Chapter 1 – I'm really going

Katherine zipped and locked her wheeled carry-on with satisfaction and growing excitement. She was finally going to make it; she was at long last leaving on an extended vacation! So many holidays had been changed due to last minute requests for assistance or a growing crisis she couldn't ignore, but everything was relatively quiet in Chicago and she was packed and ready to go. Her mail was on hold, a friend had a key and would stop by twice weekly to check on the condo and to water the plants, emails had been sent to the network of her out-of-country dates and alternative contacts in her absence. She had mailed a few items that weren't allowed on airplanes to her hotel a few days earlier. The tour books were in her briefcase as was her laptop. She confirmed once more that her tickets, license and passport were safely tucked away in the security pouch under her shirt and decided she was at long last ready.

"You are practically aflame with delight over this trip" her kei'dran whispered in amusement, reflecting her elation back to her.

"You have no idea, love", she replied. "You know I haven't had a true holiday in over a decade. I'm going to enjoy every historical site in England, walk through every open garden, relish every play I can attend, plus I have tickets for the Royal Observatory to view the planetary alignment." The petite chestnut-haired woman danced several celebratory steps unable to contain her excitement.

She had only one obligation during her three-week holiday and it certainly wasn't a difficult undertaking. When her friend David Holt had learned she was actually leaving Chicago for London, he asked her to hand deliver a rare scroll to a former colleague of his, Sir Hellsing. He wasn't comfortable trusting it to an unknown courier service and he also thought it worthwhile for her to make the acquaintance of the Hellsing Organization director. He hadn't mentioned why Sir Hellsing might be important, but had assumed it might be related to a few of her more esoteric talents. "Network Katherine, always remember to network!" was one of his mantras. "You never know who might have an answer you might need someday."

The telephone rang, interrupting her thoughts as she verified once more that the scroll was locked in its case which was in turn firmly locked in a compartment in her briefcase.

"Katherine Wilde" was all she said upon picking up the telephone. "Good morning Ms. Wilde, your driver is here" responded the concierge's voice. "Thank you, Michael, please let him know I'm on my way down."

"I'll see you in England" whispered her kei'dran. The woman blew a kiss, locked the door and hurried to the elevator before someone else called or needed her.