Order 8: Under the Circumstances
Outside The Imperial War Museum. 1:00 P.M.
Integra and Maxwell sat outside at a stone table away from civilians to talk about the vampire problem. It was nearly impossible for Integra to keep her cool as the words cascaded from her mouth in very unsavory tones. Maxwell hated Integra for being a Protestant and English but now he had something to hate her personally for. Being so rude and unscrupulous! Worse, she made it out to look like he was the cause of it all. And to top it off, the one remark that nearl sent hmi over the edge was this.
" You keep thinking the Hellsing Organization as a 'newborn' organization that doesn't know what it's doing. You keeping saying that Section XIII is better than us, far more advanced in technology and information about vampires, ghouls and so on! Yet, you can't even find out what is causing this epidemic and more so, you can't keep it from leaking out into other countries? If I dare say, Maxwell...you do one bloody hell of a shabby job managing this problem AND your organization."
Maxwell just stared at her in disbelief. Even Skey couldn't have told him off worse than Integra. Course, Integra had practice and some sort of 'talent' for mouthing off. Maxwell dared to even think of grabbing Integra by her shirt collar, and slamming her into a wall for even saying such disrespectful words. Instead, he slammed his fist on the stone slab of the table, his teeth clenched in unheard of madness. How hard it was to restrain from slapping the spoiled woman sitting across from him. How she stared into him with such ice cold eyes, shattering his pride and then tearing him apart like a rabid animal. But Maxwell had some words to say as well.
" You continue to disrespect us, Sir Integra? The Vatican? Iscariot? WE, Iscariot, are doing a shabby job? Must I remind you on how poorly protected your own mansion was from that vampire attack a year ago? So many men lost and so many families mourning? All because YOU failed to protect them? We may make mistakes like anyone else, but the one thing that has NEVER happened to us is that we have NEVER suffered such a loss in casualties! We never fail to protect our own headquarters!"
" Though our organizations are of different religions, Maxwell...they do in fact fight the same fight. That means fighting NOT to protect each other, but fighting to protect th people of our countries as well! How selfish your lot is!"
Now Maxwell knew he lost. He calmed down and took a seat, a very grim and defeated mask on his face. Like last time, he lost this battle of words. With a chuckle, he gave up and decided best to switch this subject. They needed to get down to business and not worry about their quarreling. This vampire plague had increased into England and very possibly other countries. Their little squabbles would have to be put on hold for now.
" So how bad is the vampire epidemic in this country?"
" The death rate is 84 total. And that is in a month. The information based on my agent's report is that these were true, original article vampires...no chips, no bio engineering or of any of that sort. this means an ancient vampire has awoken or stayed hidden for a good while...but has suddenly came out and taken victims. And from his victims, spreads more vampires. This problem is spreading like wildfire. And the trail of where this started lead to Rome, Maxwell. (Lights a cigar) So now my question is why couldn't you stop this epidemic?"
" (grinned) Like you said...it's spreading like wildfire. Wildfire is nearly untamable. We have killed about a hundred of these vampires in our own city, and a hundred more in the outskirts. If we have killed hundreds, then how many hundreds could have been made by now? We cannot continue to hunt them down one by one...we must find the vampire that started this whole thing."
" Exactly. It's in Europe somewhere. And as much discontent this brings me to say, we must work together on this one. If not...than this vampire may slip through our hands. Even Alucard cannot find this vampire. Nor can any of our spies. He's only been spotted once or twice, but by then he was long gone. He has long black hair down to his hips, fair colored skin, stands about 6'6" and weighs no more than about 150 pounds. He dresses in all black. That's as much as we know. Name, origin, age and all of that is still unknown."
Maxwell took this into thought. He knew Anderson and Skey were right around the corner listening in so they knew what they were looking for. What he didn't see was the surprise on Skey's face. The description Integra had given Maxwell was the exact match of the vampire she had seen on that last hunt. So this meant that vampire was behind all of this like she had guessed! If that was the case, then the vampire was obviously the enemy...Yet why did he talk to her that one time like a lost lover would? Skey had no recollection of even who he was. How could two be lovers if one does not even know the other? axwell got up from the table and walked towards them. Skey's head was peeking out, that is before Anderson yanked on her coat collar.
" Ack! What was that for?"
He didn't answer. anderson leaned against the wall, arms folded tightly and the glare of the, dare she say, devil on his face. The green eyes were gloomy and dull, the posture suggesting eithe aggravation or anger. Skey loved being sassy and obnoxious around him cause she knew he tolerated it, but she knew his moods as well. Being rude and sassy right now wouldn't have been one of the best ideas. Skey grimaced and leaned against the wall with her arms hanging down and her head looking to the pretty tile patterns on the floor. Maxwell appeared from behind the corner and then walked on without a word. Both followed him without question.
Hotel. 2:30 P.M.
" WHAT! We can't get a flight to Rome till tomorrow evening?"
Anderson and Skey stayed out of the living area of their hotel room. They went onto the balcony and closed the patio door so Maxwell's excessive arguing and fury couldn't be heard. Skey just rolled her eyes as the voice could still be faintly heard through the glass. Didn't Maxwell know there were other people in the neighboring rooms? She sat down in on of the chairs and looked out over a park. People were there with their dogs or children, playing and laughing. The sun was high up in the sky still, a few stray clouds passing by once in a while. Anderson leaned on the balcony railing, still that serious look on his face. Something was definitely bothering him and she couldn't guess what it was.
" What's wrong, Anderson?"
Skey wasn't used to this silent side to him. Was it because she chased down that female vampire in the museum? It wasn't her fault! She went on instinct as taught by him. How was she suppose to know the girl was from the Hellsnig organization? She gripped the arms of the chair in nervousness, looking down in the silly thought maybe she would make him mad to know she was watching him. But finally he admitted what was wrong.
" We, Iscariot, teamed up wi' the likes' O' Hellsing? Thas yin O' the things tha' even Ah would hae never thought possible. Whit in the world is Maxwell thinking tae mak ae alliance wi' HELLSING? Ah swear til ye Skey, the man's losing it."
Skey didn't know what to say, but what Anderson said was true. All Iscariot agents, all Catholics for that matter, are told that Protestants were heretics. That Protestants were nothing but trouble. Maxwell was one to influence this most of all yet he turns around and makes an alliance with Hellsing. He hated Protestants and always trash talked them but now he turns around and is friendly with them? It'd make him a hypocrite. But you would have to look beyond that matter. This vampire was causing a big problem not just for the two organizations, but for all of Europe and who knew? Maybe the whole world. Maybe under these certain circumstances, two enemies may have to compromise and make an alliance for the while until the bigger threat is eradicated from the picture. Though Skey knew this, trying to tell Anderson that would only infuriate him and make him all crazy.
" Maybe I can get you some ice water? Or something to drink?"
"Aye...thanks."
Skey left Anderson standing there on the balcony, gripping the railing so tightly she was afraid the metal would actually snap or bend! Maxwell slammed the phone down and Skey tried hurrying off to the mini fridge to get a drink before his voice halted her.
" Where do you think you're going, Skey!"
"Gyah! Uhh...Anderson wanted a drink. And uh..."
" You can tell him also we're stuck in this danmed country until tomorrow evening."
Maxwell left and went into the bedroom. The doors slammed shut behind him. Skey cringed as they shut. God, was he ever pissed off! She let out a sigh and went to the mini fridge. They had all sorts of drinks and food. Water, cheese, bologna, bread, juice, gourmet candies, fruits and such. Skey picked out one of the apples for herself and got the cold water for Anderson. She stood and kicked the small door shut. So they were stuck in England for the rest of the day. Skey delighted at the thought of that. She would be able to tour around and ride that decker bus. Course she wanted to go on her own unsupervised. Skey went back out on the balcony and gave Anderson his water. She ate her apple as she knew what she was going to do. Tonight, she'd sneak out to tour England.
