Chapter 2: Replacements

Disclaimer: Hellsing belongs to Kohta Hirano.

Note: I've made some modifications to the previous chapters and then combined them into one chapter (because they were really short). Mostly in the way things were said rather than the content, so if you read them before and don't want to reread you don't have to (but I really really really prefer the way things are written now, and I'm not changing it again without good reason because the story is done.
-------------------------------------------------

Integra seated herself and took in the faces of the round table members. Almost half of them were new, but all had been trained for their eventual role in protecting England and Integra hoped that they would learn fast to stay out of Hellsing business.

The clock in the chamber struck four, then passed four, and still the meeting did not start. People continued to converse quietly amongst themselves. "Are we waiting for something?" she asked the new chairman. That man had taken over the position of chair after Sir Island's passing. He was the most senior of the round table members left alive following the attacks on London and was a competent, albeit uninspiring, man.

"The newest member is supposed to come today," the new chair answered.

"New member?"

"Yes. Well, it wasn't mentioned in the meeting summons, kind of a last minute addition, but since Lord Island's nephew is still it was decided that..."

The chamber's door open and a young lady entered. She took after Lord Islands in the shape of her eyes and the chin. Aside from the resemblance she shared with him, her appearance was unexceptional; there was also nothing unpleasant about it either. She would have been merely pretty were it not for the expertly applied makeup enhancing her features and the obviously expensive clothing drawing attention to her best assets. One of the other new knights, the one replacing Lord Hastings, rose and helped seat her. She rewarded him with a smile and he eagerly leaned in to speak with her.

Integra's lips compressed slightly in annoyance. This isn't a social gathering. With the addition of the five new knights and the loss of the old, the median age of the round table had been shifted downwards by almost two decades. As bad as the attacks on London had been, Integra was grateful that the turn-over on the round table had not been worse. The replacements had been made quickly so that by the previous meeting four new members had already been inducted. Duke Geoffrey now filled the place of his uncle, the late Lord Hastings. The Earl of Arundel and Surrey, already well liked amongst the round table, had inherited after his father and become Duke of Norfolk. Major-General Bryant Norbert of the army's 2nd division had been promoted to General following Penwood's heroic end and now held his seat. Lastly, the younger Ashcroft had taken over for his father's handling of public relations.

The chair cleared his throat loudly, silencing the assembly. "Everyone, I would like to introduce our newest member Sir Caroline Corinthe Islands. On behalf of the 12 Conventions I would like to say to you that your father proved himself a very brave man. All of us were deeply saddened by his passing, and while it will be difficult for anyone to take his place, I have no doubt that you will do his memory, your family, and this country a great service"

The members of the table gave muffled tones of agreement, and 'Sir' Caroline thanked them all graciously. Integra hoped that she had managed to learn more than manners and a charming smile from whatever finishing school had turned her out. Taking another drag on her cigar, she noticed Caroline Islands surreptitiously examining her. It made Integra feel self conscious and she caught herself straightening her cravat. Her mind growled back, let her stare.

The chairman droned onwards with normal round table business. Their public relation's machine now headed by the younger Ashcroft had been working overtime to brand all stories of vampires in London and the dead becoming zombies as conspiracy theory nonsense. Integra listened with mild interest, then stoically sat through the discussion of 'threats' such as immigration, the increase in obesity, flu vaccine shortages, etc. At the end of the meeting he concluded by asking Integra for an update on Hellsing progress.

"Regular forces are now at 70 of our previous numbers, with three platoons in total. The remaining members of the group known as the Wild Geese were absorbed into our forces and have been of great use, especially in training the new soldiers. I would like to request that they be allowed to apply for citizenship immediately if that is their wish. The platoons have been primarily acting as backup for Alucard and Seras, who have been taking point in all operations and have discharged their duty admirably for the past fortnight. They should soon be fit to handle all normal extermination activities. Because of the number of vampires lingering after the invasion we have been splitting our forces and taking on multiple targets simultaneously. At our present rate of success, it is projected that operation levels should return to normal in six weeks time."

"Very good then, thank you Sir Hellsing. Now if everyone..."

"Could I ask something?" interjected the new Sir Islands. She waited for the nodded assent of the chair before turning to Integra. "I'm sorry if this question is...stupid...but most of this is still quite new to me, so I don't know what kind of limitations...I mean..." She looked as if she hoped for some assurance that no one would hold her inexperience against her and no question was too dumb. Integra waited for the question, and instead Duke Geoffrey assured her that they all understood.

"These vampires of yours are so effective, why don't we use more of them? I think we would take less casualties, and if anyone ever tried to attack us again using the undead it would be easier for us to repulse their attack, or is there some reason why this is...I mean if there's some non-strategic...Well what am I saying I don't know the first thing about strategy but I'm just trying to understand why if our enemies would attack us like that why we can't be prepared to retaliate in kind"

Lord Ashcroft grimaced at that suggestion and protested, "Having even one blood sucker out there at all seems like more than enough. I mean, can you imagine one going off on its own and knowing everything about us? I for one would feel much safer putting the two we've already got under lock and key. We should even consider"

"Alucard and Seras belong to Hellsing," Integra cut in. "I determine when and how they are used."

The chair licked his lips nervously as he looked between Integra and the uncontrite Ashcroft. "This round table has full confidence in Sir Integra's judgment, Sir Ashcroft. Incidentally, this meeting needs to be adjourned now. My wife is hosting a dinner party this evening and I mustn't be late."

Integra leaned over the manor's porch railing, not really looking at the exquisitely kept garden surrounding the drive. It had been a charred and bloody mess after the war and the expense of setting everything to rights again had been astronomical. Sir Ashcroft was climbing into his car and studiously avoiding looking at Integra. She wondered, quite uncharitably, whether he might go home and insist on hanging garlic everywhere. His father had been squeamish about their use of the undead, but at least he knew well enough when to keep his mouth shut and had been exceptionally talented at misleading the public. She shouldn't have lost her temper with Ashcroft, but he had no idea how close to the truth he was. Damn, she had left her lighter back in the meeting room. She let her unlit cigar dangle from her lips and hoped her car came around soon.

"Those aren't very good for you," said a cheery voice behind her. Integra didn't bother to turn and greet her company. "They'll stain your teeth, you know. And it'll make your breath quite horrible."

Caroline Islands leaned up against the railing, she reached into her own purse, pulled out her own lighter (it appeared to be pink crystal with a golden flower pattern inlaid), and lit the cigar hanging limply in Integra's lips. "You should be one to talk."

The young Miss Islands smiled brightly. "I only smoke occasionally. Sometimes the world just gets so...stressful. But you know all about that, Sir Hellsing. May I call you Integra."

Integral saw her car pull up in the drive and turned to depart.

"No, wait." The other woman caught her arm. "I wanted to ask...I was hoping that... because you see after my father's death my brother, or even my cousin should have because they were the ones that were taught all this...and I don't know what I'm doing and you're the only other woman here I thought that you might be able to help me because it seems like we really ought to stick together. I wasn't trained for this. Maybe we could be friends"
"Here's some advice: You don't need to know about what I do, just that when Hellsing makes a request its in England's best interest for you to approve it. I don't make demands lightly." Integra tugged her arm free. She wasn't going to take care of some grown up orphan when her own problems were running loose.