Whispers.

Air date: 2/12/2000

Conrad sat quietly in his chair while the other man paced, agitated, around the room. He stole periodic glances at Conrad, regarding the older man who sat before him with frustration.

"We should kill the rogue". The man walked over and lent down on the table, leaning up until he was but a foot away from Conrad. The man sneered contemptuously as he looked Conrad over, "Doing it now will prove your precious theory, anyway, mate."

Conrad remained calm, knowing that it would infuriate the man even more. "My researches into the matter are yet to be complete." Conrad raised an eyebrow, waiting for the reaction that he knew would come.

The man stood up straight, shaking his head, his arms gesturing out in frustration, seeming to plead up to the sky and God that he didn't believe in. "Augh!" The man kicked a chair across the room.

Conrad observed the man's frustration and smiled at the effect his statement caused. It was obvious that inactivity had pushed the man to the point where he wanted something, anything, to happen. Conrad's expression went cold as he considered how to best handle the man in front of him. It was always this way with men of action. Yes, the man was an expert operative and a deadly soldier, probably one of the best, but ultimately, Conrad reflected, it was his lack of patience that made this man just a hired disposable thug.

"I have almost finished my study of Grey's psychological profile and tomorrow I have organized with Grey and the Slayer a program of extensive physical testing. I should be able to give approximate results by the end of tomorrow." It was a lie, but it would be enough.

"The rogue is too much trouble to keep around. Even just one more day. We're ready to move now!"

"Unacceptable. If the taint is passed on, then any army the War Council intends to produce will be more likely to work against them than for them. One rogue is more than enough, unless you and your wet works team look forward to weeding out the good Slayers from the bad in the following years."

"Yeah. Right." the other man crossed his arms and shook his head. Conrad recognized fear, even in men like this. "We had enough trouble with Buffy and lets not even mention this rogue bitch."

"Exactly. The War Council put your team at my disposal. My orders stand."

The frustration at inaction returned. "And we are ready to move on your orders. If and when you give them." Conrad had observed people long enough to see the change in the body language of the man. Defensive and challenging. "It's this blackout order that worries me."

"My research must not be interrupted. That was clear in the orders you were given. The War Council placed its full trust in my operation and I shall run it how I deem fit."

"Your research isn't my concern. We have been out of contact too long and want to verify the mission status with the Council."

"My researches here may well effect the very existence of the Council. You were put at my disposal and I can not allow those researches to be interfered with by petty political maneuvering by the council."

"You expect them to change their mind? How likely do you think that is?"

"There may be pressure from Grey and her allies in the watchers."

"Well if they know about it, it's coming from your end. We're professionals, mate, we know how to keep the lid on an operation." The man's manner was cold and cocky now, he had decided on his course of action. Conrad knew this was the way with men like this, the decided on a plan and saw it through regardless of the cost. It amused Conrad to see the similarity in his own behavior on this mission.

"My research must be completed, if keeping Grey's allies busy chasing the War Council is what it requires then so be it, but I will not have the weak will of the War Council interrupt my study." Conrad knew that he would never change the man's mind, but if he could convince him that it was important then maybe... just maybe... he had a chance.

The man's body language relaxed as he turned to Conrad with a sneer, "And you intend to stop me how?".

Conrad regarded the other man for a moment, sure to keep his expression worried, "You doubt the importance of my mission?"

"Look, we work for the Council, mate, not you. The Council put us at your disposal and I just want to verify that those orders stand."

"Very well, but contacting the council must be kept to a minimum. If there are forces in the council wanting to interfere, then extended communication just provides them more chance to track us. Tomorrow afternoon my initial testing will be completed, if we contact the council at that time, then your orders can be reconfirmed and I can report my results."

Conrad watched, forcing himself to appear relaxed, his hand slid slowly to his belt, his fingers tightening around the grip of the pistol. He looked up at the man, waiting for his answer.

The man stopped pacing and considered the proposal for a moment. "Ok. Fine. But I'm recommending to the Council that we ice the bitch." Conrad forced himself not to show any emotion, just maybe this would work he thought to himself. Conrad was still wary, he had been in situations like this before and he knew it wasn't over yet.

"Fine. I'll come around with my findings at 5 and then.."

"No, no, no!" The man interrupted, turning and pointing to Conrad. "Not enough time. If the council say ice her, then by the time we mount the operation it will be dark, and I'm not risking that. 2:30pm latest"

"Err..." Conrad cursed to himself, he needed more time. "Well I could finish my tests by 3 if I pushed the girl. I could tabulate the results on the way, so say, 3:30? It's the earliest I can finish by."

The man sneered, his feeling of victory obvious, "I call at 3:30, with or without you."

"Oh, my. Um." Conrad pretended to be flustered as he adjusted his plans, his mind recalculating the times, 2 hours, say 1:30 if we hurry, 1 hour becomes 45 minutes, plus 30 minutes both ways, then 15 minutes, plus 45 minutes for unforeseen problems. Yes, yes, he could do it. "I can just make that if I hurry."

The man grabbed his coat and prepared to leave by the door. Conrad stood and pointed to the the fire escape out the window. They were here, he could sense them and things were too fragile to risk a confrontation between the sides now, just when things were just starting to fall into place.

Lawyers take note: Buffy, the Vampire Slayer and Angel and all characters related belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy and fox.