Legatus paced up and down the cavern, a noticeable spring in his step. I love it when a plan comes together, he thought. I’ve made allowances for every possible reaction the Council could have…I’ve even second-guessed anything Vulcan’s Bane can suggest. Little friend, you picked the wrong fight this time…and selected the wrong host. It will be interesting to see just how clever you and that Watcher are. How many clues will I need to give you? I don’t want to make it TOO obvious but it is such an … intriguing balance. I have left a trail of breadcrumbs for you to follow. You will reach the inevitable conclusion and act accordingly. You think this is the war whereas I know it is merely the opening salvo. Oh, how I love a touch of the dramatic. A choking sound interrupted his thoughts and Legatus turned around, glaring irritably at the convulsing body on a nearby slab. He walked over and stared down coldly.

"You were aware of what this entailed," he said quietly. "You knew you were expendable. I therefore expect you to make less fuss about dying."

Legatus watched as the figure’s eyes filled with pain, ignoring the clawing hand that plucked desperately at his clothes. He watched in silence as the convulsions slowed, as the hand dropped away from him and as the eyes that pleaded with him darkened and stilled.

"Good staff are SO hard to find," muttered Legatus, turning away and walking to where Daniel lay motionless, his eyes open and staring at the ceiling.

"And what about you, my friend?" Legatus watched with interest as Daniel slowly moved his head to face him. "I see you are taking my advice and using these others to gather your strength. I trust there are enough here to meet your needs?"

Daniel slowly nodded and Legatus reached out and touched his arm.

"You are tense…taut…stretched like elastic. If you die, Daniel, if the elastic snaps…then I would hazard that the Council members will be propelled back to their own time and space?"

Daniel nodded again.

"In that case, you had better stay alive. At least until my army has destroyed Clunewic. After that, what happens to those other idiots will cease to matter."

**********

Giles drummed his fingers on the steering wheel and sighed with more than a touch of irritation.

"Why is it," he said, rolling down the window slightly, "that when you’re in a hurry, you ALWAYS get stuck behind a bloody tractor?"

I take it that is a rhetorical question and you do not seriously wish me to answer?

"You mean you CAN actually answer that?" Giles edged the car forward, wondering if, for the first time in the last five miles, the car speedometer would actually creep over twenty miles per hour.

No…although I believe it is down to your perception rather than a conspiracy of tractor drivers.

Giles smiled slightly. "I just wish he’d either get a move on or let me pass…we’re not achieving anything here."

On the contrary, the delay will give us time.

"Time is exactly what we don’t have."

Time to re-examine recent events and consider the information with which the disappearance of Council members has provided us.

"Disappearance?" Giles nodded. "No, I don’t think they’re dead either."

Killing them would achieve nothing.

"So something else has happened and if they’re not dead, then they’ve been moved. Over three hundred people…all at once and leaving no trace behind. At least we know that our ‘adversary’ has power. Whoever it is has tremendous power…so that rules out Ethan as being the puppet-master."

Indeed. He could, however, still be a puppet so I would advise that we tread carefully.

"And we’ve learned something else. The Council is the target." Giles sighed with relief as the tractor pulled into a lay-by to let him pass. He waved his thanks and quickly increased his speed.

The Council Headquarters was the first target. I do not think the attack is over yet. The Council can still function effectively…

"Because," interrupted Giles, "operations will now be co-ordinated at Clunewic…"

Which is the secondary control centre. Therefore, logically, it is the next target.

"That makes sense," Giles slowed the car as he neared the entrance to Clunewic. "Let’s hope that Mr Grant has had the sense to order a general lockdown."

With operations at Clunewic disabled, the Council will no longer be a world-wide force…there will be communication between the various headquarters in each country but without direction, without knowledge…and they can then be disposed of with ease.

"Which means our adversary is familiar with the structure of the Council. That’s interesting because most seem to see the Slayer as the main threat," replied Giles, stopping at the Country Retreat’s entrance gate.

Putting all the information together should narrow down the list of possibilities and enable us to firmly identify our…’adversary’.

"Lockdown…my backside," muttered Giles as the guard glanced cursorily at the Council emblem on the car numberplate and waved Giles through the opening gate. "Whoever it is, I’m sure they won’t give us time to get organised. I would say an ‘attack’ by physical means or a similar method to HQ is imminent."

It is doubtful whether the same method would be employed. If Clunewic were to suffer a similar fate then it would have done so at the same time as the London Headquarters. There is a reason to this…there is purpose.

"What about you?" Asked Giles as he parked the car. "When we first merged, you mentioned this ‘darkness’ that was coming. You warned that we needed to work together to survive it. You also said you’d never felt such a build-up of Chaos before."

That is so.

"Very well," Giles frowned, turned off the ignition and sat back, "in that case, surely there can be only a handful of…’dark ones’ who are capable of doing that?"

You are correct…and with each passing hour the scales tip more and more towards darkness and Chaos. There are few individuals capable of affecting the balance in this way.

"And they are?"

Balor…Arawn…The First Evil…Enil…and Fenrir. Of all the Ancient Ones, they alone could affect the balance to such an extent.

"Myths…I thought they were all myths. Fenrir…the wolf who devours Odin in Norse Mythology. Something to do with Ragnarock – the end of the world. Balor…God of Death in Celtic Mythology, I believe."

Indeed. However we need to look beyond the myths, beyond the legends. Those are the Ancient Ones with the capability – not all have the desire.

"How great a knowledge of them do you have?" Giles got out of the car and leaned against it, staring down towards the lake.

Not as much as I would like. Most were myths even to those humans I merged with in the past. They are Ancient Ones…they predate history.

"I know the Council have records mentioning the First Evil. As a student, I always wondered why there didn’t seem to be a First Good."

There is.

"I beg your pardon?"

Look around. Tell me what you see.

"I see grass," shrugged Giles, "trees, the lake, swans, ducks, the sky…clouds…the sun."

Indeed. In fact, you see the First Good.

"I don’t understand."

At the beginning of all things, in order to survive the birth of universes, of galaxies; the First Evil concentrated into one entity. You could say it slept or hibernated. The First Good however, splintered and scattered. It became a part of the Universe. It became the spark of Creation and you will see it in everything around you. In the trees, the sun, the sky…the very air you breathe. The First Good is Life itself. Every second of every day you are seeing, touching and tasting the very essence of life…the essence of the First Good.

Giles stared around, suddenly seeing the world through fresh eyes. "That’s…that’s quite a legacy."

And one that needs to be preserved and cherished.

"The disadvantage being," said Giles, walking towards the Manor House, "that we can’t exactly summon the First Good if the First Evil is on the rampage, so to speak."

No…but what we CAN do is remember that the First Good exists in ALL things. Everything and everybody has a spark of the First Good within…even those who feel the call of Chaos. It may be buried deep but it IS there.

"Even Ethan."

Indeed. So you see, our time has not been wasted.

"Okay, okay, you…" Giles paused and frowned as he heard raised voices. "Bloody hell, what’s going on now?"

Giles pushed open the front door and entered the Reception Hall; his heart sinking at the sight that met his eyes. Charles Grant and a few other Council Officials whom Giles vaguely recognised were trying, with a distinct lack of success, to hold back and remonstrate with the obviously recently arrived group of trainees. It was no great surprise to Giles to see James Newton in the centre of the chaotic scene.

"Excuse me!" Shouted Giles, struggling to make himself heard. One or two heads turned in his direction but the rest seemed oblivious to his presence.

This does not bode well.

"No, it doesn’t," muttered Giles, "but this is going to stop right now."

Stepping forward and fixing the group with a stern glare, Giles took a deep breath and shouted loudly.

"QUIET!"

Silence descended and everyone turned to face Giles, who folded his arms and stared around coldly.

"Now," he said, "is there a problem, Mr Grant?"

"Yes…um…actually I was trying to explain to these…um…trainees…that they cannot possibly stay here. We ARE in the midst of a crisis."

"Yes," replied Giles, "and ordinarily I would agree with you…however, at the moment, we rather need them."

"Told you, but you wouldn’t listen," said James Newton triumphantly, earning himself a sharp elbow in the ribs from Rachel and a glare from Giles.

"Mr Newton," Giles sighed and put his hands in his pockets, "over 300 people at Headquarters have vanished without a trace and I do not have time for your wisecracks or put-downs."

A buzz of conversation immediately broke out amongst the trainees, the chatter quickly subsiding at a look from Giles.

"Now I’m sure these gentlemen," Giles indicated the Council Officials standing behind Charles, "will show you to your rooms. You will all be back here in thirty minutes when you will be assigned specific tasks. I expect these tasks to be carried out with minimum fuss and maximum effort."

Judging by what we have witnessed, this place seems ill prepared to face an attack of any kind.

"Indeed," muttered Giles as the trainees were led upstairs.

"Mr Giles," sighed Charles, "I fail to see…um…what use these ‘trainees’ could possibly be."

"They are not totally stupid. They can fill in wherever we’re short-handed." Giles glanced at Charles. "Where ARE we short-handed?"

"Um…everywhere." Charles blushed slightly. "It IS a Bank Holiday weekend. With the Emergency Notice in effect, all reports are now coming here and the Analysts are completely snowed under…faxes and emails are backing up…and…um…we do not have enough phone operators."

"I thought we were supposed to be prepared for this kind of eventuality?"

"We are. But as I said…it’s a Bank Holiday."

"If anyone plans on invading Britain they should do so on a Bank Holiday…the whole country comes to a complete standstill."

You will need to take control here and quickly. We are running out of time.

"Mr Grant," Giles allowed a note of authority to enter his voice, "I want to know precisely what resources and personnel we have at our disposal…and I mean HERE at Clunewic at this time. You will also ensure that a Level One Lockdown is initiated at once."

"Is that really necessary?"

"As Clunewic is likely to be the next target…then yes, I think it is."

"Um…in that case…sir," replied Charles, "I rather think you had…um…better use Mr Travers’ office. I’ll have the information you require brought to you shortly."

**********

Barbara closed the lounge door and leaned back against it, closing her eyes and sighing heavily. I can still hear him, she thought, I can still hear the screams. Ethan Rayne had been alternately screaming and sobbing for over an hour; pain-wracked sobs and urgent, despairing screams that had shaken Barbara to her core. In his more lucid moments, he had begged and pleaded with them to take him to Clunewic immediately. He was the only one, he had insisted, who could give Rupert details about the terrible darkness that threatened and, indeed, Rupert’s life and the future of the Council depended on it. The thing is, thought Barbara, that between this and the incident in London, he’s beginning to convince me that he’s right. Aware of being watched, Barbara opened her eyes and stood up straight. She looked around the room at the coven members, who were all staring back at her with expressions ranging from guarded interest to outright concern.

"Jayne is taking care of Mr Rayne," she said, moving to the centre of the room, "and she has agreed to abide by the majority decision…but, first things first. Jo…have you managed to get hold of anyone at Clunewic?"

"No," sighed Jo, "the phones are either engaged or no reply. I’ve emailed…but no response."

"What if they’ve all disappeared? Like what happened in London…" Susan trailed off and shrugged. "Only a thought."

"Can’t have done," replied Lisa, pointing at the television in the corner. "It’s not been on the news. They’re only talking about the London offices."

"What’s the latest about that?" Asked Barbara, sitting on the sofa next to Jo.

"They’re sending in some robotic thingy from bomb disposal…to check that it’s safe." Lisa glanced at Barbara. "We have to go to Clunewic. I saw it…the Watchers and us…facing who knows what. We were together…we HAVE to be together."

"You’ve been watching too much television," scoffed Susan. "Will you be like this every time something unexpected happens to the Council?"

"But it all connects!" Continued Lisa urgently. "The Watcher I saw was DEFINITELY Rupert Giles…and he’s in this up to his neck."

"I tend to agree," said Barbara, sitting forward. "The timing of Lisa’s vision…Rupert Giles turning up here…not to mention the ‘guest’ he brought with him. Now, we have the events in London. It all adds up."

"So what are you suggesting?" Asked Jo and Barbara shrugged.

"I’m suggesting that we go to Clunewic. Right now." Barbara looked around at the assembled group. "And we take Mr Rayne with us."

**********

Legatus pushed the corpse off the stone slab, smiling as it hit the floor with a resounding thud. There’s nothing quite like the smell of dead and rotting meat to whet one’s appetite, he thought, hauling himself onto the slab and crossing his legs. He glanced around the chamber, the sense of anticipation so strong he could practically taste it.

"It is now dark," he said aloud. "Are you ready, Daniel?"

Daniel slowly turned his head towards Legatus, managing an almost imperceptible nod.

"Excellent!" Legatus grinned and rubbed his hands together. "Once I have commanded them to advance, you will provide the Council members with regular updates of the army’s progress through the night. Then…at dawn…you will show them their so-called ‘Country Retreat’ in flames…the occupants dead…their precious records utterly destroyed."

"Dawn?" Daniel croaked as a frown crossed his face.

"Yes…my army will attack Clunewic at dawn."

"Why wait? Why make them…"

"Why make them walk all night? Why not simply click my fingers and transport them there?" Legatus chuckled, slid off the stone slab and strode over to Daniel. "That’s no fun, Daniel. You see, the army will walk through the night…they won’t get tired…they could walk for weeks and not break into a sweat. Whilst they walk they will be seen. Reports will reach Clunewic."

"You…WANT…that?"

"Indeed. As the night wears on, they will receive more and more reports, many of which will conflict…they will get nervous…they will start to feel fear. The fear will eat away at them…they will jump at shadows. Some will run…some will blame each other. Only a few, only a very few will stand fast. Fear, Daniel, can sap the strength. Fear is what we feed on. Fear is the calling card of the First Evil…and it is my duty to ensure these humans get the message." Legatus stared at Daniel. "Dawn is also traditionally the time when humans are weakest."

Daniel nodded. Legatus closed his eyes and muttered softly, before putting his hand on Daniel’s forehead.

"Watch, Daniel…watch carefully," he whispered. "See my army march."

Suddenly, the images were in his mind…visions of a vast army leaving its underground lair and advancing into the night. The demons were like an enormous wave, inexorably moving towards their destination. Not the same, thought Daniel, they’re all different. I thought they would all be one species. Never mind…it is not for me to question. Daniel took a deep breath and began to gather strength from those around him.

"Not yet," whispered Legatus to Daniel. "Rest for a while. I will wake you when the time comes to project these images to our trapped friends."

**********

Giles tentatively reached out, running his fingertips over the back of the smooth leather chair.

It will not bite you.

"Sometimes I’m not so sure," smiled Giles, pulling his hand back. "This chair…this room…it’s all symbolic. This has been the office of the Chairman of the Council for centuries. I don’t have any right to sit in this chair."

Indeed you do. At this time you ARE the Chairman of the Council. That is how everyone here will need to see you in order to accept your authority. It was perceptive of Mr Grant to recognise this.

"He’s not as stupid as he looks. He has hidden depths…I think that’s why Quentin has taken him under his wing, so to speak."

He recognises your abilities. He has faith in you.

"He recognises OUR abilities," remarked Giles, sitting in the chair and resting his elbows on the desk. "And he has faith in US."

You have doubts.

"Yes I do. Oh, I don’t doubt that we have to take control here. I also don’t doubt that we are the ones most capable of doing so."

You doubt that we will succeed against this unknown threat.

"I prefer to know what I’m up against," shrugged Giles, flicking through the pile of paperwork on the desk.

We will…in time.

Giles frowned and pulled out a sheet of paper from the pile.

"Damn," he muttered, "I’d forgotten about this."

Ahh, yes. The young lady’s vision takes on a deeper significance now.

"Part of me wants to put this somewhere and forget I’ve seen it," admitted Giles. "I’m loathe to put anyone else in danger."

But?

"But the other part of me wants to get the coven here right now because we need all the help we can get." Giles sighed and reached for the phone. "The needs of the many and all that."

Cradling the receiver between his neck and shoulder, Giles pulled the fax he’d received from Quentin out of his pocket and peered at the phone number he’d scrawled on it. Punching in the number, he sat back in the chair, drumming his fingers on the desk.

"Damn," he frowned. "Surely they can’t ALL be out? Someone should be with Ethan."

Perhaps they are merely occupied.

"Maybe." Giles replaced the receiver and looked up as a knock sounded on the door. "Come in."

The door creaked open and Charles Grant peered into the room.

"The trainees have gathered in the Reception Hall, Mr Giles."

"Ah, good. Thank you." Giles stood up and walked around the desk. "Phone operators and Analysts…are those the only two areas we are short-handed?"

"We are short-handed everywhere," shrugged Charles, "but…um…those two departments are somewhat worse off than the rest."

"How’s that list of personnel and resources coming along?" Giles closed the office door behind him and indicated to Charles to precede him.

"It is being compiled as we speak," replied Charles, moving at a quick pace along the corridor. "It…um…should be with you very shortly."

"Thank you." Giles hurried to keep up with Charles, almost walking into him as the other man stopped suddenly and turned to face him.

"Tell me frankly, Mr Giles…is the same thing going to happen here as it did in London?"

"No…no, I don’t think so. I believe there is something entirely different in store for us."

**********

Rachel bit a fingernail and glanced around the strangely quiet Reception Hall. The trainees all stood together, in one group, trying to draw strength from each other whilst projecting an air of somewhat false bravado. Occasional whispered comments broke the silence and Rachel moved subtly closer to James, glancing up at his frowning face and smiling slightly.

"Penny for them?" She whispered, pleased to see his expression clear as he smiled down at her.

"You’d be short-changed," he replied. "I wasn’t thinking of anything in particular."

"Liar," she said curtly. "Everyone here is thinking the same thing."

"300 people disappeared…you don’t suppose your Mr Giles was being a bit…well…euphemistic?"

"He’s not MY Mr Giles," replied Rachel irritably. "I wish you’d stop calling him that."

"Force of habit," shrugged James. "It’s my lot in life to wind people up."

"I HAD noticed," sighed Rachel.

"And it’s your lot in life to avoid answering questions."

"What questions?"

"About YOUR Mr Giles."

"Oh yes," Rachel smiled slightly. "No. He wasn’t being euphemistic. I think if they HAD died he would have told us outright."

"Maybe, but…" James stopped as Giles and Charles Grant came down the staircase. Giles stopped in front of the assembled trainees and put his hands in his pockets.

"Right," he said firmly. "I have a few things to say before we go on. I know you must have a lot of questions, but please bear with me…I will try and explain the current situation. It recently came to our attention that the Council was facing a threat from an as yet unknown adversary. Before we could act on this, however, the Council Headquarters was…attacked. All personnel disappeared instantly and without trace. Now, as you know, Clunewic is the secondary control centre and is, we believe, the next target on the list."

Giles paused and stared at the assembled group who were all watching him carefully.

"Before I go on…if there is anyone here who wishes to leave then I must ask that they do so now. Transport has been arranged so if you do not wish to stay please collect your belongings and Mr Grant will escort you from the premises."

Nobody moved. They all met his gaze evenly and firmly.

"Thank you. We will need…" Giles stopped as James Newton put his hand up. "Yes, Mr Newton?"

"Do you know what actually happened at Headquarters? Do you know where they went?"

"No and no, Mr Newton. To be perfectly frank, at this time we simply do not have the personnel to spare to carry out a thorough investigation. Our first priority HAS to be the safety and security of Clunewic, which is now under a Level One Lockdown. Nobody may enter or leave without the express authority of either Mr Grant or myself." Giles took his hands out of his pockets and folded his arms. "Are there any more questions?"

"Are we all going to disappear too, sir?" Scott Clark looked around worriedly, as if expecting to see everyone vanish immediately.

"I don’t think so, Mr Clark. I suspect another method will be employed." Giles smiled slightly. "Mr Newton, Miss Edwards, Mr Clark and Mr Jackson, please remain here. The rest of you please follow Mr Grant."

"Oh shit," James whispered to Rachel as the others shuffled off after Charles Grant, "what have we done now?"

"You mean what have YOU done," muttered Rachel with a sigh.

"Umm…sir?" James stepped forward.

"Yes, Mr Newton?" Giles smiled slightly at the look of apprehension on James Newton’s face.

"Have we done something wrong, sir?"

"Not yet, Mr Newton," replied Giles. "In fact, the reason I asked you all to stay behind is because I need your help."

**********

Henry slammed the phone down and cursed under his breath. Useless…utterly useless.

"Problems, Henry?" Nicholas Goldsmith leaned against the doorframe and smiled slightly at the glare Henry threw in his direction.

"Whatever gave you THAT idea?" Snapped Henry. "Everything’s tickety-boo."

"Somehow, I don’t think so," replied Nicholas, stepping into the office and closing the door behind him. "You and Rupert seem to be thick as thieves at the moment. You even take the same days off work. Then there’s Rupert’s abrupt departure from the Finance meeting…that raised more than a few eyebrows and suspicions. And here you are…getting all flustered and annoyed. Why is that, Henry?"

"Oh, you know," shrugged Henry, "usual things."

"A short time ago, I thought Rupert might have been receiving offers of work from elsewhere. He assured me that wasn’t the case. So why do I still feel suspicious?" Nicholas sat across from Henry. "Why are you here this late on a Bank Holiday? Who were you phoning, Henry?"

"Rupert occasionally does some work for a charity," sighed Henry. "The one in London…where all those people disappeared."

"Ahh," Nicholas nodded, "the Tuatha de Danaan, right?"

"Ummm…yes," Henry looked quizzically at Nicholas, who waved a hand.

"Oh, I’ve had the odd dealing with them. A Mr Travers in particular." Nicholas raised an eyebrow. "You were trying to get hold of Rupert?"

"Yes. The…uh…charity has offices down here. I was hoping he’d be there."

"He’s not?"

"I have no idea," replied Henry irritably. "No bugger is answering the bloody phone."

"Rupert has a mobile, doesn’t he? I thought I saw him with one in the meeting."

"I don’t know the number." Henry shrugged and picked up the phone again. "If you’ll excuse me…I’ll keep trying."

**********

Giles opened the library doors and stepped to one side.

"This will be YOUR centre of operations," he said, ushering the trainees inside. He followed them through, closing the doors firmly behind him. Giles smiled as he glanced around, the very atmosphere bringing so many memories to mind.

Another of your favourite places. I can see why you like it. It is remarkably well equipped. Ahh, I see. You spent considerable time in here whilst recovering from your experience with Ethan Rayne and Eyghon.

"Searching for justification," muttered Giles softly.

"Oh wow," said Rachel, her eyes taking in the hundreds of books that lined the shelves, the oak panelling and the tables and chairs dotted about almost haphazardly, "I think I’ve died and gone to heaven."

James wrinkled his nose. "Smells old and…library-ish."

"Library-ish?" Rachel giggled. "It smells wonderful."

"I’m glad you like it," smiled Giles, "and I promise, when this is over, you can spend as long as you like in here exploring."

"Are there any valuable books here?" Asked Alan Jackson, his eyes lighting up at the prospect.

"Quite a number," replied Giles, "but they’re kept in the basement. Now, please sit down and I’ll tell you what I need."

The trainees sat at one of the larger tables and looked up at Giles expectantly. Giles put his hands in his pockets and perched on the end of the table.

"I have five names for you. I want you to research each one thoroughly. Collect ALL information, no matter how obscure. The smallest thing could be of vital importance. Start in here and then continue your research in the basement. Tell the Records Keeper, old Reg, that I sent you and tell him what you’re looking for. He’ll point you in the right direction."

Giles slid off the table and walked over to a large wooden cupboard, situated unobtrusively at the far end of the library. He threw open the doors and took out four pads of paper and a handful of pens. Leaving the cupboard open, he walked back to the trainees and put the paper and pens on the table.

"The names I want you to research, are…" Giles paused, picked up a pen and scribbled five names on one of the pads of paper, "Arawn…Balor…The First Evil…Fenrir…and Enil."

"At least I’ve heard of one of them," shrugged Scott Clark, "although the name was a bit different."

Giles looked quizzically at Scott. "Which one?"

"Fenrir." Scott suddenly grinned. "In Doctor Who he was called Fenric."

"Thank you, Mr Clark," sighed Giles, "most enlightening. Leaving the television shows behind, I know there are a lot of myths surrounding these…names. What we need to do is sift through the myths and find the underlying truth. I’ll come back in a few hours and see how you’re getting on."

"I take it one of these guys is the one we’re after?" Said James, tapping a pen on the table.

"It’s highly likely, yes," replied Giles. "So you can see why this research is so important. The more we know, the more likely we are to find a way of fighting back."

**********

Jayne cradled Ethan’s head in her arms and smoothed his hair back. He IS cute, she admitted, dangerous…but very cute. She held him tightly as the minibus bounced over the uneven road.

"Can you please be more careful?" She snapped, glaring at Barbara who was wrestling with the steering wheel.

"Can I help it if the roads here are crap?" Barbara replied, risking a brief glance over her shoulder. "Don’t worry, we’ll take good care of your boyfriend."

"Oh VERY funny. I knew we should have done a protection spell before we left."

"We DID one," said Jo, twisting in her seat to look at Jayne.

"But not a proper one," insisted Jayne, glancing around almost fearfully. "Anything could happen to him."

"Oh for heaven’s sake," Jo rolled her eyes, "it IS possible to travel a few miles without casting a protection spell, you know."

Jayne opened her mouth to reply but then stopped as Ethan opened his eyes and stared up at her. She smiled and continued stroking his hair.

"Hello there…it’s okay…you’re perfectly safe. We’re taking you to Clunewic."

Ethan gazed up, wanting nothing more than to lose himself in the blue eyes that looked down at him with such compassion. He licked his lips and shuffled closer to Jayne, loving the warmth and protection of her hands touching him.

"Now isn’t that sweet?"

Ethan snapped his head around to see his other self floating near the centre of the minibus. He was cross-legged with his hands clasped in front of him, looking for all the world like a preacher about to give a sermon.

"I think the phrase I’m looking for is ‘you could be in there’," he chuckled, unclasping his hands and pointing at Jayne. "I wonder…do witches still have to be virgins these days or have times moved on?"

Ethan glared and muttered softly, causing Jayne to gently stroked his face.

"Shh…it’s alright," she whispered.

"She looks like a virgin," his other self continued, "that pinched expression…the way she’s practically begging for you to take her…right here…on the floor in front of everyone."

"SHUT UP!" Screamed Ethan, tensing and clenching his fists, his eyes bright and wild.

"Here we go again," said Jo with a sigh.

Jayne started rocking Ethan gently, whispering soothingly to him and Ethan felt the anger gradually drain out of him. He smiled slightly and his other self narrowed his eyes.

"Don’t lose sight of your mission. Remember what I can do to you."

Ethan didn’t reply, didn’t look up. He kept his eyes down and took comfort in Jayne’s embrace.

"Ahh…I see how it is. Then maybe it’s time for you to discover who you truly serve."

The implied threat caused Ethan to look up and he watched with apprehension as the other uncrossed his legs and floated down so he was standing up. He grinned and, as Ethan watched, his whole appearance shimmered and changed. The figure standing before him now had short hair, cropped close to the scalp; a thin face with prominent cheekbones; intense blue eyes and protruding ears. He stood about six feet tall and was wearing black jeans, a black T-shirt and a long, black coat.

"Don’t you think black suits me?" He spread his arms wide and smirked at Ethan, whose confusion was evident. Squatting down, he looked Ethan in the eyes. "I am Legatus. I am the emissary of your true master…the First Evil."

Ethan sucked in a breath and Legatus was pleased to see a new-found respect in his eyes.

"That’s better," he said, standing up. "You’re doing well so far…don’t let these fools distract you."

Ethan shook his head and Legatus grinned widely.

"Good man. I know I can count on you."

As quickly as he had appeared, Legatus vanished and Ethan shut his eyes, turning his head towards Jayne.

"He’s not looking good," said Jayne with concern. "How much longer until we get there?"

"Twenty minutes or so…give or take," replied Barbara, never taking her eyes off the road, "if the bus holds out that long…"

**********

Daniel shivered violently on the stone slab. No energy left for body heat, he thought, need it to maintain the link to the other dimension. He slowly and painfully turned his head to stare at Legatus, who was sitting cross-legged on another stone slab. Legatus’ eyes were closed and he had a look of intense concentration on his face. He is a strange one, thought Daniel. There must have been easier ways to do this…something simplistic that would have had the same overall effect on the Council. So why choose this method? Is there something else going on? Something he’s not telling me? Why does everything have to be so dramatic with him?

"You have questions?" Asked Legatus, opening his eyes and staring unblinking at Daniel.

"Uhh…no," replied Daniel hoarsely, unable to tear his gaze away.

"You do," said Legatus with a touch of amusement as he slid off the stone slab. "Do not be afraid to ask, my friend."

"Why go to all this trouble?" whispered Daniel, breathing heavily with the effort of speaking.

"I could have done it differently," shrugged Legatus. "I could have simply blown each place up…but that’s no fun."

"Fun?"

"Have you ever watched a cat with a mouse, Daniel?" Legatus grinned as Daniel nodded. "The cat could kill the mouse right away but it doesn’t. It plays with it for a while…and why? Because it’s fun. And because ultimately cats are evil, vicious creatures." Legatus paused and then looked at Daniel thoughtfully. "I like cats."

"So…you’re doing this…for fun?"

"Partly, yes, but it’s also a test," Legatus put his hands in his pockets. "It will be interesting to see how they cope with their leaders gone. It will provide a great deal of information about their strengths and weaknesses."

"But…"

"Daniel," interrupted Legatus. "Yes, I could have made it easy. I chose not to. What would we learn if we merely destroyed them out of hand? Nothing. Information is the important thing here. As I said earlier, I come to prepare the way…not win the entire war."

Daniel nodded and stared up at the ceiling. Legatus walked over to stand next to the slab, reaching out and gently stroking Daniel’s hair.

"Enough questions. You are not here to think, Daniel, you are here to obey orders."

"Yes…my lord."

"Good. Now…show them my army."

**********

Having finally realised that communication was out of the question, Quentin had taken to examining his memories of recent events. He was desperate to see if he could have foreseen what would happen, whether he should have taken a different path or made other decisions. No, he thought, I believe I made the right decisions based on the evidence I had to hand. Unfortunately those decisions, correct though they were, mean that there is no eminently capable person to pick up the pieces let alone defeat this ‘Legatus’ person. Charles is…weak, admitted Quentin. He’s a good assistant but no more. Maybe Rupert will…

Quentin’s thoughts suddenly scattered and dissipated as a series of images began to force their way into his mind. They were dark at first and, against his better judgement, Quentin found himself straining to see. Slowly and gradually the images cleared and brightened, revealing demons of all shapes and sizes, the moonlight glinting off both scales and flesh, the smaller ones scuttling to keep up as they strode through woods and across fields.

"I promised you entertainment." Legatus’ voice was like a commentary accompanying the images. "I keep my promises. My army is heading towards Clunewic. You didn’t honestly think that the location of your secondary headquarters was a secret, did you?"

Quentin struggled to answer. He wanted to speak to Legatus, he NEEDED to speak to him but he couldn’t form the words. He seemed unable to do anything except watch the images and listen to Legatus’ voice.

"In a very few hours Clunewic will be no more than rubble and ashes. As for your precious Council…it will cease to be a threat. Keep watching, my friends. Watch it all BURN."

**********

Giles closed the folder and sat back with a sigh.

"That was a complete waste of time," he muttered. "It’s all very well having Emergency Procedures set up but when you haven’t got the personnel to carry them out then they become somewhat redundant."

We do not know that yet. There may be enough people to instigate those procedures.

"I somehow doubt that," replied Giles. "This place isn’t exactly buzzing with activity. Besides, I’m not convinced these procedures will work…they are rather…"

The shrill ring of the telephone stopped Giles mid-sentence and he reached out and picked up the receiver.

"Hello," he said, "Rupert Giles."

"Well, it’s about bloody time," came an irritated voice. "Do you have any idea how long I’ve been trying to reach you?"

"Hello to you too, Henry," smiled Giles.

"Never mind that…what’s going on? What happened in London?"

"We don’t know yet. Investigations are still ongoing."

"In other words, you have no idea."

"That’s about the size of it."

"Is this connected to my research?"

Giles frowned as he detected a note of worry in Henry’s voice.

"Yes and no, Henry. It’s not the Anti-Christ but it IS someone or something very powerful."

"Anything I can do? I could be at Clunewic in a couple of hours."

"No…um…." Giles paused, unsure what to say.

He needs to feel useful. He needs a task.

"Rupert? You still there?"

"Yes," replied Giles, "and there IS something you can do, Henry."

"Just name it, old chap."

"Could you go to London? Co-ordinate things with the emergency services?"

"Of course. I’ll pop up first thing."

"Thanks, Henry."

"Well if there’s anything else, you know where I am."

There was a soft knock on the door and Giles glanced up.

"I’m have to go, Henry. Take care of yourself."

"You too. Goodbye."

"Bye." Giles put down the phone and sat back in the chair. "Come in."

The door opened and Charles Grant peered into the room.

"I have the personnel report," he said, walking to the desk and handing a few sheets of paper to Giles.

"Thanks," replied Giles as Charles sat opposite him.

Giles flicked through the pages staring in disbelief at the report, a frown crossing his face as he read it for the third time.

The facts will not change no matter how long you stare at those pages.

"Oh funny," he muttered, glancing up at Charles who was nervously chewing on a fingernail. "You’re serious? This is everyone?"

"I’m afraid so," replied Charles, clasping his hands together.

Giles sighed and dropped the report on the desk.

"There’s more bad news," said Charles hesitantly.

"Go on…what’s happened now?"

"We’re starting to receive reports…um…slightly garbled reports I must say," Charles leaned forward, his elbows on the table, "about what appears to be rather a lot of demons heading this way."

"How many is ‘rather a lot’?"

"Well…um…some say several hundred…others say several thousand."

Giles stared at Charles.

"I expected something," he said softly, "but the scale of this…"

We have run out of time. It is increasingly unlikely we will discover who is behind this before this…army arrives. We should concentrate our efforts on defence.

"How long do we have?" Asked Giles.

"A few hours," replied Charles. "Well…about seven or eight at a guess."

"And what about type? Do we know if these demons are of any particular species?"

"Seems to be a mish-mash."

Giles frowned and picked up the personnel report.

"And according to this," he said, holding the report up, "we only have two Black Ops Squads on site at the moment."

"Uh…yes," said Charles, a blush starting to work its way up his face. "The rest are on Training Courses."

"Bank Holiday again?"

Charles nodded.

"I see," replied Giles, dropping the report on the desk. "So, we have twenty four trained military personnel…and an army of unknown size on its way here. There’s no way we can defend 100 acres."

"It appears not."

"I’ll have to brief the Squad Commanders…would you tell them to come and see me immediately, please?"

"Of course," Charles stood up. "Oh, one last thing. A few minutes ago, the Coven turned up at the gate…I instructed the guards to let them through."

"Thank heavens for that."

**********

James Newton dropped his pen on the table and sighed dramatically. There was no reaction from the others; they were still bent over their books and either reading or scribbling notes. James frowned slightly and sighed again, more loudly this time.

"Let me guess," said Rachel, glancing up at James, "you’re bored."

"No…not really," replied James. "It’s just…well…how on Earth are we supposed to ‘find the underlying truth’? It’s not as though there’s all that much known about this lot anyway."

"You’re not having any luck then?"

"I’m just not finding much on this Arawn guy," shrugged James. "Well, apart from the whole Lord of the Underworld stuff."

"Research takes time. You know that."

"Yes…and I know we’ve barely started but I get the impression that time is in short supply."

"In that case, you should stop talking and start reading."

"This isn’t what I expected," remarked James, deciding to ignore Rachel’s comment.

"And what DID you expect?" Rachel put her pen down and swivelled in her chair to face James.

"Well, something along the lines of…you see a demon…you take note of his physical appearance…you look him up, find out his weaknesses and kablam. Sorted."

"What do you look him up in?" Rachel giggled. "The Observer’s Guide to Demons?"

"Oh funny," remarked James, glancing around at the others who were stifling giggles. "My point is that we’re not even sure precisely WHAT we’re looking for so how will we know if we find it?"

"We probably won’t," replied Rachel. "I think that’s rather up to Mr Giles."

**********

Barbara parked the minibus at the side of the Manor House and then sat back with relief.

"We made it," she said with a smile, patting the dashboard affectionately.

"You’ve been swearing at it for the last ten minutes," remarked Jo, sliding open one of the doors.

"Aww, she knows I don’t mean it," replied Barbara, planting a kiss on the steering wheel.

"Sexual frustration," said Lisa seriously, struggling to keep a straight face. "She’s transferred her lustful thoughts onto the minibus."

"Get out, you horrible lot," giggled Barbara, "and next time you can walk."

"Um…you’ll have to help me with Mr Rayne," said Jayne, a tinge of concern in her voice. "He’s passed out again."

"Typical," groaned Jo. "I almost did myself an injury getting him IN the bus."

"It’s not his fault," said Jayne, smoothing back Ethan’s hair.

"I rather think it might be," remarked Barbara quietly, as Jo, Lisa, Susan and Jayne struggled to carry Ethan out of the minibus. They set him down on the ground as Barbara clambered out behind them.

"I was beginning to get worried about you," came a familiar voice and Barbara looked up to see Rupert Giles and Charles Grant walking towards them.

"When we heard the news on the television we thought we’d be of more use here," smiled Barbara. "Besides, Mr Rayne was remarkably insistent about coming here."

"He was?" Giles knelt beside Ethan, smiling briefly at Jayne who was cradling Ethan’s head.

"He said that some kind of darkness threatened," said Jo, "and that your life and the future of the Council depended on us getting him here."

"Interesting," replied Giles softly. He looked at Jayne. "How long has he been like this?"

"He passed out just before we got here."

Giles nodded and turned his attention back to Ethan.

"Ethan?" He said, bending closer to him. "Can you hear me?"

There was no response from the prone figure and Jayne bit her lip, watching Ethan with concern.

Either his sudden lapse into unconsciousness was a coincidence or it was deliberate. You intend keeping him here…that is a risk.

"I know it’s a risk," muttered Giles, standing up, "but it’s one I’m prepared to take."

"Looks like I’ll have to find more rooms," remarked Charles, smiling slightly.

"I’m afraid so, Charles," smiled Giles, turning to Barbara. "Charles will arrange rooms for you. He’ll also bring you up to date on events. When you’ve settled in, Charles will show you to my office. There are things we need to discuss."

"Excuse me, Mr Giles?" Jayne looked up, her face etched with worry. "If you don’t mind…I’d prefer to stay with Mr Rayne and watch over him."

"That’s fine with me," replied Giles, glancing at Barbara who nodded.

"Yes," she said with a smile, "Jayne’s taken on the mantle of carer and protector…cross her at your peril."

"Give Ethan my room," said Giles, turning to Charles. "It’s not as though I need it."

"Very well," replied Charles. "Shall I put a guard on the door?"

"No…" began Giles.

It may be prudent.

"No," continued Giles, "we don’t have the staff and besides, it’s not as though he’s capable of doing much harm."

Ah I see. You have the beginnings of a most intriguing idea in your mind. You are thinking of using the Coven as a weapon.

"I haven’t decided," muttered Giles. "Shield or weapon."

Perhaps both.

"Uh…Mr Giles?" Charles peered at Giles, who seemed distant and distracted. I’ll never get used to him talking to himself like that.

"Yes?"

Charles pointed to two uniformed men, who were striding purposefully towards the Manor House.

"The Squad Commanders you wished to see."

"Ah, thank you." Giles turned back to the Coven. "I’ll see you all shortly."

**********

Legatus pushed another dead body off a slab and then stared around the cavern, mentally counting the empty slabs. Resources are starting to get low, he thought. You’d better be able to finish this, Daniel, or you will definitely live to regret it. Legatus strode over to Daniel and stared coldly down at him.

"Daniel."

Daniel slowly opened his eyes, gazing up tiredly.

"Yes, my Lord?" He said softly, taking large and painful breaths.

"Will you be able to transmit images of the attack to those in the other realm?"

"Of course, my Lord." Daniel stared up at the impassive yet cold face looming over him.

"You ARE sure of that, Daniel?" Asked Legatus, folding his arms. "You are using our resources rather quickly."

"I’m sure," smiled Daniel, closing his eyes.

"Good. I would hate for you to disappoint me." Legatus smiled slightly. "I don’t take disappointment too well."