Ethan bides his time.

"The team watching the Summer residence report that the first subject is now inside." The first man in black reported. "They have visual confirmation that the adjustment was successful."

"Naturally." Ethan Rayne said in a smug tone. "Everything is proceeding exactly to plan."

The command team, as the lawfirm supplied personnel phrased it was encamped in the executive suite of Sunnydale's most expensive hotel. Ethan reckoned that this was amongst the last places the scooby gang would look. Their previous experiance with big bads would have them combing crypts, abandoned houses and cheap motels before it might occur that Ethan was hiding in plain sight.

"We no longer have the element of surprise." The second of the black suited and mirror sunglass wearing heavies said. "Plus Buffy Summer's watcher has arrived with reinforcements."

"Reinforcements? What, three teenage girls?" Ethan mocked. "Ooh, I'm so intimidated. If only this plan had an effective weapon against young women."

The two men stared at him stony faced, refusing or perhaps incapable of being baited by mockery.

"Oh wait a moment." Ethan continued undaunted. "This plan is designed for use against young women. All Giles has done is supplied three additional targets."

"They are all in the Summer house." The first MiB pointed out. "Which is full of slayers, witches and vampires."

"For now maybe." Ethan agreed. "But what's the first thing you want to do when you arrive in a new town?"

"Remain at my allocated station and await further instructions." Both the musclemen quoted in harmony.

Ethan looked faintly disgusted, the henchmen Gavin had supplied seemed more like automatons than human. Trying to start any conversation that didn't relate to the operation had proved to be impossible.

"Yes, maybe for you, but then you're not a teenaged girl." Ethan said in exasperation. "No matter what the danger outside the house, they'll want to slip out and explore."

"The others will prevent them." The first MiB objected.

"The others will not be there." Ethan countered. "With Dawn adjusted they'll hold a council of war and then come looking for me."

"Dividing their forces would be a strategic error." The second MiB stated. "That would allow us to concentrate on a group, gain localised superiority and adjust more of the females."

"At last, you're getting the picture." Ethan exclaimed. "Strategic error or not, that's exactly what they'll do. And that's exactly how we'll pick them off one by one."

"What about the males?" One of the heavies asked. "They can't be affected by the sprays."

"Pfft, two humans and one vampire." Ethan dismissed them. "Surely you and the other Wolfram and Hart goons can handle those."