I do not own Hellsing nor do I have any interests in it save for pleasure.


Authors Note:

- Italics are thoughts. "sent or projected thoughts."

-/is in Romanian/ /projected thoughts in Romanian /

-Bold words are with emphasis not necessarily yelled or shouted


56 Chop Shop


All funerals were sad, somber occasions but this one was somber and uncomfortable. Goldilocks was not well known. Those of Tabby's playgroup knew her and were there, though some took convincing to show up; everyone here knew how she died. They knew Goldi had been reckless at best and gotten herself killed. Everyone was glad that the mother of the deceased was not upset with the closed casket funeral and that she had accepted that she did not need to see the body of her daughter. They had yet to recover all of Goldi's body parts. The thing of it, when she died she was one of them. So everyone converged on the chosen place for the wake to pay their final respects to her; as little as any of them had. People were here for her family. The family had no idea of the truth of Goldi's death. There was none would ever tell them the truth. The assembled crew were there for Tabby. Many had never met Tabby all they knew was how those who did know her felt. Tabby unlike Goldi was well liked, she was like a little sister to everyone. It was just easy to like her.

"Pardon me, Countess?" A sad and frail woman asked as she came up behind Blaze. Walter had seen the woman approach and had warned Blaze so she would not jump. Blaze was having a quick mental chat with Alucard.

"Yes, ma'am what can I do for you?" Blaze asked kindly, she knew this was Goldilocks mum and that her world had been shattered by the death of her daughter.

"Oh Countess Ashton, I wanted to thank you for all of this." The woman smiled. "I know my daughter could be a pain and she was willful." She shook her head. "When I ask anyone here about my daughter they all say 'she was one of us.' I wanted to thank you for giving her that. My daughter was always odd and giving her this sense of belonging meant the world to her." She curtseyed to Blaze. "When the letter from the Queen herself was read it made me so proud, to hold the letter here in my hand ... well it means everything."

"Lady, you daughter worked under dangerous conditions. She died testing a theory and a barrier. It takes a certain type of person to do what she did." Blaze smiled at the woman and took her hand. "Never forget that your daughter had her own personality and a unique way about her. I doubt anyone could have done quite what she did in the way she did it."

"Indeed, it is spoken about here quite a bit." Walter nodded working hard to not burst out laughing as he wanted to help comfort the woman.

"Little One you are amazing." Alucard laughed mentally to Blaze.

"I speak only the truth." Blaze reminded him. "I hope we have not overstepped. We wanted to be sure you had all the support we could provide." Blaze then said to the mother of the deceased Goldilocks.

"No you have not overstepped." She shook her head. "I am glad for the support and information. I will not betray this organization of the Queen. I have been given many ways to skirt the truth of my daughter's death without revealing anything. We in my family will be well."

"I am glad to hear it all. Do not think you will be abandoned. We keep supporting the family's of our fallen people." Blaze smiled. Especially when we are sure the family wants to brag to one and all of their daughter's evolvement in a secret branch of Her Royal Majesty's agencies."Never you worry, we will not leave you to face things entirely alone. We look out for one another, sometimes in the unlikeliest of place's, times and ways."

Thirteen watched it all unfold in front of her. It was the first funeral she had witnessed here at Hellsing. she was impressed by it all, especially as she knew what everyone thought of the dead girl. "Lady Seras is this what happens for all funerals?"

"Yes and no. Usually funeral and the rest is held on the estate, and normally the person is more well known. Problems for us usually leave before they become a liability. We never had the chance to right Goldi's ways or to shake her out. So we go through all the motions we know we need to. Yes, we do all of these things that are like a normal funeral but this one is different." Seras shrugged not able to further explain. She looked up at Alucard to help.

"Indeed." Alucard nodded. "There is a tenseness here that is unusual. It is something we do for the parents and for Tabitha because a death is hard on leaders. The rest of us couldn't care less about the deceased. In this way it is different. When you are witness to a real funeral you will understand Thirteen."

"Unfortunately there will be a time when you will be forced to bear witness to a death of that caliber. When you are, even if you have no real knowledge of the one who died your heart will break. Unfortunately someday you will understand." Seras sighed. "It is true many of us worry for Tabby, she seems to be taking it well but, well I wonder where her parents are."


Father Anderson and Sister Joan walked into the office of Father Anderson's friend. "Father Bill t'as been too long." Anderson smiled warmly at the elderly man. "No do ye stand." He said worried. Again Anderson reflected on his own age as he watched this man he had known in Father Bill's younger years.

"I am not so old I cannot stand in order to welcome a friend." Father Bill smiled as he gingerly stood. "I see you have a new companion Alexander. Hello sister. Please call me Father Bill just like they all do." He smiled warmly.

"I would be pleased to Father Bill." Sister Joan smiled. "Please may I pour out the tea?" She asked realizing that with age there had not just come the expected ailments to body and mind but she could tell the man had lost much of his sight to the milky cataracts that showed over his eyes.

"Well once again you have a lovely companion." Father Bill smiled as he sat down.

"Aye she's a blessin' tat's a fact, old friend." Anderson said as he helped the old Priest sit down again. "T'as been too long between visits." He said as he too sat.

"None of that sadness and definitely no pity out of you Anderson. I have had a good life blessed many times over. I also plan to be here to tend these unruly lads a while longer." Father Bill nodded with a cheeky smile.

"Well I believe ye!" Anderson smiled and laughed as did Sister Joan.

"Sister Joan will you come here and sit to the left of me please?" Father Bill asked quietly. "I will do all I can to hear you laugh again many times today." He said sadly.

"Bill why did ye want us here so badly today?" Anderson asked hearing the sadness in his friends voice as he nodded to Sister Joan who went and sat to the left of Father Bill.

"Because today is my birthday, and my yearly visitor will not be here this time." Father Bill said as a tear slid down his elderly face caught in the deep wrinkles earned over the years. "Oh many others have come by already today in her place but sill none are her." He sighed as if the weight of his years suddenly sat on him.

"Oh Father Bill." Sister Joan whispered. She took her handkerchief and wiped away the tear hoping she had not overstepped.

"Thank you Sister." He smiled.

"Who is this woman ye miss so?" Anderson asked shocked.

"Oh my little Spitfire." Father Bill laughed. "She had such a tragic life before she came here. She was a tough as any of the lads and she made sure they all knew it!" He shook his head. "She was in here every day because of fights I swear. So many told me to send her away but I had known her father, he was a good man. I could not send his daughter away." Father Bill reached for his tea and Sister Joan handed it to him.

"M' friend I'm sorry." Anderson said with real sorrow. "We all have t'ose ones." He shook his head. "Right now we have our Timothy. Will ye tell us of her and why today's so hard?"

"Yes I will." Father Bill nodded. "Her father was a good man as I said a proper copper they called him." He laughed. "It was a horrible way to die, poor Spitfire saw it all. She saw her parents killed her mum's dead body violated." He nodded to Sister Joan when she gasped. "Yes Sister, I speak the truth. She even tried to save her mum or something, stuck a fork in one of the evil man's eye. She was shot for her trouble."

"Dear Lord." Father Anderson sighed and crossed himself. "How any can do such wicked acts." He swallowed and shook his head. "And tae lass survived it?" He said in wonder.

"Oh yes she did. For it she had earned a rage. I had never seen so much anger in a person. The rage would erupt whenever she saw a lad even tease a girl. It would happen at other times too." Father bill shook his head.

"One can imagine why." sister Joan said as she freshened everyone's cup of tea.

"Oh yes, she could be wild, but she was also the most tender of hearts, a lad she could kick the snot out of in a moment but any creature great or small had nothing to fear. I caught her crying over a baby bird that had fallen from the nest and died." He smiled. "It was then I knew she was a good one. From that day on I knew I would never give her up nor would I give up one her, and I didn't." Father Bill shook his head as his smile broadened. "She was my best success. Spitfire would come here even after she was old enough to leave. She became a copper like her da. She was a good one too, a police girl, she hated it when I called her that." He laughed. "She would come around and talk to the kids several times a year. Not a few went to academy and on to wear their own badges because of her influence."

"She sounds like one of Tae Lord's most special angels." Father Anderson smiled and sipped his tea. He worried and hurt for his friend.

"Oh she was. Spitfire was." Father Bill sighed. "Every year she would come through that door and sing to me. She knew I love honey cakes so she always brought me one and one for everyone else. Always with the beautiful flowers and her laugh." Father Bill laughed now. "When she laughed with delight it was like a child's. She was one of those you would call a child woman. she saw the beauty and fun in everything. She had eyes of the clearest blue and even after all the evil she had seen in her life they still shone with delight and wonder." He shook his head.

"Father Bill, you say she is gone? She died?" sister Joan asked carefully.

"Yes Sister Joan, she died on a terrible night. It was some great evil that was visited on a small town, all of her squad was killed. A madman posed as a priest and murdered so many. He had helpers who celebrated black masses on holy ground." Father Bill's voice became angry and he clenched his fists. "Those evil madmen took my Spitfire from the world. They say she was one of the last alive. She died protecting the last men, she didn't know there were only corpses." He whispered and sank back in his chair. "They took a bright angel full of good and innocence that this wicked world needs so badly." His hand reached to his right shaking badly.

"Is this her picture?" Anderson asked as he reached out for it. "Let me get it for you my friend." Anderson said gently. He was indignant that one like this woman should be taken from the world that so needed women of innocence and righteousness. "Tae evil ones, tae were caught and brought to justice?" Anderson said as he lifted the silver frame.

"Oh yes, yes they were. I heard not a one of them left that scene alive. The military saw to that. They met the harshest of judgments this world has to offer. A special unit was even called in I have heard." Father Bill said. "She was a great beauty, all the lads watched her to be sure, she died innocent of men though. She promised me she would go to no mans bed but her husband's. Have a look at her Alex."

"I will." Father Anderson said with a smile and turned the frame over; he nearly dropped it. "Is this her?" He asked his throat constricting, his eyes wide with shock. "What was her name?" He asked hoarsely.

"She was officer Seras Victoria. She died in the Cheddar massacre." Father Bill sighed and held is hand out for the picture. "Ye see now why I got that promise from her eh? That is her in her uniform and in a summer dress. She was a modest young woman, so innocent the world is darker for her passing."

"I see." Anderson said looking at the pictures of Seras. Her eyes and smile seemed to be mocking him. "She is quite something from what you say." He said quietly not trusting his own voice as he handed the frame to Father Bill. "A darker place indeed." Dear God! That is the same woman! Tat fiend I know why he went after her. I hate ye even more ye Red Devil. Lass ye need to die for real. Anderson worked to get his emotions under control.

"Pardon me, Father Bill?" a woman asked as she knocked on the door and opened it.

"Yes officer?" Father Bill asked as he squinted.

"I am Officer Harris Father Bill. Please excuse my interruption?"

"Of course officer." Father Bill said with a smile. "These are friends of mine. This is Father Alexander Anderson and Sister Joan. What can we do ... Officer what is it you carry?"

"Father Bill I had heard Officer Victoria speak about you, how much she looked forward to your birthdays. Please Father forgive me if I overstep but ... well she told me what she used to do. I have bright flowers, a honey cake for you and I am horrible at singing but I will happily sing 'Happy Birthday' and 'For He's a Jolly Good Fellow' to you." Officer Harris said as she brought in her gifts. "I just think, well I am sure she would not want you to feel forgotten. Father today, Father are you ok?"

"My dear Officer Harris, you have made me very happy." Father Bill said as he freely let the tears spill from his eyes. "To know that this meant something special to her and she did not see it merely as a duty. It is a great gift. Did you serve with Officer Victoria?"

"Yes sir, Father Bill I have." She nodded. "I see you have guests though. If you like I can come by later to talk but for now it may be best for me to leave you to your guests?"

"Thank you Officer Harris. Please feel free to stop by some time. Go on officer I can tell it is lovely out today. One thing, will you take one of these flowers for Seras?"

"Yes sir I will do that." Officer Harris said as she pulled out a flower. "Pardon me." She smiled to Sister Joan and to Father Anderson's chest.

"Bless ye lass." Father Anderson said quietly. "Ye do tae Lord's work." Anderson nodded to the officer as she left. It sickened him to know that Seras Victoria in her life had done so much good; then to know what had become of her, it made his hatred for Alucard escalate.

"You see what was taken from this world my old friend?" Father Bill said as he sat. "Pleas Sister Joan, will you serve us all some cake?"

"I will be pleased to do so." Sister Joan said as she sat and did so.

"Dear God." Officer Harris breathed as she pulled over her car miles from the orphanage. For a moment she sat in shock blinking. "Dear God, Father Bill..." She shuddered. After a moment she picked up her cell phone and dialed. "Yes Jeff, this is Thirteen. Jeff I just found out something and I am unsure what to do with the information."


Tabby poked at Ruger's nose again as she lay on the couch looking at him. She had two things that ran through her mind. One followed the other in an endless loop. For the first she had just been an observer for the second an active participant. Tabby poked Ruger's foot.

Alucard had stepped out of a shadow and smiled at Seras. "Have I returned soon enough?"

"I suppose so." Seras shrugged.

"You really are a hell cat!" Alucard laughed.

"Where is Mala?" Blaze asked.

"She chose to remain where she was safely away from those who had her. She also had two specific messages to send to you. First you must practice your magic before it consumes you. Second, I am your father." Alucard said looking directly into Blazes eyes. "She said she has realized this before I asked her on it. Little One she knows."

Tabby really did not know quite to make of that information she learned, Tabby had decided last night to simply accept whatever Blaze decided about it, though Tabby really did think it was true. This morning after dreams of Blaze hanging upside down from rafters and changing into a bat she decided that going to bed on an empty stomach as she was thinking hard on something was a bad idea. Tabby flipped over and put Ruger on her stomach and poked his tummy.

Tabby went over again those fateful moments. She was sure that she could not have saved Goldi. The only thing she could have done is not showed the stairs to Goldi at all. At the time though not showing Goldi was not an option. Still Tabby played it over in her mind again and again.

"Hey Tabs, you seem to be getting real chummy with these blokes; getting comfy with all of this." Goldi had said in a challenge.

"Oh get your knickers unbunched Goldilocks." Tabby looked at her. "You haven't seen what is actually down there. We all know Z has done massive to get us all safer. So she got me to actually work under the whole Hellsing thing. If you wanted the job you shoudda gone to Z before when the job was still open. You don't want this gig fine, leave, I won't stop ya." Tabby had been expecting trouble from her; she just wished it had waited.

"So why not let us see what is down there?" Goldilocks sneered.

"Fine, follow me." Tabby had said and walked towards the room that was behind the door. "Heya Jim let us pass please."

"Yes Miss Tabitha." He nodded and took another appraising look at the assorted people with this girl who was left in charge of the site.

"Thanks Jim and please it's just Tabitha." She had smiled at him.

"Right, sorry Tabitha, just need to get used to things." He said as he stepped aside. "All of you going down at once?"

"Probably not the best idea; thanks for the Scooby Jim." She smiled at the man who nodded at her. "Ok Goldilocks and who else needs to see to believe?" Three of the others raised their hands. Tabby wasn't surprised. There had been the rumor of a split coming. "Ok you blokes follow me. The rest stay with Jim please." Tabby smiled and led those who needed to see through the door and down the stairs.

"So I see the wacked out symbols; big deal, looks like they couldn't draw." Goldilocks sneered. "Looks like you are making something out of nothing."

"Maybe, though the wacked out bits seem to be happening in specific areas." Tabby said as she rolled her eyes. Soon they were to the place where everyone stopped. She heard the muttered "holy shite's and I don't believe it's" behind her.

"Ok that is gross. But it would be better if we went down to the platform." Goldilocks said and pushed past everyone.

"Goldi! Wait stop!" Tabby made a grab for the girl after making sure she herself wouldn't fall. There was a soul wrenching scream then blood splattered everywhere. "Oh God." Tabby whispered. It was an endless movie that played again and again in her head. Tabby was lost in her memories and thought. When she was in thought for whatever reason poking Ruger helped her.

"If you keep that up he will not love you for long." Merlin said as he walked into the room amazed at all he saw and even more amazed he had been allowed on the premises.

"Heya Merlin." Tabby sighed as she blinked coming back to this time and place. "Happily Ruger seems to like it, provided I do not poke him too hard." Tabby blinked as she looked up. "Why are you here? We do not ... um how do they say it.... jump until tonight."

"I was invited by the Countess. She is concerned for you. She would have to be to allow me here." Merlin said as he sat in a couch across from Tabby.

"What do you mean? You are a part of the team why wouldn't she allow you here?" Tabby looked at Merlin and blinked again confused.

"You put such faith in the Countess." Merlin shook his head. "Does it not seem odd to you? To be provided with all of this? To be here at Hellsing who until recently had put all of our kind up at the top of their list as dangerous enemies?" He asked exasperated.

"No not at all. Z was one of us before the Hellsing thing. She never wanted this job, it kinda fell on her. She has been making a good life here but she would have been completely content to stay as a Construction Project Manager and raising her sons." Tabby said with a shrug.

"You are serious?" Merlin shook his head. "What kind of magic webs does this woman spin to create this loyalty?" Merlin stood and began to pace. "We were there at the funeral and the wake after it and the men did not care, their care was a sham!" He stopped in front to Tabby. "This is nonsense!" He threw his hands up into the air.

"Nonsense or not you will keep a respectful tongue in your head when you speak of her Spellcaster, most especially when you are in her house." Alucard said curtly as he walked into the room through a wall. "Tabitha forgive my rude behavior just walking in like this; but the Merlin's words woke me." Alucard said with a nod to Tabby his eyes not leaving Merlin's face.

"It's ok Alucard. I know how protective you are of her. I'm a bit surprised Angel and Vic aren't here as well." Tabby said as she sat up on her couch.

"My Lady Victoria still sleeps and if Sir Dornez were to move it would wake My Master. I do not care to have My Master disturbed by this now. She deserves her rest. This is something I can, should, and will deal with." Alucard said as he again turned his attention again to Merlin. "You are pale Merlin, understandably so. You know of me and how very protective I am of my masters."

"One could say that." Merlin nodded now realizing the danger he was likely in. His eyes flicking to Tabby as she stood clutching Ruger to her.

"Understand this, I was protective of My other masters because it was forced on me by the magic that bound me to them." Alucard said staring Merlin down. "I am protective of My Master now because while yes I am bound to her in the same manner as the others; she has earned my loyalty and I am genuinely fond of her. I will tolerate no disrespect of her. Especially not in her own house." Alucard smiled unpleasantly. "I am sure you will keep this in mind for future reference." Alucard said and cocked his head to one side unnaturally. "The men were there not for that girl Goldi as you surmised. they were there for the parents and for Tabitha. I personally was there for My Master and for the Little Witch." Alucard said with a shrug. "Also know that My Master has earned the respect and often devotion of those around her for many reasons. One of which you will be witness to this night." Alucard righted his head and his voice became too calm and nearly detached from the subject, it was as if he was a teacher reciting a lesson to his pupil. "No matter the possible danger she will lead the people in tonight." He shook his head. "If something is to go wrong in the breach of the wards it will be her that will suffer those effects because she will not allow another to take that risk. No matter how much we would all prefer it to be another way." Alucard looked at Tabby. "Again I apologize. Please pardon me I need more sleep to be at my best tonight." Alucard then smiled at Tabby in a mocking manner. "Little witches should cuddle their teddy bears and sleep as well. If they don't they get all cross and grumpy." Alucard smirked at her.

"You are still a bully! I ought to zap you!" Tabby said as she stuck her tongue out at Alucard with her hands on her hips.

"If you do I'll zap back. That is one I will win Little Miss I Can Cast Spells." Alucard said giving Tabby a fangy smile. "I am in all earnest when I say if you are too tired you will be a danger to us all. I asked doc to come up and bring you a mild sleeping draught. For now good day." Alucard smiled at Tabby and ignoring Merlin he walked through the door and was gone.

"At least he used the door this time ... kinda." Tabby shrugged and held Ruger to her. "I still think that is so cool." Tabby said as she stared through the closed door Alucard had just walked through. "I wonder if I could learn to do that without the fangs?" Tabby turned and looked at Merlin. "He sounds serious though, about everything. Merlin don't mess with him or the others, you will lose." Tabby nodded to him.

"So I see." Merlin nodded in wonder at the spectacle that had played out before him. As joking as he had been with Tabby Merlin knew that at the drop of the hat Alucard could and would kill any and all of them. Merlin did not understand why he was the only one who seemed to know it. "Tabby I would ask you to rethink everything before you move in here and become so comfortable in these circumstances."

"I know Merlin and I won't be living here full time. I still have my own place and I love it there. I know how strange this all is to you because it is odd to me as well. The thing is I have accepted that odd or not this is a good thing to be doing." Tabby said as she stood. "So will you rest here or will I just meet you there as planned?"

"Meet me there Tabitha." Merlin said and shook his head and worried for Tabby as he left. While he could not be entirely sure of Vic and Angel; Merlin was wise enough to know the there was no way he could stop Alucard. He was just too powerful. He was also well aware of how unlikely it was he could ever stop the woman called Boss.


The Spawn knew their friends were right. There was something just wrong about the new professors. They were too perfectly professors for a boarding school. These men were the stereotype alive and walking. They looked at Richardson and Irons as they sat in the back of the library and shook their heads. "So we are all agreed then?" "We will breach their" "rooms tonight after dinner?"

"Yes we are all agreed." James Richardson Jr. nodded. He wasn't sure how he could be trusting these two tonight so soon after meeting them. It helped that Derrick and Freddy did, also these two Lords Ashton really seemed to know their stuff.

"We all know the plan." Derrick Irons nodded. "If any get caught we'll do what we can."

"But the most important thing is to get the information." Richardson said. "None of us is unobservant. We all hail from ... proactive families."

"Yes" The Spawn nodded together. "We all know our parents will have our hides" "but support us" "especially once we tell them what is going on."

"Agreed then." Derrick nodded "we begin at dinner."


"Vlad, I understand you paid a visit to Tabby today in her rooms while she had a guest." Blaze said. She was sitting behind her desk as she watched Alucard carefully. Blaze saw the nearly imperceptible squint of his eye What the heck did you do now, I hope you at least had fun father. Blaze grimaced mentally and refrained from blinking as she scolded herself again. Stop it! He is not my father.

"Indeed I did." Alucard said sitting back calmly on the couch watching Blaze. I felt the twinge again, you know the truth. I saw that slight squint that so many others would miss. Alucard did not offer any explanation as he thought back to who might have seen him and tattled. Alucard remembered seeing a maid in the hall as he walked through the door.

"Please just tell me; truthfully, you did not threaten him." Blaze sighed as she sat back in her chair, closing her eyes and offering up a small prayer.

"He didn't." Tabby said as she walked into Blaze's office with Walter.

"No?" Blaze asked looking hard and hopefully at Tabby.

"Nope." "At least nothing I am construing as a threat." Tabby thought to Alucard and hoped it would work.

"For a Little Witch you are good." Alucard thought back to Tabby appreciating her discretion, it got him off the hook with Blaze. While he was doing his job as her bound protector, her friend, her prince, and most importantly as her father; Alucard knew Blaze could still be upset by his actions and words.

"Good." Blaze sighed. "The last thing I need is him more distrustful of me." She said and shook her head. "He and his wife already have reason enough."

"Oh how so?" Alucard asked curious enough to lean forward.

"Because I fulfilled a contract on his wife's Sister and Brother-in-Law." Blaze said without batting an eye. Inside she cringed that Tabby had to hear this.

"Pardon me?" Tabby said as her jaw dropped.

"I killed them." Blaze confirmed. "Tabby in my past I was an assassin. It was my job. There was no malice in my actions it was just business. Many do not see it like that. I am sure they do not." Blaze looked at Tabby and smiled. "I have always been honest about myself and my life with you. I said there was much in my past. I had said that there were things that would shock you and that you might not like to know."

"Darling," Walter said as he handed her a glass of water. When Blaze looked up at him when she smiled Walter knew that His Lady was aware of the most important thing. He was there for her. He smiled down at her and stood leaning slightly on her desk.

"Yes you did." Tabby nodded as she tried to reconcile the woman she knew as a friend, role model and nearly as a big sister; with the idea of an elite assassin. It was hard. Tabby saw Walter and Blaze's interaction. In the blink of an eye she could see the concern Walter had for Blaze and the concern Blaze had for Tabby's reaction to the news. Tabby suddenly found her answer and the ability to reconcile the truth of her 'big sis'. "Ok well it was not something I expected but I'll live." Tabby smiled.

"I am glad." Blaze smiled more. She knew it was a shock to Tabby and she had always been afraid that it would be something that would be a problem in their friendship. Now Blaze was sure it would not. "On to tonight's activities." Blaze said as she reached over to hand out files. "Here is what we had decided was the plan; if there are any misgivings or changes We need to know now."


Each used everything they knew about stealth now. It was a risky business what they were going to attempt. If even the smallest thing were to go wrong there would be immeasurable damage done and they all knew it. They had to be more than careful as they breached this place. What lay before them was unknown. Whatever it was they expected they knew that it was likely to be wrong. Stealth was something they had all used as a tool in the past. Here though simple stealth was not enough, intelligence was not enough; they all needed to use these things and the intuition they had been born with and that they had been trained to have and use. They knew the rough lay of the land. They knew the square meters of the area. They knew what should lay behind the door, they all also knew they could be so very wrong.

As always when doing something like this they took the time outside the target to stop and recheck that which they carried, they watched the area very carefully. There was the expected minimal movement in front of the chosen door. There was nothing to lead them to believe their gathered intelligence was less then accurate. It was odd for them all to know that such an observable pattern should be here. There should me more random activity; that would be less suspicious. Because of that pattern they were all wary. First one moved to the door and stood just outside and listened for sounds of movement, when there was none he nodded and another moved swiftly to the other side of the door. Others prepared the tools by which they would breach this the chosen door. However this door went would tell them what they needed to know about the other doors.

Another nod and then the tools to be used in breaching the door were there. Hands moved quickly and quietly to breach this barrier of what they wanted, needed to know. Eyes and ears waited tensely waiting for this barrier to be breached then in a moment there was the feel of the breach. One set of green eyes looked at the others assembled and nodded. It had been agreed that they would go in first.


"Everything is ready Boss." Seras said to Blaze. "Merlin and his team are here and with their counterparts from the Playgroup. Tabitha said they are ready to breach the barrier." Blaze looked from the building to Seras. "All the humans have been moved to safety. We are just waiting on you to start." She confirmed to Blaze knowing how important this one fact was.

"Good." Blaze said as she turned and walked down the stair of this warehouse to the street where the men were assembled. "I hear everything is in order Tabitha?"

"Yes ma'am it is." Tabby nodded feeling anxious. She had planned this and had been ready she thought. Now she was worried. What if my conclusions were wrong? What if I misunderstood what the magic was? What if...

"Tabitha. It is time to move. Do not second guess yourself. If I did not trust your findings and your plans I would not have my men here." Blaze said as she put her hand on Tabby's shoulder. "We walk to the men, then you tell the men to fire it up and we will go."

"Gotcha. This is why you had me wait here right?" Tabby asked as they walked to the men. "To get my worries over?" When Blaze nodded. Tabby smiled. "So this is normal for a first mission as a Commander?" Blaze smiled and nodded again. Tabby smiled back and as they finished their twenty paces to meet up with the men Tabby simply nodded to them. "Fire it up."

"Yes ma'am." Jim nodded and looked at the others who simply moved into place checked the area and stepped aside from the door they were to breach.

"Ok Playgroup it is time to have at the new toy." Tabby smiled a she and the other Magic users went up to it. All of them began to do their parts. Tabby and Blaze were relieved they the Playgroup and Merlin's coven members were able to work well together. Some checked and removed certain wards, others worked to weaken and disrupt the energy. The men in the Hellsing crew watched with a combination of wonder and fear. All of them had seen the room from the stair. "Good job, Merlin I think we are ready to breach, yes?"

"I believe so." Merlin nodded as he stared at the slightly glowing door. It was open but there was still something there. He reached out to touch it.

"No." Blaze said as she took his hand away from the glow. "No. We do not know what this is. I go first." Blaze stared at him.

"As you wish." He nodded to Blaze. So he was right. She will be the first through. She is ready to be the first so as to protect the rest of us. He thought amazed as Blaze extended her arm slowly and touched the barrier with the palm of her hand.

"Well this is unexpected to me at least." Blaze said as she pulled her hand away. A thin layer of something was on her gloved hand. "Any ideas?"

"Nope not a one." Tabby said annoyed.

"The film may be what they used to strengthen the magic." Merlin said looking from the door to Blaze's glove. "To give the magic something physical to bond with." He thought hard then nodded. "Providing we did things right as it is touched it will become less and less until it is gone."

"So it is just a slime bath for the first through?" Blaze asked looking at Merlin. "It will have no adverse effects to my men?"

"I do not see how. I would like a sample of it though." Merlin said hoping it could happen.

"Pinky grab two sets of sample collectors." Tabby said over her shoulder. "Let me guess who is planning to collect it."

"Yes I am." Blaze said studying the wall of slime. When the collectors arrived Blaze reached out with one of the jars and simply ran it through the barrier of slime and collected some. After she put the lid on it she handed it back and it was placed another container was ready to hold it and then both were placed on a bag. She repeated the same process with the second kit. "Is one of those enough to use?

"Yes it is." He nodded to Blaze.

"Good." Blaze said as she looked into the goo. "Now the fun begins."


The room was unnaturally clean and orderly. Even the men in the barracks were not this clean and organized. The Spawn looked at one another and knew they would have to be very careful indeed. Pictures were snapped as drawers were opened, wardrobes were opened, pillows and mattresses were checked under and nothing was taken for granted. The Spawn looked for false bottoms and sides, all notes, letters, and other written on papers were photographed for later study. The four lads had agreed that in and out quickly was the best policy and the Spawn held to that. What made them curious was that there was nothing that caught their attention to make them pause. They opened the door a crack. They saw the current resident of the room walking towards them and hoped that the distraction would happen or they would be caught. A moment later they heard a yelp and a crash. The Professor turned and went down the hall and rounded the corner at speed soon there were many men rushing down the hall and when the saw the sign from Irons the Spawn slipped out and began to go towards the crash.

"Ashton go to the infirmary double quick time. We need the Doctor and at least one orderly. Now!"

"Yes sir!" the Spawn said and went to do as they were told.


Everyone was repulsed, angered and disgusted on different levels, several were so on many levels. It was grisly work to be sure. All were glad that their presence was not enough to start the rotting process, several worried what that meant. Everything was photographed before it was moved, then they were numbered and collected. Blaze opened and entered each doorway with Alucard prepared to do whatever was necessary to save her. Walter and Seras were the next ones in the room to decide who would be necessary to deal with what was inside. They were all surprised to see how many rooms were actually there.

"Dear god." Blaze whispered as she opened one door; then turned and yelled at the top of her lungs; "Get those paramedics here now!" she turned and went to the people she found huddling frightened against the walls they were chained to, some were obviously already dead. "Do not worry we are here to free and help you. No one will harm you. I promise." She whispered as she went to the first person Blaze had contained it thus far; the anger, the rage, the disgust now she could do it no longer, she grasped the chain and with a grunt pulled the chain in her hands and snapped it. "You will be cared for and made well again I promise." She moved to the next person and again she made the promise as another chain was snapped.

"Make a ..."The paramedic blinked. the hole was made already and serious faces seemed to say 'get moving do not make her wait!' These men had been a late addition. Many brought in since the night of the blood moon they were not all versed in the ways of this organization. They hurried down the hall. "Dear god... we are going to need more men." The head of the team of paramedics said with a shake of his head.

"Whatever you need, use the other transports if you need I want these people out of here now! Call in birds if needed." Blaze said as the forced open a cage and looked at the whimpering child. She looked over her shoulder rage and pain shone in her eyes. "Give me that blanket." It was quickly thrown to her. "Little one. Little one." The child looked up at the kind voice. The girl blinked at the green eyes and smile that greeted her. "Come here? I have a blanket that is warm and soft for you." The blanket was held up in arms that opened as if to hug her.

"Mama?" the child whispered in a dazed voiced. she was so very hungry she saw nothing now but the green eyes, the smile and the blanket covered hug that seemed to call her. She moved towards it and fell. "Mama." The girl demanded weakly. she was suddenly wrapped up in a warm embrace and warm loving words of comfort were being whispered into her ears and hair. "Mama." The child whispered sure she was safe now.

Tears fell unashamedly from Blazes eyes as she carried the little girl in her arms. All that Blaze had seen was little green eyes. These little eyes were dulled with hunger, thirst, fear and neglect. The horrors of what could have happened to this child slammed through her head. This child would be made well and those who had dared to treat her thusly would be made to suffer the horrors Blaze could not forget before they died.

Men moved as she walked. No one knew if she carried a dead or living child. All they knew was that Blaze carried the child carefully wrapped with a gentleness and a protectiveness that none would question. Alucard was over her shoulder following and glaring at any who looked too long. He was there to escort Blaze and her bundle she carried. He carried one of the larger men that still lived. He was followed by Walter and Seras caring their own survivors.

The men who knew Blaze felt their hearts break as their commander, the one who led them fearlessly in here and into other places and battles, walked as though defeated it was unsettling. They all offered a prayer for the child Boss carried not just because it was a hurt child but from worry of what would happen if the child were to die. Those men who did not know Blaze well beyond her smile and nod as she passed by them or the words of confidence and welcome she had said as they began their assignment felt their hearts break as well. Some knew they could not do this job. Others swore to themselves and to God in their own minds as they had heard those who had been longer: "We will follow Boss even into Hell to defeat Lucifer himself if Boss takes that step." They knew there is only one boss, and she is it.

Is this really her? Can that be the Ashi? Merlin asked himself he looked at the other members of his coven as they watched the spectacle of all the men stopping their jobs and watch in silent respect as the parade of horror intermingled with respect and care passed. All of the coven watched as men went down the hall to gather a person the Playgroup stopped their appointed duties and rushed to give what magical healing ability they had. Several men were on coms giving status reports and calling for what would be needed. It took a moment more for Merlin to realize some men were calling to their own homes saying merely that they were going to need a change of clothes ready to be picked up by someone would be by and please to have it ready. All work stopped to help those who still lived. Merlin looked again at his people as he ran the transports encouraging them to make themselves useful. He was glad to see them already moving. "Who has the most dire need?" He asked the head of the medical personnel.

"That bloke there." He nodded at one who was in the ambulance.

"Thank you." Merlin said as he rushed to the vehicle before it moved.

"Jolene ... this child..." He heard Blaze say in a broken voice.

"As if I gave birth to her, or as if you had Boss. I will not leave her side and when she wakes I will call you in that same second, I promise." Jolene said taking the child in her own arms as if she was made of the most fragile porcelain.

"Thank you. I have work I must do." Blaze said torn.

"I know. You are needed here." Jolene said.

"She is right Little One. Your men need you here." Alucard said simply. then with a nod to Jolene; Walter, Seras and Alucard went back to the human chop shop with Blaze.

Seras caught Tabby just as she was about to get to Blaze. "Just wait Tabby." She said.

"But Z, she is so..." Tabby said upset by everything. Living people had not been expected by anyone. The only thing she could grasp at the moment was that Z was upset and right now she needed Z's advice, badly.

"Tabby, I can answer questions short term. You can get help from Boss in a moment." Seras swallowed and made a quick decision as Tabby looked at her in complete confusion and worry. "Tabby she was that child." Tabby blinked. "Boss isn't the way she is by choice. She was made this way. I would be willing to bet she just saved herself from that cage. I know she was caged and tortured in her past as a child. Give her a moment." Seras said a blood tear escaping her eye she heart was broken as well. The horror if the chop shop was gone for her. She had seen and caused more slaughter on the battlefield. She had seen something similar when her unit had taken down a black market body selling ring, of course they had keep their body parts in a meat locker.

I had never asked what made her. Merlin asked. He had overheard the conversation by chance as he moved to Tabby. This information is safe with me. Ashi you have been misjudged.

"Oh Z..." Tabby whispered.

"Do not pity her Tabby it has made her strong and made uniquely able to do this job and all the others she has had to do." Seras said with a shake of her head. "After all Boss has to keep Alucard in line while she keeps up with him." She said with a smirk