Latest update! Thanks to those who have reviewed since I added these installments - it's genuinely a pleasure to know that people are still interested in seeing how this ends. Hope you enjoy the latest.
"Ē to... Sore wa yoku arimasen!" That's not good Yumie muttered unhappily
"Verdammt...!" Damn Heinkel agreed as she tried to get a better view of the what was going on "Ich denke, sie sind auf uns..." I think they're on to us.
The Japanese nun and German priestess looked through night vision binoculars and regular ones. The Hellsing compound had certainly changed overnight - Maxwell had ordered the two out to recon again following his second round of negotiations, just in case any last minute changes took place before the time for action arrived. Good thing too thought Heinkel, upon arrival they'd noticed more and more vehicles arriving onto the grounds and from the looks of things this had been the norm all day, careful screening was taking place, people who didn't fit what was on the paperwork were denied. Usually it was only a few men and women who seemed to be offloaded foodstuffs and hanging around to assist with moving large boxes which had arrived amongst them in a few rental trucks. Mostly they assisted the uniformed men move these crates within the compound before they headed off in their cars but with the high volume of vehicles coming in it and remaining in the parking lot of the grounds it was hard to say if all of them were leaving after their business was concluded, or if the household staff might be considerably larger.
From the activity it was clear that some of the people arriving were handy men - windows were being boarded up from the inside and when they were done they they came over and shook hands with the man in the bushwhacker hat and eyepatch who looked to be in command. He was overseeing the work at every stage, directing and ordering men to perform tasks whilst also talking frequently with the arrivals. Some of them looked puzzled at what he was saying but from how he illustrated with his hand he seemed to be haggling hard with them for something. When he was done some of them shrugged and shook their heads he nodded politely, handed them something with a zip of the lips before they left in their cars, but others accepted what he said with a shake of his hand or a salute and then went into the house. It was a mystery to the pair of observers what was going on in there until Yumie noticed a figure in the distance on the other side of the Hellsing Manor walking out towards the countryside where a wooded area marked a boundary.
Curious about what was going on that side Yumie headed off to investigate leaving Heinkel remaining on watch from the crest of the hill where they were spying from under thick cover.
They're clever to use civilian vehicles. she thought the British are bound by laws and conventions. Maxwell and those round table knights will probably have this place cordoned off by some stage tonight, but we've missed our chance to stop this thanks to the delays between negotiations. She was caught off guard momentarily as a rustle caught her attention - in a flash she'd turned with a readied desert eagle in her hand, only to realize she was holding a gun at Yumie's surprised face "Ego est!" It's me she hissed in her strangely accented Latin.
"Paenitet." sorry about that Heinkel replied with a breath of relief before she switched to German and waved her friend to follow her "Komm schon." Come on.
"Doko ni iku no Heinkel?" Yumie asked Where are you going Heinkel?
"Hier gibt es nichts mehr zu sehen Yumie. Sie bereiten sich auf unseren Angriff vor, und wir müssen schnell handeln." There's nothing more to see Yumie. They're preparing for an attack, and we need to move quickly.
"Watashi wa Alucard o mimasendeshita..." I didn't see Alucard. Yumie complained.
Heinkel didn't have to think about a reply "Könnten wir Alucard geschlagen haben?" Could we have beaten Alucard?
"Utagawashī." I doubt it. She answered honestly.
"Dann gehts" There you go then. with a consoling smile Heinkel patted the Nun's arm reassuringly "Anderson can handle Alucard. When the battle begins we will keep him safe until he engages the monster, after that all we have to do is keep anyone from interfering with his kill." the pair slipped down from the embankment and brushed themselves off before they began making their way back towards their car which they'd parked just off the road by a hedge, just like a couple might do to keep the road clear if they'd suddenly broken down and were waiting for a recovery service to arrive. Yumie yawned and put her spectacles on, swaying woozily as her other incarnation took hold.
"Well, that was certainly an interesting way to spend the night!" she chirruped happily. Heinkel had to smile - Yumiko was a sweet girl, and the fact she'd gone about as Yumie without incident was always a source of incredible relief.
"Wait!" Heinkel hissed and pulled Yumiko down as she withdrew her Desert Eagles, their car was surrounded by a trio of two men and a woman.
"Heinkel?" Yumiko pleaded "Please - don't kill them!"
"Damn it Yumiko, this is not the time!"
"But look at them - I don't see guns or uniforms! They might be civilians! They might be plainclothes cops! They might be fellow Catholics! Let me try talking first, please?" she was so desperate to avoid bloodshed that Heinkel doubted she would allow Yumie out willingly. She could not refuse her request if she was going to be this stubborn unless she knocked her friend out - something she was unwilling to do just yet.
"If anything goes wrong-" she warned.
"I know you will look out for my safety Heinkel." Yumiko interrupted before she left her binoculars on the ground, squeezed her friends arm reassuringly and headed out into the open calling out like a lost individual.
"Hello? Is someone out there?"
"Evening sister." Heinkel heard one of the trio greet her a little sardonically "Lovely night out isn't it? Fancied a stroll over the hill did we?"
"Good evening." the nun replied replied "Um, can you help me? I'm a little lost - I don't suppose you know where a 34 Rosylnn Avenue is around here, do you?"
The trio looked confused "Can't say I do. That's a bit of a vague address. Is it near any landmarks?"
"I... I don't know. I was called out here by a friend - but I'm not from around here."
"Sounds like a false address." one of the soldiers replied calmly, looking at a phone "nothing on the GPS around here like that. Everyone around here knows that this is private property, so what are you doing here?"
"I'm looking for help! I lost my way and I saw a house nearby so I thought I'd ask for directions, I have the address written down in the car-" the nun answered and started to move towards the car, hands open and non-threatening but suddenly one of the men pulled out a weapon and trained it on her.
"Hold on!" one of the men snapped, but was obviously uncomfortable holding a weapon on two young unarmed women.
"I know her. She's that nun from the photo Bruce shared with us."
"Hey! Why are you holding a gun at me? What is the meaning of this!?" Yumiko demanded, Heinkel noticed with a sinking feeling her voice remained that of poor flustered Yumiko - she really hoped that Yumiko was trying to wake up her more aggressive personality, Yumiko might have a far easier time garnering sympathy but she was a liability when guns started firing.
"Explain yourself! What's your business out here Sister?"
"I'm responding to an urgent call for Holy confession!"
The three soldiers exchanged glances, noted she was unarmed the man lowered his weapon "Guys? Maybe we should call this one in?"
"Oh please listen!" Yumiko begged "A child is very sick - his father is a benefactor of our orphanage and begged us to go to him and perform last rites-! Please, time is of the essence!" Yumiko pleaded desperately.
"I reckon she with that weird private army! 'Dressed as clergy' remember?" one of the soldiers objected.
"What are you talking about?" Yumiko asked.
"Sorry miss, I can't-"
"I can verify my story! Let me call him!"
The guards faltered at that suggestion and the one who'd argued sighed and shrugged to his fellows before nodding "Alright."
"Thank you." Yumiko bowed nervously and scampered over to the car.
Watching the guards carefully Heinkel waited to see what would take place; either Yumiko would react according to her habit and obey the commandment 'thou shall not kill', or Yumie would react according to her habit and smite the enemies of God without compunction. In any case, it was up to Heinkel to support the effort - and it would require split second timing if things went badly.
Yumiko withdrew a phone and called Anderson who as soon as he'd heard her say 'Sir, may Saint James preserve you, we have been delayed for your Holy Communion...' knew exactly what was required of him - there was a code they used if they required assistance; a mnemonic taught to them to remember the disciples names as children and also used by Iscariot for when their agents couldn't talk freely over the phone - 'Peter, Andrew, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas next and Matthew too, James the less and Judas the greater, Simon the zealot and Judas the traitor.' Any phone calls made in the field referring to Holy Communion invoking the names one of the apostles meant a situation had occurred and depending on which name was used alluded to how serious the situation was; Peter, Andrew, James and John meant they were unexpectedly held up and were calling him as a cover story (the default was the excuse she was using presently), Philip and Bartholomew meant they were captured, Simon meant an agent was injured, and if at any stage his students invoked 'Judas' their mission was compromised and they would need to be rescued.
He immediately demanded to speak to whoever was delaying them, sounding every bit the aggravated and aggrieved parent of a sick child in need of Holy Communion. The soldier was shocked as she thrust the phone to him with large pleading eyes that he explain why she couldn't attend. He lowered his weapon and took the phone, attempting to explain his admittedly awkward predicament. Yumiko sighed wearily and leaned against the car.
As the soldier turned away to discuss it further the others followed him with their eyes and after a few minutes of haranguing from Anderson the soldier returned the phone red faced.
"Miss, I understand from your, uh, friend that I'm impeding you in your duties, but I have my orders. I need you to come back with me to the house over the hill-"
"I understand." Yumiko said sadly "May I get something from the car please?"
"What is it?"
"It's just my glasses case and an inhaler sir. I suffer from panic attacks when I'm stressed." she lied.
"All right then."
A few minutes later two shots rang out and a man cried out before his yelp was cut short as something whipped through the air too fast to follow. A thump followed and the only sound after was a car starting up and pulling away.
Heinkel lit a cigarette as they drove. Yumiko looked sadly at the weapon she held in her hands "I didn't like having to do that." she said softly.
"I know." Heinkel replied sympathetically "But the mission takes priority over our preferences."
"Father Anderson has always said its no sin to kill a heathen, and that God will forgive us for what we do, but-" she let out a trembling breath.
"I know." her friend replied taking a hand off the wheel to squeeze her hand "There's a saying Father Anderson often used to explain the difference to us as children; 'So shalt thou put away the guilt of innocent blood from among you, when thou shalt do that which is right in the sight of the Lord'-"
"Deuteronomy 21:9 - I remember it Heinkel."
"Well, there you go. It is no sin to do the Lord's will - and it is no sin to kill heathens or monsters. You did nothing wrong, and the fact you still feel strongly about it just means you're a better person than many others. It is good that you can feel pity about your actions, but do not hold too tightly to regret Yumiko; you are doing your duty - nothing more."
"But Yumie's actions and intentions... I do wish to-"
"Yumie's actions are no different to any of us! She enjoys the thrill of a fight! Just like I do! Just like Father Anderson does - we are agents of divine punishment! Ours is not-!" Heinkel snapped sharply, and for a long moment there was silence in the car as Heinkel smoked aggressively and deliberately slowed the car and pulled over. Taking the other girl's hand in hers she squeezed them tightly "Yumiko, you are a sweet girl. Stop this worrying."
She studied the face of the other for a moment until the nun nodded gently.
"Okay." she promised "I will try."
Pip groaned in dismay and removed his hat as he and the others came across the scene he'd been worried they'd find. It was true that Harry, Jeanette and Virgo had only reported they were investigating a breakdown, and they hadn't responded when he'd called for more information following the sounds of gunfire but this scene was proof that they certainly weren't just acting as security for these premises anymore. Virgo's staring eyes looked vacantly at the sky, his mouth was open and his blood stained the floor. His body was some few feet away from his head. The others had large messy holes in their foreheads, executioners shots - not the sort one made as a warning.
"Vatican assassins...!" he spat angrily as he leaned down and looked sadly into Virgo's eyes "Sorry mon ami, if I'd been a little more careful you might have not had to lose your head tonight." he closed the lids and brought the head over to where his escort were starting to put the earthly remains of the comrades into body bags.
"It's a crappy night boys." he said sadly "Looks like Virgo, Jeanette and Harry won't be celebrating with us when we win after all."
"How'd this happen Cap? I knew these guys and they were damn good!"
"Beats me Reg. I suppose the other side would call it Gods' will, or some shit like that, but me? I'd say Virgo and his pals were just unlucky tonight."
"Unlucky?!"
"Yep. Happens all the time, Reg; a guy can get a rep for being the biggest, baddest member of his squad - never lost a fight, never missed a shot, made everything look easy when he demonstrated it to you, you know the sort of person I'm on about right? But that same guy takes a night of leave, gets too drunk or upsets the wrong people he can still end up dead in a ditch like anyone else. All we can do is try not to follow their example."
"Captain, Harry and Jeanette didn't even have their guns out! None of ours fired any rounds that I can tell - and at least one of their opponents got close enough to take Virgo's head off with something sharp and from the looks of it, it was so quick that our guys couldn't even pull the trigger! How are we supposed to prepare for people like that?"
"Reg!" Pip snapped "Get a grip! You a detective? Got a license in forensic examination since while I wasn't looking? Harry and Jeanette got popped, and Virgo got taken by surprise - it sucks, but it happens! Don't let the fact that monsters really do exist make you question everything you see - these guys aren't bulletproof! If we put enough rounds into them in the right places, then they'll go down like anyone else. I'll tell Mister Alucard or the Boss lady to give a fair warning over the phone if they like but our rules are changing as of right now; anyone who looks like a priest comes down here, they get treated like a hostile - shoot first, question later. Okay?"
"You got it Cap."
"Good." he pulled out a walkie talkie and called the various groups. One by one they reported back they'd either finished their tasks, finished their reconnaissance or were headed back to the compound. Pip grunted in approval and snapped his fingers "Okay guys, lets get our friends here onto the truck and head back. We're locking down tight and getting ready to wait this one out."
As the remains of their friends were loaded into the back Reg got in the passenger side of the truck as Pip started the engine and turned them around to make their way back along the road "Got a plan Cap?"
"Better than a plan Reg. I got the Wild Geese and a lot of friends who have access to nasty toys that go boom! We've locked this place up tighter than a homophobes arse on parade day. With a little luck, our churchy friends will try something clever and then we can get a little payback for what they did to our friends back there. That ought to make them smile wherever they are now."
Seras stood on the roof of the Hellsing compound, head lifted to the moon.
It's a beautiful evening.
She started with a jump "Master?!"
I'm here.
"Where?"
In your mind Police girl. Behind the shadows of your thoughts and ghosting through the gaps in your memories. Wherever there is a space for me to stay.
"You can do that?" she asked nervously.
Certainly.
"Without my permission?"
I don't need it. You belong to me Seras. Until you drink, that will not change - and even after you drink it will not change greatly. The only difference will be that the more you drink the harder it will be for me to find space to occupy in that empty head of yours.
"Hey!" she protested hotly, taking offence at the insinuation.
Now now, lets not get offended by the facts. A human would have every right to take umbrage, but not you. It will become clear-
"When I drink blood! I get it!" she yelled.
"Who are you talking to?" Walter asked from a window below her. She gave a yelp of surprise "Walter!" she scolded "Don't sneak up on me like that!" honestly - the man was like a cat!
"I apologise Miss Victoria. I came to... to see how you were faring?"
She sighed heavily, crossing her arms over her chest "Poorly!"
"Because of Alucard?"
She hesitated but looking down over the ledge at the butler he gave her a look that said 'I know I'm right' and she relented "How did you know?"
He gave her one of his kindly old uncle smiles "Well my dear, I am versed in Bram Stoker. It might be a literary flourish on a few gathered facts and some sparse first hand accounts, but it was rather well written. Mina Harker - she was the object of the late Count's attentions and the reason I guessed who you were talking to. Sir Integra's ancestor and his own assembly of vampire hunters were able to track the Count back to his homeland through a shared connection between Mina and the being who had turned her. She felt some of what he felt and vice versa. It seems that Alucard has had plenty of time to work on perfecting his use of bonds between servant and master."
"Walter, have there ever been any others like me at Hellsing Manor?"
The butler hesitated "Not... to my knowledge." he answered slowly.
Seras climbed back into the house and looked at him for a long moment. His gaze didn't waver and she let it go. So I am the first she thought sadly. It was a shame there weren't more like her around here.
Any more would be quite a distraction. You're quite a handful on your own.
"Really making me feel great about how I'm viewed around here Master...!" she growled.
"Beg pardon?" Walter inquired politely.
"Never mind Walter. Talking to myself. Speaking of things you know Walter, about what you said down there-"
"I will not talk about it any more." he said with distaste "It brings up too many painful memories."
"But Sir Integra-"
"Is perfectly capable of making her own decisions Miss." Walter cut in "If she chooses to remain in that cell with Alucard then that is her own choice; it is not my place to question her. I have already tried to make the right decisions for her previously and frankly I am a poor judge of these things. If she thinks its for the best that she remain, ah, indisposed then we are best served if we keep trust in her counsel and avoid trying to make these decisions for her."
"What do you mean?"
"I was the one who asked her to leave and get help initially after Alucard rebelled. She was unsure of herself and I felt... well, that doesn't matter. With the situation deteriorating I believed that it was for the best that she seek the council and support of her allies." he confessed - whether it was for her benefit or for the one who was undoubtedly listening in she didn't have to guess "So this wasn't her fault, it was entirely mine. Just as allowing Alucard to be trapped down there was my fault too. I act emotionally when I shouldn't and I fail to take corrective measures afterwards... and for what? My pride? My sensibilities?" looking at the shocked face of Seras the bulter shrugged "It really is for the best that I am only the butler who serves his master - I am a rather pitiful individual when it comes to making my own decisions."
"Oh Walter! Don't say that! That's just not true!" Seras implored him as she took his hand in hers and looked up into his eyes "You're the most wonderful and upstanding fellow I've ever met! It's not your fault you made the wrong decisions in the past! You can still make things right!"
Walter's face was unreadable "Do you think so...?" he wondered softly. His eyes went distant for a moment and then he smiled softly "Well! I suppose I am good at one thing."
"What's that Walter?"
"I am rather good at winning people's faith in me," he admitted with a sad smile as his eyes dropped to their held hands "however misplaced I think it is." he squeezed her hand reassuringly "I must go and check on the soldiers Miss. Will you be holding the fort up here?"
"I'm just admiring the evening Walter." she reassured him, watching the butler's distracted countenance she considered her words and called after him "Oh, butler!"
He turned with a puzzled look and nodded an affirmative "Yes Miss?"
"Have a cup of tea with a biscuit, and have a good think about your behaviour." she said in her best impression of Sir Integra "Sort yourself out man! The frown doesn't suit you - you're letting the side down!"
She heard her Master chuckle in her head and Walter smiled once again with a nod "Very good Sir. It shan't happen again" he replied in the same spirit "I shall comport myself more accordingly in future!"
"Capital fellow!" Seras laughed and watched Walter head off with a little more spring in his step. With a childish grin still on her face Seras turned back to the moon and leaned over on the windowsill.
What a beautiful night. she thought and she wondered how she'd never taken the time to appreciate these things before. Her stomach growled and she put her hand to it. She felt weaker, empty. There was a hunger that was growing down there and she grimaced as her teeth lengthened and the blood pounded in her ears. Blood - blood in the veins, the warm fluid that carried the life to the pumping heart inside the chest, the thumping machine that fed the body what it needed to go on, to move, to live-
she snapped out of it with a gasp of pain. Her hands were trembling and her figures had gouged long fissures in the wood of the sill. A long splinter was jammed into her finger and she pulled it out with her teeth. The tiny taste of her own blood did nothing to sate her, the wound closed in seconds. She stood there panting a moment.
All this would end if you would just drink blood. Her master chided her disapprovingly.
"Easy for you to say! I will drink when I'm ready! How many times must I tell you that?"
You can tell me that as many times as you like - it's not me that needs convincing. Try telling your famished body some more. I'm sure this time it'll understand.
"Can't you try sympathising at all?! Did you ever once, even for a little while, have a hunger constantly interrupting your thoughts every day reminding you that you're not human anymore?!"
Not like you do little Police girl. I never denied my body what it needed to survive for the sake of pride.
"This isn't about pride!"
Then what is it exactly? I feel your hunger, I see how frustrated you become. Anything else you try to force down your throat will taste awful; there is no substitute for the blood that you crave. Why not give in to that need?
"Why did you give into yours?"
Mine? Her Master asked curiously.
"Your needs. The thing you craved. You gave into it - you had what you wanted - and now she hates you. You hate yourself too - and don't tell me you don't Master because even if I don't know what's going on with you half as well as you know what's going on with me I still know you well enough! So tell me, if you could make that happen again would you choose to do something differently?"
I cannot do that.
"But I can - so with respect Master; I will make my own decision when I am ready!"
Her master did not respond to that, and she was grateful for the distraction of Pip and his group returning in the truck to keep her mind off her hunger pangs.
In the cell in the sub levels Alucard laughed hard enough to double over; he clapped his hands in applause to his protégé - what a fine choice he'd made with her!
"Do you have to be so loud...?" Integra grumbled sleepily from the corner "What on earth's gotten into you?"
"Oh Master it's just so... no, it's too perfect!" he gasped out between his laughter "You... you finally have what Abraham Van Hellsing wanted all along; and I was the one to provide it to you!"
"Compose yourself Count!" Integra snapped sharply "and explain this to me."
Alucard wandered drunkenly over and settled down next to her. He talked briefly about how Mina Harker had been the girl he had chosen to be one of his brides back before he'd come into bondage - really it was more to spite those who'd been hunting and disrupting his plans in London at the time, but she had been quite a beauty too which hadn't hurt in his decision making - and it was this final act that had begun his downfall. He explained how they'd used her to hunt him, and finally how they'd 'killed' him and brought him back to put him in restraints as a weapon against his own kind.
"And how has this tragic tale amused you, exactly?" Integra asked.
"It was Abraham's last words - the girl has fled this place forevermore. She will never be yours Count. These were the last words I heard when I was a free spirit, able to roam as I pleased."
"And the humor?"
"Abraham thought he would save an innocent girl from the fate I had sought to place upon her, a fate she'd have no control over, by controlling me and winning the girl back her freedom. He thought to chain me and use me and this would be a fitting punishment for my crimes; but the irony of fate! It seems that gaining my freedom back has confined me far more tightly to this family than the binding ever did and the one to make it apparent to me has been one I've been trying to instruct on what it means to have freedom!"
"Ironic." Integra agreed "but they say that the best students have something to offer those that teach them."
"She will be a fine draculina - I suspect she'll make fewer mistakes here than I did."
"Well. That's something I suppose."
They sat in silence for a moment, the vampire regarded her curiously. She'd been without food for a while now, he knew she must still be feeling the effects of her wound - though he was grateful that his treatments, however rough, had worked to stop the bleeding it still looked painful - and on top of it all there was the doubtless stress she must still be feeling.
"Are you feeling alright, Integra?"
"Don't worry about me. I'm perfectly fine."
Well, he didn't believe that for a second "Master?" he said softly "It's only you and me. Let's not pretend or lie to one another. After what Walter said, if there's anything I can do-"
"Fine words from you!" she snapped bitterly "What fine words you spoke to me since I was a girl, what a fine performance I've been led on by all that I trust! It's a wonder I suffer it any longer."
He was quiet for a moment and sighed "Seras asked me, if I could take something back, if I would choose to do so. I would take back the night I broke my covenant with you and forced myself upon you. Suffering, is that the only thing you want from me? Suffering is all you have to look forward to for the next few days. Well, until whatever comes afterwards takes place."
"Pain is transitory. Fleeting. As you say, I have only to wait a few days and all this will be over."
"If that's how you feel then you have a gun, why not use that?"
"A lifetimes habits and my pride. There is no dignity in shooting oneself for an easy way out. I will last as long as I can, and then I will make my decisions accordingly. What about you? Would it speed things along?"
"Thank you for the offer -but its not my head cut off, it's not a stake through my heart; starvation is not a permanent solution. I will eventually sleep when my body can no longer survive as a withered husk, and I will dry stiff and become unable to move until I have blood to reawaken my senses. Just like the first time this was done to me. Only this time there are no doctors to speed up the bleeding process so it will take longer - much longer. I'll be trapped without the convenience of a coffin, no native soil and my only company will die after a few short days. All in all, this will be... very inconvenient."
Integra chuckled dryly "Well! You seem very stoic about it."
"It is the situation we are in. To pretend otherwise is foolish."
She sat and dwelled on the last time she was down here - a girl of tender years expecting to die. She hadn't wanted to die, but she'd seen no way out back then and her promised salvation had been a corpse.
Do you mind if I share this cell with you? that was what she'd asked the corpse.
"You don't hope for escape?"
Alucard smiled "Why Integra! What a question! I have all I need to keep me going right here."
"My blood?"
"My Master."
She was taken aback for a moment and then frowned into the darkness "Don't mock me Alucard."
She felt his cold hand take hers. She might have snatched it back, spat something at him about never touching her, or reacted however many others would have if their attacker suddenly made an intimate gesture to them. But she didn't. She sat and she waited.
"I am in deadly earnest Master. May I beg a final service?"
She sighed "I'm not the in mood Alucard."
"This is no game! However much you amuse and surprise me, you are not sport! This has never been a game to me!"
He said it with such vehemence and force that she believed him "Then what can I do for you?"
"Will you accept my service once more?"
That, she had not expected.
Alucard continued "Even if it is only in this tiny room and only you to bear witness to it, let me be yours to command one last time. Let it be said that Integra Hellsing - the last of the Hellsing family - earned my fidelity without having to force me to bend the knee with command seals and ancient promises."
Integra was silence for a moment. She considered the words.
The last of the Hellsings... he's not wrong. There will be others, but... well. I suppose it's better to say I won the battle of wills than to have nothing to show for less than thirty years on the job.
"Come here." she ordered "Kneel before me."
There was a moment of rustling and she felt his hand move as he got into place. She grunted and forced her stiff legs to cooperate and pushed herself up "Swear to me Alucard, by all the history you and I share, that you will obey my commands even beyond my death and passing?"
"I swear." he replied solemnly.
"Swear to me Alucard, by both the God and the Devil which you have served, that you will obey my will even beyond the fall of state and nations that you will uphold the services I demand of you."
"I swear."
"Swear to me Alucard, by the name of the Hellsings' that bound and chained you, that you will forgo nourishment, endure sunlight, suffer stake, sword and flame and defy all natural inclinations of your kind until there be nothing left of you should you fail to uphold the duty you swear yourself into."
"I swear."
"Swear... swear to me, the one that commands you from this moment forth that you will obey my commands without fail."
"I swear."
"Now... name your Master."
"Integra Fairbrooke Wingates Hellsing."
"That I am," she breathed "and what are you?"
"I am your servant, my Master."
"Yes." she murmured and closing her eyes she slid back down the wall and sat heavily back down.
"Are you alright?"
"For the moment Alucard," she replied with a faint smile "for the moment..."
Walter was a busy man; he'd been rushed off his feet trying to accommodate all the needs of the house. From the major concerns of making sure that the Geese and their volunteers were fully outfitted, were on schedule with the evenings activities and had all eaten, down to the trivial matters of phoning the hired help and telling them their services were not currently required. They were not laid off, he assured them, but there was a family crisis taking place which precluded their attendance whilst matters were being sorted out. They would be paid the full allotment agreed upon and were to consider this a spell of authorised paid leave. "I will call if anything changes." he assured the company before wishing them a pleasant evening and putting the phone down.
'At least someone is gets something good out of this' he thought wryly as he made himself the cup of tea he'd promised Seras he'd have and treated himself to a digestive 'we'll all need a holiday after this is over.'
He considered his revelation to Sir Integra and found he needed a sit down as the weight of the evening began to tell on him.
Earlier...
The butler stood outside the door, staring at it for a long moment after Integra demanded him to explain himself. Reluctantly, the butler began his explanation. "Your father had many admirers, but he had a lot of opponents too. Jealous rivals mostly. Following the wars end there was a demand raised by them during the council meetings to be informed about how great the threat that vampires, ghouls or anything else of such a nature actually posed now that the country was no longer on a war footing in an attempt to undermine his position. With so many other concerns that had to be addressed, Arthur was honest about it and explained these things are not easily measured, but now that we had trained troops back at our disposal the threat was significantly lessened."
"Who were these opponents?" Integra demanded from behind the door.
"Many of them were also sitting at the table when you took your fathers office Sir. Most retired in the years since he died; safe to say that the old guard of Sir Penwood and Sir Islands saw to that. They were always of the opinion that your fathers judgment was sound and his reasons were well founded, but matters of state prevailed. The King saw no reason to keep Alucard in play, but left it to your fathers discretion."
"Most of these rivals retired? What happened to the others?"
"They're gone sir. They were overseas officers, former political allies, agents and informants, all people who were sworn to secrecy. After Alucard was reintroduced to the Hellsing forces we expected to hear or suffer some push back from them, but it seems they suffered their own troubles after the war. They are either no longer among us, or do not wish to be found. They cannot cause any more trouble for you sir."
"Why did you not tell me this?"
"Sir, I had no reason to. You had the situation in hand, and Sir Islands and Sir Penwood were taking care of the ones still present on the Council. As I said, they could no longer harm you."
"But they got Alucard imprisoned? They made my father seal him away?"
"He was placed in an impossible situation sir; he'd all but admitted to those in authority that the threat from vampires and ghouls was minimal and within the ability of our troops to handle, he couldn't justify keeping such a powerful agent in the field for much longer afterwards. He tried sir, believe me! He prevaricated and excused himself with his occasional spells of illness, said he didn't want to put a child like me in harms way when Alucard was available, he used every outbreak as a justification but eventually he lost the fight - I was all but a man and, pardon my immodesty, a very good agent. I was a less conspicuous choice and with the continued need for secrecy those who had reservations about trusting a vampire against its own kind simply wouldn't allow it to go on - between the choices presented he either had to seal Alucard away, or seal the fate of the family Sir."
"How?" Integra demanded.
"He wanted you to inherit, and there was the matter of your mother sir."
"What about her?"
"I... I don't wish to say sir."
"Walter!" she growled "Tell me! What about my mother!"
"It is regarding the fact that she died after you were born, sir."
"I already know that! How does that possibly-"
"There is no certificate of marriage to your father attached to her name. Your father's detractors used his previous reputation against him and demanded the recall of your uncle Richard from overseas to put pressure on him. Your parentage was proven with tests, but bequeathing the title to a potentially illegitimate heir would only pass with the support of the council. A majority support was needed sir."
"My Uncle was a coward driven by ambition and greed!"
"But he was still the heir presumptive in the event of things. Did you not wonder why your father had to keep him close, despite any reservations he might have held? Why Richard thought he might get away with your murder?"
"They blackmailed my father!?"
"It amounts to that Sir. In the end, he bent under the pressure and gave the order."
The silence that followed was the longest he could recall "...Sir?" he asked.
"Walter. Let me be."
"Sir!" Seras beseeched "Sir - what about you and Master! You can't-"
"Seras. You're in charge. You will see to keeping them safe. I... need to think about things. How I want things to happen."
And what about you Alucard? Walter wondered What will you think of this? How will you react... and will either of you forgive me?
There we go. The latest update. Let me know your thoughts and we'll be moving onto a new twist soon; next installment will see darker developments. Violence will occur, plots will twist and Hell will sing!
la-novh94 - hopefully this chapter answered some questions.
Sdb5ss - you are correct, it IS possible to will yourself into vampirism, and it was cited earlier in my fic. However as I said, it's a pretty rare candidate who would choose it.