Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1996–2003): Season 4, Episode 13 - The I in Team - full transcript
Buffy is working within the Initiative, excited by the military equipment and collaboration with her lover Riley, with whom she finally shares love to the full, but who proves trained as a selected soldier to follow orders without too many questions. Meanwhile professor Walsh hides from them a secret project, assembling 'Adam' from parts of various monster races. Xander hopes to become Anya's big spender by starting a business in 'Booster' bars, but nobody seems to like any of the flavors, at all. Spike just moved out to his crypt and told Giles he wanted nothing more to do with the gang, but has to rush back begging for their help after being shot by the commandos -now equipped with command cameras- with a dart, which Xander identifies as a tracer; Willow performs an ionization spell as camouflage during surgical removal. Professor Walsh feels inquisitive Buffy become a 'liability' with too much influence on Riley, and sets her up to be cornered in the sewers with two slasher demons and a faulty weapon...
Previously on
Buffy the vampire slayer...
- What are you?
- I'm the slayer.
The implant works.
Hostile 17 can't harm
any living creature in any way
without intense neurological pain.
I can hurt a demon.
That's right, I'm back.
And I'm a bloody animal!
Well, I thought we made
a pretty good team.
You're really strong.
I like it.
I implore you, neisa, blessed
goddess of chance and fortune,
heed my call. Send to me
the heart I desire.
You know,
magic at the poker table
qualifies as cheating.
That wasn't magic.
I was praying. 2, please.
5.
An, I keep telling you.
4's the Max and only
if you have an Ace.
OK, 4.
Let's see the Ace.
3.
What a stupid game.
All these rules just to win
little plastic disks.
Chips. They're called chips.
They represent money,
since none of us has any
money to represent money.
But that's gonna change once my
merchandise hits the street.
Mmm. Whatcha got
in the boxes, drugs?
It's not drugs,
is it, Xander?
Not drugs.
You are looking at
the new local distributor
for boost bars.
"The natural food bar that provides
a nutritional energy boost
for active,
health-conscious people."
Want one?
No, thanks. Those things usually
taste kind of tasteless,
then leave a bad
aftertastelessness.
Well, don't let
the healthy scare ya.
Check out these ingredients.
See? Loaded with
fatty goodness.
Come on, somebody bet already.
I've got 3 "k" cards.
Wish that buff
could've made it.
This 3-hand poker's
not quite the game.
Guess she's out with Riley.
You know how it is with
a spanking new boyfriend.
Yes, we've enjoyed spanking.
Well... ahem...
The thing is,
I think Riley is OK
in an oafish kind of way.
But am I the only one with a big
floating question mark over his head
about this initiative thing?
Well, they do seem to fall
in the good guy camp.
I mean, they are anti-demon.
But probably pro ex-demon.
Maybe. I choose
to feel threatened.
And why not? There's still heaps we
don't know about these commandos.
What exactly are they up to?
Lights.
Took the patrol team
42 minutes to track you.
And you neutralized them
in 28 seconds.
I was just lucky.
I see. Well, still,
very impressive.
I was just being modest
with the whole lucky thing.
You got that, right?
I got it.
Awesome, Buffy.
Pffft.
See? You're a hit.
Everybody loves you.
So then professor Walsh
said that I was
just as amazing
as Riley had said.
And later, he told me that she couldn't
stop talking about this move I made
where I used one of the commandos
as a shield to block a taser blast.
It was, like, 12,000 volts.
It took the guy almost
2 hours to recover.
Humph. Mmm,
how was your night?
Like a normal person's.
Light on the action-packed.
Hope tonight's not too much of a
letdown for you excitement-wise.
You do remember
about tonight, right?
Bronze. The gang.
Are you kidding?
I wouldn't be anywhere else.
I miss you guys.
We haven't been able to spend
that much time together lately.
You've been busy,
fighting armies and stuff.
Not to mention other distractions
of a more romantic...
Riley just walked in.
Do you wanna let him
know you're here?
No. Just enjoying
a good stare.
Tell me
about your night.
Well, spent most of it
at Xander's
teaching Anya to play poker.
That sounds like fun.
Yeah. Except the Anya part
and the poker part.
Wil, I think you better
get used... To a twinkie?
That's his lunch?
Oh, he is so
gonna be punished.
Everyone's getting
spanked but me.
What?
Nothing.
Wipe your feet when you
enter a person's home.
Ah, yes,
careless of me.
Tracking mud all over
your, uh... Mud.
I'll admit, it's a bit
of a fixer-upper.
Needs a woman's touch.
Care to have a crack at it?
While I'd love to go on
trading jabs with you, spike,
perhaps I'll
come to the point.
Much as it pains me
to say it,
I owe you
a debt of gratitude
for the help you provided me
in my recent... Metamorphosis.
Stuff the gratitude. You owe me
more than that, mate.
300. Count it
if you... Like.
I'll do that.
Um, thinking about
your affliction
and your newfound
discovery
that you can fight
only demons,
it occurs to me
that... heh heh heh...
I realize this is completely
against your nature...
But has it
occurred to you
there may be
a higher purpose?
You made me lose count.
What are you still doing here?
Talking to myself,
apparently.
Well, piss off, then.
This bit of business wraps up any I
got with you and your slayerettes.
From here on, I want nothing
to do with the lot of you.
Your choosing to remain in sunnydale
might make that a little difficult.
You and yours will just have to show a
little restraint is all. Now get out.
And I don't want you crawling
back here, knocking on my door,
pleading for help the second teen
witch's magic goes all wonky
or little Xander
cuts a new tooth.
We're through. Got it?
Honeymoon is over.
You don't
have to do this.
I know.
I mean, if you'd
rather wait...
I'm ready.
I want to.
Summers, Buffy.
My god.
You said it was big.
You told me,
but you never said
it was huge.
Don't like to brag.
I had no idea.
This is incredible.
But not that I thought it was
some fly-by-night operation.
Unless it is. Can you guys fly?
At night?
With those jet-pack things?
Do you have those?
Can't really talk about it.
This is unreal.
So, you like
our little operation?
Yeah... yes.
It's very clean.
Your visitor's pass.
And I've assembled some reading
material to bring you up to speed.
Oh. I thought I was never gonna
get homework from you again.
You can't take that home.
That's classified material.
Highly sensitive.
When you're through reading those
pages, you'll have to eat them.
She's joking.
Don't worry. Doesn't
happen very often.
Shall we?
Much of our hands-on research
with the hsts is performed here.
We call this "the pit."
And what do you call those?
Tough. Took 8 of us
to bring those 2 down.
They'll be under our
control soon enough.
Dr. Angleman.
Head of our
science team.
He's a leader in the field of
xenomorphic behavior modification.
Behavior modification?
We've made
significant advances
in reconditioning
the subterrestrials,
bringing them to a point where
they no longer pose a threat.
So I've seen.
On the discovery channel.
With gorillas and sharks.
They made them all nice.
You haven't seen it?
What's over there?
The armory.
You'll have to be cleared for
use on each of these weapons.
The more advanced arsenal
can be complicated,
but I'm certain, in time,
you'll pick that up.
Don't pick that up.
What is it?
About $20,000.
It's a prototype
for a com-cam.
Communications camera,
soon to be standard issue.
Gives us a direct comlink to control
when we're out in the field.
Also monitors the heart rate
of the wearer.
A valuable tool for research in
stress and combat conditioning.
If you'll follow me,
I'll show you
the hst containment area.
We have a few more things
to give you.
What's in there?
Research area. Very restricted
for security reasons.
Here is your security card
and your pager.
I've been thinking about
getting one of these.
We're the only ones with the
number, and it stays that way.
Right.
Lose either one of them,
there's hell to pay,
and down here,
we mean that literally.
Again, welcome to the team.
This is so cool.
Wow. I've been trying to find
a dolls-eye crystal
my entire life.
Well, since June, anyway.
Where'd you get it?
It was my grandma's,
I think.
I found it a long time ago
in my attic.
I want you to have it.
Oh, no. Tara,
that's really sweet.
I can't. It's like
a family heirloom.
I... I just wouldn't
feel comfortable.
But if you wanted to try out
some spells with it sometime,
I wouldn't say no.
Maybe tonight.
I mean, if you're not doing
something, you could come over,
and we could
do something.
Tonight. That sounds really
nice, but tonight, I, uh...
Already have plans
with people. Other.
Oh.
Um, that's OK.
A-another time.
Absolutely.
It's just tonight,
it's kind of a specific crowd.
You might feel out of place.
I'd better get to class.
Well, um, I'll see you
later, OK?
How did the tour go?
I'm not sure.
She's unpredictable.
She's an unnecessary risk.
Possibly. How's
our baby doing today?
Adjusting nicely. Reflexes, motor
functions... all off the charts.
That's what I like to hear.
Almost time to wake up, Adam...
And take your first look
at the world.
I know you're gonna
make me proud.
Xander, you haven't been paying
any attention to me tonight.
Just peddling those
processed food bricks.
I don't know why.
Well, let me put it
in a way you'll understand.
Sell bars, make money.
Take Anya nice places.
Buy pretty things.
That does make sense.
All right, I support you.
Go sell more.
Uh, well, this was
the only one I had on me.
Besides, it's getting late.
Maybe we should go.
Go? You can't go.
Buffy hasn't gotten here yet.
Let's face it, wil,
she's almost an hour late.
She's probably off living the life of
Riley. I don't think she's comin'.
She is. She said she was looking forward
to spending quality time with just us.
See? Here she comes.
With Riley...
And some other guys.
Hi, all. Sorry about
the late-itude.
Late? Really?
Huh, hadn't noticed.
Hope you don't mind us
tagging along.
No, no, of course not.
The more, the... more.
This is Graham. This is Forrest. That's
Kevin, and that's Jay in the back.
We're gonna go grab some drinks.
Anybody wanting?
Coke, please.
I'm good.
No.
We're going away
to dance. Over there.
We are?
Anya seems
a bit on edge.
She's a little antsy
around commando types.
Ex-demon issues.
Oh, you know, I didn't
think that you would mind.
Uh, Riley and the guys were throwing
a little impromptu celebration
in my honor.
And it made it, like,
impossible not to invite them.
Oh, that's neat
about the celebrating.
I just thought this was
supposed to be, you know, us.
Just the Scooby corps,
you know?
I could've invited
somebody else
if I knew it was
an open free-for-all.
I'm sorry. I had no idea.
My total bad.
So, who did you
want to invite?
What?
You said you wanted
to invite someone.
No, not... no one. I mean,
I meant a hypothetical someone,
which is to say no one.
What are we celebrating?
I'm in.
The initiative.
Professor Walsh gave me
the grand tour,
and we're talking
grand as in canyon.
You'd never believe
the size of it.
That's really...
Again, I say neat.
So, what do you mean exactly?
You've joined them?
No, not exactly.
It just means
that when I patrol,
I'll have a heavily armed
team backing me up.
Plus, boyfriend
going to work with me...
Big extra perk.
Buffy, do you really think
this is a good idea?
I mean, don't you think
you're rushing things a little?
I thought you liked Riley.
Not with Riley.
With the initiative.
There's a bunch of stuff about
them we still don't know.
I know that. Like what?
Well, what's their
ultimate agenda?
I mean, OK, yeah, they neuter
vampires and demons.
But then what? Are they gonna
reintegrate them into society?
Get them jobs as bag boys
at Wal-Mart?
Does Wal-Mart have bag boys?
Plus, don't forget
that 314 thing
that Ethan told Giles about.
A man that worships chaos
and tries to kill you
is a man you can trust.
Well, bad info or not, I just think
there's certain questions you should ask
before you go off and enlist.
That's us.
Let's go.
When did you get a pager?
What's going on?
That's our cue.
Mother wants us.
Wil...
I know. Talk later.
So what's
the big emergency?
This is your objective.
Sub-t-67119.
Demon class,
Polgara species.
Though visual confirmation
has not yet been made,
we're confident of the target's
approximate position
as it leaves behind
a distinct protein marker.
Dr. Angleman will brief you
on its defenses.
When threatened...
Bone skewers jut from the
creature's forearms during battle.
It's imperative
when ensnaring it
not to damage its arms.
That's all you
really need to know.
Question.
Buffy?
Why exactly can't we damage
this polka thing's arms?
Not that I want to.
It's just, in my experience,
when fighting for your life,
body parts get damaged,
and better
its bits than mine.
Or ours.
We wish to study the physiology of every
subterrestrial's natural defenses.
Part of the research we do here.
Yes?
What do they want?
Want?
Why are they here?
Sacrifices, treasure,
or are they just
gettin' rampagey?
I find it's easier to predict
their responses if I know...
They're not sentient,
just destructive, I believe.
They do have keen
eyesight, however.
You might wanna
be suited up for this.
Oh, you mean the camo and stuff?
I thought about it, but on me,
it's gonna look
all private Benjamin.
Don't worry. I've patrolled
in this halter many times.
Why don't we give our attention
to Dr. Angleman
and save all questions
until the end?
Actually, I'm finished.
Oh. Uh, well, agent Finn,
deploy the teams.
OK, listen up. We'll be
going in a 4-squad setup.
Gates,
Taggart, Stavros.
Alpha team, you're with me.
Report to TLS for assignments
and weapon requisitions.
This is
a zap and trap, people.
Capture, not a kill.
Any questions?
Buffy.
Willow.
Funny thing happened with
my prior social engagement.
Pretty much ended
when a friend of mine went
off to do something with...
Another crowd
she hangs out with.
Irony's kind of ironic
that way.
Anyway, I know it's late,
but I thought maybe...
I mean, if you
still wanted to...
Do something.
So I guess
she hates me now.
What?
Professor Walsh.
Questions.
An initiative
faux pas, yes?
It's... A little unusual
she's just not used to it.
Maybe 'cause you barely ever opened
your mouth in her classroom.
But I know
she likes you.
In fact, she liked you
before I did.
Really?
Told me so herself.
Well, maybe I should get her
a present or something...
Buffy, can we talk
about this later?
There's a dangerous
hostile out here.
Since I don't
have your reflexes,
I kind of need to focus.
Right. Right.
What do you mean she liked me
before you did?
You didn't like me?
It just isn't right.
He made you team leader,
didn't he?
That's not the point.
I've always been Riley's
second in command.
Instead,
he picks a girl.
His girl.
Whatever.
3 guesses on what that
boy's thinking with.
Maybe he just wanted
to give you a chance
to get out from under
his shadow.
Hey, I'm not under
anybody's shadow.
It was a joke, man. Don't get
your panties in a bunch.
I'm just saying... hang on.
Got something.
Target?
Negative.
Hello, hostile 17.
You two.
Standard flanking. Go.
Alert control
and Alpha team.
We've tagged hostile 17 with a
tracer, and we're in pursuit.
Sir, Graham's
on the talkie for you.
Reception's not too good.
This is Alpha team.
Go ahead.
Yeah, we have a sighting...
Hostile 17 is tagged... Are in...
Say again, beta team.
You're breaking up.
Riley!
So... What do you
wanna do now?
I don't know how many more ways
I can say I'm not interested.
Well, try one.
Cherry Berry, maple walnut,
ooh, almond licorice.
Ew.
Anya, we don't say "ew" in
front of potential customers.
Just skip this part
and tell him you want money
to buy me pretty things.
He'll understand.
Very well. Um, maple walnut.
An excellent choice.
Please leave my home now.
It's the, uh, gritty
texture, isn't it?
Maybe you're more of
a cherry Berry fellow.
Close the door!
Spike? You may wanna give up
these morning jogs.
Soldier boys
are out in force.
I been trying to keep 'em off
my scent, run 'em in circles,
but they keep coming.
And... How is this
our concern?
Seeing that you've expressed a desire
to have nothing more to do with us.
Spike said that?
Mm-hmm.
That hurts.
All right. What do you
want me to say? I need help.
And no cheek from you.
Look, the buggers shot me...
In the back.
Remind me. Why
should I help you?
Because you do that.
You're the goody good guys.
You're the bloody
frickin' Calvary.
You can come up with
a better answer than that.
Why should I help you?
Oh, because I helped you.
When you turned into
that fyarl demon.
I helped you, didn't I?
And that was out of the
evilness of your heart?
Oh, hell no.
I made you pay me.
You right bastard.
That's all that's left.
Spent the rest
on blood and smokes,
which I'll never see again.
Aw, come on.
Circle the wagons.
Tend to the wounded here.
No time for layabouts.
Hey.
What's the matter?
Weren't expecting
to see me?
I never know what to expect.
Your robot bird
sounds hungry.
It's just a reminder
to take my vitamins.
You're kidding.
I'm sorry.
You're quite
the regimental soldier.
I am how they
trained me.
They? Who they?
You know, the government.
Plucked me out of special-op
training for this.
What did they tell you
it was for?
Didn't. In the military,
you learn to follow orders,
not ask questions.
I don't understand.
Aren't you curious about all the science
and research stuff they're doing?
I know all
I need to know.
We're doing good here.
Protecting the public.
Removing the
subterrestrial threat.
It's work worth doing.
What's 314?
Riley.
We have a situation.
You're needed.
On my way.
What is it?
Don't know.
You're really not one
for asking questions, are you?
I'll leave that to you.
Lose your way, agent?
No, ma'am.
I've instructed beta team to
suspend pursuit of hostile 17
until your arrival.
I didn't want any slipups. That's
why I'm putting you in charge.
You're to rendezvous with them
at these coordinates.
Riley...
Make me proud.
Yes, ma'am.
I think we've got a situation.
The slayer?
She's becoming a liability.
We knew that was a danger. Does
she know about the project?
She knows it exists.
She already holds too much influence
over Riley... over agent Finn.
We move to the
contingency scenario?
Right away.
It's too bad.
She could've been
a powerful ally.
I know.
And Finn will take it hard.
That's why sooner is better.
It's better.
Ow! Watch it. That hurts.
Doesn't appear to be a bullet.
And it's too deeply imbedded
for a tranquilizer dart.
Also not tranquil.
Some sort of illumination
emanating from it.
It's blinking.
I don't care if it's
playing rockin' the casbah
on the bloody Jew's harp.
Just get it out of me.
All right, Anya, there's a bottle of
cognac in the cabinet next to the sink.
Will you get it for me?
What, you gonna get
snockered now?
It's not for me, you prat.
If I'm gonna operate on you,
I need you anesthetized.
This'll take some time.
We don't have any.
That blinking thing...
My pseudo-soldier memory bank
tells me that's a tracer.
A what?
A what?
It's like a homing beacon.
And if commando guys are reading
the signal, they're coming home.
Well, we need
to buy some time.
It's in deep,
and I'm no surgeon.
Oh, hi.
Hey.
Out all night, huh?
You, too.
Yeah.
Sorry about bailing on you guys
at the bronze.
That's OK. I...
Don't worry about it.
OK.
Wow, they really keep you
hopping, don't they?
Yeah. I got to go.
I'll see ya?
Hello?
Willow, you're
there at last.
We have a problem.
Where's Buffy?
Just left. Beeped away
by her new buds.
You want me to go after her?
No. It's your help
I need, actually.
Really? What do you
want me to do?
It's a small job.
Reconnaissance.
Probably a waste
of a slayer's abilities,
but my boys are
on assignment, so i...
No, it's OK. I'm up
for some action.
I doubt you'll
get any on this one.
We have a reading of a class-3 subterrestrial
moving through the sewer tunnels
just on the north edge of town.
Class 3?
Low-level threat.
Minimal aggression.
Meager defenses.
They barely show up
on the scanner
and occasionally
turn out to be raccoons.
Wow. You're not crazy
about raccoons, huh?
We always take precautions.
All we need you to do
is get a visual on this thing.
This will feed me back an image,
and I can advise you from there.
I don't wanna put you
in any unnecessary danger.
Oh, that's OK.
Danger's my birthright.
Sorry. Um,
professor Walsh,
there's still some stuff
about all this
that I'm not clear on.
Well, when you get back,
we can have a talk.
Good, OK. When I get back.
Am I supposed to salute you?
No.
OK.
"Tropo, strato, meso...
Aero, iono, exo."
So how's this
supposed to work again?
If she succeeds,
her spell will ionize
the atmosphere around us,
thereby disrupting
the tracer's signal.
Buys us time.
"Elements are brought to bear.
"Wind, earth, and water
churned amidst the fire.
Let the air be burned."
Did it work?
The atmosphere ionized?
I'd venture yes.
What do you mean
the signal's whacked?
I mean the blip's a blob.
Some kind of interference
messing with the tracer.
Try to lock it down.
We heading in the right
general direction?
I think so. It's gonna put us
in populated areas.
OK, then. We change into
civvies, then move out.
Maybe something'll
turn up.
Professor Walsh,
are you getting this?
Possible hst?
Make it a definite.
And he's brought along
a friend.
They seem...
Talk to me, Forrest.
Signal's somewhere
in this neighborhood.
Estimate within
a 2-block radius.
Feels and looks like the
ionizing spell's wearing off.
Giles?
I've got it. I've got it.
OK, we wanna keep
this hostile contained.
So no one's to make
a move without...
Wait. Signal's cleared up.
There.
Let's go.
Um, go.
What?
It's on the move.
Heading?
Straight at us, 40 meters and closing.
Moving fast.
In broad daylight?
Look alive, people.
Weapons at the ready.
25 meters... 20... 15.
Where?
To the left.
10 meters... 5.
Anyone?
I got nothing.
This doesn't make sense.
It went right past us.
Flushed. The tracer's
been flushed.
Regret to report hostile 17
still at large.
I've left beta team
to comb the area...
Riley, something's happened.
I don't know what to say.
It-it's about Buffy.
Buffy?
2 of our hostiles broke free
and escaped into the tunnels.
She went after them
on her own.
She's dead, Riley.
What?
I did everything I could
to stop her.
I told her to wait
for a backup team.
She kept insisting she
didn't need any team,
she could handle it
by herself.
I-I'm so, so sorry.
I don't understand.
I know what
she meant to you.
How could this happen?
She was a very,
very special girl.
I didn't understand
at first,
but she had something.
I don't know, maybe... maybe I could've...
Stopped her.
It's hard not
to blame myself.
Professor Walsh?
That simple little recon
you sent me on...
Wasn't a raccoon.
Turns out it was me
trapped in the sewers
with a faulty weapon
and 2 of your pet demons.
If you think
that's enough to kill me,
you really don't know
what a slayer is.
Trust me when I say
you're gonna find out.
Riley...
Agent Finn,
I order you to stop!
Agent Finn!
Riley!
It'll be dark soon.
I think it would be wise
for you to leave sunnydale.
I'm not going anywhere,
not until those bastards
undo whatever they did to me.
Put me back the way I was.
Sure, just explain to
the nice scientist guys
that you really miss killing
and torturing innocent people.
You think that would work?
Spike, lord knows why
I'm telling you this.
It's for your own good.
As long as the initiative
is in operation,
it's not safe
for you here.
No.
It's not safe for any of us.
So...
All right...
Fine.
If she wants a fight,
we'll give her one,
won't we, Adam?
I've worked too long...
Too long...
To let some little bitch
threaten this project,
threaten me.
She has no idea
who she's dealing with.
Once she's gone,
Riley will come around.
He'll understand.
It was for the greater good.
He'll see that.
And if he doesn't...
Well, first things first.
Remove the complication.
And when she least
expects it... aah!
Adam?
Mommy.
Grr. Arrgh.
Buffy the vampire slayer...
- What are you?
- I'm the slayer.
The implant works.
Hostile 17 can't harm
any living creature in any way
without intense neurological pain.
I can hurt a demon.
That's right, I'm back.
And I'm a bloody animal!
Well, I thought we made
a pretty good team.
You're really strong.
I like it.
I implore you, neisa, blessed
goddess of chance and fortune,
heed my call. Send to me
the heart I desire.
You know,
magic at the poker table
qualifies as cheating.
That wasn't magic.
I was praying. 2, please.
5.
An, I keep telling you.
4's the Max and only
if you have an Ace.
OK, 4.
Let's see the Ace.
3.
What a stupid game.
All these rules just to win
little plastic disks.
Chips. They're called chips.
They represent money,
since none of us has any
money to represent money.
But that's gonna change once my
merchandise hits the street.
Mmm. Whatcha got
in the boxes, drugs?
It's not drugs,
is it, Xander?
Not drugs.
You are looking at
the new local distributor
for boost bars.
"The natural food bar that provides
a nutritional energy boost
for active,
health-conscious people."
Want one?
No, thanks. Those things usually
taste kind of tasteless,
then leave a bad
aftertastelessness.
Well, don't let
the healthy scare ya.
Check out these ingredients.
See? Loaded with
fatty goodness.
Come on, somebody bet already.
I've got 3 "k" cards.
Wish that buff
could've made it.
This 3-hand poker's
not quite the game.
Guess she's out with Riley.
You know how it is with
a spanking new boyfriend.
Yes, we've enjoyed spanking.
Well... ahem...
The thing is,
I think Riley is OK
in an oafish kind of way.
But am I the only one with a big
floating question mark over his head
about this initiative thing?
Well, they do seem to fall
in the good guy camp.
I mean, they are anti-demon.
But probably pro ex-demon.
Maybe. I choose
to feel threatened.
And why not? There's still heaps we
don't know about these commandos.
What exactly are they up to?
Lights.
Took the patrol team
42 minutes to track you.
And you neutralized them
in 28 seconds.
I was just lucky.
I see. Well, still,
very impressive.
I was just being modest
with the whole lucky thing.
You got that, right?
I got it.
Awesome, Buffy.
Pffft.
See? You're a hit.
Everybody loves you.
So then professor Walsh
said that I was
just as amazing
as Riley had said.
And later, he told me that she couldn't
stop talking about this move I made
where I used one of the commandos
as a shield to block a taser blast.
It was, like, 12,000 volts.
It took the guy almost
2 hours to recover.
Humph. Mmm,
how was your night?
Like a normal person's.
Light on the action-packed.
Hope tonight's not too much of a
letdown for you excitement-wise.
You do remember
about tonight, right?
Bronze. The gang.
Are you kidding?
I wouldn't be anywhere else.
I miss you guys.
We haven't been able to spend
that much time together lately.
You've been busy,
fighting armies and stuff.
Not to mention other distractions
of a more romantic...
Riley just walked in.
Do you wanna let him
know you're here?
No. Just enjoying
a good stare.
Tell me
about your night.
Well, spent most of it
at Xander's
teaching Anya to play poker.
That sounds like fun.
Yeah. Except the Anya part
and the poker part.
Wil, I think you better
get used... To a twinkie?
That's his lunch?
Oh, he is so
gonna be punished.
Everyone's getting
spanked but me.
What?
Nothing.
Wipe your feet when you
enter a person's home.
Ah, yes,
careless of me.
Tracking mud all over
your, uh... Mud.
I'll admit, it's a bit
of a fixer-upper.
Needs a woman's touch.
Care to have a crack at it?
While I'd love to go on
trading jabs with you, spike,
perhaps I'll
come to the point.
Much as it pains me
to say it,
I owe you
a debt of gratitude
for the help you provided me
in my recent... Metamorphosis.
Stuff the gratitude. You owe me
more than that, mate.
300. Count it
if you... Like.
I'll do that.
Um, thinking about
your affliction
and your newfound
discovery
that you can fight
only demons,
it occurs to me
that... heh heh heh...
I realize this is completely
against your nature...
But has it
occurred to you
there may be
a higher purpose?
You made me lose count.
What are you still doing here?
Talking to myself,
apparently.
Well, piss off, then.
This bit of business wraps up any I
got with you and your slayerettes.
From here on, I want nothing
to do with the lot of you.
Your choosing to remain in sunnydale
might make that a little difficult.
You and yours will just have to show a
little restraint is all. Now get out.
And I don't want you crawling
back here, knocking on my door,
pleading for help the second teen
witch's magic goes all wonky
or little Xander
cuts a new tooth.
We're through. Got it?
Honeymoon is over.
You don't
have to do this.
I know.
I mean, if you'd
rather wait...
I'm ready.
I want to.
Summers, Buffy.
My god.
You said it was big.
You told me,
but you never said
it was huge.
Don't like to brag.
I had no idea.
This is incredible.
But not that I thought it was
some fly-by-night operation.
Unless it is. Can you guys fly?
At night?
With those jet-pack things?
Do you have those?
Can't really talk about it.
This is unreal.
So, you like
our little operation?
Yeah... yes.
It's very clean.
Your visitor's pass.
And I've assembled some reading
material to bring you up to speed.
Oh. I thought I was never gonna
get homework from you again.
You can't take that home.
That's classified material.
Highly sensitive.
When you're through reading those
pages, you'll have to eat them.
She's joking.
Don't worry. Doesn't
happen very often.
Shall we?
Much of our hands-on research
with the hsts is performed here.
We call this "the pit."
And what do you call those?
Tough. Took 8 of us
to bring those 2 down.
They'll be under our
control soon enough.
Dr. Angleman.
Head of our
science team.
He's a leader in the field of
xenomorphic behavior modification.
Behavior modification?
We've made
significant advances
in reconditioning
the subterrestrials,
bringing them to a point where
they no longer pose a threat.
So I've seen.
On the discovery channel.
With gorillas and sharks.
They made them all nice.
You haven't seen it?
What's over there?
The armory.
You'll have to be cleared for
use on each of these weapons.
The more advanced arsenal
can be complicated,
but I'm certain, in time,
you'll pick that up.
Don't pick that up.
What is it?
About $20,000.
It's a prototype
for a com-cam.
Communications camera,
soon to be standard issue.
Gives us a direct comlink to control
when we're out in the field.
Also monitors the heart rate
of the wearer.
A valuable tool for research in
stress and combat conditioning.
If you'll follow me,
I'll show you
the hst containment area.
We have a few more things
to give you.
What's in there?
Research area. Very restricted
for security reasons.
Here is your security card
and your pager.
I've been thinking about
getting one of these.
We're the only ones with the
number, and it stays that way.
Right.
Lose either one of them,
there's hell to pay,
and down here,
we mean that literally.
Again, welcome to the team.
This is so cool.
Wow. I've been trying to find
a dolls-eye crystal
my entire life.
Well, since June, anyway.
Where'd you get it?
It was my grandma's,
I think.
I found it a long time ago
in my attic.
I want you to have it.
Oh, no. Tara,
that's really sweet.
I can't. It's like
a family heirloom.
I... I just wouldn't
feel comfortable.
But if you wanted to try out
some spells with it sometime,
I wouldn't say no.
Maybe tonight.
I mean, if you're not doing
something, you could come over,
and we could
do something.
Tonight. That sounds really
nice, but tonight, I, uh...
Already have plans
with people. Other.
Oh.
Um, that's OK.
A-another time.
Absolutely.
It's just tonight,
it's kind of a specific crowd.
You might feel out of place.
I'd better get to class.
Well, um, I'll see you
later, OK?
How did the tour go?
I'm not sure.
She's unpredictable.
She's an unnecessary risk.
Possibly. How's
our baby doing today?
Adjusting nicely. Reflexes, motor
functions... all off the charts.
That's what I like to hear.
Almost time to wake up, Adam...
And take your first look
at the world.
I know you're gonna
make me proud.
Xander, you haven't been paying
any attention to me tonight.
Just peddling those
processed food bricks.
I don't know why.
Well, let me put it
in a way you'll understand.
Sell bars, make money.
Take Anya nice places.
Buy pretty things.
That does make sense.
All right, I support you.
Go sell more.
Uh, well, this was
the only one I had on me.
Besides, it's getting late.
Maybe we should go.
Go? You can't go.
Buffy hasn't gotten here yet.
Let's face it, wil,
she's almost an hour late.
She's probably off living the life of
Riley. I don't think she's comin'.
She is. She said she was looking forward
to spending quality time with just us.
See? Here she comes.
With Riley...
And some other guys.
Hi, all. Sorry about
the late-itude.
Late? Really?
Huh, hadn't noticed.
Hope you don't mind us
tagging along.
No, no, of course not.
The more, the... more.
This is Graham. This is Forrest. That's
Kevin, and that's Jay in the back.
We're gonna go grab some drinks.
Anybody wanting?
Coke, please.
I'm good.
No.
We're going away
to dance. Over there.
We are?
Anya seems
a bit on edge.
She's a little antsy
around commando types.
Ex-demon issues.
Oh, you know, I didn't
think that you would mind.
Uh, Riley and the guys were throwing
a little impromptu celebration
in my honor.
And it made it, like,
impossible not to invite them.
Oh, that's neat
about the celebrating.
I just thought this was
supposed to be, you know, us.
Just the Scooby corps,
you know?
I could've invited
somebody else
if I knew it was
an open free-for-all.
I'm sorry. I had no idea.
My total bad.
So, who did you
want to invite?
What?
You said you wanted
to invite someone.
No, not... no one. I mean,
I meant a hypothetical someone,
which is to say no one.
What are we celebrating?
I'm in.
The initiative.
Professor Walsh gave me
the grand tour,
and we're talking
grand as in canyon.
You'd never believe
the size of it.
That's really...
Again, I say neat.
So, what do you mean exactly?
You've joined them?
No, not exactly.
It just means
that when I patrol,
I'll have a heavily armed
team backing me up.
Plus, boyfriend
going to work with me...
Big extra perk.
Buffy, do you really think
this is a good idea?
I mean, don't you think
you're rushing things a little?
I thought you liked Riley.
Not with Riley.
With the initiative.
There's a bunch of stuff about
them we still don't know.
I know that. Like what?
Well, what's their
ultimate agenda?
I mean, OK, yeah, they neuter
vampires and demons.
But then what? Are they gonna
reintegrate them into society?
Get them jobs as bag boys
at Wal-Mart?
Does Wal-Mart have bag boys?
Plus, don't forget
that 314 thing
that Ethan told Giles about.
A man that worships chaos
and tries to kill you
is a man you can trust.
Well, bad info or not, I just think
there's certain questions you should ask
before you go off and enlist.
That's us.
Let's go.
When did you get a pager?
What's going on?
That's our cue.
Mother wants us.
Wil...
I know. Talk later.
So what's
the big emergency?
This is your objective.
Sub-t-67119.
Demon class,
Polgara species.
Though visual confirmation
has not yet been made,
we're confident of the target's
approximate position
as it leaves behind
a distinct protein marker.
Dr. Angleman will brief you
on its defenses.
When threatened...
Bone skewers jut from the
creature's forearms during battle.
It's imperative
when ensnaring it
not to damage its arms.
That's all you
really need to know.
Question.
Buffy?
Why exactly can't we damage
this polka thing's arms?
Not that I want to.
It's just, in my experience,
when fighting for your life,
body parts get damaged,
and better
its bits than mine.
Or ours.
We wish to study the physiology of every
subterrestrial's natural defenses.
Part of the research we do here.
Yes?
What do they want?
Want?
Why are they here?
Sacrifices, treasure,
or are they just
gettin' rampagey?
I find it's easier to predict
their responses if I know...
They're not sentient,
just destructive, I believe.
They do have keen
eyesight, however.
You might wanna
be suited up for this.
Oh, you mean the camo and stuff?
I thought about it, but on me,
it's gonna look
all private Benjamin.
Don't worry. I've patrolled
in this halter many times.
Why don't we give our attention
to Dr. Angleman
and save all questions
until the end?
Actually, I'm finished.
Oh. Uh, well, agent Finn,
deploy the teams.
OK, listen up. We'll be
going in a 4-squad setup.
Gates,
Taggart, Stavros.
Alpha team, you're with me.
Report to TLS for assignments
and weapon requisitions.
This is
a zap and trap, people.
Capture, not a kill.
Any questions?
Buffy.
Willow.
Funny thing happened with
my prior social engagement.
Pretty much ended
when a friend of mine went
off to do something with...
Another crowd
she hangs out with.
Irony's kind of ironic
that way.
Anyway, I know it's late,
but I thought maybe...
I mean, if you
still wanted to...
Do something.
So I guess
she hates me now.
What?
Professor Walsh.
Questions.
An initiative
faux pas, yes?
It's... A little unusual
she's just not used to it.
Maybe 'cause you barely ever opened
your mouth in her classroom.
But I know
she likes you.
In fact, she liked you
before I did.
Really?
Told me so herself.
Well, maybe I should get her
a present or something...
Buffy, can we talk
about this later?
There's a dangerous
hostile out here.
Since I don't
have your reflexes,
I kind of need to focus.
Right. Right.
What do you mean she liked me
before you did?
You didn't like me?
It just isn't right.
He made you team leader,
didn't he?
That's not the point.
I've always been Riley's
second in command.
Instead,
he picks a girl.
His girl.
Whatever.
3 guesses on what that
boy's thinking with.
Maybe he just wanted
to give you a chance
to get out from under
his shadow.
Hey, I'm not under
anybody's shadow.
It was a joke, man. Don't get
your panties in a bunch.
I'm just saying... hang on.
Got something.
Target?
Negative.
Hello, hostile 17.
You two.
Standard flanking. Go.
Alert control
and Alpha team.
We've tagged hostile 17 with a
tracer, and we're in pursuit.
Sir, Graham's
on the talkie for you.
Reception's not too good.
This is Alpha team.
Go ahead.
Yeah, we have a sighting...
Hostile 17 is tagged... Are in...
Say again, beta team.
You're breaking up.
Riley!
So... What do you
wanna do now?
I don't know how many more ways
I can say I'm not interested.
Well, try one.
Cherry Berry, maple walnut,
ooh, almond licorice.
Ew.
Anya, we don't say "ew" in
front of potential customers.
Just skip this part
and tell him you want money
to buy me pretty things.
He'll understand.
Very well. Um, maple walnut.
An excellent choice.
Please leave my home now.
It's the, uh, gritty
texture, isn't it?
Maybe you're more of
a cherry Berry fellow.
Close the door!
Spike? You may wanna give up
these morning jogs.
Soldier boys
are out in force.
I been trying to keep 'em off
my scent, run 'em in circles,
but they keep coming.
And... How is this
our concern?
Seeing that you've expressed a desire
to have nothing more to do with us.
Spike said that?
Mm-hmm.
That hurts.
All right. What do you
want me to say? I need help.
And no cheek from you.
Look, the buggers shot me...
In the back.
Remind me. Why
should I help you?
Because you do that.
You're the goody good guys.
You're the bloody
frickin' Calvary.
You can come up with
a better answer than that.
Why should I help you?
Oh, because I helped you.
When you turned into
that fyarl demon.
I helped you, didn't I?
And that was out of the
evilness of your heart?
Oh, hell no.
I made you pay me.
You right bastard.
That's all that's left.
Spent the rest
on blood and smokes,
which I'll never see again.
Aw, come on.
Circle the wagons.
Tend to the wounded here.
No time for layabouts.
Hey.
What's the matter?
Weren't expecting
to see me?
I never know what to expect.
Your robot bird
sounds hungry.
It's just a reminder
to take my vitamins.
You're kidding.
I'm sorry.
You're quite
the regimental soldier.
I am how they
trained me.
They? Who they?
You know, the government.
Plucked me out of special-op
training for this.
What did they tell you
it was for?
Didn't. In the military,
you learn to follow orders,
not ask questions.
I don't understand.
Aren't you curious about all the science
and research stuff they're doing?
I know all
I need to know.
We're doing good here.
Protecting the public.
Removing the
subterrestrial threat.
It's work worth doing.
What's 314?
Riley.
We have a situation.
You're needed.
On my way.
What is it?
Don't know.
You're really not one
for asking questions, are you?
I'll leave that to you.
Lose your way, agent?
No, ma'am.
I've instructed beta team to
suspend pursuit of hostile 17
until your arrival.
I didn't want any slipups. That's
why I'm putting you in charge.
You're to rendezvous with them
at these coordinates.
Riley...
Make me proud.
Yes, ma'am.
I think we've got a situation.
The slayer?
She's becoming a liability.
We knew that was a danger. Does
she know about the project?
She knows it exists.
She already holds too much influence
over Riley... over agent Finn.
We move to the
contingency scenario?
Right away.
It's too bad.
She could've been
a powerful ally.
I know.
And Finn will take it hard.
That's why sooner is better.
It's better.
Ow! Watch it. That hurts.
Doesn't appear to be a bullet.
And it's too deeply imbedded
for a tranquilizer dart.
Also not tranquil.
Some sort of illumination
emanating from it.
It's blinking.
I don't care if it's
playing rockin' the casbah
on the bloody Jew's harp.
Just get it out of me.
All right, Anya, there's a bottle of
cognac in the cabinet next to the sink.
Will you get it for me?
What, you gonna get
snockered now?
It's not for me, you prat.
If I'm gonna operate on you,
I need you anesthetized.
This'll take some time.
We don't have any.
That blinking thing...
My pseudo-soldier memory bank
tells me that's a tracer.
A what?
A what?
It's like a homing beacon.
And if commando guys are reading
the signal, they're coming home.
Well, we need
to buy some time.
It's in deep,
and I'm no surgeon.
Oh, hi.
Hey.
Out all night, huh?
You, too.
Yeah.
Sorry about bailing on you guys
at the bronze.
That's OK. I...
Don't worry about it.
OK.
Wow, they really keep you
hopping, don't they?
Yeah. I got to go.
I'll see ya?
Hello?
Willow, you're
there at last.
We have a problem.
Where's Buffy?
Just left. Beeped away
by her new buds.
You want me to go after her?
No. It's your help
I need, actually.
Really? What do you
want me to do?
It's a small job.
Reconnaissance.
Probably a waste
of a slayer's abilities,
but my boys are
on assignment, so i...
No, it's OK. I'm up
for some action.
I doubt you'll
get any on this one.
We have a reading of a class-3 subterrestrial
moving through the sewer tunnels
just on the north edge of town.
Class 3?
Low-level threat.
Minimal aggression.
Meager defenses.
They barely show up
on the scanner
and occasionally
turn out to be raccoons.
Wow. You're not crazy
about raccoons, huh?
We always take precautions.
All we need you to do
is get a visual on this thing.
This will feed me back an image,
and I can advise you from there.
I don't wanna put you
in any unnecessary danger.
Oh, that's OK.
Danger's my birthright.
Sorry. Um,
professor Walsh,
there's still some stuff
about all this
that I'm not clear on.
Well, when you get back,
we can have a talk.
Good, OK. When I get back.
Am I supposed to salute you?
No.
OK.
"Tropo, strato, meso...
Aero, iono, exo."
So how's this
supposed to work again?
If she succeeds,
her spell will ionize
the atmosphere around us,
thereby disrupting
the tracer's signal.
Buys us time.
"Elements are brought to bear.
"Wind, earth, and water
churned amidst the fire.
Let the air be burned."
Did it work?
The atmosphere ionized?
I'd venture yes.
What do you mean
the signal's whacked?
I mean the blip's a blob.
Some kind of interference
messing with the tracer.
Try to lock it down.
We heading in the right
general direction?
I think so. It's gonna put us
in populated areas.
OK, then. We change into
civvies, then move out.
Maybe something'll
turn up.
Professor Walsh,
are you getting this?
Possible hst?
Make it a definite.
And he's brought along
a friend.
They seem...
Talk to me, Forrest.
Signal's somewhere
in this neighborhood.
Estimate within
a 2-block radius.
Feels and looks like the
ionizing spell's wearing off.
Giles?
I've got it. I've got it.
OK, we wanna keep
this hostile contained.
So no one's to make
a move without...
Wait. Signal's cleared up.
There.
Let's go.
Um, go.
What?
It's on the move.
Heading?
Straight at us, 40 meters and closing.
Moving fast.
In broad daylight?
Look alive, people.
Weapons at the ready.
25 meters... 20... 15.
Where?
To the left.
10 meters... 5.
Anyone?
I got nothing.
This doesn't make sense.
It went right past us.
Flushed. The tracer's
been flushed.
Regret to report hostile 17
still at large.
I've left beta team
to comb the area...
Riley, something's happened.
I don't know what to say.
It-it's about Buffy.
Buffy?
2 of our hostiles broke free
and escaped into the tunnels.
She went after them
on her own.
She's dead, Riley.
What?
I did everything I could
to stop her.
I told her to wait
for a backup team.
She kept insisting she
didn't need any team,
she could handle it
by herself.
I-I'm so, so sorry.
I don't understand.
I know what
she meant to you.
How could this happen?
She was a very,
very special girl.
I didn't understand
at first,
but she had something.
I don't know, maybe... maybe I could've...
Stopped her.
It's hard not
to blame myself.
Professor Walsh?
That simple little recon
you sent me on...
Wasn't a raccoon.
Turns out it was me
trapped in the sewers
with a faulty weapon
and 2 of your pet demons.
If you think
that's enough to kill me,
you really don't know
what a slayer is.
Trust me when I say
you're gonna find out.
Riley...
Agent Finn,
I order you to stop!
Agent Finn!
Riley!
It'll be dark soon.
I think it would be wise
for you to leave sunnydale.
I'm not going anywhere,
not until those bastards
undo whatever they did to me.
Put me back the way I was.
Sure, just explain to
the nice scientist guys
that you really miss killing
and torturing innocent people.
You think that would work?
Spike, lord knows why
I'm telling you this.
It's for your own good.
As long as the initiative
is in operation,
it's not safe
for you here.
No.
It's not safe for any of us.
So...
All right...
Fine.
If she wants a fight,
we'll give her one,
won't we, Adam?
I've worked too long...
Too long...
To let some little bitch
threaten this project,
threaten me.
She has no idea
who she's dealing with.
Once she's gone,
Riley will come around.
He'll understand.
It was for the greater good.
He'll see that.
And if he doesn't...
Well, first things first.
Remove the complication.
And when she least
expects it... aah!
Adam?
Mommy.
Grr. Arrgh.