Hellsing X Soul Eater
Chapter Eleven
The single engine plane came in low and quiet, touching down on the paved airway and bouncing a few times with squeaking brakes. The plane creaked and groaned with the impacts, betraying its older age versus the brand new private jets parked in the hanger at the strip's opposite end. Friction and gravity took over, bringing the plane slowly to a stop a few hundred feet from a group of waiting men.
Walter stood calmly awaiting the plane to fully stop and deliver its unwanted cargo. Behind him milled six of the Wild Geese, the men still in desert fatigues and acting with mercenary attitude. He heard a loud exhale and smelled the familiar sting of tobacco before hearing a loud stomp, a foot grinding a cigarette butt into the ground.
"We are guests here. Pick up that filter and dispose of it in the proper receptacle, please," Walter quietly ordered, and heard an annoyed sigh as the young man did as ordered.
With a mental sigh, Walter wished Captain Nathans were here. The old commander of the Hellsing soldiers had the uncanny ability to turn any street rat into a respectable member of Sir Integra's private employ. However, the Captain's recent demise in the Valentine Brothers' attack* meant hiring new but experienced soldiers. Mercenaries were only as loyal as they were paid to be, but something was better than nothing. Since their commander, Captain Bernadette, was still to return from the field with Miss Victoria and Alucard, Walter had been forced to pick up the slack of commanding officer. It was a thankless task he did not care for.
Normally during a Round Table Conference, Walter would be as Sir Integra's side. He would be a source of wisdom if a vote was necessary on a course of action, and a source of calming influence against the other members. The RTC had a habit of bringing up old wounds between factions, but having the particularly volatile leader of Iscariot's Section XIII, Maxwell, only heighted the tensions. The only reason Walter had agreed to meet Stein, and leave Integra's side, was because of the Queen's presence. Even old Father Anderson would not dare touch the British majesty in the middle of enemy territory.
The single engine was powered down, and as the blade spun slower and slower, Walter's trained eye noticed the twin weapons on the wings of the plane. It struck him odd that plane was obviously older, but the mini-gun that hung from each wing with spotless and brand new, almost futuristic looking. Did Stein anticipate a fight?
Finally, the door to the plane opened downward, becoming a set of stairs for the passengers to exit. A tall man dressed in white was framed by the door. Walter felt the energy of the man radiate from the small plane in waves. He's grown a lot stronger since he was last here.
Stepping down, Walter heard a gasp escape of the Wild Geese. "Is that…does he have a screw sticking out of his head?!" someone frantically whisper. Though they sounded just as confused, his fellows affirmed the strange vision. Behind him came a red-haired man in a black suit who looked completely normal compared to the doctor, which made the sight even stranger.
Seeing Stein made a lump of anger rise in Walter's throat, but he kept his thoughts calm and detached. It was Walter who had thrown Stein out of Hellsing seven years ago, when he had discovered the insane scientist hovering over Integra's bed with a scalpel and a mad glint in his eyes. The fact that Integra had called back such a monster…it made the butler want to strangle something.
The angry fire in Walter's heart at seeing Stein was suddenly doused in ice water when a blonde girl in a school girl outfit and black coat walked down the steps, followed by a white-haired boy. Children?! Stein brought children to this…?
A blue-haired boy jumped over the stairs to land on the ground without a foot touching the stairs. Behind him trotted out a tall girl in a yellow outfit looking distraught at her friend's antics. A tall girl and short girl wearing matching clothes and cowboy hats also exited, followed finally by a boy in a black suit with three white lines in his hair.
Walter's eyes narrowed. Integra said to bring your best…and those are children? He had to push away the disbelief. It was hypocritical, after all. He knew better than anyone that children could be the best fighters. Their imagination was not bogged down with ethics and rules. But still…are so many children willing to die in the upcoming battle?
Stein was surprised to see the men in fatigues, but even moreso to see old man Walter was their escort to the conference. He kept his stitched up face blank and unreadable as he took a slow drag on the cig, Spirit standing beside him. The death scythe stared at his feet, hands jammed in his pockets.
A few feet away, the students were huddled around each other and talking in low voices to each other, but the focus seemed to be on Black Star. They were collectively almost drowning Stein in waves of nervous energy, and even indignant anger. That latter feeling came from Black Star. Probably has to do with the fact that I sewed his vocal cords closed with my Soul Sutures, Stein mused.
A smile played on his lips as he remembered feeling his hand around Black Star's throat just before exiting the plane. It was something he had wanted to do ever since meeting the boy, and now he had just cause for the action. They couldn't afford for Black Star to run at the mouth in front of Integra, or God forbid the British Queen!
"Did you really have to do that?" Spirit asked, guessing what the grin on Stein's face was from. "I mean, I can't say I blame you, I've wanted to do that many times before…"
"We're on thin ice right now." He blew out a puff of white smoke, watching it float up into the crystal clear night sky above. "Do you really think letting Black Star be able to talk his nonsense to the Queen of England is going to put us on Britain's good side?"
"True. It's just…you looked like you were having too much fun doing it."
Stein shrugged.
"Black Star, did it hurt?" Soul whispered the blue-haired ninja. Running from under his chin and down his neck were black stitches, the Soul Sutures. Black Star started talking rapidly, yet not even a hiss escaped him. The only sound he made came from stomping his foot into the ground in frustration.
"It's like Stein turned the 'mute' button on on a T.V.!" Patty exclaimed in awe as she watched the performance. Her childish laughter made the entire scene vaguely more disturbing.
Liz shuddered slightly. "Stein's creepy! He looked like he was having way too much fun doing that…."
"It was necessary," Death the Kid said quietly. Everyone brought their attention on him, and followed his yellow eyes as they gazed as the old man and the soldiers waiting for them. "This is real, and this mission is too important for a foolish, delusional boy to screw up. At least we know Stein trusts the rest of us enough to let us keep our voices."
Black Star was pouting. His arms were crossed because no one was paying him any attention. Without his voice, they could just ignore him.
Soul turned to his partner, whose eyes were downcast and her skin a shade paler that usual. "Maka," Soul asked her. "You okay?"
She glanced at him for a second, then swallowed nervously. "It's just…so many things going on right now in my head. What about this mission? What if we get hurt?" She glanced at the plane. "What about Crona?"
"Sparks said he'd keep an eye on Crona. Remember, Stein said we couldn't bring him with because he wasn't really DWMA? He'll probably sit in his seat and freak out until he gets exhausted and take a nap."
"What about Hellsing? We are about to meet the QUEEN OF ENGLAND, Soul! What if I embarrass myself and get thrown in a dungeon?"
Soul threw his arm around her shoulders in a comforting manner. "Maka, look at Tsubaki."
Maka looked at the ninja girl, and saw that even with Black Star pouting next to her, she was smiling. She looked genuinely happy as she looked up into the clear night. A gentle breeze tugged her ponytail with it.
"She looks happy," Maka said, not really catching on to Soul's meaning.
"Maka, just relax, okay? Stein will play nice with Hellsing, and we'll get some new souls to eat. We might even become death-scythes by the time this battle is over! There's nothing to freak out about. We've done missions in other countries before. Just remember to be cool, like me."
"You're right, this is just another mission." Maka smiled at her partner. "Thanks Soul."
"No prob. Also, take a page out of Tsubaki's book and enjoy Black Star's current muteness. It will probably never happen again."
The laugh escaped from her mouth before she even had the chance to stifle it. Taking another moment, she looked at her friends, the weapons and meisters she had come to rely on and care for. They were extended family, and they were going to do this mission together. Stein was the most powerful Meister the DWMA had to offer, and her father, asshole he might be, was a Death-Scythe. They could take on anything.
Still, when Stein put out his cigarette and started towards the welcome party, she couldn't help but hesitate a little. This was going to be a completely new battle, and she could only hope she and Soul were up to the challenge.
The tension in the air could be physically felt as Walter and Stein stared each other down. Everyone, even the Wild Geese soldiers who were inexperienced in reading souls, could feel the anger shared by the two men. Everyone shuffled awkwardly as they seemed to have a silent battle with just their eyes.
Walter had always been wary of Stein, but finding the scientist prepared to perform surgery on his master had been the last straw. Walter had not just escorted the doctor from Hellsing property; he had escorted him from England completely. Here he was again, the look of detached confidence emanating from his insane soul as strong as ever.
Stein's anger toward the butler stemmed from his failed experiment with Integra. Next to his surgeries on Spirit when they had been partners, Integra's interrupted surgery caused Stein great anger.
Walter broke the silence first. "Welcome to the Krauney Estate, current location of the Round Table Conference. Walter Dornez, at your service." A little bow ended the introduction.
Stein cocked his head, and for effect turned the giant screw in his head in response. He knew Walter well enough to know it would knock him off his high horse for a few seconds, even after all the time that had passed.
An involuntary shudder ran through everyone present, but especially Walter. He had not even expected to hear that unholy clicking sound in his darkest nightmares…
A Wild Geese soldier gagged at the sight and sound, but he was able to cover it with a cough. The mercenaries refused to show the fear that they were feeling. It would ruin their reputation.
Stein opened his mouth to make a smart-ass remark to the old butler, but another sound cut him off. It was an unearthly cry, followed by a soft thump as something hit the ground hard.
Everyone turned around to see Death the Kid on the ground, pointing at Walter with a trembling finger and sweat on his brow. "M-m-monster!" Kid squeaked.
Everyone followed his finger, which was pointing towards Walter, who looked perplexed. "I beg your pardon?" he asked in a confused tone.
Liz and Patty were at Kid's side immediately. "Come on Kid, stop being weird and embarrassing!" Liz begged, while Patty simply laughed and patted Kid on the head. "There, there, it's okay! Stein is way scarier than that old guy."
Walter looked back at Stein with an eyebrow raised.
"Am I missing something, Stein?" Walter asked. In response, Kid shrieked "What's wrong with
you?! Why aren't you wearing glasses like a regular human being?! Why isn't there another soldier to follow you?!"
"I beg your pardon, young man?" Walter asked, clearly confused at the boy's antics. Stein sighed in annoyance. This wasn't how he'd hoped the first contact would go.
"Kid is a student at the DWMA, and one of our most powerful fighters. However, he suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder with symmetry. Asymmetrical things upset him." The doctor tapped his glasses. "It's the monocle, and the fact that there are seven of you."
The barest hint of a grin twitched at the corner of Walter's mouth. "When Sir Integra requested you bring the best colleagues, I think she was expected more…" he looked past Stein at the still on the ground Kid. "…mature associates would travel with you."
"You would know kids are the best fighters. And you would also know that the best killers have the strangest of quirks."
With the combined efforts of Liz and Patty, Kid was able to get through the fit and back on his feet. "Who wears monocles nowadays? They're ridiculous!" he muttered to himself, dusting himself off.
Walter looked at Stein. "Obstinate subordinates are a handful, aren't they?" he stated, sounding worse for wear. Without waiting for Stein to respond, he continued, "The meeting is about to start, and you need to come with me."
Walter turned to head towards a small metal shed, the size of a car port. The soldiers waited until the DWMA group passed and strategically placed themselves around the teenagers.
Spirit lagged behind a few steps so he could walk alongside Maka. "Don't worry, baby. Daddy's here to protect you," he whispered.
Maka glared at her father. "I'm not scared!" she lied. The mercenaries made her nervous, almost as bad as witches and demons. Perhaps it was because these men were cold-blooded killers, just like the monsters she and Soul hunted together.
Spirit gave her a look of a kicked puppy. "Maka, baby, why can't you give me a chance?!"
"You used all those up every time you cheated on Mom. Go away!"
Spirit fell to the back of the group and stayed there, staring at his feet the whole time walking.
Stein kept up alongside Walter as they came up to the shed. "Walter, why did you meet us? I thought escorts feel under Captain Nathan's duties."
"Normally, yes. Seven days ago, Hellsing headquarters was attacked by a pair of vampires named the Valentine brothers. They brought with them an army of trained and armed ghouls. Sir Integra and I were the only survivors."
Stein's face changed in surprise. "An attack on Hellsing? That's a very bold idea."
"It was a very bold mistake," Walter answered, his professional persona shifting aside for a moment for a personal one. Anger tinged his soul. "One for which we will make them pay dearly."
Most of the men of the Round Table Conference came from a wide range of background experience, but almost all had many years of dealing with the Occult under their belts.
However, it was obvious to the only female member of the conference, Sir Integra Hellsing, that these experienced old men were…uncomfortable. And it was not because they were in the presence of the Royal Head of England.
It was the man before her, dressed in red, with flowing black hair, blood red eyes, and very sharp canines, that made them increasingly nervous.
Of course, they tried to play it off, but Sir Integra could see it in their shifting eyes and tapping fingers; it was their general body language that gave them away.
All except Maxwell, the man in charge of Iscariot XIII; he just had an air of complete disgust around his person. He really did not want anything to do with "English Problems" but if the Nazi group Millennium was really behind the recent string of unholy FREAK attacks, he had no choice but to attend and help-orders were orders, after all.
"You're looking quite beautiful, your Majesty," Alucard purred, grinning.
"And you vampire, still so beautiful after so many years," she sighed. "Time has not been kind to one of us."
"Lying won't gain more flattery from me, your Grace," the vampire countered.
Sir Integra wanted to roll her eyes, but restrained herself. Funny how Alucard could tear his enemies limb from limb, them come here and flatter a woman so thoroughly. She almost believed he meant his words. However, she had seen the look he gained from killing, and believed nothing else brought him such joy.
Alucard stood ready to deliver his report about the recent events in South America, with his sire Seras and the mercenary Captain Bernadette silently standing off to the side. Sir Integra wondered if Stein was actually going to show up on time. The screwy headed man had a bad habit of being late….
"Sir, they've arrived," Walter whispered in her ear. He had materialized behind her without a sound. Sir Integra almost jumped; luckily Alucard's frequent comings and goings through walls had trained her body to not jump when frightened.
"Thank God," she sighed to herself. "He was on time, for once."
"They're being processed now, Mum," he said, and straightened up.
"They?" she whispered back. A sinking feeling filled her stomach, which was already knotted up considering she was the one who had called the meeting, her first.
A sigh from Walter caught her ear. "Stein brought some….students with him. Seven teenagers and another man came with him."
Integra didn't speak, but her fingers clenched slightly, digging her nails into the wooden table before her. Anger replaced her nervous condition. "I will kill him after the conference!" she hissed.
Walter listened to the earpieces tucked discreetly in his left ear. "Mum, they're clean."
At the same point, Maxwell coughed. "We are supposed to be having a discussion about the recent South American incidents and irregular FREAK attacks, are we not?" Murmurs of assent agreed with the Vatican agent. The other men waited to get the meeting started as well.
"My apologies everyone," Sir Integra said smoothly, not a hint of anger or annoyance tainted her tone. "Before we start, I wish to explain a new development has occurred."
"Development?" asked Sir Irons, the President of the Round Table Council. He took a stern tone with Integra, as though they didn't have time for such nonsense.
"I've had a specialist brought in to address the Council on the matters-at-hand," she said as calmly as possible. "He's an expert in the field of Occult Technology and various black magics."
"Sir Hellsing!" barked Sir Penwood, an overweight nervous man who seemed terrified of kittens as much as the dark creatures his group attacked. "This conference is focused on British matters; we do not need an outsider telling us useless information we already know."
"I promise, Council members, he comes in good faith. If the nefarious doings recently are in fact due to the Millennium Organization, then we are dealing with an enemy with connections that stretch across the globe. One outside source should even the odds, should they not?"
Alucard narrowed his eyes at his Master, a twitch playing on his lips. Did Integra really bring him here…? This will be most interesting to see! Stein and I have business to finish.
"Outsiders bring security risks," another man, General Walsh, head of Security. "With the Queen here, it can't be risked."
Surprising his employer, Walter spoke up. "They've been cleared through security. I personally know the specialist. He is not a security threat. However, he and his party have cleared all the checkpoints without incident."
A few moments of silence followed as the other members spoke amongst themselves, deciding on whether to let Stein in.
Sir Irons cleared his throat, making his decision. "We'll allow it this time, Sir Hellsing. Bring in your 'expert.'"
Walter disappeared to bring in the group waiting to enter to the conference. As the butterflies in her stomach turned to violent waves of nervousness, Sir Integra could only hope that she wasn't making a huge mistake bringing him here.
*Captain Nathans is the main character in my other short story, A True Soldier of Hellsing. Please give that a read as well to see just how BA a character he is!
A/N: I'm so sorry for this delay! I know it's been two years since I've updated this story, and for those waiting for this update, I appreciate your patience. College and a full-time job kept me away from my story, but I also must admit it was nerves. I was afraid I had bitten off more than I could chew with this story. However, my goal is to finish this story within the next few months. Thanks for reading and I promise not to delay this another two years!
