Part 9:<\/b>\u00a0Every Action\u2026<\/p>\n
Los Angeles wasn\u2019t like what you saw in the movies. In the movies, it\u2019s always a bright and sunny day. There is never a cloud in the clear blue sky.<\/p>\n
Bullshit, Fred thought to herself. Most Los Angeles days, the sky had a faint yellow tint because of all the smog. And today certainly wasn\u2019t bright and sunny. Dark storm clouds threatened in the horizon. Rain would be here in an hour, maybe less.<\/p>\n
It was Monday, about a quarter past noon. Fred stood at her post with binoculars in her hands and a walkie-talkie around her neck. She had a clear view of the entire playing field. She was the point man. It was up to Fred when to alert that the \u2018fantasma\u2019 had appeared. It was up to her when to tell the teams to execute their respective assignments.<\/p>\n
The \u2018fantasma\u2019 and his two guards would set off for the diner at around 12:30. When they reached the Smithson and Ambercrombie intersection, the distraction would occur<\/p>\n
Willow would be parked on North Smithson, while Tara would be parked on East Ambercrombie. At Fred\u2019s command, they would pull out into the intersection and have an \u2018accident\u2019 with each other.<\/p>\n
While the crowd\u2019s, and most importantly, the guard\u2019s attention was distracted, Lorne would drive up in the van from South Smithson. Pulling up behind the guards, Groo and Gunn would grab the \u2018fantasma\u2019. If all went according to plan, the operation should take no longer than a minute from the command to move to the time the \u2018fantasma\u2019 was loaded up.<\/p>\n
In the van located two blocks away, the three men waited nervously. It was almost time to execute. Grabbing the walkie-talkie, Gunn checked in one final time.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlright everybody, listen up, it\u2019s almost showtime. We can\u2019t screw up on this people,\u201d he said gravely. \u201cThis is our one and only chance at grabbing this guy. If we fail here, then we may never be able to save our friends.\u201d<\/p>\n
The gravity of the situation wasn\u2019t lost on anyone. All knew what was at stake. This was the best and only chance they had to perform this mission. All radioed in with a \u2018Roger\u2019 before silence once again reigned.<\/p>\n
Glancing at the van\u2019s clock, Lorne noted the time. \u201c12:28,\u201d he said. His green hand fiddled nervously with the gear stick. Gunn silently chewed on sunflower seeds as he mentally went over the plan. Groo reached into a plastic bag and removed a length of rope and duct tape. He also pulled out a strange bottle marked \u2018Chloroform\u2019. Grab, contain, evacuate. That was the plan.<\/p>\n
Then the call came.<\/p>\n
\u201cSubject has just appeared with two guards,\u201d Fred called over the radio.<\/p>\n
Lorne quickly turned the engine on. \u201cThis is it,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s time.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNow we just wait for our cue,\u201d Gunn replied.<\/p>\n
************
\nKelemoke stared at the girl in confusion. Checking her pulse, he found that it was steady and strong. Taking a breath, he noticed it too. There was no soul in this body.<\/p>\n
\u201cVery strange,\u201d Kelemoke said. \u201cI\u2019ve never heard nor seen such a thing in all my existence. You say she was fine one moment, but was like this the next?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes!\u201d Angelus shouted irritably. \u201cI was speaking with her one second, but then she collapsed unconscious.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cVery strange,\u201d Kelemoke repeated. She was a highly attractive girl. If Angelus wasn\u2019t so set after her, Kelemoke might be tempted to claim her for himself. Even if she was part demon. \u201cI do not know of anyone with the power to remove a being\u2019s soul. It must be powerful magic.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI do not know who would hold that power either,\u201d Angelus said. \u201cBut I know who would.\u201d Angelus stormed from the bedroom into the main hall of the palace. \u201cMinions!\u201d he called. All eyes turned to the vampire who\u2019d led them to victories. \u201cGather your weapons! We go to war!\u201d<\/p>\n
***********
\nAs vampires began moving underground to begin their operation, the humans above were beginning their own.<\/p>\n
\u201cGet ready,\u201d Fred called over the radio. \u201cTeam One now!\u201d A few moments passed before she yelled, \u201cTeam Two now!\u201d<\/p>\n
Tara and Willow each threw their cars into gear and sped into the intersection. Willow made sure that her car impacted the passenger side of Tara\u2019s. The crowd of pedestrians, including the \u2018fantasma\u2019, stopped at the sight of the hard collision.<\/p>\n
Good Samaritans rushed out into the street to help the two women. The gang prayed that seatbelts and airbags would keep them safe.<\/p>\n
Moments after the collision occurred, the van was coming to a stop behind the \u2018fantasma\u2019 and his two guards. Gunn and Groo leapt from the back of the van. With two quick swings of a baseball bat, Groo sent the guards flying to the ground. Gunn smothered the small \u2018fantasma\u2019 with the chloroform cloth. He grabbed the man\u2019s arms while Groo grabbed his legs. They speedily tossed the man into the van and climbed in. The rear doors weren\u2019t even shut fully before Lorne put the pedal to the metal.<\/p>\n
A few people cursed at the van for speeding past a wreck, but beyond that, nobody paid much attention. Fred nonchalantly hailed a taxi as soon as she saw the van was away. After being helped from the vehicles, Tara and Willow slipped away in the confusion. They were confident the fake identification they used to rent the cars couldn\u2019t be traced back to them. It also helped they wore gloves in the car. Police could find fingerprints.<\/p>\n
***********
\nBy one o\u2019clock, everyone at Wolfram and Hart knew that something very wrong had happened. Many of the big shot attorneys had been called into a board meeting with the senior officials.<\/p>\n
The staff knew better than to ask questions. When people started asking questions, they had a nasty habit of disappearing. Being in the dark wasn\u2019t a bad thing. It sure as hell kept your head attached to your body.<\/p>\n
Suddenly, throughout the building, alarms began to go off. The people at the firm had heard this sound before.<\/p>\n
\u201cDamn it! Is this another fucking fire drill?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJesus Christ, it seems like we have one every month!\u201d<\/p>\n
The staffers began to file to the stairwell. While the money here was good, the fire drills got fucking annoying after awhile.<\/p>\n
************
\nThrough the sewer tunnels located in the basement garage, vampires began to climb out and get in formation. By the time Angelus emerged, nearly three-dozen minions had formed, ready for battle.<\/p>\n
Angelus was furious. Somehow he knew that it was these lawyers that were responsible for what happened to his Queen. He didn\u2019t care how many sons of bitches he had to cut down; he was going to find out how to fix her.<\/p>\n
He began to divide off the minions. They would sweep the building and gather up as many hostages as possible. He led five minions across the garage to the elevators. Hitting the floor he knew housed the big shot lawyers, the troop rode silently. Alarms had long since sounded.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo not worry,\u201d he told the minions. \u201cThey are only prepared for an isolated vampire to enter, not a legion. And remember, no killing until I give the word.\u201d The minions nodded in acknowledgement.<\/p>\n
With a slight buzz, the elevator door opened on the Fifth Floor. He spotted a few people heading to the stairwell doors. Turning the corner, Angelus couldn\u2019t believe his good fortune.<\/p>\n
From the conference room emerge the biggest names at the firm. \u201cWell, if it isn\u2019t the cocksuckers that I wanted to see.\u201d Shifting into gameface, Angelus stalked toward the frightened crowd. \u201cA dozen ripe plums ready to be picked,\u201d he observed. His eyes fell on an attractive woman in front. \u201cMy, aren\u2019t you a tasty looking bitch? I may have to kill you first, just so you don\u2019t have to watch me gut the rest of these pigs. Gentlemen, if you would return to the room whence you came.\u201d<\/p>\n
His minions advanced on the group, sending them scampering backwards. Angelus stopped one and said, \u201cGo around and tell the rest of the men to assemble here. Tell them to bring desert, because we may have a feast here shortly.\u201d<\/p>\n
The minion took off to find the others and relay the word. Grinning, Angelus turned to join his group in the conference room. Without warning, searing pain ripped through his chest, sending the vampire to his knees. Collapsing to the ground, it was several minutes before he rose.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh my God. What have I done?\u201d<\/p>\n
*************
\nCordelia\u2019s eyes snapped open. Gasping for air, she tried to jerk away, but the handcuffs stopped her.<\/p>\n
\u201cHoly shit! What the hell was that?\u201d<\/p>\n