A Little Less Sixteen Candles... Continued

Patrick and Pete - The Verdict

Joe gazed down at the two vampires at his feet. Even as he thought about them, he wouldn't allow himself to even think the word 'friends'; he had to stay objective, he had to stay distant; he had to convince himself that he was doing the right thing.

"Am I?" he asked.
"Are you, what?" Andrea asked, not privy to his thoughts.
"Am I doing the right thing?" he sighed tiredly.
"I don't know if it'll turn out the way you want it, but, yeah, I think you're doing the right thing right now," she replied slipping a comforting arm around his waist.
"You know we've got to lock them up, don't you?"
"Yeah, but they'll understand, you know."
"I'm being careful," Joe insisted, even though no one was questioning him. "I'm doing what Patrick would do in the same situation. He's always telling me I follow my heart instead of my head... I can't do that now. There's too much at stake."

Andrea smiled as the statement was almost posed as a question. She could tell that Joe was very uncomfortable with what he had done, what he had to do. They were his friends and it was killing him to doubt them.

"He'll be proud of you, Joe," she reassured him. "Now, I'll get Simon, I don't think he'll mind helping to get them secured. The questions he's asked, I don't think he's in any hurry to go anywhere until he's got his answers."

Joe nodded; Andrea was talking a lot of sense. She seemed to understand everything about him and right now, more than ever, he needed that reassurance.

*

William Beckett drummed his fingers on his desk as Brendon stood silently, leaning against the wall to his left, his right foot crossed casually over his left and his arms folded across his chest.

"Tell me, Brendon," Beckett finally leaned back in his chair after some minutes. "What would you do in my position?"

After a few moments' hesitation from his second in command, Beckett looked up.

"It's not a trick question, Brendon. Answer me."

Pushing himself away from the wall and relaxing his arms, Brendon approached the desk.

"I say we go to their headquarters and smoke them out."
"Literally or metaphorically?" Beckett asked raising an eyebrow.
Brendon grinned sadistically. "Can't we do it literally? I mean really set fire to the place."
"But if they have the means to repel such an attack, we've lost the advantage of surprise," Beckett shook his head.
"Surprise? I want to kill them, not throw them a party!" Brendon snapped in return.

The corner of Beckett's mouth turned up. Brendon's spell in disgrace had only served to make him all the more bloodthirsty. Beckett almost wished he'd done it years ago.

"I want something simple, cruel and foolproof," Beckett announced. "Besides, fire will kill us too, I'm reluctant to launch such a dangerous attack for us. But I agree, we need to either get them out, or get someone in."
"They'll never invite us in," Brendon scoffed. "It's not just their base it's their home, we can't get in without an invitation."
Beckett frowned. "I wasn't proposing that we knock on the door and expect to be welcomed in."
"Well... then what?"
"Their runner... what was his name? The guy Anton killed the night of the trap."
"Dirty."
Beckett rolled his eyes. "Yes, him. They'd let him in."
"One problem," Brendon frowned. "He's dead."
Beckett smiled wickedly. "Tell me, Brendon, what do you see?"

Brendon blinked as his eyes seemed suddenly to sting. By the time his vision cleared only moments later, in Beckett's place, to all intent and purpose sat Patrick's information gatherer, Dirty.

"Master William?" Brendon gasped.
"Yes, Brendon, it is me."
"B...but your voice, everything... you..."
"I don't look or sound any different, it's just what I'm projecting onto your mind."
"But, the voice... how did you know what he sounded like?"
"I don't need to know anything about the person. I can force your brain to accept that I am anyone I want. You will see and hear whatever I tell you."
"I had no idea you..." Brendon paused as Beckett removed the illusion and appeared to return to his own form.
"You may never know the full extent of my powers, Brendon, but occasionally, you will learn of another and this is one of those days."
"Can you teach me?" Brendon asked eagerly.
"If we are successful, I will teach you this and..." Beckett looked up as he thought of a tasty bait for his hook to encourage Brendon to try his hardest. "And levitation. Would you like that?"
"Yes, Master!" Brendon gasped; it had been many years since Beckett had taught him mind control and now to be offered training in two new substantial powers, Brendon was thrilled.
"Good, then just make sure our plan goes like clockwork. Now sit down, we have much work to do."