Ban Midou and Ginji Amano gaped at the man sitting across from them.
"Will you do it? Please?"
"Sure we will!" Ginji said, clapping the startled man on the shoulder. "We'll be happy to find Victoria..." Ban cut him off with a choke-hold on his collar.
"Excuse us a minute, please." Ban manhandled Ginji to a corner of the Honky Tonk, ignoring the concerned looks from Natsumi. Paul shrugged and went back to his paper. HE knew better.
"Ginji, what the HELL are you thinking?" Ban hissed once they were squished into the corner. "We're not looking for a lost girlfriend!"
"But Ban!" Ginji protested, squirming to get free of Ban's grip. "Think about it! It's a trip to England! Haven't you ever wanted to get out of Japan, see the world?"
"No."
"I don't believe you. This is a great chance. Besides, he's willing to pay for it!" Ban's eyes developed dollar signs in a blink. Ginji sighed in relief when Ban let him go and strolled back to the client.
"So, Tanaka-san. As I was saying to my partner, we would be willing to take on your case, but it'll cost you."
"I understand," Tanaka said, nodding. "I knew it would. You are the best recovery service in Japan, after all and I am asking you to leave your home turf. I will pay you two million yen, half up front, and all your expenses while in England. Is this acceptable?" Ginji slid back into the booth and elbowed Ban, who was starting to drool.
"Four million yen," Ban said. Natsumi gasped, Paul dropped his paper and Ginji shrank into himself. "Half up front."
"Done." Tanaka took out a checkbook. Filling out the check, he ripped it off the pad and handed it to Ginji. Ban snatched the check, read it closely, folded it and put it in his shirt pocket. Tanaka handed Ginji a small manila folder.
"This is what I have so far. I know a reporter in London, he is doing some background work. Your tickets are in the folder. We leave tomorrow." Tanaka stood and bowed. "Thank you very much. I really appreciate you taking my case. I have been very worried about Victoria. I will meet you at the airport."
"Tanaka-san, the Get Backers are on the case!" Ginji assured him. The three men shook hands and Tanaka left the cafe. Ban and Ginji poured over the folder. Inside were a few pictures, a bio sheet, two first class tickets and a newspaper clipping with a note attached. The pictures were of a blonde girl with pretty eyes in a school uniform. One was of her and Tanaka together, goofing for the camera. Ban read the bio sheet.
"Victoria Seras. 19. Graduated from high school, enrolled in the police academy that same year. Graduated top of her class and joined Department 11, high-security unit. Blonde hair, blue eyes..." Ban skipped over the medical information. "Killed in the line of duty? What the hell?"
"Ban. Look at this." Ginji waved the clipping. It was an obituary for Victoria. "It says she was killed during a shootout at an old church. Her entire unit was wiped out."
"Damn." Ban snagged the note.
"I know you're wondering why I would send you after a dead woman. I do not believe she is dead. Word slipped out from her department that her coffin was lighter then those of her comrades. Too light, was the exact wording. Plus there are rumors around the precinct that another group also responded to the standoff at the church. A secret group that no one likes to speak of directly, but a name is whispered. Hellsing. I think you should start there. Tanaka."
"What do you think?" Ginji asked, looking at Ban. Ban frowned down at the picture.
"I think we're going to England. Now my curiosity's piqued."
36 hours later, Ban and Ginji were standing on a deserted sidewalk, staring up at a large concrete fence. Spiked iron posts decorated the top and the Get Backers were sure there was electronic surveillance as well. The Hellsing mansion looked more like a fortress.
"Think you can hotwire the eyes?" Ban asked Ginji in a whisper. Ginji nodded.
"Right then. Up you go!" Ban knelt and cupped his hands. Ginji stepped into them and Ban threw him over the wall. The blond cleared it, barely. Landing on his feet, he found some thin wires attached to barely visible cameras swiveling along the wall. They were placed in cracks in the mortar. Ginji whistled.
"These guys are good." He channeled a small amount of electricity and shorted out four cameras, just enough space for the two to get to the building. He heard faint grunting and looked up. Ban was climbing one of the iron posts. Ginji waited until he had cleared the spike and dropped down beside him.
"What's the status?"
"The cameras are out. I didn't shut down the whole system. I'm sure there's guards, but I haven't seen or heard any."
"Right. Let's go find a door."
"We have them, Miss Integral. It would appear our visitors are well known in Japan." Walter said, handing a printout to the woman sitting behind the desk.
"Thank you, Walter." Sir Integral Hellsing, head of the Hellsing Organization, flipped through the papers. Her lips twitched. "Where are they now?"
"They just disabled four cameras in the southeastern quadrant. The metaphysical wards, however, are still up."
"Men with such abilities, yet they did not bother to alter the wards? Is Japan so dead, then?" Integral sighed and shook her head.
"Bring them to me, Walter. Disarm them, but do not hurt them. I want to know what makes these two risk their lives so recklessly."
"As you wish." Walter, Integral's butler and family assassin, nodded and left the study. Two guards were already stationed at the door. The older man grinned and headed for the grounds. The entire mansion was on high alert, had been ever since Ban and Ginji had been spotted lurking near the outer fence. One didn't risk the only anti-undead organization in Great Britain. Pointing to six guards, Walter waved them ahead. The men fell out, moving towards the shadows that were trying so hard to slink up to the house.
"Man, where's the cover?" Ban griped as they ran towards the house, keeping low. "I thought the British kept gardens."
"Only in the greenhouse." A new voice rang out. Ban and Ginji froze. Floodlights came on with a twang of power generators. The Get Backers found themselves surrounded by soldiers, all pointing automatic rifles at them. Standing between two of the soldiers was a man who looked to be in his 50s or 60s, dressed in an impeccable suit with red armbands. No jacket, just a full vest and a monocle. Ban and Ginji slowly straightened, gauging their chances of an escape.
"I would not bother," The well-dressed man said, folding his arms. "Sir Integral wishes to meet you."
"Who?" Ban asked, clenching his fist. Something cool and slick slid over his right wrist. "Hey!"
"What the..." Ginji lifted his left arm. A black wrist cuff covered his forearm, butting up against his glove. Ban was sporting a dull gray one with symbols carved on the surface. A chuckle that could only be described as evil echoed in their ears. The soldiers merely grinned.
"What's the big idea?" Ban demanded, glaring at the speaker.
"Do not be alarmed. The bands will not hurt you. They merely block your power. I doubt you, Ginji Amano, can generate more then 10,000 volts now. And your Jagon, Ban Midou, will no longer work." Ban and Ginji gasped.
"How do you know us?" Ginji demanded. Ban was growling.
"My name is Walter, Now, please, come with me. Sir Integral does not like to be kept waiting." Walter turned and started walking towards the mansion. Ginji and Ban exchanged a look, nodded and followed.