"His name is Shalrik," Alucard said.

Matthew and Seras had been joined by Alucard in the Hellsing courtyard after dropping off the flashcard with Fargason. He was finally giving them the information he'd given Sir Integra. Alucard continued, "He and I have fought many times over the eons. His appearance now suggests he feels able to beat me; that he has developed some new style of fighting." Once again, Alucard smirked. "So have I. That is why I did not join you in the mission earlier tonight, and why I will not be joining you until the battle with Shalrik. He will tempt me with his fledglings, try to get me to show my new skills."

"So the assassin from yesterday probably sent by him," Matthew noted.

Alucard nodded. "Yes. He, like me, considers few to be equals in battle. He did not think either of you to be a threat or to be worth his respect." He smirked again. "He thought wrong. I'm not sure what made that one fledgling of his stronger then the rest, but I am certain he was one of Shalrik's higher commanders. Silencing him shows you to be dangerous. I would suggest that neither of you leave the facility unless on a mission. The streets will not be safe for you. Shalrik will not send such a small force to deal with you next time." He looked directly at Matthew. Matthew could hear Alucard's thoughts again. 'Remember what I told you.' He then looked to Seras, probably telling her something telepathically. Then, with a smirk, he vanished.

With a sigh, Matthew looked at Seras. "What now, oh fearless leader?"

Seras snapped out of a blank stare. "What?"

Matthew chuckled. "Nevermind. Go get some sleep. I'll see you in the morning."

Seeming distant, she replied. "Yes. Good night." She started for the door. Matthew watched after her for a moment, then started down the hall.

Before going to bed, Matthew checked his e-mail. He saw an e-mail from his father. He pulled it up.

Hello son,

First, you're not some evil demonic creature. You aren't feeding off the living and you're only killing those who do. I understand how what you've had to do makes you feel, but you need to calm down and concentrate on your new job.

This will be a short e-mail. I need to get to bed. We're on an assessment this week, and we start very early in the morning.

Your mother sends her greetings and wishes you well.

Love,

Dad

Matthew sighed. He would reply to his father later. Scanning further, he saw an e-mail from Akira. Bracing himself, he pulled it up.

Hola Imzadi,

I'm sorry. I didn't think that the idea of you turning me would bother you that much. I won't mention it again.

Who is this friend of yours? I'd like to know who's keep you sane with me not around. (I'll try not to be jealous. JK!)

Things here have been as usual. Things on the Victory are getting... weird. I'll tell you more when enough have happened to really explain it.

Not much more to say, I'm afraid. Except one thing... well, two things. First, I've been listening to 1000 Words a lot, and thinking of you. Second... It's strange, but there are times when I can almost hear you in my head. If you're trying to send me thoughts, keep working on it. Something is getting through.

Gotta run. I love you, Imzadi!

Akira

"Imzadi" was a word from Star Trek. I meant "beloved". He'd forgotten which one of them had used the word first, but they kept using it. Matthew wasn't sure if he'd actually tried to send thoughts to Akira, but now he would. He thought of her. 'I love you, Imzadi.' He didn't know if she would hear it or not, but it was worth a shot.

He wrote up a couple of replies. The first was to his father. He thanked him for the reassurance, again said he was doing all right, and wished him luck in his work. The second was to Akira. He did not bring up the subject of him turning her again. He did say, once again, that he missed her and hoped to see her again. He did write about 'his friend'. He wrote:

Her name is Seras Victoria. She's a member of the organization as well, and joined due to the same circumstances as me. Seras is pretty much the only person who can understand what I've gone through, and she's been a really big help. No need to be jealous, though. I'm still yours, and you're still mine.

Matthew figured that would be the best way to put it. Saying that Seras was his master would hardly help things. After sending the messages, he walked over to the bed and dropped onto it. He fell into a dreamless sleep.

Matthew awoke the next day and left his room. He wasn't entirely certain what the day's plan was, but he knew he wanted to be out of his room. It was very daylight outside, and a glance at his watch told Matthew it was around noon. 'Noon? Wow... I certainly slept in today...' Of course, reading and writing e-mails had taken a while. He was passing by a cafeteria, so he peered in. 'Ooo. They're serving corn with lunch...' Matthew had always loved corn, and hadn't had any in the longest time. His mouth started to water, but this time he had a strong desire for corn. 'This I'll allow.' He entered the cafeteria.

Later, he met with Seras in front of Sir Integra's office. They had finished analyzing the data. That didn't make Matthew feel a lot better about the last mission, as he'd barely gotten any data. 'Well, they must have found something worthwhile if they're calling us in.'

Seras greeted him, then looked at him strangely when he smiled. "What's that?"

Matthew stopped. She was looking straight at his teeth. He rubbed his fingers across them, and found a piece of stuck corn. "Oh..." He quickly removed the piece and swallowed it. "They were serving corn in the cafeteria today, and I just couldn't help myself. I got some."

Seras looked a little concerned. "Are you all right?"

Matthew nodded. "Yeah. That was a good half hour ago. Seems I can still handle corn with butter and a whole lot of pepper." He smiled. "Almost makes me want to get my hands on some garlic, see if that part of popular culture is wrong too."

With a shrug, Seras replied, "I really wouldn't know. Just be careful, ok? If what Alucard told us is true, we'll need everyone we can get for the coming battle."

He smiled and grasped her arm for a moment. Letting his arm drop to his side, he said, "Of course. Shall we?" He gestured to the door. The two entered to find the usual crowd around Sir Integra's desk: Fargason, Johnson, and of course Integra herself. Strangely enough, Alucard stood beside Integra rather then choosing to hide in the shadows until he decided to show himself. His smirk did not seem so strong. Considering the circumstances, it made complete sense, and Matt did little more then note it in his mind.

Fargason spoke. "Jemeth, I know you haven't had the best of feelings on the last mission, but your worries are for not. We didn't get a lot of information, but what we got was very useful. We have confirmed that a vampire named Shalrik is attempting to form an army here in England. The vampires in the residence were considering joining his army." He set a map on to the table. "We are still attempting to decrypt some of the information. Something on an experimental chemical Shalrik may be using. That bit of information is irrelevant right now, as there is a far more pressing matter." He pointed to a place on the map. "We have information suggesting that Shalrik's forces have been gathering people here, probably to be turned into ghouls for his army. Defensive strength is unknown, so I'm suggesting a full strike team." He looked at Matthew. "There's no side room full of ghouls, though, so you don't get to do a repeat of the last hostage mission." Matthew replied with a shrug, indifferent to the news. Fargason brought up a building plan. "There are two main entrances. Johnson, you'll divide your forces into two groups. Victoria and Jemeth will each accompany one team. Attack the room where the hostages are being held from two directions." He turned to Integra. "That would be my suggestion for a course of action, Sir Integra."

Alucard did not wait for Integra to look at him. "I would agree. If Shalrik is making such bold moves, he's got something up his sleeve. We should keep his supply of forces at a minimum."

Integra considered this. "You will be staying here, I take it."

Alucard nodded. "Yes, and my reasons for doing so are unchanged."

Johnson spoke up. "I think this would be good for the morale of our forces. We've had two major engagements without them involved. Letting them out to stretch their legs would be good for them."

Matthew was next. "Seras and I are more then ready for escort duty." Seras nodded her agreement.

Now it was Sir Integra's turn. She nodded. "Approved. Depart for the scene whenever you are ready. May God and her Majesty be with you. Amen."

"Amen," Fargason replied.