1Chapter Fifteen: Let's Split Up Gang

A man stood on the roof of a tall tower, overlooking the remains of what used to be a great city of man. This tower that had seen so much bloodshed, and the greatest battle of the undead the world had ever seen. Until now that is.

"The Tower of London..."

A stiff wind picked up, making his red cloak billow slightly. Glancing around, he scowled heavily, "If you want to talk, just come out. Don't try and play these games with me."

From the shadows, another vampire appeared, frowning at the other's insolence, "Don't forget, you are nothing but the face of this. You do not hold the real power."

"...That remains to be seen."

"Don't tempt me."

"What do you want? I don't have the patience to deal with any of your mind games tonight."

The other, elder vampire sighed, walking over to the ledge to stand beside him. They both gazed out over the burning rubble, with FREAKs and ghouls running rampant about. Neither were particularly pleased, but the artificial vampires could be eliminated just as easy as they had been created. Once their purpose was done of course.

"I trust you've heard the news?"

The younger of the two nodded, rubbing his chin in thought, "...Yes. That Prussian vampire lord has defeated the entire force sent. This was expected, but it's happened far sooner than expected."

"The Demon Master is not to be trifled with. I know for a fact, if he brought his army here right now we could not stop him. He is dangerous, and needs to be wiped from the picture as soon as possible. However, that is not the extent of our problems."

"Oh?"

"The Americans slipped through. Reports on how many we killed are sketchy, but we know that a few survived. None of the primary targets were killed. Kyle Newman, Luis Thompson, and Sara Hunter all got away."

"Hmmm... Our plan has caught a hitch it seems."

"The other council members are worried. We appointed you to your position because you have the most experience in leading an army such as this. Do not fail us."

"Leave the battle to me. You just make sure the council doesn't start thinking twice. And if they do, sever their heads from their bodies."

"You talk very big for such a comparatively young undead."

"Vladimir Tepes is a mere six hundred."

"...Don't fall in love with that legend. I have met the real Master of the Dracule. And you are not it. Alucard is beyond you, don't forget this."

"...You sound frightened of him."

"I am frightened of him. And if you had any sense, you would be to. He is powerful, he is not regarded as the No-Life King of the undead for nothing. I would keep an eye out for him as well. He is a wildcard. Do not mess this up."

"You keep your end, I'll keep mine."

But the other vampire was already gone, leaving the younger vampire general alone. He looked out over the burning city again, a smirk on his lips, "We will see... Lord of the night, master of the undead, Vladimir Tepes the Impaler, Count Dracula the no life king, Alucard, where are you?"

There was another presence approaching, familiar and not all that appealing to him. There in the doorway, stood a FREAK in full body armor and military uniform, "My lord, we've rounded up the last of the rebels and are looking for the remaining survivors. What should we do with them?"

"...Take them to the nearest functioning prison and hold them. Do not feed on them, or I will have your head on a platter in a second. Is that understood?"

"Yes sir, it shall be done my lord."

The smirk on the vampire's lips grew as the FREAK scampered away to do his bidding, "Soon Alucard, I'll have more than you're name. I'll have you're black heart in my hand, and then we'll see who is the true No-Life king."

That said, he began to laugh. It was haunting, terrifying. The laugh of a vampire. It echoed out, and everything that lived in the city of London, live or un-dead, cringed as it swept over them. Little did he realize, the enormity of the challenge he spoke. Little did he know, the wrath of the true No Life king. Little did he think about the fact, he was speaking of Alucard, the most powerful vampire to ever walk the earth.

"...You've got to be kidding."

This was all Lui could say. The loudmouthed American was rarely speechless, but this was one of those times. After all, it's not every day you see a full convoy of armored troop transports, tanks, and cargo trucks roll into a secret underground base. Especially if the base is run by vampires. And all of the soldiers were human.

John was standing beside him, rubbing his chin, "We'll, I guess we aren't going to be undermanned anymore."

"You've got that right. I wonder how on earth Sara managed to convince them to come here."

"It wasn't easy, I can assure you."

Both of them turned to watch the leader of the American vampires walk past, a relieved smile on her lips. A few seconds later, Kyle rode in on top of a vehicle, the last one in the group. The heavy door slid shut behind it. He jumped off, and strode over to Sara, "Mission accomplished."

"Good job. Did you run into anything?"

"Random patrols, scavenger crews from the looks of it. Nothing much really."

"Good, good. How many are there?"

"About a hundred, hundred and fifty. More than enough to keep this place running round the clock. They also have supplies..."

"Let me guess, they aren't going to last."

"...No, they aren't. Three months if they ration it, maybe more. I don't know what to tell you."

Sara considered, then it occurred to her, "There are depots everywhere around the major cities. The FREAKs won't care about food. There will be enough of us left to raid them, that will keep us going until another solution can be found."

"Alright. So then, forward as planned?"

"Forward as planned, I want you and the others in the air in under four hours. Get them settled in as best you can, but you have to leave as soon as possible."

"Right. Lui, John! Get over here, start taking them to their barracks. Chop chop, we're under a deadline here!"

A few minutes later, Lui found himself leading a group of about fifty of them down a hallway to their rooms. He had split up with John a while ago, and was now just hurrying to get away from them. He wasn't entire sure they weren't going to open fire on him.

Then around the corner, came Seras. She brightened when she saw Lui, but then she noticed the large number of soldiers that were with him. She stopped saying what she had been, "Um..."

"Seras, go to the control room, I need to talk to you. I'll be done here in a minute, ok?"

"Right."

The British vampire couldn't help but feel the weight of the soldier's looks. She blocked out the whispers and chuckles, and was sure to walk on the other side of the hallway.

As soon as she was gone, Lui told them in a venomous voice, "Don't even think about it. I'll know if you do."

Needless to say, they shut up rather quick. Nodding once, he continued to lead them on, assigning them rooms as they passed them. For the American, it didn't go by quick enough, though the task didn't take more than five minutes or so. And as soon as he had taken the last soldier to his room, he made his way to the control room, where he found Seras, waiting by the door.

"What is it?"

Lui bit his lip, his fangs threatening to pierce the thin skin there. Seras bent down to look him in the eye, as his stare was fixed on the floor, "Lui?"

"I want you to stay here."

She arched an eyebrow at him, before shaking her head, "No, I'm going with you."

"Seras..."

"Oh what is this? I'm not going to stand here while you and the others go out and risk your lives fighting! I'm going with you, and that's the end of it."

"This has got a lot bigger than FREAKs love... We'll be fighting the true vampires and nobles."

"So?"

"I won't be able to protect you Seras, not this time."

"Gah!" she cried in frustration, punching the wall beside him, "I'm not a helpless little girl, I don't need protection!"

He gave her a sad look, barely meeting her eyes, his frown pulling down his entire persona. It was a look that clearly said 'yes, you do', "Remember Incognito?"

Seras froze, looking at him in shock, "Yes, of course I do-"

"You told me that you almost died, that Alucard almost wasn't able to protect you. I'm not a No-Life king. I can't risk having you on the battlefield with me. I know, it's asking a lot. You lost a lot of friends, a way of life. But... I'm asking you to do this for me."

They stared each other down for a while, before Seras sighed angrily, fists clenched at her sides, "Alright... Ok Lui, you win."

"Thank you... Seras, please don't be like that."

"Like what? My husband and friends are about to go off on a crusade on the other side of the planet while I have to stay here like the useless after thought I am."

His head snapped up, eyes widened, "Whoa, who said that?"

"No one has to say it. I'm always the last, told to get behind everyone else. I'm sick of having someone hover over me like some guardian angel, I'm tired of being saved."

"Seras, you aren't useless... Not by a long shot. You're strong willed, brave, and a good person. Not to mention having the most beautiful smile I've ever seen..."

The British vampire couldn't help the sides of her lips from curling upwards. Lui bent down, kissing her softly, "Besides, you have a talent unique among us vampires."

Shocked, she jerked her head up, eyes wide. It was a major turn-around from the way the conversation had been going. Tilting her head to the side, she asked, "What's that?"

"You can keep you're heart as warm as it was in life for one." She blushed a bit, then he continued in a less soft tone, "Plus, you're the only one of us that has experience leading human troops. Sara's gotten too used to ordering me and Johnny around, she needs someone who doesn't expect the soldiers to float through the walls. So cheer up, I'm counting on you to get my country back."

A kiss on the cheek, then Lui started walking towards the armory. Seras smiled, still feeling disappointed and left out, but a bit better than before, watched him go. Then with a wicked look yelled to him sweetly, "Have a fun time with Keoko!"

Lui froze in mid step, sucking in a breath. He turned, wide eyed and half smiling.

"I swear, if I hear anything happens between you two I'll take one of those little swords you're so proud of and castrate you!" She continued with a little wave, in the same innocently sweet voice. Lui gulped, suddenly very sure that she would make due on that promise either way. He waved back, and walked away quite a bit faster than he had been before.

Seras stared after him for a while. Then it occurred to her:

"Or maybe one of Anderson's swords would work better..."

Seras and John watched as another plane took off from the underground hanger, this one bearing Kyle, Nathan, and Cathy towards Europe. Almost everyone had left, only one plane remained in the hanger. Through the entrance of the hanger, came Lui, looking madder than heck and somewhat reluctant about leaving. Whether it was because he had told Seras to stay behind, or the fact he was going to one of his least favorite people, Seras didn't know.

His black coat billowing behind him, he gave one last wave to Seras and proceeded to his air craft. Then John yelled to him, "Don't worry, I'll take good care of Seras for you!"

He stopped in mid-step, turning back to the were-wolf. The idea of this southern 'gentleman', on the base with his wife, while he wasn't around... Uh huh, like that was going to happen. He strode back, and grabbed John by the scruff of the neck, "Uh-uh, you're coming with me jap boy. You used to be in the JSDF didn't you? Good!"

And with that, he tossed the protesting man into the cargo bay, following, then closing the doors. The plane shot down the runway, and off towards it's destination. Seras sighed, looking around the now depressingly empty hanger.

"He'll be fine Seras. He's too stubborn to die."

Turning, she looked towards Sara, who had appeared suddenly as she often did, "That doesn't change the fact I wish I was with him."

"That's the last thing he needs. Even if you were able to fight the enemies he's going to be fighting, no offense, no one expects that you could, he'd still be constantly worrying about you. And... Why did he take John with him? Did he say?"

"I... don't really know..."

Meanwhile...

"Why am I coming with you?"

"Cause, you're such a wonderful conversation companion."

"Sara wanted me to stay behind and help-"

"Well Sara isn't here now is she? Shut up and sit down fur-bag. It's a long flight to Tokyo."

"...Be glad my parents raised me to be a civil man, Luis Thompson, or else I'd be inclined to return you're hostility."

Lui raised his hands in mock horror, "I'm terrified."

For some reason, John decided to let it go. He sat down, and buckled in, trying to block out the noise of the engines so he could maybe sleep the way there. Unlikely, but he could try. Lui just set the plane to auto-pilot, and wandered around the plane. It was a large plan, a cargo transport, and it had enough fuel to make the trip to the island nation in one go. While hauling a fairly large quantity of weapons, and communications equipment.

Kyle, Johnny, and Nathan were in a similar position. Since most of the activity reported had been in Europe, they decided it would be best if all three of them and several other vampires would go. Plus, there were more known allies in Europe, Vincent Nomeriv on the forefront. The plan was to land at the coordinates they had been given during their last communication, and then walk the rest of the way to his secret base.

"Do you really trust Thompson going it alone?", Nathan asked, glancing up at Kyle.

The older vampire nodded once, "He's not a screw-up, despite what he acts like. You know that don't you?"

"I have my doubts. He doesn't have a serious bone is his body."

"You haven't fought with him. You haven't seen him... He'll do his job, one way or another."

"That's my point, it's not just getting the job done."

"As true as that is... So then, do you have any ideas for when we get there?"

Nathan rubbed his chin, pondering their next move, "Nomeriv... With him at our backs we won't be out-manned by any stretch of the imagination... But trying to take them out city to city seems like a lack-luster plan of action."

"We need to find the FREAK chip factories, that's a given. As long as they are around, they'll win through sheer attrition."

"But where to look?"

"That's the question of the day isn't it?"

They sat in silence for a moment, before Nathan added, "Ya... But I can't help but wonder... How could so many people get turned into FREAKs without the world noticing? It doesn't make sense."

Kyle nodded, "And that's the question of the century..."

END CHAPTER

OH MAN I'M SO SORRY GUYS!

Ug... I've seriously lost my inspiration for this fic... You have no idea how hard this chapter was, and it isn't even that long. I'm trying, I really am. But I'm trying to juggle around a whole bunch of writing, some I have to do and others like this that I'm just doing for the heck of it. Bear with me, I refuse to give up on a story. NOFIC LEFT BEHIND!

God bless,

-Professor Curly-