Chapter One: Pawn to E5
Gunshots echoed through the foggy night as Thomas fired his automatic in the direction of the attacker.
His killing spree had begun at twilight, with several houses and families falling victim to the rogue vampire, most being unable to muster a defense, their blood proving to be the very sustenance for his continued actions. Unfortunately for him, Hellsing was not content to stand by idly, and as soon as the disturbance was discovered, their agent was dispatched to deal with him.
"Mother fucker!! I've fired countless bullets into this fuck! What the hell is he?! Could he be a-"
"Vampire?" Alucard grinned down at his target sadistically; his red eyes hungry for battle. Thomas was surprised to say the least; Alucard appeared right in front of him, seemingly out of nowhere.
"Come now, don't tell me- you're all out of bullets, aren't you?"
Thomas nodded slowly, fear capturing him in its paralyzing grip.
"Hah. And you probably can't even fight back, can you? Go on, try it.
I dare you."
Thomas stared up, completely motionless.
"WELL?!"
"P-p-please!! Don't kill me!!" He fell to his knees, groveling at Alucard's feet.
Alucard's boot connected with Thomas' face, sending him several feet back.
He approached his target with nonchalance, clearly aware that this fight was reaching its end. Alucard was now bored; fights end quickly when they become boring for him.
Thomas felt himself lifted up into the air and slammed against a brick wall.
Alucard retracted his arm, and then punched Thomas in the stomach, his fist traveling until it met the stone behind the vampire. Blood gushed out of his mouth, and Alucard leaned in, his eyes locking with Thomas.
"We are given time to do with what we want... prolonged mortality provides ample time to engage in all manner of affairs.
That is why I become VERY annoyed when idiots like you waste mine!" he hissed, and then his mouth revealed a grotesque smile; seemingly dozens of sharp teeth were ready. Alucard opened his huge, seemingly monstrous mouth, and chomped onto Thomas' neck, suckling from his veins hungrily. When he'd drunk his fill, he tossed the corpse aside, and reached into his pants pocket, withdrawing his cell phone.
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At the Hellsing Manor Integra was in her office, enjoying a fine Cuban cigar, a glass of brandy freshly poured on her desk. She usually preferred tea, but the vampire attacks had driven her to the alcohol. And that new recruit, as well. Seras was as much a pain as anything, even more so than the Vatican.
No, she thought, that's not fair. Nor is it true, she continued. The Vatican killed two of my men and almost killed me. If it wasn't for Alucard...
A shudder overtook her as she slammed down another glass, feeling slightly inebriated at this point, but not completely drunk.
"I wonder what Alucard's doing right now-"
The phone on her desk began to ring no sooner than she'd finished her sentence.
"This better be who I think it is."
"Hello, my master."
"Alucard," she answered, emotionless, "what's your status?"
"The vampire put up no resistance. I crushed him utterly."
"And the accomplice? What of him?"
"Human. I killed him too, leaving his body to rot amongst the families of those he had slain."
"Alucard..."
"He was against us, Sir Integra, and attempting to kill me. He had no right to live. Besides," she could imagine him smiling on the other end of the line, "you ordered me to kill them both."
"Under the assumption that he was a vampire! But he was human!"
"Your point being? He had forsaken his humanity to pursue immortality. I had every right to kill him."
Integra let out an exasperated sigh.
"Just get back here..."
She slammed the phone, and glanced at her bottle of brandy. In lieu of pouring a glass, she picked up the bottle and took a hefty swig.
"Sir Integra." She spun around in her chair to face the door; her servant standing before her, clothes tattered from gunshots.
"Alucard... I really didn't mind, I just-"
"What difference does it make, Integra?" He smiled.
Alucard walked closer until he was by her side, and bowed.
"You are more beautiful angry than you ever are pleased, my master."
She sighed, and lifted his head up with one finger.
"You're so charming, even after all you do. Vampire s gift, I would imagine."
"Indeed. In fact, I would go so far as to call it our curse."
She looked down, puzzled.
"Why on earth would you call it that?"
"A charming predator is still a predator."
She let out a hmph! and then stared at him blankly.
"You are dismissed for the evening, my servant."
"Thank you for the mission, my master."
He rose and began to walk towards the door, when he stopped and faced her.
"Integra."
"Yes Alucard?"
"Seras needs a coffin- a coffin filled with the soil of her home. I would see to it that this is done before she becomes too weak to move."
"I'll have Walter look into it."
"Oh, and also. The Casull is an effective fire-arm, but I could use something with a little more firepower. I need something truly fearsome."
"Whatever for? Most ghouls die with one shot."
"Indeed. The Paladin, Alexander Anderson, took a bullet to the head at close range and was attacking me seconds later. An anti-regenerator gun, something that stops his ability to heal, would prove most invaluable."
"I'll see what I can do."
"Good evening, Miss Integra."
"Good evening."
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Seras was in her room, staring at the table in front of her with disinterest. One on side of the table, a note. On the other side of the table was a bowl of red, viscous liquid.
She glanced at the bowl and picked up the letter. The handwriting was neat and old-fashioned, as though written by a proper Englishman. Her penmanship was... pitiful, so she was impressed.
Miss Victoria
I have taken the time to arrange your personal garments in the cabinet next to your bed. You will find all the necessary undergarments (appropriate in size I trust) with several drawers of your standard uniform.
In addition, your personal affects from your former residence in Cheddar village were recently transferred here, courtesy of the Cheddar Village constabulry, who as well send their deepest apologies and best wishes.
If you require assistance in any fashion, the number for my personal line is on the table next to your lavatory.
-Walter Dornez
PS. If you should choose to not drink blood, avoid using silverware during mealtime. The results could be rather... unpleasant.
"Is that supposed to be funny?" she asked rhetorically, setting the letter down.
"Englishmen." Seras turned towards the bed.
"Well, I suppose it's too early in the night for that... almost forgot what I am. Heheh..." Her attention went back to the bowl.
"What to do with this bloody thi-" she stopped midsentence.
Bloody. What a riot...
"Police girl." Alucard entered the room, phasing through a wall.
"M-m-master?" His glasses and hat were missing. It seemed to Seras that for a vampire like him, he was very whimsical.
"Do you know why I'm here?"
"Uhm..." she glanced at the bowl of blood on the table.
"Is it about the blood?"
"Yes..." he approached her, almost floating.
"As a vampire you require blood to maintain strength."
"I've seen the movies."
"Hmph," he retorted, "forget what tripe and rumor you've seen. This is real, now."
He looked to the bowl of blood.
"If you do not drink this blood your body will slowly weaken. The only way to stave off this weakness is by sleeping in a coffin."
"So that's why vampires do it..." she stared at the floor for a moment before taking on an air of false confidence.
"Don't worry about me!" Her awkward smile was met with silence and a cold stare.
"Hmph." He began to phase out in front of her.
"Drink the blood before you can't stand."
She sighed and glanced at the bowl.
"... Should I?
...Nah."