A Very Ordinary Evil

Part 11 – Internecine Warfare


The same day, mid evening


The whole group, which now consisted of Giles, Xander, Anya, Willow and Spike; waited nervously for the arrival of the chartered light aircraft at Sunnydale’s small airport. The psychiatrist and the five other council members, who’s presence they had been advised of only after their landing in Los Angeles, were already ten minutes overdue.

“Are we worried or happy they’re late?” Xander asked artlessly.

Giles looked at Xander. “Worried. If they don’t arrive, the Council is likely to act unilaterally. At least we have some chance of providing some input, if they ever get here.”

Willow looked at her lover. “You’re okay with meeting these people? They’ll probably panic in all directions.”

Spike chuckled. “Pet, I’m counting on it. Think it through a moment. A familiar voice or two, familiar accents; they relax, then, they discover who I am. They panic. That’s when we have the advantage, and you and the Watcher will need to press it home. We can’t count on Chubs for this, although he and demon-girl will be a great distraction, they’ll help to keep the council members confused.”

Giles and Xander both looked oddly at him. “Why’re you on our side?” Xander asked suspiciously.

“Simple, Chubs. Think about it for a while, then when you can’t work it out, ask Willow.”

Xander glared at the smirking vampire. “Why don’t I just knock your teeth in?” He asked, angrily.

“Because I could fend you off until you collapsed from exhaustion. And because I wouldn’t be hurting you, I wouldn’t feel a thing. Moron.” Spike grinned openly at the group, who were digesting that information.

Willow giggled. “He’s got a point Xander. About him holding you off I mean. As for why he’s on our side, Spike is pragmatic. Do you reer wer what Buffy told us he said when he helped her against Angel?” Xander nodded slowly as Willow continued. “Spike likes to see a balance; and the Council wants there to be no balance, only humans. They’re sort of like the Master, but in reverse. He wanted Demons to control everything. Or like Angel was without his soul. He wanted to make the world part of Hell.”

An aircraft making its landing approach interrupted any further discussion. They watched as the door opened and the collapsible ladder extended. As they had expected, six people debarked the aircraft; four men and two women. All appeared middle aged and all were dressed with the typical Council conservativeness that served as a uniform for its members.

They walked towards the waiting Scooby gang. Taking notice of, and speaking only to Giles, they introduced themselves. Dr Peter Maugham, the Council’s consultant psychiatrist; Rochelle Geraldson (DD, Oxon), advisor to the Council’s ritual team; and the team members Marcus Adair, Sarah Trescothick, Nigel Featherstonehaugh—“that’s pronounced Fanshaw”—and George Menzies.

“Mr Giles, could I suggest that we perhaps repair to the hotel accommodation to discuss these issues privately?” The implication that the Council members wished to speak with Giles alone was clear as Maugham made his request.

“No, we’re a team. Where one goes, we all go. Is that clear … Doctor?” Giles delivery was flat and emotionless; it was also delivered in the North London street accent that Willow associated with Ripper.

Maugham nodded. Very well, could you at least introduce me to your … associates?”

Giles smiled. “Certainly.” He gestured to his right. “This is Mr Alexander Harris, known as Xander, and his partner, Anya, formerly Anyanka, vengeance demon on behalf of women scorned in love. And here,” said Giles, moving his hand across his body to indicate the other pair, “are Miss Willow Rosenberg and her partner, Mr William T. Blood.”

The vampire smirked at the group of council members, who were obviously trying to make a connection with his name. He decided to have some fun. The blond vampire moved forward menacingly. “People call me Spike.” He smiled mirthlessly as he spoke. “Anyway, shouldn’t we be getting you safe inside? It’s dark now, and you know what these creatures of the night are like.” He ushered them to the waiting cars as they began to realise who he was.

Spike, Giles and Xander got the thoroughly confused Council members into the waiting cars before they could protest. With Spike and Giles driving, they took their guests not to the expected hotel accommodation, but to Willow’s parents house, the largest private home to which they had access. Secure in the knowledge that her parents would not return for some time, they could interview their guests at length while they were still disoriented and jetlagged.

“But this isn’t our hotel!” Maugham was obviously the leader of the group, and he registered the complaint on their behalf. “Why are we here?”

“Simple” Giles answered, still in Ripper mode. “Because we decided. Now, please go inside. I promise no harm will come to you, if you go inside.” He pointed at Spike, now with his game face on. “I’m bloody hungry,” he growled. “If you don’t get in there, I’ll have to have a snack. Or two.”

With that motivation, the six entered Willow’s house. As they did so, Willow demanded any cell phones and beeper systems they had. “I’m sorry we have t thi this,” she said, “ but we need to talk to you, and we also need to be sure that we won’t be interrupted.” But But that’s William the Bloody!” Menzies squawked.

“Yes, that’s him alright.” Willow sighed as she looked at Spike. “And isn’t he delicious?”

“He’s one of the most monstrous creatures in history, Miss Rosenberg. The term delicious isn’t one I would apply to him.”

“Don’t you think that’s a little racist, Mr Menzies?”

“Pardon?” Menzies looked very confused. So did the other guests.

“He’s a soul-less demon! Why is he here?” Adair demanded

“That’s the racism showing, Mr Adair. How do you determine worth? It appears that you insist on a soul; but even in the one case of a demon with a soul, Angel, you refused to help him when he was poisoned. That’s racism. You discriminated against him because of his demon-ness.”

“Your personal ethics, however, aren’t the issue at the moment. Although I wish I had still had my powers when you refused Angel help,” Anya interjected, “I would’ve had a field day with the whole Council to torture.” She smiled, somewhat reminiscently at the thought. “We want to talk about your plans for Buffy.” So saying she went outside.

“There’s nothing to discuss. I will assess her, and if, in my opinion, she is incapacitated, we will perform the ritual.” Maugham said coldly.

“I’m afraid there is a lot to discuss, Dr Maugham,” Willow said flatly. “For example, Anya is currently searching your belongings for the ritual. When she finds it, I’ll examine it.” Willow spoke in a very emotionless, controlled manner, but Spike could sense her underlying fury. Her pheromones told him that she was ready to kill these people.

“Please,” Giles interrupted. “You must understand that these people are concerned for their friend. So am I for that matter. Now, what are the likely repercussions if you perform the ritual on Buffy while she’s unstable?”

“I’m not going to discuss that, Giles.” Maugham’s omission of the courtesy title was an obvious insult.

“Y’know Watcher, I’m beginning to get hungry again.” Spike contributed to the round-robin interrogation that was going on.

“Er, Spike, we can’t learn anything if you eat them.” Xander observed.

“Let me make one thing clear, Doctor Maugham. We have the power here, not you. If we have to, we will resort to whatever means may be necessary. And also don’t forget that Spike would be more than willing to turn you, and then dust you as soon as your vampiric self emerged. Hence no evidence of your ever being here.” Giles smiled as he delivered the ultimate threat in the same sort of pleasant voice that he normally reserved for speaking to favoured customers in his store.

Maugham paled. “You would betray your sacred trust? There are casualties in war. Miss Summers is such a casualty. And misplaced affection towards her weakens us all.”

“Sacred trust my arse!” Spike snarled. “You’re casually talking about rending away everything that defines that poor chit, and you talk about sacred bloody trust? Mate, you wouldn’t know sacred if it walked up and bit you on the balls. I hate the slayer, but compared to you lot, she’s almost human. Fuck it Ripper, just kill the cunts. I wouldn’t sully my teeth with vermin like that.” Spike’s fury was not feigned. He simply could not tolerate the arrogance of the six Council members.

Willow looked at Maugham. “I want you to listen very carefully, doctor, because I won’t repeat myself. Buffy will recover, given enough time. If you perfthe the ritual, however, you will leave her permanently insane. I will not permit that.”

Maugham laughed. “You won’t permit it? Little girl, run away and play with your dollies.”

Willow sighed. She took out a crystal and threw it at Featherstonehaugh. She shouted “Mea Lumen, Mea lux!” and the crystal burst. In the place Featherstonehaugh used to be was a cockroach. “Now, Maugham,” she said to the horrified psychiatrist, “If that ritual goes ahead, either by you and your people here, or by the council in England, that little demonstration will be the least of your worries. Now, are you going to be good and go home, or am I going to grind Mr Featherstonehaugh into paste?”

She looked over as Geraldson fainted. “It seems that Ms Geraldson wants to take us seriously. Incidentally, can you refund the thirty dollars it will cost me to buy another crystal?” Willow gestured negligently and Featherstonehaugh returned to his human form.

Maugham looked at the redhead, stunned by her quiet confidence. She seemed to think she really could control the situation.

Anya returned with several briefcases. “All the magical material and books are in these, Giles. Where should I put them?”

“Oh, take them into the kitchen, Willow can examine them later.”

Maugham paled again, something which the whole gang noticed. “I think I should examine those cases now.” Willow said flatly. “I may need your help Giles. The others can keep an eye on our … guests. Anya,” she spoke to the girl as ret returned, “you know what to look for if they start to cast spells. If anyone tries, hit them and yell.”

Anya nodded, glaring at the six unwilling guests.

Spike grinned over at Anya. “Can I ask you something? I think you should search them for the usual nasty toys.”

“Good idea. Xander, you and Spike guard the doors.” Anya started to give orders, and the two men nodded. “Right, all of you. Strip. Now.”

Spike chuckled. “You’re going to enjoy this aren’t ya?”

“Well, duh! Of course. I always wanted to know if I was a dominatrix with anyone other than Xander.”

Spike grinned and looked at six horrified faces. “You better do as she asks. I can just see her dragging a buggy whip out, or perhaps something really nasty.”

The unwilling guests all looked shocked, and slowly began to remove their clothes. They realised that the situation was now totally out of their col, al, and all six were thoroughly intimidated.

Xander looked at them as they removed their clothing. “I don’t care what you all say, this time I’m not doing thvityvity searches.” Chuckling, he leant against the door, appreciating the terrified looks on the faces of the Council members.

When the six had removed their clothes, Anya collected and searched through them carefully. She found several vials of holy water, some crosses and also some odourless garlic. When she was certain that there was nothing useful left, she threw the clothes back at the council members, telling them to get dressed again.

“Spike! Ring Angel! Now!” Willow shrieked from the kitchen.

“Anya, cover this door.” Spike ordered as he moved to the phone.

“Pet, what am I meant to say?” Spike called back.

“Nothing just tell him to wait until I can get there and take the call.”

Spike dialed the number, and waited. He heard the ringing tone indicating a connection. Eventually, a groggy voice answered “What?”

“Peaches. Willow needs to talk to you. She asked me to get you and keep you here ‘til she can get to the phone. Also mate, don’t fall asleep. You snore.”

Willow came into the room, and took the phone from Spike. “Angel, listen carefully. Get out, take Cordy, Wes and Gunn with you, come here. Do it now. I’ll fill you in when you get here. It’s an emergency. I t hat have time to explain now, just … what? That vision is probably related to what I’ve been saying Angel. Just get here.”

Willow hung the phone up and glared at the council members. “I found your instructions, all of them.”

Maugham paled noticeably; he knew things were certainly not looking good.

Willow was literally shaking with rage, she she handed the papers to Giles without any further comment.

As Giles read the document, his face lost all of its statement and colour. “What precisely are the Council thinking?” He asked coldly.

“What should have been done years ago.”

“These are orders for a team to kill all the members of Angel Investigations! And also to kill Buffy and everyone here, except Spike, but you didn’t know about him. You’re talking about cold-blooded murders. Even discounting Angel, you’re still planning the deaths of eight human beings.”

“If we fail, others will also come. So why extend the agony.” Maugham’s haughty voice carried conviction.

Willow looked at Maugham. “I really don’t like you. I’m sure that between us, we’ll come up with an idea to deal with the rest of the Council. But, I wonder, what would be an appropriate death for you?”

Xander and Giles looked shocked at Willow’s coldness, while Spike and Anya exchanged a knowing gla Nei Neither was particularly surprised at her potential for vengeance.

Giles looked up. Speaking to everyone he said, “It’s apparent that the council has decided that they want control of the slayer. They consider Buffy to be a rogue, along with anyone associated with her. They’re trying to return to the old ways.”

“Willow, are you willing to cast another truth spell, and a will weakening spell?”

“I can probably do both, although it would knock me out. Anya, are you capable of doing one?”

Anya shook her head. “No. I’m really sorry, but I don’t have the strength, or the ability.”

“Giles?” Asked Willow.

“I can try, but I can’t guarantee anything.” The watcher replied.

“Okay. I guess I better cast the truth spell, while you do the will weakening one. That way, if you fail, we can at least guarantee that whatever they say will be truthful. And I’m sure Ripper would encourage them to chat nicely if he has to.”

Giles nodded. “Yes, I’m rather afraid that there is no time for niceties. I suppose we should get started.”

Willow nodded, and looked at the six terrified council members. She began the chant for her spell as Giles watched. He was impressed by her growing abilities, in particular her skill at working without the usual impedimenta of spell casting. As she completed the incantation, he began, working from the redhead’s spell book. He cast more slowly, and used the candles and incense required, but eventually he also finished.

“Now, how to test it.” Giles mused aloud. “I know.” As he chuckled, it wasn’t Rupert, but pure Ripper. He leant forward and murmured a simple question to Maugham; to which Maugham answered yes. “Both spells have worked, so let’s begin.”

Some simple questioning quickly resolved any underlying doubts about the goals of the council members. It was, however, the goal of only a small coterie within the council, who, as a whole, knew nothing of the plans and orders issued to Maugham.

Giles looked up, and asked “Spike, can you make a rope coffle?”

“Yeah, Ripper, dead easy.”

“Right, do that and then we’ll need to talk, away from prying eyes.”

After Spike had restrained the six, he joined the others in the kitchen. Giles began to speak again, outlining a plan. “Because a small group in the council are operating unilaterally, all we need to do is to advise the majority of what’s happening. They may condone what Willow called racism, but I don’t think most of the council would actively attempt to kill a slayer, unless she was truly dangerous. Even Faith they only ever intended to capture, not kill.

“Now, as for the … disposition of our guests; I’m afraid I have no idea at all. Their passports are legally stamped, so we can’t turn them over to Immigration; and I can’t really accept cold-blooded murder, even if they could. Any suggestions?”

“Turn them over to D’Hoffryn?” Anya proposed. “I’m sure he could use some slaves, for eternity.” She smiled maliciously as she spoke.

Spike looked at Xander. “Never piss her off, mate.” He chuckled.

“Oh, I have no intention. None at all. Ever.”

“How about taking them down to Willie’s and auctioning them off as snack food?” Spike suggested. “What? At least we’d make a couple of quid!”

“I could turn them all into ‘roaches.” Willow offered brightly.

“I think the council may frown on us somewhat if we kill or transmogrify everyone,” Giles observed. “I suppose I could ask the council what to do with them when we contact them. Yes, I think that’s the best idea. As soon as Angel arrives, I’ll call the council.”