Freedom Chapter 11

By J.L. Pitard

Standard disclaimer: All characters belong to Kohta Hirano and his publishers. I have no stake in them...

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"A dragon!" Walter called as he came into Integra's bedroom, carrying a clipboard with printouts. "Oh dear," he said.

Integra came out of the bathroom with a robe and towel. Not a flattering get up, he thought.

"Dragon?" She reached over to her dresser for her glasses.

"Yes, my Lady. Not a snake at all."

"Significance?" All thought of sleep was gone. Integra held her hand out for the clipboard.

"The name originally meant 'son of the dragon' for the Loyal Order of the Dragon that his father had been invited to join. A point of pride for the family. Later interpreted as 'son of the devil' by his enemies. This symbol was used as a signature might be. Should ring some bells for him."

As she sat on the bed reviewing the papers, she grabbed for her ashtray and a half cigar. Walter lit the end for her as she puffed.

"So someone used this to get his attention?" Integra thought of the people killed- worse, really, turned into ghouls- just to get Hellsing to send out their vampires. The symbol on the map must've been planned out. The tattoo as well. To what end?

Walter nodded. He noted the way she rubbed the bridge of her nose, a sure sign of fatigue.

"I want to know the second they return."

"Of course, ma'am...perhaps you should rest until then." He knew she would be up for a while anyway, but it was good to start her thinking of sleep. He laid out her pinstriped pajamas. They kept odd hours due to the nature of the work as well as the oddities of the two vampires. Walter slept in 2-hour increments or catnapped when he could. Integra would hardly sleep at all for days when under stress, and then she couldn't deny her body for a day or more. It was best when she listened to his advice.

He retrieved the papers and quietly let himself out.

Integra stubbed out her cigar; she'd finish it later. Head in her hands, she had to admit that she had been up worrying too much lately. Rebuilding the Hellsing Organization was painfully slow work.

She would need a clear head later when Alucard came back.

From time to time, she'd thought about getting rid of him. Stake him in his sleep, behead him, burn him in sections and scatter the ashes at crossroads or in flowing waters maybe? She had visualized doing it, but each time, she imagined that if one step were left out or done wrong... well, he might be a bit too tough to be killed and she imagined his fury.

Yes, she did fear him. She accepted that. Plus, the same seals that protected her also gave him a measure of safety from her. Such magics cut both ways. If she understood it all, she could hurt him with impunity, but not kill him herself. She, however, could ask someone else to do it, while he was restricted from directing an ally to do harm to her. Seras? Integra had thought of her growth as a good thing for Hellsing, but what if it was part of an elaborate plot? The last conscious thought Sir Integra Wingate Hellsing had was a certainty that she had done everything to insure that Police Girl would be a loyal servant.

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The air near the rear entrance was disturbed for just a few moments before two figures appeared, wrapped in an embrace. Alucard looked down at the woman in his arms. Such a little thing, he thought. So much potential. He bent to give her a little kiss,

His lips pressed close to hers and she almost snuggled into his arms until her thoughts became more coherent. The overwhelming thought was anger at him, so she pushed away.

"How could you!" Seras didn't mean to scream. She was just so upset. His hand clamped down on her mouth. At least he didn't use any mind tricks this time.

"I think you were very well behaved tonight," he said quietly and released her mouth before she could bite him.

"Are you insane?" He smiled at her question. This so infuriated her that Seras lunged at him with her fists battering harmlessly at his chest.

"Your freedom?" She pounded on despite the lack of response. "Would you kill her for that?"

He cuffed her, knocking her to the ground. "Do not forget who your master is, Police Girl." She shook her head, not wanting to believe. He had hit her and was plotting to kill Integra. Not only that, he expected her to help him. Could it get worse? The moist ground's coolness seeped through her pretty red dress. Would Walter find someone to get the stains out?

He stretched a hand out to help her get back up. She looked up at his face, her confusion clear.

"Freedom comes in many forms, Draculina. Now, let's go inside and you can give our guns a light oiling."

Seras pouted at his gloved hand another few seconds. Then, maybe more to get off the dampness than because she believed him, she took it.

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"Sir?" Walter's intercom chirped with his secretary's voice. "Call on line 1. Mercenary, sir. I think it's important."

"Thank you." He picked up the line.

"'Allo?" Walter could imagine the face on the other end and shuddered.

"What is it?" Walter did not like dealing with the mercenaries at all, but the current situation called for extreme measures.

"'Ere is a report you'll find interesting." Walter heard the phone being passed.

"Um, sir," a young voice this time, "I was wandering out tonight and I saw Miss Seras and your monster. They just appeared. I wasn't so close to hear everything, but there was talk of betrayal, freedom and then he knocked her to the ground. I would've gone to help her, but he's a bit, you know."

"Wise of you, I don't think he views your group as under his protection."

"Um, well, yeah. So, that's about it. They walked into the back entrance."

"Together?"

"Yes sir."

"Thank you."

"'Allo? We get a little bit extra, no?"

Walter eased the phone back into its cradle. Betrayal?

He stood up quickly, ignoring the little aches and pains of aging.