Chapter 2: The Conference
Alucard phased into Rob's room through the floor, grumbling about the sun. He stopped to survey the room. The curtains were closed, leaving the room in a pleasant half light, where the bed should have stood there was a coffin. Alucard smiled, he was liking his new master more with each new development. He crossed over to the coffin and opened it "master, it's time to wake up." he said. Rob sat up, groaning. "Why?" "you have a conference in an hour." Rob stood up "I HATE being up during the day, it's so exhausting." Alucard heard Rob mutter as he walked towards the bathroom. Yes, they would get along just splendidly.
Rob scowled when he saw the outfit Walter had laid out for him. "He must be crazy if he thinks I'll wear that monkey suit." Rob muttered as he stalked across to his dresser and pulled out his usual outfit. When Rob stepped from his bathroom, he found a bucket with a blood bag nestled in ice inside. "You've got to be kidding me." Rob said opening the packet. He started to drink, thinking that it was filled with juice. He was wrong, but once he started to drink, he couldn't stop. He finally finished the packet and felt surprisingly sated. Alucard was still sitting in the corner, rob turned to him and said "Where is the conference room?" "this way please." Walter said, having just stepped into the room.
When they arrived, Rob saw that there were twelve old men sitting around a table. Their eyes widened noticeably when they say him. One who was apparently the leader pointed an accusing finger at Walter. "why have you brought Hellsing's pet vampire before us, and where is the new heir!" he shouted "But I am right here." Rob said, grinning. "gentlemen allow me to introduce the new leader of the Hellsing Organization, Robert Hoffman" Walter said with a flourish Rob took off his hat and and performed a vary graceful bow. "Very well, if you could sit down, we shall begin." as Rob sat down their looks of surprise turned to one of contempt. "Are you aware of what the Hellsing Organization is meant to do?" the leader asked "unless I'm mistaken, it is to kill the things that go bump in the night so that everyone can go to bed without waking up with a pair of fangs in their neck, am I right?" Rob answered, showing his own fangs with a grin. Their expressions only became more condescending as one slid a sheaf of papers across the table to him. He picked them up and began looking through them "what is this?" he asked "just some insurance papers, now if you could just sign them we'll be on our way" one said dismissively "well you will just have to wait, because I never sign tings without reading them" As Rob read the papers he began to broke into a smirk, soon he could no longer contain his mirth. As he broke down int a fit of laughter one of the conference members asked "and what is so funny" "do you actually think the wild geese would work for any of you, let alone that I would allow a bunch of limp dick politicians to take Hellsing's forces and convert them into a private army?" Rob shouted, his mirth changing to anger as he realized they were serious "You can take your "insurance forms" and shove 'em up your ass!" he then stood up, knocking over the very large and very heavy chair he was sitting in, and stormed out.
Rob reached his office and sat down heavily in his chair. "I hate geezers like that." he muttered. "I think you handled that rather well." Alucard said, phasing through the wall. Rob sighed "I just hope I didn't make things worse." "on the contrary, I think you did the right thing. Although I probably would have put it a bit more delicately." Walter said walking in with a tray "Now they know you are not to be trifled with." he set the tray down and opened the container sitting on it, revealing another blood packet "Was this your idea of a joke?" Rob asked "No, it merely seemed the best way to avoid any more violent incidents between you and the staff. I have also been doing some research and I believe I may have an answer as to why you have had these incidents to begin with. I believe both you and Alucard will be most interested in this." Walter passed a sheet of paper to him. As Rob began to read his face became clouded with confusion. "Not to wave my ignorance around like a flag but, just what is a dam, dham..." "Dhampir" Alucard finished for him " it's what you get when you cross a human and a vampire. With all the powers of a vampire, but none of the weaknesses." "That is all well and good, but I still don't know how that is possible" Rob said "We are still looking into that" "So," Rob said "What you're saying it that you know what I am, but you don't know how it happened." "basically, yes." Walter answered "Ugh, I'm going back to bed. Find out what you can about this, will you Walter?" "Certainly, Sir." Rob stood up and left the room.
Rob woke at sunset and, finding he couldn't sleep anymore, decided to explore the estate. The mansion proper was a myriad of bedrooms, dining rooms, and other routine or otherwise boring places. What was really interesting was the dungeon-like basement, a maze of hallways with hundreds of doors lining both walls. Rob came to a large set of oaken double doors. They were so out of place that Rob just had to investigate. Pushing one open, he found himself in a large room, occupied only by a large, throne-like chair, next to this was a small table. On the table was a bottle of wine and two glasses. Looking past this, Rob saw a coffin much like his own, only this one had writing on it. As he moved closer, he could read it. "The bird of Hermes is my name" he read "Eating my wings to make me tame." a voice behind him finished. Startled, Rob spun quickly and found Alucard standing there, holding a glass of wine. "would you care to join me for a drink?" he asked, pouring a second glass. Rob smiled, picked it up and took a sip. To his surprise, it was actually a mixture of blood and wine, it had a very good flavor. Soon the two were chatting amiably like old friends. Before long the topic had turned to history and Rob asked the question that had been buzzing in his head for some time Things went on in this fashion until dawn. "well," Alucard said sighing " I had better get to bed before the sun rises." "I'll just be on my way then." Rob said, taking his leave.
As Rob was about to mount the stairs to the main floor, he heard a noise. He paused, it was coming from the last door before the stairs. He quietly went over to investigate. He opened the door and found a girl. She was in the process of putting on her pajamas. At this point she was facing away from the door with her bare backside up in the air as she pulled up her pants. Rob stood rooted to the spot as she stood up and turned to face him. "Can I help you?"she asked. At this point Rob realized that he was staring. He quickly apologized and fled up the stairs.
Rob couldn't help but think of the girl as he reached his room and climbed into his coffin. He could vividly remember every curve of that beautiful body, but surely she must hate him now. He sighed, there was no use for it now. He might as well just go to sleep.
Pip was in a cheery mood as he strolled along the halls of the Hellsing house. It was a bright, sunny morning and there hadn't been any vampire activity that night, so he had a good, long night's sleep. As he rounded the corner he was met by Walter "Ah, there you are, would you mind going and rousing Sir Hellsing for me? I have some business in town that cannot be delayed." "Eh, sure but, if you don't mind my asking, why not have Alucard do it, those two seem very close." "Alucard has had a bit too much blood cocktail and cannot be roused." Pip whistled a tune as he made his way to Rob's room. He had to stop to let his eyes adjust to the sudden darkness of the room. As he did so he noticed that where the bed had stood there was now an ebony coffin. He assumed this was where Rob was sleeping. "Hey in zere, it's time to get up." he said, knocking on the lid of the coffin. There was no response. "Get up already!" he kicked the coffin over, spilling it's surprised occupant. "Ugh, what time is it?" Rob said groggily "nine thirty." Pip said, still cheerful. "You still have zat paperwork on your desk, sir." "Alright, I'll be there in a minute." Rob said. He decided to dress a little differently that day. He chose a black leather trench coat, a black tee shirt, a pair of leather pants, and motorcycle boots.
He went to his office and started on the large stacks of paper on his desk, discarding several more attempts by the round table to take control of different parts of the Hellsing organization, ranging from the arsenal to the grounds themselves. He had just torn up another of these when there was a knock at the door. "Come in." Rob said. The door opened to reveal the girl from last night. Rob was surprised to see her at all, especially not looking nervous and apologetic, yet here she was. Rob spoke first. "Before you say anything, let me apologize for last night. I should have knocked before opening the door." She relaxed visibly after hearing this, "It's quite alright, I could tell that it was an accident. Actually, I came here to introduce myself to you. My name is Seras Victoria, I guess you would know me better as the Police Girl, at least that's what everyone else calls me." "Never mind what anyone else says, is that what you want to be called?" Rob asked. Seras looked puzzled. "I am not looking for vampiric servants, I would rather have friends, who just happen to be on my payroll, part of being a friend is showing them some measure of respect, and that includes not using an unwanted nickname. So what would you rather I called you?" "Well" said Seras, who had expected a different welcome, especially after last night, was a little taken aback by this "I suppose you could just call me Seras then." "Okay then that's more like it." Rob smiled, getting up from his chair "I could use a break, how about you, pip and I go have some fun" Seras smiled and ran off to find her friend.
Pip was in his room, watching TV when he heard a knock at the door "just a minute!" he shouted, pulling a pair of pants on. When he opened the door he found a sight for sore eyes. "Seras!" he shouted, giving her a bear hug and inviting her in "What brings you here?" he asked sitting down and taking a good look at her. She had change out of her normal uniform and was now wearing black belly shirt, a red leather jacket and a pair of black jeans. A pair of sunglasses sat on her head, finishing the outfit. "Actually, I was hoping that you would go to the mall with me." "Sure, Just let me get dressed" he said reaching for a tee shirt.
"So, is anyone else going with us, mignonette?" "Actually yes, Rob was going to go along with us too." "He's not gonna be wearing zat red coat is he?" "No, why?" "He looks a lot like Alucard when when wears it. Kind of freaks me out." "Yes, I did notice an uncanny resemblance there" Seras said getting a faraway look in her eye
Not long after this they arrived at the auto-port to find Rob chatting amiably with Alucard, both were sipping blood packets. Pip stopped short at this, looking nervous. Upon seeing this Rob said "Don't worry Pip, he was just keeping me company." Turning to Alucard he said, "Why don't you go out and have some fun too, just don't kill humans anymore than is necessary, Alright?" Alucard grinned so wide it seemed his face would split, then left, leaving Pip and Seras with looks of horror. They turned to Rob "Are you two gonna stare all day or get in the car?" he asked, striding towards a car. "What is zat?" Pip asked "Um, it's a mustang." Rob said, a little perplexed "Okay, let's try it zis way, why is it here?" "because it's mine." Rob stated, as if it should be obvious. "I always wanted one when I was in America, so I ordered one." the confusion was evident in their faces "What, did you think the Hellsing family was dirt poor?" he added, grinning "So where is this mall you were talking about?"
After 20 minutes and a couple of wrong turns they arrived at the London mall, a huge sprawling building which housed almost every kind of store imaginable. They stuck together as they slowly meandered through the myriad of shops. Before long both Rob and Seras were loaded with their new purchases, Pip claimed not to have any money, though they had seen him spend probably 130 euros* on various foods. They went back out to the parking garage to drop off their purchases. As they were loading down the trunk a gunshot rang out, hitting Rob squarely in the chest. He fell, landing squarely on Pip as Seras drew a pistol and scanned the area for any potential threats. As she did this she heard what sounded like a second, louder gunshot. She whipped around, fearing a second gunner. It was only when she was certain the area was safe that she allowed herself to check on Rob. He looked weak and confused, but otherwise okay, in fact the only physical evidence that anything had happened at all was the fact that his shirt and coat were in tatters.
Alucard smiled, have fun, those were the best orders he'd been given in more than 70 years. Not since he had had a senile old man who mistook Alucard for his son for a master. He wandered down a side street, looking for some kind of trouble to get into when he heard a gunshot. Hmm, he thought maybe there's some fun to be had after all. And so he phased to the origin of the shot and caught the one responsible, an unimpressive little man, with an expensive looking sniper rifle. He looked over the barrier wall to see who the target was. To his surprise there was the police girl standing over his master, his wounds already closing. Just then, the delay in the bullet exploded, tearing an even larger hole in Robs freshly healed chest. He decided to check on Rob. The youth had even more power than he thought possible but regeneration takes a huge toll on the body.
Still holding onto the sniper, Alucard phased down to the parking level where the others were. Handing the man over to Seras, Alucard crouched down next to Rob as he struggled to sit up, Alucard put a hand against Robs back, helping to support him. "thirsty" he rasped, his voice barely a whisper. Alucard began to rummage in his coat, as he did so he accidentally exposed his neck. Seeing this, Rob lurched forward and latched onto Alucard's throat, his teeth easily breaking the skin, blood flowed into his mouth and down his throat. Never had he felt so much relief, as the blood flowed into him so did strength return to him. Rob finally released his hold on Alucard's neck. Rob gave an apologetic look but Alucard waved it off "this seems to be turning into a habit, feeding off me every time you get hurt, maybe you should be more careful, one day I might not be around." Alucard said, the amusement clear in his voice. Rob got into the car and pulled a battered duster and leather stetson** from under the back seat. He lovingly unfolded the coat and put it on. He then carefully placed the hat on his head. Seras pistol whipped the sniper and put him in the trunk. Just then sirens sounded in the distance. "come on, let's get out of here." Rob said getting into the driver's seat "I'll see you at the mansion Alucard."
They were greeted at the front door by a very anxious looking Walter. "Oh thank god, sir. When I heard about what happened at the mall, I was afraid you were the target." "Your god has nothing to do with it." Rob said bitterly "I was the target. And I should be dead. I only survived thanks to my own powers." "your own... oh!" Walter said, finally understanding what Rob meant. Rob opened the trunk to find a fully awake and very frightened sniper. "we're gonna have a little fun, you and I." Rob said with a slightly deranged smile. The others almost felt sorry for the little man, knowing Rob's idea of fun.
Alucard observed this scene from the shadows
*about 100 U.S. Dollars
** cowboy hat