I do not own Hellsing - but I do like to write about it.
Alucard sat in the Directors chair and looked out of the study window. The moon was full and beautiful tonight.
It soothed him, and this was good for he needed soothing.
Something was amiss. He felt it in his gut, he knew it as he knew himself. He'd missed something - or to put it more accurately; something had happened that been so cleverly disguised that he'd overlooked it.
It was Integra's doing, of this he was sure. He admired her cleverness but was equally infuriated by it. She was late now – her 'meeting' had taken far longer than he'd ever known one of those meetings to last. Walter had told him that a meeting could last indefinitely but Alucard was no fool, people had to sleep at some point and those old men on the council needed it more desperately than others!
He sighed and closed his eyes, letting his head fall back against the head rest and he allowed his mind to wander back over all these last few days and all that had happened.
The rape, the killings, the deals, the arguments, the weakness, the threats, the promises, the madness… His head hurt from trying to process it, for it had all seemed to happen so quickly and yet things seemed to be moving so slowly.
Making his new plans for how the mansion would work and how he and Integra would work around each other to hopefully ease this mistrust was another problem; he wanted Integra more than he'd ever wanted a woman before in his life or undeath, but he also needed revenge, he needed to have that satisfaction even more that he needed blood, for only that revenge would give him closure and release from all this madness.
If he abandoned his path of revenge now then it would all have been for nothing; he had to see this thing through to the end now.
But although he had the fortitude to see it through to the end it seemed that he had managed to gain very little so far despite all his cleverness and all the power at his disposal.
A memory stirred; an old man standing over him in a graveyard. Those cold eyes looking down at him… 'She will never be yours Count!' the words made his gut tighten and his teeth clench, the muscles in his face bunched angrily as a scowl crossed his face.
Part of him was so sick of having to play these damn appeasement games but another part of him – an older and wiser part – knew it was necessary, he could not change Integra's mind or heart by force.
But right now it all made him feel so uncertain about what to do and that made him feel like he was somehow weakened. He felt vulnerable.
For a fleeting moment he felt as though once again that he was the hunted party seeking some sort of refuge from his pursuers…
He rose from the chair with a sneer and turned to look out the window. This was ridiculous - he was letting himself get carried away! He could take this miserable island by force if he wished to! He had the power – he could enslave and enforce his will upon this population if he chose; he'd done it before.
But…. not now. It wasn't that he couldn't do it - far from it for it would be all too easy! But that was the problem, it would be too easy - It would be boring, like playing an old game that he'd learned long ago how to win.
Besides, he had made a promise and he actually intended to keep it to her this time. He'd sworn he would look after England's interests so long as Integra remained loyal to their agreement and he would do this.
For what was love if one could not compromise after all?
He wanted to show her he could still keep his word if it suited him to; he'd proven he could be cruel and manipulative, but he wanted to show her he could also still be trusted and be generous to her as well.
This appeasement game he was playing was a kind of… courtesy to her.
It made him smile to think it in that way; oh yes, 'courtesy' sounded better than 'appeasement' to him, it sounded better off his tongue.
Appeasement deals were poor choices to make at best, appeasement deals was the political version of buying friendship. It was shameless at the very best and considered a sign of weakness at the very worst – and it was so easily exploited once one of the parties got the upper hand which was why it was so deplorable.
Alucard usually sneered at any form of appeasement; two men could not live together in one room without one of them trying to enforce his will upon the other sooner or later. It was nature.
But in this case he was making an exception for Integra; he was not a man. He was a monster. But his honoured Master was a proud woman and he wanted her to realise that he was not without thought or respect for her regardless of his former treatment towards her.
But still, he sneered at the prospect of more political games; politics were not his game unless it was a totalitarian arrangement and it was him that was calling the shots. Politics was always so much easier back in my day – I make sure people understood who they were dealing with and then I persuaded them to be plain with me in return. I told those I ruled to be good and to behave in a Christian manner and if they didn't then they were impaled. If an enemy came to my land and threatened what was mine I left them impaled.
He was a decisive man, a sharp minded individual who preferred bold dramatic solutions over peaceful and carefully managed agreements that were so easily broken or twisted to suit the others whims.
Democracy he thought snidely when all people have the right to have a say what they please and have an opinion on any matter; the dynamics of a new world order are made through such means so everyone thinks they are winning… it's a wonder anything is accomplished! Give me the relationship of the wolf ruling over the sheep over so-called 'equality' any day!
And to think I wanted to rule this all so badly one hundred years ago… I wanted to rule this little island and everyone on it and make it my new kingdom.
If something displeased me in court, or I found a problem between my subjects where I couldn't decide the truth of the matter I threated to impale both of them to be sure I got the right one, which was always a good way to get them to settle the matter quickly and make up their minds about what was really important and who was right before they bothered me with the issue.
Impalement for treachery if you broke my rules… impalement for failing me if you ran away or disobeyed my commands… impalement for defying me if you dared to stand again me.
In return for your lives I made sure you knew exactly where you stood and what you were allowed to have; you were allowed to live however I said you were, and no one ever disagreed with me… small wonder why that was… heh.
He smiled in recollection Hmm. Compared to this new world where people can tell you the truth and somehow still manage to deceive you with it; when one word that I say can mean its exact opposite if I happened to say it under certain circumstances… well, my way seems more honest by comparison, doesn't it?
He smiled softly at the irony that settling things with death by impalement should seem preferable to settling things with words. He opened his eyes as the simple world he recalled in his head faded and this new complicated world came into view.
He nodded decisively; he had made up his mind. Playing by Integra's rules, the new rules, and trying to appease all the parties was getting them nowhere; it was time to lay down the rules and then play for keeps – just like he used to when he was a human.
He had a bargaining chip; those mercenaries were arriving tonight. They'd be here very soon in fact. He would have Walter call her and inform her she would return to the manor immediately or he would call her bluff and their business arrangement would be off and all those people would be on the line. If she returned with a credible story that he bought then she would have proven Walter's story correct and his suspicions unfounded, and for this he would reward her.
But if not, or if she did not return…
He smirked at that option.
Well, if she does that then to hell with negotiation and equal say! Democracy may have its say once I take my foot off its head!
He turned to the door and it opened outwards at his mental bidding, he stepped out into the passage and called out for his old friend.
"Walter! I have need of you!"
-
Integra was sat when Enrico Maxwell entered the room. She looked up at the Italian Priest and then behind him.
Her eyes widened at what she saw looming in the doorway behind the Thirteenth Chapters leader and spokesperson.
Oh no… she thought.
Standing in the doorway was the Vatican's top agent – the 'Paladin' himself, Father Alexander Anderson. His reputation preceded him – 'Dust-to-dust Anderson', 'Bayonette Anderson', 'Off-with-it's-head Anderson' – the names fit the man who believed that if you were to kill in the name of God then the world would slip back into its rightful place
He had a killers reputation and a zealots fanatical devotion to his faith – in short, the man was dangerous, hard to argue with and completely unstable if you made him think you were his enemy.
The sight of him made Integra's head reel with panic and distress but she refused to let it show on her face – Maxwell had brought Anderson to England, but this mean he knew that Alucard was their intended target, or was it just a chance decision to try an intimidate the members of the Round Table Conference?
She had to know the truth.
"It's good to finally have you here Father Maxwell," she rose and walked around the table to him "but tell me, were you expecting trouble?" she asked of the fair skinned silver haired man.
Enrico smiled mysteriously beneath hooded violet eyes "Perhaps I was Sir Hellsing. In a land of heathens, who can say where is truly safe for a true man of God to walk alone?"
Integra didn't let his insult affect her, but it instantly decided for her that she would make this conversation as short as she could and leave when possible. The man was insufferable at the best of times, and today she was not feeling tolerant!
"Perhaps Father Anderson would be so good as to wait outside? This is a confidential meeting." She advised the Vatican agent.
Maxwell looked amused at that "Please Integra, do not insult me. Anderson is a man of the church, if there is one thing he knows how to do it's to keep confidential matters a secret." He emphasised the last word with a smirk.
Integra glared at him and then turned her gaze to Anderson who glowered back at her. Well, at least the taller man was someone who she could trust to simply laugh at her folly before he ran off to kill the 'hell spawn' that was his enemy; Enrico Maxwell was too clever by half to be trusted not to serve his own ends once he knew what was at stake here.
She sighed. She would sooner not have either of these freaks here. But it could not be helped. John Islands rose and headed around the table with Shelby Penwood to greet their guests.
"Father Maxwell" The chairman greeted the Iscariot leader "Welcome to England. I trust the journey was pleasant?"
Enrico shrugged "It was fine Sir. But if you would be so kind, I am somewhat fatigued by having to travel so hastily – might we get down to business?"
John and Shelby agreed this was for the best and headed back for their chairs. As he walked past her Integra felt Islands lightly push her to encourage her not to cause a scene and follow their example.
She forced a smile and sat down.
"So" Maxwell began lightly "England call's for the Vatican to assist them. I assume the situation must be a desperate one to call upon us?" he deliberately looked at Integra as he said that last part.
Islands smiled "Is it so strange for allies to call upon each other for aid in times of need Father Maxwell?"
Enrico looked pointedly at Integra again "It is a strange thing when one of you is so obviously against us being here. Tell me truthfully, why did you call upon us today?"
Integra did not speak. She would not give this man the satisfaction of hearing her failure from her own lips; but Penwood was able to step in in this instance.
"Well, put simply, there is trouble on Englands shore that we can't deal with without your aid. Vampire trouble."
For the first time the Judas Priest made a comment. The seven foot tall giant gave a snort of derision and spoke in a low mocking tone "Aye? 'Vampire trouble' is it? Weel ah'll no' be aidin' any of you filthy protestants withoot sufficient cause tae do so – let yer playschool Hellsing tak' care of 'em!"
Integra felt a surge of warmth; this was what she needed! If Anderson continued like this then there would be no need for negotiation - they would simply inform the Pope that his servants were being unreasonable and he could enforce his subjects to honour the treaty without negotiation.
Go on Anderson, keep it up! she thought with a hidden smile.
But Maxwell was ahead of her and he cut in "Anderson, please! We are all friends here are we not?" he smiled to let them know he felt nothing of the sort, but was prepared to pretend to be so "These… gentlemen called us here for a reason. The least we can do is hear them out, yes…?"
Islands sighed and Integra felt her heart go cold as he revealed all… she was fortunately spared the revelation to her enemy that she had been raped in the process of her servants betrayal but it was besides the point. Her failure cut like a knife.
As Maxwell listened to it all, a sick smile crossed his face. He covered it up with a sympathetic expression and made the right noises of shock and outrage but the glee remained within his eyes, a mad twinkle that reflected the joy he must be feeling that his enemy had blundered so badly and delivered him an opportunity of a lifetime to bring her down!
-
"Hmm. I see." Enrico considered the story with a false consideration but inside he was laughing his head off; this was too perfect! To think that Sir Integra would have blundered so fatally!
"Well, I think it goes without saying that Sir Integra definitely needs our help in this…" he stroked his elegant chin thoughtfully and pursed his lips
"But unfortunately it is unheard of for us to relieve heathens, even from the Devils clutches!"
He smiled at their reaction and allowed his words to do their damage before he continued "But perhaps…"
"Yes?" the large man - Sir Penwood was it? - spoke up with a desperate edge to his voice. The man was a craven, thought Father Maxwell, but this was to his advantage.
"Perhaps an arrangement might be made? I do not expect you to come around to the true way of Faith, which naturally would be my fondest desire, but perhaps you have something else in mind to persuade me to take pity upon you…?"
"Well, it just so happens that we have something in mind-" Islands began. As he started to say it however, a servant intervened and whispered into his ear.
"Oh?" the elderly gentleman asked of his servant, after a few more words and a pointed look towards her the gentleman waved him away.
"Sir Integra? You have a phone call. Your servant Walter wishes to speak with you."
Maxwell watched her go and shrugged.
"Go on." He encouraged the chairman.
Integra hid her surprise and excused herself, what the hell was this? Walter had never intervened upon a meeting before and especially not when it had considered matters of state!
She picked up the receiver from the waiting servant and shoed him away.
"Hello?" she asked.
-
Walter stood in front of the desk, Alucard looking at him evenly. Even without knowing the man who was his audience he could tell that Alucard was looking for answers. His suspicions had been first aroused by Alucards strange request to listen in on the conversation.
To refuse him had been unthinkable; and yet…
"Hello?" his Lady and Master asked upon the receiving end of the phone line.
"Ah, my Lady. Excellent." Walter gushed "You are requested to return by a…" he considered what to dub Alucard with the consideration that others might be listening in on their conversation "*ahem*your 'guest' requests that you return, he is most anxious to see you safely home."
There was no hidden message there; Alucard was beginning to tire of her duplicitous nature and he was telling her to return to the manor where he could keep an eye on her.
"I don't suppose he can wait for my business to be concluded?" she asked him. He filled with an almost fatherly pride at how she conducted herself on the telephone; she didn't seem in the least bit fazed and her voice betrayed nothing but the slightest touch of annoyance.
To anyone listening, or indeed anyone watching, it would seem that she truly was the Master of her household.
Walter spared a glance at the Count. Alucard had excellent ears; he could certainly hear their exchange upon the phone line.
"I fear not my Lady, he's in something of a mood. Perhaps you would care to talk with him? I've no doubt he knows what we're saying anyway…" it was a poor way to tell his Lady that Alucard was eves dropping, but he had to try and tell her or he was putting her at a greater risk than he could make up for.
"Very well Walter, put him on." came her tired response. He was surprised but he handed it over dutifully to the vampire who seemed almost as surprised as he was.
-
"Integra?" her former servant sounded pleasant enough over the phone. She considered how to conduct this matter… should she shout or was this the time to be diplomatic?
"Good evening, my Servant." she greeted him.
"Good evening my Lady." Came the polished response "Tell me Integra, do your meetings usually last this long?"
She smiled "They last as long as they have to Alucard. Is something the matter?"
"The mercenaries will be here soon. I expected you would have to be here to greet them; after all, you are their employer."
Integra didn't even blink at that. She was well aware of the arrival of the mercenaries, but it hardly mattered – after all, they were going to be his men at any rate. She was just the glorified coin purse.
"I don't have to see them the second they arrive. Set them up, billet them and offer them something to eat. They might take the news of their chosen duty and profession better with a full stomach."
Alucard chuckled on the other end.
"Is something funny Servant?" she asked him.
"I have simply missed being ordered around by you."
The response mentally floored her, but she fumbled to regain control of herself "Yes, well we can discuss that when I return can't we?"
"You're returning? I was beginning to think that you were trying to avoid coming back."
Integra smiled "Alucard, I come and go within my own household as I please." She informed him.
There was a pause, then Alucard spoke again and she could hear the smile upon his face "I understand my Master. As you please, so be it. Walter will come with the car when you wish to return, and I shall see to the mercenary's myself until you return to take charge."
"Good." She put the phone down and considered all that she had just heard, the monster was apparently tame tonight and in the mood to be generous.
If she returned now then she might yet be able to negotiate with Alucard and avoid Iscariot all together… she almost laughed at herself as she realised what she was thinking, oh God in heaven this was insane! She'd risked all to get out and she'd lost her pride to call her help and now she was seriously giving thought to returning just because Alucard seemed in a friendly mood…? What the hell was the matter with her!
What was Alucard's angle here? Was he simply deceiving her with those comments or was he actually being serious?
She bit her lip and tried to work it out…
A door opened and the worried face of Shelby Penwood approached her "Sir Integra?" he asked her softly "Is something the matter?"
Integra looked at him and smiled "A complication Sir." she replied "… It seems I will have to return to my manor tonight after all."
"What?" the large man gaped at her "But…! But you told us that that monster held you captive there! If you were to return then who will stop him from-"
Integra glared at him sharply "They will." She nodded to the room he'd come from "That's why I called them here. But there are things happening back at my home and I can't ignore them; if I do then we offer Alucard more advantages to exploit us with. Knowledge is power Sir, and I must know what it happening back at my Organisation if I am to prepare against it."
Penwood seemed punctured at her words and he tried one last time "Sir... Sir Integra, I am begging you in the name of my friendship with your father and your household, Sir please do not return there without support! I can offer a detachment of troops, weapons, anything you need but don't leave us without first considering the danger you'll be walking in to!"
She looked up into the eyes of the man before her. He had large worried eyes that suited his chubby face. The man was a poor choice to be leading the Armed Forces but no one could fault him for saying he did not care about the welfare of others.
This man was troubled by this situation, which was so dire and alien to them all. These men were unused to fighting monsters and losing their only reliable expert in the field was certainly cause for panic…
"Very well Sir." She agreed "I shall stay for a little while longer and we'll see what we can arrange that will satisfy your concerns for my health as well as my fears about dealing with Father Maxwell. But I must return soon, and I will leave it to you to inform Sir Islands and Father Maxwell of why I have to go when I do."
"I can't persuade you to reconsider this madness? I do not trust that man!" the man was scared of Maxwell and what he represented. He knew he was beaten in this attempt to make her change her mind, she could see it in his eyes, but she still thanked him for his efforts and she admitted he had a point about Maxwell. She was glad she was not the only one.
She smiled at him softly "Sir, you represent England and you have Her Majesties authority with you. If Father Maxwell is unreasonable you have only to remind him of this and it will give him pause. As for myself, you have known me since I was a little girl - when have you ever been able to persuade me of anything I didn't want to do?"
Penwood gave her a tired smile "Yes, I thought you'd say something like that…" he sighed and wiped his nervous brow "and I suppose I should be used to you making outrageous demands of me by now too." he grumbled.
Her smile broadened at his reaction "Come Sir. They'll be waiting for us." She offered her arm to her old friend "We mustn't dawdle; I have things to arrange back home and it seems I have a lot to do here before I can go."
-
Alucard put the receiver down and looked up at Walter… the old man was hiding something well, but he'd caught a flicker of alarm during his conversation with Integra.
"Worried about Integra my old friend?" he asked the butler.
Walter smiled "Of course not Alucard. It's the prospect of having to billet so many strangers which gives me cause for concern."
He smiled at that "You hired them." He reminded the butler "they are 'the best' according to your synopsis."
"Yes, but 'the best' does not mean I trust them yet. It's a lot to ask of a man to do his duty when monsters are the ones you're fighting."
Alucard's eyes narrowed "Is that a hint?" he growled.
Walter looked at him sternly "As a man who's known you since he was a boy you can take it however you like, old friend."
"Well now! There's an old line, I recall you used to like it when I took things however you liked as a boy."
The butler had the grace to blush and Alucard grinned.
"I was very young and at the time I thought you were a girl. Things change." Walter replied.
Alucard sighed and rose "Walter in my experience the more things change the more they stay the same. It's the same old song, it's just being played a little differently."
Walter thought about it and shrugged "I have things to get on with." He excused himself.
Alucard watched him go. He wished that Walter were on his side, the man was such a puzzle. Older and wiser in mind and body and yet at heart he was always that same fiery little boy who refused to be ignored when he had something to say.
Butlering had made Walter different over the years but deep down…
Alucard smiled. The more things change, the more they stay the same. It was even so with a man like Walter.
An idea began to form in the vampires mind… but it was the ghost of a plan. He needed more time to think upon it, and in the meanwhile he had mercenaries to deal with.
Speaking thus of soldiers, where was Seras…?
He felt her out with his mind and it touched hers. She sensed him and something within her reached back out to him.
He smiled and took himself to her through shadows and darkness until he was stood before her.
"Seras. We have company later." He informed her.
She nodded dutifully "Yes Master." She replied.
"I will have need of you then. It is time to learn another thing about being a vampire."
Seras looked surprised and Alucard put his hand on the small of her back and offered for her to join him on a walk. As Master and fledgling walked side by side through the manor the elderly vampire explained himself to her.
"Men see what they desire in all things, and so do women – this is what I call seeing with your heart. As vampires we are more than human, and we are also much less. We forget how to see things with our hearts over time and we learn how to see with our heads instead."
Seras was surprised "We forget how to see with our… heart?" she sounded sad and a little fearful of that.
Alucard looked uncertain of how say what he wanted to but he attempted it "Seras… there are many good reasons for a vampire to stop feeling like a human. Trust me on this. Trying to hold onto your humanity is futile and very..."
"Foolish?" she echoed his usual words with a hint of bitterness.
"I was going to say 'painful'. I do understand your reasons for clinging onto your humanity, I only tell you to abandon it to make it easier for you when the time comes." Alucard rebuked her "In the end Seras, we are what we are and what we are is monsters."
You know from experience, don't you Master Seras thought with a small level of pity for him You're a monster, true. You can do it all; you can kill without mercy, you can act without pity, you can do all the things that make you a monster without a hint of regret. But that just makes you scary.
I've seen the rest. I've heard the way you speak about Integra and Walter. I've heard you shouting in your room and raging at people from your past. You still can't forget how to feel like a human can you Master? It's always there in the memories that haunt you and me around to remind you of what you once were, and that's why you're the way you are now.
Alucard glared angrily at her "Don't be so quick to judge me, little Seras. You know nothing of my past."
She blushed s she realised her thoughts were as clear to him as though she had said it out loud "M- master! Forgive me, I didn't-"
"It doesn't matter." He interrupted her "Perhaps you have a point Seras. I do dwell on my past and regret my choices, and if that isn't a human quality then I don't know what is."
He sighed and looked up "A beautiful night tonight. Seras, make yourself presentable for the mercenaries. I want to use every advantage I can."
She gaped at him in confusion, every advantage? What the hell did that mean? What did he mean by 'presentable' too?
He turned around and looked at her coolly "I mean what I said Seras. Dress up in your finest – you represent me and our Master's organisation to this bunch of men." He grinned shamelessly at her "and I want them to want what they've been offered, you can do this can't you?"
Seras was blushing now "You want me to dress up… for them?"
Alucard's grin vanished "I can make it an order Seras. Dress up however it pleases you, but understand my reasons; you are a beautiful young woman, but you are much more than you appear to be. This is also true for this household these days. We all still say we're the Master of this and the Servant of that, but we're none of us what we pretend we still are, and to think otherwise would be a fools mistake. Things have changed now and so will you, so go and take off that soldiers uniform and put on something that will make them stare. People are easier to read, when you can look into their eyes."
He grinned at the expression on her face and he walked away from her to make it clear that the conversation was done.
Seras groaned and reluctantly she turned and headed back to her room to find something appropriate that might manage to meet what her Master expected of her without making her look like meat to the dogs of war that were coming here tonight.
She hoped Sir Integra came back soon, things were getting weird around here.
Well there we are, another update.
I'd really appreaciate feedback as once again this was a hard chap to write (I've noticed now that its getting harder to write even though I actually know where I want to take this story, isn't that odd? I must have re written half of this three times before I was happy enough to put it up for reading!)
Anyway, next chap we see Pip Bernadotte and the Geese come into play. How will they react to this new Hellsing where Alucard and Intgra are fighting for leadership? And who will the ginger haired merc follow in the end?
I'd love to hear feedback on this as well, second opinions are always useful and I really want to hear as much as I can about this point as it is one of the parts I'm really looking forward to writing.
Thank you to all who've reviewed so far - its been really great hearing what you think of my fic! It's really flattering. Thank you again.
