"So, we know where they are and that their strength is reduced. Attacking now would be unadvised as long as Breka is present." Armen had just finished his brief to Richard and General Wallace along with the Bravo company staff. Matthew stood nearby, not wanting to sit.

"That's no longer an issue, Lieutenant. Breka and a number of her forces have left the country," Wallace replied to Armen. "Radar images showed an aircraft left the base, though when we showed them to the operators they had no recollection of it. Only Breka has the power to erase that memory from so many people. We aren't sure where she went, but that is the next problem to solve. For now, we're going to hit the Global Fangs with everything we can." He turned to Richard.

Richard nodded. "Yes, sir." He stood and moved to a United States map. All DPSD bases were highlighted, as was their target. "The closest DPSD base to the target is Emerald." It was in Colorado, a short flight south of their target. "We'll move both companies out there over the next day and attack tomorrow night. The remaining Silver Base troops will defend Diamond in our absence. Emerald's Alpha Company will accompany us, though they'll be renamed Charlie for this op. All our other bases will be fully manned, in case there's a counter attack or this is a ploy to draw out our forces."

Waltrin raised a hand and was recognized by Richard. "I didn't think we had enough Vultures to move both companies with a full load that far." Normally, it took one Vulture to move a single fully loaded squad any appreciable distance.

"With the remaining Vultures from Silver Base, we do now. That and the techs claim they've been working on them over the week. Boosted the range by half again. We'll go standard loadout for heavy combat op. For now, just move your people. Gear will go in later flights. We'll make the final plan once we're on the ground. Jemeth, you'll be with Alpha Company first squad. Stick with us at the start. If you decide to break away, let us know."

"Yes sir," he replied.

Richard continued. "Each company will have a chunk of ground to cover. We're surrounding the target as much as possible, but this'll be a tough op." He gave the group a final look over. "Make sure your troops are packed and rested. We attack tomorrow night."

Diamond Base entered a state of ordered chaos. Orders were passed down the chain of command to each squad member. The DPSD troops started gathering their gear, minus weapons. With such a relatively light load, two squads easily made the trip from Diamond to Emerald in a single Vulture. Matthew helped keep things organized acting as a runner between John and his squad leaders. He caught one of the last Vultures over, wanting to stay near his weapons. Not that he didn't trust the DPSD, but he felt a little possessive of his gear, especially since the loss of Valkyrie.

He spent the last chunk of day before the final briefing away from the others. While those from Diamond Base were used to his presence, those from Emerald Base became nervous around him as soon as they realized what he was. Wearing his Hellsing jacket didn't help any. He met up with John just before the briefing. John sat with his platoon. Matthew, as usual, stood to one side.

General Wallace gave the briefing. As he entered, all stood at attention. "As you were," he said. Once all had sat, he started. "We've located the Global Fang's main base. Their leader has left them, so the time for our attack has come." He held up a small remote and clicked its button. A screen lowered behind him and a projector showed a map of the area. Emerald Base was highlighted, as well as the Global Fang base. Automatically, it zoomed in on the Global Fang base. "This is where we're going. We don't know much about the base." The central building was approximately a square 'U' shape with a concrete courtyard between the wings. The open part was to the east. Matthew's read gave it at least one belowground level. Nothing was known about the interior. Four smaller buildings sat a hundred feet away from the base in compass directions, possibly guard posts. "We're uncertain of what you'll face in there, so we're loading for bear: three companies with all the gear they can carry. Heavy combat op loadout."

Wallace highlighted one wing of the base. "Bravo company, you'll attack the southern wing. Charlie company," Emerald's Alpha company had already been told they would be Charlie, "you'll attack the northern wing. Alpha company, you'll attack the front entrance. For those of you who don't know him, we have a Hellsing agent here." The General gestured to Matthew, and all those present looked. He couldn't help but feel a little self-conscious, pulling himself to attention. "He is Matthew Jemeth. He is a vampire, but that only makes him a stronger ally."

"We'll be attacking tonight, as you all know. I want the Global Fang problem wiped from the United States by morning. Our country is counting on us, people. Are there any questions?"

Charlie Company's leader raised a hand and stood when called on. Introducing himself, he asked, "Why are we attacking at night, sir? Any target vampires would be more active and better able to defend themselves."

"A good question. One thing we're actually hoping on is for them to exit the building and attack. If you take them out before entering the building, you'll have less to deal with once you're inside."

"Thank you, sir." The man sat.

Other questions asked about transport to and from the target, security of the Vultures, and what to do if the whole thing was an ambush. Matthew felt that a few questions were staged, to keep the troops paying attention. General Wallace was ready for each question, and it felt more like a part of the briefing than a Q&A. Finally, no further questions were asked. The room was called to attention. "Company commanders," he said, "take charge of your companies, and get them some chow. We gear up in an hour."

"Aye, sir!" replied each company commander.

As the troops ate, Matthew headed for one of the access tunnels. Being where it was, Emerald Base didn't have the same above ground structure as Diamond Base. It had few lifts or hatches connecting it to the surface, opting for tunnels instead. He needed some time away from the others, away from the nervousness. So, he left the base and walked in the growing twilight. The sun was setting, the sky becoming bright orange and painting the landscape varying shades of light and dark. Emerald Base was up in the mountains, like their objective that night. There were few trees at that altitude, allowing Matthew a good view of the local area.

He knew he needed to clear his mind before the coming battle. That or focus it. He knew one excellent way to do it. Matthew reached into his mind, opened a link, and gave a mental 'tap on the shoulder'. 'Hey Seras. You there?'

He could feel a relieved smile from her. 'I'm right here, Matthew. It's good to hear from you. I was trying to get in touch with you earlier, but you were concentrating so much I couldn't get in.'

'I think I know what you're talking about. Or more accurately who. No worries, though. I sent him packing.'

A mental nod came from Seras. 'Yes, we heard about that. Is everything all right over there?'

'Yeah,' he replied. 'We're getting ready for a big op, but the troops are mostly relaxed. Can't give you anything else quite yet. How about back there?'

'Almost back to normal. Seems the Global Fangs have pulled out. We're back to our routine, just waiting for your report.'

'Well, I can give you some news. Berka has left the States. We're not sure where she went.'

'Hmm… I'll mention it to Walter and Fargason, see what they can find. Oh, and Alucard told me about Ralik.'

Matthew's attention became more focused. 'What did he say?'

'Only that Ralik was 'a piece of scum' he'd dealt with in the past. Apparently, he'd been hoping to silence him eventually, but it seems you doing it was good enough for him.' She gave the mental equivalent of a shrug. 'Seemed he agreed with the idea that he was a low grade vampire, but he congratulates you.'

'That works. More than I expected, I must say.'

She paused, then chuckled. 'Probably, yes. Hold on… We've got a mission. I have to go. Good luck, Matthew.'

'To you as well, Seras. I'll see you when I see you.' He felt the connection fade. As he'd hoped, it again calmed him down and allowed him to think on the coming mission.

John appeared from the main building. "Hey, Matt! We're getting ready to move!"

"I'm coming!" Matthew called back. He jogged to the door.

Matthew and John moved to the newly expanded armory, Alpha company gearing up for the mission. Matthew slung on all his gear, knowing he would quite probably need all of it by the end of the night. He knew he had nothing to fear from Alpha company. They'd worked with him, and knew his abilities. They would trust him at their backs. Roland… Hard to tell what he was thinking, but Matthew didn't sense the same amount of anger from him.

By platoons, Alpha company started for the hanger. A dozen Vultures sat there waiting for them. Each squad boarded a Vulture and waited for the others to do the same. Within fifteen minutes, the Vulture's quiet jet engines whined and the craft started to rise from the hanger floor. The pilot turned the craft in place, aiming for the opening tunnel. The twilight / starry sky shown beyond. "Let's move out," John said to the pilot.

Their Vulture led the way out of the hanger into the rapidly darkening sky, the other eleven Vultures falling into formation behind them. They cruised along at four hundred miles per hour, making the trip across the state line and to the enemy base in just over half an hour.

Matthew had watched the sun set as they flew, feeling his headache vanish as the bright light left his face. He felt his powers return to him. Verifying their location, he ran the next part of the mission through his head. They'd slowed to about 200 MPH in preparation to separate. The Vultures carrying Charlie company would swing around to the far side of the base while Alpha's Vultures swung to the right. Bravo would fly on straight ahead to their landing zone. As the Vulture banked, he watched as the members of first squad roused from their relaxed states and start checking their weapons one last time. Matthew cocked his two brownings, lowered their hammers, and slid them back in their holsters, then did the same for the Auto-mag.

As they neared the base, Matthew stretched out with his senses and turned John. "Yep, it's confirmed. Breka is gone."

One of the troops, a marine before joining DPSD, overheard and said, "She probably heard we were coming." That got a chuckle from those paying attention, cutting done the anxiousness that had built up over the last few minutes.

The Vulture swung in low, slowing to a stop. Both doors slid open, and first squad leapt from the craft. As they formed up with the rest of first platoon, the Vulture swung away, heading for its holding position. Matthew noticed John was still there. "Sir?" he asked, back in professional mode.

"Figured I'd do what the marines do and lead from the front. We may need all the morale boosters we can get." John started moving the platoon toward the Global Fang base a half-mile away. It felt like a much shorter walk. They approached the crest of a small rise, and beyond lay their target. Some of the building's windows were lit, as were all four guard posts. No lights shown across the ground; vampires wouldn't need them to see intruders. A few rocks of varying size, from a soda can to a small car, littered the area. John ordered the troops to hold up. "Matt, anything you can do?"

"Not sure," Matthew replied truthfully. "I don't know how skilled they are, so I don't know if I can hide from them. And I certainly can't hide all of us. Hell, they probably already know we're here." He concentrated a moment. "But I don't feel like we've got guns trained on us."

John nodded, acknowledging the report. "Then we do this the old fashioned way. Platoon, form up by squads and head for the nearest guard post. Stay silent as long as possible, and try to use rocks for cover. Try to maintain radio silence. Open fire if fired upon. Once we get to the guard post, we'll secure it and move on. Move out."

Each squad picked a slightly different route toward the guard post. While Matthew wouldn't call what happened an ambush, the Global Fangs had definitely seen them coming. The guard post doors flew open, a number of vampires moving out while ghouls shuffled along after them. Bullets whizzed by Matthew's head. The DPSD troops responded instantly. Their silver plated bullets were far better aimed, finding their targets and sending several vampires and ghouls to the ground in piles of ash. Muzzle flashes from others parts of the base showed Alpha company wasn't the only one surprised by the Global Fangs.

An alarm pierced the air, and more enemy forces exited the main building to join in the fight. A few vampires managed to get behind the DPSD formation. John suddenly realized one was behind him. He turned, drawing his sidearm… but the vampire fell to ash before he could fire or it could attack. John turned again, seeing Matthew holding one of his brownings. They exchanged nods, then returned to battle.

Matthew chased after one especially fast vampire, soon finding himself separated from first squad. The DPSD squads had separated, spreading across the base to take out as many vampires and ghouls as possible. Matthew started back toward the guard post, breaking into a run as he saw several members of second squad lying dead.

He rounded the corner to find a feeding vampire. The vampire looked up, his mouth red from his now interrupted meal. He hissed, reaching for his gun. Matthew didn't give him the chance, firing several rounds from his brownings. The vampire dropped in a pile of ash. Matthew ran to see who had been attacked…

It was John.

John, strong ex-SEAL that he was, was still alive. He'd taken a couple bullets to the gut, and he had a pair of holes in his neck. He wouldn't be alive for a lot longer. "John… just hang on. I'll get help."

"No," John said. "I'm done for, Matt. That vamp got a lot of my blood before you could pop him." He gave a grave chuckle. "Almost ironic, Matthew. I'm going to ask you, a vampire, to kill me."

"How about a friend?"

He considered that, giving a slight nod. "That works. Good luck. Kill that bitch Breka and send her to Hell where she belongs."

Matthew pulled one browning. "Thanks, John. I will. Enjoy your rest." He aimed at John's forehead, closed his eyes, and fired. When his eyes opened, John was dead… but he would stay that way.

Matthew knelt beside his friend, dropping his backpack and sword / shield frame to the ground. He closed John's eyes, then took off his Hellsing jacket and draped it over John's head. "I still think you would've made a great Hellsing."

He pulled his gear back on over his black t-shirt, feeling a new rage build within him. He hadn't known John long, but he had been a great soldier and an excellent ally… and his only friend at the DPSD. Now, not only was John dead but Matthew had been the one to kill him. He had killed a human being… someone would pay for forcing his hand.

He reached down and hit his radio, breaking radio silence. "All troops, this is Matthew Jemeth. I'm going in. Alone. Give me cover. Out." Not waiting for a reply, he grabbed the headset and belt pack and threw them at the guard post wall. They fell in pieces. He again drew his brownings and sprinted for the main building. Several vampires got in his way. They weren't there for long. He entered the Global Fang base, DPSD troops continuing the battle against the vampires and ghouls leaving the base.

Matthew strode through the halls, the few Global Fang forces remaining inside taking positions to stop him. Matthew took aim and fired, walking straight ahead while allowing his guns to train on his foes. He passed side corridors, aiming without looking to silence yet more vampires and ghouls. The few that attacked from behind were met by mercury charged silver bullets fired over Matthew's shoulder.

Suddenly, he holstered his brownings and drew Spitfire, continuing through the base to the one strong vampire he sensed, continuing on with the single-mindedness of a golem. Spitfire filled the air with its "Braap" as Matthew cut enemy ranks down, always walking toward his target.

Little of his surroundings registered in his mind. His vampiric senses were in full force. All he sensed was his targets and the path he needed to get to the final one. His normal senses took over once he neared his destination. He swung Spitfire back into its railings, dropped the backpack and sword / shield frame to the ground once more, and drew his Auto-mag. He approached an office, punching its doors off its hinges. The door flew to the far wall. He walked in, quickly analyzing the room. Book filled shelves lined one wall with a large United States map on another. On the far side, a large Global Fangs symbol. In the corner was a large wood desk, various trinkets decorating it with a stack of possibly reports in one corner.

Sitting behind the desk with his feet up was Matthew's target.

The vampire was very relaxed. He wore boots, jeans, and a button down shirt. On his head was a wide-brim hat. Not like Alucards; more like a cowboy hat. He read reports, ignoring Matthew. Without stopping once he'd entered the room, Matthew pointed his Auto-mag at the vampire's head and waited.

Finally, the vampire reached up and lifted the brim of his hat. He had blond hair and bright red eyes. Matthew's eyes burned with rage, his face set in 'angry neutral' mode. "Well," the vampire said with a southern drawl, "'bout time you showed up." He tossed the reports aside and stood. At his hips was a pair of revolvers, possibly Colt Peacemakers. 'Old West' guns. "Though you're not quite who I was expectin'."

Annoyed, Matthew said, "Yeah, yeah, so I'm not Alucard. Do I look like I give a shit?"

The vampire gave a slight headshake and chuckle. "Nope." He started walking around the desk, Matthew's Auto-mag following. "You actually gonna shoot that thing?"

"Eh, in a minute. Why don't you draw? Make it interesting."

"Fine." He pulled his revolvers, keeping them aimed at the floor. "But if you want things to be interestin', I don't need these." He chuckled… and vanished.

Matthew scoffed and started trying to scan the room with his vampiric sense. "Hmm… Invisibility. Nice parlor trick."

"It works for me," the vampire said, his voice seemingly coming from everywhere at once. "You might not like it too much, though." A pair of shots rang out, the vampire's silver-plated bullets cutting across the flesh of Matthew's right arm. Matthew scowled and returned fire, finding nothing but air. The vampire laughed. "Too slow, Hellsing."

"I'll figure it out." Matthew felt something to his right, turned, and fired. "First time fighting a coward who hides in the shadows."

"Goading will get you nowhere." Another pair of shots. These crossed Matthew's leg. He ignored the pain as the wounds started regenerating.

Normally, fighting a foe like this one would leave Matthew frightened, overwhelmed, and calling Alucard and Seras for help. This time… Matthew fired another shot, taking out a damaged shelf of a bookcase. He paused, now holding the Auto-mag to his side. "Want to know another difference between me and Alucard?"

"Sure," he said. "So ahead."

Quickly, Matthew aimed his Auto-mag over his left shoulder and pulled the trigger. The vampire howled as his left hand detonated, his gun falling to the floor. Matthew spun around and shot the now visible vampire's right hand off as well. "Alucard likes it when his targets get cocky. I don't." Before the vampire would do anything else, Matthew put his last two bullets through the vampire's left leg, trapping him on the floor. The Auto-mag's slide locked back. Matthew let it run forward, released its hammer, and slid it back into its holster.

"So what now?" the injured vampire asked. "Gonna silence me?"

Matthew shook his head. "No. Right now I owe you some pain for a friend of mine," he said, his voice suddenly very dark. He walked over to the vampire, his face in a look of truly hellish rage. He pulled his right arm back high and brought it down, aiming his fist at the vampire's face.

…But it was no fist that struck.

Instead, a trio of claws sliced through the vampire's skull. He fell to the ground in pieces, dissolving to dust.

Matthew's shock killed all his rage. He brought his hand to eye level with a gasp… but all was normal. He looked at this right sleeve, which was ripped to shreds. 'My arm morphed… like Seras did…' He felt the equivalent of a slamming door in the back of his mind, and at once all the rage and surge of power died with it. It began to dawn on him. His demon, all his dark power, had been escaping. Slowly, it had leaked out from where it had been kept, past all the 'mental blocks' he'd placed to try to stop it. Matthew had gotten his first real taste of what power he had… and he was terrified. But then was not the time to be terrified. He buried it deep and continued his mission. He looked down at his fallen foe. "I guess you got lucky…"

Walking over to the desk, Matthew found an intercom to the rest of the base. He pushed its button, activating the system. "All troops, this is Jemeth. Primary target silenced. Repeat, primary target silenced. I'm coming out."

The combined strength of the three DPSD companies had been far more than the remaining Global Fangs could handle. When Matthew exited, the DPSD already had a team ready to move in and gather all the information possible. Somewhat mentally subdued after the battle, Matthew just found a seat in a Vulture and stared out the window, leaving the troops to celebrate their victory.