Hellsing isn't mine.

Pip saluted and stood at attention. "Captain Pip Bernadette of the Wild Geese, sir," he said, completely forgetting that he still had a cigarette.

"Relax, Captain," Sir Hellsing said, a cigar in her mouth. She nudged an ashtray closer to him on the desk. "I trust that your men are settling in?"

"Yes, sir," Pip said, "you have very nice barracks. Nothing that I've ever seen can come close."

"And you have been a mercenary for how long? Five years, ten?" sarcasm dripped from her voice. "But I thank you. They were the first part of the building to be repaired, along with the security fence and the kitchens."

"No, sir," Pip replied, slightly annoyed. "My father commanded the Wild Geese, and I traveled with them for my entire life."

"Sit down," came the order. "Seras, thank you. You have my permission to leave; I shall need your assistance later on today. Be prepared to leave at 2 PM."

"Yes, Sir Integra," was the reply as the door clicked shut.

"Now, Captain, do you think that you and your men will be able to handle this job?" was the first question in a long list that left Pip feeling slightly unsettled. His reward for keeping up with the questions was a smile. "Good."

"Sir?" was all that Pip could think to say as a pen was handed to him and a piece of paper slapped down on the desk.

"Review this, and ensure that it is to your liking, first, then you can get started on your training soon." This was a copy of the contract that Pip had seen earlier. He scanned it to make sure that no changes were made. One line worried him slightly, "personal correspondence shall not be limited, but will be subject to random reviews and censorship for the good of the organization. Leave time will be strictly monitored if reason to suspect treason occurs." Shaking off the feeling, Pip leaned forward and signed it, placing the pen down next to the paper.

"Thank you, Captain," and here Sir Integra smiled. "Now, please, get some rest. I cannot have my men falling down during guard duty. You start training in two days."

Pip stood, saluted, and left, wondering just what the hell had happened.

xXx

Returning to the barracks, Pip found a wild party going on. He whistled for attention, and when it was quiet enough for him to be heard, said, "check this out," and handed over the contract. Grabbing a glass, he moved over to the drinks and poured himself a beer, listening to Doc reading out the details and the replies of his men.

"Captain, I don't know how you got this one, but damn, you did good, sir. We're going to be living the high life, here," was yelled out over the general hubbub.

"Captain," Doc appeared at Pip's side, "here's the contract back. Can we talk?"

Pip finished his beer. "My room," he said, and turned to leave.

xXx

Pip entered his room and stopped. He had thought that his men were lucky in their rooms; his was unlike anything that he'd ever seen before. Large bed, large desk…large everything, in fact, and it all looked Very Expensive. And Very Old.

Doc pushed his way in, and stared. "Very…nice. So much for the parties," he slowly said, turning around in a circle. "Think that you'll need to get some more clothes, though, to fill a dresser of that size. Uniforms aren't going to cut it." He sat down in a chair. "Pip, this job feels funny."

"Funny how?" Pip replied, seating himself in another chair and lighting a cigarette. "And I've clothing. I just never wear it."

"Funny in that this isn't our usual job," Doc leaned forward. "They're giving us these barracks, which are just too nice for us common mercenaries. Soldiers belong in these barracks, not us. We're getting paid far beyond our normal fee, and I don't think that you had to get anything out of them. And the way that the vampire smiled gave me the shivers, frankly."

"Which vampire? Alucard or Miss Victoria?" Pip flicked ash off his cigarette. "She seemed welcoming—mostly—and it appeared to me that it was all a big joke for Alucard. It would have been nice, though, if he had come in the door," he shrugged. "Although you're right, the amount that we're getting paid does seem a bit off." Pip stopped as a knock came at the door. "Yeah?"

The door slowly opened to reveal Walter and Seras. "Ah, Captain," Walter said. "I trust that you are finding your accommodations acceptable? Come, Miss Seras." The two entered the room and crossed over to where Doc and Pip were sitting. "Here is information about Hellsing and the area. Tomorrow you will all be given your identification cards that will allow you to leave the grounds. Miss Seras will be your liaison and training officer. Have you any questions that could be answered now?"

Pip grinned. "Eh, only one. We've more gear; is it possible for us to have it sent here?" he sat back in his chair. "This seems like it's going to be a long term job here, considering the contract and all, and the men have left a lot of their personal belongings in storage."

Seras looked slightly surprised, but Walter simply nodded. "Of course, Captain. Might it make your men a bit quieter?"

Pip laughed, finally hearing the sounds trickling in from down the corridor. "I doubt it, Walter, but I can ask them to keep it down a bit if you'd like," Walter nodded, "and I'll keep them all in this general area for tonight."

"That will do quite nicely," Walter said, looking at his watch. "Now, please excuse us, but Miss Seras and I have an appointment that must be kept. In the future, however, Captain, bodyguard roles will also be given to you." He stood, and smiled slightly, "there are those out there who know who we are and what we do and still despise us. Captain, Leftenant." Walter and Seras left, with a church's bell tolling the hour in the distance and a party going on a bit closer.

Pip looked over a Doc. "Think we should go back before they start exploring?"

Doc nodded, and the two of them stood and hurried back to the party.

Ahhh...thanks to people who pointed out my timeline errors. Having volume 4 coming in a month late will do that to a person ;)
And much thanks to SerasKelia, who beta'd this sucker.