Fic: Massive Collatoral Damage (2/?)

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Massive Collatoral Damage Part 2.

The two shapely trouble consultants scanned the wrecked cargo hold 
until they spotted a gash in the side of the ship. The hole was 
easily large enough for a man, or something man-sized to have climbed 
through.

"Oh dear." Said Willow.

Climbing through the twisted metal, they dropped to the ground and 
looked up, to see the bright lights of the metropolis gleaming down 
on them from a short distance ahead.

"Oh, no."

Activating their jet-packs, the two flew off in pursuit.

Back at Slayer Central, Giles was scanning through the vast and badly 
indexed database for more detailed information on their quarry.

"er, from the markings on the casket, it appears that this could be a 
talgarsh warrior; it's a particularly nasty demon."

Willow almost flew into a tree as the graphic of a nasty skeletal 
face appeared on her head up display.

On the city streets, the owner of the face was lurching forward, 
pushing through the crowds.

"Apparently," Said Giles, "The Talgarsh Warriors would take on a 
human guise and explore the territory until the moon rises. At this 
point they take on their full demonic aspect and generally, er, run 
amuck."

Willow was a little better prepared when the second graphic appeared 
in front of her. It was an old drawing of something that vaguely 
resembled the first picture, but it seemed to have a lot more spiky 
bits.

"This was the only recorded picture I could find of the full demonic 
aspect. Generally speaking, there doesn't seem to have been anyone 
around to record it once it gains its full aspect."

"Satellite scans place it currently at Rodin Street."

"let's wrap this up quick." Said Buffy, bringing up her Smith-Hitachi 
Godzilla Bazooker blaster. "then we can go party!"

"It IS a holiday, after all." Willow nodded.

"Er," Giles stuttered, "You should be aware that moonrise is due in a 
little over one hour. Sixty three minutes, to be exact."

"ONE HOUR?!?" The two girls cried in unison.

"It is vital that you destroy the creature before this occurs; I 
cannot stress this enough."

Giles found he was talking to dead air.

"Buffy! Willow! What are those two doing?"

Behind him, the door opened.

"Oh, you're still working?" Said Anya.

"Yes. A little longer." Sighed Giles. "Did you need something?"

"I thought we might have a little get together to celebrate 
halloween." She said. "It's traditional, apparently."

Behind her, Giles could see Xander wearing a party hat. Xander 
grinned at him.

"Who said this would be an easy job?" Said Buffy, pushing through the 
crowd of people clad in weird halloween costumes.

"Did I say that?" Willow pouted.

"How are we even going to spot Evil Monster guy among this lot?" 
Buffy sighed.

"Well we better make it soon. Thirty four minutes to moonrise."

Buffy activated her jets and zoomed over the crowd, which had the 
useful effect of causing them all to dive for cover. This left only 
one shambling creature standing. The Talgarsh Warrior looked around, 
and in an attempt to blend in, knelt down.

"Stop right there, you evil monster, you." Shouted Willow, aiming her 
blaster at the kneeling demon.

The creature looked at her. Then it was hurled to the ground as a 
large blast took off the back of it's head.

"What are you doing, stopping to chat with it?" Demanded Buffy, her 
blaster smoking slightly.

The demon stood up and turned to look at Buffy, its eyes glowing red.

"Don't give me that creepy look." She said, preparing to fire again.

The demon turned to look at Willow.

"I didn't do anything! It was her!" She said.

The monster tensed. Then it ran off at high speed, losing itself in 
the crowd.

"Oh dear." Sighed Willow.