ancient_ofdays

[ooc: This is Lucas' beginning of an AU verse where Spooks-world runs into Buffy the Vampire Slayer-world. Purely for fun.]

“Malcolm, red-flash Lucas and Ros,” Harry said, watching the news report unfolding before them. “I want them in here ten minutes ago.”

“I'm here,” Lucas said, as soon as the door had deposited him on the Grid. “Heard the news report as I was going to bed. Figured I'd save you a phone call.”

Ros had entered the Grid right behind Lucas. “Do we have any idea of who did it?” Ros asked, striding over to the group.

“No,” Harry said, sighing. “We got the first reports about ten minutes before the media arrived. It appears someone fired a missile at, of all things, a remote castle in the deepest Highlands. Reports are that there were some people there, but thankfully no deaths.”

“That doesn't make any sense,” Lucas said, frowning. “A castle in a remote part of Scotland? Hardly an obvious terrorist target. What could they hope to gain? Any idea who was responsible?”

“Well, as far as we can tell, other than the Glasgow Airport debacle, Al-Qaeda don't know Scotland exists,” Harry said. “The Russians are more likely to take over an oil rig, claiming energy resources, and it's not exactly anything relating to Israel or Palastine. At the moment, we are going with unknown terrorists.”

“Wonderful. What do we have on the castle, Malcolm?” Ros asked.

“I've been doing some digging. Someone has been clever at hiding information. It appears to be owned outright by a group of Americans. Why do American's feel the need to buy up pieces of Scottish history just because they might have some two hundred year old affiliation with the country?” Malcolm tutted, snobbery showing.

“Malcolm, please...” Harry sighed, well used to Malcolm's diatribes.

“Sorry, yes. Owned by an American company, called 'The Chosen Industries'. I've been doing some digging, and well, finding nothing much. Any real information is buried deep, and our friends across the water aren't exactly being forthcoming.”

“Are they ever?” Ros asked, smiling slightly. “Okay, who was the target?”

“All that was there appeared to be a group of young women on some kind of retreat,” Malcolm replied. He flipped through some papers. “Around sixty to a hundred of them. Most of what has turned up at the hospital has been women.”

“No leaders, camp counsellors, that kind of thing?” Lucas asked.

Malcolm shook his head. “According to what's coming out of the local hospital, no.”

Lucas frowned. “Something's not sitting right here,” he said. “American paranoia can put us to shame, but a lack of adults at a retreat? Dig, Malcolm. Need to find out anything about the company.”

“And we need to have presence up there,” Harry said. “The media will be all over us. Some things they can take, but ruined castles in Scotland? Heaven help the tourist industry. Ros I need you on the Grid in case there is anything else happens. If there has been one attack, there may be more. Lucas, I want you to drive up there, find out what you can on the ground. Interview some of the girls, talk to the natives.”

Lucas raised an eyebrow as he looked at Harry. “Why do I get the short straw?” he asked.

“What, apart from the fact that you aren't from London? Given we are talking young women here who would you rather send, you or Malcolm?” Harry said, smiling slightly. “No offence, Malcolm.”

“None taken.”

“How long will it take you to drive up there?”

“Where is it?” Lucas asked, peering over Malcolm's shoulder. “Not far from Fort William? Ten, twelve hours?” He glanced at his watch. “I'd be better sleeping and getting the first shuttle from Gatwick in the morning, getting a car up there. Malcolm?”

Malcolm was already moving towards his desk. “I'll text through the information when I get it.”

Harry looked at Lucas. “Be careful up there. We don't know what we are up against. Two hourly reports.”

Lucas nodded. “I'll be fine. Malcolm, when you have anything.”

“The second I do.”


Lucas North
Spooks
Word Count: 668