Dnos Chapter 6 for FFNET upload.
 
 
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Chapter 6
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Giles felt a chill run down his spine as he listened to the things Robson and the group were telling him.
 
“Travers is off the reservation, as it were.  Says the Council is passé, a relic. Says one girl cannot contain the numbers of vampires and demons overrunning the earth.  Says we should have begun wholesale extermination years ago.”  Robson knew full well that not every demon was a threat and he looked pale at the implications.  “We were all taught that our existence, the existence of the Slayer, is a matter of balance, not extermination.”
 
“Be that as it may, why on earth would he seek to ally the Council with a group that tried to destroy the current Slayer?”  Giles would never forgive Walsh for that offense.
 
“Doesn’t think too highly of your Buffy, does he?”  Robson had had many a discussion with Rupert over Quentin Travers and his methods over the years.  “Doesn’t care much for my Nora either, truth to tell.  Says she’s too forward, not properly conditioned to know her place.”
 
“We know the Council’s stand regarding Faith as well.  Prison is the only thing keeping them from sending a second wet works team to finish what they started.  Diana Dormer, Faith’s first Watcher, and I roomed together during training.  I have to admit having a soft spot for the troubled girl.  Diana loved her like a daughter.”  Davina White was pouring tea and trying her best to maintain control of her shaking hand.  “I believe Quentin thinks we can do away with slayers altogether and use this resource to contain the demons without having to deal with accepting whomever the Powers have chosen for the task.”
 
“He’s power-mad!  Can’t control the young girls under his watch and can’t stand to be made a fool,” Paul Jeffries added. 
 
“I can’t understand why the Council hasn’t taken steps to remove him from leadership.  His sharing of information, going public, is against all the traditions and rules of the Council.”  Giles sat back in his chair and tried to rein in his temper. "There are long-standing peace treaties with some species that this is going to violate."
 
“Indeed,” Jeffries agreed.  “You know that he and Wyndam-Pryce--Roger, not his doltish son--spent years stacking the Council with their sycophants and toadies.  Not one will raise a hand against the one who feeds them.”
 
“So there’s no stopping him then,” Giles sighed.
 
“Not that we’ve been able to think of and Lord knows we’ve tried.”  Robson sat back in his chair with an air of defeat.
 
“We may simply have to weather this storm out and hope for the best,” Davina nodded.
 
"Contingencies, gentlemen...and er, lady. Contingencies.  I think it's time to make preparations for the worst case scenario.  Make certain these idiots led about by that beastly Travers don't leave what's left of the world undefended.  Gather those we can and the resources we can and go underground,"  Jeffries pronounced.
 
***
 
“What do you mean you refuse the test, Joe?”  Max glared at his long term employee.  “You realize that by refusing you are admitting to being a demon?”
 
“I’m a tax paying citizen of the United States, Max.  Our Constitution says a person is innocent until proven guilty, not the other way around.  This goes against my principles and should go against yours too.”
 
Max was clearly offended.  “Are you questioning my patriotism, Joe?” he asked in a low, vaguely threatening tone, eyes narrowed.
 
“You’re questioning my humanity!” 
 
“I’m doing exactly what the authorities have asked.   I’m ferreting out all the demonic creatures that are ruining this great land of ours, taking our jobs and killing our people.  The law is soon going to back me up and then it won’t just be people losing jobs.”  Max was red in the face with anger. “Take the test or take a hike, Perkins.”
 
“Been nice working for you, Max.”  Joe grabbed his lunch-pail and headed for the parking area.
 
The rest of the crew, many having considered Joe one of their best foremen and aso a friend, were speechless, but no one said a word.
 
“Anyone else want to refuse the test?”
 
***
 
Joyce, looking wan but not so deathly as before her surgery, poured the tea for a jet lagged Giles.  “So is Buffy in any danger from this Travers man?”
 
“I don’t know.” Seeing the look of alarm on the ailing woman’s face, he amended, “I’m not certain what his priorities are at this point, Joyce.  He is meeting with the United States Senate today.  I hear they did a blackout of coverage on C-SPAN.  No telling what he is saying.  There will be a televised address with the U.N. tomorrow. He's already had a one-on-one meeting with Blair. He’s in the height of his glory at the moment, the man of the hour, as it were.  I would imagine any thoughts he has of Buffy are taking a back seat to his ego for now.”
 
“Well, she doesn’t work for them any longer anyway.  What can he do?”
 
Giles inclined his head in agreement.  “There is that.”
 
“What about the rest of the Council?”
 
Giles looked furious but contained.  “Most are following him like so many sheep.  A few sane individuals are managing to get as much of the research library copied and hidden for the future we may all face if this all blows up.  A couple are taking their Potential Slayers into hiding.”
 
“So what about the information on the Key you were going to ask them to research?  I know that the whole hellgod danger has passed, but what about Dawn’s future if this Travers starts talking about all he knows?”
 
Giles cleared his throat. “Well, fortunately we never told the Council too much about that.  No one outside our small circle knows anything about Dawn.  As far as the world is concerned, she is a typical adolescent girl.”
 
“Oh, thank God!  I have enough to worry about with Buffy on shaky ground.”
 
“We may have to warn Dawn at some future point, perhaps do a few tests of our own.  It looks as though the government--well, almost all of them for that matter--are thinking of enforcing tests to determine just who are normal humans and who are not.”  Giles looked suitably troubled.  “There is no reason to suspect that Dawn would test as anything other than human, but it would be prudent to be certain.”
 
“Everyone is running around like the world is ending.  I had to leave church last Sunday when my sweet-faced minister started talking about hell being unleashed on earth and our duty to ‘protect our women and children.’”  Joyce shook her head.  “When did everything get so out of hand?”
 
“I don’t really know, Joyce.”  Giles took a sip of her perfectly brewed Earl Grey and thought a bit.  “I grew up knowing about the things that go bump in the night.  You learned of it after Buffy was called.  It’s always been out there.  Our planet has always had demons and humans living on it at the same time.  At times there has been peace; other times, war.  Usually it’s been a state of détente with the Slayer policing the demon world, ridding it of the worst elements and stopping apocalypses.  There is a balance that has been kept and an unwritten agreement to not talk too much about the reality we live in.”
 
“Tell that to the Charlie Coopers and the raving hatemongers online,” Joyce said.
 
“I don’t know who decided we needed a war, but they will be getting their wish should this continue.”  Giles closed his eyes and looked very tired.  “Fools!”
 
***
 
“Did you hear that British guy, Mr. Travers’, speech at the U.N. yesterday?”  Warren had rushed over to Reverend Baker’s office filled with excitement.  “We were right on all counts.  There are demons and we’re all that stands between them and taking over the world.”
 
“Warren, you must remember that God has his own army.  Not even a demon horde can stand against us.  Many will fight and many will fall, but the Good Lord will prevail, son.”  The minister looked saintly and just a trifle smug.  “Remember that, young man, and take heart.”
 
“I was thinking about starting that group you suggested.  Youth for Humans?”  Mears prodded.  “I think a great slogan would be, ‘Resistance is futile.’ What do you think?”
 
The minister laughed good naturedly.  “I think that sounds just fine, son, just fine.  We’ll show this hellspawn what it is to come up against the Almighty.”  His countenance raised, face shining in reflected glory, the minister might have literally meant God or their little group or maybe even himself.
 
“At least the government is doing the right thing.  These new laws are going to be passed and signed so fast the demons’ heads might just spin off on their own.  After that last massacre in Oklahoma where a Congressman’s son was one of the slaughtered, I doubt there will be any votes against them.”  The minster seemed to recall his audience.  “Well, son, let’s get busy, shall we?  Start gathering your troops and let’s do the Lord’s work.”
 
***
 
“Now back to you, Peter.” 
Buffy had never watched so much news in her life, usually finding it rather boring and not anything that directly pertained to her own life.  Not since all this started though.  You couldn’t turn on the TV without seeing one bloodbath or another.  Usually, it was confusing to her, because the lame demons involved could have been easily stopped in most cases. 
 
Peter Jennings was continuing the broadcast, “Meanwhile, back in Washington, Senator Hatch has submitted a bill from his Judiciary committee entitled the Human Protection Act that looks to get quick approval when it comes to a vote.  For more, let’s go to Ann Compton in Washington.”
 
“Yes, Peter, it looks as if the bill will have little to no opposition, even though a few liberal Congressmen have raised the question about the broad language used in the bill.
 
Under the provisions of the section titled ‘Restoration of Human Sovereignty,’ no one failing to pass a DNA test  proving they are completely human may hold any position in civil service or the military.
 
Other provisions cover areas that are more general and not government specific.
 
State funded schools will no longer accept any student or teacher who does not test positive for human DNA.   No licensing for any medical professional will be issued or renewed unless proof of humanity is given; the same for judges and lawyers, as well as notaries.
 
Voters will have to provide proof of pure human DNA before being allowed to cast ballots in all 50 States and all protectorates beginning with the next election.
 
There are more restrictions being looked into to protect our people from these beings now being openly referred to as demons.”
 
Ann looked up from the text she had of the legislation and straight into the camera.  “It’s being referred to as the first step in taking back our planet.  Back to you, Peter.”
 
“Thank you, Ann.  Stay tuned as more developments follow.”
 
Buffy looked up from the TV to see an ashen Kate Perkins at the door. “Come on in, Kate.  What’s up?”
 
“Joe lost his job.  He refused one of those tests.  Now there’s talk that everyone--at least everyone who is suspect--is going to have to take one, and if you refuse you will be arrested.”  She was shaking.  “I don’t know what to do, Buffy.  I’ve lived in Sunnydale my whole life, so has Joe.  My grandfather helped bring the University here and he was on the board for years.  Joe’s family practically built the entire downtown area.  What are we going to do?”
 
Buffy only wished she had the answer.
 
“I wish I could tell you that you’ll be safe, Kate, I really do.  I don’t know how anything is going to play out, the way things are going.  I always did hate that jerk Travers and now that he gave that scary speech at the U.N., he has everyone in a panic.”
 
“It doesn’t help that some demons are still out there killing and rampaging,” Kate admitted.  “You know they are the minority, right?”
 
“I don’t have a clue, Kate; I only slay the ones I catch doing the bad things.”
 
“There’s talk about finding safe houses.  You wouldn’t know anyone I could talk to about that, would you, Buffy?”  In desperation, Kate turned pleading eyes on the Slayer.
 
Buffy thought for a moment. “There might be.  Let me give someone a call, Kate, and I’ll let you know if I find out anything.”
 
 
~  Los Angeles, California ~
 
Everything was hectic at the Hyperion.  Darla had died giving birth to Angel’s miracle child and the group had found itself helping nearly as many demons as humans.  The helpless came in all varieties lately.
 
The only reason Angel and Lorne were safe from the international frenzy over demons was because the entertainment industry that practically owned L.A. was largely demon controlled.  Still, things would be safe only so long before the pressure would cause even that protection to fold.
 
Cordy had just gotten little Connor to sleep when the phone rang, waking the fussy baby again. She grabbed the yowling child in one hand and the telephone in the other.  “Angel Investigations. We help the helpless; how can we help you?”
 
“Cordy?  It’s Buffy, with a favor to ask.”
 
“Angel’s kinda busy right now, but I can have him call you when he gets back in.”
 
“Is that a baby I hear crying?  What’s going on out there, Cordy?”
 
“Long story meant for another day and not my story to tell anyway.  Look, Buffy, Angel’s moving on with his own mission.  I know he’ll bend over backwards to lend a hand with whatever problem you’ve got, but it really isn’t safe for him to leave L.A. right now.”
 
“I’m not needing him to leave.  In fact, just the opposite.  Do you know of any safe places for peaceful demons to ride this out?”
 
“Why, you planning to send some our way?”
 
“If I can, yeah.”  Buffy wondered offhand if she could convince Spike to head to Angel’s place as well.   She hadn’t been able to shake the bad feeling she had ever since she’d seen the hate Riley had for Spike when he staked him.  She wouldn’t put it past Riley to hand Spike over to one of the patrols she had seen out and about lately.
 
“We’ve got some room here, but I don’t know how long L.A. is going to be safe for anyone.”  Cordy cooed to the baby and rocked him in her arms, trying to get him to settle back down.  “Look, I’ll have Angel call when he gets in, okay?  I kinda have my hands full right now.”
 
***
 
Spike didn’t even look up as Buffy crashed through his door while on patrol that night.  “Soldiers?”
 
“Yeah, they’re making a sweep of the old cemeteries tonight, it looks like.  I didn’t like a conversation I had with Graham the last time I ran into them and thought I’d make a discreet retreat.”
 
“Tab's in the fridge.  Help yourself.”  Spike vacated the only chair and took a seat on the sarcophagus that served as secondary seating.
 
“It’s getting a lot less safe out there, Spike.  You ever think of leaving?”
 
“And going where, pet?  This demon hunt’s happenin’ all over the world.  Seems one bolt hole is as safe as another.  Least I know the sewers and hidey holes here in Sunny-D pretty well.”  Spike was as nervous as any in the demon community, but really, where was someone to go when everywhere was dangerous?
 
“There has to be some place,” Buffy sighed.  “I’m trying to find a way to help the Perkins family get to safety.  I put a call in to Angel, hoping he knows where I should send them.”
 
“Got a friend named Clem left a while back.  Said there was a group headed for the Cascades in Washington State.  Might have something set up there.  I haven’t heard from him since he left though.”
 
Buffy shook her head, “Maybe Angel’s heard of it, or someplace like it. “  She plopped in the chair and opened her soda.  “This sucks majorly!  It’s my job to stop the bad ones and all they’ve done so far is scare everyone to death and get in my way.”
 
“Yeah, I’m no fan either,” Spike laughed.  “Different reason, but I completely agree.”
 
“Anya saw Riley in town yesterday.  He’s back in uniform.”  Buffy looked up at Spike through her lashes.  “She’s afraid Riley is going to turn her in for having been a demon.”
 
“Don’t know how anyone could prove that’s story's anythin’ more than just some somethin' the chit told,” Spike consoled. 
 
“I don’t know what kind of intel or equipment they have now.  I know they’re using DNA swabs on the local population, but I think they have more in their bag of tricks.”  Buffy took a long swallow of zero calorie sweetness.
 
“Looks like they got funding that’d put that Walsh bitch to shame this go-round,” Spike said bitterly. 
 
“Aren’t you worried?”
 
“’Bout what, pet?”
 
“About Riley turning you in.”  Buffy rolled her eyes in exasperation.  “He has a powerful hate for you and you know it.”
 
“Let ‘em come.  Be worth the headache to pay the wanker back for the hole he put in me.” Spike spat with bravado.
 
“And when the chip leaves you writhing on the floor helpless?”
 
The only possible answer was the one she got:  silence.