- Dream Weaver
Chapter 9: The Great Destroyer
Everyone immediately hit all books related to the Great Destroyer super cannon. Everything was covered from the construction to the way it was built, to the type of special ammunition for it. "Why, wasn't that cannon destroyed or dismantled after the war?" , Cordelia asked. "The reason why the cannon was never dismantled was due to it's role in the Cold War, to help fight a Soviet Invasion which of course never happened", I replied. "But the Soviet Union collapsed back in 1991", Willow said. "It became a historic monument and was therefore never disassembled", Giles said. "What good will that cannon do if the ammunition is no longer available right?", Xander asked. "Wrong", I said, "the ammunition was stored in a special compartment built into the cave itself".
"You mean to say, the ammunition is still there?", Buffy asked. "Even if that were the case wouldn't it be too old to use?", Buffy asked. "Well according to this declassified U.S. military manual I found even the ammunition had a shelf life of 100 years and had to be stored in a way that was readily accessible for any military emergency", I told Buffy. "Oh that's great", Buffy said. Just then a student walked in and announced, "Hey didn't you all hear that explosion just outside of Sunnydale and everyone that was outside heard and felt it". "Thank you", Giles said, "is there anything more?" , Giles asked. "Well, I just came to check out some books for my chemistry class", the student said. After Giles attended the student and checked out the student's book, our conversation resumed. "That could only mean one thing!", Buffy said, "the vampires tested the ammunition and it works".
"That means we have less time than we thought", I said. "We should get going!", Giles said. The bell rang marking the end of yet another school day and we all grabbed our things and left. Buffy went home quickly to gather her weapons while the rest of us made the proper preparations. Giles called the Principal and asked to burrow a school bus for an "after school field trip". The Principal said, "Usually I don't provide school buses for field trips on such short notice, but this time I'll bend the rules". "Thank you", Giles said.
After Giles had hung up the phone, everyone made their way back to Sunnydale High School. The Principal was there waiting for Giles with the keys, "Please be sure to have everyone's permission slips here by tomorrow morning, what kind of field trip is this?", asked Principal. "It's a nature trip to see the woods, mountains and wildlife just outside of Sunnydale", Giles said. "Just be careful, since there was an explosion there earlier and I sure wouldn't want anyone to get hurt!", the Principal said. "Trust me, I'll look after their safety", Giles said. "Very well, here's the keys, have fun and be safe", the Principal said as he loaned the keys to Giles. Everyone made their way out as the Principal locked up and retired for the day.
We all went out and made our way to the faculty parking lot. Giles climbed aboard and started the engine as he opened the passenger door where the students enter the bus. The school bus itself was a typically black and yellow but of the small van variety. As we drove through Sunnydale, we passed the Bronz, the Magic Shop, and the Double Meat Palace as well as Buffy's house. We finally left the city limits and headed towards the mountain where the Great Destroyer super cannon was. Between the city and the mountains were beautiful forests with greenery all around. It was late afternoon by the time we got to the pivotal mountain where the future of Sunnydale and all it's residents were at stake. Time was ticking as everyone and so many lives hung in the balance.
We drove up the mountain all the way next to the park ranger's jeep. Everyone got out of the schoolbus. I paused briefly for a moment to enjoy the view and noticed the crater the explosion had left. "Look", I sadi pointing to the crater. As everybody else neared the edge to view what I was pointing at. Buffy's jaw dropped as Giles removed his glasses to check if he was seeing right. "Whoa!", Xander said as Willow and Cordelia covered their mouths as they gasped. "Oh-my-god!", Buffy managed to utter. I eventually turned to notice the railroad tracks that carted the cannon to the ledge and the set of footprints that lead from the Ranger's jeep into the cave.
"I've got the feeling the action is going to be in there", I said as I pointed out to Buffy and the rest of the gang my discovery. Mind you, We made our way carefully into the cave. We went further in deeper drawing farther away from the light outside and deeper into the cave. We eventually saw the Great Destroyer super cannon and we were all awestruck at it's magnificence. There were the sound of approaching footsteps and everyone took cover behind some nearby boulders and rock formations. Darla and the other vampires had returned. "We shall have the cannon ready to strike", Darla declared. A vampire had brought some ammunition to load the cannon. "We shall commence our attack on Sunnydale once the sun goes down, then the cannon will move to the ledge where it can aim and fire accurately!". Darla said, "I have a much better idea", said one of the vampires. "Why don't we wait until the clock strikes midnight when everybody is home sleeping?", the vampire said suggestively. "Hmm, you've got a point", Buffy said. "In fact, it'll be a higher death toll and a much more practical and efficient way to maximize the destruction of Sunnydale, brilliant plan!", Darla said.
"Brilliant indeed!", I whispered to Buffy and the gang. "That should buy us all some more time", Buffy said. "Not only that but we can enlist the side of Angel and Emilie plus guess what's coming this midnight?", I said. "What?", Buffy asked. "my birthday, I replied. "Well let's make it a memorable one", Buffy said. "At least we'll have to celebrate this time around than just saving the world---again!", I exclaimed.
Before we noticed, the sun had gone down and more surprisingly Angel and Emilie caught up with us. "How did you know we were here?", Buffy asked. "Emilie and I were eavesdropping on the Master and heard the explosion, We figured you would all be here", Angel said. "So what's the plan?", Emilie asked. "Obviously, we're going to have to slay all those vampires and destroy the cannon", Buffy said. "it's really just a question as to how to go about at it", I added. "Does anyone have a copy of a map of the inside of this cave?", Buffy asked. "I do", I said and pulled out a photocopy of the detailed military map that I had copied earlier from the book. Buffy and Angel both inspected the map carefully to find where the explosives were stored.
"OK, this is the plan", Buffy said. "From what I've read on this map, the storage compartment not only houses the cannon's ammunition but it also stores dynamite and other explosives, in order to stop the Master and insure that there are no repeat attempts , we'll have to blowup this place sky high", Buffy said. "That would be very dangerous considering the lives at stake here, no pun intended", I said. Buffy smiled and said, "None taken!". "Well, we've only got a few hours", I said. "Don't worry!", Buffy said with assurance. "While me and the gang distracts them, you and Emilie make your way to the ammunitions storage and set it up to blow", Buffy said. "Do you have that much confidence in me?", I asked. "I believe in you!", Buffy said as she placed her hand assuringly on my shoulder. I gulped.