. Finally, he noticed that his partner was no longer lying on the floor, bleeding to death.
The agent smiled.
Starkey had always liked the nickname Wild Card.
* * *
Xander felt a hand on his shoulder. Wiping away the rainfall from his brow, the teenager looked around to see a familiar, grim-looking federal agent.
Starkey?
Lets get these people out of here. The agent, who seemed to be feeling no ill effects from the gunshot wound, used the butt of his weapon to smash one of the windows. Outside, a surprised agent stood ready to help.
Okay, people, you heard the dead guy. Out the window! Xander and Starkey helped each hostage up from the floor and through the opening. Behind them, people were still yelling furiously. Finally, they got the last one outside.
All right, kid, now you.
Uh-uh, secret agent man, not without Buffy.
Starkey gave Xander a penetrating stare that made the young man shift from one foot to another. All right. But make sure youre both down on the floor when it happens. Dont look up until I say.
When what happens?
* * *
Im going to shoot this little girl, and youre all going to see the demon inside her!
You fire that weapon, youre a dead man, Brody!
I dont care anymore! People need to know the truth!
Put the goddamn gun down, Brody!
Buffy was starting to wonder just what she was accomplishing here; with all these men thinking with their guns and not their heads, her murky plan of using a distraction to overpower Brody was right out the window now. Then Xander appeared beside her and whispered in her ear.
The others are outside. We need to get down.
Why? she whispered back.
I dont know. But our friend Starkey has something to do with it.
Starkey?
Thats what I said, too. Now come on. I dont like going against the advice of a guy who should already be dead.
She allowed Xander to drag her away from the counter, and they took refuge under a table, their heads down. Thus, they were unable to see what happened next.
* * *
Brody pressed the gun barrel against the girls temple and screamed, This is it! Now youll all see!
His finger began pulling the trigger, but before this motion could be completed, something amazing happened.
The little girls body exploded with light, and a shockwave of orange energy shot outwards. Reality itself seemed to warp like a shaken bedsheet as the energy flowed through the air. The armed men all screamed in unison as it enveloped them, shaking their bodies like drunken marionettes, snapping their spines and dropping them to the floor. The windows of the diner shattered, showering the crowd outside with glass. Overhead, the storm cloud, which covered the entire ceiling, rumbled ominously.
Out of the light came a seven-foot tall demon, whose worm-like body shook with something like satisfaction. Its head turned to regard the former Mr. Brody, who was now plastered against the wall like stucco. It tested its arms and legs, which were small, but powerful.
Its voice was deep, guttural.
I had not expected to be born so early. Is the Time of Reckoning at hand?
Starkey emerged from the shadows. Not quite yet. Unless you mean paying the bill. He was carrying two small weapons that looked like hypodermic needles with handles. Buffy! Xander!
The two teenagers came out from under the table and ran over to where the agent was standing.
Buffy raised an eyebrow. Shouldnt you be dead?
Starkey shrugged. If I were human, I suppose I would be.
Her eyes widened. So Brody could see demons!
He chuckled grimly. Yeah, he just couldnt tell the difference between a good one and a bad one.
Xander pointed at the worm-demon, which was trying to figure out how to get over the counter. Im guessing hes a bad one.
Yep. Theres only one way to kill this type of demon. He held up the needle guns. One of these in each eye.
Buffy grimaced. Not a distance weapon, is it
The worm-demon smashed through the counter and made a noise that sounded like growling.
Starkey handed each teenager one of the needle guns. All right, Im going to distract the demon while you stick it in the eyes.
Xander gave the agent a sardonic look. Right. The worst part of all this is that youre serious, arent you?
A lightning bolt struck the floor in front of the demon, which made it stop for a moment to consider things. The three took that moment to move up to face the creature.
Its voice sounded like gears grinding.
You will be the first sacrifices.
But Im not a virgin, Xander and Buffy said at the same time. The Slayer blinked and cocked her head at her friend. When did this happen? she asked.
Ill tell you later. First, demon kill, then, gossip.
Starkey raised his hands. Ready?!? he yelled.
Lets do it! replied Buffy.
Another lightning bolt crashed down, splitting to strike Starkey on each hand. He screamed, his body suddenly glowing and crackling with electricity, and he leaped at the worm-demon. They struggled for a moment, and then the agent managed to trip the creature. They both landed on the floor with Starkey on top, and he wrestled gamely with the slimy demon. His body still glowed, but the light was growing dimmer.
Any time now would be good, he said between clenched teeth.
Xander and Buffy jumped forward, flanking the pair of demons. They raised up their needle guns, and Xander had time enough to say, God, this is gross, before they brought justice down upon the evil being.
The needles found their target, and the demon cried out in limitless pain. It began shuddering and jittering, and Starkey grabbed the two teenagers, his electricity all used up.
Run! he yelled, and propelled them towards the door. They ran outside, where they managed a half dozen steps before the demon exploded. The wet, snapping sound was enough to knock them down to the ground, where they stayed for a few seconds, panting.
Xander was the first one to speak. Well, that was traumatizing. Man, I wish I was old enough to drink.
* * *
Sometimes, thought Buffy Summers, a burgers all good. Especially when youre with friends.
They were at an all-night truck stop forty miles from Fullerton. Everyone was sitting around their table, eating a midnight snack, smiles on their faces, but Buffy wasnt so out of it that she couldnt recognize false good cheer when she saw it.
So began Cordelia, I see were trying a new look. Grunge, is it? Or just grungy?
Buffy smiled. These are my good clothes.
Silence.
So began Xander, that was awful nice of Starkey and Jameson to take the heat for us. I dont think the other FBI guys even knew we were there.
Silence.
Buffys smile faded. Her heart felt about as heavy as a sumo wrestler.
Listen, I Expectant faces turned towards her. Im so sorry. I dont really know much about what I was thinking two months ago. Its a hazy, fog-like substance. I just Tears began to run down her cheeks. I just didnt understand how important you all are to me. How important friends are.
Buffy, its okay. For now. Willow rubbed her friends arm. Well talk about all this when we get home.
Yeah, agreed Xander. We can kick back with some Haagen-Dazs and Yoo-Hoos and all that.
Buffy got up and hugged Willow. Thank you, she whispered in her friends ear. Im sorry.
Lets just eat and get on home, okay? Oz grinned encouragingly.
Well, about that, said Buffy hesitatingly. Would you mind if we made a stop in Las Vegas? Its kind of on our way, and it wont take long, I promise.
Giles spoke for the first time since they arrived at the restaurant. Why, Buffy?
We need to pick somebody up. I owe him.
After all, I sent him to Hell.
END