The pungent smell of gun cleaning solvent filled the air as Matthew slid the rod down the revolver's barrel, coating its inner surface with a thin layer of the liquid. Having some free time, Matthew had finally started cleaning his Smith & Wesson 500. Not minding the smell too much as it reminded him of the times he and his family would go shooting he sat at the desk in his room, the gun laying disassembled before him. He'd already cleaned the cylinder and support arm of power residue. The rest of the gun wouldn't take much longer to finish. After all, he only fired a few rounds. As he checked his progress at cleaning the barrel, there was a knock at the door. Matthew looked up. "Come in," he called.

The door swung open, admitting Seras Victoria into the room. Her nose wrinkled at the smell of gun solvent. Matthew chuckled. "Oh be quiet," she said. "Just because you like it doesn't mean I have to."

Matthew continued cleaning, running a solvent soaked rag piece over the entire gun. "So, what's up?"

"Intel finished their analysis of all the data they collected last night. I'm heading to Sir Integra's office for the mission planning. Thought I'd grab you on the way."

"Sounds good." He set the rap piece and gun frame on the table. "This can wait until later. Let me wash off my hands, and I'll be right with you."

The odor of gun solvent removed, Matthew joined Seras in the quiet walk to Sir Integra's office. Soon after they arrived, Fargason and Harison joined them. "We've managed to get some information about the organization we're dealing with. They're called the Global Fangs. They've gotten established in other countries and are now turning their eyes on Europe, starting with England."

"Another thing we know," he continued, "is that we've really lucked out this time." He brought out a map. "The Global Fangs are still weak in England. We think we've located their England base. If we knock it out, mopping up the rest should be relatively simple."

He spread the map out on Sir Integra's desk. London lied in its lower right corner. A star, marking the supposed Global Fang base, sat near the border between England and Wales. It was very lightly populated. Made it highly probable that a quiet enough buildup would go unnoticed there. "We know nothing of the area," Fargason continued, "so a recon team would be recommended with a strike team nearby so any enemy forces cannot escape."

Integra's orders came swiftly. "Alucard, Victoria, and Jemeth: you will perform the reconnaissance. If this is indeed the Global Fang base you will join with the assault team. Collect your gear and leave immediately. Harison, assemble your team and leave as soon as possible. I want that base wiped out now." All those who would respond did so in their usual way. "May God and Her Majesty go with you."

"Amen," responded Harison.

Ten minutes later Seras Victoria waited out at the usual meeting area, curious why her fledgling hadn't yet arrives. She was about to send a telepathic call when she spoted him exit the facility. Strangely, though, he carried no gear. She grabbed her cannon and started for him. "Where are your weapons, Matthew?"

"Suddenly got an idea for transit better than the standard Hellsing APC. Come on," he replied with a smile. The two made their way to the Hellsing motorpool where an unmarked white van sat waiting for them. "Quieter and less conspicuous. Figured it's the next best thing to Alucard's teleportation."

Seras gave a smile and a nod. "Good work, Matthew." She stepped through the open back doors and set her gear down on one side. Matthew's weapons already waited on the other. After Seras had taken the passenger seat, Matthew slipped behind the steering wheel, started up the engine, and drove the van out onto the darkened streets of nighttime London.

For a time they were silent, but as the van left London and entered a more rural part of England Matthew spoke up. "Seras," he asked his Master, "I've got a strange question for you."

Her gaze drifted from the window to him. "What's that?"

He gave a sigh, as if reconsidering asking. "What if we complete our mission? What do we do then?"

Seras was quiet for a moment. "You mean the Hellsing mission of the destruction of all vampires, I take it." All he could to was nod. "I don't know. I suppose it all depends on what Sir Integra decides on. On the one hand, we're vampires. On the other, we're fought 'our own kind' for them for a few years now, Alucard longer, and will continue to do so as long as needed. Others may see us as a threat to be eliminated, but Sir Integra might see us as friends, or at least allies, to be helped. She might find a new use for us, or find us protection. In the end, it will fall to her, or whoever replaces her should the mission stretch beyond her lifetime." She gave a soft smile. "I would certainly hope we're not asked to kill ourselves. After seeing Alucard in action, I'm not sure we can."

The rest of the trip was spent in silence, the van lumbering along to a spot near the presumed base. As they slowed Seras sat upright, gave a nod, then looked to Matthew. "Alucard is outside waiting."

The two exited the van and started for the back. Alucard was already there, leaning against a tree and waiting for them to gather their gear. Seras grabbed her cannon and pistols while Matthew started stripping on his weapons. Minutes later, the three vampires started walking through the woods toward the base. Seras and Matthew stayed near Alucard, his powers being more than sufficient to mask the three from detection. Still, Seras and Matthew walked with pistols drawn, while Alucard walked as if it meant nothing to him.

The building itself was within the woods, trees providing cover the whole way in. Branches reached overhead, blocking out the stars. As they neared the side of the building Alucard spoke, "Seras Victoria, search the perimeter for a way in. I'll search the roof. Young Jemeth, you'll find access to the basement over there." He pointed along the side of the building.

Matthew gave a mental sigh, starting to wonder if he was becoming the Hellsing spelunker, though he nodded in replied. Seras did the same.

Alucard threw his usual smirk. "Be careful, Police Girl." With that, he lept two stories to the buildings roof and moved off.

'Be careful, Matthew,' Seras thought to him while starting to the corner of the building.

'You too.' Matthew started along the wall, soon finding a door that would lead to the basement. It had been locked with the chain, but the chain had been broken. 'Looks recent too...' He slowly opened one door, peering into the darkness with his enhanced vision and keeping one Browning Hi-Power aimed down the stairs. Carefully, he started down into the basement.

He wasn't sure what exactly he expected to find at the bottom of the stairs, but he didn't find it. Instead of a room filled with assorted junk, he entered a corridor. "Not another one of these..," he quietly muttered. Checking that both pistols were cocked and ready, he started down. He paid close attention to his 'spider sense', looking for any sign of the enemy. He walked softly, his footsteps making no echo in the dark concrete hallway.

So focused was he on his vampiric sense, here rounded a corner without looking first. He ran into something solid, muttered and "oof", and leapt back a couple paces.

There, standing before him, was Paladin Alexander Anderson.

Anderson smiled. Not friendly at all. His was the smile a predator gives the prey is sighted. Matthew, his left side toward Alexander, started to sidestep away. "Anderson," he said, "I'm not your enemy. I'm not like other vampires. Remember?"

He shook his head. "Oh, I do, vampire. But that doesn't matter. God gave ya a reprieve those three years ago, but that is long since gone. The time has come for ya to burn in Hell, vampire." He sure his swords. "And that task falls to me."

'I didn't want to have to do this…' Matthew thought. Moving with all his vampiric speed, he pulled his until then out of view right pistol from its holster and fired twice. One bullet struck Anderson in the chest. The other, his head. The tall priest fell back, slamming into the floor. Matthew kept his guns trained, wondering why he hadn't sensed the Paladin's presence. He stood, shook his head, and started a way down the corridor.

Suddenly, he felt a warning flare from his vampiric sense. He leapt sideways, narrowly avoiding a sword aimed at his head. It embedded itself in the far wall. It pierced a piece of paper covered with Latin writings. Matthew heard the sounds of more swords embedding into the walls and spun around. The walls were covered with sword pierced paper. He gave a light gasp as his head started to pound. He realized that he been cut off from his vampiric senses.

More importantly, Anderson now stood. He was rearmed, had healing holes in his forehead and chest, and looked to Matthew with a combination of insane glee and intense rage.

'Oh, Hell...' Matthew thought, 'he's a damned Regenerator.' He knew now his trusty Brownings couldn't help them. As quickly as he could, Anderson slowly approaching, Matthew safed and holstered his pistols, dropped Valkyrie, and released the backpack. He slid his arm thorugh the shield straps, brought it around, and unsheathed Amenthyl.

Anderson chuckled. "A vampire with a proper weapon? This should get interestin'."

Matthew wanted to call to Seras, to Alucard. He needed help, but he knew they wouldn't hear him. These pages of Latin had stripped him of his abilities. So, he tried to build himself up around his remaining physical enhancements and prepared for battle. He held his shield before him, and Amenthyl high and behind him. Anderson held his swords relaxed at his side, obviously confident his abilities.

Anderson moved first, rushing and Matthew with swords now raised. Matthew brought his shield up to block one, blocking the other with Amenthyl. Matthew brought his sword through an overhead arc, which was caught by Anderson's blades and thrown back. With inhuman speed, Matthew rushed underneath the Paladin's blades and bashed Anderson in the chest with his shield. Anderson flew back, but landed on his feet. His movements became a blur...

... And Matthew suddenly found himself facing more than a dozen swords flying right at his head. 'Shit!' With all the speed he could muster, Matthew brought up his sword and shield to deflect the incoming weapons. Some bounced off the shield while others were parried by Amenthyl.

Unfortunately, he was a little too slow. One sword got through, piercing through his left thigh and sticking out the other side by a foot and a half. Pain shot up that leg, threatening to drop him to the floor. Somehow he stayed on his feet. But a second sword hit Amenthyl while his group was loose ripping the broadsword from his hand and sending its sliding across the floor.

Anderson halted his barrage and, rearmed with two of the blasted blessed blades, slowly walked at him. Matthew pulled out one pistol, not having any other defense. Its bullet had no effect of events in Paladin.

So the vampire was on the defensive, bringing his shield up to stop or deflect the priest's swords. The pain in Matthew's leg started to sap his concentration. He whipped the shield around to knock one sword away. Anderson saw his opportunity, and stabbed a second sword into his outstretched right arm.

Matthew let out a second yelp of pain, trying to move back. Anderson, sensing the kill, moved in. He brought his swords down in a horizontal arc. Matthew brought his shield in line as best he could with a sword through his upper arm. The swords struck, but instead of absorbing the force of the blow Matthew used it to propel him into a spin, stretching out the shield again. The shield hit Anderson's flank and send him tumbling.

The priest wasn't down for long. He again stood and started running at Matthew. Matthew, in pain and hearing exhaustion, simply brought his shield up and awaited the inevitable. The Paladin's swords rose up and started to fall. Matthew braced…

…And was surprised when he felt nothing as he heard the clang of metal to metal contact. Slowly, he lowered his shield. Above him were three swords. Two were Anderson's. The third was Amenthyl. He followed the blade back to an arm, then back to the one who had saved him. There, wearing his trademark smirk, stood Alucard. "It seems you are the one I should have told to be careful, Young Jemeth. I'll take it from here."

Matthew felt someone grasp his left arm and pull him away. A quick glance told him it was Seras. He holstered his pistol and joined her in watching her Master at work.

Alucard and Anderson backed off from each other, each seeking a better attacking position. The elder vampire reached under his trenchcoat and pulled out Jackal, cycling its slide with his teeth. Suddenly, the two moved in. Clang after clang rang down the corridor as the blades met in furious combat. Every so often, the loud bang of Alucard's Jackal sounded sending Anderson momentarily on the defensive.

The priest overextended himself in one attack swing, and Alucard took the opportunity. One quick slice, and one of Anderson swords clattered to the floor. A hand still held onto the sword's grip. Anderson, looking quite paced, held the stump against his body has Alucard nonchalantly reached out, speared the hand with the tip of Amenthyl, and held it out to Anderson.

"Need a hand?"

Anderson didn't reply. He simply to the sword he still held, jammed it into the stump, and grabbed another from under his road. Then, with a yell, he charged again.

Matthew is gone to Alucard decently well over the previous years. Fielder vampire felt, at this point, that he had for pressing business. He had a mission to accomplish, and didn't have time to play with the Paladin. It was highly likely he would have the chance again someday. So, once Anderson was in range and with speed that put Matthew to shame, Alucard struck.

Anderson came to halt disarmed. The very disarmed. His look carried in millions of mistake repeated. Knowing the battle was over, for the time being, he said he simply through a look for Alucard, Seras, and Matthew. "Until the next time, vampires." He vanished a flurry of holy papers.

Alucard gave a 'hmph' and started down the corridor. He threw Amenthyl over his shoulder in the broadsword was easily caught by Matthew's free hand. Matthew slid it into his scabbard.

"While you were fighting, Alucard and I determined that this is the Global Fang base. Must be why Anderson was here as well. We're heading to form up with Harison's team now." Seras's look grew thoughtful. "Are you all right?"

"I will be," he replied. He reached up to the sword sticking out of his arm and grabbed its handle. Almost instantly, he let go with a light gasp. His hand felt like it was on fire, and he could've sworn he heard... sizzling. 'Damn... The grip is blessed too.' He tried grabbing the sword in his leg with the same result. He sighed and slouched a bit, his look one of resignation. "Seras," he muttered almost too softly to hear.

She understood, both what he was asking for why he said it like that. She walked over to him, grabbed one sword with her gloved hand, and yanked it out tossing it aside. It was soon joined by the second. "That's why I wear gloves," she said.

He simply shrugged. "Come on. We've gotta form up." Feeling embarrassed at his failure, he simply walked away. After a few paces, he stopped and turned to look at Seras. "Thanks." Then, he continued on.

Harison's team was ready to roll when the three Hellsing vampires arrived. Harison looked to Alucard, who simply gave a slow nod. He turned to his troops while Seras and Matthew donned radio headsets. "All right, everyone, we're good to go. Move to your positions." The squad started to spread into formation as Harison briefed the vampires. "I've got teams at other entrances. When we move in, I want you two on support." He looked first at Seras and Matthew, then looked at Alucard. "You don't listen to my orders, so just do what you always do." Alucard smirked, but did not reply.

"Do we split off, or stick with one team?" Matthew asked. For once, letting himself fall into his job helped him concentrate.

"Stay with this team for now. I might have you two break off from us later, but I'll decide that on the fly. Depends on what we face."

"Nothing I couldn't handle."

Seras looked at her master. "Alucard, I doubt there is anything you couldn't handle."

Harison gave the order to make ready. Seras drew her cannon while Matthew drew Spitfire, loading a magazine and cocking the rifle. At Harison's command, they started forward. From the four compass directions, Harison's teams approached the building. They used the trees as cover, 'island-hopping' closer to the building.

The Global Fangs took notice to the intrusion. Suddenly, the building's doors burst open, several squads of ghouls and several vampires exiting to engage. Harison did not hesitate. "Fire!" Hellsing's troop's fire cut into the ranks of ghouls, dropping many to the ground. When the vampires started closing in, Harison shouted his next order. "Switch ammunition!" All troops released their weapon magazines and grabbed an alternate. Loading and cocking, each resumed fire when ready. The incoming vampires were met with a hail of silver plated bullets, many falling to the earth in piles of ash.

Matthew and Seras were both kept busy covering the troops from vampire attacks. Seras let out streams of 10mm bullets from her twin pistols while Matthew sprayed Spitfire's ammo at any target that got too close. Alucard was already inside, having teleported on ahead. With Seras and Matthew around he considered fighting ghouls and 'weak' vampires to be a secondary mission, at best a warm up and at worst beneath him. After fighting Anderson earlier in the mission, this battle fell into the latter category.

Soon enough, all was again quiet. The Hellsing troops, reduced in number by two, formed a perimeter and gathered a squad to send inside. With them were Seras and Matthew. After breeching the door, the two vampires were told to break off and start their own search and destroy operation. 'Usual method?' Matthew thought to Seras.

'That works,' she thought back. 'Keep in touch.'

'Same to you.' Seras started away, pistols drawn. Matthew, on a whim, stuffed a round into Valkyrie. The cannon finally had a guard for its firing stud, so he could keep it loaded more often. While it wasn't as powerful as Seras's Harkinnen, Valkyrie was easier to wield in battle.

The same whim that loaded the Valkyrie also drew him back to the basement. 'Spidy-sense is acting up again…' He drew one browning and held Spitfire at his hip, slowly staring down. This time, he paid close attention to his surroundings. Within a few minutes, he made a realization. 'This place looks a lot like Hellsing's underground…' He had no time to dwell, however. As he rounded a corner he came face to face with an enemy vampire. "This just isn't my day…" he muttered.

The other vampire chuckled. "Finally. My turn at a Hellsing." He drew a pistol and fired.

Matthew spun, ducking his head to the side. The bullet punctured his backpack and bounced off his shield. As he came back around, he fired three rounds at his opponent, all hitting his chest. The other rocked back, but he was not killed. Rather, he laughed. Under his shirt was a bulletproof vest. Matthew could have easily shot him in the head, but he'd entered 'Alucard Mode'; a more combat oriented state of mind that was more vengeful to being thwarted. This vampire was being annoying, but he would take it out on his terms. With a sigh, he holstered his pistol, slid Spitfire along his leg to the floor, snatched up Valkyrie, and launched a depleated uranium shall.

The shell blew a hole through the vampire's vest… and through the vampire. Somehow he remained standing. He wasn't for long. Matthew drew the pistol again and show the vampire's exposed heart. The vampire dropped in a pile of ash. 'That's what you get for annoying me,' he thought. Almost immediately after that, he thought, 'Wait… Where the hell did that come from?'

Harison's voice came over the headset. "Alright, people, start for the door. Looks like we got them all."

"Not yet," Seras replied. "Matthew, get over here. Everyone else out. Alucard has found a 'challenge'."

Everyone knew what that meant. "We're moving." If Alucard found a challenging target, few humans could survive the battle.

"I'm on my way," Matthew said. If nothing else, he and Seras could give Alucard cover. He turned and fan for the stairs, quickly locating Seras thanks to their telepathic link. She motioned him to follow and started running. They soon came to a central outdoor courtyard. 'Like the one outside Hellsing…' He filed the thought away as he slowed to a walk and brought Spitfire to his left shoulder.

'Alucard came out here looking,' Seras thought to him. 'Said he'd found the target and invited us to watch. I think he's… that way.' She didn't run, but she moved quickly toward where she'd sensed Alucard. They found him quickly, but he was alone. "Alucard?" Seras quietly asked.

"The vampire is hiding from me, but hasn't left yet. Stay on your toes, Police Girl. Our foe may try to slip away."

"Oh no, Alucard," a female voice came from the darkness. "I was just waiting for your fellows to arrive. I wanted to see the 'mighty Hellsing vampires'."

Seras drew her pistols and Matthew swung his rifle around. Alucard simply smirked. "The question is," Alucard said to the newcomer, "do we get to see you?"

"Why not?" To Matthew she had no accent. She was from the United States. A woman stepped into the light. She appeared to be taller than Matthew with a frame both slim and powerful. Dark red hair fell from to her upper back and a pair of red eyes stared at them. He would have thought her beautiful if not for the way she ran her tongue across her fangs. His vampiric sense was screaming at him in warning. Her eyes fixed on Alucard. "Happy?"

He replied with a neutral, "Hmm…" Then he asked, "Do you have a name?"

"Breka," she replied. "I must complement you on dealing with my minions, annoying as it is to loose them. And that Regenerator; much as I hate thanking possible enemies I've gotta hand it to you you dealt with him well. Jemeth… better luck next time." Matthew's eyes squinted minutely as he kept in his sudden irritation. Breka drew her pistols, twin Colt 45 automatics with extended grips. Matthew figured she had extended magazines to match; a Colt 45 normally held seven rounds.

Alucard stepped up, drawing Joshua and Jackle. "I told the others I thought you'd be a challenge. Don't make a liar out of me."

Breka smirked, one worthy of Alucard, then started to sidestep around.

"Alucard?" Matthew asked.

Understanding the question, Alucard replied, "You two stay back. I'm going to have a little fun tonight."

Seras and Matthew moved off, each finding a place to wait and be ready to assist, though Alucard would never call for them.

Breka finished her circle, as if she'd simply been waiting for Seras and Matthew to move out of the way. She aimed and fired, Alucard having decided to let her make the first shot. The bullet tore into his shoulder and blew out the other side. It quickly regenerated, and Alucard was in motion. He fired a spread from his guns… but Breka dodged them all. Alucard smirked. "Well, you're at least a grade C vampire." By this point, Alucard was across from Matthew. He caught Matthew's gaze, and Matthew instantly knew what the elder vampire wanted. He nodded, flipping Spitfire back into its mounts.

Alucard and Breka continued their fight, firing volleys of bullets at one another. Most were dodged, and those that struck were ignored. Alucard gave Matthew another look. With a second nod, Matthew leaned forward, grabbed Amenthyl's grip, and yanked hard. The sword came out of his scabbard and started flying over the courtyard. Alucard stretched out his arm and snatched the sword out of the air, having already holstered Joshua under his trenchcoat. Alucard brought the sword through several slices, then fired a round from Jackal. The bullet struck Breka's left thigh, slowing her for a moment. Then, Alucard brought Amenthyl through an overhead arc, slicing off Breka's forearm.

Berka hisses, leaping back a couple paces. "Hey, that actually hurt!" She glared at Seras and Matthew. "Maybe I should bring some company for you? Keep you out of my hair?" She raised her right arm to snap her fingers… but belated realized that was the arm she'd just lost. She gave an exasperated sigh. Suddenly, a dark-red blood-like gellish liquid started filling the space above her stump. As if hold back by a force field, it took the form of the lost limb. Then, starting at the stump, the 'gel' became the lost limb. She'd regenerated it far faster than Matthew believed Anderson could. Breka stretched her hand to her fallen weapon, and the pistol leapt from the floor. She grabbed it from the air, spun it around her finger, and aimed both at Alucard.

Alucard gave another smirk. "Impressive. I believe you might be a grade B vampire."

She shrugged. "Oh, before I forget." She holstered one Colt and raised her hand, snapping her fingers.

From behind Seras and Matthew, a door burst open. A dozen ghouls shuffled in. Matthew quickly drew his pistols and fired, but the ghouls didn't drop. He fired again, the ghouls simply staggering a moment before continuing ahead. From the back came an unhuman yell, one Matthew had only heard a few times in his life… or more accurately his unlife. He turned to look at Breka. "You didn't…"

She smiled evily. "Oh, yes. I found Shalrik's serum, and I've perfected it. Good luck against them, weak sidekicks."

Alucard fired again, trying to end the battle by silencing Breka. Three hit her chest. Two passed through, one didn't. When it hit, there was a metallic sound. Through the hole in her chest, Matthew could see a metal plate. 'She's armored her heart!'

Matthew suddenly realized he'd heard a similar sound from the head ghoul. 'So, she might have the serum, but not a lot of it. One is enhanced, the others are armored.' Before the ghouls could assemble, Matthew holstered one pistol and brought Valkyrie around, pulling it tight into his shoulder and hitting the firing stud. The cannon fired, blasting a hole thought the ghoul and ripping its armored heart from its chest. It fell in a pile of ash and parts.

He reloaded Valkyrie, looking for another target. Suddenly, he heard a yell. "Master!" It was Seras.

Both Alucard and Matthew looked. "Seras!" She was surrounded. While Matthew had dealt with the first ghoul the enhanced one had gotten the others to swarm her. She's tried to use her cannon to take out the armored ghouls, but it was too bulky for close combat. Matthew started running at herm but was interrupted by Alucard. "No. Wait." Suddenly, Seras's yells grew inhuman. Ghouls were being thrown back left and right, disintegrating into ash and pieces as they flew. In the center was… Seras?

Her hair was unkempt, her eyes bright red, her mouth open in a hiss with fangs extended. Her arms were larger, more muscular, and her sleeves ripped apart. Her fingers became claws, and she was tearing the ghouls to pieces.

Alucard was thrilled. "Yes… Yes!"

Matthew looked at him. "What? What happened to her?"

"Later." He turned around. "Damn…"

Matthew turned around too. Breka had vanished, fleeing in the confusion. "Oh, well. You'll get her later. You always do."

"Hmph," he replied. Turning back to watch Seras, his usual demeanor came back.

Seras had taken out all the ghouls, but was still in this strange combat form and was looking for another target. "Seras!" Matthew yelled, trying to get her to snap out of it. He only got her attention. She started at him, obviously attacking. "Seras!" he yelled again. No effect. "Master!"

She stopped abruptly, gasping in realization at what she was about to do. She dropped to her knees, her body back to normal. "Oh my… I'm sorry, Matthew."

"Don't apologize," Matthew replied. "I should've been watching better. I am your fledgling, after all."

That seemed to calm her a bit. She looked up at her master. "What happened to me?"

"You released your demon," Alucard replied. "Everyone, even humans, have an inner force of power. It is combative, destructive, instinctual. I call it a demon, as it seemed to be tied to a person's darker nature. Some vampires can tap into the raw power of their demon, as you did just now."

She shuddered. "I hope I don't do that again any time soon…"

Matthew stepped over and helped her to her feet. "Come on, guys. We've gotta report in and figure out our next move."

The three started out of the courtyard. Alucard, strangely, walked with them, possibly wanting to keep an eye on Sera. Matthew didn't ask, but he guessed Alucard was feeling a pride in Seras's development. Matthew wondered if Alucard had for Seras any of the feelings she had for him.