Chapter 2: The Gathering.
A/N: Enjoying the story so far? I can't tell, because no one has reviewed. Please let me know if you like it! By the way, in order understand some of the things I talk about here, you should read my first story about the Knights of Charlemagne, A Child of the Night. It features a werewolf named Jean-Paul Garouz, who is going to be featured in this story. Well, enough of my rant, on with the story!
Integra Hellsing sat at her desk, thinking hard. She had just received a call from Pierre Consteau, the Knights of Charlemagne retainer and Chervouz family butler. He had given her the unsettling news that FREAK- chipped vampires had appeared in France, and even worse, in Paris. Integra had thought that the FREAK situation was dying down, as the creatures' numbers had been dwindling in England. Now she realized that they were simply focusing on other areas.
Masseur Consteau had asked for information regarding the FREAK-chips. Integra had at first refused, because Hellsing was not on good terms with the Knights of Charlemagne. Despite bearing the name of a great religious leader, they were a secular organization, and viewed Hellsing as a group of foolish fanatics. However, the fact that they had asked for help might be an indicator of a change of heart. With this in mind, Integra had proposed an exchange of information, and had instructed Masseur Consteau to pass on the message to his master. She expected that Director Chervouz would be calling her anytime to discuss the trade. As a matter of fact, the phone was ringing now.
Integra picked up the phone and said,
"Yes? This is Director Hellsing."
"Sir Hellsing," replied the strongly accented voice of Francis Chervouz, "thank you for responding to our request. You mentioned a trade of information. What are you willing to offer us?"
"I should think that, as you were the one who asked for our help, it is I who should be asking that question," said Integra icily. "We have absolutely no reason to give you any information at all, especially considering the fact that in our last conversation you completely refused to give me any. Therefore, what do you have to offer me?
"Very well, you are right. I apologize." Director Chervouz sighed in resignation, and pressed on. "I am willing to tell you the true story of what happened in the village of South-shire two years ago. In return I would like whatever information you are willing to give me on the artificially created vampires. Does that sound fair?
"Yes," said Integra after a moment's consideration, "I believe that will do. You may begin with the story of what really happened in South- shire. Do be truthful this time."
"Yes, of course. As you must know by now, my niece Belle was living in South-shire at the time. The Knights of Charlemagne were keeping watch over her, as I wished her to come and work alongside me after she had completed school. Our surveillance indicated a growing vampire presence in the area. Doubtless Hellsing would have cleaned it out eventually, but I was afraid for my niece's life. I sent an agent of ours, Jean-Paul Garouz, to exterminate the vampires and bring my niece to safety. As it turns out, I was not a moment to soon, for the night that he arrived, Belle was attacked. He saved her life and later told her of my offer. She accepted at once and moved to Paris to begin training. Now, she is one of our top disinformation specialists."
"I suspected as much. Tell me, is Masseur Garouz still with you?"
"I'm afraid not. We had a falling out. I criticized his methods in eliminating the vampires and he took offense and left. He had been getting restless anyway, and we both decided it was time for him to move on. As far as I know, he is making a killing on the mercenary market at this point."
"I see," said Integra. "Very well, you have upheld your end of the bargain, so now I shall uphold mine. These artificial vampires are created by implanting what are known as FREAK-chips behind the ear. The chips stimulate the brain and cause the vampiric change. However, the chips cannot produce the full powers of a vampire and therefore the technological freaks are very weak. They cannot even regenerate lost body parts or close bullet wounds. They are little more than fledglings."
"Yes, yes, we know that already. Our autopsy of the defeated vampires was sufficient to tell us that. What we need to know is where the FREAK- chips are coming from!"
"Join the club," said Integra bitterly. "Hellsing at this point has no concrete leads to tell us the answer to your question. We are investigating, but as of now have not found anything particularly helpful. We found a factory in London, but it offered no evidence to point us toward the real manufacturers."
"Is that so?" asked Francis. "Then I would like to propose that we work together. I have a large and well-organized spy network that runs throughout Europe. Perhaps by combining my resources with your powerful agents we could finally end this menace. What do you say?"
Integra considered. Hellsing was making no progress at all, and the Knights of Charlemagne did indeed have much to offer her in the way of manpower and technology. There was no more well funded organization in all of Europe. However, Chervouz had a tendency to ask too much for his services, and the theological differences between the two organizations were hard to get past. Still, that many resources were hard to pass up. Integra made her decision.
"Hellsing will accept your offer with two conditions. First, there will be no discriminating based upon religion. No matter how silly you consider our beliefs to be, you will respect them. Second, we will have equal control over this investigation. You will do nothing behind my back. Is this acceptable?"
Francis weighed the options. Hellsing had less funding and manpower than the Knights, but they had more experience with the artificial vampires, and they also had two very powerful agents to offer. If the investigation ran into the theoretical vampire army, the two full vampires would be a great asset to have. The fact that they were a bunch of religious fanatics notwithstanding, Hellsing could be a very valuable ally.
"All right, I think that is fair. How do you wish to arrange the meeting?"
"I will send an agent of mine named Seras Victoria to help in the investigation. If and when something concrete is found, I will send Alucard as well."
"Good. We will prepare a welcome for Miss Victoria, and look forward to her arrival. Thank you for being so agreeable in this matter. Good bye."
Francis Chervouz hung up, leaving Integra to wonder briefly if she had made the right decision. How could a man so pompous possibly give her any assistance? But, Integra had given her word, and she intended to keep it. She picked up her extension.
"Walter, I trust you were listening to the proceeding conversation. Please inform Miss Victoria that she will be leaving for Paris at the end of this week, and arrange a mode of transportation."
"Of course, my lady," replied Walter. "I shall do so at once."
Seras Victoria was practicing with the Halconnen. She was working hard to get used to the monstrous weapon, and had almost gotten to the point that she could fire without flinching. She was still having trouble recovering from the shock of the weapon's muzzle flash, and was putting in extra time at the range to try and make up for it. So far, it hadn't worked. She was glad of an excuse to stop when Walter entered the range control room and signaled for her to come and talk to him.
"Miss Seras, I wish to compliment you on your continuing improvement with the Halconnen. You really have done well."
"Thanks, Walter," blushed Seras. She knew Walter was only trying to cheer her up, but she still appreciated the praise. She got so little of that around here.
"I have come to inform you that you will be flying to Paris at the end of the week to begin investigation into FREAK-chip vampire incidents in France. The Knights of Charlemagne wish to cooperate in ridding Europe of those freaks once and for all."
"Paris!?" said Seras. "All right! I've always wanted to go to Paris."
"Somehow I don't think you'll be doing much shopping, police girl," said a smug voice from the entrance to the range. "If I know anything about the Knights, they'll be working you into the ground. They're not fond of newcomers over there."
Seras sighed. As usual, her Master had managed to put a rain on her parade. Couldn't he ever let her be excited about anything? Oh well. At least she would get to see the city, even if she couldn't explore it.
"You will leave at 7 o' clock this Saturday. Pack lightly, as the Knights will be providing most of the necessities. Good day. "
Walter turned and left. After a moment, Alucard followed. Seras took the Halconnen apart and began to clean it, excited. Even there weren't going to be any shopping trips, she was going to Paris!
Well, what did you think? Did I keep everyone in character? Please Review and let me know, I'm not posting anymore until I get some feedback. And also, if you don't want to read A Child of the Night, I'll just say that Jean-Paul infringed on Hellsing's territory and Francis Chervouz refused to tell Integra anything about the incident when she called. R&R, but no flames. Thanks!
A/N: Enjoying the story so far? I can't tell, because no one has reviewed. Please let me know if you like it! By the way, in order understand some of the things I talk about here, you should read my first story about the Knights of Charlemagne, A Child of the Night. It features a werewolf named Jean-Paul Garouz, who is going to be featured in this story. Well, enough of my rant, on with the story!
Integra Hellsing sat at her desk, thinking hard. She had just received a call from Pierre Consteau, the Knights of Charlemagne retainer and Chervouz family butler. He had given her the unsettling news that FREAK- chipped vampires had appeared in France, and even worse, in Paris. Integra had thought that the FREAK situation was dying down, as the creatures' numbers had been dwindling in England. Now she realized that they were simply focusing on other areas.
Masseur Consteau had asked for information regarding the FREAK-chips. Integra had at first refused, because Hellsing was not on good terms with the Knights of Charlemagne. Despite bearing the name of a great religious leader, they were a secular organization, and viewed Hellsing as a group of foolish fanatics. However, the fact that they had asked for help might be an indicator of a change of heart. With this in mind, Integra had proposed an exchange of information, and had instructed Masseur Consteau to pass on the message to his master. She expected that Director Chervouz would be calling her anytime to discuss the trade. As a matter of fact, the phone was ringing now.
Integra picked up the phone and said,
"Yes? This is Director Hellsing."
"Sir Hellsing," replied the strongly accented voice of Francis Chervouz, "thank you for responding to our request. You mentioned a trade of information. What are you willing to offer us?"
"I should think that, as you were the one who asked for our help, it is I who should be asking that question," said Integra icily. "We have absolutely no reason to give you any information at all, especially considering the fact that in our last conversation you completely refused to give me any. Therefore, what do you have to offer me?
"Very well, you are right. I apologize." Director Chervouz sighed in resignation, and pressed on. "I am willing to tell you the true story of what happened in the village of South-shire two years ago. In return I would like whatever information you are willing to give me on the artificially created vampires. Does that sound fair?
"Yes," said Integra after a moment's consideration, "I believe that will do. You may begin with the story of what really happened in South- shire. Do be truthful this time."
"Yes, of course. As you must know by now, my niece Belle was living in South-shire at the time. The Knights of Charlemagne were keeping watch over her, as I wished her to come and work alongside me after she had completed school. Our surveillance indicated a growing vampire presence in the area. Doubtless Hellsing would have cleaned it out eventually, but I was afraid for my niece's life. I sent an agent of ours, Jean-Paul Garouz, to exterminate the vampires and bring my niece to safety. As it turns out, I was not a moment to soon, for the night that he arrived, Belle was attacked. He saved her life and later told her of my offer. She accepted at once and moved to Paris to begin training. Now, she is one of our top disinformation specialists."
"I suspected as much. Tell me, is Masseur Garouz still with you?"
"I'm afraid not. We had a falling out. I criticized his methods in eliminating the vampires and he took offense and left. He had been getting restless anyway, and we both decided it was time for him to move on. As far as I know, he is making a killing on the mercenary market at this point."
"I see," said Integra. "Very well, you have upheld your end of the bargain, so now I shall uphold mine. These artificial vampires are created by implanting what are known as FREAK-chips behind the ear. The chips stimulate the brain and cause the vampiric change. However, the chips cannot produce the full powers of a vampire and therefore the technological freaks are very weak. They cannot even regenerate lost body parts or close bullet wounds. They are little more than fledglings."
"Yes, yes, we know that already. Our autopsy of the defeated vampires was sufficient to tell us that. What we need to know is where the FREAK- chips are coming from!"
"Join the club," said Integra bitterly. "Hellsing at this point has no concrete leads to tell us the answer to your question. We are investigating, but as of now have not found anything particularly helpful. We found a factory in London, but it offered no evidence to point us toward the real manufacturers."
"Is that so?" asked Francis. "Then I would like to propose that we work together. I have a large and well-organized spy network that runs throughout Europe. Perhaps by combining my resources with your powerful agents we could finally end this menace. What do you say?"
Integra considered. Hellsing was making no progress at all, and the Knights of Charlemagne did indeed have much to offer her in the way of manpower and technology. There was no more well funded organization in all of Europe. However, Chervouz had a tendency to ask too much for his services, and the theological differences between the two organizations were hard to get past. Still, that many resources were hard to pass up. Integra made her decision.
"Hellsing will accept your offer with two conditions. First, there will be no discriminating based upon religion. No matter how silly you consider our beliefs to be, you will respect them. Second, we will have equal control over this investigation. You will do nothing behind my back. Is this acceptable?"
Francis weighed the options. Hellsing had less funding and manpower than the Knights, but they had more experience with the artificial vampires, and they also had two very powerful agents to offer. If the investigation ran into the theoretical vampire army, the two full vampires would be a great asset to have. The fact that they were a bunch of religious fanatics notwithstanding, Hellsing could be a very valuable ally.
"All right, I think that is fair. How do you wish to arrange the meeting?"
"I will send an agent of mine named Seras Victoria to help in the investigation. If and when something concrete is found, I will send Alucard as well."
"Good. We will prepare a welcome for Miss Victoria, and look forward to her arrival. Thank you for being so agreeable in this matter. Good bye."
Francis Chervouz hung up, leaving Integra to wonder briefly if she had made the right decision. How could a man so pompous possibly give her any assistance? But, Integra had given her word, and she intended to keep it. She picked up her extension.
"Walter, I trust you were listening to the proceeding conversation. Please inform Miss Victoria that she will be leaving for Paris at the end of this week, and arrange a mode of transportation."
"Of course, my lady," replied Walter. "I shall do so at once."
Seras Victoria was practicing with the Halconnen. She was working hard to get used to the monstrous weapon, and had almost gotten to the point that she could fire without flinching. She was still having trouble recovering from the shock of the weapon's muzzle flash, and was putting in extra time at the range to try and make up for it. So far, it hadn't worked. She was glad of an excuse to stop when Walter entered the range control room and signaled for her to come and talk to him.
"Miss Seras, I wish to compliment you on your continuing improvement with the Halconnen. You really have done well."
"Thanks, Walter," blushed Seras. She knew Walter was only trying to cheer her up, but she still appreciated the praise. She got so little of that around here.
"I have come to inform you that you will be flying to Paris at the end of the week to begin investigation into FREAK-chip vampire incidents in France. The Knights of Charlemagne wish to cooperate in ridding Europe of those freaks once and for all."
"Paris!?" said Seras. "All right! I've always wanted to go to Paris."
"Somehow I don't think you'll be doing much shopping, police girl," said a smug voice from the entrance to the range. "If I know anything about the Knights, they'll be working you into the ground. They're not fond of newcomers over there."
Seras sighed. As usual, her Master had managed to put a rain on her parade. Couldn't he ever let her be excited about anything? Oh well. At least she would get to see the city, even if she couldn't explore it.
"You will leave at 7 o' clock this Saturday. Pack lightly, as the Knights will be providing most of the necessities. Good day. "
Walter turned and left. After a moment, Alucard followed. Seras took the Halconnen apart and began to clean it, excited. Even there weren't going to be any shopping trips, she was going to Paris!
Well, what did you think? Did I keep everyone in character? Please Review and let me know, I'm not posting anymore until I get some feedback. And also, if you don't want to read A Child of the Night, I'll just say that Jean-Paul infringed on Hellsing's territory and Francis Chervouz refused to tell Integra anything about the incident when she called. R&R, but no flames. Thanks!